National Teaching Committee Bulletins/1920/August 10/Text
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The following accomt of work accomplished through -- or as a result of -- the insertion of some Holy Utterances in the newspapers in a conmians Sy oF small villages, -- and written by Mrs. Louise Gregory -- is shared with the friends because it is of general interest and may help others to serve in a similar way in other sections of the country.
"A few months ago the small assembly of Johnstown, N. Y., consisting of four tried and firm early believers at considerable sacrifice (or because of, with their small means), caused to be inserted excerpts from the creative words of Abdul Baha in the two Gloversville papers; adding an address for further information, and literature for those interested. The latter is an important point.
“i This was their way of carrying out the instructions of Abdul Baha as expressed in the Divine Plan to have articies put in the newspaper's y ~ Miss | Ella Quant, having been impressed by Miss Flizabeth.Bowen's information given at the Convention in 1919, in regard to the most economical way this could be done viz: at the special rate of e5¢ an inch for a certain type of print in the religious colums.
"The known result is the arising almost immediately of one prepared soul in active service even before he had had time to assimilate the Divine Teachings. He communicated with the address given, visited the Assembly, read the literature as fast as he could be supplied, visited the Library at New York, heard lfirza Fazel speak, and got in touch with the friends; and his most ardent wish now is to become a lecturer not only in his own city but neighboring and far distant cities. He has already spoken in cooperation with 4 visiting Bahai before two audiences and is performing great services in creating interest in various churches and associations, and persuading them to open their doors to visiting Bahai lecturers.
"Others are known to be interested in various degrees, through the insertion of the Holy Utterances week by week for several weeks, and no doubdt many more unknown as yet. The seed has been sown and the way for future work prepared by Abdul Baha Himself through His Holy Utterances, by the obedience of these four souls to the Divine Instructions.
"The friends used the short account of the history of the Cause and the Introduction in the "Big Ben". It is suggested that lirs. Chamberlain's Introduction in "Divine Philosophy" might please Editor$ of papers and prepare the way for the Writings where perhaps alone they would not accept them.
"This should encourage the Bahai Assemblies large and small to go and do likewise, eSpecially as a means of reaching cities and towns and villages in which there are at present no Bahai Assemblies or any known Bahais.
' "If only one such prepared soul as at Gloversville becomes thereby at-, tracted and arises to serve and is capable of lecturing and teaching in his or her city, it can easily be seen that the ground will be found prepared by Abdul Baha Himself, and that in this way the Cause would very quickly be BP300.2 | Spread all over America. | !
-U54 "This also opens up a field of work for Bahais anxious to serve, able to
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move about from place to place spendins weeks or months in each, yet not feeling able to lecture or do public work. For, by devoting their time to visiting those who send in their names and addresses as interested, by teaching and training them individually, by getting them to meet together, and to work, it is possible to both prepare the way for a lecturer and to build up a small Bahai centre as a nucleus of a Bahai Assembly. |
"If those able and willing to do such work, and Bahai small Assemblies needing just such helpers for themselves, or nearby cities they know of, or have reached through their local papers, -- would each and all get in ; touch with the Teaching Committee no doubt they could be brought together to the great benefit of the Cause and themselves. —~
"Atlantic City offers a great field for teaching through such means. Much good work has been done there at different times by such people as Mrs. Nourse, Mr. Remey, Abmad Sohrab and others, but for want of adequate facilities the work of reaching the general public, the immense opportunities presented by the enormous crowds that visit Atlantic City from many States, cities, towns and villages has not been able to be taken advantage of.
"These opportunities are well understood and provided for by the Christian Scientists, who have a fine Reading Room, Library and Lecture Hall over some Stores on the Board walk in a good position; and by a number of Stores catering to those interested in psychic phenomena etc. The Bahais ought to be there with a Reading Room, Library antl Meeting Place, or if that is not now possible, as near as they can get.
"This, the small but mited Atlantic City Assembly, meeting at Dr. Terry's home, 25 N. Ohio Avenue, feels is the crying need for Atlantic City. They ardently desire to reach the general public, but cannot accomplish this alone. They need, they feel, lecturers, a hall or meeting place where the general public will go, a Reading Room, etc., and some Bahai worker or workers able to attend to this work, Amy such would find all the cooperation possible to give by the small band of devoted Bahais of the Assembly.
