National Teaching Committee Bulletins/1923/August 27/Text
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"In these days the holy ones of the Realm of Glory dwelling in the Allhighest Paradise, yearn to return unto this world and be of some service to the Cause of Baha'u'llah and prove their servitude to the Threshold of the ABHA Beauty."
Abdul Baha.
- Apartment 207,
1910 Kalorama Road, N. W., Washington, D, C., August 27, 1923,
To the Local Spiritual Assemblies Throughout America, Dearest Friends and Co-Workers:
The Teaching Committee appointed by the National Spiritual Assembly has had two official meetings, The purpose of these meetings was to discuss the allimportant subject of the expansion of the Teaching Program throughout America. As there must always be, to insure progress, the closest association and cooperation between the members of the Bahai Family, we wish to confer with.all the friends,as best we can, through the medium of this letter,
Baha'u'llah's Commands; Abdul Baha's explicit Instructions; Shoghi Effendi‘'s stirring appeals to TEACH, TEACH, TEACH, have been so imprinted upon the mind; the heart and soul have been so stirred with a fuller realization of our obligations, that we see our responsibilities at this time enormously multiplied, There can be no peace or rest or happiness until the Holy Utterances are "understood by mind and heart" and translated into the world of action.
How are we going to actually accomplish? How are we going to make the heart of the Beloved Guardian of the Cause happy and lift from his shoulders a few burdens, at least, by sending him true accounts of the progress of the Cause -- hopeful and cheerful reports, reports of successive victories gained in the field of service -- all vouchsafed unto us through Divine confirmations? How can we make this possible?
Surely we can find the answer to every question in the Revealed Utterances, There are many answers to the above questions (in one form or another), but here is an Instruction from Abdul Baha which is all-inclusive:
"If tremendous progress in a short time be desired, . , they mst lay hold of the Spiritual Poteusy. Then will their advancement appear phenomenal, their success magical, ..
He does not tell us any place that human plans or human skill will ever accomplish the great work entrusted to us!
What we must have now is this "magical success" through "Spiritual
Potency". It has been proven time and again that we cannot attain except through
using the Divine Prescription daily, Just as soon as we attempt to sone our way
and to pian humanly, we fail; because "the Path has been paved by Baha'u'llah and
Abdul Baha", and we are told "to walk in it", That Path which leadeth unto Success
and Life is just as straight and just as narrow today as it has ever been, -- for the
followers of the Light: _ a
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"The Principles and Teachings of Baha'u'llah should be carefully studied,
one by one, until they are realized and understood by mind and heart, -- so will you
become strong followers of the Light, truly spiritual, heavenly soldiers of GOD, acquiring and spreading the true civilization, . ."
There is not a really sincere believer in this country, we feel sure, who, after a deep study of the Holy Words, would not be willing to sacrifice life itself, if need be, be, for the fulfillment of the gft repeated Commands to disseminate widely the Teachings of this New Day which constitute the only Remedy for the sick body of the world. Surely we have been called to the exalted station of ACTION. Through the Mercy of GOD, we have been given a long probation period, -- years in which to prove our allegiance to the Most Mighty and Holy Cause, and as one of the friends said not long ago: "We are more than ever on trial --, beautiful words, spoken or written, are a very small measure of thankfulness, only doe faithful obedience and DEEDS can manifest the degree of our devotion".
First of all the Teaching Committee invites the hearty cooperation of all sincere believers. We are absolutely interdependent, Without doubt it is the united effort of our Bahai Family that will dissipate anything which may be a destructive force. The naked effort will “accomplish His great Purpose” and bring to fruition "His Divine Plan",
He Whom we know to be the Center of Life and Light and Love, the Center of God's Covenant, has said: "I have summoned all to the conveying of the Message". Therefore, each and every friend must be vitally connected with this work of teaching and seed sowing. All may not be gifted teachers, but ALL can assist the Teaching program, It is important that each friend should realize a certain Bahai responsibility, -- for if there is one who is out of harmony with the Divine Plan, that one may retard progress at this time.
