National Teaching Committee Bulletins/1923/June 19/Text
| ←Previous | National Teaching Committee Bulletins June 19, 1923 |
Next→ |
| Return to PDF view |
 | The text below this notice was generated by a computer, it still needs to be checked for errors and corrected. If you would like to help, view the original document by clicking the PDF scans along the right side of the page. Click the edit button at the top of this page (notepad and pencil icon) or press Alt+Shift+E to begin making changes. When you are done press "Save changes" at the bottom of the page. |
"Blessed is he who allows nothing to withhold him from his Lord," "A11 must adhere to the means which is conducive to love and unity," Baha'u'llah.
"Be thou resolute and steadfast, When the tree is firmly rooted it will bear fruit; therefore it is not permitted to be agitated by any test. "Trial is the cause of promotion.” Abdul Baha.
"We need but glance at the Words of Baha'u'llah and the Epistles of Abdul Baha to realize the great privilege of teaching the Cause, its vital necessity, its supreme urgency, and its wide-reaching effects. These are the very Words of Abdul Baha:
"In these days, the holy ones of the Realm of Glory, dwelling in the all-highest 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.'
"What a wondrous vision these Words unfold to our eyes! How great our privilege to labour in this Day in the Divine Vineyard; Is it not incumbent upon us to arise and teach His Cause with such an ardour which no worldly adversity can quell, nor any measure of success can satiate?" Shoghi Effendi.
BULLETIN jIssued by Bahai National Teaching Committee
One of the most thrilling and most inspiring moments of the Convention in Chicago was the reading of the letter of the Beloved Guardian of the Cause, Shoghi Effendi, to the assembled delegates, who later received a copy to carry with them to their respective Assemblies. Just one sentence from that sublime heart-appeal gives the key to all success attained in the past and all that may ever be achieved in the future, namely:
Satay faithful adherence to the Divine Instructions of our loving Master!" Conviction, courage, "firmmess in faith", an abiding peace, progress, salvation, attainment unto the heart's desire -- all are the Gifts of GOD to the travellers on the path who realize that "this is not the day of rest", and who are continually -as Abdul Baha instructed -- "strengthened by the Word of GOD, causing also the strength of others,"
If we peruse carefully the divinely wise and brilliant instructions of our
Beloved Guardian, we will see that the greatest appeal he makes to the friends is to
follow closely the Master's Instructions. Many felt, therefore, that the first and
most important thing to be accomplished was a deep, and still deeper and deeper study
‘of the Most Great Revelation of today by the friends themselves, while pleading at
[Page 2]
aBe
the same time for greatly increased capacity, knowing that a more thorough understanding of the Teachings would result in the establishment of complete unity, for "The original intention and the. divine foundation is the unification of the world of humanity, Therefore, this merciful reality must first find realization among the friends (Bahais), so that it may affect other souls".
The friends listened reverently to the reading in full of the last general letter of Shoghi Effendi, and these inspired instructions became the solid foundation for all plans looking toward real progress, As “one soul in many bodies" the delegates arose to render “whole-hearted assistance" to the Beloved Guardian of the Cause, as he upon whom so much devolves, and all of us, face the great and grave responsibilities of the future, There will be no faltering. On the other hand there will be reverent and “ardent devotion" and courage in upholding the "Divine Policy",
COMMENTS ON THE CONVENTION
His honor, Jenabe Fazel, was the leaven in the midst of the assemblage of the friends, His benign influence was most manifest, and like a tender father he wisely ministered unto the friends being "a server to all and serving all alike". It was plain to be seen that the confirmations were pouring through this "revered personage", At the business sessions he tactfully instructed and spiritually guided the friends, Among his wise sayings may be quoted the following:
"Teaching is the most important thing and holds the supreme station in the Bahai Movement. The Tablets contain numerous statements about teaching and giving the Message, The last Will and Testament of Abdul Baha gives emphasis to this. Through teaching we attain to a new spirit............... One of the best plans is to have in the field a number of qualified speakers to teach the Cause. But this plan alone will not bring the greatest success. These public speakers are the seed sowers, Who is to follow up the work? Who is to water the seed? This going from one Assembly to another is but to proclaim the Kingdom of GOD. To resuscitate and vivify is the work of the Bahais in the different Cities.”
