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PUBLISHED NINETEEN TIMES A YEAR
In the Interest of the BAHAI MOVEMENT
By the BAHAI NEWS SERVICE, 515 South Dearborn Street, Chicago, Ill., U. S. A.
Publishers: ALBERT R. WINDUST — GERTRUDE BUIKEMA — DR. ZIA M. BAGDADI
Entered as second-class matter April 9, 1911, at the postoffice at Chicago, Ill., under the Act of March 3, 1879.
Terms: $3.00 per year; 20 cents per copy.
Two copies to same name and address, $5.00 per year.
Make Money Orders Payable to BAHAI NEWS SERVICE, P. O. Box 283, Chicago, Ill., U. S. A.
To personal checks please add sufficient to cover the bank exchange.
Address all communications to BAHAI NEWS SERVICE, P. O. Box 283, Chicago, Ill., U.S.A.
"Great importance must be given to the development of the STAR OF THE WEST. The circle of its discussion must be widened; in its columns must be published the essential problems pertaining to the Bahai life in all its phases. Its contents must be so universal that even the strangers may subscribe to it. Articles must be published, dealing with the universal principles of the Cause, the writers proving that this Cause takes a vital interest in all the social and religious movements of the age and is conducive to the progress of the world and its inhabitants. In short, the STAR OF THE WEST must promote the aspirations and the ideals that will gather little by little around these general Tablets, bringing into the light of day all the historical, religious and racial knowledge which will be of the utmost value to the Bahai teachers all over the world."
From Unveiling of the Divine Plan.
| Vol. 11 | CONTENTS | No. 6 |
| PAGE | |
Frontispiece—ABDUL-BAHA talking with his interpreter | 98 |
The Bahai Teaching Convention for the Central States | 99 |
| Letter sent out by the Secretary. | |
Plans of the National Teaching Committee | 100 |
| Letter sent out by the Secretary. | |
Recent Tablet from ABDUL-BAHA to Fruitport Assembly | 104 |
As to instructions which thou desirest, they are as follows: Believe in God, turn unto the Supreme Kingdom, be attracted unto the Beauty of Abha; remain firm in the Covenant. (P. 98.)
Set aside every mention save the mention of God and abandon everything save the divulgence of the Testament, be attracted by the magnet of the Covenant that thou mayest see the triumph of the angels of the King of the Kingdom and the valor of the hosts of the Lord of Might. (P. 160.)
(Tablets of Abdul-Baha: Vol 1 pages indicated.)
--PHOTO--
ABDUL-BAHA
Talking with his interpreter in the courtyard to Pilgrims' House at Haifa, Palestine.
(Photograph taken in 1919)
"We desire but the good of the world and the happiness of the nations; that all nations shall become one in faith and all men as brothers; that the bonds of affection and unity between the sons of men shall be strengthened, that diversity of religion shall cease and differences of race be annulled. So it shall be; these fruitless strifes; these ruinous wars shall pass away, and the 'Most Great Peace' shall come."—BAHA'O'LLAH.
| Vol. 11 | Rahmat 1, 76 (June 24, 1920) | No. 6 |
HELD IN CHICAGO MAY 22nd AND 23rd, 1920.
Letter sent out by the Secretary.BELOVED Bahai brothers and sisters in the Assemblies of the Central States:
The most glorious Convention for teaching held thus far has, through the grace of God and the heavenly bestowals of our beloved Abdul-Baha, just been concluded and in accordance with instructions voted, the following report of actions taken is being sent to the different assemblies of this group.
After statements by Mr. Albert R. Vail and Mrs. Annie Parmerton giving a report of the actions taken at the National Convention in New York, which statements brought out the fact that Dr. Pauline Barton-Peeke, Mrs. Ida B. Slater and Mr. Carl Scheffler had been chosen as members of the National Teaching Committee for the Central States, it was voted:
1st—That these three and two others should act as a Committee of Teaching for the Central States. Dr. C. H. Stiles of Detroit and Mrs. Margaret Lafferty of St. Louis were chosen as the additional members.
2nd—Each assembly to raise monthly as large an amount of money for teaching work as possible.
