National Teaching Committee Bulletins/1922/May 25/Text
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"Today divine powers reinforce the souls who are spreading the Cause of GOD. Whoever walks upon this highway is confirmed." Abdul Baha.
ee ee ee
To the Family of Bahais in the United States and Canada.
Beloved Friends:
The National Spiritual Assembly in session at the close of the Convention, appointed among others, the National Bahai Teaching Committee consisting of five members, namely: Mrs. Parsons, Mr. Randall, Mr. Vail, Mr. Gregory and Mrs. Haney.
The first meeting of the new Teaching Committee was held in Washington, Monday, May 15th, at which meeting four of the members were present -- Mrs. Parsons, Mr. Randall, Mr. Gregory and Mrs. Haney. Mr. Vail, the fifth member, was consulted by letter; so that any plans for the future work and any definite program arranged, is the result of consultation and the united expression of all. Each felt an extraordinary added responsibility at this time, and that nothing must stand in the way of accomplishment.
The Tablets in the Divine Plan, and the hundreds of other Tablets on teaching and spreading the Message, revealed by both Baha'o'llah and Abdul Baha, were constant reminders to us of our supreme and sacred duty. Our attention was likewise directed to the messages brought by the returning pilgrims to the effect that our beloved Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, as well as all the members of the Holy Family, constantly referred to the importance of teaching, and part of Shoghi Effendi's first message to this country was that the friends must teach.
Our responsibility to GOD is immeasureable.
Any lethargy or lukewarmness in the matter of teaching should be a sufficient sign to us that we are not on the alert and mindful, for as Abdul Baha said to a friend in the West -- "I have summoned all to the conveying of the Message,"
With the new forward vision the friends now have, it will surely be possible to comply with the Commandment to "arise in perfect unity in teaching the Cause of GOD." We can receive daily inspiration from the Holy Utterances, and then inspire each other, so that each and every believer on this Continent will manifest the heavenly exertion that is surely necessary at this time.
We have been instructed in the Tablets "to come together periodically and discuss the practical ways and means whereby the Cause is promoted and the people summoned to the Kingdom of GOD"; therefore, the Teaching Committee decided, in view of the Holy Utterances, the capacity and receptivity of the souls, the critical times and the dangers which threaten everywhere, to enter upon a vigorous campaign for the year and to do everything possible to arouse interest and enthusiasm.
Although the season is now well advanced, it is adjudged of the utmost
importance to reach without delay some of the people of the Southern States. Mr.
Vail will make an effort to light the flame of guidance among the white people.
This service will be for the immediate future. Later he will be temporarily engaged editing and developing a new plan for the "Star of the West". But the
Teaching Committee are planning to have Mr, Vail make a tour of the Western States
to the Pacific Coast, starting this very important work the first of October.
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The friends throughout the West are looking forward to the fulfillment and realization of this promise.
Mr. Gregory expects to leave the last of May for some parts of the South on a tour lasting about six weeks, He will, through guidance and confirmations, try and calm the growing unrest among the colored people, for the confirmations of the Holy Spirit and the Principles of the Cause will quell the conflict of races which may lead to great and terrible sufferings on both sides. If we neglect to do our part, however,small it may be, deep will be our regret when the difficulties arise about which Abdul Baha has repeatedly warned us. After completing this especial mission in the South now, Mr. Gregory will proceed to Green Acre for the balance of the summer. About the first of October an extensive teaching tour of the Southern States will, through guidance, be planned.
