National Teaching Committee Bulletins/1922/August 1/Text

National Teaching Committee Bulletins
August 1, 1922

The gems of the Supreme Knowledge can only be obtained from the

Divine Mine; the fragrance of the Ideal Myrtle can only be inhaled from the Rose garden of Reality; and the Flowers of the Knowledge of Unity only grow in the city of pure hearts." Baha'o'llah.

"In these days the most important of all things is the guidance of the nations and peoples of the world. Teaching the Cause is of the utmost importance for it is the head corner-stone of the Foundation itself. This wronged Servant has spent His days and nights in promoting the Cause and urging the peoples to service. He rested not a moment till the fame of the Cause of GOD was noised abroad in the world and the Celestial Strains from the ABHA Kingdom roused the East and the West. The beloved of GOD must also follow the same EXAMPLE, This is the secret of faithfulness; this is the requirement of servitude to the Threshold of BAHA!" (From the Will of Abdul Raha.)

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BULLETIN Issued by Bahai National Teaching Committee August 1, 1922.

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"Green Acre is carrying away the palm of victory." Green Acre has attained unto a new life. "The verses of unity" are being chanted and sung and spoken there, the promised Rains from Heaven are falling upon it, and "The signs of Favor are showing forth from the Invisible World of Unity."

For weeks and weeks before the opening day, elaborate preparations were being made, even down to the smallest detail of the proposed plans for the season. Many of the servants and maid-servants rendered valuable services in building up the proper materi2] basis and equipment, and under the direction of Mrs. Ruth Randall, the work Went forward with joy and devotion. One of the first letters that reached us after the opening days or first two weeks, stated “We cannot fail to appreciate the wonderful results that have been accomplished." The Teahouse is wonderfully managed ani is crowded every day. The Inn is like a large and lovely home, and the atmosphere there is truly the spirit of hosvitality and everybody is pleased. Mr. Randall stated in one of his letters: "The townspeople of Eliot, as well as many of the older members of the Fellowship are now returning in interest to Green Acre, and all are helping to promote the unity and welfare of this Center that has been established, blessed and quickened by Abdul Baha."

Among the notable speakers of the month were Dr. Albert Durrant Watson

of Toronto, whose subject was "The Laboratory of Life: Its Method and Its Product%.e

Mrs. Janet Hallowell Putnam of Boston spoke on "Vocal and Literary Interpretation of the Bible." Mr. James Weldon Johnson of New York City, Secretary of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, gave two talks which will be productive of far reaching results. He made a profound impression on his audiences. Mr. George Latimer of Portland, Oregon, gave an illuminating talk on "Science versus Religion." Mr. Wm. H. Randall had for his subject the great Fundamental [Page 2]oe

Principle which when rightly understood and lived will result in the peace of the world, namely: "The Oneness of Humanity".

Mr. Louis G. Gregory is spending some weeks at Green Acre and has been and will continue to be one of the principle speakers of the entire Green Acre season, as he will doubtless serve daily either officially or unofficially. He is in addition conducting a class for the study of the Ighan.

Mrs. Mary Hanford Ford of New York City, spoke on "Present Day Conditions in American Art", Miss Fanny Knobloch, who was the guest of Miss Margaret %lebs for a few days, gave a thrilling talk on the teaching work in South Africa.

Miss Martha Root is in charge of the publicity work. Mrs. Louise Gregory has a Children's class in Esperanto. Mrs. Boyle and Mrs. Breed are diligently serving on the Program Committee, and in addition, Mrs. Boyle is furthering many of the activities in one way or another.

The friends at Green Acre are thinking of the Instruction of Abdul Baha in the following words quoted from His Utterances, and they are transforming it into deeds:

"Bahais mist clothe themselves with the robe of service, sit around the table of service, eat the food of service, drink the elixir of service, talk the problems of service, hold communication with the King of Service, walk in the Path of Service and crown their heads with the diadem of service....."

The following report from Miss Martha Root, adds still another chapter to the sweet story of the Green Acre season:

"The spirit of preparation is dominant in Green Acre this year, The guests of Abdul Baha are coming. From Fellowship House to the Annex of the Golden Cock Tearoom, every room is made clean. They cannot all be equally beautiful but noting shall be offered to a guest that we would be ashamed to share with the Center of the Covenant, for He visits every heart that opens the door,

"He was so clean. He did not ask for many things but He told us to be clean and humble. So there is no room in all the town that may not be suitable for His guests. All Green Acre is ready. The sun, the birds, the gentle breeze, all lift a welcome!