3rd—The moneys to be collected by the local assembly Treasurer, appointed by the House of Spirituality of that city; or where the assembly is too small to have a House of Spirituality, the Treasurer is to be elected—a majority vote electing.
4th—The Treasurer will send monthly one-third of this amount collected to the Treasurer of the National Teaching Committee, Mr. Wm. H. Randall, 35 Congress St., Boston, Mass.; one-third to be sent to the Treasurer of the Sectional Teaching Committee, and one-third to be held for local teaching work.
5th—The Sectional Teaching Committee organize and launch at some time during the year, deemed by it most suitable, at least one concentrated teaching campaign, consisting of an adequate advertisement scheme, a series of lectures and to arrange for the maintenance of one or more competent teachers, who are to do follow-up work for a short period after the campaign is concluded.
6th—The city in which this campaign is launched to be left to the discretion of the Committee with the understanding that they will give preference to a city located in one of the five states mentioned by Abdul-Baha in the first Tablet addressed to the Central States as not having been illumined by the Glorious Cause through the spread of the Message. An opportunity, though, is to be given to the different assemblies in this section to bid for this campaign for their own city, or one nearby, through definite propositions of co-operation.
7th—The Teaching Committee to arrange that the teachers who are assigned to this section by the National Teaching Committee, or those who may arise for the work in this section, will, as regularly as possible, or whenever the need
arises, or the opening is made by the local House of Spirituality or Committee, visit for the purpose of teaching in such assembly or city.
"God, the Maker of the worlds, hath created the realm of humanity to be the Paradise of Eden (or the Garden of Paradise) if the edifice of Peace, Reconciliation, Love and Faithfulness is founded on a solid and firm basis. Nay, rather, He hath willed it to become the mirror, reflecting the Delectable Paradise."
(A New Year greeting from Abdul-Baha to the London Christian Commonwealth.)
Convention for the Central States
Chicago, Illinois, May 22d and 23d 1920.
SATURDAY, MAY 22nd.2:30 P. M.—901 Masonic Temple.
First Session: Opened by Mr. Scheffler, Mrs. Slater, Dr. Peeke, Central States members of the National Teaching Committee.
6 P. M.—Morrison Hotel.
Feast of the Declaration of the Bab.
10 A. M.—901 Masonic Temple.
Second Session: Opened by Bahai Juniors.
3 P. M.—Public Meeting: Dr. Pauline Barton-Peeke and George Latimer, Presiding. Corinthian Hall, 17th floor Masonic Temple.
General Topic: "The Great Unrest—The Divine Remedy"
I. "The Bahai Program—Economic, Educational, International—For a Reconstructed World," Mr. Mountfort Mills or Mr. Alfred E. Lunt.
II. "Abdul-Baha's Remarkable Teaching on Immortality—How the Divine World Communicates with Man," Mr. Albert Vail.
Music provided by Mrs. Ruth Breytspraak-Heymar, Mrs. Carl Scheffler, Mr. Albert Windust and Miss Sarah Windust.
Program of Convention.
8th—The Teachers to travel entirely under the jurisdiction of the Central States' Teaching Committee. All communications regarding this to be addressed to the Secretary of said Teaching Committee.
9th—The policy of the teacher in a city to be determined by the House of Spirituality or the committee of believers in established assemblies. In new territory it is left entirely to his or her own discretion.
10th—Each assembly will acquire its own literature for teaching purposes.
11th—Names and addresses of new people interested in the Cause to be sent through the Secretary of the local assembly to the Secretary of the Sectional Teaching Committee, who will, in turn, send them to the Secretary of the National Teaching Committee. Whenever possible, literature regarding the Cause will be sent to such addresses.
12th—Every believer to consider it his or her duty to bring at least one new soul into the Cause every year.
13th—Mrs. Ida B. Slater, Plaza Hotel, Chicago, was elected Secretary; Mr. Carl Scheffler, 56 E. Congress St., Treasurer.
Please present this report to the assembly in your city at your earliest convenience. It is certain that if every believer and assembly in these parts enters upon this work in the spirit of love and harmony in which these plans were evolved and enthusiastically carried in the Convention, it will result in accomplishing what our beloved Abdul-Baha is patiently waiting upon the American believers to carry out.
