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The American Bahá’í July, 1983

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House of Justice reorganizes International Teaching Centre

To the Followers of Bahá’u’lláh throughout the world

Dearly-loved Friends,

For 10 years the International Teaching Centre has rendered invaluable services at the World Centre of the Faith, and it is with great joy that we now announce a number of major steps in the evolution of this vital institution of the Administrative Order of Bahá’u’lláh.

SINCE the tragic death of Mr. Paul Haney there have been only two Hands of the Cause residing in the Holy Land.

We have therefore decided to call upon Dr. ‘Alí Muḥammad Varqá and Mr. Collis Featherstone to participate in the discharge of the special duties of the Hands of the Cause residing in the Holy Land when the occasion requires, as for example in dealing with matters of Covenant-breaking. They will be able to perform these functions either by correspondence or by periodic sojourns at the World Centre.

We have decided to raise the number of resident members of the International Teaching Centre to nine.

For reasons of health Mrs. Florence Mayberry is leaving the World Centre, bringing to an end her highly valued services on this institution.

Four new Counsellor members have therefore been appointed: Dr. Magdalene Carney, Mr. Ma’súd Khámsí, Dr. Peter Khan and Mrs. Isobel Sabri, whom we now call upon to transfer their residences to the Holy Land, where they will join the Hands of the Cause Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum and ‘Alí Akbar Furútan and Counsellors Anneliese Bopp, Hooper Dunbar and ‘Aziz Yazdí.

WE HAVE further decided, as foreshadowed in previous announcements, to institute a five-year term for the Counsellor members of the International Teaching Centre. Each term will start on 23 May immediately following the election of the Universal House of Justice.

16 Bahá’ís martyred in Iran

WITH GREAT SORROW IMPART NEWS EXECUTION BY HANGING LATE HOURS 16 JUNE IN SHIRAZ ANOTHER SIX VALIANT SERVANTS CAUSE:

DR. BAHRAM AFNAN, PROMINENT PHYSICIAN, 48 YEARS OLD; MR. BAHRAM YALDA’I, STUDENT, 23 YEARS OLD; MR. JAMSHID SIYAVUSHI, MERCHANT, 39 YEARS OLD; MR. ‘INAYATU’LLAH ISHRAQI, RETIRED OFFICER OIL COMPANY, 60 YEARS OLD; MR. KURUSH HAQBIN, ELECTRICAL TECHNICIAN, 27 YEARS OLD; MR. ABDU’L-HUSAYN AZADI, EMPLOYEE HEALTH MINISTRY, 60 YEARS OLD.

GRAVELY CONCERNED LIVES OTHER PRISONERS THREATENED BE SUBJECTED SIMILAR FATE IF REFUSE RECANT FAITH AND EMBRACE ISLAM. THIS RUTHLESS TREATMENT BY FANATICS NOW TAKING REINS JUSTICE THEIR HANDS IN DEFIANCE WORLD PUBLIC OPINION, DEMANDS SPECIAL CONSIDERATION BY GOVERNMENTS AND PEOPLE OF PROMINENCE TO EXERT UTMOST EFFORTS PREVENT CONTINUATION SUCH ACTS WHICH VIOLATE PRINCIPLES JUSTICE AND HUMAN RIGHTS.

KINDLY SHARE NEWS OFFICIALS GOVERNMENT, MEDIA.

UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE JUNE 18, 1983

FOLLOWING OUTRAGEOUS EXECUTION SIX BAHÁ’ÍS IN SHIRAZ ON 16 JUNE, FURTHER HIDEOUS CRIME HAS BEEN PERPETRATED BY AUTHORITIES THAT CITY BY HANGING TEN INNOCENT WOMEN NIGHT OF 18 JUNE. THEY ARE:

MRS. NUSRAT YALDA’I, 54 YEARS OLD, MOTHER OF BAHRAM, HANGED 16 JUNE; MRS. ‘IZZAT JANAMI ISHRAQI, 50 YEARS OLD, WIFE OF INAYATU’LLAH, HANGED 16 JUNE; MISS RUYA ISHRAQI, IN EARLY 20'S, DAUGHTER OF ABOVE; MRS. TAHIRIH SIYAVUSHI, 32 YEARS OLD, WIFE OF JAMSHID, HANGED 16 JUNE; MISS MUNA MAHMUDNIZHAD, 18 YEARS OLD, DAUGHTER OF YADU’LLAH, EXECUTED 12 MARCH; MISS ZARRIN MUQIMI, UNDER 25 YEARS OLD; MISS SHIRIN DALVAND, EARLY 20'S; MISS AKHTAR THABIT, 19 YEARS OLD; MISS SIMIN SABIRI, IN EARLY 20'S; MISS MAHSHID NIRUMAND, 18 YEARS OLD.

THE EXECUTION OF THESE GUILTLESS WOMEN IN THE NAME OF RELIGION MUST BE CONDEMNED.

Spirit of optimism, resolve pervades 74th Bahá’í National Convention

The many challenges and opportunities presented by the Faith’s rapid emergence from obscurity and the construction of the first Bahá’í-owned and operated radio station in North America were among the principal topics of consultation at the 74th Bahá’í National Convention, which was held May 26-29 at the McCormick Inn in Chicago.

FOR THE second year in a row, the annual Convention was blessed by the presence of the Hand of the Cause of God William Sears who addressed the friends on two occasions and brought with him a special "gift" to be shared with everyone in this country.

Among the more than 1,500 Bahá’ís in attendance were one member of the Universal House of Justice, Glenford E. Mitchell; two members of the Continental Board of Counsellors for the Americas, Dr. Sarah M. Pereira and Velma W. Sherrill; and one of the four new Counsellor members of the International Teaching Centre, Dr. Magdalene M. Carney, who until her appointment by the Universal House of Justice earlier in May was assistant secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly.

In addition, the National Spiritual Assembly of Bermuda was represented at the Convention by two of its members, Elizabeth Thomas and Mary Walker.

Two soul-stirring messages from the Universal House of Justice were read at Friday morning’s session—the annual Ridván message to the Bahá’is of the world, and its letter of May 19 detailing the reorganization and expansion of the International Teaching Centre.

On Saturday morning, the delegates traveled by bus to the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette to cast their ballots for the new National Spiritual Assembly.

Mr. Sears brings message of love, hope to Convention

It was easy to tell when the Hand of the Cause of God William Sears was to speak at the 74th Bahá’í National Convention.

There wasn't a seat to be had in the ballroom of the McCormick Inn (which seats 1,800), and those who arrived late lined the walls two to three deep or sat in the aisles.

THE POWER that brought them there was that of love and respect for this beloved Hand of the Cause who spoke of the imperative need to reach the waiting masses with the healing Message of Bahá’u’lláh.

National Spiritual Assembly adopts a $10 million budget

Matters of finance were the focus of much consultation, and the source of much inspiration, at the 74th Bahá’í National Convention.

The delegates and guests were galvanized by the news that the President of the United States had, only days earlier, thrust the Faith to the top of the news headlines around the world with his statement on behalf of the Bahá’ís in Iran.

IN LIGHT of the opportunities made possible by this new level of public awareness, the $6.7 million budget proposed by the National Spiritual Assembly appeared pitifully inadequate.

It was stated that even a $20 million budget would seem to be minor for an organization that had burst into such prominence.

The awareness that our budget would not support the present requirements of the Faith was heightened by a presentation from the National Spiritual Assembly’s properties manager.

He reported that our precious House of Worship, that "most noble of the exploits" of the American Bahá’í community, has deteriorated structurally over the past 30 years from exposure to the severe Chicago weather. The damage has progressed to the extent that major reconstruction work can no longer be postponed.

The specific area requiring immediate attention is replacement of the steel structure which supports the dome. The elements have taken such a toll that, in places, one’s hand can be inserted through the metal.

$1 million still needed for radio station. [Page 2]

Feast letter: Extraordinary spirit marks Convention

Dear Friends:

This year's National Convention was a truly remarkable event. For several days before it opened on Thursday, May 26, the radio, television, and newspapers carried to every corner of the earth the President's appeal to Ayatollah Khomeini to spare the lives of innocent Bahá’ís sentenced to death in Shíráz.

On the eve of the Convention an impassioned New York Times editorial condemned the Shi’ite clerical Satanism.

AS THE CONVENTION opened, we sensed an extraordinary spirit among the 1,500 delegates and guests. Soon it became evident that the friends were bent on demonstrating to the world that no persecution can daunt them, and no adversity can divert them from the task of building the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh.

The defense of the Bahá’í community, its expansion and consolidation, the growth of the influence of the Faith on the life of humanity—these were some of the issues that inspired us all.

Confronted with the monumental tasks of teaching the Faith to the waiting masses, raising nearly 200 new Local Spiritual Assemblies by Ridván 1986, enrolling members of various ethnic minorities, sending pioneers abroad, improving community life, teaching the children and guiding the youth, we examined the means available to us and found them inadequate.

It was clear to all of us in the hall that we did not lack plans, nor did we lack the enthusiasm to fulfill them. We lacked funds.

The magnificent House of Worship in Wilmette has slowly deteriorated, is in danger of crumbling, and urgently needs repairs that have been postponed too long.

THE FIRST BAHÁ’Í radio station in North America must be built in less than a year's time at the Louis Gregory Institute in South Carolina at a cost of $1,000,000. The opportunities to make the Faith widely known, admired and respected must not be permitted to slip away.

In a spontaneous burst of generosity, the friends contributed nearly $50,000 on the spot. The delegates saw the insufficiency of the budget of $6,700,000 proposed by the National Spiritual Assembly and overwhelmingly requested that it be increased to $10,000,000.

One after another they rose to their feet to stress the need for taking the enthusiasm generated at the Convention to the rest of the community. Suddenly the friends broke into song. A wave of joy ran through the hall, lifting the heads and the hearts.

We felt united in our thoughts and views, we felt our purposes harmonized, we knew that the Bahá’í Fund was inseparable from all our other concerns. We were happy to give.

The Hand of the Cause of God William Sears reminded the friends of the Guardian's exhortation to vie with one another in serving the Cause.

As we listened to Mr. Sears' eloquent plea, we knew that the American Bahá’í community has the capacity and the will to win every goal placed before it by the Universal House of Justice, that we can achieve a $10,000,000 budget, we can repair our Temple—that brilliant symbol of the presence of the Faith in the heart of the North American continent, we can build the radio station at the Louis Gregory Institute, we can greatly increase enrollments, and we can through our joint sacrifices spiritualize our individual lives. Let us now turn from words to deeds.

With loving greetings,

denbud

The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States

Hour-long Bahá’í program airs in Asheville, North Carolina

Since last January an hour-long Bahá’í radio program has been aired each Sunday morning on WBMU-FM, a non-commercial station in Asheville, North Carolina.

The station, which has an especially loyal following among blacks in that western North Carolina area, is managed by Jim Robinson, a member of the Bahá’í community of Asheville.

The first half-hour of the program, locally produced, is entitled "Renewal of Civilization."

The second half-hour consists of segments of the "Fireside Playhouse" drama series.

As a result of the programs, the station has invited the Bahá’í community to produce a regular series of children's programs.

Publication Information

The American Bahá’í (USPS 042-430) Published monthly by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States, 536 Sheridan Road, Wilmette, IL 60091. Second class postage paid at Wilmette, IL Editor: Jack Bowers Associate Editor: David E. Ogron The American Bahá’í welcomes news, letters and other items of interest from individuals and the various institutions of the Faith. Articles should be written in a clear and concise manner; color or black and white glossy photos should be included whenever possible. Address all materials to The Editor, The American Bahá’í, Wilmette, IL 60091. Copyright 1983 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. World rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.

Dr. Carney: an able educator, administrator

In its letter of May 19 concerning the reorganization and expansion of the International Teaching Centre, the Universal House of Justice appointed four new Counsellor members of the Centre who will reside in the Holy Land.

AMONG the four is Dr. Magdalene M. Carney, a member of the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly since November 1970 who has served as its assistant secretary since May 1978.

Dr. Carney, a native of Tennessee, is a magna cum laude graduate in English and Spanish literature from Tennessee A&I State University in Nashville, and holds a master of arts degree from George Peabody College.

After 15 years as a classroom teacher, she was awarded a Ford fellowship at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst where she earned her doctorate degree in education in 1977.

Dr. Carney is a member of the American Public Health Association, the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, the Society for Emotionally Disturbed Children, the Huxley Institute, and the Linus Pauling Institute for Science and Medicine.

A Bahá’í since 1962, she has served on many local and national Bahá’í committees and has attended a number of international Bahá’í conferences.

Before her election to the National Spiritual Assembly, Dr. Carney was secretary of the Southern Regional Teaching Committee with headquarters in Mississippi.

The other Counsellors named by the Universal House of Justice to serve at the International Teaching Centre are Mas'ud Khamsi, Dr. Peter Khan and Isobel Sabri (see message from the House of Justice on Page 1.

DR. MAGDALENE CARNEY

Comment: Persian friends can help integrate themselves into their new 'home'

Part 2: Some duties of the Persian-speaking Bahá’ís residing in the United States

The subject of welcoming our brothers and sisters from Iran was covered in Part 1 of this series on Persian-American understanding. This article will further discuss the assimilation of Persians into our communities by examining some of the ways our newly arrived friends can help the Bahá’í community here in North America.

FORTUNATELY, we have considerable guidance, as the Universal House of Justice has addressed this very issue in letters written to Persian believers throughout the world on June 5, 1977; February 10, 1980; and September 4, 1981.

All of these letters stress the opportunities that have arisen from what might appear to be a negative situation, and exhort the Persian friends to use these opportunities to have their actions "match those of their brethren in the Cradle of our beloved Faith."

What, then, are the duties of those Persian Bahá’ís who come to the U.S.?

The first duty must be to integrate themselves into the American Bahá’í community. This, obvious as it may appear, can pose many problems.

The first of these is the question of translation. How much should be translated so that everyone present at a meeting can understand what is happening?

THIS question of translation is a vexing one that will continue to have importance as ethnic minorities of all kinds continue to enter the Faith.

Some communities have come to terms with the problem by using short summaries of important information which will be presented at Feast. Preparing these summaries ahead of time, or printing them in the newsletter, can also be helpful.

It should be remembered, however, that it is appropriate that Bahá’í meetings be held in the language of the country in which they are held.

Arrangements can be made to facilitate translation for others (someone quietly translating to a group at the back of the room, short summaries, or even using overhead projectors to write down the main points), but the meetings in this country should be held in English.