"Through what means and by what methods are we going to accomplish manifold services? We do not believe nor do we expect that these glorious services can be adequately rendered through intellectual processes or through merely personal efforts, I tell you this and I tell you frankly that in these next few days the more the spiritual consciousness amongst the Bahais is emphasized, the more the universal note of happiness and construction is reiterated, the greater will be the confirmation and
assistance, The Life, the Example and the Teachings of Abdul Baha must permeate and penetrate in and through each and every delegate........"
"How can we get out of the world of words and enter into the world of the meaning of the word UNITY? How are we going to do it and by what means? When we set aside all our personal -- expressed or by implication -- desires, all our personal feelings, prefer to work only for the progress and development of the Cause as a whole throughout the world, This is not an intellectual Movement, neither a psychological phenomenon, It is a Spiritual Movement, This Cause is trying to establish a spiritual foundation in the world....... :
"GOD in His Power and Love has paved for us a heavenly highway, the highway of the Kingdom, and we have to walk straight like soldiers in this Highway -- not this way or that way, but the Heavenly Highway.......
"You have done more than anybody else in publishing and circulating the pub-lic Addresses of Abdul Baha throughout this country, Have you read them? Have you found out what Abdul Baha was striving to do or to accomplish by giving those public Addresses? Have you? His Holiness, Abdul Baha, desired to inbreathe into the dead
body of humanity a new life, a new light, a spiritual light, a life of faith -- the
life of attraction to the Kingdom of GOD."
[Page 3]
-3
"People have given up their lives for the Cause of GOD, Is it very difficult for you to give up your likes and dislikes, which after all are temporary and
vanishing shadows ?"
Just before the election of the members of the National Spiritual Assembly, Jenabe Fazel said among other things:
"We want souls who have two characteristics. First their faith in the Cause mst be strong, Second, their minds and hearts must be illumined, They must love the Cause, and they must work for the unhindered, unrestricted development of the Cause and its progress everywhere, I repeat the two things necessary: First, strong faith. And second, an illumined mind."
The following is an excerpt from a letter of Mr, Randall which gives an illuminating expression on the Convention:
"Regarding the Convention, I believe that it will prove to be the most progressive Convention that we have ever held, because it has been the means of awakening liberal thought and additional understanding of the great universal aspect of the Bahai Cause. It has emphasized the real meaning of organization which is after all the voluntary organization of the workers of the Cause, built upon the spiritual foundation of the methods of the Kingdom, It is truly democratic, emanating from the people themselves, but in obedience to the Call of GOD. Its means are cooperation, consultation and service; its effects are love, peace and justice, and its fruitage will be the divine assistance, and divine direction of the affairs of mankind, in the new spiritual order of life,
"In order that this new state of being may come into expression and visibility, it is necessary that every Bahai forgive all mistakes, be patient with progress, and keep constantly in heart and mind the vision of the Great Achievement.
The Convention was greatly blessed with the stirring talks of Prof, Shirazi, and lifted to the mountain tops through the heavenly addresses of Jenabe Fazel.
"It is evident that the Guardian of the Cause wishes us to center our attention for the coming year upon a larger and more inspired program of Teaching, and is calling upon every member of the Bahai family to exert capacity in this great effort, The great public lies all around us, its soil is prepared and the seeds have been scattered, it is a part of the slumbering world of the Kingdom and must be awakened.
Just a few words from Mr. Lunt convey a thought which is helpful:
"As we look back at the Convention I think we see the breadth and scope of many of the things which occurred, and to my mind, the outstanding element in the Convention work was the impersonal courage and faith with which the delegates took into their hands more firmly than ever before the responsibility which has been placed upon them and made their decisions without regard to purely personal reasons. When this spirit enters into the Convention, the true guidance begins to operate.
