The American Bahá’í/Volume 10/Issue 7/Text

←Previous

The American Bahá’í July, 1979

Next→

Proofread onceReturn to PDF view

[Page 1]

Borrah Kavelin Visiting U.S., Canada As House of Justice’s Representative

H. Borrah Kavelin, a member of the Universal House of Justice, arrived in the U.S. in June to represent the Supreme Institution of the Faith at a series of meetings in “key cities in North America” scheduled to last through July.

In a cablegram announcing Mr. Kavelin’s visit, the Universal House of Justice said:

“In the wake of joyous world-wide celebration victories Five Year Plan our hearts turn to our beleaguered brethren Cradle Faith, to deepening crisis International Fund and its special impact on challenges facing Bahá’í world in opening two-year phase Seven Year Plan.”

Commenting on the selection of North America as the starting point for Mr. Kavelin’s tour (he will visit Europe later this month), the Supreme Body further said:

“We deem it highly fitting and worthy that this program be launched in the much-loved community called by the beloved Master ‘Apostles of Bahá’u’lláh’ and named by Shoghi Effendi ‘principal builders and defenders of a mighty Order.’ ”

Mr. Kavelin began his visit on June 23, meeting with the friends in the Chicago area at the National College of Education in Wilmette, Illinois. He also conferred that weekend with the National Spiritual Assembly.

His itinerary included meetings in these cities:

June 24, New York City; June 28, Montreal; June 30, Toronto; July 1, Washington, D.C.; July 2, Miami; July 4, Houston.

July 14, Los Angeles; July 15, San Diego; July 21, San Francisco; July 22, Seattle; July 28, Vancouver, British Columbia; July 29, Regina, Saskatchewan; July 30, Alberta, Canada.

H. Borrah Kavelin
Two-Month Visit Under Way

---

Counsellors, Boards Confer

Only hours after jubilant Bahá’í National Conventions in Alaska, the Bahamas, Canada and the United States had finished celebrating victory in the Five Year Plan, the Continental Board of Counsellors in North America opened a three-day conference in Chicago.

The purpose of the gathering was to develop strategies aimed at helping to win the goals of the initial two-year phase of the Seven Year Plan.

Attending were the Hands of the Cause of God Zikrullah Khadem, John Robarts and William Sears; Counsellors Angus Cowan, Lloyd Gardner, Dr. Sarah Pereira, Velma Sherrill and Edna True; 42 Auxiliary Board members including 26 from the United States, and members of the National Spiritual Assemblies of the Bahamas and U.S.

ALL THREE Hands of the Cause addressed the assemblage, urging the Auxiliary Board members to help the friends and Assemblies they serve to deepen in the Covenant, and to become dependent on the Covenant as a means of spiritual growth.

(See COUNSELLORS, Page 7)

---

Immediately following the Bahá’í National Convention in April, the Continental Board of Counsellors in North America held a three-day conference in Chicago to consider ways in which to help win the goals of the Seven Year Plan. Attending were the Hands of the Cause of God Zikrullah Khadem, John Robarts and William Sears; Counsellors Angus Cowan, Lloyd Gardner, Dr. Sarah Pereira, Velma Sherrill and Edna True; 42 Auxiliary Board members including 26 from the United States, and members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahamas.

---

$8,000 Donated For Teaching in N. Georgia

The North Georgia District Teaching Committee reported in May that in the year since Riḍván 1978 the friends in North Georgia contributed more than $8,000 to aid the committee in carrying out its activities.

The extraordinary amount was offered as a result of appeals to Spiritual Assemblies, Groups and individuals in letters and through the District Teaching Committee’s monthly newsletter.

Thanks to this generous outpouring of funds, the District Teaching Committee was able to expend up to $1,000 a week during the period of Counsellor Hedí Aḥmadíyyih’s visit to the area last fall.

The funds helped to support six full-time teachers. On weekends, as many as 100 of the friends participated in the teaching activities.

One believer even deferred his schooling to assist the teaching, and donated his tuition money to the District Teaching Committee to help carry on the work.

Some who weren’t able to participate “deputized” others with donations. Others contributed food or other items.

“Universal participation has played a big part in the success of teaching in North Georgia,” said Ann Haynes, secretary of the District Teaching Committee.

Thanks to the devoted efforts and support of the friends there, North Georgia was able to form 32 new Local Assemblies and open an additional 100 localities to the Faith during the final year of the Five Year Plan.

---

On the Inside... A NEW COLUMN of comment on contemporary issues makes its debut. Page 2 TREASURER’S OFFICE charts growth of the National Fund during the Five Year Plan. Page 3 MRS. HELEN Eggleston, co-founder of the Louhelen Bahá’í School in Michigan, dies at age 86. Page 4 WINTER’S COLD fails to stop an intensive proclamation campaign in Logan, Utah. Page 8 THE FAITH is represented at the annual National Convention of the Intercollegiate Association for Women Students at Kansas University. Page 9

Satellite Conferences Draw 4,500-Plus

The radiant spirit of joy and gratitude that illuminated the 70th Bahá’í National Convention in April shined brightly in May at six historic Satellite Conferences held in various areas of the continental United States.

A total of more than 4,500 believers joined members of the National Spiritual Assembly, Auxiliary Board members, delegates to the National Convention resident in each area, and representatives of national committees at the day-long Satellite Conferences on Sunday, May 27, in Atlanta, Georgia; Dallas, Texas; Denver, Colorado; Hartford, Connecticut; Portland, Oregon, and San Diego, California.

THIS WAS more than double the attendance at this year’s National Convention, which was the largest ever held in this country.

The Satellite Conferences, planned by the National Spiritual Assembly and conducted on its behalf by local communities, were designed to convey the spirit of the National Convention to the friends throughout the country as a prelude to the new Seven Year Plan whose broad outlines were disclosed by the Universal House of Justice in its Riḍván message to the Bahá’ís of the world.

Those attending the Satellite Conferences heard reports from delegates and visitors to the National Convention, reviewed the triumphant course of the Five Year Plan, enjoyed audiovisual presentations by national committees, and participated in panel discussions on ways in which to pursue and win the goals of the first two-year phase of the Seven Year Plan.

An afternoon highlight was a conference call that linked five of the six gatherings (technical difficulties prevented the Hartford conference from participating in the call).

ESTIMATED attendance at the conferences was: Atlanta, 550; Dallas, 750; Denver, 350; Hartford, 1,000; Portland, 730, and San Diego, 1,200.

Many of the friends traveled long

(See SATELLITES, Page 4)

[Page 2]

Editorial One of the greatest present needs of the American Bahá’í community is a common orientation toward child-rearing. Our child-rearing practices are nearly as diverse as the Bahá’í community itself. A common approach, of course, cannot be expected to evolve for generations. It will take at least that long for the values and attitudes that underlie our behavior to mature in accordance with the principles of the Faith so that distinctly Bahá’í characteristics emerge. THERE ARE, however, some things we can do to hasten the process. Consider, for example, the Nineteen Day Feast. The children of one family sit quietly with their parents or friends, while the children of another family run freely about the room, often during the devotions. Adults stoically endure the distraction, while the parents either ignore their children’s inappropriate behavior or try to intervene with varying degrees of success. Some adults aren’t disturbed at all, believing that this is a natural part of growing up and that children should be allowed to do as they please. But to the Bahá’í way of thinking, such behavior is both irreverent and discourteous. More importantly, it reflects poor education. Permitting such behavior by our children tells them we have little regard for the Creative Word of God and scant respect for our fellow believers. REVERENCE, the language of the heart, can be taught, like the language of the tongue, most easily to children. Growing up with the discipline of reverence helps children become loyal servants of the Faith, respectful of God’s laws and institutions. Who is responsible? We believe the responsibility for disciplining our Bahá’í children and helping to instill in them a proper appreciation for good manners and high standards lies with the parents, the Spiritual Assembly and, indeed, the entire Bahá’í community. Every adult Bahá’í should feel it his duty to help calm an overly excitable child, to ask him to stop running or playing in the meeting hall, to praise him for his good conduct, to be an example to him of the Bahá’í way of life. Not until character training in the early years of a child’s life becomes a full-time concern of Bahá’í communities will we begin to reap the great rewards of our children’s services to the Cause of God in their adult years.

The recently-established Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Oakland Park, Florida, held its Recognition Ceremony on March 4. Shown here are Assembly members (front row left to right) Nafhe Kameliden, Linda Hastings, and (back row left to right) Ali Kameliden, Barbara Honaker, Aqdas Kameliden, Barbara Hamlin, Douglas Honaker. Assembly members Saadia Ghany and Everett Matteson were absent when the photo was taken.

---

COMMENT:

Teaching Faith Is Key to a Better World

(EDITOR’S NOTE: We begin this month a new feature: commentary and opinion by Bahá’ís throughout the country on topics of their choice. If you have something you’d like to say, we would be happy to consider it for publication. Address typewritten double-spaced manuscripts to The Editor, The American Bahá’í, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091. All articles are subject to editing, and none can be returned.)

•

By NATHAN RUTSTEIN

You’re watching television news, and you shake your head in disgust: so much murder, hostility, labor-management strife, political fraud, deceit and insincerity.

It’s a depressing experience, one that occurs each day. You wonder, even though you’re a Bahá’í, “Can there ever be an end to the misery and madness rampant in the world?”

EVERY DAY, it seems, some grave new situation arises, more complex and dangerous than the one the day before. There are so many problems that a part of you begins to believe what most people wholeheartedly believe: There is simply no way to stop the pull, that lemming-like pull, toward world destruction.

There is so much wrong with the world, your town, your neighborhood. The immensity of it all nearly overwhelms you, because you are a caring, sensitive human being who wants to reach out to reassure the fearful, soothe the sick at heart, feed the hungry, and find justice for a wronged one.

This month’s guest article, “We Can Help,” was written by Nathan Rutstein of Amherst, Massachusetts. Mr. Rutstein, an Auxiliary Board member and former NBC News editor, is a guest lecturer in education and psychology at American International University and author of the book, Go Watch TV (Sheed and Ward, 1974).

Where to begin to help? If only we could push a button to make all the hatred evaporate, take a pill and become more loving, pull a lever and have peace materialize instantly.

Fantasizing won’t help. Down deep you know that. “But something must be done!” your soul screams. “Something!”

MOST OF US have experienced these feelings—and when we do, we tend to forget that we can do something to help. Nothing spectacular, of course. We won’t be able to shore up some crumbling old world order institution, for it is destined to collapse. Trying to save it merely saps our energy, frustrates us.

No amount of human effort, power or wealth can stem the tide of change, for we know that Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation has signaled “the rolling up of the old world order.”

The way we can help change the world is by quickening and reinforcing our efforts to build a new World Order. No one else can do that—only the followers of Bahá’u’lláh.

What do we do? Simple things that lead to profound changes.

WE CAN PROVE to cynics and the hopeless that human nature can change, that Arab and Jew can understand and love one another, that an ex-Nazi and former inmate of the Buchenwald concentration camp can embrace, that the highly-educated and the uneducated can learn from one another, that a black man and a former Ku Klux Klansman can see each other as brothers.

Through Bahá’u’lláh, we have the power to draw together the human family. Certainly not by waving a magic wand—but through teaching, educating, and gradually changing the hearts and minds of individuals.

Since 1844, men, women and children, enduring ridicule, torture, social ostracism, and willing to die for their beliefs, have moved across our planet, uniting hearts—doing it without fanfare, selflessly, as open-hearted repositories of God’s grace, not seeking fame or fortune, and radiating a new spirit of certitude, of oneness, of a love that penetrates the ponderous curtain of doubt and pessimism and revitalizes grieving souls.

Through this kind of dedicated effort, the Cause of God has spread from a few places in Iran to more than 96,000 localities around the world, and is destined to take root in many more places until every hamlet and village on earth is cheered by the cry of “Ya! Bahá’u’l-Abhá!”

AN AWESOME task, yes—but it will be achieved, and not by some mighty mechanistic thrust or apocalyptic event. It will evolve slowly through teaching, with every Bahá’í sharing the healing and unifying Message of Bahá’u’lláh, through his deeds and words, with his fellow human beings.