Persian Bahá’ís who plan to be in the U.S. for any length of time must therefore make every effort to learn English. Not only does so much emphasis on translation sap the energy of everyone involved, but more important, meetings in which Persian is predominantly spoken may scare away new or potential Bahá’ís.

NEWLY arrived Persians must realize that the Faith is relatively unknown in this country. Seekers attending a meeting that is dominated by Persian speakers may be inclined to dismiss the Faith as an "oriental cult" and never truly understand its world-embracing character.

Frozen out by excessive socializing in a language they don't understand, seekers may cease to attend our meetings. Surely no one who loves the Faith would wish this to happen.

Another problem Persian believers may face in adapting to their new American communities lies in the functioning of Bahá’í administration here.

Many of the Persian friends come from relatively large Bahá’í communities and have never served on a Local Spiritual Assembly. Suddenly, they are living in a community of 10 or so Bahá’ís.

No longer is there a large pool of experienced Bahá’ís to draw upon, and it sometimes comes as a profound shock for them to realize that there simply are no other people to do all the work that must be done.

In addition, procedures for running Assemblies and Feasts may differ from those to which they are accustomed.

THE BAHÁ’Í administration is a marvelously adaptable tool that can become an agent for unity and action in each country where it develops; thus it should not be

This is the second in a series of three articles about the assimilation of Persian believers into the mainstream of Bahá’í community life in the U.S. which have been written for The American Bahá’í by Julie Badiee, a member of the Persian Affairs Committee. [Page 3]

LETTERS

‘True’ Bahá’í education best for our children

To the Editor:

Since building the new World Order depends a great deal on the training and education that we give our children, perhaps the best way to speed up the process would be to study and meditate upon the compilation on Bahá’í education with special emphasis on its spiritual implications.

IT’S NOT that we can’t use the techniques of modern education and child psychology, but we must remember that with all the highly paid professional educators and psychologists our civilization is heading down the tubes.

First and foremost, we need the guidance that only a Messenger from God can give us—then we can use every other effective means to implement our efforts.

I would also like to suggest that we not use the term “Bahá’í education” for a course that spends 90 per cent of course time on modern child psychology, lesson plan techniques, learning centers, modeling, nuclear families, and role playing. I think we should clearly label what is from Bahá’í sources and what is not.

Material from Bahá’í sources can only bring us together, but we could disagree on material from outside sources, and the use of professional jargon tends to create more division than it does understanding.

When someone says, for example, that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was the perfect Exemplar, I am filled with understanding and respect. But when they say He was modeling or role playing, I feel resentment and anger. He was not acting; He was genuine.

Glenn Lissner Jackson, California

To the Editor:

To think that I would live to see an article such as “8-year-old Bahá’í beauty queen” appear in a Bahá’í newspaper!

I am truly overwhelmed with anger!

I am not disputing the fact that she is indeed a lovely child, “a flower in the garden”—but to display a young girl as a “beauty queen” is beyond my comprehension.

Are these the values for a new world? Yes, you can state all her achievements... scholarship, talent, charitable activities—but so does the Miss America pageant!

In the end, be it Bahá’í “new world order” or the “old world,” it’s still the same—sexism!

Elaine B. Rothseid New York City, New York

To the Editor:

In the January 1983 issue of The American Bahá’í, one of the friends writes that we should maintain a political standing in our U.S. government so that we will not lose our right to vote.

It has been my understanding as a Bahá’í for more than 10 years that we must not join political parties or become involved in politics. If you could advise me on what our official stand is, I would appreciate it.

Also, why don’t you answer some of the letters right there in the paper? I think you could clear up possible questions by doing so.

John P. Daley Jr. Camdenton, Missouri

(That’s a good idea. We’ll start with your letter. The letter to which you refer did not suggest that we “join political parties” or “become involved in politics,” only that we exercise the right to vote in elections and keep ourselves informed so that we are able to do so intelligently. The proper Bahá’í attitude toward politics is set forth by the Guardian in Principles of Bahá’í Administration (pp. 29-30): “The friends may vote, if they can do it, without identifying themselves with one party or another. To enter the arena of party politics is surely detrimental to the best interests of the Faith and will harm the Cause. It remains for the individuals to so use their right to vote as to keep aloof from party politics, and always bear in mind that they are voting on the merits of the individual, rather than because he belongs to one party or another. The matter must be made perfectly clear to the individuals, who will be left free to exercise their discretion and judgment.”—Ed.)

To the Editor:

For some time now I’ve been reading the letters to The American Bahá’í on “cousinhood.”

I have a mulatto nephew, and am often asked, “What color is he?”

Having sung “One Heart Ruby-Red” for about 10 years now, that is what I try to convey when I respond, “His heart is red.”

Rouvan Lubow Teaneck, New Jersey

To the Editor:

I am disturbed by some of the opinions expressed in the two-part series (March, April) on “True Feminism.”

The writer argues that a woman’s primary purposes in life are to give birth to and raise children, and that only from these acts can we realize our true potential and fulfill our spiritual destiny. Anything else we may achieve in life is “secondary in importance.”

IN supporting her thesis, she has drawn erroneous conclusions from the Writings on child-rearing and has neglected to consider other passages that would have lent a balance to her views, specifically those on the equality of men and women and work as worship.

True, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá has stated that a mother is of primary importance in the training of children, but nowhere in the Writings are women told that they must undertake to become mothers.

Motherhood is, as ‘Abdu’l-Bahá has stated, “a great and important affair”; however, it is not the only great or important affair open to women in the Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh.

It is absurd to believe that the great number of childless women who have served the Cause so well have somehow failed because they were not mothers.

Numerous passages in the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá explain that true equality between men and women will not be attained until women are active in every sphere of life (not just child-rearing):

“IN THIS Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, the women go neck and neck with the men. In no movement will they be left behind. They will enter all the administrative branches of politics. They will attain in all such a degree as will be considered the very highest station of the world of humanity and will take part in all affairs. Rest ye assured ... for His Holiness Bahá’u’lláh hath willed it so.” (Paris Talks, p. 182)

Women must not limit their achievements and deprive the world of their special talents and skills. Indeed, the writings specifically state that all persons (women and men) are obliged to undertake an occupation:

“Every individual, no matter how handicapped and limited he may be, is under the obligation of engaging in some work or profession...” (Shoghi Effendi, Principles of Bahá’í Administration, p. 12)

“The best of men are they that earn a livelihood by their calling...” (Bahá’u’lláh, The Hidden Words)

I am especially concerned about the effect of the writer’s suggestion that young women, in order to prepare for motherhood, be counseled to plan their education for “occupations that offer flexible hours, or that can be done at home...”

If this advice is followed, it will serve only to perpetuate the unequal distribution of occupations between the sexes, preventing women from participating “fully and equally in the affairs of the world.” (‘Abdu’l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 130)

SURELY it is a sad waste of human resources if we confine all women to the household when they are capable of taking their place in the world side by side with and equal to men.

When women enter into all of the careers and areas of life traditionally dominated by men, the characteristics of the “man’s world” that bothered the writer will disappear.

There are no “natural” roles for women or men except for those that are created and nurtured by our own cultural background.

We need to rise above the limitations placed on us by society, rather than use the Writings to justify them. Bahá’u’lláh’s purpose is to create a new world; He did not come to sanction the status quo.

Finally, I must protest on behalf of fathers who are taking a strong role in rearing their children. To dismiss their efforts as “current fashion” is to do them a grave injustice.

Fathers are admonished by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to participate fully in the upbringing of their children:

“The father must always endeavor to educate his son and to acquaint him with the heavenly teachings. He must give him advice and exhort him at all times, teach him praiseworthy conduct and character, enable him to receive training at school...

“In brief, let him instill in his mind the virtues and perfections. Above all he should continually call to his mind the remembrance of God so that his throbbing veins and arteries may pulsate with the love of God.” (‘Abdu’l-Bahá, “Writings and Statements on Bahá’í Family Life,” compiled by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice, Bahá’í National Review, July 1982)

Catherine Elliott, PhD. Williamsburg, Virginia

To the Editor:

It’s good to see that Bahá’ís in America are becoming aware of the difference between the Bahá’í Faith (defined by the Universal House of Justice in its letter on Bahá’í scholarship as “the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh; His own words as interpreted by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and the Guardian”) and the Bahá’ís themselves—we who are the followers of the Faith.

While this awareness may manifest itself initially in a tendency to criticize ourselves, other Bahá’ís, and even our present day Bahá’í administration (as serious as that last can be), I cannot but believe this to be a stage we are moving through on our way to our spiritual destiny as given by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in The Tablets of the Divine Plan and further explained by Shoghi Effendi in The Advent of Divine Justice.

In fact, we Bahá’ís, in relation to our Faith, may be in a position similar to the blind men and the elephant, some thinking it to be a rope, some a snake, others a wall, and so on, heedless of the unarguable fact that no one individual or group of individuals, even no Bahá’í institution except the Universal House of Justice alone has the necessary guidance to make over-all authoritative state—

Submission Policy

The American Bahá’í welcomes letters to the editor on any subject of general interest. Letters should be as brief as possible, and are subject to editing for length and style. Please address letters to The Editor, The American Bahá’í, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

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[Page 4]

Champion Builders: May Ellis Maxwell

“Whosoever meets her feels from her association the susceptibilities of the Kingdom. Her company uplifts and develops the soul...”

Thus did the Master, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, describe the special qualities of May Maxwell.

BORN January 14, 1870, in Englewood, New Jersey, May Ellis Bolles spent her early years in the home of her maternal grandfather. As a child and throughout her life she suffered from ill health.

With other members of her family, May made two visits to France including one period during which she was in a convent school and an 11-year-long residence in Paris where her brother, Randolph, was studying architecture.

It was while she was in Paris in November 1898 that Mrs. Phoebe Hearst, a close friend of the family, arrived with a party of Americans including Lua Getsinger who were en route to the Holy Land to visit ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

May was immediately attracted to the Faith, and was invited by Mrs. Hearst to join the group of pilgrims.

She later wrote of her transforming experiences with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in a booklet entitled An Early Pilgrimage, which was published in 1917. Under the Master’s direction, she returned to Paris and began her long and extensive teaching activities.

MAY gathered about her a group that by 1901-02 numbered about 30 Bahá’ís and included Hippolyte Dreyfus, the first French Bahá’í; Thomas Breakwell, the first English Bahá’í; Herbert Hooper, Laura Clifford Barney, and Agnes Alexander.

In 1899, her brother, Randolph, had introduced her to William Sutherland Maxwell, a Canadian

74th National Convention

...respect for a remarkable man—their warm and caring friend—who has devoted much of his adult life to serving the Cause of God.

They came expecting to be thrilled, uplifted, and galvanized to action by the eloquence of his voice and the depth of his spirit, and Mr. Sears did not disappoint them.

“The beloved Guardian,” he said, “gave us the key to victory on the homefront in The Advent of Divine Justice. We need only read that book and carry out its marvelous instructions to assure that vast increase in numbers” that is a prerequisite to the ultimate triumph of the Cause.

Of all the people on earth, Mr. Sears pointed out, we are the only ones blessed with knowledge of the divine guidance showered upon mankind by the Báb, Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the beloved Guardian, and now the Universal House of Justice.

“With such knowledge,” he said, “how can we possibly fail?”

Mr. Sears urged the friends, as the Guardian had, to “vie with one another” in serving the Cause.

THE opportunity to serve God through teaching His Faith, he said, “is our greatest gift, for which we should be eternally grateful.”

The Hand of the Cause spoke twice at Convention—Saturday evening and Sunday morning.

During his first address to the 74th Bahá’í National Convention, the Hand of the Cause of God William Sears discusses “the gift” of teaching God’s Cause and the infallible guidance given to every Bahá’í by the Central Figures of the Faith, the Guardian, and the Universal House of Justice.

During his second talk Mr. Sears transported his audience to the fifth Bahá’í International Convention in Haifa, Israel, recreating for them that breathless moment when it was announced that all members of the National Spiritual Assembly of Iran had voted by mail.

“If I were a movie director,” he said, “and had wanted to write the most dramatic scene one could imagine, I could not have improved upon the scene that took place in the Seat of the Universal House of Justice” when those delegates from all over the world learned that their brothers and sisters in Iran had managed to cast their votes to elect the Supreme Body of the Faith.

The silence was so profound, he said, “that one could almost hear it.” This was followed by a crescendo of applause so loud and so prolonged that “the people in Haifa must have wondered what was going on up there on that mountain.”

Much of Mr. Sears’ Sunday talk was devoted to reminiscences, often humorous, of his friends and colleagues, the late Hands of the Cause of God Rahmatu’lláh Muhájir, Abu’l-Qásim Faizi and Paul Haney.

In bidding the friends goodbye, Mr. Sears said he would remain after the Convention to greet anyone who wished to say hello or simply wanted to exchange hugs.

“I’ll be here until sundown if necessary,” he said.

And those who know William Sears knew that he meant it.

The International Teaching Centre

...following the International Bahá’í Convention, and the current term will end on 23 May 1988.

Should circumstances prevent the Universal House of Justice from making new appointments at the end of any five-year term, the Counsellors will remain in office until such time as new appointments can be made.

With the rapid growth of the Faith, its emergence from obscurity, and the diversification of the activities that the believers in many lands must undertake in such fields as education, rural development, radio and public relations—matters which must increasingly occupy the attention of the Universal House of Justice—we have decided that the time is ripe to devolve increased responsibility upon the International Teaching Centre in the fields of protection and propagation of the Faith.

The duties of the International Teaching Centre, including those announced previously and those now being assigned to it, are as follows:

TO ASSUME full responsibility for coordinating, stimulating and directing the Continental Boards of Counsellors, acting also as liaison between them and the Universal House of Justice.

To be fully informed of the situation of the Cause in all parts of the world and, from this knowledge, to make reports and recommendations to the Universal House of Justice and give advice to the Continental Boards of Counsellors.

To watch over the security and ensure the protection of the Faith of God.

To be alert to possibilities for the extension of the teaching work and the development of economic and social life both within and without the Bahá’í community, and to draw the attention of the Universal House of Justice and the Continental Board of Counsellors to such possibilities, making recommendations for action.

To determine and anticipate needs for literature, pioneers and traveling teachers and to work out teaching plans, both regional and global, for the approval of the Universal House of Justice.

To direct the work of the Continental Pioneer Committees.

To administer the expenditure of the International Deputization Fund.

To administer an annual budget that will be provided from the Bahá’í International Fund, allocating therefrom to the Continental Boards of Counsellors monies for special teaching projects and literature subvention, and, when necessary, contributions to the Continental Funds.

THE TRANSFER of functions and responsibilities in implementation of the above decisions will be made gradually as the new members are able to settle in the Holy Land.