One of the sweet experiences of the Convention was the receipt of a cable message from our beloved sister, Mrs. Claudia Coles, now living in London, but who in past years was one of the spiritually illumined souls at all the Conventions. Her message to the assembled delegates is characteristic:
"Ridvan greetings. Loving prayers for divine outpouring."
The delegates remembered with great love and devotion the beloved teacher serving in China, Miss Martha Root, and on motion of Mr. Randall all united in sending her a cable containing a loving message.
THE TEACHING TOUR OF JENABE FAZEL IN THE MIDDLE WEST
The one aim and object in the life of our revered teacher is to spread the
pure Teachings of the spiritual Kingdom being established on earth today. Both in
[Page 4]
aie
his private talks to individuals and likewise to groups of friends, Jenabe Fazel has given as a primary requisiteat this time, the need of studying the Teachings. Many have been awakened and are thinking deeply now on what Abdul Baha wished us to understand when He gave instructions many times along this line: "The Bahai must first
be informed of the Principles and Teachings of BAHA‘u'llah, then go ‘forth’ and spread the Message,"
We in America are blessed in having Jenabe Fazel as our teacher at this time one whom Abdul Baha has characterized as "illumined, well informed and wise’.
Immediately after the Convention, Jenabe Fazel made a short tour enroute East. In every City visited he problaimed the Message and assisted the friends to understand the necessity for the expansion of the teaching program. He made it clear how we will have failed to fulfill the divine Commands if we do not immediately arise and make the superhuman effort to both "deepen and widen" the Cause.
Kenosha, Racine and Milwaukee were the first Cities visited, Mr. Nelson of Racine has written a detailed report of the work, telling of the many openings. He concludes with this expression of gratitude:
"We did not have mich time and we were wondering how we could accomplish and have a really vital program, but GOD prepared it all, blessing our efforts. The Racine Assembly is very,very thankful for this visit, and I am sure we have derived new stimulus for work in the Vineyard, They left us with a deep impression of love and real fellowship," .
Mrs. Harding of Urbana, Illinois, has given us an’ intimate glimpse of the very successful preparation for Jenabe Fazel's visit there and of the splendid and illumined services rendered. Her closing comment is a wise summing up of the few days of heavenly teaching in that corner of the Vineyard:
"Tt is too early to kmow what the results of all these meetings are, but many, many new people heard the Bahai Teachings. We had several foreign students present, and we are sure that later great results will be apparent: Continually we meet those who attended the first meetings Jenabe Fazel addressed here, when they obtained that universal outlook on problems that comes through hearing this gifted speaker, Our own group learned so many things that will enable them to do better service for the Master, We are none of us big enough or have the great vision necessary to help usher in His Kingdom, hence it is vital to have our own workers given a glimpse of the great possibilities of life in this world......
"Just at present wa are rejoicing also in having Mrs. Greenleaf in Urbana, She is another teacher and member of the Bahai family who has that wonderful vision of what the Teachings mean. In addition to this her beautiful life and universal love is a -magnet drawing those with whom she comes in contact into the presence of GOD.
"We of Urbana have been so blessed with all these outpourings from His messengers, Great things will be expected of us}"
. The visit to Springfield, Illinois, was a very brief one, but in that short time the inhabitants one and all must have felt the spiritual atmosphere of the place rising for Jenabe Fazel spread widely the doctrine of Love and Unity. Our dear sister, Mrs. Jurgens,has spiritual energy and zealousness, and her work with the Junior group is vital and inspiring, The confirmed and revered teacher reached the hearts of all and as Mrs, Jurgens wrote: "Jenabe Fazel will never be forgotten in Springfield".
Muskegon and then Detroit were the next Cities visited, Mr, John Gordon of Detroit writes as follows:
"I cannot express sufficiently the wonderful good that has come from being with Jenabe Fazel and hearing him lecture, -- it has meant a great deal to me personally,"
This personal touch with Jenabe Fazel and his instructions to the friends
individually has warmed the hearts at this time.
