National Teaching Committee Bulletins/1922/September 23/Text

National Teaching Committee Bulletins
September 23, 1922

"Peace be upon those who follow the Truth in truth, and stand in the Path of Command upon the shore of KNOWLEDGE in the Name of GOD.......-..- This Dav is

the day of serving and standing steadfast.... Stand steadfast for spreadine the Cause..." Baha'o'liah.

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"Strive always that you may be united. Kindness and love in the path of service mist be your means.. The example of our lives is of more value than words," Abdul Baha.

"Our Unity and Love mst be such as to cause the peoples of the world to join hands in amity and brotherhood." Bahaeyeh (Greatest Holy Leaf).

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BULLETIN Issued by Bahai National Teaching Committee September 23, 1922

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One of the most important matters to be brought to the attention of the friends at this time is a subject which we have been particularly requested to mention, namely:

- In the Will and Testament of Abdul Baha is recorded this Instruction:

"O ye the faithful loved ones of Abdul Baha! It is incumbent upon you to take the greatest care of Shoghi Effendi, the Twig that hath branched from and the fruit given forth by the Two Hallowed and Divine Lote-Trees, that no dust of despondency and sorrow may stain his radiant nature; that day by day he may wax greater in happiness, in joy and spirituality, and may grow to become even as a fruitful tree."

Some longing hearts, feeling deeply this Instruction and pondering over its meaning, wish to lovingly invite all the blessed sisters and brothers in the Family of Abdul Baha to unite with all heart and soul in sincere prayers ‘or the safety and well-being of Shoghi Effendi, and they particularly added -- "not that we are worthy to pray for the Chosen Guardian of the Cause, but, in strict obedience to the Command of Abdul Baha, do we wish to accomplish this loving and sincerely offered daily prayer at the Divine Threshold."

It is of the utmost importance that our UNITY be complete in arising to

this blessed privilege, remembering at the same time that "all sincere prayer has an effect."

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Second in importance is the repeated suggestion from the friends that the following be carefully noted and sacredly considered:

The Bulletin is not for general circulation. Its contents are solely and absolutely for the Bahai family. It is to be considered as the Bahai family letter, and its contents, for the most part, be treated as strictly confidential, and therefore not to be circulated except in the circle of Bahais. [Page 2]The Bulletin is sustained through contributions to the Teaching Fund, but, any confirmed Bahai may have his or her name added to the Bulletin mailing list by sending same to the Secretary.

Please note also that your cooperation is most lovingly invited. As pioneers in the Vineyard of God on earth, we are called upon to practice consultation and co-operation. Again we invite suggestions for the Bulletin, for since it is an intimate news-carrier, the friends should have the closest association with its plan and editing.

"The Heaven of Divine Wisdom is illumined and shining with two Orbs -- Co»

sultation and Kininess." "The benefit of the Utterance of the Merciful One goes to those who practice." (Baha'o'llah)

By way of explanation (though no explanation should be necessary) the commendations appearing in the Bulletin from time to time in regard to the radiant services of the teachers everywhere, are recorded because of the Creative effect of the Instruction of Abdul Baha, which Instruction repeatedly tells us to encourage and praise the loved ones. In a Tablet Abdul Baha said that when he was ill, if news came to Him of the love and unity of the believers, their encouragement of each other, likewise their appreciation of and praise for each other -- even to such an extent that they considered themselves as nothing, non-existent, and their sisters and brothers preceeding and excelling them -- He was made well and happy. Many, many times He repeated this Statement, and to some of us He has said -- "You must Praise the friends."

All Glory and All Praise belong to the Divine Center of Life ani Light and Love Who has left an Instruction for us on every point, so that we need not be misguided or comfortless if we study His WORD and plunge deep into the Ocean of His Life-imparting Utterances. We know that without His Divine Benediction and Merciful Confirmations not one soul could travel the Path and surmount the difficulties; we kmow also that His Promises are ever fulfilled, and that successive blessings are pouring down from the Clouds of His Mercy upon all those "who have turned in such wise to the Kingdom of ABHA as to attract the Divine Confirmations." We have been making history rapidly, and in the glorious future days when the divine civilization which we are only glimpsing now, will have become a fixed reality, the travellers on the "Path paved by Baha'o'llah and Abdul Baha" will doubtless enjoy and appreciate the stories of all the blessed souls who served in these early days, and who were "too busy to tell their own story and too humble to want praise."

“Our part it is to act in accordance with the Teachings in humility and firm steadfastness." Abdul Baha.