National Spiritual Assemblies and Continental Pioneer Committees will be notified, as necessary, of any changes in procedure that will be required; in the meantime they should continue to operate as before.

In the near future the International Teaching Centre will be moving into its new offices near the House of the Master, in the building which served for several decades as the Western Pilgrim House, later as the seat of the International Bahá’í Council and, for the past 20 years as that of the Universal House of Justice.

Now, most befittingly, it will serve as the office of the International Teaching Centre until the permanent building for that mighty institution can be raised on Mount Carmel in close proximity to the Universal House of Justice.

It is our ardent prayer that the decisions now taken will be blessed by Bahá’u’lláh and will enable the World Centre of the Faith to coordinate and direct with ever greater effectiveness the self-sacrificing and assiduous labors of the friends of God in every part of the world during the challenging years which lie before us.

The Universal House of Justice May 19, 1983

Announcements

A REMINDER TO BAHÁ’Í COLLEGE CLUBS: Monies raised by college clubs can only be used for college club activities. They cannot be donated to Local Spiritual Assemblies, the National Fund, or any other institution or committee associated with the Faith.

If there are any questions about this policy, please contact the National Youth Committee at 305-462-1919.

1. THE BAB 2. BAHÁ’U’LLAH 3. ABDUL-BAHA 4. SHOGHI EFFENDI 5. THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

Service for the Blind

AVAILABLE NOW In Braille or on tape— Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh • The Priceless Pearl More than 80 other titles

For a catalog send $1 to: Bahá’í Service for the Blind 3110 East Lester St. Tucson, AZ 85716 (Please specify complete catalog or catalog for tapes and cassettes only) [Page 5]

Fund contributions up, but still short of goal

At the 74th Bahá’í National Convention in late May, the National Spiritual Assembly presented to the delegates a financial report some 17 pages long. It included: a financial highlights table; charts and tables depicting the summaries of revenue, expenses, transfers to other Funds, assets, liabilities, and Fund balance as of April 30; discussions of the National Fund's financial condition and of the various financial statements shown; combined balance sheets; and notes to the various financial statements that were included.

That much in-depth information cannot be included in this publication because of the space it would require, but the National Spiritual Assembly wants the community to have access to a summary of information, which is shown below. Any Bahá’í who would like a copy of the full financial report is encouraged to request one from the Office of the Treasurer.

Janet Bucknell, one of several 'master chefs' at the Office of the Treasurer, helps stir up support for WLGI Radio during the 74th Bahá’í National Convention by asking the friends to 'put something in the pot' to help the new station get off the ground.

Highlights of the year

1. A dramatic and historic outpouring of contributions was experienced during the last Bahá’í month of the fiscal year. Never before has as much as $572,000 been contributed during a single 19-day period.

2. Total contributions to the National Fund were $5,840,000—an increase of 3 per cent from the previous year. However, this amount was $640,000 short of the $6,480,000 national contributions goal.

3. Further growth in the number of individual believers contributing to the National Fund on a monthly basis was experienced. The 16 per cent increase realized this year—from an average of 4,324 per month in 1982 to 5,012 in 1983—represents steady progress toward the National Spiritual Assembly's goal of 20,000 monthly contributors. Further progress in the area of individual participation is seen as the key to meeting the future needs of the National Fund.

National Bahá’í Fund—Individual Participation (monthly average)

4. Participation by Local Spiritual Assemblies remained unchanged for the year, with an average of 703 Assemblies contributing each month. This statistic is not expected to improve significantly until the more than 450 Assemblies that are classified as "non-functioning" can be nurtured into action. National Treasurer's Representatives continue to work directly with Assemblies that contribute occasionally to the National Fund to help them improve their pattern of regular giving.

National Bahá’í Fund—Assembly Participation (monthly average)

5. Over-all expenses for the year decreased at the same time that contributions increased (while some expenses increased, such as an additional $10,000 being contributed to support construction of the Houses of Worship in India and Samoa and $123,000 being spent in the area of teaching and consolidation due to the reopening of the Louhelen Bahá’í School and an increase in activities at the other summer schools, these expenses were offset by lowered general, administrative and interest expenses).

This allowed for an excess of revenue over expenses of $192,000, which contrasts favorably with the previous three years in which expenses exceeded revenue.

6. Due to the excess of revenue over expenses, the Fund balance deficit which has built up over the last three years was reduced to $1,213,000. At this point, the financial condition of the Fund continues to be a cause of concern for the National Spiritual Assembly because of the size of the deficit. The goal is to reduce the deficit in stages over the next several years.

7. The net value of property and equipment increased by $2,372,000 during the fiscal year ended April 30, 1983. This is attributable to such projects as:

The Louhelen Bahá’í School being completed, with the construction of the school complex, the restoration of the old farm house to serve as an administrator's residence, and the remodeling of the old Louhelen School building to serve as an indoor recreational facility.

• Work begun on the reconstruction of the Haziratu’l-Quds at 536 Sheridan Road in Wilmette. The project was substantially completed by the year's end.

. A hogan (meeting hall) was completed at the Southwest Bahá’í Institute in Arizona.

Remodeling work was completed on the entrance to Foundation Hall at the Bahá’í House of Worship.

It is encouraging to report that the financial condition of the National Fund has improved this past year as a result of the greater numbers of believers who are contributing.

The National Spiritual Assembly cannot begin to acknowledge the heartwarming outpouring of love and sacrifice from so many of the friends during the final weeks of the year in response to the critical needs of the Fund. This, more than anything, demonstrated the power of unified action and sacrifice.

The pressures being placed on the Fund increase with each passing year. At this exciting stage in the development of the Faith, the National Spiritual Assembly continues to rely upon the loving and sacrificial support of each member of the American Bahá’í community to meet the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Sales of 'Let's Get Cooking' bubbling nicely

UNIPAR, the Master Chef of one of the WLGI fund-raising projects, was recently interviewed about the successful blending of the first several ingredients.

He was pleased to report that sales of "Let's Get Cooking" are bubbling nicely, a number of communities are enthusiastically engaged in cooking up their own local fund-raisers, and the Treasurer's Office has received more than $190,000 toward the project—$43,000 in cash contributions and about $150,000 in equipment donations.

Bolstered by the efforts of some Assistant Chefs during the National Convention, the "Let's Get Cooking" cookbook received a hearty response from Convention participants.

Their four-star ratings ranged from many individual purchases to delegates and NTRS carting away batches of the cookbooks to do a little WLGI fund-raising at home.

The Master Chef and his assistants have since received many little "recipes" from around the country for ways in which every local community can whip up some "dough" to support the radio station, and UNIPAR has asked that a few be printed here:

Hold a "Let's Get Cooking" cook-off—community members make and donate some of the dishes found in the cookbook and hold a fund-raiser—the friends can either pay an entrance fee to sample the food, or "vie" with one another to pay the most for the dish they want.

Establish a specific community fund goal to reach in support of WLGI. One community is having two goals—one especially for the children and one for the community in general—and they're making a special "radio station" bank to use at the Feasts.

• Hold a "non-dinner"—advertise it in the bulletin, print a "menu," ask for "reservations" at $ each and then "hold" the dinner—only no one really goes—instead, they give the money to the fund-raising efforts for WLGI!

Chef UNIPAR warmly encourages everyone to concoct whatever ideas they can to make sure there's enough in the pot to help get WLGI on the air by December.

He also requests that the friends send in their ideas to the Treasurer's Office (that's in Cook County, Illinois!) so that they can be shared. Happy cooking!

Feature Recipe of the Month

(Plenty of cookbooks remain for everyone who wants to get "cooking" for WLGI. For those who haven't had the chance to get one, this page will feature a recipe sample each month—to help galvanize stomach, mind and pocketbook! For details on ordering the cookbook, write to the Office of the Treasurer.)

This month's selection comes from the first section in the cookbook—Holy Days and Special Events—and was submitted to us by Jean and Bill Harley of Minnesota:

Baked Indian Pudding

1 c. yellow granulated corn meal 1/2 c. black molasses 1/4 c. sugar 1/4 c. butter 1/4 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. baking soda 2 eggs 1 1/2 qt. hot milk

Mix the ingredients thoroughly with half of the milk (3/4 qt.). Bake in very hot oven until it boils. Stir in the remaining hot milk and bake in slow oven heat or crock pot for 5-7 hours. Bake in well-greased stone crock. Serve warm topped with vanilla ice cream. Hint: This is the world famous Durqin Park (Boston) Indian Pudding recipe. It is worth the trouble. We only make this once or twice a year on Holy Days, and it has become a tradition that makes the days more special for our family. [Page 6]

National Spiritual Assembly’s annual report

The annual report of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States, Ridván 1983.

The year 139 B.E. was a year of tragedy and triumph, of pain and exhilaration, of loss and gain. American Bahá’ís keenly felt the agony of their Iranian brothers and sisters who were exposed to attacks unparalleled in viciousness and intensity since the early days of the Cause.

THOSE same attacks, however, opened the door to an unprecedented public recognition of the Faith and its gradual emergence from obscurity.

The election of Glenford Mitchell to the Universal House of Justice deprived the National Spiritual Assembly of a secretary who had served it with exemplary dedication and style for 15 years. The sadness we felt at his departure was mitigated by the knowledge that his talents were to be put to the service of the entire Bahá’í world.

The untimely and heartbreaking death of Dan Jordan, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly for 19 years, was a heavy blow from which we have not yet recovered.

A third member of our Assembly, Magdalene Carney, a strong, steady, and wise servant of the Cause, has been called away to serve as a Counsellor at the International Teaching Centre in Haifa. We will not replace her easily and will miss her devotion and friendship.

In the past year no activity rivaled in scope and significance the work done by the agencies of the Faith in winning government support for our campaign to help the persecuted Bahá’í community of Iran.

IN MAY 1982 three members of the National Spiritual Assembly and Mrs. Ramna Mahmoudi Nourani, both of whose parents had attained martyrdom, testified at hearings conducted by the Subcommittee on Human Rights and International Organizations of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives.

The hearings brought a great deal of publicity to the Faith, won it the respect and admiration of many prominent individuals, and made the Iranian persecution a national concern of the United States.

A video tape recording of the hearings was seen by hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions, of viewers who were thus enabled to witness a moment of historic significance.

A month later the U.S. Senate passed Resolution Number 73 condemning Iran's treatment of the Bahá’ís. In July the House of Representatives debated its own version of the resolution, which was tabled in favor of the Concurrent Resolution Number 73 and passed by the House of Representatives in September.

SHORTLY thereafter Representatives Derwinski, Bonker and Leach addressed a letter to the President of the United States, urging him to endorse the Congressional resolution and to instruct government agencies to give the Bahá’ís all possible assistance.

Soon afterward, Rep. Derwinski was appointed a counselor in the Department of State. To express our gratitude to him, the National Spiritual Assembly gave a luncheon in his honor. A letter from President Reagan, mentioning the National Spiritual Assembly's action, was read at the luncheon by the chairman of the National Assembly.

Our Washington efforts were culminated on May 22, 1983, when President Reagan issued a strong statement protesting the killing of Bahá’ís, calling upon the Iranian authorities to spare the lives of those who had been condemned to death, and inviting other world leaders to join him in appealing in behalf of the Bahá’ís to the government of Iran.

The President's statement brought an avalanche of newspaper stories, and a flood of telephone calls to the National Center, and resulted in the mention of the Faith on national radio and television networks.

The wide publicity was one of the principal results of the efforts of the National Spiritual Assembly and its Public Affairs Office.

THE Congress itself officially published a complete transcript of the May hearings. The prepared testimony appeared also in the Spring issue of World Order which was distributed to government officials, to Congress and the media.

The fall issue of World Order magazine carried letters of the martyrs. As a result, World Order was named and quoted in an editorial in The New York Times. Articles on the persecutions appeared in many journals including The New York Review of Books (May 13, 1982) and The New Republic (June 16, 1982).

The National Spiritual Assembly wishes to acknowledge the role played by the public relations firm of Hill and Knowlton, and in particular of Mrs. Marjorie Sonnenfeldt, in facilitating our work in Washington and in helping to bring our story to the communications media.

The stream of events that occurred in the past year was too broad and deep to be encompassed in a brief report. Here we can only mention some highlights.

THE YOUTH were active on 281 campuses as members of Bahá’í college clubs and on uncounted other campuses as individuals. They distributed among students and faculty at least 3,500 copies of Mr. William Sears' book, A Cry from the Heart. Twenty-two youths settled in pioneer posts abroad, while others taught or settled on the homefront.

The International Goals Committee continued to function with its accustomed efficiency and excellent spirit. Some 262 pioneers were placed in foreign goals.

The fortitude of the Bahá’ís in the Falkland Islands during the recent war attracted the attention of the world press and resulted in very favorable publicity. The nonpartisan attitude of the friends, their desire to serve all those who were in need of help, and their love of peace were noted by many reporters.

The National Education Committee was happy to see the Louhelen School rise phoenix-like from the ashes. The new facility was dedicated by the National Spiritual Assembly in October 1982 and has since become the focus of multifarious activities that frequently involved the local population.

THE NATIONAL Teaching Committee achieved one of its important goals when the Southwest Bahá’í Institute was dedicated by the National Spiritual Assembly in September.

While the number of enrollments this year was disappointingly low, the number of Local Spiritual Assemblies rose to 1,678. Particularly noteworthy was the small number of Assemblies lost by Ridván.

The Bahá’í Publishing Trust had a truly successful year. Its financial position has improved immensely, permitting the Trust to repay its debt to the banks.

The publication of the first full-length biography of the illustrious Louis Gregory, To Move the World, proved an outstanding publishing event.

The Race Unity Committee, after a slow start, began to take hold of its duties and to devise programs that will continue to keep "the most challenging issue" before the Bahá’í community.

THE PERSIAN Affairs Committee increased its influence and effectiveness through the formation of 10 or more regional committees, the holding of several conferences designed to help Iranian Bahá’ís fully to participate in the life and work of the American Bahá’í community, and the reprinting of selected Scriptures in Persian and Arabic.

The translation into Persian of the Synopsis and Codification of the Laws and Ordinances of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas was an event of signal importance.

We were privileged to have among us for four months the Hand of the Cause of God ‘Alí Akbar Furútan who devoted his time to the education and encouragement of all Bahá’ís but primarily of Iranian friends for whom special classes have been organized with the help of the Continental Board of Counsellors.

This report would be incomplete if it failed to mention the increasing cooperation between the elective and appointive institutions of the Cause.