"Green Acre Inn has been transformed into a place of exquisite beauty. From cellar to garret it shines with the light of the spirit -- every scarf is broidered with stitches of love. Every room is filled with the fragrance of welcome anc tender longing for the comfort and happiness of all who come. The parlors bloom with beauty."

"There is no more beautiful spot than the piazza overlooking the shadowed river where the guests watch the rising and setting of the sun; the rising and setting of the moon. There the muests sometimes talk of the Rising of that SUN for Whom we have watched two thousand years. There is no greater peace than will be found on this portal of glory.

"Green Acre blessed by Abdul Baha, hallowed with His Presence, glowing with the Radiance of His Love burns, an Inextinguishable Fire, a Depository of His Glory.

"'Thou art My Light, and My Light shall never become extinct: Why does thou dread extinction? Thou art My Glory, and My Glory shall not be veiled:

Thou art My Garment, and My Garment shall never be outworn.'!

"The souls who come are charmed with the spirit of the place. Then longing to be one with it, they realize their lack of capacity -- in humiliation and sorrow they lift their eyes to Abdul Baha begging to be strengthened, to clothe themselves with His Garment of servitude and sever themselves. Many of the travelers drifting to these doors are irresistibly attracted by the Torch of sacrifice. All light their candles at the Flame of God. :

"The Power of the Holy Spirit is like a fire. ‘Those who have it not can never transmit it. But those who have died to self and become alive in God, can [Page 3]=s=

through Its Holy Fire cleanse and illumine the lives of millions', Abdul Baha tells us. "Green Acre is like a great White Book, the Register for the guests of

Abdul Baha. Across its glistening pages in purest Lizht is written its First Guest -- the Ineffable Name of Baha'o'llah!"

"In brief, today the greatest power of the world of existence is the Power of the Covenant, which imparts life and motion to the heart of the universe and is pulsating in the body of the contingent being like wnto the pulsation of the artery. The Hosts of the Kingdom of ABHA are assisting the Covenant and the Cohorts of the Supreme Concourse are helping the people of the Testament."

Mrs. Kehler of Chicago has written, by request of a friend, the following account of one of the most notable and significant events of the month. No one can measure the far-reaching effects of the gathering she so graphically described,

Her beautiful word picture brings the spirit of the meeting to us with a heart appeal and makes us "long to have been there then." "An event of inestimable importance, not only to Bahais but to the world, occurred on the ninth of July, when the first service in the unfinished basement of the Masnrek-vl-Azkar was held to commemorate tne martyrdom of El Bab. In just the span of one lifetime in a country far remote form the native land of #1 Bab, among a people trained in an alien tradition and pursuing entirely different objectives from his, the din of the miskets of that firing squad that martyred him in the public square of Tabriz has fixed upon him the reverent and devoted attention of an ever-increasing band of dedicated believers. What could be more fittinz, to mark an occurrence of such signal importance as the first call to worship in the new Temple, than that its purpose should be dedicated to this holy and brilliant prophet who made 'straight the way of the Lord?! "ir, Albert R. Vail was the first speaker and he told the compelling story of El Bab and his glorious martyrdom. He laid particular stress upon the youth -- almost impossible to realize -- of this divine teacher, upon the irresistible appeal of his message, whereby he converted his bitterest opposers as he passed from prison to prison, and upon the penetrating power of his personality. ‘Mr. Vail explained how universal this temple really is. It mumbers contributors

to its building throughout the world, In Persia there are villages so impoverished that the inhabitants have but one rug among them, that is sent from house to house according to demand. The Bahais in these villages contributed from their scanty and inadequate possessions toward the building of a temple that they would never see, or never enter. Some Bahais in India sold portions of their clothing in order to raise this earthly prototype of heavenly unity. This was, he said, the first meeting of its kind ever held anywhere in the world.