"It is desired to point out that the New York papers are widely read at Atlantic City as well as the Philadelphia papers, and what a great service to the cause would be rendered at such places as Atlantic City, Ocean City, and other health resorts, as well as many surrounding cities of New York and Philadelphia, by the insertion of the Holy Utterances in these papers as suggested.
"A lecturer going to places prepared by the newspapers wovld only need to Water the seed already sown in many cases, instead of having to prepare the ground to sow the seed and wait months or perhaps years to reach more than one or two already awakened souls, and he or she would no doubt be astonished at the effect of his or her lectures as compared to those given before, where no such work had been done. |
"It will probably be found possible now to get some papers at least, to put in articles free of charge, since the publicity given to the Bahai Cause at the last Convention due to the model of the MashraKol-Azcar having been brought before the public; one paper has promised this. The publishing of the true Teachings of Abdul Baha would also serve the purpose of correcting the errors contained in many of the fantastical ideas expressed in these accounts and preventing such in future, for, after the Truth has been widely published in the papers, journalists would ‘mow that to indulge in sensational remarks would only expose their ignorance and not dare to do so any more."
Mrse Gregory went to Gloversville, N. Y., and lived there for several weeks, dividing her time between Gloversville, Sacandaga Park and Jolmstown. She cooperated with the two devoted and firm sisters, Miss Quant and Mrs. La Grange, who have served for so many years in Jomstown, and then with the added effective
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services of Mr, Williams: -~ these four azoss and served so faithfully that this small Community has now been informed of the Glad Tidings through the newspapers, through public lectures, and much personal work.
Having prepared the way and awakened a sufficient general interest, and having secured Openings for a regular Bahai lecturer, Mrs. Gregory solicited the aid of a travelling teacher, and Mr. Ives was asked to respond to the call. An account of his visit by Mrs, Gregory follows:
"On July 17th and 18th the hearts of the little group of workers at Gloversville and Jomstown were rejoiced and refreshed by the visit of Mr, Howard C. Ives to lecture in these Cities, by the spiritual uplift they received personally, as well as by the public teaching accomplished in the three lectures given at the Court House, Johmstown, Saturday evening; at the Universalist Church, Sunday afternoon; and at the Jewish Community Center Sunday evening.
"These lectures were largely made possible by the enthusiastic and devoted services of the new and first resident believer of Gloversville, ir. George Vail Williams, who received the Message through the insertion of the Creative Words of Abdul Baha in the local papers last winter, and after writing to the address given, receiving personal instruction from the little Johnstown Assembly of old believers.
"The activity and earnestness and practical ability of Mr. Williams in obtaining openings for lectures and arranging the details of advertisements etc.s, cannot be too highly praised, and pramise mich future usefulness in Gloversville and neighboring cities. This work was accomplished through consSultation and cooperation with the Johnstown Assembly and could not have been successful without absolute harmony owing to the difficulties under which all labored; the four workers being in four different places, some at considerable distance, causing delay and sometimes misunderstandings when telegrams nec-— essitating changes of plan were received in one place and had to be c ommunicated to other places.
"The friends during the arrangements for the lectures, were made vividly conscious of a Divine Presence in their midst overcoming all difficulties: these at one time threatening to render impossible the Johnstown lecture through the delay of a special delivery letter at the Post Office; but another special delivery sent to another worker, Miss Quant, arriving, she caused the advertisement to be inserted in the paper left to her charge. The other paper copied it the next morning, leaving our new believer, lir. Williams, filled with amazement and almost believing it had got into the paper miraculously, not having seen the evening paper.
"Another case where the Divine Guidance was etree felt was in the determination of the friends to carry out the plan to hold the Jomstowm public lecture, after hesitation at first when shown it would certainly be a small audience, if any, on account of its being Saturday evening and the people accustomed to do their marksting then. It proved to be an audience of three men, including the janitor, besides our five selves, but Mr. Ives, by request, came prepared with a report for the papers, and it was found possible by Mr, Williams to get this accepted by one paper, though refused by the other (as having no space), and thus we may hope, reach a very large audience. It was an exceedingly good presentation of the Message to the public. The paper is read in neighboring towns, villages and health resorts.