The Continental Board of Counsellors has given the National Assembly unstinting support in every sphere of activity. The advice and affectionate concern of the Counsellors, the generously rendered services of the Auxiliary Board, and the ubiquitous activity of its assistants, were instrumental in the achievement of every goal that we won last year.

As we enter the closing years of the Seven Year Plan our thoughts rush to the immediate future. The National Spiritual Assembly has no doubt that the foundation of victory has been carefully laid. The various agencies of the Faith at the National Center and throughout the length and breadth of this great land are poised for further advances.

The Universal House of Justice more than ever relies upon this blessed community to be the champion-builders of the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh. Does anyone doubt that we shall once again rise to the challenge and justify the hopes placed in the American Bahá’ís by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and the Guardian?

National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States

New TV series set

The Public Affairs Committee of the Bahá’ís of Greater Omaha, Nebraska, helped by KMTV in that city, has produced a new television series on the Faith.

The series, entitled "Spiritual Springtime," was first broadcast on May 22 and was to continue for 13 weeks. [Page 7]

HALEH NADJI

Young Bahá’í from Iran an honor roll student in Florida

Haleh Nadji, a Bahá’í youth from Duval County, Florida, has been in this country with her parents and sisters only since the revolution in Iran, but she has made amazing strides scholastically for a 15-year-old high school student.

An honor roll student, Haleh has received a special letter of commendation from Herbert Sang, the superintendent of schools in Duval County, and is mentioned in the 1982-83 edition of Who’s Who Among American High School Students.

When she isn’t earning straight A’s at Fletcher Senior High School, Haleh enjoys playing the piano by ear, is treasurer of the Bahá’í Youth Club of Northern Florida and secretary of the Youth Explorer Group.

Her parents, Manocher and Pouran Nadji, serve as secretary and treasurer, respectively, of the Spiritual Assembly of Atlantic Beach.

Deepening an important facet of U.S. Youth Plan

One of the goals established in the National Youth Plan for the present phase of the Seven Year Plan is that of deepening in the Writings of the Faith.

Youth are asked to study "a portion of the Creative Word daily," and to "develop the habit of memorizing portions of the Sacred Texts" as well as "participate in youth study classes," all in an effort to develop a deeper understanding of the Faith and, in turn, to confirm our belief and motivate us in service to the Cause.

THERE are several avenues open to youth for deepening. Among them is participation in local deepening programs.

These may be officially sponsored activities or merely informal rap sessions set up to study the Writings of the Faith.

Participating in group study holds a distinct advantage when the individuals share their responses to the subject matter and discuss the application of the lessons in one’s daily life.

If your community has no deepening program, why not help get one started?

You might bring up the subject at the Nineteen Day Feast and ask the Assembly to consider establishing a regular study session, or simply invite a few friends over to discuss a Bahá’í book you’ve been reading and then help the meeting grow into a regular gathering.

ANOTHER avenue for deepening is that of personal study. This requires some personal discipline—discipline that pays off in the development of a regular habit of studying the Sacred Texts.

The fid requirement is that of setting aside some time to read the Writings and to reflect on their meanings and implications. Youth are urged to develop this important daily habit in their early years.

Attending Bahá’í summer and winter schools and institutes affords another fine opportunity to deepen in the Faith.

Whenever possible, youth should attend sessions at these schools, not only to immerse themselves in the content of the courses offered, but to enjoy the fellowship that is fostered when Bahá’ís gather to study the Faith.

Youth conferences are another fine opportunity for learning more about the Faith. The spirit born out of these gatherings often gives us a fresh spark of inspiration that motivates our actions of service to the Cause.

THE NATIONAL Youth Committee is working to develop a correspondence course for youth. Its aim will be to provide Bahá’í youth with yet another avenue for deepening their understanding and knowledge of the Writings of the Faith.

Anyone who has access to course formats that have been previously developed is urged to share his materials with the National Youth Committee. You may write to the Youth Committee at Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315.

Shown are Bahá’í youth who participated April 16-17 in the first statewide gathering of youth from northern and southern Minnesota. The event was held at Bemidji.

Pictured here are youth who gathered March 25-27 at the Oregon Regional Youth Conference.

Campus provides many opportunities to teach the Cause

Attention, freshmen and returning college students:

Those youth who will be entering college this fall face a host of special opportunities for teaching and proclaiming the Faith.

THE COLLEGE campus is a unique environment with a diverse population that offers a variety of possibilities for making friends and enrolling new supporters for the Cause.

Among the students can be found individuals with seeking minds who often are eager to learn about the healing Message of Bahá’u’lláh.

Students from foreign countries form a special segment of the student population, and Bahá’í students can offer friendship, hospitality and service to these far-from-home peers.

Minorities on campus such as Native Americans, Hispanics or blacks can also be especially receptive to the teachings of the Faith, and Bahá’í students can and should make a special effort to share the Message with them.

The faculty are another key target for teaching and proclaiming the Faith. They are among that distinct group of "leaders of thought and people in authority" that the Universal House of Justice has urged us to acquaint with the tenets of the Cause during the remaining years of the Seven Year Plan.

NOW, during the final days of summer, is the time to develop our plans for reaching and teaching these people.

Youth who will be entering college will want to ascertain whether a Bahá’í College Club is formed and functioning on campus.

If so, be sure to join in its activities and support its plans. If no club exists, form one!

(By the way, only 30 more clubs are needed to win the goal of 500 College Clubs for the Youth Plan, and in most cases only two Bahá’ís are needed to get one formed.)

If you are uncertain about the status of the club on your campus, the National Youth Committee will be happy to supply you with the information. Simply fill out the coupon, send it to the Committee, and we’ll respond as quickly as possible.

Name Address City School Phone ( ). State Zip

Please send me information on the status of the Bahá’í College Club at the above-named college. (Mail coupon to The National Youth Committee, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315.)

The Youth Committee will also be sending information kits to students working on getting new clubs formed and functioning.

Also being prepared are materials to promote the theme "Wage Peace Through the Elimination of Prejudice," which will be the focus of a nationwide proclamation effort on college campuses during the 1983-84 school year.

Faith is proclaimed through music, drama

"The Human Family—Coming of Age" was the theme of an evening of music and dramatic readings presented May 8 by the Bahá’í community of New Canaan, Connecticut.

Included in the program were writings by Ruth Rosenwald, a Bahá’í from Weston, Connecticut, presented with a musical backdrop of recorded selections from Beethoven to "Star Wars."

Music was also provided by Fortress, a group composed of singer/songwriters Leona and Larry Hosack of New Canaan.

BARBARA J. HIGGINS

Bahá’í youth gains top honors in women’s track

Barbara J. Higgins, a 19-year-old Bahá’í from Amherst, Massachusetts, who will begin her junior year at Boston University this fall, was recently named to the women’s college All-America track team for the 1982-83 winter indoor season.

Miss Higgins won the honor by placing sixth in the 1,000-yard run in the NCAA championships at Pontiac, Michigan.

She is also the current New England collegiate champion in the 1,500-meter event.

A special education major with better than a 3-point grade average, Miss Higgins has been a Bahá’í for two years and is secretary of the Bahá’í Club at Boston University.

Last year, Miss Higgins, who also holds a part-time job at a local radio station, was selected a Dean’s hostess to serve at various school-sponsored public functions.

This is an honor given to those students who best combine extracurricular activities and good grades. [Page 8]

EDUCATION

Assembly Development Program Bahá’í Schools Brilliant Star (Child’s Way) Magazine Local Education Adviser Program Personal Transformation Program

Louhelen’s busy August schedule

A full slate of August programs highlights Louhelen’s first summer of operation.

“We begin August 5-7 with a weekend with the Hand of the Cause of God Zikrullah Khadem,” says Mrs. Paula Drewek, secretary of the Louhelen Council.

The following week, August 7-12, Auxiliary Board member Javidukht Khadem is to teach a course entitled “Shoghi Effendi, Guardian, Sign of God, Unique and Priceless Pearl.”

The third week, August 14-20, is the Intensive Adult Study Program on marriage, to be conducted by Dr. Hossain Danesh and an interdisciplinary team of about 15 research assistants from the U.S. and Canada—a program co-sponsored by the Association for Bahá’í Studies and the Louhelen Council.

August 21-26, says Mrs. Drewek, “has been designated as ‘Singles Week.’”

Auxiliary Board member Ronna Santoscoy will teach a course on attaining mental and spiritual well-being, and Mrs. Elizabeth Haynes, who recently returned to the U.S. after serving in the Secretariat at the World Centre in Haifa, will teach a course on the role of the Holy Spirit in spiritual growth.

A session on Bahá’í family life August 28-September 1 will be conducted by Dr. Dan Popov and Mrs. Linda Kavelin Popov who did such an outstanding job of leading Louhelen’s Marriage Enrichment Institute last February.

All sessions include programs for children ages 0-12. Programs for youth ages 13-20 will be held August 5-7, 7-12 and August 28-September 1.

To make reservations, send a $10 non-refundable deposit, per person, to the registrar, Louhelen Bahá’í School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423. For information phone 313-653-5033.

Among the group attending ‘Senior Citizens Week’ June 5-10, at the Louhelen Bahá’í School were two Knights of Bahá’u’lláh, an Auxiliary Board member, and two assistants to the Auxiliary Board. Three had met ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, at least eight have been pioneers overseas, and eight are now serving on Local Spiritual Assemblies. The group represents more than 1,300 years of Bahá’í membership, with about 400 years of service on Local Assemblies. Pictured in the front row (left to right) are Coral Varo, Katherine Perrot, Isabelle Windust, Mary Wolter, Adele Varo, Violet Clark, Dr. Rose Helper, Florence Mattoon Zmeskal, Helen McClusky, Lillian Richards, Emily Chavous; in the second row (left to right) are Phil Cavanagh, Richard Davison, Thelma Blackmon, Barbara Willson, Eleanor Hutchens, Sylvia Paine Parmelee, Betty Kappus, Dr. David Earl, Cora Oliver, Mary Cendrowski, Florence Kibbey, Sarah Davison; in the back row (left to right) are Earl Herider, Fred Kappus, Robert Willson, George Kibbey, and Dr. Rexford Parmelee. Not pictured are Christine McKay, Aline Cowan, Betsy Richard and Bob Richard.

30 ‘senior citizens’ enjoy Louhelen program

On June 5-10, a group of 30 senior citizens gathered at the Louhelen Bahá’í School in Michigan for what is thought to be the first such program held in the American Bahá’í community.

“The program was a great success,” says Dr. Geoffry Marks, Louhelen’s director of academic affairs. “The group had a wonderful time together. Everyone was so appreciative, so courteous and happy.”

The week’s courses included “Bahá’ís Who Have Distinguished Themselves Through Service in the Latter Years,” taught by Dr. Rexford Parmelee and Mrs. Sylvia Paine Parmelee; and talks on prayer and meditation and the equality of men and women by Mrs. Florence Mattoon Zmeskal, and on Albert Windust by his daughter, Miss Isabelle Windust. (Cassette tapes of the classes are available.)

The group also listened to tapes of talks at the National Convention by the Hand of the Cause of God William Sears and by Glenford Mitchell, a member of the Universal House of Justice.

Recreational activities, coordinated by Robert and Barbara Willson, included daily yoga exercises, square dancing, walks, croquet, group singing, and the reading of a play about Local Spiritual Assembly consultation written by the Hand of the Cause of God Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum.

A highlight of the week was a visit by Dr. David Earl, an Auxiliary Board member in Guam, who formerly lived in Michigan and attended Louhelen in its early days.

Those attending unanimously requested that the program become an annual event, and resolved to tell their friends about it so that more will come next year.

The more than 200 children at the 74th Bahá’í National Convention in May enjoyed a variety of classes and other activities provided for them by the National Education Committee. This youngster is trying to decide whether the answer to a puzzle is ‘out of her reach.’

Louhelen Bahá’í School schedules Labor Day ‘Homecoming’ event

Labor Day weekend, September 2-5, will mark the first Homecoming of Louhelen School alumni since the new facility was reopened.

“Homecoming is a tradition at Louhelen,” says Mrs. Lisa Irish, recording secretary of the Louhelen Council, “and we’re happy to be resuming this tradition at the new school. This year’s Homecoming should be especially joyous.”

The weekend will include ample time for socializing, talks by distinguished guests, and the first meeting of the Friends of Louhelen, at which the Louhelen Council will present a report of the school’s activities during its first year of operation, invite consultation, and talk about the goals for the school’s second year.

Present at the Homecoming will be the National Education Committee, which appoints, guides and directs the affairs of Bahá’í schools throughout the U.S. A program for children and youth ages 0-21 will be provided.

Those who are interested in attending may send a $10 non-refundable deposit to the registrar, Louhelen Bahá’í School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423. For information, telephone 313-653-5033.

Green Acre School slates intensive study course on Islam in August

The Green Acre Bahá’í School in Eliot, Maine, will hold a special intensive course on Islam during the week of August 8-12.

In addition to a morning class on Islam, Mrs. Afaf Stevens will teach another 10-hour course on that topic each afternoon.

The class will meet each day from 2 to 4 p.m. at Fellowship House and will include lectures, discussions and research assignments.

Students are encouraged to bring a copy of the Qur’án, preferably the Sale or Rodwell translation.

Mrs. Stevens was born in Baghdad, earned her M.Ed. degree from the University of Massachusetts, and has taught Islam, economics and other subjects at both Bahá’í and secular schools in East Africa and the U.S. [Page 9]

Educational materials, aids offered

Child/parent education materials presently available from the National Education Committee:

• Guidelines for Organizing a Bahá’í Children's Class Program. Do you want to start a Bahá’í children's class in your community? Here are simple and straight forward guidelines for doing so. Also included is a community deepening on Bahá’í child education and sample mandates for an intercommunity class program. Cost: $4.

Developing Bahá’í lesson plans: Workshops I and II. If Bahá’í lesson plans are to be different from and better than other lesson plans, they must be formulated within a broad and unique philosophical framework. The morning part of Workshop I is devoted to this larger framework; the afternoon is devoted to developing specific lesson plans which are then carried out in the classroom and home community. A second workshop is held 4-6 weeks after the first, during which lesson plan results are shared and evaluated and new ones developed. Special resources to these workshops are the Bahá’í Curriculum Guide and the Bahá’í calendar.

When ordering, please specify the anticipated number of participants at the workshops so the correct number of materials can be sent. Cost: $5.

Bahá’í Curriculum Guide. Includes (1) educational topics, (2) suggested methods for teaching various topics, and (3) suggested age levels at which different topics are best taught. The guide provides a framework from which specific lesson plans can be developed. Cost: $3.