"At the close of his remarks Mr, Vail introduced Dr. Basdadi as one who had known Baha Ullah. Our Lord used to lead him by the hand, and he has spent his life in the Bahai cause. Dr. Bagdadi spoke of the fact that the principles laid down by Baha Ullah represent the perfection of human conduct. It is not sufficient that the laws should compel a man to share with one less fortunate; according to his profound teaching one must willingly and joyously share: it is not sufficient that a few savants snould exchange ideas through the acquirement of a diversity of tongues; there must be a common medium of expression for the dissemination of and the acquiring of kmowledzge: it is not sufficient for men. to be kind and chivalrous to women; they must accord to them the same political status: et cetera.

"Dr. Bagdadi then spoke of the temple as the objective evidence that these teachings are not mere beliefs or pleasant sentiments to which all enlightened people are beginning to subscribe, but that they are a practical and demonstrable form of life that will fulfill the highest aspirations of the ages. For, he said, this is not only going to be a place of worship, a spiritual refuge, but it will offer succor and asylum, as well as education and enlightenment to all who come. [Page 4]len

Radiating out from its nine portals of universal welcome to all creeds and nations will be paths leading to a hospital, a university, an orphanage, a hospice, and so forth,

"Dr. Bagdadi told the romantic story of how the temple is being built: -- and succeeded: of the mysterious way in which plans have been confirmed and prospered.

"At the end of his speech he called upon Mrs. Corinne True, who had come unexpectedly from her summer home in Michigan for the service,

"Mrs. True referred to a netable coincidence, Jor sixty years the body of tne holy Bab had been preserved from confiscation with the greatest difficulty. Tt had been passed from place to place and fearfully concealed from Oriental opposers. On the very day that it was finally laid to rest in the heavenly tomb on Mount Carmel, exalted by the many saints of God who have walked there. permission was given to Chicago believers to build here the first Occidental Mashrek=-ul-Azkar,

"At the close of the meeting Mrs. Bagdadi beautifully chanted a prayer and Mr, Vail closed the services with prayers of El Bab.

"About two hundred and fifty attended the first meeting; it afforded Chicago Bahais the greatest pleasure to welcome so many of the Kenosha assembly.

The meeting was one of great enrichment and all were stirred with profound earnestness to spread the glad tidinss of unity, love and peace."

, "Rest thou assured and be happy in the Love of Abdul Baha. Know for a certainty that divine confirmation will arrive and great attainment be made."

"The matter of the Mashrakul Azkar does not oe upon personal endeavor, -- it needs UNITED ENDEAVOR". Abdul Baha,

One of the interesting teaching experiences of Miss Martha Root was her -recent visit to the friends in Akron, Ohio. She writes glowingly of the meetings and among otner things says:

"They have elected a Board of Consultation, Secretary, Mrs. Henrietta Wagner, 372 Kling Street, Akron, Ohio. The meetings are held in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Russell Brooker, 1066 Big Falls Avenue, Akron, Ohio.

"There was a beautiful spirit at their meeting. News of the local members now living in other cities was read. It was like a family party, with the young people very well represented. Mr. and Mrs. Brooker, three years ago, opened their home to the "Lonely People of Akron', The invitations went thus into the newspapers in response to a newspaper article on how lonely the thceusands coming to Akron to work, found the city. Each week a talk is given for three quarters of an hour on the Universal Bahai Principles,then there is mesic and dancing. Crowds of young people come. In the three years these Wednesday evening ‘at homes! have been held. More than eight hundred people have heard the Bahai Message and three hundred have been confirmed; many of these have moved to other places. The newspaper woman, who first wrote the articles in the interest of lonely people, became an ardent Bahai and she has just moved to Chicago.

"Te friends say the dream of their hearts is to give the Bahai Message to every individual in Akron. One of Abdul Bahais' sayings, framed and hung upon their wall is ‘Faith is not so much what we believe as what we carry out'",

"Do not be content with showing friendship in words slone; let your heart burn with loving kindness for all who may cross your path." Abdul Baha.