[Page 5]
==
In Cleveland Jenabe Fazel and Ahmad had a wonderful spiritual time, for they were busy mornings, noontime, afternoons and evenings. seeees The meetings were _on the whole well attended, those who came were seekers and we feel that many were actually attracted" as Mrs, Potter writes in her account of the visit, “Every one spoke of how inspiring his talks were and in many cases we heard people say ‘He had not said anything to which we could not subscribe heartily." Ahmad's translations were most artistic and sympathetic,"
Mrs, Wagner and Mrs, Brooker sent interesting reports about the Akron,Ohio, meetings, and likewise suggestions for future work which will be of great value, Among other things, Mrs. Wagner said:
"They (Jenabe Fazel and Ahmad) made a good impression everywhere they went, At North High School they received an ovation. The Spiritualists were pleased and wanted copies of his talk and they asked him to come again......, In his talk to them, he said: ‘There are many souls who make the greatest striving to put themselves in contact with the spirits, If they could put one-half of that effort into the purification of their souls, their human defects, frailties and ambitions, -- they would reach the goal one hundred times more quickly than by those extraordinary efforts made without this spiritual purification':
The onward march of the Cause in Columbus, the next City visited, is a brilliant page in this tour. Mr. and Mrs. Ives are real pioneers in the Vineyard of GOD on earth; they are especially confirmed in reaching the general public, and united, they have become a magnet to attract souls to the Divine Highway. They have written a glowing account of the visit, a few excerpts from which follow:
The meetings went off finely. A deep impression was made in the City, praise be to GOD: And we are sure that Abdul Baha is mightily confirming Jenabe Fazel in all his work, It was a great bounty to have him with us, Many were deeply attracted, and surely most of the people in this City have now at least heard of the Cause, The result: three regular weekly meetings are now being held and many talks given at various Clubs and churches."
After the interesting and vital programs had been fulfilled in Dayton and Cincinnati where the friends served so faithfully, the journey eastward was continued and Pittsburgh the last City on the tour was reached, where an attractive program had been arranged,
Miss Ella Bailey, by request, has written the story of the earnest endeavors of Mr. M, B, Black who so successfully prepared the way for the coming of the revered teacher,
"Mr. Black worked faithfully before and during Jenabe Fazel's visit and to him all credit is due, He is very much in earnest," To sum up the work in this City, (and the same expression would be as fitting here as elsewhere) all were made happy by Jenabe Fazel's talks and instructions; invitations to come again were extended on all sides; a Unitarian minister sent a message to Jenabe Fazel that his pulpit was open to him whenever he could come and fill it, and the newspapers gave the greatest amount of publicity to all the lectures, Mr, Black thinks this entirely due to the influence of Miss Martha Root who had prepared the way so remarkably and she is so well and favorably known to the newspaper fraternity of this City,
In one of his talks, Jenabe Fazel said:
"Through teaching we will attain to a new spirit, Through teaching we will increase the number of Bahais. Through teaching we will have more capacity for the construction of the Divine Edifice -- the Temple -- and through teaching we will obtain to a new unity and harmony."
One of the very clear and explicit statements on the subjeot of teaching
was made by Mrs. True at the Convention. She said:
"Shoghi Effendi emphasizes teaching above everything else, The exigency
[Page 6]
~G=
of today is teaching. Everyone knows that I am most interested in the Mash-riqu'lAdhkar, But to each season there is an exigency. His wish is that America arise with greater effort for teaching than for anything else."
THE TEACHING TOUR OF MR, GREGORY
Our good brother has been "conveying the Message" and “awakening the souls" wherever he goes, and like all other illumined teachers, he has ever before him the Words of the Master -- "What can I say that nay become effective? What can I do that may bring results?”