Child Education Teacher Training Handbook. Especially designed for the Bahá’í classroom teacher. Topics include "Educational Principles and Methods," "Materials and Resources," "Curricular Samples," and miscellaneous topics ranging from "Recreation" to "Activities for Youth." Cost: $9.

Bahá’í Parent Program. A group program that is practical in nature, allowing parents the opportunity to translate guidance from the Bahá’í Writings on specific parent topics into action within the home. Topics that are addressed in the material are:

Expressing Love in Tangible Ways Attracting Your Child to Spiritual Ideals Building a Sense of Bahá’í Tradition in the Home Communication and Consultation in the Home Discipline Prayer, Meditation and Deepening in the Home Developmental Levels Nutrition Literature in the Home

The program materials include three resource books, a "Coordinator's Guide" for organizing and conducting parent meetings, and an introductory cassette tape. Cost: $20.

Children's Programs for Bahá’í Schools: Director's Resource Guide. Step-by-step guidelines for use by directors of children's programs for summer/winter schools. Can be useful in planning weekend special events children's programs. Cost: $1.

The Hand of the Cause A.Q. Faizí speaks on the Education of Children. Cassette tape. Cost: $1.50.

Orders should be mailed to the Bahá’í National Center, c/o National Education Committee, Wilmette, IL 60091, U.S.A. Please make checks payable to "Bahá’í Services Fund" and earmark them for the specific item(s). Please include an additional donation to help defray the cost of overseas mailing, and specify either sea or air mail.

Local community consolidation activities (guidelines/materials) that are available, free of charge, from the National Education Committee office:

Bahá’í Child Education Planning Experience: A three and one-half hour workshop designed to help adults in the local community become aware that the Bahá’í education of children and youth can be provided within the natural processes of community life. The workshop emphasizes the celebration of Bahá’í calendar events as the means of educating the hearts and minds of young Bahá’ís. Participants "prepare" a child education curriculum.

Inventory Questionnaire: Identifies the needs of the children, youth, and families in the local community. Results of the questionnaire can be an information resource for the Local Spiritual Assembly.

Unity Celebration: This afternoon-and-evening program is especially suitable as an intercommunity (or large city) activity. The Unity Celebration helps the friends explore creative ways of celebrating the devotional, consultative and social portions of Feast. It emphasizes the full integration of community members of all ages and cultural backgrounds and is especially recommended for integrating new believers into the Bahá’í community. Includes a dinner that is prepared and shared by participants.

Investigation Exercise: A simple deepening format that can be used for any topic. The topic that is used for the sample version is "Responsibilities of Bahá’í Parents and Children." By substituting statements, questions, or quotations relevant to any topic, an activity can be conducted that will draw out feelings and views in a constructive and effective way.

To acquire any of these materials, simply write to the National Education Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

Green Acre redevelopment plans move forward

As the Green Acre Bahá’í School looks toward its second century of activity, work is increasing in many areas. Perhaps most important is planning for the redevelopment of the school.

The National Education Committee and NSA Properties Inc. have already had two meetings with the Green Acre Council to discuss the matter, and a third meeting is scheduled for July 16-17.

Several devoted friends have offered to refurbish ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s room in the Inn. The room has been painted and new furnishings have been secured including two lovely portraits of the Master Who was housed in that room during His memorable visit to Green Acre on August 16-23, 1912.

Last year, many people helped to paint the exteriors of four buildings at Green Acre, renovate two others, and paint the school offices. This summer, the Green Acre Council hopes to have at least three more buildings painted.

The work/study program at Green Acre offers opportunities for people over 15 years old including families to come to the school for two weeks-one week working and the other attending classes. In addition, carpenters and painters may contact the school about exchanging their skills for room and board.

People may obtain the summer brochure as well as applications for the work/study program from the Green Acre Bahá’í School, P.O. Box 17, Eliot, ME 03903.

the Bahá’í Faith

About 30 Bahá’ís attended a conference for single adults March 25-27 at the Louhelen Bahá’í School in Michigan. The program included talks and workshops on building lasting human relationships, interpersonal communication, avenues to spiritual health and fulfillment, single parenting, marriage, and the roles of men and women. The conference was so successful that the Louhelen Council has designated August 21-26 as 'Singles Week' at the school. For more information write to the Louhelen School at 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423, or phone 313-653-5033.

Superb classes, speakers key Green Acre summer session

Speakers at this year's Green Acre Bahá’í School summer session will include National Spiritual Assembly member Dr. Dwight Allen; Auxiliary Board members Dr. Carole Allen, Robert Harris, Albert James, Javidukht Khadem and Nat Rutstein; and Mrs. Mildred Mottahedeh, a member of the International Goals Committee.

Summer activities at Green Acre, which is celebrating its 94th anniversary of service, will include classes and conferences planned by the National Education Committee, International Goals Committee, Office of Public Affairs, and Business and Professional Affairs Committee.

Among those at Green Acre this summer will be Dr. H.T.D. Rost, author of The Brilliant Stars; Nat Rutstein, author of He Loved and Served, and Henry Weil, author of Closer Than Your Life Vein.

The summer school session, which began July 2, ends on the Labor Day weekend (September 3-5) with a conference sponsored by the New England Regional Conference Committee of the Association for Bahá’í Studies.

The speakers at this special conference are Dr. Elsie Austin, Dr. A.M. Ghadirian, and Badi Foster.

Fourth Brilliant Star issue focuses on relationship of science, religion

In Bahá’í World Faith (p. 240), ‘Abdu’l-Bahá says, "The fourth teaching of Bahá’u’lláh is the agreement of religion and science." This concept provides the theme for the July/August issue of Brilliant Star/Child's Way magazine.

Leading off the issue is an article by Guy Murchie, "Why Does the World Go Faster and Faster," which is guaranteed to intrigue readers of all ages.

Among other articles of a scientific and religious nature can be found a charming poem by Susan Engle, "Crimson Balloon," illustrated by Winifred Barnum Newman.

There's also a delightful song entitled "My Pockets" by Lisa Parker; a photo essay about horses; a review of Gail Radley's book, Zahra's Search, and many activities to keep people of all ages busy. The issue concludes with an excellent Parents' Page on "Spiritual Education."

This issue is certainly one not to be missed. Assemblies can add it to their libraries, parents can enjoy it with their children, and everyone can share it. Catch a Brilliant Star now!

You may subscribe by sending $9 for one year or $17 for two years to Brilliant Star Subscriber Service, Suburban Office Park, 5010 Austin Road, Chattanooga, TN 37343.

Bahá’í National Center Office Hours

8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Central Time) Monday-Friday (Phone 312-869-9039 [Page 10]

The homefront pioneer

John H. Wilcott, homefront pioneer from Kenosha, Wisconsin, to Kendall, Montana from 1910 until his death in 1963.

The National Teaching Committee's priorities for homefront pioneers were announced in this column earlier this year. They are: (1) Move to mass-taught areas to teach and consolidate; (2) save or form a Local Spiritual Assembly; (3) move to states that are low in Bahá’í population; and (4) strengthen Groups and open new localities.

In our April column we featured Alice Lovejoy, a pioneer to a mass-taught area, and in May we featured the Snyder family who are a two-member Group. This month we would like to feature pioneers who fulfilled the second priority, that of saving or forming an Assembly. Karen and Jeff Jentz moved last fall to Fayetteville, Arkansas, and share their excitement at restoring its Assembly in the following letter.

Dear Friends,

When a position in the Fine Arts program at the University of Arkansas opened up for Jeff in Fayetteville last fall, we were delighted to learn that our move would bring the number very close to restoring the Assembly.

When we learned that another friend from North Dakota was also moving here (via California) we felt confirmed in moving/pioneering to Fayetteville.

IMAGINE our gladness when we joined the existing Group of six or seven who held weekly deepenings/firesides and were preparing to staff a week-long booth at the county fair.

Two more Bahá’ís surfaced through bumper stickers and an appearance Karen made on TV linking Bahá’í principles to support of a local Peace Day observance.

The Group was able to show the video tape of the congressional hearings 13 times on a local create-your-own-program TV station. With the installation of the Bahá’í phone number, we were kept busy at sporadic periods connecting with new Bahá’í youth, curious seekers, and potential pioneers to the town (new Bahá’ís who plan to move here in June).

See HOMEFRONT Page 11

Amoz Gibson summer campaign

The Amoz Gibson summer teaching campaign began June 8 and will continue until August 15. The campaign, sponsored by the American Indian Teaching Committee and North Dakota District Teaching Committee, is taking place on the Pine Ridge Reservation in Wanblee and Crow Creek Reservation in Fort Thompson, South Dakota; and on the Omaha Reservation in Macy, Nebraska.

Bahá’ís have set up educational centers in each of the three Reservation towns where they are remaining until the close of the campaign.

The following report was written by Dale Rutstein of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, after his participation in the first week of the campaign at Wanblee:

The people of the Plains Indian Reservations asked the Bahá’ís to come to their communities to teach the Faith. So the Amoz Gibson summer campaign was born. The Indian people were then asked what was the greatest need in their communities.

Their response: Provide classes and activities for our children and youth this summer. The Amoz Gibson project is doing just that.

IN THREE towns the campaign has become a dynamic hub, the center of activity in each town. Children, youth and adults are attracted as they watch, learn, and gradually accept the Cause.

This marks a new concept in mass teaching. Instead of blowing through these towns like dust on the wind, the Bahá’ís are staying in one place for two and one-half months to serve, and in serving are attracting the waiting hearts. In this situation, new believers are able to deepen for a prolonged period before being left on their own.

The people are waiting to see how we respond to their request. We will lose ground in these areas if we cannot answer the call.

The campaign needs more workers to realize its great potential, but if it can't have your physical presence, please send educational materials, sports and recreational equipment, food, or prayers.

For more information, please call the American Indian Teaching Committee, 602-586-4555, or the South Dakota District Teaching Committee, 605-224-0336.

This is a tremendous opportunity to teach the Faith through service. The Plains Indian people are offering you the opportunity to demonstrate your love for them and for the Cause.

Central California conference Spurs teaching efforts in area

Shown (left to right) at a teaching conference March 13 for Local Spiritual Assemblies in Central California District No. 1 are Auxiliary Board member Paul Pettit; Judge James F. Nelson, chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly; Auxiliary Board member Margaret Gallagher; William E. Davis, a member of the National Teaching Committee; and Jim Johnson, a member of Central California No. 1 District Teaching Committee.

More than 250 people attended a teaching conference March 13 in Central California District No. 1.

The conference, whose purposes were to enlist the support of the friends in that District to meet the Goals of the Seven Year Plan and to help implement a new plan for mass-taught areas in the Salinas Valley, was called by the National Teaching Committee and supported by the Auxiliary Board, the District Teaching Committee, and the Assemblies in that district.

The speakers included Judge James F. Nelson, chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly, and Auxiliary Board members Margaret Gallagher and Paul Pettit. William E. Davis, a member of the National Teaching Committee, presented the plan for consolidation in the Salinas Valley, urging the friends to reach out to help these embryonic Assemblies to develop. Eighty individuals offered to serve.

The plan calls for opening a Bahá’í Center, holding regular children's classes, youth classes, adult deepenings and direct teaching projects, and training Spanish-speaking teachers.

The programs will be initiated in one town and continued there until there is a functioning Assembly. Once this has been accomplished, the District Teaching Committee will target another town and repeat the process.

What is a 'friendship team'?

A friendship team is a group of three to five Bahá’ís who work together to teach the Faith. A friendship team should have at least one member who is from a minority (i.e., Persian, black, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, etc.). Make your friendship team as diverse as possible.

The goal of the National Teaching Committee is to have 1,500 friendship teams hosting regular firesides. A brochure has been sent to all Assemblies regarding friendship teams. For more information, contact your Assembly.

Have you formed your friendship team yet?

Enrollments

Aiming for a vast increase in enrollments, the National Teaching Committee is introducing a new monthly feature in The American Bahá’í.

In each issue we will report monthly enrollments by state. The National Teaching Committee receives a copy of every enrollment card, and from them it compiles the statistics that are used all year round: how many during each Feast period; each month; how many youth and adults; the number by region (Northeast, Central, Southern or Western); and the name of the enrolling Spiritual Assembly or District Teaching Committee.

Total figures for the month of May are: ADULTS—282. YOUTH—82. TOTAL—364.

State	Adult	Youth	Total
Alabama	1		1
Arizona	9	1	10
Arkansas
California	38	9	47
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida	3	7	10
Georgia	1		1
Idaho	1		1
Illinois	29	3	32
Indiana	1		1
Iowa
Kansas	1		1
Kentucky
Louisiana	25	6	31
Maine
Maryland	15	2	17
Massachusetts	3		3
Michigan	3	1	4
Minnesota	2		2
Mississippi	1	1	2
Missouri	1		1
Montana
Nebraska	2	2	4
Nevada
New Hampshire	1		1
New Jersey	1		1
New Mexico
New York	11	5	16
North Carolina	5		5
North Dakota
Ohio	4	2	6
Oklahoma
Oregon	4		4
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina	74	22	96
South Dakota	4		4
Tennessee	17	6	23
Texas	36	1	37
Utah
Vermont	3		3
Virginia	12	15	27
Washington	2		2
West Virginia	1		1
Wisconsin	7		7
Wyoming	7		7
Washington, D.C.	49	3	52
TOTAL	282	82	364

[Page 11]

TEACHING

Ridván Assembly formations

Alabama, Northern: 1 | 10 (+3) Alabama, S/Florida, NW: 2 | 10 (-) Arizona, Northern: 11 | 25 (-) Arizona, Southern: 8 (-2) Arkansas: 5 (-3) California, Central No. 1: 2 | 79 (+5) California, Central No. 2: 14 (+1) California, Northern No. 1: 3 | 27 (+2) California, Northern No. 2: 1 | 16 (+1) California, Southern No. 1: 3 | 57 (-) California, Southern No. 2: 46 (+4) California, Southern No. 3: 1 | 17 (+1) California, Southern No. 4: 24 (+2) Colorado, Northeast: 17 (+1) Colorado, Southeast: 1 | 7(+1) Colorado, Western: 1 | 6(-3) Connecticut: 31 | 15 (+1) DelMar Va: 1 | 6(+2) Florida, Central: 1 | 15 (+1) Florida, Northern: 6 | 10(-) Florida, Southeast: 3 | 55 (+9) Florida, Southwest: 1 | 17(-2) Georgia, Northeast: 3 | 19 (+1) Georgia, Northwest: 1 | 9 Georgia, Southern: 45 (+10) Idaho, N/Washington, E: 11 Idaho, Southern: 39 (+14) Illinois, Northern No. 1: 2 | 16 (-2) Illinois, Northern No. 2: 1 | 7(+1) Illinois, Southern: 1 Indiana: 2 Iowa: 1 Kansas: 1 Kentucky: 1 Louisiana, Northern: 2 Louisiana, Southern: 7 (+1) Maine: 25 (-1) Maryland/D.C.: 28 (+1) Massachusetts: 22 (+1) Michigan, Mainland: 32 (+1) Minnesota, Northern: 20 (-4) Minnesota, Southern: 18 (+2) Mississippi: 12(-) Missouri: 10 (-1) Montana: 5(-) Navajo-Hopi: 2 (+1) Nebraska: 11(-)

Bahá’í volunteers (left to right) Mike Tanaka of Issaquah, Washington; Elizabeth Harris of Lapwai, Idaho; and Albert Cheung of Baltimore County, Maryland, are shown updating a large map of the U.S. in the National Teaching Committee office at the Bahá’í National Center in Wilmette. They are adding colored pins to the map to indicate the 70 new Local Spiritual Assemblies that were formed by Ridván 1983. According to Robert G. Wilson, secretary of the National Teaching Committee, there are presently 1,678 Spiritual Assemblies in the U.S. Seventy-two more are needed to win the national goal of 1,750 Assemblies called for by the Universal House of Justice to be formed by Ridván 1984.