Mr. and Mrs. Howard Ives have been in and around Syracuse, N. Y. for some time. Mrs. Ives sends us a heavenly report, from which we quote a few excerpts: [Page 5]—-5 "Since our arrival in Syracuse we have had some heavenly experiences. We were the guests of Dr. and Mrs. Burlingham for some time, and while there had several meetings. Mrs. Burlingham gave some beautiful entertainments and we had the joy of talking for hours to many of her friends who were ---many of them, eager and searching and became deeply attracted. One exquisite young woman, Mrs. Was just going abroad, and we gave her cards of introduction to believers im London, Paris and:Germany. She is a rare sovl. But of the Burlinghams, we cannot praise them sufficiently: we have never found people so ready. Baha'o'llah surely has beén preparing their hearts for a long time. How the real believers will love them!......... More and more are we conscious of a wonderful guidance. Wheregsr we go, there seems to be souls just ready, longing for the Most Great Light....... "We must all work together always. We must all be at Green Acre in body or in spirit, and all be with the teachers and the Teaching Committee. We must be one in spirit,, and all working in each activity in love and prayer, and always and wherever possible in action."

"Whatever thou dost and upon whatever occasion thou showest any effort, the end will prove fruitless except in teaching the Cause of GOD and in serving the Divine Kingdom,"

Abdul Baha,

Mr. Chas, Mason Remey recently made a short trip to Boston where he attended a meeting of the friends, and then visited Mr. and Mrs. Oglesby's group at Somerville where, he writes, the spirit was most wonderful and refreshing.

Among other things, Mr. Remey writes of the Library work, and it is important to share his suggestions with the friends:

"The Library Committee needs the co-operation of all of the friends in interesting Librarians in having the Bahai books on their shelves. We send books only to Public Libraries, and only upon the written request of the Librarians of those libraries. I am just in receipt of a letter from the Librarian of the Carnegie Public Library in Vancouver, B.C., saying that Mrs. Laura Luther had called upon him and had interested him in having Bahai literature in his Library. She had told him of the Bahai Library Committee to whom he should apply for books. The Committee's Secretary, Miss Elizabeth Hopper, is sending a package of books to this library. If each Bahai would interest his local librarian of his town Public Library, as Mrs. Luther did in Vancouver, the field of our Bahai work among the reading public would be greatly increased. The Bahai Library Committee's address is P. 0. Box 1319, Washington, D. C."

"The joy and happiness of the heart of Abdul Baha depends upon the stability and constancy of the believers."

Teaching news from the Pacific Coast States is always refreshing and inspiring. Mr. Leroy Ioas of San Francisco writes enthusiastically of the prospects for the future, and adds:

"Every one here is arising to do their utmost for the spread of the Cause and the firm establishment of its Reality in our midst....... We are surely at the dawn of a great spiritual reraissance which will sweep the world. For the seeds which have been sown in the hearts of men, will now come to materjalization and outward demonstration, just as the materialization and outward demonstration of the Cause is now taking place in the firm establishment of the Organization of the Cause according to the Divine Plan."

Mirza Ahmad Sohrab has recently spoken before the Theosophical Lodge of Santa Monica, Calif. on the "Future Religion of Humanity." A very large and [Page 6]wibiins

interesting audience greeted him. That he was sowing the seed in the ground of hearts with capacity is evident, for he was invited to return and give a second talk.

Ahmad writes enthusiastically of the teaching campaign being inaugurated for the Western States. Local teachers are to travel at stated intervals to all towns and cities needing teachers, and plans are being made even now preparing the way for the teachers who will travel from the East and visit all the Pacific Coast Cities.

Mrs. French of Pasadena writes: "We think the trite would be proud of our Assembly could they look in on us. We are really growing, and each one is doing individual work which counts."

From Santa Rosa, Vancouver, Portland, Seattle, Spokane ani other Cities comes the most interesting and inspiring news of the spread of tne Cause. The seeds sown by our revered and dear teacher, Jenabe Fazel, by Ahmad Sohrab, by Louis G. Gregory and others are bearing the fruit of blessing. The results manifesting today indicate how gloriously the services of the past were confirmed through the Heavenly Outpouring.

"Either travel yourselves oe ee choose others and send them, so that they may teach the souls." Abdul Baha.

Another Western State always on the Bahai map these days is Texas. Mrs. Fosselnan, Mrs. Sharp and Miss Adelaide Sharp are ever serving. It is a glorious record in the shining pathway of service to scarcely let a day pass without © having given the Message. They have had some very remarkable experiences the character of which repeatedly indicates how precious are these days; how receptive are the souls; how hungry are the thoughtful who are really seeking illumination and who are asking, "What is the Remedy?" When the Water of Life from the Fountain of Assurance reaches the parched ground of their hearts, they are revivified, and wish are 4 to be oe from that Cup of Spiritual Wine which has no likeness.