"About twenty-five were present at the Universalist Church including several previously interested, notably Spiritualists who twice before had allowed us to speak in their church. Much interest was aroused and the attraction of those already interested deepened.
"At the Jewish Commmity Center, it would almost seem from the discussion that followed that the social and economic questions alone appealed to them, One man showed active opposition, but as his rudeness was met by clam serenity and politeness by Mr. Ives, the other Jews expressed regret for his conduct = and apologized.
"The work done by Mr. Ives has led to the possibility of getting a few attracted souls to come together for prayer and study of the Bahai Teachings. The difficulty has been to find a home in which to met, for the few we had already interested. The interest having been deepened by Mr. Ives and others attracted, egpecially at the Universalist Church lecture, we have accepted temporarily the offer of the Treasurer of the Spiritualist Church -- which is idle for the summer -- to use it for once or twice, in the hope that a private home may soon be offered and the micleus of an Assembly formed. The Treasurer is deeply interested in the Bahai Teachings and already giving the Message to others, and most of those attracted are interested in Spiritualism or members of that church, so it seemed wise to accept their offer for a few meetings. Possibly it may be changed to the Universalist Church to meet the needs of others who might prefer to come there. The church was originally a house.
"In the Autumn it is hoped other lecturers will come, and that an active Bahai Assembly may be organized in Gloversville then,
"The Minister of the AME. Zion Church in Gloversville was approached and has promised to invite a lecturer next time one comes as he had no opening that week,
"The friends should bear in mind that without the insertion of the Creative Words of Abdul Baha last winter in the papers, the lectures and other activities could not have been possible."
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As Abdul Baha has instructed that teachers should go not only to the large Cities, but to the towns, villages anc hamlets, -- this work in Gloversville and vicinity seems to be a beginning of the seed sowing in these smaller commnities. Mrs. Gregory arose to obey the Instructions and felt that taking up her residence in such a place for a time, would make it possible to prepare the field and do mich personal wrk. The earnest souls who have served in this section must feel the greatest joy and satisfaction in having accomplished a service, for no one can measure the extent of such foundation work. We may not sees all. the results, but the servers themselves have learned some lessons, and they mow that it requires perseverance to assist souls in finding the "Way to the Kingdom". We are told not to look upon the "smallness of numbers" for -- "Five grains of wheat will be endued with heavenly blessings,whereas a thousand tons of tares will yield no results or effect." |
The two points which Mrs, Gregory particularly wished to share in her letters herewith submitted are
The importance of newspaper articles, and Propaganda work, which can be wonderfully opened up and stimulated in the small towns. Through all such effort and work we may sometimes find hungry souls who will prove to be real jewels of the Kingdom,
These faithful servers made "Firmness in the Coredannt their own standard, for they fully realize that
"The first condition is firmess in the Covenant" -- and that successes are impossible without this, for the "Power of the Covenant is the Fortified Fortress of the Cause of God, and the firm pillar of the religion of GOD."
Greetings to ail friends. | August 10, 1920. MARIAM HANEY,
The Mendota, Washington, D. C. Secretary.
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ANNOUNCEMENT Mr. Clarence E. Baker. -- 4 wonderfully comprehending and . illumined Bahai Brother -- whose address is
2728 North Darien Street, Philadelphia, Pa., has been supplying exquisite little pictures of Abdul Baha, as well as the Greatest Name (locket size) for the friends in Philadelphia, He has not asked for the privilege of supplying these elsewhere, -but, we have asked hin for the privilege of informing the friends of his work. He ‘sekuatintty consented, because he does not like the idea of money in connection with any service in the Cause. Bbxisting conditions, however, preclude supplying them gratuitously. We have had innumerable inquiries about small pictures, and therefore we are using this medium of furnishing information to all at one and the same éton,
The prices for the pictures are
090 cents a dozen, postpaid
$3.00 wer hundred, postpaid.
BP300.2 ~U54 T262 (1920) ce. 1