There is no teaching elite in the Bahá’í Faith. Every Bahá’í participates in the sharing—the poor, the wealthy, the lame, the speechless, the erudite and the unschooled. Everyone. Sharing it everywhere, even in a cave, for “blessed is the spot... where mention of God hath been made, and His praise glorified.”

Whenever you are depressed by the deteriorating condition of the world, remember that you—and I—can do something to help. Certainly not in a big way. But every day in a little way—by teaching.

Imagine all the Bahá’ís in the world teaching all day, every day. That is the mighty force that can and will create fundamental and everlasting change in the world.

---

New Committee Formed to Help Persian Friends Adjust to U.S.

Responding to the growing number of Persian Bahá’ís entering the U.S. to escape persecutions in their homeland, the National Spiritual Assembly has appointed a seven-member Persian Relations Committee to help facilitate their integration into the American Bahá’í community.

KINDLE THE FIRE OF FAITH IN MEN’S HEARTS TEACH WITH BOOKS. For advice on books suitable for your needs, ask your local Bahá’í librarian, or write Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 415 Linden Ave., Wilmette, Illinois 60091.

In a letter of May 26 to committee appointees, the National Spiritual Assembly outlined their immediate responsibility as follows:

“Develop and submit to the National Assembly for approval an overall plan for integrating the Persian believers into the American Bahá’í community, taking into consideration the needs of the newly-arrived Persians and the Bahá’í development of their children.”

The National Spiritual Assembly requested that one of its own members, Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, discuss the mandate with the committee.

Those asked to serve on the committee are Mrs. Fereshteh Bethel, Sohrab Arjmand, Ataollah Manavi, Mrs. Farzaneh Mobine, Dr. Habibullah Sabeti, Mrs. Ruhiya Streets, and Mrs. Ziba Tirandazi.

[Page 3]

Treasurer’s Report Charts Fund Growth

Grandeur—‘Azamat 136 B.E. National Bahá’í Fund Individual Participation Contributions I like to think of the Fund as our spiritual thermometer!

Last month, the Office of the Treasurer announced the good news that a record level of participation by Assemblies and individuals had resulted in the largest amount of money ever contributed to the National Fund in one Bahá’í month. This month, we would like to share some more good news—the growth and development of the Institution of the Fund during the Five Year Plan.

•

A Token of His Grace

“And if, at any time, any gift were presented to Him, that gift was accepted as a token of His grace unto him that offered it.” (Gleanings, p. 201)

Giving to the Fund is a sign of one’s love for Bahá’u’lláh. Therefore, our primary educational focus is on developing and increasing the individual’s love for Bahá’u’lláh. To serve this goal, we produced a cassette recording, “Stories and Talks on the Spirit of Sacrifice.” Distributed to every Bahá’í community in 1975, it received high praise for its inspiring tone. “A Call to Remembrance” was another filmstrip program developed for this purpose. First presented in 1977, it presents a moving account of the life of the Blessed Beauty.

The Fund and the Covenant

“... the progress and execution of spiritual activities is dependent and conditioned upon material means ...” (Bahá’í Funds and Contributions, p. 3)

The Fund, established by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, is an essential part of the Covenant. In order to emphasize this relationship, we developed “A Testimony of Love,” a filmstrip on the history of the Fund in America. A later filmstrip, “Rich Ones on Earth,” documents the spirit of sacrifice and devotion to the Covenant exemplified by the Hands of the Cause of God Martha Root and Amelia Collins.

The Bedrock of Bahá’í Institutions

“... the institution of the National Fund (is) the bedrock on which all other institutions must necessarily rest and be established ...” (Bahá’í Funds and Contributions, p. 12)

A major step toward strengthening local Funds was the establishment of the National Treasurer’s Representative program in 1976. Eighty-five “NTRs” have been trained to assist communities and local Treasurers in the development of a sound local Fund. A detailed workbook, Accounting Procedures for Bahá’í Treasurers, was developed in conjunction with this program. We have seen a marked improvement in the administration of the Fund on the local level as a result of these efforts.

A second major step was taken this past year with the distribution of “Fund Guidelines for the South.” This program, developed in South Carolina with the assistance of the Regional Teaching Committee and local NTRs, is designed to introduce the Faith in the “mass-taught” areas of the South.

The Importance of the Individual

“... the fate of the entire community depends upon the individual believers.” (Messages From the Universal House of Justice: 1968–1973, p. 16)

The Office of the Treasurer developed two major deepening programs during the Five Year Plan. The first of these, “The Surest Way,” focuses on the individual, money, and the National Fund. The course gives special attention to the assistance which the Faith provides the individual in overcoming the negative forces of materialism in America.

The other deepening course, “The Secret of Wealth,” addresses the individual as the single most important resource upon which the Bahá’í community depends. It focuses on the importance of managing one’s finances, time and talents so that each individual can maximize his services to the Faith. The two courses, presented in Bahá’í schools and local communities, have received high praise from those in attendance.

Participation

“The Institution of the National Fund ... should be increasingly supported by the entire body of believers, both in their individual capacities, and through their collective efforts ...” (Bahá’í Funds and Contributions, pp. 12–13)

The most encouraging statistic relating to the Fund during the Five Year Plan is the increased participation of individuals. At the beginning of the Plan, fewer than 1,000 individuals were contributing regularly to the Fund. As the Plan comes to a close, we are receiving direct contributions from an average of 2,000 believers per month ... a 100 per cent increase! We have a long way to go before we achieve universal participation, but we have made an excellent beginning.

We will continue to emphasize the importance of individual participation. Beginning with the first month of the new Seven Year Plan, the National Treasurer’s Letter contains an “individual participation” chart in addition to the familiar contributions chart.

The number of contributing Assemblies has shown modest improvement throughout the Plan, from an average of 685 per month in 1975 to an average of 700 per month in 1979. It must be remembered that a great increase in the number of Assemblies occurred during the last year of the Plan; it will take some time before these new institutions are functioning smoothly. Participation by Assemblies and Bahá’í Groups will be given even greater attention during the new Plan, for such contributions provide the foundation of support upon which the National Spiritual Assembly depends.

Contributions

“It is the sacred obligation of every conscientious and faithful servant of Bahá’u’lláh who desires to see His Cause advance, to contribute freely and generously for the increase of that Fund.” (Bahá’í Funds and Contributions, p. 3)

The annual Contributions Goal is set each year by the National Spiritual Assembly as a “reasonable challenge” to the American community. In the first year of the Five Year Plan, the goal was $2.6 million. During the final year of the Plan, the goal was increased to $3.6 million—$1 million above the initial goal. By year’s end, we had received a total of $3.2 million in contributions.

While contributions have increased by 39 per cent over the last five years, expenses have risen by 48 per cent. In addition, we purchased a new administrative office building and plans are under way for the development of a National Archives building and the Louhelen Institute in Michigan. Add to this situation the effect of rising costs and we can see that our financial picture is “tight,” at best.

Announcing a New ‘Gifts Program’

We have been fortunate to receive a large number of estate bequests during the past few years; this revenue has enabled us to keep pace with our increased expenses. Contributions of this kind are becoming an increasingly important source of income for the National Fund. Therefore, we have developed a “Gifts Program” that will assist individuals to plan contributions to the Fund through their estate, a trust, or a special gift.

Literature distributed by the Office of the Treasurer will discuss the importance of a will in estate planning, the steps necessary to plan a “thoughtful” will, and the advantages of making gifts during one’s lifetime. Additional materials will discuss the impact of tax laws on gifts made during one’s life or at death, the trust as a tool for estate planning, and the relationship of life insurance and retirement benefits to estate planning. Additional aspects of planning an estate, including selection of a lawyer, a trustee, or an executor, disposition of business interests, how an estate is actually settled, etc., will be distributed as well. Interested individuals should write to the Office of the Treasurer for information about this program.

Retrospect

“... it is only through such a spirit of devotion and sacrifice that the Cause can prosper and its message embrace the whole world.” (Bahá’í Funds and Contributions, p. 10)

The annals of the American Bahá’í community are filled with heroic examples of sacrifice and service to the Faith. With regard to the National Fund, we recognize that the greater part of the burden is being carried by a comparatively small number of devoted souls. We are delighted that this number of individual contributors continues to increase. We are equally grateful for the loving and consistent loyalty demonstrated by a large corps of Assemblies and Bahá’í Groups.

Prospect

“The members of this Community, in company with their brethren in the Cradle of the Faith, are called upon to provide the greater part of the financial and human resources necessary to implement the challenging tasks which lie ahead.” (The Five Year Plan, p. 11)

Given the current conditions in Iran, and faced with severe economic concerns besetting our own country, it appears that the American Bahá’í community is on the threshold of new challenges—new opportunities for demonstrating the “measure and character” of its faith. We eagerly anticipate the new Seven Year Global Plan and the resulting devotion and sacrifice which it undoubtedly will inspire.

---

Providence Hosts Prayer Meet

To help publicize the recent persecutions of Bahá’ís in Iran and aid its Persian brethren, the Providence, Rhode Island, Bahá’í community sponsored a public prayer meeting on Monday, March 6.

The event, held in Providence’s goal community of North Providence, was well-publicized with articles in two local newspapers, an ad in one of them, and an announcement in the other’s directory of church activities.

THE EVENT also was mentioned in a cover letter accompanying an article on “Attacks on the Bahá’ís in Iran” sent to 18 newspaper, radio and television representatives.

Letters were sent to clergymen at nine area churches, inviting them to the meeting and asking for their prayers. The letter also asked that they pray for the Bahá’ís in Iran during their Sunday services and announce the prayer meeting to their congregations.

Bahá’ís were given a 45-minute interview with the executive minister of the Rhode Island State Council of Churches, during which the prayer meeting was mentioned and misconceptions about the Faith were cleared up. At the prayer meeting, quotations from the world’s religions concerning intolerance and brotherhood were read. Many of the 14 people who attended said they were moved by the beauty and unity expressed in the sacred writings.

The meeting closed with Bahá’í prayers for alleviation of the persecutions in Iran.

[Page 4]

Louhelen School Co-Founder Dies

GRIEVED PASSING VETERAN DEVOTED MAIDSERVANT CAUSE HELEN EGGLESTON WHO WITH HER LATE HUSBAND ESTABLISHED CENTRAL MICHIGAN SUMMER SCHOOL IN EARLY THIRTIES EARNING HIGH PRAISE BELOVED GUARDIAN. CONVEY FAMILY FRIENDS OUR CONDOLENCES AND ASSURANCE LOVING PRAYERS PROGRESS HER SOUL.

UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE
May 11, 1979

•

FERVENTLY PRAYING PROGRESS SOUL HELEN EGGLESTON STALWART GENEROUS HEARTED HANDMAIDEN BAHÁ’U’LLÁH WHOSE NAME ALONG WITH HUSBAND’S WILL BE ASSOCIATED WITH DEVELOPMENT BAHÁ’Í EDUCATION UNITED STATES FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. MAY HER SPIRIT SOAR WITH JOY AND GLADNESS IN REALMS OF GOD FOREVER. KINDLY CONVEY OUR CONDOLENCES HER OFFSPRINGS OTHER RELATIVES AND FRIENDS.

NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF THE UNITED STATES
May 10, 1979

•

Helen Eggleston, co-founder of the Louhelen Bahá’í School, died May 9 at her home in Davison, Michigan, at the age of 86.

Mrs. Eggleston became a Bahá’í in Portland, Oregon, some 70 years ago after learning of the Faith from a relative of hers, George Latimer.

WHILE SHE served the Cause faithfully in various capacities during her lifetime, she will be best remembered for her pioneering work in Bahá’í education through the establishment of the Louhelen School near Davison.

Mrs. Eggleston and her late husband, Lou, were living in Detroit when they purchased the farm south of Davison that was to become the school.

Before holding the first session in August 1931, the Egglestons corresponded with the Guardian to secure his approval and advice.

They bore the financial burden of maintenance and development of the school until 1948 when they deeded over the school buildings and surrounding nine acres to the National Spiritual Assembly.

