National Teaching Committee Bulletins/1922/June 19/Text

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National Teaching Committee Bulletins June 19, 1922

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[Page 1] "Read the Verses of GOD every morning and evening. He who does not read, does not know the Covenant of GOD and His Testament." From Kitab-el-Akdas by Bahá’u’lláh.

"I HAVE PLANTED THE SEEDS IN AMERICA. YOU MUST NURTURE THEM AND CARE FOR THEM. IF YOU DO THIS, THEY WILL YIELD AN ABUNDANT HARVEST...... YOU MUST ARISE WITH SUPERHUMAN STRENGTH TO SPREAD THE TEACHINGS FOR THE CAUSE IS GREAT; AND WHOSOEVER SHALL ARISE IN THIS DAY TO TEACH, KNOW THAT HE WILL BE ASSISTED BY THE DIVINE CONCOURSE. THIS IS NOT THE DAY OF SILENCE! IT IS THE DAY OF THE PROCLAMATION OF THE KINGDOM! IT IS NOT THE DAY OF REST. WE MUST ACT, ACT, ACT!" — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

"Great as is the love and paternal care which our beloved Master is extending to us from on HIGH, and unique as is the Spirit that animates today His servants in the world, yet a great deal will depend upon the character and efforts of His Loved ones on whom now rests the responsibility of carrying on His work gloriously after Him." — Shoghi Effendi.

BULLETIN

Issued By Bahá’í National Teaching Committee.

One of the most important Centers in this country for the spreading of the Message this summer will be Green Acre, Maine. The season there will open July 1st, and will extend well into September, probably to the 15th. What will be our united effort toward the successful accomplishment of real service to the Cause at this Center? ‘Abdu’l-Bahá instructed that the work at Green Acre should be developed and expanded; and now with the unity established among the friends, surely we may expect even miracles to happen where hundreds we hope will be gathered, "functioning as one soul in many bodies."

When ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was in Green Acre in the summer of 1912, the atmosphere there became charged with a Power divine and spiritual from the Center of Life and Love. Year after year since that time as the friends have assembled there, they have had a deeper and more conscious realization of the Divine Bounty; and at this time, the first summer after the Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, there will surely be a most great demonstration of Bahá’í Unity and Love, even to such an extent that the assembled guests will "inquire as to the character of this love. What love exists among the Bahá’ís! What unity obtains among these Bahá’ís! What agreement there is among these Bahá’ís! And what a well-wishing spirit is there among them!" Can we conceive of anything which could possibly be conducive to more happiness than for a group of friends to "become the cause of the guidance of innumerable souls!"

‘Abdu’l-Bahá revealed a Tablet in 1917 in which He said: "Thy desire to serve Green Acre is in reality a very important matter. This name (Green Acre) must appear with all its significant meaning, that is, Green Acre must become the [Page 2] reflection of the plain of Acca, and attain to the utmost verdancy, greenness and artistic beauty. Its charms and wonder lie in this: that it may become the center of the Bahá’ís and the cry of 'Ya Bahe, EL APHA' be raised from all its direction." Many of the friends are familiar with the Instructions of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá about this radiant Center of activities in the summer months, but so many questions have been asked recently that we repeat here the most important of all the Instructions:

"In Green Acre you must concentrate your forces around the one all important fact - the investigation of Reality. Expend all your thoughts on this -- that the union of opinions and expressions may be obtained......

"The chief objects of Green Acre conferences must be the furtherance of universal peace, investigation of reality, brotherhood, tolerance, sympathy to all mankind, the cultivation of a better understanding between the nations of the world, the elimination of dogmas and superficialities, the illumination of the hearts with the Light of Truth, mutual assistance and co-operation, social service, the study of the fundamental principles of all the religions and their comparative co-ordination. Green Acre must carry away this palm of victory."

The whole family of Bahá’ís can have a part in this great TEACHING work, for a united band must pull together at every point. We could spend our vacation period there and render a spiritual service which would mean ideal refreshment to both body and soul; or, we could assist financially; or offer prayers constantly for the success of the work and the descent of the Divine Confirmations. It will be Bahá’í co-operation and the ideal attitude to feel that we must hold the circle of unity which is established among the friends as a sacred thing, and always do everything in our power to assist the widening of this circle.