With Bahai love and greeting,
Ida B. Slater, Secretary, Chicago, May 24, 1920.
Washington, D. C.
May 25, 1920.
To all Bahai sisters and brothers in America—Greetings.
Dear friends and co-workers:
The Center of the Covenant, Abdul-Baha, instructs us in the Tablet on page 67, Unveiling of the Divine Plan, that "one of the greatest divine wisdoms regarding the appearance of the Holy Manifestations is this: that the souls may come to know each other . . . and that the power of the love of God may make all of them the waves of one sea, the flowers of one rose garden, and the stars of one heaven."
Taking these words much to heart and pondering over their meaning, the members
of the Teaching Committee appointed this year by the delegates to the Convention distinctly feel the indissoluble bond which binds together all members of the Bahai family in a unity born of the Spirit.
As members of this great family, we consider it a privilege and a joy to fully inform you regarding the teaching program as thus far outlined:—for, in relation to the Center of the Covenant, all are equal, especially as He whom we know to be the Center of life and light and love has said: "I have summoned all to the conveying of the Message."
First you will want to know the personnel of the Teaching Committee as appointed by the delegates to the Convention.
It was thought best to divide the country into five sections or divisions, as designated by Abdul-Baha in the so-called Teaching Tablets, and to choose three members from each section and four at large, making a Committee of nineteen members, as follows:
Northeast and Eastern Division
Wm. H. Randall, 35 Congress St., Boston, Mass.
Mountfort Mills, Apthorp Apt., Broadway and 78th, New York City.
Mirza Ahmad Sohrab, 415 Madison Ave., New York City.
Southern Division
Mrs. A. J. Parsons, 1818 N St., N. W., Washington, D. C.
Mrs. R. F. H. Ledyard, 1922 Sunderland Pl., Washington, D. C.
Mrs. Mariam Haney, The Mendota, Washington, D. C.
Central Division
Mrs. Ida B. Slater, Plaza Hotel, Chicago, Ill.
Carl Scheffler, 56 E. Congress St., Chicago, Ill.
Dr. Pauline Barton-Peeke, Rose Building, Cleveland, O.
Western Division
Mrs. Ella Goodall Cooper, San Francisco, Calif.
George Latimer, 295 Twelfth St., Portland, Oregon.
Henry McConaughy, Box 45, Seattle, Wash.
Canada
Mrs. Wm. S. Maxwell, 716 Pine Ave., Montreal, Canada.
Mrs. Lizzie V. Cowles, 14 Tower Ave., Montreal, Canada.
Mrs. Mabel Rice-Wray, 68 Peterboro St., Detroit, Mich.
At Large
Mrs. Stuart W. French, 363 Grove St., Pasadena, Calif.
Roy C. Wilhelm, 104 Wall St., New York City.
Howard MacNutt, 935 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, N. Y.
Howard C. Ives, 1451 Broadway, Room 206, New York City.
Immediately after the close of the Convention, the Committee met and appointed Mrs. Parsons, Chairman; Mr. Randall, Treasurer, and later, Mrs. Haney, Secretary.
Also from this Committee of Nineteen regional secretaries were chosen, whose duty will be to keep the National Teaching Committee (through its Secretary) informed of the progress of the work in their respective sections, so that this information may be circulated in any way which will further the teaching service, as well as to keep the traveling teachers informed regarding the work accomplished in various parts of the country.
The name and address of each regional secretary follows:
Wm. H. Randall, 35 Congress St., Boston, Mass.
Mrs. Mariam Haney, The Mendota, Washington, D. C.
Mrs. Ida B. Slater, Plaza Hotel, Chicago, Ill.
George Latimer, 295 Twelfth St., Portland, Oregon.
Mrs. May Maxwell, 716 Pine Ave., Montreal, Canada.
We feel sure that all hearts will rejoice to know that the work of spreading the glad-tidings of the Kingdom and the teaching service which was so explicitly
O thou STAR OF THE WEST!