MRS. HELEN EGGLESTON
Co-Founded Louhelen Bahá’í School

33 Assemblies on Reservations As of the end of May, 33 Local Spiritual Assemblies were established on Indian Reservations in the continental United States, two short of the goal for the first two-year phase of the Seven Year Plan. In May, the American Indian Teaching Committee reported, teaching teams from the Southern Ute Reservation in Colorado helped raise Assemblies on two New Mexico Reservations, the Jicarilla Apache and Ship Rock Navajo. Assemblies also were elected recently at the East Pine Ridge Reservation and Lower Brule Reservation, both in South Dakota. These gains helped offset the loss at Riḍván of the Chinle Chapter (Arizona) and Ramah-Navajo (New Mexico) Assemblies. There were seven adult Bahá’ís on the Mandaree Reservation at Fort Berthold, North Dakota, at the end of May. The North Dakota District Teaching Committee was continuing its efforts there.

The ‘conference call’ was a highlight of the Satellite Conferences in May. Here National Assembly Member Soo Fouts ‘holds the phone’ in Atlanta while her audience greets the friends at the other conferences with a hearty ‘Alláh’u’Abhá.’

Book sales were brisk at the conferences, with ample opportunity for the friends to look over the newest releases, as these friends in Dallas are doing.

---

Satellites

Continued From Page 1

distances to attend the conferences. In Atlanta, for example, there were believers present from 23 states and five countries.

The National Teaching Committee, National Education Committee, International Goals Committee, National Youth Committee, National Information Committee, Bahá’í Publishing Trust and National Treasurer’s Office were represented at each of the Satellite Conferences.

In addition, Personnel representatives were at the conferences in Atlanta, Dallas and Hartford to publicize employment opportunities at the Bahá’í National Center and to seek qualified applicants.

National Spiritual Assembly members attending the conferences were Soo Fouts (Atlanta), Franklin Kahn (Dallas), Dorothy W. Nelson (Denver), Glenford E. Mitchell (Hartford), James F. Nelson (Portland), and Firuz Kazemzadeh (San Diego).

---

Each of the Satellite Conferences included a wide range of well-supervised children’s activities. These children at the Atlanta conference are using scissors, glue and paper to create their own colorful playthings.

Attendance was good at each of the Satellite Conferences, in some cases far exceeding pre-conference estimates. This photo was taken at Denver, where 350 people were on hand including Dorothy Nelson, treasurer of the National Spiritual Assembly. The largest gathering was at San Diego where 1,200 attended.

Do you like to design cartoons? The National Youth Committee would like to have cartoons appear each month in the “Vanguard” youth section. If you have ideas for cartoons giving the “lighter side” of Bahá’í youth subjects, please submit samples of your work to the National Youth Committee, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091.

[Page 5]

VANGUARD Youth News

Writings Are Great for Problem-Solving

When you’re faced with a problem regarding school, family, or peer pressure, there are many books in the Bahá’í Faith that offer helpful advice.

There are certain passages in the Writings and other Bahá’í books that really hit a “spiritual nerve,” even if they don’t directly address a given topic. Some are found by accident, when we finally “get around to” reading a book that was recommended at a Bahá’í school, a conference, or by a friend.

Here are some subjects of special concern to youth. The quotes given under each heading are lesser known than some, yet they are direct in their spiritual message.

Family

“All the virtues must be taught the family. The integrity of the family bond must be constantly considered and the rights of the individual members must not be transgressed.

“The rights of the son, the father, the mother, none of them must be transgressed, none of them must be arbitrary. Just as the son has certain obligations to his father, the father likewise has certain obligations to his son.

“The mother, the sister and other members of the household have their certain prerogatives. All these rights and prerogatives must be conserved, yet the unity of the family must be sustained.” (‘Abdu’l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 163)

Prayer

“We must practice praying, those of us who either do not know how to or do it the wrong way. Just mumbling absent-mindedly some phrases and calling it praying is not likely to produce any result at all—why should it? There is a force of inertia to be overcome in everything ...

“When you pray you have to put something in it, some sincerity, some urgency, some feeling, some insistence in order to get yourself ‘tuned in’ on the Power Station you are seeking to contact...

“Try, just the way one does with any new art; go on doing it until you begin to get the response: you will open a passage through your own inhibitions, your problems, your uncertainty, to God.” (Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum, Prescription for Living, 2nd Revised Edition 1978, p. 55)

Peer Pressure

“(Ṭáhirih) broadcast her conversion to the Faith of the Báb, and the result was open scandal. Her husband, her father, her brothers, begged her to give up the madness; in reply she proclaimed her belief.

“She denounced her generation, the ways of her people, polygamy, the veiling of women, the corruption in high places, the evil of the clergy. She was not one of those who temporize and walk softly. She spoke out...” (Marzieh Gail, Dawn Over Mount Hira, pp. 82–83)

Drinking, Drugs, Smoking

“O Divine Providence! Bestow Thou in all things purity and cleanliness upon the people of Bahá. Grant that they may be freed from all defilement, and released from all addictions.

“Save them from committing any repugnant act, unbind them from the chains of every evil habit, that they may live pure and free, wholesome and cleanly, worthy to serve at Thy Sacred Threshold and fit to be related to their Lord.

“Deliver them from intoxicating drinks and tobacco, save them, rescue them, from this opium that bringeth on madness, suffer them to enjoy the sweet savours of holiness, that they may drink deep of the mystic cup of heavenly love and know the rapture of being drawn ever closer unto the Realm of the All-Glorious.” (‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Selections From the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, pp. 149–150)

Work

“Work should be viewed as a gift, your own personal present to the world at large: ‘Take this from me with my compliments; it’s my work, James Smith, and I’m pretty proud of it.’

“It is your contribution to making life for everyone, yourself included, better. In other words, it is your service.

“You may get paid for it, too little or too much, it may be a mean task, such as city scavenger, or a dangerous task, such as dismantler of bombs, but if you do it with pride, with a consciousness that it is your contribution to society, that you do it well, that you are not a drone in the hive but earning your salt, honestly and through your own efforts, you cannot help getting a feeling of satisfaction out of it.” (Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum, Prescription for Living, 2nd Revised Edition 1978, p. 116)

School

“Strive, always, to be at the head of your classes, through hard study and true merit. Be always in a prayerful state and appreciate the value of everything. Entertain high ideals and stimulate your intellectual and constructive forces.” (‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Bahá’í World, Vol. IX, p. 513)

Friends

“Now must the lovers of God arise to carry out these instructions of His: let them be kindly fathers to the children of the human race, and compassionate brothers to the youth, and self-denying offspring to those bent with years.

“The meaning of this is that ye must show forth tenderness and love to every human being, even to your enemies, and welcome them all with unalloyed friendship, good cheer, and loving kindness.

“When ye meet with cruelty and persecution at another’s hands, keep faith with him; when malevolence is directed your way, respond with a friendly heart... Thus will all peoples witness the power of the Most Great Name...” (‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Selections From the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 21)

Marriage

“Do not expect too much of marriage, or too little... Your union cannot produce more than you two contribute to it.

“If you are full of imperfections, intolerant, impatient, exacting, dictatorial, suspicious, short-tempered, selfish, do not imagine that these characteristics are going to make your marriage happy or that by changing your partner a new union will be more successful!

“Love, being essentially a divine force, binds; it leaps like a spark the gaps between people’s thoughts and conflicting desires, between perhaps widely different temperaments.” (Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum, Prescription for Living, 2nd Revised Edition 1978, pp. 87–88)

Prejudice

“ ‘All things are involved in all things,’ the Master quotes from the Arabian philosophers. ‘It is evident that each material organism is an aggregate expression of single and simple elements, and a given cellular element or atom has its coursings or journeyings through ... myriad stages of life.’

“At death, the elements which composed the body are dispersed, and although reincarnation cannot take place since no identity occurs more than once in the world... ‘the sign of singleness is visible ... in all things,’ it can come about ‘that one of the particles of the former individual has entered into the composition of the succeeding individual ...’

“One asks himself how the racist is going to stop this perpetual journeying of the atoms, and how he is going to shut the atoms out.” (Marzieh Gail, The Sheltering Branch, p. 63)

---

Travis: At Age Eleven, He’s Something Special

Youth on the Way

This is about a very special boy I know—my brother, Travis Williams.

Travis is 11 years old and lives in Aptos, California.

Last February he gave his first fireside. After talking to some friends and then to their parents about the Faith, Travis invited them to a fireside where he felt it was his responsibility to speak.

FORTY-EIGHT people showed up that evening. Travis spoke on how he feels about the Bahá’í Faith, the present world situation, and how he thinks the Faith can help improve it.

He was nervous, talking for the first time, and to so many people—but the fireside was a great success.

Travis would like to get children’s firesides started. He feels a great need for them, and is constantly teaching friends and schoolmates.

About five years ago our parents were homefront pioneers to Crossett, Arkansas, a town of about 5,000.

Travis faced many tests in Crossett, but was friendly with everyone, regardless of their color, background or religion.

Because of prejudice in the town, and the fact that our family didn’t attend church, many parents wouldn’t let their children play with Travis.

HE WAS TEASED and called a “devil worshipper.” One of his closest friends wasn’t even allowed to come to our house to play.

Travis suffered much pain and shed many tears, but through it all he remained steadfast. He still writes to some of his friends in Crossett.

Before moving to Arkansas we lived in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It was there, at a public meeting, that Travis, then four years old, recited a prayer.

A woman declared her belief in Bahá’u’lláh that evening. Later, she said she had been moved to take that step by the beautiful way in which Travis had recited the prayer from memory.

Travis had the bounty of a pilgrimage to the Holy Shrines in Haifa, which was a deeply moving spiritual experience for him. He has met several Hands of the Cause of God and corresponds regularly with some of them.

RECENTLY, at Travis’s new school, he underwent a series of evaluation tests. They showed that, at age 11, he is capable of doing work equivalent to that of a high school senior. The school principal said he’ll be ready for college in a couple of years.

When the family heard this, we were thrilled and excited for him. Travis was pleased, but didn’t let it go to his head. He’s the same Travis, a young boy at heart and perhaps a little wiser inside.

I hope I’ve been able to express my feelings about Travis. He’s really special to us—such a loving, self-sacrificing young man, and a super brother too.

I’ve heard Mom and Dad say he even reminds them every now and then to say their dawn prayers and that Feast is coming up.

TRAVIS WILLIAMS
Qualities Make Him Special

•

(EDITOR’S NOTE: This month’s article was written by Mrs. Susan Flanakin of Van Nuys, California. We think her sentiments about her brother, Travis, indicate that she’s a pretty “special” person too.)

---

Faith on Radio

Peter Johnson, a Bahá’í in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, represented the Faith last April 25 on a round table discussion of world religions at radio station KOTN in Pine Bluff.

Panelists in addition to Mr. Johnson on the one hour and forty-five minute program included a priest, a rabbi, a Methodist minister, and a Muslim woman.

Most of the panelists, Mr. Johnson later reported, agreed that the Day for a new Revelation from God is at hand.

Mr. Johnson spoke of progressive revelation, the essential unity of religion, the need to separate the broad spiritual principles from doctrine and dogma, and ended the program with the words of Bahá’u’lláh to the leaders of Christendom, concluding with, “Verily, the Spirit of Truth is come to guide you unto all truth.”

[Page 6] The Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Frankfort, Kentucky, was recently incorporated. Members are (back row left to right) David Rome, Sally Wiley, Theresa Rome, William Wiley, and (front row left to right) Ruth Maggard, Prudence Runyan, Jim Bell, Sally Bell, Robert Giles.

The Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of La Grange, Illinois, was formed last October 21. Community members include (back row left to right) Laura McKey (youth), Betty Anne Redson, Morgan Jenkins, Judith Behrendt, Adam Behrendt (youth), Tom Behrendt, and (front row left to right) James Redson (holding Blake Redson), Bob DeSatnick, Bill Jenkins. Assembly members Bahram Akhtar-Khavari and Noorieh Akhtar-Khavari were not present when the photo was taken.

---

Supreme Body Urges Friends to Teach, Consolidate

(The following quotation from the Universal House of Justice regarding methods of teaching was directed to the National Spiritual Assembly on February 14, 1972, and appears on Pages 32–33 of the booklet, A Special Measure of Love.)