"The physical property of Green Acre has been repaired and put in good condition, and Rogers Cottage at the entrance to Green Acre has been renovated and painted an has an enlarged porch. It is to be the center of a Tea Room and Gift Shop under excellent management. The Inn has been put in attractive condition.

"The Conference program will be particularly interesting as many noted speakers have consented to come to Green Acre this summer. There will also be a musical director, and opportunities for class study in music, besides which many beautiful concerts will be given by Prof. Randegger, a very noted musician of New York City.

"The Fellowship House will be in charge of Mrs. Powell as formerly."

"Blessed is the land which has been honored with His Footsteps!"

TEACHING IN THE SOUTH

"Know thou that all the Promises of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá are true, and His Instructions are inspirations of the Holy Spirit and received as suggestions from Bahá’u’lláh. Be assured that what I have said will come to pass."

The Regional Southern Section of the country as defined in the Divine Plan includes the States of Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas -- a vast area.

One of the Promises about this section is

"..that the Sun of Reality shall shine with great power and the dark clouds of ignorance and human prejudices will be dispelled from its horizon. "

In considering the many problems afflicting the body of the world today, we find that different serious ailments afflict different parts of the world, while in other parts the inhabitants may be immune to these very diseases, but have their own serious problems which must be solved ere adjustments can be made, and the whole world evolve into a condition of health and thus be able to grasp and live the Principle of the Oneness of Mankind and the Most Great Peace. We are [Page 3] told that "prejudice is a hindrance to realization" and that all prejudice must be removed before "humanity will find rest". Our beloved teachers who have travelled in the South are familiar with the existing conditions, and likewise familiar with the SOLVENT for these conditions. They know that to encourage humanity to travel the Path which will lead to peace and happiness and contentment, means to bring to their attention the PROCESS that will prove to be "evolutionary and not revolutionary." ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said when asked about the South: "Teach the Principles. These people will come slowly, but when they come, they will be very good Bahá’ís."

Let us share with you a few items of deep interest copied from the reports from the South, which will keep us all inside of the Family Circle, and not on the rim of things:

Mr. Vail found Louisville, Ky., a most beautiful City, a lovely Southern atmosphere, its people most charming, exquisite, cultivated. Mrs. Christine, the blessed sister with such wonderful capacity, assisted all she possibly could from her country home outside of Louisville. He was the guest of Mr. and Mrs. Christine and had some heavenly hours of service at their home. Two meetings were held in a church in Louisville, where the Minister is very friendly and attracted. The personal contacts and personal visits of importance were immensely worth while, and brought the Food from the Heavenly Table to the very door of the soul. This personal service work is of supreme value.

Another City of importance visited on this tour was Nashville, Tenn., and Mr. Vail's own words will give you a lovely glimpse of conditions:

"The visit to Nashville has been like a five days' miracle. The angels were surely our advance agents. They arranged the dates and drew together a group of exquisite souls all waiting, ready, thirsting for the pure water of the Divine Glad-tidings. A fine little group of white people have already embraced the Teachings with radiant joy. They will hold regular meetings, they say, to study the Bahá’í books, and learn how to teach the Glad-tidings and spread the Cause in their City. We spent hours together going deep in the Heavenly Teachings....

"The public meetings were a Talk to the Woman's Alliance; three meetings at a liberal Church (where many intellectual people, a number of college teachers and others attended), one meeting at a private home, and an address at Chapel at Fisk University where all the students and faculty attended, and where they love Louis Gregory so deeply......"

He further dwells at some length on the beauty and the capacity of some of the rare spiritual souls he so closely associated with, the heavenly new group so alive, like the prepared lamps "only waiting the spirit's breath to illumine them." And then he adds at the close of his report:

"Is this not one of the ways to solve the race problem; just to tell the heavenly Message to the few, who, by virtue of their spiritual insight and purity, can reflect the new Love into a growing circle of hearts?" He is deeply rejoicing that he was able to make this heavenly journey, and we are all sharing in this joy.