Be thou happy! Be thou happy! Shouldst thou continue to remain firm and eternal, ere long, thou shalt become the Star of the East and shalt spread in every country and clime. Thou art the first paper of the Bahais which is organized in the country of America. Although for the present thy subscribers are limited, thy form is small and thy voice weak, yet shouldst thou stand unshakable, become the object of the attention of the friends and the center of the generosity of the leaders of the faith who are firm in the Covenant, in the future thy subscribers will become hosts after hosts like unto the waves of the sea; thy volume will increase, thy arena will become vast and spacious and thy voice and fame will be raised and become world-wide—and at last thou shalt become the first paper of the world of humanity. Yet all these depend upon firmness firmness, firmness!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
O ye apostles of BAHA'O'LLAH—May my life be a ransom to you!
. . . . Similarly, the Magazine, the STAR OF THE WEST, must be edited in the utmost regularity, but its contents must be the promulgator of the Cause of God—so that both in the East and the West, they may become informed of the most important events.
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
| Northeastern States: HOOPER HARRIS | Western States: HELEN S. GOODALL. |
| Southern States: | Dominion of Canada: MAY MAXWELL. |
| Central States: ALBERT VAIL, CARL SCHEFFLER. | |
| Editorial Staff: ALBERT R. WINDUST—GERTRUDE BUIKEMA—DR. ZIA M. BAGDADI | |
| Honorary Member: MIRZA AHMAD SOHRAB | |
| Vol. 11 | Rahmat 1, 76 (June 24, 1920) | No. 6 |
given to this country and Canada in the Divine Plan last year, has been taken up with a renewed energy, with an enthusiasm born of the Spirit, and with a greater grasp of its scope and importance.
While the Teaching Committee last year felt that a little step had been taken in the right path and a certain few things had been accomplished—yet they also felt that this was only a very small beginning and that they had not arrived at the exalted station of action to which the Center of the Covenant calls all the believers on this continent, for we read in the Divine Plan (page 57) that Abdul-Baha instructs all of us: "Up to this time ye have displayed great magnanimity; but after this, ye must add a thousand times to your effort."
The Committee meetings have been extremely interesting. Various subjects were discussed harmoniously, resulting in "all opinions coinciding;" and a really fundamental unity was established.
The following outline of a general plan decided upon for the forwarding of this great work of teaching will help you, we hope, to keep closely in touch with us, and we feel assured that all will earnestly, sincerely and lovingly co-operate to the extent of their ability.
On page 17 of the Divine Plan you will find an instruction to the effect that when the Great Manifestation of God came to the world to establish the oneness of the world of humanity, He first prepared the world by making the world externally a unit: namely, by means of new inventions, new discoveries of various kinds, new laws and international laws and other undertakings which made the significance of co-operation most prominent and indicated its essential purpose. Thus the means were first created in the material world for facilitating the establishing of spiritual unity.
We have all realized the great longing of the heart of our beloved Abdul-Baha (as expressed in so many, many Tablets) to see actually demonstrated a unity of
his servants on this western continent, and we realize that this cannot be fully achieved without the outer means and expression of unity. For this reason we have formulated a plan which will outwardly facilitate that great union of the hearts, and as an expression of devotion and service in the path of the Center of the Covenant, so that both materially and spiritually every Bahai in this country may be in vital and close contact with every other Bahai. Abdul-Baha has summoned all the believers to arise for this teaching service, and each and every one must be vitally connected with this work. Therefore it has been decided:
That there shall be a monthly Bulletin issued by the Teaching Committee on the 19th of every month, giving a report of the various activities of the teachers in the field all over America and Canada, as well as a financial report.
That this Bulletin shall be sent to every member of the Teaching Committee and every teacher in the field, as well as to the delegates representing the various assemblies in this Convention; and it shall be the trust and responsibility of the delegates, at a specially called meeting in their respective assemblies, if necessary, to see that the Bulletin is read and discussed as widely as possible among all the believers—the purpose being to share with the friends any and all information obtainable on the subject of actual teaching service. If at any time the friends have suggestions to offer, they will be gratefully received. Abdul-Baha tells us that "from every standpoint, ways and means for the teaching of the Cause of God must be prepared. The question of teaching, like any other question, is evolutionary and not revolutionary. This matter must become very plain to everyone, so that all the friends, like so many spirits in one temple, may arise in the accomplishment of this great service."