GREEN ACRE

The past season has been a very remarkaodle one at Green Acre in visible results, at the same time we can never measure the results which will be forthcoming in the future from the seeds of Truth so lovingly planted in the soil of many recep~ tive hearts. One of insight peers into the future and sees a vast throng whose spiritual life forces came into being durine the various Green Acre seasons, as Mr. Randall writes "the invisible results seem much greater to me than the visible achievements." The closing days were brilliant, The Light of the “inadom was shed on all sides and many hearts reflected the beauty and freshness of a divine quickening and awakening, Mr. Gregory, who has been in the arena of service there for several weeks, reports that

"The Green Acre season has. been one of sustained interest and closed ina blaze of glory. Mrs. Ruth Randall thrilled a large audience with the diary of her [Page 3]abe

pilgrimage to the Presence of Abdul Baha last year, relating many touching stories of Shoghi Effendi, Bahiyeh Khanum and other members of the Holy Family and their associates. Mr. George Latimer worked very hard to improve the physical features of Green Acre, and has also given some fine lectures, the last one on the 'Bahai Solution of the Economic Problem’. At the final meeting Mr. Randall presided and thought centered around the Green Acre cf next year."

Mrs. Alice Ives Breed, as Chairman of the Program Committee, was most successful in her earnest endeavors covering weeks of service even before the opening of the season. She is an enthusiastic and brilliant server of large experience, and with the assistance of Mr, James Morten, Jr., and Mrs. Ford, the Program Committee this year certainly made an enviable record, and their efforts were highly appreciated and commended by friends and strangers.

Among the speakers of the last few days were Dr. George EZ. Vincent, Pres. Rockefeller Foundation of New York, whose brilliant presentation of his subject "Medical Missions in Many Lands" was most interesting and instructive, Dr. amd Mrs, Michael Cohn of New York had for their subject "A Talk on Sociology." Prof. Carter Troop, Pres. of the New York Lecture Ass'n, was still another lecturer who was enthusiastically received, Mr. Wm. H. Randall's subject was "Heroic Lives", and surely this subject would attract and hold the attention of a large audience. Mrs, Mabel H, Payne of Urbana, I1l., spoke on "Reminiscences of Haifa"; Miss Elsa Russell's subject was "My Experiences in Russia"; Mr. Louis G. Gregory, "Healing by Material and Spiritual Means"; Mrs. Ruth Randall on "A Bahai Pilgrimge"™ and Mr. George Latimer on "Bahai Social Economy."

The members of the Bahai Family who were privileged to be present at the Green Acre Conferences this year (and each and every one rendered a faithful service) have felt that Abdul Baha's Blessing and His Life-Imparting Gales made it possible to serve and were the Baptism and Reward for every arising to a sincere service. An encouragement born of the spirit fosters a firm and joyous determination to begin at once plans for the Green Acre activities of 1923. "A glowing fire in the hearts and not a flickering flame only in the mind" makes it easy to squarely face any and all problems, and to always encourage others through loving and devoted services, sacri-ficing self at every point for the One Great Business and ONLY BUSINESS, namely -the work that must be accomplished ere the Most Great Bahai Message of Light and Life and Love is brought to the attention of the thousands yet uninformed.

In a recent letter to Mr. Randall, the Greatest Holy Leaf has spoken of Green Acre most enthusiastically, saying it will be a peace center for this genera~ tion and for generations to come as Abdul Baha foretold.

"The 'Hands of the Cause' are the hands of Truth. Therefore, whosoever is the promoter and the servant of the WORD of GOD, he is a hand of Truth." Abdul Raha.

A HAIFA PILGRIMAGE

Mr. and Mrs. Starwood Cobb of Washington, D. C., sailed from Philadelphia on June 22nd for Haifa, and stopped enroute to visit somé of the Bahai Centers. By request, Mr. Cobb has written a brief account of some of their experiences; thus we are able, in this way, to share in the joy of association with the friends, and glimpse the sacred experience of a blessed and heavenly few days in the Holy City of Haifa. The dearest wish in the heart of these beloved friends was to be able to spread the Message far and wide on their travels, and this wish was splendidly realized from the very beginning of the journey. Mr. Cobb writes:

"We found opportunity while on shipboard to give the Message to many of our fellow passengers." (A list of the names and addresses of those who were deeply interested has been furnished, and among them are people who have it in their power-~ if divinely confirmed-- to assist in every way any service in their respective localities for the promulgation of the Divine Principles.) [Page 4]-4 "In going across England, we stopped at Manchester to visit the frienis there. They were delighted to see us. It is to be hoped that American Bahais who visit England will, whenever possible, include Manchester in their itinerary; for the friends there do not have much contact with the outside Bahai world, and they are very grateful for visits from pilgrims, A Persian brother, resident there, showed us the greatest hospitality and kindness and made our stay most delightful. The Bahai meetings are held in his office and here the friends gathered to greet us on tke second evening of our visit. We found these Manchester believers very earnest and sincere. It is an inspiration also to see many children sincere in the Cause among the group of friends.