"The blessed meeting is the meeting of TEACHING, and in this Day CONFIRMATION is the companion of those who teach this Message." From a Tablet of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

Mr. Gregory started his short trip into the South at Norfolk. An excerpt from some of his reports will give us an idea of the progress of the work:

"I am very much pleased with Norfolk, especially because Dr. gives promise of becoming a Bahá’í teacher. He will have a good supply of Bahá’í books, which he will thoroughly and prayerfully study. He has been very active in arranging meetings, and in his introductory talks gives the Message in a very broad and appealing way. Apparently he has been long in training and preparation for his work. A series of meetings, large and small are in progress. The service ended here with two large meetings on Sunday, one to an audience of fourteen [Page 4] hundred. The smaller meetings are generally the most satisfactory for teaching, altho the masses need the Principles and Message to raise their spiritual hopes and insure a degree of quietude. Within a radius of about twenty miles, there is said to be located one hundred thousand colored people. So it has seemed a good place to start. Some work has also been done in Portsmouth.

Mr. Gregory also visited Petersburg, Va., addressing there the Virginia Normal and Industrial Institute, where teachers from all parts of the State are in attendance at the summer Normal School.

Several good meetings were also arranged for at Roanoke, Va., another City visited.

Mr. Gregory has in the past made about eight or nine teaching journeys into the South. Opportunities have been given him to address large audiences on all these journeys. No one can measure the effectiveness of this work or prophesy as to the results. We look to the revealed Utterance, and there we find the Promise "that many harvests will be gathered in the future" from this seed sowing, and even right now at this very time we can see the effect of the Penetrative Power of the Message in the softening of hearts and an extraordinary awakening on the part of some really deep thinkers. Serious consideration is being given to the problems at hand and many hungry souls are manifestly seeking the Right Path. A well planned itinerary for the South will be Mr. Gregory's program for the Fall and Winter teaching tour. Now he will journey North stopping in New York for the meeting of the National Spiritual Assembly on the 23rd of June, and from thence to Green Acre.

In a letter to Mrs. Louis Gregory, Monever Khanum said: " but with regard to your husband, he should stay where his services are the most needed for teaching and spreading the Cause which is now the most important work.

"This is the time of teaching. All the believers must unloose the tongue of teaching the Cause of GOD...... This is the Most Great Affair!" ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

Mr. Stanwood Cobb, who so joyously responded to the call of the Committee, gives a very glowing account of his visit in Atlanta, Ga., in which City he found the people open-minded, curious -- not narrow or prejudiced against the new. The newspapers were very favorable: the Atlanta Constitution and Atlanta Journal both published excellent articles which in some measure prepared the way and proclaimed the Message of Truth. Dr. Oakshette assisted in the work as far as possible. A series of lectures on "The Bahá’í Movement for World Unity" were given at Edison Concert Hall, the subjects being: "The New Woman in the Orient"; "My Experiences in the Near Orient"; "The Mysticism of the Orient"; "The Divine Basis of Civilization"; "The World Religion of the Future"; "Universal Brotherhood"; "Bahá’í Ideal for World Peace". The Theosophist and New Thought Groups were also reached. Besides these public meetings, smaller meetings were held and much personal work of importance accomplished. A Minister with a strong personality, who lives for nothing else but to see the Kingdom of God established on earth, became greatly attracted. He has zeal, consecration and an absolute singleness of purpose. One of the most precious and fruitful of all the personal visits was the hours spent with this truly religious, mystical and devoted soul. We will undoubtedly hear from him in the future.

In speaking of his experiences to us on his return, Mr. Cobb was able to give us information which will be of immense value to the teachers who will travel to this section of the country in the future.

"Had you given me a trip around the world, you could not have given me by it half the joy this trip has given me" was Mr. Cobb's way of expressing the benefit and pleasure he derived from the constructive work he accomplished -- all through the Divine Mercy and Bounty. [Page 5] "From every part the cry of 'Where are the TEACHERS?' is being raised and from the Kingdom of ABHA, the voice of 'Where are the attracted ones? There are the severed ones? Where are the righteous ones? Where are the sanctified ones?' reaches to the ear of intelligence. The inhabitants of the world have attained to a most astonishing capacity and are ready to hearken to this Call." ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

Miss Martha Root has been busy spreading the Message both with her pen and also her public Talks. She had an article on "Happiness from the Bahá’í Standpoint" in the June number of the Roycroft Magazine. A series of Talks were given by her recently in the Chamber of Commerce in Cambridge Springs Saturday evening of each week on the Principles of the Cause. They attracted wide interest. The local newspapers helped with the publicity work, giving much space to splendid articles on the Cause. At present Martha is a visitor at the Swedenborgian Convention in Ohio. She will later share an account of her experiences there with us all.

"O ye teachers of the Cause of the Supreme Lord! Travel ye, teach ye! Become ye firmly rooted in this great aim, send ye teachers to all directions!"