Mrs. Fosselman said in one of Hee letters: We find regular gold mines of opportunity to tell the people about the Cause. We are so happy to think that the way for sowing the seed is opening everywhere.." Several times in one day -~- and day after day -- the Message is given to new people. In one instance a very ripe soul, on hearing the Gladtidings, insisted that Mrs. Fosselman talk ori and on until she had talked for seven hours and a half. This newly attracted one started to read at once and has already finished a number of the books. She is an enthusiastic, comprehending soul -- a woman of rare intelligence, of culture and position. It is certain that her evident capacity and longing will attract Divine confirmations, and she will one day be in the front ranks of the servers herself. GOD is the Bestower,.

Then there was a charming meeting with a young French bride. Miss Sharp just happened to have with her some of the Holy Utterances in French and presented them. The joy of the Kingdom was awakened in the heart of this young woman, and through her, other hungry souls have become illumined. Still another story of real interest is about a young woman of eighteen years, who is so attracted and so eager to learn that she is studying the Bahai Proofs and other literature with a deep unusual understanding, indicating a rare capacity. ‘She lives at Eagle Pass, Texas. She is already eagerly anticipating the visits of any travelling teachers who may pass that way.

Mrs. Sharp likewise had an unusually glowing experience with a woman who seemed to have received the Message spiritually before receiving it objectively, [Page 7]so familiar was she with names and dates and history. It was a remarkable experience. :

What a wonderful field Texas is! How happy are these servers! What peace must be their portion as they think over the work of each day and realize that the Divine Center of Life from His Supreme Heights in the ABHA Kingdom has poured out upon them His Blessing and tenderly helped them, as joyous willing channels to not only make the head appeal but the heart appeal thus attracting hundreds of souls to the Path of Security! Blessed are these devoted sisters who are striving to make Texas a flower garden through the fragrances of holiness.

"IN THIS GREAT DAY, THEREFORE, "© MUST OCCUPY OURSELVFS with the GREATEST PRAYER: THE TEACHING OF THE CAUSE OF GOD." Abdul Baha.

Miss Marion Jack's report of her tour through some of the Eastern Cities of Canada, is full of the joy of living -- when serving: for life means loving, joyous service to a believer in the Message of Truth for this Great Day.

To travel over the ground where the radiant and confirmed spiritual farmer, Jenabe Fazel, sowed the seeds of Truth, is to forever meet signs of the coming harvest and we are already informed of some new Assemblies to be added to the roll of the next Convention.

Dear Mrs. Wright in London, Ont. has been struggling valiantly alone with tais new field, But, as Miss Jacks writes: "She is a woman of character and sweetness and has held her own regardless of criticism and derision, Always she has held aloft the Banner of Unity, and now results are appearing.......Those who have served and are serving in small towns single handed and alone, know the problems and the obstacles to be surmounted."

Hamilton, Ont. is another town visited by Miss Jack and where a friend attracted to the Cause, offered her home for meetings. If some Bahai teacher could go and live in this City for a few months, a very wonderful service could be rendered. While the friend referred to has not yet accepted the Teachings, yet her spiritual response is genuine and her co-operation complete,

In Toronto, Miss Jack attended a lecture by Dr. Watson on "Applied Psychology". She stayed in this City long enough to observe that this beautiful brother has many admirers and followers in his audiences, but, she adds: "When persons who have this influence are selfless and have the Love of GOD-.in their hearts, we know to what Goal their influence will draw the influenced."

In Montreal Miss Jack was happily surprised to see the growth which had taken place since her last visit. In regard to the Assembly there, she writes: "The good sized Assembly is a fine, firm, live-wire group which is one of the most promising I have yet seen.......As this Mother Center in Canada is united and firm, we sincerely hope to see the smaller Centers equally true to the great Center of GOD'S COVENANT, our Beloved Abdul Baha.....,....."ven if it be holiday times and many friends away, the work continues and interest does not abate."

Miss Jack has also written at length of the Detroit eroup of Bahais. If we published all she has written of the hospitality of these devoted friends, of their beong on fire with the Love of GOD, of their intense longing for spiritual food, of their extraordinary kindness, and many other observations on the beauty and sweetness of their lives, all of us would wish to make a trip to Detroit,

They manifest the superhuman effort necessary precedent to attainment, and the travelling Bahai teachers passing that way will find a warm welcome, and a group whose interest is always intense and never on the wane.