Through this Bulletin and other co-operative service, the National Teaching Committee will gradually become a central bureau of classified information to which all teachers may apply regarding the needs of any special locality, openings for work and the character of work to be done. To which, likewise, all centers may turn in the demand for teachers as well as co-operation in every way. This will include the distribution of literature to teachers in the field, establishing circulating libraries in every center; in short, all the glorious work pertaining to seed-sowing.
Likewise for the co-operative financing of this great work, we have devised a similar plan, as follows:
It is impossible for every Bahai to have a vital connection with this great work of seed sowing unless it is expressed on every plane, and we know that every heart will eagerly respond to this call just as we are humbly striving to do.
Some of the believers of God are in a position to become sustaining members at the rate of $10.00 per month; others at $5.00; others at $1.00, and still others at perhaps less; but, in consultation, we felt that a fair average among all the faithful servants would be $1.00 per month, and that each and every Bahai in America would gladly and cheerfully become a sustaining member of the Teaching Unity at that rate.
We are herewith enclosing a Pledge Card, as a matter of convenience, so that those wishing to contribute may sign the same and send it with their contribution to the National Treasurer who will have the same recorded, and then forward it to the Secretary for filing and future reference.
We hope you will give this matter as prompt consideration and recognition as possible, so that the Treasurer may know definitely about our resources.
All funds will go to the National Treasurer (Mr. Randall), who will deduct monthly the amount necessary for the support of the national teachers in the field; the remaining sum to be divided equally among the five sections. Each section will therefore receive one-fifth of the amount remaining in the Teaching
Fund after the national teachers have been supplied. This work will be carried out always through consultation.
Our first great trust this year, and our very great responsibility toward the teaching program is to see that plans and arrangements are successively made and executed for the furtherance of the services which will be rendered in this country by Jenabi Fazel Mazandarani, the great modern teacher whom the beloved Abdul-Baha sent to this country. His presence and sacrificial services will be naught but "pure bounty" to the entire country. He has received instructions from Abdul-Baha to visit forty-eight states, and at some time during the coming year this wise teacher will visit every assembly in America and Canada. In the coming to us of this great teacher there is an added incentive afforded us to dedicate our services and contributions.
The members of the Teaching Committee have tried to realize in their own hearts just as much as capacity admits, the great significance of the words, "These great days are swiftly passing." Also we are not unmindful of the fact that all have been most lovingly admonished to "forget the past," therefore each and every "firm one in the Covenant" has the opportunity to write on the new page turned for us, that which he wills. A united effort will bring results—good fruits—and this is what we are all striving for.
In closing this heart to heart talk with you, we simply wish to repeat that we are all co-workers in the Vineyard of the Lord, and that we feel you are all at one with us in the hope that the oft-repeated words about mutual co-operation may be crystallized into deeds.
"Deeds are the standards."
"Magnanimity is necessary; heavenly exertion is called for."
This heavenly exertion is attainable if we have a conscious realization that "firmness in the Covenant means love and obedience to the Commands of Abdul-Baha."
"It is evident that the axis of the oneness of the world of humanity is the power of the Covenant and nothing else." (Divine Plan, page 67.)
Respectfully and lovingly submitted.
THE TEACHING COMMITTEE,
By Mariam Haney, Secretary.
Address: The Mendota, Washington, D.C.
To the friends of God and the maid-servants of the Merciful, Fruitport, Michigan, care of his honor Mr. Nels Peterson—Upon them by BAHA'O'LLAH El-Abha!
He Is God!
O ye who are firm in the Covenant!
Today whatever assembly is established that has for its purpose the welfare of mankind and is attached to the invocation of God, that gathering is a celestial one. Undoubtedly, it shall become the recipient of the blessings and bounty of Divine Providence. It is under the protection of the Lord of the Kingdom, the confirmations and assistance shall encircle it from every side and it shall grow more illumined day by day.
This, however, is conditioned upon firmness and steadfastness in the Covenant and the Testament, that it should not fall short in its duties, should not fail to live up to its standard and should display a powerful will and perfect steadfastness.
Upon ye be Baha-el-Abha!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
(Translated by Shoghi Rabbani, Bahjeh, Acca, Palestine, July 22, 1919.)