In the last General Letter of Shoghi Effendi he has instructed us repeatedly that Teaching is the "most essential” thing at this time, and he adds:
", . « The most urgent of all our obligations (is) namely - To bury our cares and THACH the CAUSE, deliver far and wide this Message of Salvation to a sorelystricken world!"
To the end that we may all keep closely in touch with each other, and that we may be enabled to furnish reliable information at all times, please answer the following questions at your very earliest convenience:
How is the Teaching Program being enlarged in your locality, in accordance with Shoghi Effendi's wishes?
Is the Teaching Program being made of the utmost importance?
Have you a Local Teaching Committee?
If so, who is Chairman of same?
Have you acquainted each and every friend in your Assembly with the imperative financial needs in order to meet the requirements of this time? Jenabe Fazel and his family are the guests of the American believers.
Please furnish also names and addresses of qualified teachers -- those who fully understand existing conditions; who have the harmonious attitude and the spirit of the peacemaker. In the Words of Abdul Baha "first ofall the teacher must have a sweet disposition",
The successful Bahai teacher today will be the one who will go forth fortified with an understanding of the Pure Teachings, who will endeavor by every means possible to keep them Pure, and who will be able “to create a new joy and exhilaration in the hearts of the believers", and be able to make it clear to every one "that today the Cause that is confirmed is the Promotion of the WORD of GOD and the diffusion of the Fragrances of GOD",
If possible, please send a classified list of teachers.
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First: Those who are free to travel any place at the request of the National Teaching Committee and who can pay their own expenses.
Second: Those who are free to travel, but who will need financial assistance. :
Third: Those who will joyously respond to calls for teachers in their own section from time to time.
The Teaching Committee desires to correspond with all teachers for the purpose of serving them in every way possible, supplying necessary literature, and giving information from time to time which will assist them in their noble endeavors.
Soon after the close of the Green Acre season our revered teacher Jenabe Fazel will go to Boston for a month and while there our illumined teacher will plan to make a teaching tour to some of the Bahai Centers in the New England States. Later he will travel to Montreal for a stay of a month before leaving for the Southern tour, which we hope will be fulfilled through Divine Help and the hearty cooperation of all the friends in this country.
In the silent hours of the night, at dawn, and at all times when we are considering ways and means for carrying on the great work of the Cause, our spiritual courage will always increase if we recall that Abdul Baha said He had given us the Divine Plan, but that its execution "depends upon our magnanimity and effort, our self-sacrifice and spiritual heroism", Trials and tests, He told us, and the cares of the world, will never even dim our light if we are sincere, but on the other hand the Fire of the Love of GOD will be increased in our hearts,
Please send any and all information which you think should be placed on file for the benefit of others. If you know of anything which is good for the advancement of the Cause, please transmit it at once.
We suggest that you discuss this matter of TEACHING at a general believer's meeting, invite suggestions from all the friends in your Assembly, and particularly strive to impress upon every loyal Bahai that it is their most solemn and sacred duty to study the Pure Teachings of GOD in this Day, for assuredly all who are fortunate enough to be “known in His Name" -- through His Mercy -- should be equipped "to sing the Praises of GOD with understanding".
We are earnestly and prayerfully endeavoring to fulfill the service assigned to us, and with longing hearts we beg for that Bahai cooperation which is so vital to the fulfillment of the expressed hopes of our Beloved Guardian, Shoghi Effendi.
"His Trumpet-Call resounds on every side, and summons us to service; are we to tarry and hesitate? His Voice is calling aloud from every land; let us march on, unfettered and unafraid" as Shoghi Effendi instructs, for "ere long it shall be made manifest how brilliantly the Light of His bountiful care and mercy hath shone upon His loved ones,"
Respectfully -and-tovingly submitted; Respectfully and lovingly submitted,
BAHAI NATIONAL TEACHING COMMITTEE, Mariam Haney,
Secretary, NATIONAL TEACHING COMMITTEE Jenabe Fazel, Honorary Member Agnes 8, Parsons, Chairman Louis G. Gregory Wm, H. Randall, Treasurer Mountfort Mills Ella G. Cooper Louise D. Boyle
Chas. Mason Remey Mariam Haney