Later Miss Jack will visit other Centers in Eastern and Northeastern Canada and the Maratime Provinces, especially St. John, where Miss Jean Nixon is working with heart and soul to pave the way for the teachers who will visit there [Page 8]=f=

in the future. Her loving devotion to the Most Great Cause at every point, keeps the Light ever shining brightly in St. John.

Why are ye silent? Shout! Why are ye sitting? Move! Why are ye quiet? Stir! This is not the day of rest and comfort. Travel ye constantly, and spread far and wide the Teachings of GOD." Abdul Baha.

We will all be glad to hear from Ghodsea Khanum, our Persian sister who was educated in this country, and whose shining, happy face indicated the illumination of soul and conscience. An excerpt from one of her letters has been shared with us by Dr. McKinney for the Bulletin friends:

"I have been kept busy day and night since I put my foot on Persian soil. The work is tremendous here, and now that our Beloved Master has left this grewsome world, the work has become a hundred times more, but the hearts are also much more prepared for it. Ags you have of course noticed, it seems that since the cage is broken the ever Loving Spirit of our Lord is so far reaching that it touches our every atom. It is everywhere, far and wide. And since the telegram regarding the Center of the Cause, Shoghi Effendi, has come, it has created so much joy and happiness that we are simply overwhelmed. We are spiritually prancing, if that expresses it.

We have an Association for Women's Progress established right after I reached Teheran. Branching from this are other establishments, such as a Library (public), Adult Classes, English Club, Women's Industrial Union with many branches, etc. Things are growing marvellously, and things that had not even been in dreamland until two years ago. Their mention here would have caused only laughter and sarcasm."

"Convey greetings to Ghodsea Ashraf, and say: 'Thou hast been away from thy country for several years and thou art living in a strange land. All are waiting in Teheran that thou mayst become a collection of perfections in America, then return to Persia in order to teach and educate the girls. Therefore, do thou strive night and day to acquire this capacity, efficiency and worthiness, so that after the war thou mayst travel to Persia?"

From a Tablet of Abdul Baha.

News of the spread of the Cause in India comes through our good brother, Mr. N. R. Vakil. He writes of the last Convention in his country, which was a most successful one; and the wide publicity given to it in the Press throughout India was like a miracle. The English and vernacular newspapers published interesting articles. Much splendid work was done. Next year the Convention will be held during Christmas, at Karanchi, and the longing hoye is expressed that some friends will attend from America. Mr. Vakil earnestly expresses the wish repeatediy for teachers from America to visit India this year, and urges the friends in this country to give this matter due consideration. Another most interesting item from his letter is about the Mashrakul Azkar to be built in India some day:

"§ relative of Prof. Geddes has prepared a plan for the Mashrakul Azkar of India, and he has sent it for the Civic Exhibition that is opened in Bombay.

He has carefully studied the plan of the Mashrakul Azkar at Chicago and has praised it greatly. This in itself is a great service to the Cause, and our friends in America will realize the great work that is being done through the Mashrakul Azkar of Chicago. In India it will take some time to settle the question of the Mashrakul Azkar that will be built in the center of India, and when we shall see our way to start work for it, we shall inform you and all our brothers and sisters in America about it." ; [Page 9]«Qe

Several years ago a Tablet was revealed for Mr. MacNutt about India and we quote herewith an excerpt, for these CREATIVE WORDS are a GUIDE forever more?

"Truly I say in these days India is awakened to a greater receptive capacity......,Consider how India has attained to receptivity! If several teachers from. America travel to those parts, it is certain that the Lights of the Kingdom shall illumine that region, and many souls will be raised from among the Hindus and become the Army of Heaven, and through the Power of the WORD of GOD and the outpouring of the Cloud of the Love of GOD, they will make India a rose-garden."

A beloved brother of Aleppo, Syria, to whom we shall refer as Mejdiddeen-for thus he signs his name -- has written us a news letter of surpassing sweetness and interest, from which the following is quoted:

"I received your Bulletin, and we are exceedingly glad to know that the friends in that Hemisphere are determined to be faithful to and fulfill the Holy Covenant of our Beloved Master. I beg you to send me the Bulletin of the last Convention of Chicago. I expect you, moreover, to continue to send me the Bulletins regularly that I may always get informed of the progress of the Holy Cause in America, It is a great pleasure to follow up the triumphant career of an AllSaving Movement especially for one who belongs to a family that has been a Bahai family for two generations, and the members of which have been cherishing it as their only means and end both in this world and in the worlds to come.