•

“We note that the new teaching methods you have developed, in reaching the waiting masses, have substantially influenced the winning of your goals, and we urge the American Bahá’ís, one and all, newly enrolled and believers of long standing, to arise, put their reliance in Bahá’u’lláh and armed with that supreme power, continue unabated their efforts to reach the waiting souls, while simultaneously consolidating the hard-won victories.

“New methods inevitably bring with them criticism and challenges no matter how successful they may ultimately prove to be. The influx of so many new believers is, in itself, a call to the veteran believers to join the ranks of those in this field of service and to give wholeheartedly of their knowledge and experience.

“Far from standing aloof, the American believers are called upon now, as never before, to grasp this golden opportunity which has been presented to them, to consult together prayerfully and widen the scope of their endeavors.”—The Universal House of Justice

---

Hamburg, New York, Campaign Parallels National Convention

The Spiritual Assembly of the Village of Hamburg, New York, inspired by the National Spiritual Assembly’s letter for the Feast of ‘Alá, decided to hold a special teaching project to coincide with the Bahá’í National Convention (April 26–29).

A storefront was rented near the center of the village, displays were mounted in the windows, and coffee and tea were made available for visitors.

The storefront was manned by at least two Bahá’ís each day from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

A full-page ad was run in the Hamburg Penny-saver, which has a circulation of more than 18,500 in the Village and Town of Hamburg and the nearby towns of Boston, Eden and Collins.

The ad was followed the next week by a smaller ad.

The window display generated considerable interest and several favorable comments. The newspaper ads brought a call from a resident of the Town of Boston requesting literature.

The Assembly is pleased with the results of the proclamation and hopes to repeat it in the near future.

---

On Saturday, April 7, the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Lawndale, California, placed second in the Float Division of the 19th annual Lawndale Youth Parade with its float entitled ‘The International Year of the Child—The Right to Be Brought Up in a Spirit of Universal Peace and Brotherhood.’ Lawndale was helped in preparing the float by her sister communities in Hawthorne, El Segundo, Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach. A loudspeaker system on the float broadcast music by Seals and Crofts, the Children of Bahá, England Dan and John Ford Coley, and excerpts from the ‘Flight’ album.

In recognition of the International Year of the Child, the Bahá’ís of Forest Grove, Oregon, presented English- and Spanish-language versions of the children’s book, The Gift, to the new Forest Grove library. Making the presentation on behalf of the Spiritual Assembly of Forest Grove to librarian Michael Smith is Nancy Lindstrom.

Members of the first Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Rancho Cordova, California, include (back row left to right) Maerea Chindahl, Ross Kasren, Faith Brouhard, Chris Minor, and (front row left to right) Shawn Rogers, Skip Layton, Susan Fox, Joanne Layton. Not pictured is Assembly member Bruce Rogers.

[Page 7] Letters to the Editor

Children’s Teachers Given a Pat on Back

Dear Friends:

This is an open letter to parents of the children who attended children’s classes at the Bahá’í National Convention in Chicago in April:

We were part of the teaching staff for the pre-school age children. When we were told the night before classes were to begin to “hold onto your hats, you’ll have 38 children in your classroom,” we braced ourselves with some nervousness and many prayers for what was to come.

But the next morning, as the children started filing into the classroom, the teachers suddenly became aware of a surprising degree of spiritual maturity in these very young children.

During the group time in our prayer area, we heard only quiet reverence and the sweet chanting of prayers.

The children demonstrated obedience and respect as well as joy in learning and doing; they readily listened, shared and cooperated during the “work/play” time.

The teachers were moved as they witnessed the confirmations of the Cause and saw the fruits of Bahá’í parenting—children who were nourished by the love of God.

The days spent with these children—exhausting as they were—were nonetheless exhilarating, a far cry from the strains and frustrations that teachers in the elementary schools often feel.

We wish we could thank each of the parents personally and acknowledge what a wonderful job they are doing in rearing their children!

We’d like to thank the loving volunteers who took time away from the Convention to serve in the classrooms; they were truly a bounty and a joy to the children.

Furthermore, the Children’s Class Task Force displayed its whole-hearted support by giving hands, hearts and precious time to all of us—teachers, parents and children.

We believe we speak for every one of the teachers when we express our heartfelt gratitude to the parents, volunteers, task force and National Education Committee for a job extremely well done.

George and Mary Wilson
Benton Harbor, Michigan

Dear Bahá’í Friends:

Will you accept a letter from a seeker who has been studying the Faith diligently since she was introduced to it last year?

Before long I expect to declare my belief, but I want to understand the Faith thoroughly before I do.

MAY I RESPOND to your April editorial? It seems to me, as a loving and sincere student of the Faith, that the Faith has made its own troubles.

You state: “Let him not wait for any directions ... from the elected representatives of his community.” He should “...be unrestrained as the wind.”

How can a believer be “unrestrained” and free to “initiate and promote” the Cause, as you suggest, when every public utterance—even a letter to the editor of a local newspaper—must be approved (i.e., censored) by his Local Spiritual Assembly?

A close friend who is a Bahá’í and a former Catholic says that Bahá’í non-freedom of speech makes even the pre-Vatican II church of the “Index” look liberal by comparison.

HOW CAN one promulgate and share the Faith if every word, every public action, must have the stamp of approval of the Local Assembly in advance?

That would surely discourage me from trying to teach the Faith, no matter how deeply I might love it.

I recently sent a letter defending the Bahá’í view on equality of the sexes to the Seattle paper. Another of my Bahá’í friends told me that if I were a Bahá’í, I wouldn’t have been allowed to send it—that such communications could only be written and sent by an Assembly.

In another of your recent issues, the friends were asked not to write to “influential non-Bahá’ís” on behalf of their Persian brothers and sisters! I cannot understand this.

When the Bahá’í Faith begins to treat its adherents as religious adults, it will then see the outpouring of individual teaching advocated in your editorial.

It took the Catholic Church some 400 years (from the Council of Trent to Vatican II) to learn to treat its members as spiritual adults. How long will it take before the Bahá’í birds have their wings unfettered?

Dr. Andrea Adams
Seattle, Washington

(EDITOR’S NOTE: We welcome your letter and offer the following comments in reply:

At this point in the unfoldment of the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, teaching activities that have a broad impact on the general public, such as television or radio spots or newspaper ads, are primarily the responsibility of Bahá’í institutions.

The individual is given great latitude in his personal teaching. But when it comes to presenting the Faith to the public through the media, the institutions of the Faith reserve the right of review.

The reason for this is explained by the Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, on pages 23-24 of Bahá’í Administration. The manner in which the Faith is presented to the public is instrumental in the formation of public opinion about it.

Because the Faith is relatively unknown and many people first learn about it through the media, great care must be taken to preserve the dignity of the Faith and to present its teachings accurately.

Bahá’ís believe that responsibility for important matters should be borne collectively and that the best way to make decisions is through consultation.

Scientific studies showing that the collective wisdom of a group exceeds in almost every instance the judgment of the individual have proven the value of this Bahá’í principle. It is thus out of a desire to do the best possible job that proclamation through the media is generally undertaken by Bahá’í institutions.

Submitting proclamation activities for review is not so much an infringement of the rights of the individual as it is a means of ensuring that the dignity of the Faith is preserved. This is a responsibility that all Bahá’ís share, and it transcends the rights of any individual.

In terms of writing letters to the editor of a magazine or newspaper, when a Bahá’í writes such a letter he is perceived by the public as representing the Faith. Again, so that the Faith may be represented in the best manner possible, wisdom dictates that one submit one’s letter to the institution of jurisdiction, whether it be the Local or National Assembly, for review so that the Faith will benefit from the best letter possible.

Contrary to what your friend told you, individuals are free to submit letters such as the one you wrote, but it is preferable that they first be reviewed to be certain that what one says is correct and in the proper tone.

In terms of prominent persons, if individual Bahá’ís were free to contact them, they would be deluged with letters, books and appeals and they could very well be put off rather than attracted.

One prominent American is reported to have said that the Bahá’í Faith has wonderful teachings but very poor public relations. The person had received so many books and letters from Bahá’ís that she felt harassed!

It devolves upon the National Spiritual Assembly to cultivate relationships with prominent persons, members of the federal government, and persons of influence. It takes only one imprudent act to undermine years of patient work.

When it comes to so sensitive a matter as defending the Iranian believers, it is vital that individuals not initiate contact with prominent persons, the government, or major news media without the National Assembly’s authorization.

In fact, the Iranian situation, due to its international character, is dealt with by the National Spiritual Assembly only at the behest of the Universal House of Justice. Imprudent actions here could result in loss of life—an eventuality for which none of us wishes to be responsible.

Another pertinent point is that the majority of Bahá’ís are quite new in the Faith. Approximately half of the American Bahá’í community has been in the Faith for less than eight years.

This means that the Bahá’í community itself is still learning the fundamental principles of the Faith and underscores the need for institutional review when it comes to proclamation.)

---

Counsellors

Continued From Page 1

This, more than anything else, they pointed out, will help the believers win the goals of the Seven Year Plan in a systematic fashion, without the almost desperate “last minute” thrust characteristic of some former Plans.

Representatives of the four National Spiritual Assemblies in North America (Alaska, the Bahamas, Canada and the U.S.) made presentations on the second day of the conference.

The U.S. National Spiritual Assembly was represented by its Secretary, Glenford E. Mitchell, and Assistant Secretary, Dr. Magdalene M. Carney.

THEY ACKNOWLEDGED with appreciation the remarkable contribution made by Auxiliary Board members and their assistants in helping to win the goals of the Five Year Plan, and appealed for even greater assistance from the Institution of the Counsellors during the present Plan.

They asked the Counsellors and Auxiliary Board members to help especially in strengthening Local Spiritual Assemblies. This goal, Mr. Mitchell pointed out, is the first priority of the National Spiritual Assembly.

The U.S. National Spiritual Assembly and its National Teaching Committee were to meet this month with the Counsellors and Auxiliary Board members at a conference being called by the Counsellors.

The conference was to focus on ways in which to coordinate the services of both institutions toward the goals of the Seven Year Plan.

During consultation at the April conference, much time and thought was given to the twin responsibilities of every Bahá’í: teaching and consolidation.

EVERYONE agreed that these processes must go hand in hand, that it is the Bahá’í teacher’s duty to deepen the souls he or she has guided into the Faith.

The Counsellors urged the Auxiliary Board members to help the believers and the Assemblies to understand the importance of deepening new believers, and helping them develop a reliance on the Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh in living a Bahá’í life.

The way in which assistants to the Auxiliary Board function was reviewed.

The Counsellors pointed out that the most efficient utilization of assistants is to have them serve in a relatively small area with no more than four or five Assemblies. The appointment of more assistants, as practicable, was encouraged.

The messages, in word and spirit, from the Hands of the Cause had a deep impact on the Auxiliary Board members.

They left the conference with a greater understanding of their sacred responsibilities and a determination to further develop a dependency on the Covenant and to pass this message on to the friends.

---

Joan Kinney Dies

Joan Kinney, a Bahá’í since 1933 who served for many years as secretary of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Teaneck, New Jersey, died April 3, just five days short of her 66th birthday.

She served on the New Jersey State Goals Committee, and later as secretary of the District Teaching Committee. She was the Teaneck community’s historian and was in charge of its archives.

---

The Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Newport Beach, California, was incorporated April 4, 1979. Members are (front row left to right) Patty Bagheri, librarian; Elahe Vahdat, recording secretary; Barbara Macdonald, corresponding secretary; Frough Michalchik, chairman; and (back row left to right) Ralph Farrington, treasurer; Norma La Rue; Heshmatullah Vahdat; Paulette Pappas; Michael Michalchik.

[Page 8]

Logan, Utah, Campaign Centers on Proclamation

Braving some of the coldest weather in years, 41 Bahá’ís from 14 Utah communities gathered in Logan, Utah, last winter to launch a massive teaching/proclamation campaign.

A store was rented in Logan’s busy downtown area and decorated with posters and banners relating to the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh. Bahá’í books were displayed along the walls.

THE STORE was staffed all day every day by the friends, some of whom drove as far as 100 miles or more to be there.