Just before the Convention Mr. Gregory had a most successful season of spiritual activities in and around Muskegon, Michigan. In this City nine meetings were held, all open to the general public; among them may be mentioned those at the home of Mrs. Bagg, also at the room in the Union National Bank, two at the Emperial Club, one with the Knights of Pythias, two at the Colored Methodist Church and one with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. At Fruitport, Michigan, in the Congregational Church. At Twin Lake in the Congregational Church, At Grand Rapids in the home of Mr, and Mrs. W. H, Edwards and with the N.A.A,C.P.
At Grand Haven in the Unitarian Church, Mr. Gregory stated in his report that - "The Spiritual Assembly cooperated with the friends in all of the Cities to work out a complete program and all have acted in great harmony....... Ilr. Wid. Moorman has been intensely active in arranging meetings,......He has been ably seconded by Mrs, Peterson of Fruitport, All the friends have been active, radiant and wonderfully kind.“
Mr, Moorman has expressed great appreciation of the work accomplished in the following words:
"I cannot tell you how mich we appreciated Mr. Gregory's service here, both white and colored people heard him and loved him, We cannot do justice to Mr, Gregory and his work in any written account..... Every one wants him to come again and I sincerely hope we can have him......,
At the Convention, as usual, Mr. Gregory's influence was universally felt, Commenting on the Convention, he said: “On the whole I am pleased with the Convention, and think it did its work wonderfully well,"
"The strongest note of the Convention was TEACHING, an activity which has in turn received the greatest emphasis from the Bab, Baha'u'llah and Abdul Baha, and now the revered Guardian of the Cause, Shoghi Effendi. It is certainly to be hoped that all will hear and heed this Clarion Call, knowing full well that nothing will save humanity in this day but the Right Path and the Great Message,"
In Chicago besides being one of the principal speakers at the Bahai Congress, Mr. Gregory always finds numerous doors open for service, He is well known and much in demand as a speaker and cheerfully willing to serve, for he knows as do all informed Bahais that to serve is to live. An excerpt from one of his letters about the work in Chicago gives a summing up of some of the activities:
"What gives me great happiness here is the work of Miss McCutcheon among the colored people, She has been successful in training a class of teachers, They are very bright and active and full of the divine fire of enthusiasm,...,.
",.....Meetings were held with the Assembly, two at lirs, Lundberg's, two with the young people on the South Side and one at the home of Mrs, Barnett with Jenabe Fazel...... The Chicago friends are sweetly harmonious and wonderfully kind, .-..Day by day they inspire more confidence among all classes,"
Since leaving Chicago, Mr. Gregory has been making a short teaching tour
into the near South, and a few excerpts from his recent letters will give us an idea
of how the work is progressing:
[Page 7]
vise
"People seem interested as never before, Many ask about the Cause who have heard the Message in past years without waiting for suggestions about meetings."
Nashville was the first City visited and it may be classed as strategic from the number of its colleges. It is called "the Athens of the South". About the work here Mr. Gregory said:
"Openings in the schools have been many, These include the City High School, Roger Williams University (Baptist), Walden University (Methodist), the State Normal School, Fisk University (Congregational). Dr. McKenzie, President of Fisk, is in full accord with the Cause, He gave Mr, Vail a most cordial welcome here last year, greatly appreciating the service he rendered, During the past year, he has had for the students a series of lectures on the religions of the world. The reaction of both faculty and students to a talk given them at chapel on the ‘Unity of Religions’ from the Bahai standpoint, was most pleasing in its enthusiasm and happiness, Two of the College Clubs arranged for lectures and at the college oratorical contest the student who won first prize took for his subject ‘The New Rennaissance' In it he described and decried the horrors of warfare, and praised the Bahai Movement which had come to unite all religions, The audience, which was almost taken off its feet by his eloquence, approved the unanimous decision of the judges awarding him first prize, The efforts of the past with these students seem to be bearing splendid fruit. It is such a joy to be with them in their youth and joyfulness, Their minds are open and their hearts sincere. GOD has also raised up a wonderful teacher from among the white people of this City too, besides those attracted from among the Fisk faculty. This is Mrs. Haydon, who was attracted by the message when given by Mr. Vail. Her radiance, zeal, severance and spirituality illustrate what Abdul Baha once wrote about the people who are taught by Mr. Vail. Neither wealth nor poverty ‘nor things present or absent, nor principalities nor powers’ will separate her from the love of Abdul Baha, The one desire of her soul is to know and to teach. In this connection it is cheering to think of lr. und Mrs. Kehler of Chicago, also taught by Mr. Vail, and what they did in the way of teaching in New Orleans last winter. The number of believers in the South who make contributions to the Temple, would seem to give signs of a spiritual awakening in this region, Another great sign is the progress of inter-racial cooperation. Many things thought impossible have been accomplished along this line."