For the last two years Abdul Baha particularly dwelt by instructions to pilgrims, and in Tablets, on the seriousness of the Southern situation, and He repeatedly exhorted us to carry the Light to that part of America. Indeed He has expressed great concern as to the prosperity of the whole country should this service in the South be neglected,
Mr, Stanwood Cobb of Washington has cheerfully responded to a call from the Teaching Committee to serve at this time, and he too, will leave the last day of May for a very short trip into the South, possibly only for two weeks or a little longer, according to the time he can take from his work mapped out for the summer months,
Realizing the importance of this work, "we must not sit inactive for one moment . . . we must sever ourselves from composure, rest, tranquility, goods, property, life and attachment to material things" . . . that "the Fragrances of Holiness be diffused with swiftness and rapidity. (Tablet to Southern States)
Abdul Baha Himself “opened the door of Teaching in this country"; He "pointed out to us the highway of service", and He said: "My primal object of this long trip was to show by deeds to the friends of GOD that this is the season of TEACHING the Cause . .. . I left everything and travelled through the earth to herald the coming of the Kingdom of ABHA",
Never did the call for teaching the Glad-tidings ring so insistently inte our hearts as since the Ascension of the Master. Now is the hour for sacrifice in the Pathway of Teaching. "People will arise in America" said Abdul Baha "who will sacrifice themselves completely". All, according to capacity, should teach. Those who cannot leave their home and employment, are invited, in accordance with the Divine Will and Favor, to contribute to the expenses of others.
The Teaching Committee assists those who have their own means to find interested people. It plans for them their journeys. It furnishes travelling expenses to others chosen to go forth and teach for a short season. It sustains others whom Abdul Baha wished to give all their time to teaching, and plans their work in the highway of the Kingdom. Among the National teachers are two, who, by the expressed wishes of Abdul Baha, are giving all their time to this work of spreading the Message.
“Whosoever quickens one soul in this Cause is like unto one quickening all the servants, and the Lord shall bring him forth in the day of resurrection into the Rizwan of Oneness adorned with the Mantle of Himself, the Protector, the Mighty, the Generous. Thus will ye assist your Lord, and naught else save this shall ever be mentioned in this Day before GOD your Lord and the Lord of your forefathers".
(From Tablet of the BRANCH)
Think of it! Thus does a divine religion, when confirmed by the irresistable power of the WORD, the Manifestation of GOD, sweep the world, To teach one soul is to teach the whole human race eventually and for all eternity.
We repeat that if we cannot go forth and teach ourselves, we may wish
to help send and sustain others, especially those whom Abdul Baha has suggested.
But this must be "out of pure desire” to spread the Glad-tidings of the Kingdom
of ABHA.
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The Teaching Committee, which Abdul Baha said must certainly continue
("and with utmost joy and harmony will execute its functions, and unquestionably
this Committee shall day by day grow in strength and confirmation") -- needs
the small and large offerings, but always given for the pure love of His Kingdom;
and therefore, contributions from the friends are most lovingly invited.
We submit the foregoing for your serious and earnest consideration, for we must realize that after all the true Teaching Committee is the whole Bahai family, -- therefore we not only lovingly remind you of the Teaching Fund, but we invite correspondence from each and every friend, for we are interdependent, and we all know that co-operation brings a real confirmation, Please send us any suggestions that may occur to you relative to the furtherance of the Teaching program, and especially send us names and addresses and any information which will assist the work of the teachers, ae well as items of interest which may be filed in our Bureau of Information, thus assisting in answering the many questions which come to us.
If the following Creative WORDS of the Master take effect in our hearts, a very wonderful zealousness and enthusiasm will be the result, and who knows but that soon His wonderful prophecy about thousands coming into the FOLD may be fully realized:
"The EVERLASTING GLORY of the friends, and the heavenly sublimity of the believers, is to teach‘the Cause of GOD, to spread the Fragrances of GOD, and to promote the WORD of GOD. I hope you may become assisted and confirmed therein. Then you will become a member of the congregation of the elect and a light in the Divine Assemblage."
"Once more the WEST must receive the Breeze of GOD from the EAST. It cannot be stayed nor hindered. It will blow from the East to the West -- and it will be most beautiful if you will be the avenue through which it comes. If you are not that avenue, it will seek another entrance, but blessed will be your privilege if through you it wins its way into the hearts of the West, rousing into fragrant life all the spiritual bloom and richness of that great country, and bringing new life to the world."
Respectfully and lovingly submitted, THE NATIONAL BAHAI TEACHING COMMITTEE Agnes S. Parsons, Chairman Wm. H. Randall, Treasurer Albert R. Vail Louis G, Gregory Through
Mariam Haney, Secretary,
1818 N Street, N, W.,
Washington, D. C.
May 25, 1922.
NOTE: Please make all remittances payable to Wm. H, Randall, 35 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts.