~"In London we spent a day with Mrs. Claudia Coles, and heard from her nuch about the progress of the Cause there, Friday evening we visited Mrs. George. Every week she has a group of young working girls meet at her home, to whom she is teaching the Cause, This is a wonderful work. To these girls without education, but with tender hearts, she is interpreting the Cause and guiding them into the spiritual life. From a recent letter of Mrs. George's, we quote the following:

"'It was a real happiness to have the short visit from you. The girls were very pleased to see you and delighted that you talked to them. It is such a good thing that they should’ realize the fellowship with Americans, and know that there are thousands of Bahais in America......... Some of these girls are showing in their lives what the Bahai Teachings stand for...!

“Later we had coffee with Mrs. George and Miss Dorothea George in their charming studio. Miss George showed us her wonderful etchings made in Palestine, thirty in all, a true work of genius. The subjects are well chosen, the theme and composition striking, and the rendering exquisitely beautiful. At my request she is sending over a set to be exhibited in Washington. When the exhibit is finished here, I am sure Miss George would be pleased to loan the set to any of the friends in other Cities who would like to arrange an exhibit. Among the set is that etching pga many of us have already seen, the 'Tomb of the Bab and of Abdul Baha on Mount

armel] '. :

"July 23rd found us arrived at Haifa by the quickest route available, namely the Triestino Lloyd Line from Trieste to Alexandria, then by rail to Haifa. For the benefit of those who might be planning a trip to Haifa, we will state that the journey can be accomplished in eight days from London to Haifa, and at a cost of about $160.00 second class. Also summer travel to the Near East can be done in absolute comfort if one refrains from hurry and from exposure to sunshine, From Trieste to Alexandria, Cairo, Cantara and Haifa, we did not feel the heat uncomfortably. Care in regard to diet is of great importance, however.

"Our visit to.the Holy City was, we felt, worth all the time and trouble of the trip. Even though our Beloved was no longer there to greet us and to lift us by the Power of His Love into that Paradise which words cannot explain but which all pilgrims to Haifa understand, yet the atmosphere of Haifa, of the Holy Tombs, and the love of the Holy Family and friends there, contain a spiritual power sufficient to lift one onto a higher Plane and to give one a new vision and renewed inspiration. The effects of our visit are ever present.

"We spent much time at the Holy Tombs. Alsc we were favored with precious ‘interviews with the Holy Family. This meeting together of the women of the Holy Household generated a great spiritual power. They had much to tell us of the last days of Abdul Baha, countless stories of His evanescence, His thought for others, His refusal to accept the comforts which His Family wished to procure Him.

"While at Haifa we learned of the wonderful progress of the Cause in India and Burma. Especially gratifying also was the news from Constantinople, Fifteen years ago when I was there, only two other Bahais were to be found -- Bedriddin Effendi, an Arab Sheik, and Nazim Effendi, a Turkish educator. Today there are some few hundred, of many races and creeds, -- Turk, Arab, Armenian, Greek, Jew, Levantine, [Page 5]~5 Russian, etc. It is one of the greatest successes of the Cause that has come to my attention, and all the more pleasing to me because of my love for that City of wondrous beauty......

"During our stay at Haifa there were given me three things which I count among the greatest spiritual blessings. The first was the opportunity of seeing the Greatest Holy Leaf. The second was the privilege of sitting in Abdul Raha's chair in the room of ®aha'o'llah at the Rehje. As I sat in this chair and looked out of the window over the fields toward Acca, my eves dwelling on the view which Abdul Paha loved so much, in the room dearer to Him than any other spot on earth, I was translated to the Heaven of Significances, and given an experience of transcendent jov and peace, Perhaps it was a presumption on my part to sit there, -- but I prefer to think it was an invitation from the Heart of the Master -- the Gift of His Love. To my wife it brought the same experience, the greatest spiritual experience of her life, So although He Who has been the Goal of so many pilgrimages has passed, and the One Appointed was net present, yet the joy of Meeting was ours, The third Gift was that of benolding the Face of Bahato'llah in the victure we had heard about from returning pilgrims of the past. ........ ..The august majesty and power of that Face overwhelmed me. Deep as has been my appreciation of the Words of Baha'o'llah, I received here, while gazing at His Face, a higher perception of Him as the Law-giver, the Creator of a new civilization, -- and of His WORD as a Gift so precious for humanity, that life itself was worth nothing weighed in the balance.

"From Haifa upon leaving we brought the message of deep love from the Holy Family to all the friends in America. This love is a precious thing, for it contains something of the quality of Abdul Baha's love for us, and somewhat of yearning to receive our reciprocal love..........+++5ee0.++ And this message they sent as the one message today from Haifa to America, -- that we practice love and unity, and arise to spread the Cause of GOD, '

“If we could realize how they look to us in America, we would redouble

our efforts. In the Near East and in Persia the Cause is hampered by oppression and persecution, But here we are free....and we have ample resources. It is felt, I believe, that the future of the Cause depends upon America, Let us realize our responsibility and arise to serve.