Mr. Chas. Mason Remey is starting on a teaching tour of the Northeastern States and North-eastern Canada, as well as serving for a time at Green Acre. He plans not only to visit the large Centers, but also to go into many of the smaller towns. If any of the friends have suggestions or names and addresses of people to be visited in this section, please send to us and they will be forwarded to Mr. Remey.

Mr. Howard MacNutt writes that he plans to start on a long teaching tour during the summer, visiting several of the large Cities from New York to Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Washington, Indianapolis and other places.

A farewell reception was given at the Bahá’í Headquarters in New York City for Mrs. Florian Krug just before she sailed from this country for Hamburg where Dr. Krug was to meet her. Messages coming back after the voyage across indicate that she is at perfect peace, that she was able to do some teaching. As she herself writes "We pray for excellent results".

Mr. Curtis Kelsey recently arrived in New York after nine months stay in Palestine. Mrs. Kelsey wrote us that "Curtis was in Jerusalem over Easter, enjoyed a Feast with the friends in Beirut, and spent a week in Constantinople, where he had long and lovely hours with Jenabe Fazel who was waiting for a steamer to take him and his family to Haifa. He has secured many photographs which no doubt will be available to the friends after he has time to get them in shape." Mrs. Kelsey will start soon for a tour to the West, going by way of Montreal, Banff, Seattle to Portland, Oregon, where she will remain for the summer. It is needless to say that she will be working for the Cause and she will TEACH and spread the Message through the confirmations pouring down from the ABHA Kingdom.

Mrs. Clara H. Sharp is travelling continuously through the State of Texas and has spread the Glad-tidings of the Kingdom over the State. She speaks Spanish, and has been able to address Mexican audiences as well as English. She is an indefatigable worker, and always sends us accurate and worth while information helpful to the teachers who will later travel through this same section of the country. One of our Washington Bahá’ís, Mrs. Charlotte Fosselman, who is herself devoting her time to spreading the Message, has commended the work of Mrs. Sharp most highly. These two teachers will certainly prepare the field in Texas most wonderfully for the work planned there for the Fall and Winter. [Page 6] Miss Julia Culver who brought back to us such a wealth of spiritual fragrances after her absence from this country for two years, cheered all our hearts at the Convention, and soon thereafter made a teaching tour into Wisconsin, visiting the Kenosha Assembly and other Centers. She gave six Talks and one to the lovely Junior group, and several talks in private homes. In three davs she drove 255 miles in an auto to nearby towns. Mr. Voelz, the Asst. Secretary of the Kenosha Assembly, wrote of her work there, and among other things said: "Words cannot express our deep affection for Miss Culver and our great appreciation for the inspiration that her experiences with our Beloved ‘ABDUL-BAHÁ and in the Path of Service have been to us here in this City."

Miss Culver has been at Elmhurst, Ill., for several weeks, and recently was invited to speak to the patients at the Sanitarium there. Results are apparent through Divine Bounty. She is now enroute to California where she will abide for a few months before returning to France and Switzerland.

Mrs. Brittingham is constantly teaching and interesting and confirming new souls in Philadelphia. A report from Miss Jessie Revell states that "Mrs. Brittingham gave a public address by invitation at a Spiritualist Church, and the hearts were greatly attracted by the Message. Also by invitation she addressed the New Century Guild. This meeting was composed of very wide awake thinking women."

The Teaching campaign is becoming immensely ALIVE on the Pacific Coast. Everyone is arising as never before to spread the Glorious Glad-tidings. One friend wrote of the new vision which seemed to be coming to all regarding the importance of studying the revealed Utterances. They have been taking time to "ponder over the Holy WORDS" as ‘Abdu’l-Bahá instructed us to do, and the reward is a clear understanding of the Instructions and a greatly increased desire to be active "in the arena of service." Before the summer is over we are going to have hundreds and thousands attracted to the Most Great Cause, and through the Mercy of GOD, we will surely see large numbers really confirmed. There is no doubt that the sincerity and earnestness of the friends and their zealousness and devotion will win many a receptive soul who will WANT to be in the Family of God's children "who desire but the good of the world and the happiness of the nations." Mrs. Cooper, Chairman of the Regional Committee for the Western States, has sent out a letter to the friends in that section, an excerpt from which is shared herewith:

"We verily believe that by the unified effort of all the friends throughout America the teaching campaign is going to develop by leaps and bounds.... Our ardent hope is to be of real help in bringing to the smallest Assembly the thrill of being an important part in this great plan, to stir all the hearts with the enthusiasm that swept over the wonderful Convention, and to bring into unified action every bit of ability hidden away in the quiet ones, so that every atom of this great Bahá’í body will come into use - into the flow of the life-blood pulsating through all the arteries in every direction from that glorious Living Heart, ‘ABDUL-BAHÁ."