Chattanooga, the next City visited is certainly one of the foremost Cities in the great Southland awakening to the new universal consciousness. One of the prominent newspapers of the City published a detailed account of one of Mr. Gregory's talks on "Universal Education", a very brilliant and inspiring talk, In his report of the work in Chattanooga, Mr. Gregory said:
"Three churches, Methodist, Baptist and Congregational, opened their doors. Mr. and Mrs. Bynes, who attended the Bahai Convention in New York and the Amity Convention in Washington, opened their home for a fine meeting. All were made happy by the Message. Today fifty of the workers of a large industrial plant listened to a talk on the Message..... Tomorrow there will be an address before a large educational conference in a Methodist Church."
The work has gone on astonishingly well, and all the friends will surely rejoice for such vital work accomplished in a short space of time, indicates how the Master's Merciful glances and divine confirmations are with those who work for the unity and harmony of the peoples of the world and who problaim the Message of this New Day. Mr. Gregory is now in Atlanta, and from there will gradually travel north arriving in New York in time for the National Spiritual Assembly meeting the last of June. During the summer he will doubtless spend some time in Green Acre. He repeats again and again that "People these days seem to possess a marvellous capacity for the Heavenly Cause".
we we ee wee we ee ee
[Page 8]
a8
"All the deliberations, all consultation, all the talks and addresses ee must revolve around one focal center and that is: Teach the Cause. Teach, Teach, Abdul Baha,
ee ee
SUGGESTIONS
The Green Acre season will soon open, and it is hoped as many of the friends as possible will travel to that Center and assist in making the program there the most successful of all. Jenabe Fazel will be the honored teacher there for most of the season, and other speakers of note will help in making the program most attractive with the Oneness of Mankind and Universality stressed. If we can- not travel to Green Acre, we can assist by joining the Green Acre Fellowship thus
doing all we possibly can towards the "united effort" which surely brings results, and we can pray for the success of the work,
Information as to when we may hope to have Shoghi Effendi's translation of the Hidden Words has been asked from time to time, and it has recently been suggested that the friends in every Assembly throughout the country make a great effort to purchase as many copies of the old supply now on hand as they possibly can, thus assisting the Publishing Co, in having the new edition printed without delay.
It has also been suggested that the various Assemblies throughout the country send to the Teaching Committee all news items in their respective localities
regarding teaching and the efforts being made towards a greatly expanded teaching program.
In ordsr to make the Bulletin brief, further reports now on hand will have to be vrinted in the next number,
ae we ee eee ee
"{ fesl that the time is now ripe to take those fresh and momentous decisions which irill enable us to fulfill, speedily and faithfully, the last wishes of our départed haster...s..
"Let us, with a pure heart, with humility and earnestness, turn afresh to His Counsels and Exhortations, and seek from that Source of Celestial Potency all the guidance, the spirit, the power, which we shall need for the fulfillment of our mission in this life,"
Shoghi Effendi,
Oe em ee eee
BAHAI NATIONAL TEACHING COMMITTEE
By Mariam Haney,
1302 Connecticut Avenue, Secretary
Washington, D, C, dune 19, 1923.