"Although you are chiefly concerned in the development of the Cause in that Continent, yet I hope you will extend the story of your enlivening activities to the East, especially to the Near Bast and Syria. This dark and unhappy country needs the saving influence of the Most Great Manifestation. We look expectantly to the western horizon that we may, perchance, see some self-sacrificing teachers cross the Atlantic to diffuse the fragrances of the flowers of the Tree of the Covenant!"

Another item of deep interest in this letter is the reference to the spread of the Cause in Constantinople, and the great interest awakened there through the publication of some striking articles concerning the Cause in one of the most important Turkish newspapers, and he adds: "God the Most High uses even the nonbelievers in the work of proclaiming His Great Message."

Mejdiddeen's letter brings the Hast and the West very close together: their sorrows are likewise our sorrows; their joys our joys. This bond of unity so tenderly and lovingly established will increase day by day through the Mercy and Love and Confirmations of our Beloved Abdul Baha until the world shall become a rose~garden.

"Therefore it is the hope of Abdul Baha that just as ye are confirmed and assisted on the Continent of America, ye may also be confirmed and assisted in other countries of the globe..... :

"Consider! What a vast field of international service is opened before the faces of the friends!" Abdul Baha,

And the last contribution to the Bulletin news this month will gladden our hearts and comfort our souls, for it is from the Master's daughter, Rooha Khanum, and has just been received, From her soul-inspiring letter, we quote the following excerpts:

Ween -This is the time of service; this is the time to show faithfulness to the Beloved; this is the time of our steadfastness. Let us remember all the imprisonments and hardships which the Master has borne from the first minute of His Life till the last. Indeed we who have been with Him witness how He worked till the last moment of His Life. Let us remember the disciples of Christ, -- in what a spirit they rose after the crucifixion. Although they were few in numbers, [Page 10]=10=

what a great work they accomplished in the world, How much more the disciples of Abdul Baha must work, for they are thousands and thousands!

"After the Ascension of Baha'o'llah, the Master often used to say: 'Is it right that we should rest a moment, taat we should seek for any comfort, or look for any personal joy? We nust try to forget everything out Baha'o'llah, and day and night we must endeavor to spread His Teachings far and wide. If we do this, then we can call ourselves faithful, loyal and devoted followers, Look at the time of Christ: After His Holy Spirit ascended, with what devotion, love and harmony His disciples strove to proclaim the WORD of their Lord. Now, by the Mercy of GOD, I hope we will try to follow the good example of these blessed souls, and that we will be ready to give our lives for the sake of the Reloved.' These WORDS of the Master are, I think, for these days. They are to teach us what we should do after His Ascension.

"The news of the Convention was the cause of consolation and happiness to our wounded hearts. I wish that all the friends could realize how much joy and comfort they give us when we hear about the unity and harmony and love amongst them. All the wews from all the countries of the world is very good. There is a now spirit rising among all the Bahais. The agony of the parting from the Beloved is so affecting the hearts of all His friends that at present they are forgetting everything except to try to make the blessed Heart of Abdul Baha happy in His Kingdom. They know that this blessing can be attained only by increasing love and unity an? peace. I hope that this beautiful spirit will increase among the friends.

"I should be glad if you would send us a copy of the Teaching Rulletin

each time as they are issued, because we like to know in detail about the spread of the Cause in America."

"Then endeavor not to rest a moment, be not prevented by any obstacle, and attend with perfect firmness to the guiding of people to this Great Cause.

"Show forth constancy and steadfastness, train the souls and call all to the Shadow of the Tree of the Covenant. Do not be wearied and fatigued by any difficulty, but be ablaze and flaming forth witn the fire of the Love of GOD, causing those regions to vibrate and resound." Abdul Paha.

Agnes S, Parsons Wm. H, Randall Louis G. Gregory Albert R. Vail

By Mariam Haney, Sec'y., Mariam Haney 1818 N Street, N. W., Washington, D. C. Bahai National Teaching Committee.

August lst, 1922.