A letter from Dr. D'Evelyn of San Francisco received recently, really should be shared in full for it contains so much that is conducive to spiritual joy. The following will be of particular interest:

"We are in working clothes in San Francisco!.... The Movement has now entered upon an entirely new relationship to the times and seasons.... Among the visitors at our last Friday night meeting was a high-class Hindu -- Prof. of Eastern Buddhism. Another visitor was a Japanese Inspector of Education. All became interested, accepted literature and wanted to know more. The conception of Christ as a Station, rather than as a surname, seemed to be a new light to the Buddhist. To the Japanese, No. 10 (solving of the economic problem) in the Principles, 'halted him': a spiritual formula for economic needs -- appeared to him to be a foundation stone, upon which alone, an 'uplift' superstructure could be reared." [Page 7] Some excerpts from a recent letter sent out by Mirza Ahmad Sohrab, Sec. of the Los Angeles Assembly will be helpful:

"The Center of the Covenant has promised us repeatedly that if we make the effort, His confirmation will descend upon us uninterruptedly, and we will be enabled to teach the Cause with power and spirit......

"It is quite evident that each Assembly in this country has two kinds of responsibilities: ideal and practical. The ideal responsibility is to herald the Glad-tidings of the Kingdom and invite all the people to the Banquet of the Lord. We need not be educated or influential to do this. Every Bahá’í, rich and poor, old and young, is capable of delivering the Message with fragrance and spirituality, so that the listener may become attracted. For this service.... we need sincerity and the Power of the Holy Spirit... Our opportunity is very great and we must arise to serve with magnanimity and effort. One good seed-thought sown in the soil of the hearts today will bring many harvests tomorrow. We must not let the golden opportunity slip out of our hands, and let us all arise with ONE AIM, ONE MIND and ONE LONGING to serve, to work, to teach and to invite the people to the Kingdom of Truth."

"O ye divine believers! Today any soul who is a teacher of the Cause is confirmed. The teachers are in the front rank, are favored at the Threshold of the Almighty and helped from the Kingdom of ABHÁ! ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

A few thoughts from a letter received from Dr. Zia Bagdadi should be considered of the utmost importance by every believer:

This servant cannot see but one thing, and that is, this hour is the hour of service. Every one must do more than ever before. We must not sit and say '0 I will do this and that if I only had this and that.' Regardless of anything, trusting in the power of the Promise of the Beloved Master, every loyal lover must show (his faith) by his deeds and by his service........ Now is the time to raise our voice in the way of real construction. If the sincere lovers of the Beauty of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá do not carry the heavy work that He carried on His shoulder for more than three generations and a half, will you tell me who will?. Now that the Master has ascended, His Power will reach His faithful lovers more than ever before....... Heavenly confirmations come to those who work and not to those who sit and wait....... 11

"The most important thing is not to let the Fire of yearning and acclamation ignited in the heart to become extinct... they must not let their original aim be weakened for even one hour." ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

Miss Fanny Knobloch is travelling in the New England States, and recently spoke in the Theosophical rooms in Springfield, Mass. "She was imbued with the spirit of the ABHÁ Beauty and we had a wonderful meeting", writes Mrs. Olive E. Kretz, Secretary of our Assembly there. Mrs. Kretz will soon start on a tour to the Pacific Coast States, stopping enroute at some of our Centers of activity. Her association with the friends will be mutually helpful, and we hope she will be able to share an intimate knowledge of the Amity Convention held in her City last winter.