During the three-week campaign more than 100 people in the predominantly Mormon city stopped at the store to read or talk with the Bahá’ís. Many of them had heard of the Faith, but were unfamiliar with its teachings. Others had seen the House of Worship in Wilmette, but didn’t realize there were Bahá’ís in Utah.

One woman said she had been “a Bahá’í in my heart” for 30 years and was happy to find the believers.

A woman who had heard of the Faith in Liberia said she was amazed to find Bahá’ís in Logan. Another woman who had become a Bahá’í years ago but lost contact with the Faith was found.

AN INTERFAITH group, “Hands Across the Valley,” invited a Bahá’í to address the group.

Every avenue of proclamation was used: direct publicity, electronic and print media, personal invitations, and an exhibit in a well-traveled part of town.

Seven articles appeared in local newspapers; free public service spots for the exhibit and a World Religion Day public meeting were aired on three leading radio stations.

One of these stations agreed to present the Jeff Reynolds program free of charge.

Posters announcing public meetings and the storefront display were placed on the college campus and in the Logan public library.

A CONCERT by Karen Gibbs was well-attended. Thirteen members of the local Campus Christian Fellowship and the Presbyterian College Sunday School class were among those who attended a public meeting on “The Importance of Race Unity.”

Following a talk to the Logan Women’s Interfaith Council on “Why I Am a Bahá’í,” the Bahá’ís were invited to join the Council.

Another Bahá’í spoke at the Logan Unitarian Church.

The proclamation effort was carried out by Bahá’ís in a city that doesn’t yet have an Assembly, with help from dedicated believers throughout the state who contributed their time, energy and material resources to assure its success.

---

More than 100 people in Logan, Utah, visited this storefront ‘Center’ during a three-week period last winter to read Bahá’í literature and discuss the Faith. The proclamation campaign was carried out by the Logan Bahá’í community with help from Bahá’ís from 14 other communities in Utah.

This storefront window in Logan, Utah, helped Bahá’ís from throughout the state proclaim the Message during an intensive three-week campaign last winter.

---

Quebec School Set

The friends in the U.S. are warmly invited to attend the Québec Bahá’í Summer School from August 17-26 at Lac St.-Joseph, 30 kilometers (about 19 miles) northwest of Québec City.

This year’s theme is “Education of Children and Family Life.”

The school is advertised as the only French-speaking Bahá’í School in America, “with a serious effort toward bi-lingualism.”

For more information and a registration form, write to the Comité de l’Ecole Bahá’íe d’Eté du Québec, c/o Sharon McLeod, 7770 Avenue Paul-Comtois, No. 5, Charlesbourg, Québec, G1H 5X9.

---

Green Lake Slates Attractive Program

Remember that the 19th annual Green Lake Bahá’í Conference is scheduled for the weekend of September 14-16 at the American Baptist Assembly in Green Lake, Wisconsin.

The conference will include historic presentations, special guests, early planners, outstanding speakers, audiovisual programs, and original musical vignettes created especially for this anniversary session.

Among the distinguished guests already slated to appear are Continental Counsellor Dr. Sarah M. Pereira and Dean Dorothy W. Nelson, treasurer of the National Spiritual Assembly.

There will be a special youth program for persons ages 12 to 20, children’s class facilities allowing separate classrooms for five or six levels of instruction for children from 3 to 11, and a complete co-operative nursery for those up to age 3.

Plans are being made to relive some of the special moments of the first 18 Green Lake Conferences and to publish a souvenir booklet to add important information to the present store of Bahá’í history.

The Green Lake gathering already is the world’s largest annual Bahá’í event of its kind, and this year’s conference is expected to break all attendance records.

There is room for only 1,400 to 1,500 people to attend, so if you haven’t registered, please do so now to avoid possible disappointment.

Further details about the conference can be found in last month’s issue of The American Bahá’í.

[Page 9] On Sunday, April 29, the Bahá’ís of West Hollywood, California, celebrated the Ninth Day of Riḍván with a musical drama presented by David Bond and Tim Macy. The more than 30 people present were captivated by the story of Bahá’u’lláh’s sojourn in the Garden of Riḍván, and the community was doubly blessed by the declaration of a young student from Nigeria who was attending only his second Bahá’í meeting.

---

Faith Presented at Convention Of Collegiate Women Students

The Faith was represented in March at the annual National Convention of the Intercollegiate Association for Women Students at Kansas University in Lawrence.

The theme of this year’s convention, “Dynamic Equilibrium,” was taken from a quote by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá that was included in the convention brochure.

AMONG THE speakers on “women in religion” was Auxiliary Board member Ronna Santoscoy who participated in several panel discussions.

Mrs. Santoscoy’s participation was arranged through the Bahá’í Club at Kansas University. Two Bahá’ís attending the university served on the convention planning committee.

Each of the panelists was asked to present a brief summary of her religion and the status of women in that religion.

After outlining the Faith briefly and covering its principles, Mrs. Santoscoy related the dramatic story of Táhirih, the dynamic and outspoken poet who became one of the Báb’s devoted “Letters of the Living” in the first days of the new Revelation and was martyred for her faith.

PANELISTS then addressed themselves to specific topics including the role of women in religion; the status of women in the religions represented at the convention; and the role of religion in calling attention to the needs of women.

Mrs. Santoscoy drew heavily on the Writings in making her presentations, and also used materials supplied by the Bahá’í International Community at the United Nations including results of a survey of the contributions of Bahá’í women throughout the world that was published in the Spring 1975 issue of World Order magazine.

“This was a very good opportunity to proclaim the Bahá’í teachings,” said Mrs. Santoscoy. She established a warm rapport with other panel members and was approached by several members of the audience who wished more information about the Faith.

---

Classified Ads

CLASSIFIED ADS in The American Bahá’í are intended as a service to the U.S. Bahá’í community and are printed free of charge.

•

UNIVERSITY POSITIONS in Nigeria. Numerous positions are available in education, creative arts, English, French, linguistics and African languages, history, business studies, economics, geography, regional planning, political science, public administration, sociology, anthropology, and library science. There are also vacancies in mechanical, civil and mining engineering, building technology, accounting, marketing, business administration, secretarial studies, electrical and electronic engineering. These vacancies are all in priority areas for pioneers and offer good salaries and other benefits. For more information please contact the International Goals Committee, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091.

PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS who are interested in pioneering to Guatemala should write to the International Goals Committee, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091.

HELP FILL A GOAL in Massachusetts. Female Bahá’í, 28, in Easthampton, a city with three adult Bahá’ís and an extension goal of the Spiritual Assembly of Northampton, is seeking a female Bahá’í roommate to share expenses and occupy her own room in a quiet seven-apartment complex. Easthampton is in western Massachusetts’ Pioneer Valley within commuting distance of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst College, Mt. Holyoke College, Smith College, Hampshire College, Springfield College, American International College, Westfield State College, and at least three community colleges. There are many job opportunities in the area, and plenty of teaching opportunities too. Please write immediately to Liisa Shafer, 2E Mayher St., Easthampton, MA 01027, or phone (after 9 p.m.) 413-527-7114.

TEACHERS—VIRGIN ISLANDS. The Department of Education of the Virgin Islands is accepting applications for the following positions: elementary school teachers, grades K-6; elementary and secondary level teachers for reading, music, special education, school librarian, physical education; secondary level teachers in math, sciences and industrial arts; also, a teacher of agriculture. Further information may be obtained by writing to the International Goals Committee, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091.

JOBS IN TAIWAN. Needed: someone with at least five years experience in architecture or interior design to work with established interior design company in Taiwan. There are possibilities for others to teach conversational English with no degree required. For more information please contact the International Goals Committee, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091.

THE BAHÁ’ÍS of Gilroy, California, who had the bounty of forming their Spiritual Assembly during B.E. 135 (1979) are in danger of losing it. The Assembly is making an urgent plea to all Bahá’ís to come to its aid by either moving to Gilroy or devoting some time to teaching there. Its members would be more than willing to participate wholeheartedly in any teaching effort in Gilroy. For those interested in homefront pioneering, Gilroy is conveniently located between San Francisco and Los Angeles with quick access to most places in California via Highway 101. It is a growing community in a relaxed, uncongested area. The opportunities to teach the Faith are endless. For further information contact the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Gilroy, P.O. Box 1978, Gilroy, CA 95020.

ILLINOIS NEEDS homefront pioneers to assist in areas of great potential in the Southern District—East St. Louis and Pulaski County. For further information, please contact the District Teaching Committee of Southern Illinois, c/o Michael McLaughlin, 418 Belleview Avenue, Alton, IL 62002, or phone 618-462-3405.

GRANDMA WANTED. Young couple with two children (ages 8 and 3) is looking for a live-in Bahá’í “Grandma” (non-smoker) to help with early Bahá’í education, child care and some light housekeeping in a homefront pioneering post. Long-term. A real family for someone alone. Private room plus board and salary. Help with local teaching efforts and consolidation of a newly-formed Spiritual Assembly. For more information phone 415-591-1721, or write to Debra Stephens at 2639 Prindle Road, Belmont, CA 94002.

THERE ARE SEVERAL jobs available in Custer, South Dakota, a long-standing Assembly goal community in the lovely Black Hill country surrounded by national parks, forests and monuments. Current openings include physical therapist, speech pathologist, nurses (RN and LPN), nurses’ aides, and maintenance workers. There also are numerous positions for summer workers in the tourist industry. For more information about any of these positions please contact Dave or Lynelle Brown, 836 1/2 Crook St., Custer, SD 57730, or phone 605-673-4084.

AT LEAST TWO adult Bahá’ís are needed in Rancho Cordova, California, to help maintain its Assembly status. Rancho Cordova is adjacent to Sacramento, the state capital, which has a university and four junior colleges. Rancho Cordova’s public schools and convenient shopping are only 20 minutes from downtown Sacramento. Anyone interested in relocating in this pleasant Northern California community are asked to contact Shawn Rogers, 3372 Hanks St., Sacramento, CA 95827, or phone 916-366-7005.

LOVE THAT CHILD opportunity! Youth, adults, parents and grandparents needed for a “Love That Child” program at the Omaha (Nebraska) Indian Reservation, site of the first Local Assembly on an Indian Reservation in the U.S. We need people who can spend at least a week on the Reservation to babysit and direct daily children’s activities. Sessions would run from June 10 through August 17, using International Year of the Child themes and materials and incorporating materials and techniques from national Family Life conferences. If your curiosity is aroused, please write for more details to Blair Nichols, General Delivery, Macy, NE 68039, or phone 402-846-5381, ext. 53, Tuesday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (COT).

FIVE TEACHING positions at the elementary school level are open in Reading, Michigan, a community with one elementary and one high school. Write to the superintendent, Reading Community Schools, Reading, MI, or phone 517-283-2141. A position for an elementary level art teacher is available in Hillsdale, Michigan. Write to the superintendent, Hillsdale Community Schools, 30 S. Norwood St., Hillsdale, MI 49242, or phone 517-437-4401. Housing is available for both country living (including farming) and city. There are also some small business opportunities, a number of small factories are hiring skilled and semi-skilled workers, and there is a need for doctors. The Bahá’ís in Reading, Hillsdale and Camden have been holding firesides and other meetings regularly, and many seeds have been sown. If you’d like to participate in the harvest, please contact the Bahá’ís in this area c/o Don and Arlene Pfeilsticker, 605 Sampson Road, Camden, MI 49232, or phone 517-368-5119.

ON SUNDAY, August 26, the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Binghamton, New York, will celebrate the 50th anniversary of its formation. A warm invitation is extended to former members of the community to attend a luncheon and program. Please send your present address to the Assembly secretary, Mrs. Dorothy P. Holmlund, 3 Johnson Avenue, Binghamton, NY 13905, so that you might receive details of the observance.

ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL teachers and administrators needed for the 1979-80 school year. Pre-school and K-12 part-time, full-time and tutorial positions available during the first year of a new school patterned on Bahá’í principles. Rural setting; minimal salary; Bahá’í community presently has six adults.

Arise!

Please send stamped self-addressed envelope for school manual and other details to Bill Bright, Box 877, Alamosa, CO 81101, or phone (evenings) 303-589-3217.