14 young traveling teachers participate in training session at National Center

Fourteen of the 26 Bahá’í youth appointed as traveling teachers by the National Teaching Committee participated June 3-5 in a training institute at the Bahá’í National Center and Bahá’í House of Worship.

The youth, ranging in age from 17 to 24, were representative of all areas of the country.

THROUGHOUT the weekend they read and discussed quotations from Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the Guardian, and the Universal House of Justice related to teaching, the role of youth in the progress of the Cause, and traveling teaching.

They were also briefed on their duties and responsibilities as representatives of the National Teaching Committee.

The Saturday session included a meeting with Robert Wilson, secretary of the National Teaching Committee, and a talk at the House of Worship by Dr. Hossain Danesh, chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada.

Our family has been holding monthly firesides, with new people attending almost every time. The Fayetteville Assembly was, indeed, elected at Ridván, and our first action was to enroll a new Bahá’í of Puerto Rican background from right outside the city limits.

Sincerely, Karen and Jeff Jentz Fayetteville, Arkansas

If you are interested in homefront pioneering, write directly to the National Teaching Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. You will be sent a volunteer form to return. When that has been done, you will then be advised of goal localities to consider.

Sunday's program took place at the House of Worship. After prayers in the Foundation Stone room, the group viewed the slide program "The Destiny of America" which was presented the week before at the National Convention by the National Teaching Committee.

This was followed in Foundation Hall by presentations to the public on some aspect of the Faith by each of the participants.

TOPICS, which had been assigned during the Friday evening session, included "The Two Natures of Man," "Independent Investigation of Truth," "Teaching," and "The Value of the Creative Word," among others.

Those who attended the training session and are ready for assignment are: Katherine Akhtar-Khavari (Wisconsin), Jeffrey Barnes (Virginia), Jacqueline Eghrari (New York), Kambeze Etemad (Pennsylvania), Kendra Hatfield (Ohio), Shiidon Hawley (Texas), Shamin Himes (Iowa).

Also, Mina Heidarian (Oklahoma), Roger Hockley (Arizona), Mallous Kazemzadeh (Texas), Maiya Ruys (Washington), Haleh Samimi (Illinois), Beth Sollars (Idaho), and Rainn Wilson (Illinois).

These new traveling teachers are at the service of the community to help in any way necessary.

You may request their assistance by writing to the National Teaching Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

Nevada, Northern: 1 Nevada, Southern: 2 C | 1 | 33 New Hampshire: 4 New Jersey: 34 (+2) New Mexico, Northern: 4 (-2) New Mexico, S/Texas, W: 13(-) New York, Eastern: 10(-) New York, Western: 17 (+2) North Carolina, Central: 15 (+2) North Carolina, Eastern: 13 (-1) North Carolina, Western: 9 (-2) North Dakota: 4 (+1) Ohio, Northern: 7(-) Ohio, Southern: 10(-) Oklahoma, Eastern: 15 (-3) Oklahoma, Western: 13 (-1) 0 Oregon, Eastern: 26 (+1) Oregon, Western: 21 (-) Pennsylvania, Eastern: 14 (-2) Pennsylvania, Western: 21 (+1) Rhode Island: 15 (-3) South Carolina, Central: 8 (-2) South Carolina, Eastern: 6(+1)00 South Carolina, Northern: 15 (+1) South Carolina, Southern: 8(-) South Carolina, Western: 2 | 2 | 10 (+3) South Dakota: 1 | 16 (+1) Tennessee, Eastern: 3 | 11 (+3) Tennessee, Western: 48 (+4) Texas, Central No. 1: 1 | 1 | 2 | 10 (-1) Texas, Central No. 2: 4-) Texas, Eastern No. 1: 1 | 3 (+1) Texas, Eastern No. 2: 44 (-) Texas, Northern: 1 | 1 | 109 (-) Texas, Southern: 1 | 2 | 27 (-1) Utah: 46 (+2) Vermont: 7(+1) Virginia, Northern: 9(-) Virginia, Southern: 1 | 1 | 6(-) Washington, Northwest: 1 | 2 | 2 | 7(+1) Washington, Southwest: 1 | 2 | 13 (-1) West Virginia: 3 (-1) Wisconsin/Michigan: 5 | 39 (-5) Wisconsin, Southern: 1 | 2 | 21 (+3) Wyoming: 7(-)

3 | 4 (-3) 6(-) 1 | 22 (-1) 3 | 11 (-3) 1 | 3 | 41 (-1) 1 | 2 | 16 (+1) 4(+1) 3(-) 18 (-2) 1 | 5 (+1)

44 95 92 1,677 [Page 12]

World News

Seven hundred people from 33 vocational backgrounds declared their belief in Bahá’u’lláh during the Bahiyyih Khánum Teaching Campaign held in January and February in Guyana.

The campaign, whose members included nine international traveling teachers, resulted from consultation among the Universal House of Justice, the Continental Board of Counsellors for the Americas, and the National Spiritual Assembly of Guyana...

As a result of efforts by Mpanga Tutu, a Bahá’í from Zaire who used his annual two-week vacation as a teaching trip, 102 people recently embraced the Faith in that country, eight new localities were opened to the Faith, and five new Local Spiritual Assemblies were formed...

The first book on the Faith to be written by a Bahá’í in Iceland was published in that country in February.

Bahá’u’lláh, His Life and Revelation, a 267-page work in the Icelandic language by Edward T. Jónsson, includes a history of the lives of the Central Figures of the Faith, many photographs, and a 50-page appendix that contains material on the Covenant, Bahá’í administration, and other aspects of the Faith...

The arrival of the Bahá’í New Year on March 21 was announced as a news item on television in Mauritius.

The secretary of that country's National Spiritual Assembly was interviewed about the development of the Faith in Mauritius since its establishment there in 1953, about the essence of the Bahá’í teachings, the persecutions in Iran, and the meaning of Naw-Rúz...

The new Bahá’í National Institute near Harare, Zimbabwe, was dedicated February 17-21 with a special program at the facility.

Among those who participated in the five-day program were Counsellor Bahiyyih Winckler and several members of the National Spiritual Assembly of Zimbabwe...

One hundred-thirty adults and youth from Suriname, French Guiana and Guyana attended the first Bahá’í International Youth Camp held April 1-4 in Nickerie, Suriname. The camp was organized by the Bahá’í Youth Committee of Suriname ...

More than 400 people attended a recent showing of the film "The Pilgrimage" that was sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Moissala, Chad...

N. Carolina program honors poet Robert Hayden

A program honoring the life and poetry of Robert Hayden was presented April 17 at North Carolina Central University in Durham.

The special event, which included music, poetry reading, and a talk by Mr. Hayden's widow, Erma Hayden, was co-sponsored by the Bahá’í community of Durham and the NCCU English Club.

MR. HAYDEN, the author of more than half a dozen books of poetry and the first black man to be named consultant in poetry to the Library of Congress, died in February 1980 at the age of 67.

Among his best known works are Angle of Ascent, The Night-Blooming Cereus, Words in the Mourning Time, Heart-Shape in the Dust, and his final book, American Journal, which was nominated in 1978 for a National Book Award.

The program that honored him was marked by close cooperation among Bahá’ís, members of the NCCU faculty and student body, and others in the Durham area.

It was highlighted by Mrs. Hayden's reminiscences of her husband's life through anecdotes and commentary about the various influences on his poetry including that of the Faith.

Afterward, eight readers presented selected poems, punctuated by a script that recounted Mr. Hayden's life and work.

The 11 selected poems included "Middle Passage," the celebrated poem that tells of events aboard a slave ship; "The Night-Blooming Cereus," a commentary on the meaning of art and life; and "Bahá’u’lláh in the Garden of Ridván," a selection marking Bahá’í history.

THE program also included welcoming remarks by the president of the NCCU English Club and viola-flute selections.

The printed program noted Mr. Hayden's appointment as consultant in poetry to the Library of Congress in 1976-77 and his re-appointment in 1977-78, an honor that made him virtually the poet laureate of the U.S.

A book display in one area of the auditorium included photographs of Mr. Hayden and selected publications. Flowers and potted plants further enhanced the setting.

The event was publicized on radio and television and in the local newspapers. Flyers were posted at NCCU, Duke University, and the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, and were sent to English faculty in Durham city and county high schools.

Invitations also were sent to inquirers and to selected persons from Durham and from universities in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill triangle area.

On the Tuesday before the event, Dr. Jean Scales, a Bahá’í who is a teacher in the NCCU department of English, spoke at a meeting of the English Club, commenting on the nature of the program and on the status of Robert Hayden as a poet.

A display of Mr. Hayden's poems at the university library helped announce the program, and a deepening on his poetry was presented by the Bahá’ís of Durham on the Sunday prior to the event with Lawrence Spann leading the discussion.

Students at North Carolina Central University in Durham read the poetry of Robert Hayden during a program April 17 at the university that honored the memory of the renowned Bahá’í poet who died in February 1980.

Another avenue of proclamation was found in the distribution of copies of the Fall 1981 issue of World Order magazine, which was devoted to the life and poetry of Mr. Hayden.

The magazine also provided material for the script for the April program, which was written by Phyllis Lotchin, a non-Bahá’í member of the NCCU English department and adviser to the English Club.

National Assembly's meetings schedule

The National Spiritual Assembly's schedule of meetings for the remainder of this year and the first half of next year is as follows:

1983 September 9-11, October 14-16, November 30-December 3. .

1984 January 6-8, February 17-19, March 23-25, April 26-29 (National Convention), May 25-27, June 29-July 1.

Budget

A PATCHWORK job would be insufficient to remedy the problem. The exterior ornamentation must be removed piece by piece, the steel of the inner dome replaced with newer, more durable materials, and the outer dome reassembled.

The procedure for this delicate work will be elaborate and costly. Funds are being expended now to hire expert consultants to make preliminary studies of the technical requirements of the work that must be done.

It goes without saying that the delegates were stunned by the report. The Mother Temple of the West is far more than a beautiful symbol of the presence of the Faith in North America.

It was "the first fruit of a slowly maturing Administrative Order" whose foundation caused "a most wonderful and thrilling motion to appear in the world of existence."

It marked the very "inception of the Kingdom of God on earth" and it remains the noble "symbol and precursor of a future world civilization."

ITS association with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá makes it the holiest House of Worship that will ever be built to the praise of God, and it will serve as the model for Mashriqu’l-Adhkárs in the coming centuries. Clearly, something had to be done in response to this disturbing news!

One of the delegates arose to say that in view of the Temple's plight, nothing less than a $10 million budget would be acceptable the American believers.

When the matter was put to a vote, the overwhelmingly positive response of the delegates made it clear to the National Spiritual Assembly that it is the will of the American believers that the Temple be repaired now, no matter what sacrifices are required to get the job done.

The National Spiritual Assembly prayerfully considered the recommendation, and subsequently adopted a budget of $10 million for the current fiscal year.

This amount is based upon the following allocations: $5,700,000 will be used to support the vital and continuing activities of teaching, proclaiming and consolidating the Faith in this country; more than $1 million will be sent to the International Funds to support the global work of the Faith; and the remaining monies (more than $3 million) will be used to finance the initial work on the Temple dome.

IN ADDITION to the $10 million budget, the National Spiritual Assembly is committed to raising a radio station at the Louis Gregory Institute in South Carolina.

As previously announced, $1 million dollars in contributions toward this project is required by December 31, 1983—over and above the $10 million required by the National Fund.

The National Spiritual Assembly is moving rapidly forward with faith in the community that spoke its mind at the National Convention and said that these projects should and must be accomplished.

The National Spiritual Assembly is fully aware that only 6,000 believers, on the average, have been contributing directly each Bahá’í month to the National Fund.

In a community of some 100,000, it is time now for the other 94,000 who have professed their love for Bahá’u’lláh to consider prayerfully their own role in helping to sustain the rapidly-accelerating and thrilling progress of the Cause.

In the process of building the Mother Temple of the West, incalculable creative forces were unleashed, through which the American Bahá’í community was brought into being.

May we collectively be raised to greater heights of unified action to repair this "manifest standard waving the center of our great country"; to bring into being the first Bahá’í radio station in North America; and to ensure support for the continuing diffusion of the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh and the continuing consolidation of the American Bahá’í community.

WLGI Project Committee appointed

To oversee and monitor more closely the construction of WLGI Radio in South Carolina, the National Spiritual Assembly at its meeting June 10-12 appointed a Louis Gregory Project Committee.

The ad hoc committee is composed of four members of the National Assembly—Dr. Dwight Allen, Dr. Alberta Deas, Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, and Judge Dorothy Nelson—and Sirouss Binaei, manager of NSA Properties Inc.

In addition to her membership on the National Assembly and project committee, Dr. Deas serves as director of the Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute and as secretary of the South Carolina Regional Teaching Committee. [Page 13]

Two pioneers to S. Pacific offer inspiring story

Frequently, stories from pioneers fill the hearts of the members of the International Goals Committee with joy, and we marvel at the power of divine assistance.

The story of two pioneers to Rota, an island in the Pacific, is especially exciting, and their description of the island fascinating.

IT BEGAN with an urgent need for pioneers to fill this priority goal set by the Universal House of Justice before Ridván 1982.

Rota, a small island near Guam with a population of about 1,200, has no movies, few restaurants, and one school (kindergarten to 12th grade) in which the first two years are taught totally in the Chamorro language.