One of the activities which has not only arrested our attention in recent months, but has brought unspeakable joy to heart and soul, is what we consider an immensely valuable teaching organization. It is known as the "World Fellowship Girls" at Montclair, N. J. This group is composed of girls of all nationalities, and is under the Guardianship of our beloved Bahá’í sister, Mrs. Victoria Bidikian. (She surely must be one of the angels whom ‘Abdu’l-Bahá prophesied in a Tablet long ago would be in America). To receive a letter from Elizabeth Oros, one of the [Page 8] girls, and who writes the letters for the Fellowship - means a refreshment for mind and heart which we wish might be shared by all. The intimate knowledge of the Cause, the intelligent conception of the Teachings, the remarkable expressions on the subjects of brotherhood, removal of prejudices, social service, the need of a Universal language, etc., indicate capacity, assurance, sincerity, and a knowledge accompanying the second birth and an awakened universal consciousness. We are grateful to ‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ for the confirmations upon Mrs. Bidikian in her training and teaching, and for this group of spiritually alive young people. Their training today will be of immense value to the divine civilization of the future.

"A Bahá’í child must be trained according to the moral precepts of Bahá’u’lláh; he must be taught daily of the Love of GOD; the history of the Movement must be read to him, the love of humanity must be inculcated into every fibre of his being and the Universal Principles be explained to him......then the power of great faith will take possession of his heart........ Children must be brought under the control of the Love of GOD and under spiritual influence from their earliest youth." ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

NEWS ITEMS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES

Mrs. Hyde Dunn writes of the work in Australia, and of the inspiration that her husband and herself have received from all the teaching news in this country. After reading of the work of Mr. Gregory and Mr. Vail, they felt so thrilled that they immediately tried to increase their efforts and sacrifices in the Path of the Beloved. She very humbly writes: "We are only the rough pioneers and just trail-makers for the eloquent teachers who are to come here later. Mason Remey has Permission in one of his Tablets from the Beloved to come to Australia when he has finished certain work in America..........I am expecting soon to go to New Zealand to prepare the way for Mr. Dunn to teach there later when he has several weeks vacation. Through the Divine Bounty I hope to have a group ready for him..... After all we have done nothing as yet, and He has cared for us and guided us and we have wanted for nothing and the Beloved knows of every service. With GOD'S help I hope we may some day know how to really serve Him; as yet I know nothing of real sacrifice: Mr. Dunn does because he goes on teaching and serving when his body is so weary and exhausted. "

Let us not forget these lovely servers in far off Australia, and let us keep them very, very close in the circle of unity through our prayers offered daily in their behalf, and if there are those who would like to write to them, please send for address.

"The believers of GOD must exercise the utmost love, respect and consideration towards the teachers, so that in whatever place they may enter, joy and happiness be obtained." ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

Miss Martha Root is receiving from time to time requests from Mexico for more Bahá’í Spanish booklets: one man writes that he wants them for himself, and alse he wishes to get copies printed for distribution.

From Miss Agnes Alexander in Japan comes most inspiring news. The union of hearts is such a real thing, that it is not difficult to bridge distances and find ourselves with our sweet sister as she serves with heavenly calm and joyousness -- the true joy which only the souls can know who are absolutely single-minded, who live for just the one purpose, namely: to be allowed, through His Mercy, to serve in the Vineyard of GOD on earth, and to bring the Food from the Divine Table to hungering and longing hearts. Miss Alexander writes:

".......A new work here is opening, it is with the Chinese students, and it has come about through teaching Esperanto. As I was guided, I spoke of the [Page 9] Teachings. Of the sixteen students, not one had heard a word before, only the student who had asked me to teach the class. (He was one I met in Korea, the one who knows Korean, Chinese and Japanese). Last Saturday I invited these students to my home to hear more of the Teachings. There are about two thousand Chinese students in Tokyo, and my prayer has been that they may all hear of the Cause, and through His Power and Assistance it is possible. Already the doors are opening, for yesterday a Chinese young woman, who had previously studied Esperanto, came to the class. She is Chairman of a group of young Chinese women whose aims are along the Bahá’í lines, and she will arrange for me to speak to them."

Through this young woman, Miss Alexander was invited to write an article for an important Chinese publication. All the students will be asked to Miss Alexander's home for a Feast, a Chinese friend at the Legation will also be invited, and another Chinese who knows ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, but who does not know English or Japanese. One of the group will act as interpreter. Perhaps this group will be the first all Chinese Bahá’í Feast ever held. To all these students Miss Alexander has given the Tablet of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá about China. She has already been asked to start another beginners class in Esperanto. Thus her service in that land continues to receive successive confirmations.