[Page 10] On Saturday, April 7, the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Kirksville, Missouri, hosted a conference entitled, ‘Marriage: The Bahá’í Concept of Spiritual Union.’ The conference was attended by 37 Bahá’ís from Missouri, Illinois, Iowa and Kansas. Among the speakers was Auxiliary Board member Ronna Santoscoy. The afternoon session featured seminars on preparing for marriage, educating children, pioneering as a family, living with a non-Bahá’í spouse, and other family-related topics.

---

Maryland Bahá’í Club Shares Goals, Ideas

Most Bahá’í College Clubs face problems in organizing programs that will attract fellow students. Bahá’ís at the University of Maryland aren’t immune to such problems, but feel that their fall 1978 publicity campaign that included nine programs on campus and cost around $1,000 to mount was especially successful.

Publicity included extensive use of newspaper ads, posters, flyers and mass mailings. Seventy non-club members responded to the publicity and attended one or more of the events. A reporter from The Washington Post interviewed a club member to learn more about the group that was described to her by the student government as very active.

Professionals with credentials in fields ranging from Indian art and justice to nuclear technology and education were the backbone of the semester’s activities. Their credentials facilitated publicity, and their being Bahá’ís tied in the Faith. Each of their 30- to 50-minute talks was presented from a Bahá’í viewpoint.

As many media methods as the 14-member Bahá’í club could handle were used. Plans are being made to use the more successful methods again next semester. The club’s findings for its 35,000-member campus follow:

1. Prior planning is a must. Once school begins, UM club members have trouble merely finding time to meet. Having speaker confirmations, room arrangements, and poster and flyer printing done beforehand provides a concrete plan around which to schedule.

2. Evening meetings have a larger attendance. Although four faculty members attended daytime talks, many people mentioned work and classes as conflicts with daytime events. Twenty to 25 people attended each evening meeting.

3. Campus newspaper ads provide the most visible, professional and economical advertising. People looking for ‎someting something‎ to do use the newspaper and wall posters as their main information sources. Ads placed here cost roughly one-tenth the price of a comparable ad in area papers. Two or more ads per event are desirable. Photographs, graphics, or white print on black background increase the visibility of the 10-column-inch ads.

4. Topics related to school subjects draw crowds. One example of an attractive topic title was “International Economics—a fresh viewpoint” which appealed to more students than any title with “—an introduction to Bahá’í principles.”

5. Advertising gimmicks work. One thousand helium balloons printed with “Bahá’í Club of U. of Md.” were given away at a club fair along with an equal amount of literature. The club was instantly visible even on the large campus. The small “One Planet, One People... Please” flyer from Los Angeles made effective table tents with hand-lettered information in all the dining halls. A large cloth banner advertising films on the Bahá’í Faith was hung on the building where the films would be shown.

6. Films ‎attact attract‎. Although 20-30 people attended, those who stayed afterward commented that “It’s Just the Beginning” was filled with personal testimonials. Many audience members left during both showings of “New Time Religion,” indicating that this film may not be the best choice for college audiences in this area.

7. A central theme for the whole semester helped to tie together the various advertising methods. This semester the club used the slogan “One Planet, One People...Please” but plans to change the theme next semester.

8. Posters and flyers were minimally effective, and exhausted club members as they raced over campus to change them every two weeks. Posters 11 inches x 17 inches or larger, ideally on glossy paper with colored ink, would be most visible above the sea of “instant-printed” 8½ x 11-inch flyers. $100-200 printing costs make the larger posters a luxury most clubs can’t afford. Using graphics and photographs on the cheaper 8½ x 11-inch “instant-printed” flyers was an inexpensive but less effective compromise.

9. Four or five events per semester are better than sponsoring more. Finances and enthusiasm of club members can be better utilized.

10. Campus mass mailings to faculty produced a response from one person per 1,000 contacted. The flyers contained the complete fall schedule of events, a listing of area firesides, and a brief statement about the Faith. At a cost of $.07 per person contacted, the effort utilizing computer-generated addresses and free campus mail seemed worthwhile.

11. Publicity does not replace teaching. The need for more individual and club organized teaching-deepening-consolidation programs became clear as people began coming to the events. Since people came of their own accord, the club members had to individually establish friendships with those attending. A refreshment period following the talks would have been ideal; but, University of Maryland building use regulations made that difficult.

---

The Spiritual Assembly of Baytown, Texas, formed August 19, 1978, held its Recognition Ceremony last January 7. Assembly members are (seated left to right) Vivian Richards, Sandy Banks, Don Erickson, and (standing left to right) Ken Richards, Doug Jackson, Dottie Jackson, Troy Rudolph, Arlene Rudolph, Clay Jordan.

[Page 11]

Mrs. Nancy Bowditch, Painter, Women’s Rights Advocate, Dies

Nancy Douglas Bowditch, daughter of noted American artist George deForest Brush, a painter and ardent worker for women’s suffrage, and a Bahá’í since 1929, died May 1 in Peterborough, New Hampshire, at the age of 88.

Mrs. Bowditch was buried in Dublin, New Hampshire, where she grew up and where she met the Master, ’Abdu’l-Bahá, in 1912.

She declared her belief in Bahá’u’lláh some 17 years later in Brookline, Massachusetts. In 1931 she made a pilgrimage to Haifa where she and her daughter, Polly, were guests of the Guardian, Shoghi Effendi.

They also were privileged to have tea with the Greatest Holy Leaf and with the wife of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and Mrs. Bowditch painted several pictures, at the Guardian’s request, of early believers.

One of these, of Dr. J.E. Esslemont, author of Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era, is in the Esslemont room at Bahjí.

Mrs. Bowditch, who was born July 4, 1890, in Paris, France, spent many years at the Green Acre Bahá’í School in Eliot, Maine, where she served on the Green Acre Committee, produced pageants, grew a vegetable garden and gave art lessons.

Her home in Brookline was for many years the center of Bahá’í activities in that community. She served on Spiritual Assemblies in Brookline, Boston, and Peterborough, and her home in Peterborough has served as its Bahá’í Center for about 14 years.

An active Bahá’í teacher to the end of her life, she was working on her memoirs which soon will be forwarded to the Bahá’í Publishing Trust.

MRS. NANCY DOUGLAS BOWDITCH
Noted Bahá’í Painter Dead at Age 88

---

The Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Lauderdale Lakes, Florida, held its Recognition Ceremony on January 28. Pictured are Assembly members (front row left to right) Liz Blakeny, Gene Pritchard, and (back row left to right) Maltina Stoutt, Martine Levy, Calvin Pritchard, Jack Stearns, Joan Stearns. Mrs. Annalean Schwandes, assistant to Auxiliary Board member Ben Levy, spoke at the ceremony, and each Assembly member was given a red rose.

---

Register Now for ‘Special Visit’

It’s not too late to register for one of the Special Visit programs at the Bahá’í House of Worship. Simply complete and return this form. Please make checks payable to the Bahá’í Services Fund.

---

In Memoriam

George W. Angeli

Phoenix, Arizona

April 19, 1979

Luther Baldwin

Fairmont, N.C.

Date Unknown

Miss Priscilla Bethea

Dillon, S.C.

Date Unknown

Sam Bethea

Dillon, S.C.

Date Unknown

Wendell Braddy

Maxton, N.C.

Date Unknown

Mrs. Nancy D. Bowditch

Peterborough, N.H.

May 1, 1979

Mrs. Mary Boyd

Andrews, S.C.

1972

Mrs. Viola May Buffalo

Charlottesville, Va.

April 18, 1979

Joshua (Ralph) Burgen

Cambridge, Mass.

February 9, 1979

Magdalen M. Bunce

Soap Lake, Wash.

Date Unknown

Henry David Campbell

Laurinburg, N.C.

Date Unknown

Mrs. Lotte Cary

Fairmont, N.C.

Date Unknown

Fletcher Chatlin

San Carlos, Arizona

November 1978

Walter Cooper

Sumter, S.C.

Date Unknown

Ruben Cota

Santa Maria, Calif.

April 17, 1979

Mrs. Mamie Dixon

Geneva, New York

April 22, 1979

Joe Dunlap

Rock Hill, S.C.

October 1978

Mrs. Helen Eggleston

Davison, Michigan

May 9, 1979

Mrs. Luanna F. Emery

Pioche, Nevada

April 13, 1979

Juneiden Faison

Fairmont, N.C.

June 5, 1972

Andrew Fleming

Camden, S.C.

Date Unknown

Robert Foxworth

Fairmont, N.C.

July 1975

Mrs. Annie B. Fuller

South Bay, Florida

Date Unknown

Elijah Gause

Laurinburg, N.C.

December 1978

Robert German

Little Rock, S.C.

Date Unknown

Lennew Gilchrist Jr.

Fairmont, N.C.

Date Unknown

V. Godbolt

Dillon, S.C.

Date Unknown

Steven Lopez Gonzales

Domingo, New Mexico

Date Unknown

Maggie Lee Graham

Great Falls, S.C.

1975

Jimmie Graham

Great Falls, S.C.

1975

C. Ronald Greene

Miami, Florida

February 3, 1979

John Harlee

Fairmont, N.C.

June 1978

Wylie Hill

Great Falls, S.C.

Date Unknown

Mrs. Maggie L. Houston

Beaufort, S.C.

April 1978

Mrs. Hattie Howze

Great Falls, S.C.

Date Unknown

Mrs. Lydia K. Hurley

Rochester, Michigan

July 1978

T. Jackson

Waxahachie, Texas

Date Unknown

Mrs. Laura Johnson

Waxahachie, Texas

Date Unknown

Mrs. Haddie Jones

Mansfield, Texas

Date Unknown

Lee Jones

Lumberton, N.C.

1975

Jack Knighton

Copeland, Florida

Date Unknown

Earl Joseph Lambert

Prescott, Arizona

March 30, 1979

Mrs. Alma Lewis

Lockport, La.

1976

James Love

N. Little Rock, Ark.

May 4, 1979

Mrs. Hattie Lowe

Waxahachie, Texas

Date Unknown

Mrs. Ruth MacGregor

Kent, Ohio

April 18, 1979

Mrs. Winona Magoosh

Mescalero, N. Mexico

September 11, 1977

Jo Ann Mann

White Plains, N.Y.

Date Unknown

Ms. Deroshahis Matthews

Omaha, Nebraska

Date Unknown

Mrs. Rose Michael

Lima, Ohio

1976

Kenneth Miller

Kershaw, S.C.

April 8, 1979

John Moody

Maxton, N.C.

1978

Mrs. Harriet Myers

Oxnard, California

April 17, 1979

Michael K. McGaughy

Pine Bluff, Arkansas

1976

Miss Mary K. McNeil

Dillon, S.C.

Date Unknown

James McNeill

Rowland, N.C.

1970

John McRae

Dillon, S.C.

Date Unknown

Thomas Page

Rowland, N.C.

August 1, 1975

Louisa Patchett

Rock Springs, Wyoming

April 5, 1979

Liddiel Pathwell

Laurinburg, N.C.

Date Unknown

Agnes Patterson

Pembroke, N.C.

1976

Robert Peppers

Wake Forest, N.C.

February 1977

Joe Pickard

Thomson, Georgia

December 31, 1978

Jesse Rhoan

Yerington, Nevada

April 8, 1979

Neil Robinson

Fairmont, N.C.

1972

Willie Rogers

Beaufort, S.C.

October 1978

Asa R. Savage

Fairmont, N.C.

1977

James Savage

Fairmont, N.C.

Date Unknown

Mildred L. Sayles

Providence, R.I.

March 20, 1979

Mrs. Clair Schneider

Ogden, Utah

March 13, 1979

Mrs. Carrie Scott

Dillon, S.C.

Date Unknown

Joseph Smith

Lockport, La.

1978

David R. Simons

Walnut Creek, Calif.

April 13, 1979

Earl R. Stevens

Lumberton, N.C.

August 1976

Mrs. Elizabeth Sutton

Lumberton, N.C.

April 1979

Mrs. Roberta Takasaki

Seattle, Washington

April 9, 1979

Oscar Walters

Lumberton, N.C.

January 1978

Mrs. Garnet J. Watkins

Portland, Oregon

May 3, 1979

Mrs. Geneva B. Wilson

Mescalero, New Mexico

January 31, 1978

John Williams

Dillon, S.C.