Alberta Bird is a school teacher from Florida. When Rota became a goal, we suggested that she consider it.

It soon became evident, however, that she could not go there alone, as the living costs were too high for her retirement income, and she had certain health considerations that needed to be met.

But her spirit was open to the will of God, and she decided to pursue the possibility of finding someone to go with her.

Meanwhile, as Alberta was making her plans, another prospective pioneer was looking for a post.

KELLY McArtor is a 27-year-old nurses' aide, a certified mental health technician with experience in geriatric care.

Her family is not Bahá’í, and although she was eager to pioneer she was concerned that her family might object to the idea of her going. Also, she felt she couldn't go to a post alone, and wanted to go with another pioneer.

One day both these women's files lay crossed on the desk of the IGC secretary, who suddenly realized that here were two individuals who needed each other and were perfectly matched to go to Rota together as pioneers!

Kelly's health care experience was perfect for Alberta's needs while Alberta could be the pioneer support person that Kelly needed.

From that point all the pieces fell neatly into place. Alberta found a Bahá’í to whom to rent her home in Florida, and her children's minds were set at ease because an experienced nurses' aide would be with her.

Kelly's parents readily accepted her decision to go to Rota, saying they had recognized her dedication to the Faith from her involvement in Bahá’í activities.

ALBERTA and Kelly both arrived on Rota before Ridván 1982, thus fulfilling this important goal.

They have since written many touching letters describing the progress of the Faith there.

Earlier this year Kelly wrote about the people of Rota:

"This island is a close-knit isolated group and people are a little reluctant to do anything to rock the boat but I'm confident we will have an Assembly at Ridván with some Chamorro Bahá’ís since the Universal House of Justice wouldn't give the National Assembly that goal if it wasn't possible."

Kelly found a job at the hospital and was able to write to the International Goals Committee about other openings for a doctor and nurses there.

Alberta is involved in the senior citizens group on Rota and spends much of her time with other members of that group.

EACH week, the two women place an article about the Faith in the local paper, which is published by a Japanese man who has himself become attracted to the Faith.

Their letters form some of the most inspiring evidence of progress when pioneers simply persevere in their efforts to serve the Cause of God.

In June 1982 Kelly wrote: "So far there have been 11 declarations on Rota. We formed a Group last Saturday. We can't elect an Assembly until Ridván because an Assembly was lost here last year...All the members moved away.

"This is a problem about teaching in Rota because the most receptive people are the Filipinos who come here to work on contracts of one or two years, then they go someplace else."

In May of this year Alberta wrote:

"It has been over a year since we arrived...Most of our declarations have come from the Filipinos who are working under contract here. Traveling teachers helped get street teaching started, and some of the new declarants brought friends to our home to learn about the Faith.

"Presently we have 13 members from six different backgrounds in our Bahá’í community—the Rotanese, Marshallese, Filipinos, Gilbertese, Trukese, and us statesiders. We formed our Assembly on April 21 and elected officers on April 24."

American pioneer to Korea holds one-woman art show

Sara Kay Hatch, an American who is pioneering with her husband, Richard, and their two children in Korea, recently held a one-woman art show in Seoul.

The well-publicized exhibit at the American Cultural Center, entitled "Awakening to a New Spiritual Springtime," was sponsored by the U.S. International Communication Agency.

Each of the paintings depicted an image inspired by the Bahá’í Writings, and each title had a Bahá’í theme.

Newspaper articles publicizing the exhibit mentioned that Mrs. Hatch, a guest professor in art at Keimyung University in Taegu, is a Bahá’í—and that her beliefs have influenced her art work.

Mrs. Hatch holds master of fine arts degrees from the University of South Carolina and Western Illinois University and has won numerous awards and honors for her work.

The Hatches have been pioneers to the Philippines and Korea for five years.

14 Bahá’í youth are traveling, teaching in European countries

On June 2, 14 Bahá’í youth and three chaperone/project leaders from the U.S. embarked on a month-long journey that included a pilgrimage to the Holy Land followed by teaching in various European countries.

After pilgrimage, the young people were divided into three groups, each of which was accompanied by a project leader.

Two of the youth visited Germany, Holland, Denmark and Sweden. Six others went to Germany, Luxembourg, France and Spain. The remaining group of six visited Germany, Finland, Italy and Austria.

The project leaders were Eleanor O'Callaghan from Ireland, and Sheri Dressler and Barbara Peterson from the U.S.

The youth were Veda Faith Afsahi, Curt Schoen, Dawn Haghighi, Camille Khodadad, David Khorram, Jaleh Khorram, Merry Stuart, David Nicol, Vicentee Ferguson, Amy Schechter, Charles Schechter, James Schechter, Farah Sohaili and Roland Yazhari.

After the teaching project was completed, many of the youth remained in Europe to take part in a youth conference that is to be held July 23-27 in Austria.

The teaching project was a combined effort of the Continental Pioneer Committee for Europe, the National Youth Committee, the Pilgrimage Office at the Bahá’í National Center, and the International Goals Committee.

Joy Munson, long-time pioneer to India, dies at post at 81

Hearts saddened passing faithful steadfast maidservant Cause Joy Munson, who though advanced in years remained at post in dedicated service Blessed Beauty. Supplicating Holy Shrines progress her radiant soul.

Universal House of Justice June 12, 1983

Joy Munson, a pioneer to India for the past seven years, died May 26 in Poona City at the age of 81.

She dedicated the later years of her life to devoted service and sacrifice in the pioneering field and truly was an inspiration to all.

Her residence was the Bahá’í Center in Sangli where she operated the Center and kept it open for seekers and Bahá’í events.

Mrs. Munson declared her belief in Bahá’u’lláh in 1959 but delayed her joyful enrollment in the Faith until November 3, 1962, in San Diego, California.

In November 1975 she decided to pioneer to India where she said she wanted eventually to bury her bones in her adopted land. She accomplished what she wanted.

Mrs. Munson was a plucky woman who remained cheerful and bright even in the face of great odds.

She was loved dearly, and will be sorely missed.

Pioneers' letters tell of rewards, excitement of teaching overseas

Here are more letters from U.S. pioneers overseas:

Maryam Ta'eed, Dominica—I never thought in my life that one day I would be taking part in the spiritual growth and birth of an independent nation....

We are all excited to witness the formation of our first National Assembly. It is on an island with some 70,000 people and a Bahá’í population of over 700...

When we received the message from the Universal House of Justice almost six months ago, telling us that we have this great bounty, we were absolutely delighted and sent a telegram back asking for guidance, wisdom and prayers...

We were told that this decision is due to the increased number of the friends and our Local Spiritual Assemblies. The Faith of Bahá’u’lláh is well known throughout the island...Dominicans, especially children, say "Bahá’u’lláh" with such ease, as if they were saying "Mom" or "Dad." There is hardly a child who cannot sing the Bahá’í song that is often repeated in our twice-weekly radio program.

The other day a child was telling his friends of having seen Bahá’u’lláh's lady. He meant the woman Bahá’í pioneer ...

Our first national Teaching Conference recently attracted more than a hundred of our friends despite a short notice. Many of us had tears in our eyes for this unexpected bounty of Bahá’u’lláh.

Lea, Vern and Amelia Iverson, Honduras—Vern, Amelia and I are all very well. We are adjusting to Honduras with each passing day, and it feels like we are at home more and more.

The weather, ocean and mountains agree with us, as do the horse-drawn carts and burros in the streets. Life is slower here and people socialize more. It's easy to teach the Faith. People are very friendly and interested in "gringos," so telling them about the Faith is as natural as telling them our names.

The Faith is well known here. There is a small Bahá’í Center in La Ceiba and more than 200 Bahá’ís in this rustic town although only about 20 or so are active. Deepening in all third world countries is the real problem and challenge!

There are more than 10,000 Bahá’ís on the northern coast of Honduras and few pioneers in this part of the country. We feel especially happy about the fact that we were able to pioneer to a place where pioneers are really needed.

Mary Louise Suhm (right), secretary of the International Goals Committee, and staff member Nancy McKee greet a visitor to the committee's display booth at the 74th Bahá’í National Convention which was held in May at the McCormick Inn in Chicago. [Page 14]

NATIONAL CONVENTION

Delegates arrive at the House of Worship to elect the National Assembly

TO THE DEARLY LOVED UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

MORE THAN 1,500 BELIEVERS ATTENDING 74TH BAHÁ’Í NATIONAL CONVENTION THRILLED AT OCCUPANCY THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE IN ITS MAGNIFICENT PERMANENT SEAT AND AWED BY IMPLICATION THIS WORLD-SHAKING EVENT. WE ARE ASTONISHED AND GRATEFUL FOR RECENT EVENTS WHICH HAVE PROPELLED US ONTO THE WORLD STAGE. AS WE PROBE FOR CREATIVE WAYS TO HARNESS THE MIGHTY ENERGY RELEASED BY THE SACRIFICES OF OUR IRANIAN BROTHERS AND SISTERS AND BY THE PURE BLOOD POURED FORTH BY THE MARTYRS WE ASK FOR YOUR PRAYERS THAT WE MAY BE AS STEADFAST AS THE MARTYRS IN OUR RESOLVE TO ACHIEVE PERSONAL TEACHING LEADING TO A VAST INCREASE IN THE ENROLLMENT AND CONSOLIDATION OF NEW BELIEVERS FROM EVERY STRATUM OF OUR SOCIETY.

CONVENTION ENRICHED BY PRESENCE HAND CAUSE GOD WILLIAM SEARS, CONTINENTAL COUNSELLORS VELMA SHERRILL, SARAH M. PEREIRA. CONVENTION ALSO WARMLY WELCOMED UNIVERSAL HOUSE JUSTICE MEMBER GLENFORD E. MITCHELL AND NEW COUNSELLOR MEMBER INTERNATIONAL TEACHING CENTRE MAGDALENE M. CARNEY. LOVING GREETINGS

DELEGATES ASSEMBLED 74TH ANNUAL CONVENTION UNITED STATES MAY 30, 1983

DEEPLY MOVED MESSAGE DELEGATES DISPLAYING DETERMINATION EMULATE SPIRIT COURAGE DEVOTION MARTYRS THROUGH PERSONAL PROMOTION FAITH. RECENT UNPRECEDENTED APPEAL HIGHEST GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL BEHALF BELEAGUERED BRETHREN IRAN OPENS WAY ACHIEVEMENT OBJECTIVE. FERVENTLY SUPPLICATING BESTOWAL DIVINE GUIDANCE ASSISTANCE ENSURE SUCCESS ENDEAVORS EVERY DEDICATED FOLLOWER BLESSED BEAUTY.

UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE MAY 31, 1983

Computers helped make Convention registration smooth and easy

Above: There's always room for one more book... Right above: Counsellor Magdalene Carney. Right below: Glenford Mitchell, a member of the Universal House of Justice.

Above: Consultation on a wide variety of topics was a hallmark of the 74th Bahá’í National Convention as delegates exchanged frank and open opinions.

William Roberts (standing) makes a point on behalf of the National Education Committee

Delegate Jean Scales from Central North Carolina studies her materials [Page 15]

Bahá’í Publishing Trust Price List

Correct as of July 1, 1983

1

Bahá’í Publishing Trust 415 LINDEN AVENUE WILMETTE, ILLINOIS 60091

ALPHABETICAL DOMESTIC PRICE LIST CURRENT AS OF 06/15/83

EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS USED CD = CARDS (GREETING, TEACHING, PRAYER) CS = CASSETTE EA = EACH (ONE FOR THE PRICE OF...) FS = FILMSTRIP HC = HARDCOVER LP = LONG-PLAYING RECORD (ALBUM) LT = LIGHTWEIGHT EDITION PH = PHOTOGRAPH PM = PAMPHLET PSTR = POSTER SC = SOFTCOVER SET = SET FOR THE PRICE OF... 10/ = TEN FOR THE PRICE OF...

• = NEW ITEM

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331037	‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ CENTER/CVNNT	SC	EA	$6.95
106041	‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ IN LONDON	HC	EA	$15.00
875047	‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ LITHO 10.5X15	EA		$2.00
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352090 *	GREEN YEARS, THE	HC	EA	$5.00
468037	GUIDELINES FOR LSA'S	SC	EA	$4.00
835019	HAPPY AYYAM-I-HA	LP	EA	$4.00
332085	HE LOVED & SERVED	SC	EA	$6.50
103005	HIDDEN WORDS BAHÁ’U’LLÁH	HC	EA	$5.00
103006	HIDDEN WORDS BAHÁ’U’LLÁH	SC	EA	$2.50
352087	HORSE OF MOONLIGHT	SC	EA	$2.95
340025	HUMAN RTS ARE GOD GVN RTS	PM	10/	$3.00
215084 *	IMP DEEP KNOW&UNDER FAITH	SC	EA	$2.00
332110 *	IMPERISHABLE DOMINION, THE	SC	EA	$8.75
831050	IN DAYS OF GUARDIAN..IDAS	CS	EA	$6.00
830099	IN HIS PRESENCE..SAMANDARI	CS	EA	$6.00
832025	IN MEMORY OF THE MARTYRS	CS	EA	$6.00
340077	IN SEARCH OF SUPREM TLSMN	PM	10/	$5.00
369032 *	INDEX/ERRATA: S/W/‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ	EA		$0.00
369031 *	INDEX/ERRATA: SEL/WRITNGS BAB	EA		$0.00
369030 *	INDEX/ERRATA: TAB/BAHÁ’U’LLÁH	EA		$0.00
215060	INDIVIDUAL AND TEACHING	SC	EA	$2.00
315080	INSPIRING THE HEART	HC	EA	$8.50
315081 *	INSPIRING THE HEART	SC	EA	$4.00
332093	IRAN'S SECRET POGROM	SC	EA	$5.50
339007	ISLAMIC CONTRIB TO CIV	SC	EA	$5.00
490001	ITN BAHÁ’U’LLÁH E NUOVA ERA	EA		$3.00
332053	KHADIJIH BAGUM:WIFE/BAB	SC	EA	$3.75
332091	KHANUM: GREATEST HLY LF	SC	EA	$2.75
103027	KITÁB-I-ÍQÁN	HC	EA	$13.00
103028	KITÁB-I-ÍQÁN	SC		OUT OF STOCK
364002	KNOWLEDGE VOLTN ACT CDP	SC	EA	$2.00
497004	LAO FULFIL BUDD PROPH SADDLE	EA		$1.50
497003	LAO NEW GARDEN PERF BOUND	EA		$3.00
497001	LAO PRAYERS & HIDDEN WORDS	EA		$1.00
848046	LEAF AYYAM-I-HA	CD	10/	$2.00
831054	LEGACIES OF SERVICE:SET 5	CS	SET	$30.00
315079 *	LET THY BREEZE RFRSH THEM	HC	EA	$5.50
530040	LIBRARY PRESENTATION PACK		SET	$30.00
332074	LIGHT OF BAHÁ’U’LLÁH	SC	EA	$2.50
831089	LIGHT OF BAHÁ’U’LLÁH	SET	18/	$74.50
631068	LIGHT OF ONENESS	CS	EA	$4.50
332029	LIGHT SHINETH IN DARKNESS	HC	EA	$9.95
332028	LIGHT SHINETH IN DARKNESS	SC	EA	$5.95
215040	LOCAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY	SC	EA	$1.50
831086 *	LOCAL SPRTUL ASSMBLY, LOB	CS	EA	$9.00
835018	LOTE TREE	LP	EA	$4.00
340031	LOYALTY TO GOVERNMENT	PM	10/	$2.00
315083 *	MAGNIFIED BE THY NAME	HC	EA	$5.50
848092	MAGNOLIA HOLY DAY	CD	10/	$2.00
332105 *	MARTHA ROOT: LION/THRESH	HC	EA	$20.00
332106 *	MARTHA ROOT: LION/THRESH	SC	EA	$11.00
364001	MEANING OF DEEPENING CDP	SC	EA	$5.00
340034	MEANING OF WORSHIP	PM	10/	$5.00
106012	MEMORIALS OF THE FAITHFUL	HC	EA	$10.00
332010	MEMORIES OF ‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ	HC	EA	$13.50
332011	MEMORIES OF ‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ	SC	EA	$6.50
340035	MESSAGE OF BAHÁ’U’LLÁH	PM	10/	$2.00
108015	MESSAGES TO BAHÁ’Í WORLD	HC	EA	$10.00
225008	MESSAGES UNIV HOUSE JUST	HC	EA	$9.00
225009	MESSAGES UNIV HOUSE JUST	SC	EA	$4.00
415061	MIGHTY RIVER	SC	EA	$1.00
353017	MISSION OF YOUTH	CD	10/	$1.50
332071	MOTHERS/FATHERS/CHILDREN	SC	EA	$6.50
339001	MUHAMMAD/COURSE OF ISLAM	HC	EA	$19.50
352091 *	MULLA HUSAYN	SC	EA	$3.00