From a letter written by Shoghi Effendi to the friends in Japan is quoted the following most important and heavenly Words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá:

"Japan will turn ablaze! Japan is endowed with a most remarkable capacity for the spread of the Cause of GOD! Japan and....

...will take the lead in the spiritual re-awakening of peoples and nations that the world shall soon witness!"

On another occasion, He said: "Here we are seated calm, quiet and inactive, but the Hand of the Unseen is ever active and triumphant in lands, even as distant as Japan!"

Miss Leonora Holsapple is now located in Bahá’í, Brazil, where she will remain until the end of August, and probably then return to the United States. We will all remember the reference to this City in the Tablets of the Divine Plan. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá instructed:

"Visit ye especially the City of Bahá’í, on the eastern shore of Brazil. Because in the past years this City was christened with the name, BAHÁ’Í, there is no doubt that it has been through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit."

Our dear sister's letter fills us with hope and happiness as she describes some of her experiences in this place. She writes:

"As you know ever since I have been in Brazil, I have kept Bahá’í in mind, naturally, because ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said we must visit it especially, and so, no matter how much everyone in Santos tried to discourage me, I was determined to come at the first opportunity, and came, blindly, not knowing where I should live or what I should do, but confident that the Master KNEW.. ......The Master does make the way so easy for us!......... The very first thing I did on arrival was to go to the office of the U. S. Consul for my mail....... He asked almost immediately if I would like to consider living at his home to teach his little eight years old girl. He arranged for me to go to the house and talk with Mrs. Bevan, his wife, (the friend of our Mrs. Sharp of Texas, whose letter you sent me). It was soon settled that I should live with them, receiving room and board in return for teaching their little girl three hours a day..... They are lovely people and I am very happy to be with them, and thankful to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá for preparing so good a place for me.......

"Guido gave me a letter to the President of the "Estrella do Oriente" here, a Society of nearly 500 members, and I have spoken twice in their Hall. While they have a large membership the attendance at their meetings is not always large, however, they seemed wonderfully enthusiastic. All wanted literature, so distributed booklets at both meetings." She further tells of a series of lectures which she is giving to the public every Wednesday evening: the hall being offered to her. She has contacted with many interesting people for personal talks, and the [Page 10] work looks immensely promising. One other activity which has opened is that she has been invited to start an Esperanto class, and this she will do. Enroute to Bahá’í, our sister stopped in Rio and visited the Esperanto Headquarters, and there found that a new Esperanto Magazine published in Austria had on the front page her own Address given at the Esperanto Congress last year, and which gives the Message very plainly.

We have had to brief the very interesting letter from which the foregoing excerpts are taken, but we have at least given sufficient to indicate how arising with real sincerity and sublime faith brings a demonstration in the way of spiritual bounties which really amaze even those who not only "believe but who know" and which may seem even like miracles to those less awakened to the needs and requirements of this time and to the Power of the Holy Spirit.

Letters have come from all parts of America expressing the longing hope that TEACHING THE CAUSE, SPREADING THE MESSAGE, will go forward with such fervor and such spiritual enthusiasm as to surpass anything ever attempted in previous years. We are told that the condition of peace and rest for humanity can only be made possible "through TEACHING the Cause of GOD." Let us think daily about ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s tender and loving ministrations unto us in this country, of the thousands of Tablets revealed for US, of the joy and refreshing news to Him when He heard of the friends sharing the Message with others, of His statement that

"If we had lived in accordance with the Precepts of the Blessed Perfection, by this time half the inhabitants of the world would have become Bahá’ís"

If we contemplate on these things, we will not be able to sit silent for one moment, but will surmount every difficulty and overcome every obstacle in the path, and arise in perfect unity with every other believer in America and assist in the onward march of the Most Great Cause, that Cause alone which offers the REMEDY to mankind in this Day.

"Consider, that the Apostles of Christ were few in number, but because they were filled to overflowing with His Graces, and the essence of His Advice and Commandments was circulating, like unto the spirit, through their veins and arteries, to such an extent that one could find nothing else throughout their beings save His Love, and they girded up the loins of endeavor to convey the Message. Now it has become manifest what a tremendous effect and result their services produced! We must also act accordingly and follow in their footsteps!" ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

Bahá’í National Teaching Committee

1818 N Street, N. W., Washington, D. C. June 19, 1922.

BAHÁ’Í NATIONAL TEACHING COMMITTEE, By Mariam Haney, Secretary.