Date Unknown

Charles Wragg

Bronx, New York

April 23, 1979

Eddie Wright

Little Rock, S.C.

Date Unknown

Mrs. Sarah Young

Great Falls, S.C.

Date Unknown

[Page 12]

Awakening Spiritual Nature in Children

(EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the second in a series of six articles on moral and spiritual education by Dr. Susan Theroux of Fredonia, New York. Dr. Theroux received her Ph.D. in education at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst.)

•

Treating Children As Souls

To successfully work with children we ourselves must be aware of their spiritual reality and view them in light of it. The human soul is a unique creation.

Man—the true man—is soul, not body; though physically man belongs to the animal kingdom, yet his soul lifts him above the rest of creation... The soul it is which makes the human creature a celestial entity. (Paris Talks, p. 85)

Know, verily, that the soul is a sign of God, a heavenly gem whose reality the most learned of men hath failed to grasp, and whose mystery no mind, however acute, can ever hope to unravel. It is the first among all created things to declare the excellence of its Creator, the first to recognize His glory, to cleave to His truth, and to bow down in adoration before Him. (Bahá’í World Faith, p. 121)

Each soul, each “heavenly gem,” has unlimited potential to manifest the attributes of God. A firm conviction in every child’s potential to do this is the first step in assisting him to develop spiritual qualities.

Awakening Children to Spiritual Realities

As soon as the child is born (and even before birth) he should be told about God and about his soul, and prayers should be said with him.

’Abdu’l-Bahá explains that the soul is fully functioning from the beginning of life:

... in the embryonic stage and in early infancy the reasoning power is totally absent, whereas the soul is ever endowed with full strength. (Bahá’í World Faith, pp. 337-338)

The child’s soul responds when we speak about God and when we pray, even though he may be unaware of it. The soul responds when we talk about spiritual truths: the oneness of mankind, the spiritual nature of man, the eternality of the soul, the omnipresence of God, and so on.

Very early in life, the child can begin to understand that he has choices in life; that he can do things that will benefit himself and others.

He has to learn about the world around him and how to control himself as he interacts with the world so that he can make the best choices. He needs to realize that he alone is in charge of his own life, but that Bahá’u’lláh is always there to help him if he calls upon Him.

Praying and Meditating

Through prayer and meditation one establishes a connection with God. Prayer and meditation remind us of the ideals and spiritual principles toward which we are striving, especially the ideal of independence from all else save God.

A child who can turn to God for comfort and assistance will feel secure and able to face difficulties; he will be able to rely on his own judgment and his own understanding of the teachings, rather than on the opinions of others.

He will develop a love for Bahá’u’lláh and a reliance on Him that will impel him to obey His teachings.

Parents should establish the habit of daily prayer in the family, or with the children individually. Through daily prayer children will develop reliance on prayer as a life pattern. It is important for them to see the example of their parents saying and memorizing prayers.

Prayer time is the time to teach reverence. Children should be taught to sit quietly and still when they are talking to God. Prayer time may be quite short for young children and increasingly longer for older ones.

Becoming Aware of Divine Purpose

A spiritual consciousness implies an awareness of one’s purpose as a creature of God. The child should realize that he is a purposeful being.

When we ask a child to do something, we should make it clear that it is in the path of knowing and loving God and carrying forward an ever-advancing civilization that he should do it. It is God’s purpose that should determine the decisions we make, not our human inclinations.

The child should see that tests and difficulties are a part of God’s plan too. Everyone has tests, even adults, and God has given us the strength to face and overcome them.

The way we as adults solve our problems will affect the way our children learn to solve their problems. If we call on God and use spiritual principles, they will learn to do so too.

---

To commemorate the International Year of the Child, the Bahá’ís of Akron, Ohio, presented 18 copies of Bahá’í Prayers and Tablets for the Young to the Akron-Summit County Library System (one copy for the main library and one for each of its branches). Library Director John D. Rebenack (left) receives the books from Bahá’ís (left to right) Deshaun Adl Razeeq, Soheil Sobhani, Victoria Brown, and Mrs. Brown’s son, Timothy Brown.

[Page 13]

Bahá’í Publishing Trust

MINI CATALOG

Summer/Fall 1979

Special Pull-Out Section

Bahá’í Sacred Literature

Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, The Báb and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh
Revealed After the Kitáb-i-Aqdas

By Bahá’u’lláh. A World Centre goal of the Five Year Plan. Contains sixteen of Bahá’u’lláh’s most significant and much-loved Tablets—some of them now published in English for the first time.

The Tablets revealed by Bahá’u’lláh during this period (1873-1892), the Guardian stated, “must rank among the choicest fruits which His mind has yielded, and mark the consummation of His forty-year-long ministry.” 269 pp., notes.

7-03-31   cloth   $ 7.50 NET

---

Selections from the Writings of the Báb

By the Báb. A World Centre goal of the Five Year Plan, this is the most comprehensive selection of the Writings of the Báb in English yet published. Arranged in seven sections, the book begins with two Tablets from the Báb to Bahá’u’lláh and Tablets and addresses to the first Letter of the Living, Muḥammad Sháh, and others. The book contains extracts from four of the Báb’s major works, including the Persian Bayán, and prayers and meditations of the Báb. 217 pp., notes.

7-05-50   cloth   $ 5.00 NET

---

Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

By ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Just arrived—the first large compilation, in English, of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s letters to be made in more than sixty years. The selections deal with subjects of interest to all Bahá’ís, including:

• how to “live the life”
• the greatness of this Day
• Bahá’í marriage
• the education of children
• physicians and healing
• loss of loved ones and life after death
• teaching the Cause
• the Local Spiritual Assembly
• and many other subjects

In addition, some of the letters contain prayers not published elsewhere, including a prayer for husbands and a marriage prayer, and some short poems.

Most of the passages in the book are retranslations of a large number of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s letters to individuals and communities of both East and West. Many of the letters to believers in the West were first published between 1909 and 1916 in the three volumes of Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, which have long been out of print.

This new volume is the third and largest of the three compilations of sacred text to be published by The Universal House of Justice during the Five Year Plan. 336 pp., 237 items.

7-06-25   cloth   $ 10.00 NET

7-06-26   paper    $ 5.00 NET

---

New Book on the Bahá’í Faith

Auguste Forel and the Bahá’í Faith

With a commentary by Peter Mühlschlegel. Auguste Forel (1848-1931), one of the outstanding minds of the latter part of the nineteenth century, wrote ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in 1920, expressing his admiration for the ethical and moral teachings of the Bahá’í Faith but questioning whether he, an agnostic, could belong to the Faith. This booklet contains Dr. Forel’s letter and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Tablet in reply, which Shoghi Effendi described as “one of the most weighty the Master ever wrote.” Includes brief biographies of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Dr. Forel, an analysis of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Tablet, and a summary calling on men of science—like Forel—to search for life’s deepest meaning in the teachings of the Manifestations of God. 58 pp., references.

7-32-35   paper    $ 1.50 NET

---

New Books on the Bahá’í Faith

Two Books on the Master

239 Days: ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Journey in America

By Allan L. Ward. The story of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s remarkable journey across America. From His arrival on April 11, 1912 until His departure on December 5, 1912, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá amazed and captivated the American press and public alike. 239 Days is a day-by-day account of that historic visit featuring accounts from newspapers and magazine articles published at the time and excerpts from the diary of Maḥmúd-i-Zarqání, His personal secretary.

Written in an easy-to-read style, the book follows ‘Abdu’l-Bahá from coast to coast, covering His celebrated visits to dozens of cities and towns along the way.

239 Days translates the perfection of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s example into actual daily events, suggesting ways that every reader can apply the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh in his own life. Can be presented to school and public libraries to improve their selection of books on Bahá’í history. Designed by John Solarz. 209 pp., 15 photographs.

7-32-05   cloth   $ 7.50 NET

---

Ten Days in the Light of ‘Akká

By Julia M. Grundy. Just released in an attractive revised edition, this book is one pilgrim’s attempt to share with her fellow Bahá’ís the lessons spoken by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá during her ten days in ‘Akká in 1905. It was originally published in 1907 by the Bahá’í Publishing Society.

The book records ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s words—as Julia Grundy recalled them—on such subjects as love, soul and spirit, The House of Justice, heaven, women in the Bahá’í Revelation, and the Second Coming. It also includes several talks by members of the Holy Household and brief accounts of the author’s visits to the Tomb of Bahá’u’lláh, the Riḍván garden, and ‘Akká.

Ten Days in the Light of ‘Akká is “a personal, though not intimate, record, and at the same time, a document of considerable historical value,” writes Howard Garey in the Foreword. In it “we hear the voice of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá through the mind and heart of a good and simple person and once again appreciate His ability to teach anyone right to the limit of his spiritual and intellectual capacity to learn.” Foreword by Howard Garey. Designed by John Solarz. 107 pp.

7-32-40   paper   $ 4.85 NET

---

[Page 14]

New Art Prints

For Home, Office

‘Abdu’l-Bahá Art Print

By Haynes and Rosann McFadden. A new art print of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá taken from a photo portrait in which the Master, wearing grey cloak and white taj, is turned slightly to one side, eyes on the camera. The original drawing—called a Dyttograph—is composed of many thousands of small hand-drawn dots patiently placed on paper. This black-and-white lithograph, printed on high-quality art paper, can help create a Bahá’í environment in your home or office and at Bahá’í schools and conferences. Suitable for framing. 12 x 16 inches.

6-47-06   $10.00 NET

---

The Bahá’í House of Worship
scratchboard engraving by Harlan Scheffler

An exquisite lithograph of the “Mother Temple of the West” reproduced from a scratchboard engraving. The print is made from an original engraving which required about two hundred hours to complete. Each black, grey, and white lithograph is individually signed by the artist. The 14-7/8 x 18-1/2-inch engraving is printed on a 19 x 25-inch sheet, which includes a wide border for custom framing. It can help establish a Bahá’í atmosphere in homes, offices, Bahá’í centers, and permanent Bahá’í schools.

6-47-20   $ 30.00 NET

---

Easy-Reading Booklets

Communion With God

A selection of twenty-two prayers of Bahá’u’lláh, the Báb, and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in an easy-to-read LARGE TYPE edition. Stiff paper binding. An ideal gift. Also available in a pocket-size edition.

7-15-11   LARGE TYPE   $ 1.00; 100/$85.00

7-15-09   pocket-size    $.25; 100/$21.50

---

Star Study Program Booklets

Five easy-to-read booklets to help you learn about the Bahá’í Faith. The booklets are inexpensive, attractively illustrated, and short (about 15 pages each). Available singly or in an assortment of five at a reduced price.

7-64-50	Bahá’u’lláh	$ .70
7-64-54	Bahá’í Community Life	$ .70
7-64-56	Spiritual Teachings	$ .70
7-64-58	The Local Spiritual Assembly	$. 70
7-64-60	Bahá’í Laws	$.70
7-64-67	Assortment of five above (at only $.45 each)	$2.25 NET

---

New Craft Item

Fun Project for Children, Adults

“Blessed Is the Spot” Cross-stitch Sampler

This new cross-stitch sampler makes an easy-to-do craft project for adults and children ages 7 and up. The kit contains the quotation from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh beginning “Blessed is the spot...” silk-screened on 100 percent cotton; needle; 100 percent cotton embroidery floss; and printed instructions. Floral border in green and magenta, lettering in black. Great idea for a family or Bahá’í school project. Makes a unique gift and an attractive decoration for homes of Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís. Extra-large cross-stitches. Frame not included. Designed by Vicky Hu. Design size: 19 x 25 inches. Cut size: 22 x 28 inches.

6-40-90   $ 12.00 NET

---

Gift Ideas

For Bahá’ís and Non-Bahá’ís

Wilmette House of Worship
Presidential Art Medal and Booklet

Does your community need a distinctive proclamation gift to present to the mayor? A gift for a new Bahá’í? Are you looking for a birthday or anniversary gift?

The new House of Worship Presidential Art Medal and Booklet may suit your needs exactly. The cast bronze medal (see photograph) has the look and feel of quality. It weighs a substantial 2.5 ounces, measures 1-3/4 inches in diameter, and is neatly packaged in a sturdy ivory-colored cardboard box.