"I would suggest in this connection that the names and address of all people to whom the Message is newly given, be sent to Mrs. Haney, Secretary of the Teaching Committee, for filing purposes. In that way the Teaching Committee can know just what material of interest exists in every part of the world.

"In closing I will add that upon our visit” to Madame Dreyfus-Barney in Paris, on our return, we were told of the encouraging progress of the Cause in Tripoli, Cochin-China and South Chima. As for Germany, it seems ablaze. Wew As semblies are being formed constantly, am hundreds upon hundreds of reople are attending the meetings."

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"Are the beloved of GOD zealous....,.. Are they putting forth efforts?" (Questions asked on numerous occasions by Abdul Raha). And one day He said to ‘some of the friends around Him: "The doctor enjoins upon Me this dictur--'Do not wore, De not speak. Do not write.’ But GOD Commands Me -- "ork, speak and write!”

"Verily" (as He,Himself has said, likewise, on many occasions) "therein lies a lesson for those who learn"........... "Follow Me! Be as I ami"

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PROGRESS OF THE CAUSE

Under this heading we have received an interesting account from Mr. Gregory of certain signs which foreshadow future happenings of a like nature and which will serve as great aids in fanning the flame of our spiritual enthusiasm, All [Page 6]+6~

that is necessary is to remember the Creative Words of Abdul Baha: "Rest ye assured and be firm. Be ye well poised. Be ye serene, Remember that they (opposition, persecutions) are only the little songs of the sparrows, and they will pass away. If it be not so, the fame of the Cause will not be wide-spread, the Summons of GOD will not be heard." Mr. Gregory's letter follows:

"One of many certain signs of the progress of the Cause is the attacks by people of note. These will no doubt increase in volume and intensity as the Teachings spread and higher and higher the Mashrek Ul Azkar lifts its stately form, It is a condition that must needs be, to fulfill a spiritual law. The old order of pride and bigotry will not vield without a struggle. Herod and his Court are more than disturbed by tidings of the New Xing,

"Perhaps the latest attack is that by Prof. Jno. C. Moore of Harvard University, a man of learning who attributes ignorance to the Bahais.

"All such foes quite unknown to themselves are doing the Cause a tremendous service keeping it before the public to such an extent as would overtax the present resources of its friends. Then too, the weightier the opposition, the mightier the Confirmations from the Supreme Horizon. Firm and sincere souls are grateful for this Bounty, thus made possible. Be not dismayed by attacks but rather confident and assured. The history of the Cause shows that it thrives most under difficulties.

"Answers are ever ready when seekers ask for them; for the Divine Wisdom has left nothing unforeseen. The student of the Ighan, the Tablets of Abdul Baha, the talk on Calumny (Paris Addresses) one of a similar nature to the Washington Assembly and the Brilliant Proof, by Mirza Abul Fazl, so highly praised by Abdul Baha -- will be prepared to answer any attacks, no matter what range they assume. Can the darkness of human error defeat the Light of God? The Creative Word is the weightiest argument and mightiest proof. As in past cycles so in this ‘Century of Light' know that 'Our God is a Consuming Fire!'"

"When thou dost reflect upon the contradictions of the people, including

divines, men of learning, and the ignorant, thou wilt become MORE FIRM and STEADFAST IN THIS CAUSE... 0k ces. s " Bahato'llah,

Among the dozens of questions which reach us, one seems to be constantly recurring, therefore it is thought best to publish this question in the Bulletin and each Assembly can give it due consideration:

"What is being accomplished in the matter of training teachers? Are there especially organized classes for the training of teachers?"

These questions are of the utmost importance especially as Abdul Baha instructed us in a Tablet some years ago:

"There is need of a thousand teachers (in America}; each one severed from the world, attracted by the Holy Spirit, in the Supreme Concourse, and joyful through the Kinedom of GOD, and in perfect sanctity, holiness and sufficiency."

He has also said:

"In short, for the diffpsion of the Fragrances of GOD the friends must think of detailed ways and means and year by year add to their efficiency, practicality and thoroughness. They mast organize classes for teaching the young and preparing teachers to go to all parts of America."

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Another Bulletin will closely folios this one in order that the work may be brought up to date. eee enee

"The Confirmations of the re ree of ABHA shall descend uninterruptediy upon those souls who are firm in the Covenant." Abdul Baha.

Please note change of address to BAHAI National Teaching Committee

1302 Connecticut Avene, By Mariam Haney, Secretary. Washington, D. C.