Accompanying the medal is an attractive 16-page booklet summarizing the history and basic teachings of the Faith. (The booklet is adapted from the pamphlet Bahá’í: World Faith for Modern Man.) The illustrations and quotations on the medal are fully explained in the booklet.

The medal and the booklet make an excellent proclamation gift. Because they are produced by a non-Bahá’í firm, they can help build a prestigious image for the Faith in the eyes of local officials. The medal can also be used as an award for distinguished service to the Bahá’í community, as a gift for new Bahá’ís and new Local Spiritual Assemblies, and as a birthday and anniversary gift.

6-40-02   $ 7.50 NET

---

Flight

This popular stereo LP makes a thoughtful gift for many music lovers. The musical styles of the eleven groups on the album range from the soft sound of England Dan and John Ford Coley in “The Greatest Name” and “The Prisoner” to the rhythm and blues of John and Sharon Barnes. Includes printed insert with lyrics and credits. Fourteen songs.

6-35-09   $ 5.95

---

New Cassettes

For Deepening, Inspiration

The Launching of the Seven Year Plan

Highlights of the historic 1979 National Bahá’í Convention featuring talks by Mr. Glenford Mitchell on the triumphant conclusion of the Five Year Plan; Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh on the causes and effects of attacks on the Faith; and Hand of the Cause of God William Sears on the launching of the Seven Year Plan. 90 minutes.

6-30-79    cassette   $ 4.55

---

A Moment with the Institution of the Continental Board of Counselors

A provocative, inspiring, and sometimes humorous presentation at the 1978 National Bahá’í Convention by Counselor Edna True and Auxiliary Board members Nancy Philips, Nathan Rutstein, and Sam McClellan. Includes priceless reminiscences of the Master; exciting news of teaching victories among native Americans; inspirational guidance for teaching and pioneering; and practical advice on handling opposition to the Faith. For personal and community deepening. 60 minutes.

6-31-76   cassette   $ 4.55

---

Shown twice actual size

---

New Jewelry for Bahá’ís

Preparation for the Next Life

Bahá’í “Burial Ring”

In the laws for the burial of the dead stated in His Most Holy Book, Bahá’u’lláh enjoins that upon the finger of the body “should be placed a ring bearing the inscription ‘I came forth from God, and return unto Him, detached from all save Him, holding fast to His name, the Merciful, the Compassionate’... the ring [is] meant to be used for those who have attained the age of maturity [15].” (Synopsis and Codification of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, pp. 62–63)

This beautiful Bahá’í “Burial Ring,” cast in brass, features a calligraphic rendering of the specified verse from the Kitáb-i-Aqdas set in red cloisonné enamel. Each ring is enclosed in an embroidered silk jewelry bag. A printed explanation of the ring and an English translation of the verse is included. The ring adjusts to fit any finger. Your Local Spiritual Assembly may wish to purchase a small supply of the rings for emergencies. Individuals and families are free to purchase the ring as well. Produced by the Bahá’í Publishing Trust of Taiwan.

6-61-73   $ 6.00 NET

[Page 15]

Love That Child

The International Year of the Child

Support the United Nations International Year of the Child
LOVE THAT CHILD

The General Assembly of the United Nations has designated 1979 the International Year of the Child (IYC). To help individual Bahá’ís and Bahá’í communities support IYC, we now carry a number of proclamation and media materials with the theme “Love That Child.”

What can you do to support the International Year of the Child?

Individuals can draw attention to this year by using—and giving as gifts—“Love That Child” buttons, bumper stickers, window decals, balloons, and sweatshirts.

Local Spiritual Assemblies, Bahá’í groups, and isolated believers can plan special events in support of IYC. Also, they can approach local radio and TV stations with professionally produced “Love That Child” public service announcements. Put up posters around town. Arrange for billboard space. Make presentations to local officials and school administrators. Be creative!

---

Please note:
To assure delivery by Universal Children’s Day in October, we must have your order for “Love That Child” materials by August 15, 1979.

---

“Love That Child” Presentation/File Folder

Use this attractive folder to present information on the International Year of the Child to newspaper editors, civic officials, school administrators, and others. Good for personal use too! Photograph of two children printed inside. Red, blue, and black ink on glossy white stock. 9 x 11-1/2 inches.

6-99-04   $.75; 25/$15.00 NET

---

“Love That Child” Brochure
Children: A Bahá’í Perspective

A pamphlet discussing the role children play in family life; their potential; and the Bahá’í Teachings on what children should learn. Includes quotations from the Bahá’í Writings. Use in information packets, mailings, displays, and so on. 8-1/2 x 11 inches, folded to fit No. 10 envelope.

6-99-99   10/$1.50 NET

---

“Love That Child” Button

An eye-catching way to let others know you “love that child”—and to remind them to do likewise. Red and blue on white. 2-1/2-inch diameter.

6-99-03   $.40; 10/$3.50 NET

---

“Love That Child” Round Sticker

Use on cars, notebooks, luggage too! 5-inch dia.

6-99-01   $.50; 10/$4.50 NET

---

“Love That Child” Balloon

A fun give-away or decoration for IYC information booths, parade floats, parties. 9-inch diameter.

6-99-00   10/$1.40 NET

---

“Love That Child” Window Decal

For all glass surfaces, including the windows of your car, at home—even mirrors! 4-1/2 inch diameter.

6-99-02   $.50; 10/$4.50 NET

---

“Love That Child”
Radio Public Service Announcements

Eleven professionally produced radio announcements. Each 10-, 30-, and 60-second spot ends with the words “A message from the Bahá’í Faith for International Year of the Child.” Not “advertisements,” these spots are designed to be aired free of charge by commercial radio stations, which are required to donate some “public service time” each day. Give one to the public affairs or program director at every station in town! Reel tape, 7-1/2 ips.

6-99-11   $5.00 NET

---

“Love That Child” Posters

Post in stores, Bahá’í centers. Decorate children’s rooms. Three color. Two sizes. Two designs.

6-99-05	14 x 17 inches	$.95; 10/$9.00 NET
6-99-06	20 x 28 inches	$1.50; 10/$12.00 NET

---

This billboard could
reach thousands in your town

“Love That Child” Billboards

Outdoor advertising can be an effective way to deliver the “Love That Child” message to thousands of motorists in your area. Choice of two sizes—30 sheets for the full-size board (approx. 10 x 22 feet) or 8 sheets for the small board (1/3 of full size). Includes tips on how to request free public service space from advertising firms.

6-99-07	8-sheet billboard	$20.00 NET
6-99-08	30-sheet billboard	$52.00 NET

---

“Love That Child”
TV Public Service Announcement

A 30-second color TV PSA is being produced. Not an “advertisement,” the spot is designed to be aired free of charge. Present it to the public affairs director at your local TV stations. 16 mm film.

6-99-10   $10.00 NET

---

“Love That Child” Sweatshirts

Let everyone know that you and your children “Love That Child” with these new short-sleeve sweatshirts. Attractive red and blue lettering on white fabric. 92 percent cotton, 8 percent acrylic. Wear them for comfort and to build enthusiasm, develop unity, and open conversations with others.

6-99-20	child’s 6-8	$7.50 NET
6-99-21	child’s 10-12	$7.50 NET
6-99-22	child’s 14-16	$7.50 NET
6-99-23	adult small	$8.50 NET
6-99-24	adult medium	$8.50 NET
6-99-25	adult large	$8.50 NET
6-99-26	adult x-large	$8.50 NET

---

Abbreviation: NET—No discount

Prices subject to change without notice

[Page 16]

Year of the Child (continued)

The Violence-Free Society:
A Gift for Our Children

By Hossain B. Danesh. A special “Year of the Child” issue of Études Bahá’í Studies. A treatise discussing the causes of violence, its effects on society, and the Bahá’í community as a model for a violence-free society. Helpful reading for parents. Excellent for presentations during the International Year of the Child. Illustrated with photographs and diagrams. 9-3/4 x 6-3/4 inches. 44 pp.

7-41-21   paper   $1.50; 10/$14.00 NET

---

New for Local Spiritual Assemblies

Bahá’í Certificate of Birth

When a Bahá’í child is born in your community, celebrate the occasion by presenting this new Bahá’í Certificate of Birth to the happy parents. The cover of the certificate features an embossed symbol of the Greatest Name and a prayer of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá for children. Inside is space for a photo insert; the names of the child, the parents, and the Local Spiritual Assembly; the Bahá’í date of birth and the Gregorian date of the certificate; and the signatures of the Spiritual Assembly Chairman and Secretary. A file copy is included so that the Assembly will have a permanent record of the event. Envelope included. Printed on ivory card stock. 5-1/2 x 8-1/2 inches.

7-68-55   $1.50; 5/$6.25 NET

---

Other items especially useful to Local Spiritual Assemblies:

Bahá’í Burial Ring

Bahá’í Planning Calendar 136 B.E.

Wilmette House of Worship Art Medal

See descriptions elsewhere in this catalog.

---

New Children’s Materials

For Storytime, Children’s Classes

The Black Rose:
A Story about ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in America

Adapted by Anthony A. Lee from Howard Colby Ives’ Portals to Freedom. The story of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s encounter with a group of boys, including a black boy, in New York City in 1912. Helpful for teaching young children about the Bahá’í Teaching on “unity in diversity.” Illustrated in color by Rex John Irvine. Published by Kalimát Press. 24 pp.

7-52-70   paper   $2.50 NET

---

The Cornerstone:
A Story about ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in America

Adapted by Anthony A. Lee. A new children’s book that describes, in simple terms, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s laying of the cornerstone of the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette. The book can introduce your child to the Bahá’í House of Worship and its significance. Includes tips for parents and teachers of children’s classes. Illustrated in color by Rex John Irvine. Published by Kalimát Press. 24 pp.

7-52-71   paper   $2.50 NET

---

Materiales En Español

El Divino Arte de Vivir

Recopilación hecha por Mabel Hyde Paine, esta selección de Escritos sagrados bahá’ís da énfasis al arte de vivir una vida espiritualizada y a las cualidades necesarias para el desarrollo espiritual.

7-93-21   papel $3.25 NET

---

Respuestas Bahá’ís

En forma breve y clara, este folleto contesta a muchas de las preguntas básicas que se hacen con mayor frecuencia acerca de la Fe Bahá’í.

7-93-46   $.25; 25/$5.00 NET

---

Bahá’í Calendars

For Personal, Community Use

Bahá’í Planning Calendar 136 B.E.

Planning ahead? Most of us need to, and the new 136 B.E. Bahá’í Planning Calendar is designed to help. This year’s calendar, completely redesigned, extends from March 21, 1979 to March 20, 1980. The new format makes it easier to use than in previous years, and the red, white, and blue colors make it an attractive wall decoration.

Local Spiritual Assemblies and committees can refer to the calendar during consultation, using it as a creative tool to help make the best of the year ahead. Individuals and families can post the calendar in kitchen or family room, making it an “information center” for coming events, appointments, meetings and outings. Printed on white stock. Shipped in mailing tube. 25 x 38 inches.

6-69-09   $5.00 NET

---

Books in Persian

Prayers of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

A selection of prayers revealed by the Master. Cloth edition stamped in gold. 121 pp.

7-89-39	cloth	$4.25
7-89-40	paper	$2.45

---

Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh

By Bahá’u’lláh. Contains many of the major Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh. The volume, most of which is in Persian, was first published in Egypt about sixty years ago and has been out of print for many years. Red cover with gold stamping. 416 pp.

7-89-43   cloth   $12.00 NET

---

Selections from the Writings of the Báb

By the Báb. Identical in content to the English volume of the same name. Written in Arabic and Persian, the book includes two Tablets from the Báb to “Him who will be made manifest” and excerpts from the Qayyúmu’l-Asmá’, the Persian Bayán, the Dalá’il-i-Sab‘ih, the Kitáb-i-Asmá’, and other Writings. Green cover with gold stamping. 160 pp.

7-89-41   cloth   $9.00 NET

---

Selections from the Writings of the Báb/
Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh

Buy the two-volume set and save $1.50.

7-89-45   $19.50 NET