[Page 16]

STOCK NO.	DESCRIPTION	TYPE	UNIT/ PRICE
352053	MY BABY BOOK	HC EA	$10.00
105051	SELECTIONS WRIT OF BAB	LT EA	$6.00
332038	WHEN WE GROW UP	HC EA	$7.50
353001	MY BAHA’I BOOK SNFLOWR 1	SC EA	$2.00
353002	MY FAV PRAYERS/PSGS SNF 2	SC EA	$2.00
332039	WHEN WE GROW UP	SC EA	$3.50
332092	MY MEMORIES/BAHA’U’LLAH	HC EA	$11.95
103015	SEVEN VALLEYS & 4 VALLEYS	HC EA	$5.00
352077	MY NAME IS NABIL	HC EA	$6.00
103016	SEVEN VALLEYS & 4 VALLEYS	SC	OUT OF STOCK
831051	MY ONLY DESIRE..ALEXANDER	CS EA	$6.00
368066	SEVEN YEAR PLAN STAT REPT	SC EA	$2.50
315082	MYSTERY OF GOD	HC EA	$11.95
106037	SEVEN YEAR PLAN-1981	SC EA	$1.50
215042	NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASMBLY	SC EA	$2.00
848093	SHRINE OF BAB HOLY DAY	CD 10/	$2.00
352078	NINE DAYS TO ISTANBUL	SC EA	$1.50
831083	SOCIAL TEACHING, LOB	CS EA	$9.00
352048	O GOD GUIDE ME	SC EA	$2.50
106038	SOME ANSWERED QUESTIONS	HC EA	$12.00
859009	O GOD, GUIDE ME	PSTR EA	$1.00
225051	SOME ANSWERED QUESTIONS	SC EA	$6.00
340037	ONE UNIVERSAL FAITH	PM 50/	$4.00
215047	SPECIAL MEASURE OF LOVE	SC EA	$1.50
340038	ONE WORLD ONE FAMILY	PM 50/	$4.00
215066	SPIRITUAL FOUNDATIONS	SC EA	$1.50
340058	OPEN DOOR W/ENVELOPE	PM	OUT OF STOCK
831082	SPIRITUAL TEACHINGS, LOB	CS EA	$9.00
332101	OTHER PEOPLE/OTHER PLACES	HC EA	$13.75
452094	SPN AB CEDARIO BAHA’I	EA	$4.00
332102	OTHER PEOPLE/OTHER PLACES	SC EA	$6.75
415002	SPN ASAMBLEA ESPRT NACINAL	EA	$3.00
353004	OUR BAHA’I HLY PLCS SNF 4	SC EA	$2.00
846032	SPN BAHA’IS UNITY TCH	CD 50/	$2.50
106015	PARIS TALKS	HC EA	$7.50
431015	SPN BAHA’U’LLAH Y NV ERA	EA	$5.00
106016	PARIS TALKS	SC	OUT OF STOCK
425075	SPN CONSTITUCION CASA U	EA	OUT OF STOCK
406046	PER SEL LTRS ‘ABDU’L-BAHA	HC EA	$10.00
440070	SPN DATOS BSCS FE BAHA’I	PM EA	$0.10
406047	PER SEL LTRS ‘ABDU’L-BAHA	SC EA	$5.00
452068	SPN EL REGALO	EA	$7.00
389048	PER/ARA HIKAYAT-I-DI	HC EA	$13.95
403027	SPN EPISTOLA HIJO DEL LOBO	EA	OUT OF STOCK
389049	PER/ARA TBLT BAHA’U’LLAH	HC EA	$14.00
440047	SPN FE BAHA’I ALBA NV ERA	PH	OUT OF STOCK
403043	PER: BAHA’I FTH NOT POLIT.	SC EA	$4.00
431055	SPN FE BAHA’I INTRODUCCION	EA	OUT OF STOCK
389067	PER:KHATIRAT-I NUH SALIH	HC EA	$15.95
231006	SPN LA FE BAHA’I TCH BKLT	SC EA	$1.50
364008	PERSONAL TRNSFRMTN PROGRM	SC SET	$20.00
408083	SPN META NUEVO ORDN MNDL	SC EA	$1.50
832026	PIONEER	CS EA	$8.00
440051	SPN NUEVA ERA DE DIOS	PM EA	$0.30
365001	POWER OF COVENANT-PART 1	SC EA	$1.50
468066	SPN ON BECOMING A BAHA’I	SC EA	$0.00
365002	POWER OF COVENANT-PART 2	SC EA	$1.50
115013	SPN ORACIONES BAHA’IS	SC EA	$2.00
365003	POWER OF COVENANT-PART 3	SC EA	$1.50
468056	SPN QUIENES DIOS CONFIA	EA	$0.50
315078	POWER/DIVINE ASSISTANCE	SC EA	$2.00
353020	SPOTLESSLY LEOPARD, THE	SC EA	$3.00
103010	PRAYERS AND MEDITATIONS	HC EA	$11.00
331098	STORIES FROM DELIGHT HRTS	HC EA	$9.00
331024	PRESCRIPTION FOR LIVING	SC EA	$3.50
332024	STORY AS TOLD	SC EA	$5.50
331048	PRICELESS PEARL	SC EA	$8.00
831056	STRENGTHENING ADMIN ORDER	CS EA	$6.00
315028	PRINCIPLES/BAHA’I ADMIN	HC EA	$7.00
332109	STUDIES BABI & BAHA’I HST	HC EA	$19.95
315027	PRINCIPLES/BAHA’I ADMIN	SC EA	$4.00
353005	SUNFLOWER BKS YNG SET 4	SC SET	$7.50
103012	PROCLAMATION BAHA’U’LLAH	HC EA	$7.50
352088	SUNSHINE TREE	HC EA	$9.75
103013	PROCLAMATION BAHA’U’LLAH	SC EA	$3.00
352089	SUNSHINE TREE	SC EA	$4.75
844007	PROCLAMATION STICKERS	100	$2.00
364005	SUPREME GIFT GD TO MN CDP	SC EA	$2.50
831088	PROGRESSIVE REVELATN, LOB	CS EA	$9.00
103020	SYNOPSIS & CODIFIC AQDAS	HC EA	$2.50
108017	PROMISED DAY IS COME	HC EA	$10.00
103021	TABLETS OF BAHA’U’LLAH	HC EA	$10.00
108018	PROMISED DAY IS COME	SC EA	$5.50
103029	TABLETS OF BAHA’U’LLAH	LT EA	$6.00
106039	PROMULGATION OF UNV PEACE	HC EA	$16.00
106010	TABLETS OF DIVINE PLAN	HC EA	$10.00
340043	PROPHECY FULFILLED	PM	OUT OF STOCK
106011	TABLETS OF DIVINE PLAN	SC EA	$5.00
840025	PUZZLE/PUZZLE	EA	$2.50
352093	TAHIRIH	SC EA	$3.00
352092	QUDDUS	SC EA	$3.00
332040	TEN DAYS IN LIGHT OF AKKA	SC EA	$3.00
215068	QUICKENERS OF MANKIND	SC EA	$3.50
332081	THESE PERSPICUOUS VERSES	SC EA	$4.50
331032	RENEWAL OF CIVILIZATION	SC EA	$2.50
331060	THIEF IN THE NIGHT	HC EA	$6.50
332076	RESPONSE	SC EA	$4.50
331061	THIEF IN THE NIGHT	SC EA	$2.95
332057	RESPONSE TO REVELATION	SC EA	$2.50
303025	THY NAME IS MY HEALING	CD 10/	$1.00
331090	REVELATION/BAHA’U’LLAH #1	HC EA	$15.00
340045	TO BE A BAHA’I	PM 10/	$5.00
331092	REVELATION/BAHA’U’LLAH #2	HC EA	$17.00
332072	TO MOVE THE WORLD	HC EA	$16.00
331093	REVELATION/BAHA’U’LLAH #2	SC EA	$9.95
332073	TO MOVE THE WORLD	SC EA	$7.00
352076	SCOTTISH VISITORS	SC EA	$2.50
106027	TRAVELLER’S NARRATIVE	HC EA	$10.00
859011	SEAT UNIV HSE JUST	PSTR EA	$2.50
106028	TRAVELLER’S NARRATIVE	SC EA	$5.00
106006	SECRET DIVINE CIVILIZATN	HC EA	$10.00
332005	TRIUMPH OF CAUSE..BALYUZI	CS EA	$6.00
353013	SECRET IN GARDEN	HC EA	$6.00
340046	TWO THIRTY-NINE DAYS	HC EA	$12.00
353014	SECRET IN GARDEN	SC EA	$4.00
332095	UNIVERSAL & LASTING PCE	PM 10/	$3.00
308043	SELECT WRT SHOGHI EFFENDI	SC EA	$1.50
332096	VIGNETTES LIF/‘ABDU’L-BAHA	HC EA	$13.50
106025	SELECTED WRIT ‘ABDU’L-BAHA	HC EA	$10.00
831055	VIGNETTES LIF/‘ABDU’L-BAHA	SC EA	$5.95
106040	SELECTED WRIT ‘ABDU’L-BAHA	LT EA	$6.00
831077	VISIT WITH THE MASTER,A	CS EA	$6.00
106026	SELECTED WRIT ‘ABDU’L-BAHA	SC EA	$6.00
832027	W SEARS ADDRESS:74TH CONV	CS EA	$3.00
303024	SELECTED WRIT BAHA’U’LLAH	HC EA	$10.00
225005	WE ARE BAHA’IS	CS EA	$6.00
303023	SELECTED WRIT BAHA’U’LLAH	SC EA	$1.50
225006	WELLSPRING OF GUIDANCE	HC EA	$9.00
105050	SELECTIONS WRIT OF BAB	HC EA	$9.00
108020	WELLSPRING OF GUIDANCE	SC EA	$4.00
332078	SEVEN MARTYRS OF HURMUZAK	HC EA	$8.50
332079	SEVEN MARTYRS OF HURMUZAK	SC EA	$3.95
848098	WHITE BLOSSOM RITES	CD 10/	$2.00
106020	WILL/TESTAMNT ‘ABDU’L-BAHA	SC EA	$1.50
859001	WILMETTE HOUSE OF WRSHP	PSTR EA	$1.00
332082	WITNESS OF PEBBLES	HC EA	$10.95
332083	WITNESS OF PEBBLES	SC EA	$5.95
555200	WORLD ORD/BAHA’IS IN IRAN	SC SET	$5.00
108020	WORLD ORDER/BAHA’U’LLAH	HC EA	$11.00
108021	WORLD ORDER/BAHA’U’LLAH	SC EA	$6.50
555163	WORLD ORDER, SPRING 1982	SC EA	$3.00
332089	YOUTH IN VANGUARD	HC EA	$14.00
353018	ZAHRA’S SEARCH	SC EA	$3.00

GENERAL ORDERING INSTRUCTIONS

If an item is not on the price list, it is not available from the Publishing Trust at this time.

IF YOU ARE AN INDIVIDUAL, THERE ARE 3 WAYS TO ORDER:

1. Through your local librarian 2. Cash order by mail 3. MasterCard or VISA by phone or mail

Through your local librarian: A. If your community has a librarian, he or she can place the order for you. B. Write down what you want and give it to the librarian at Feast. He or she will combine all orders from your community and place one order with the Publishing Trust.

By cash through the mail: A. Use the coupons provided in The American Bahá’í or the order form provided by the Publishing Trust. B. Fill out the order form completely. Add shipping and handling, and include a check to "Bahá’í Publishing Trust." Mail the order to the Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091.

By MasterCard or VISA: A. The Bahá’í Publishing Trust accepts MasterCard and VISA for personal orders over $10.00, by telephone or mail. B. To call in your order, phone 1-800-323-1880. Be sure to have your MasterCard or VISA card handy.

IF YOU ARE A LIBRARIAN ORDERING FOR YOUR COMMUNITY:

A. All Bahá’í communities registered with the Bahá’í National Center (including organized Groups) are eligible to open a charge account for their community librarian. B. The account must be authorized by your Local Spiritual Assembly or Group. C. Authorization forms are available from the Publishing Trust. D. Please notify the Publishing Trust of address changes. A community will be charged a minimum of $5.00, plus postage, for materials returned from a non-functioning librarian.

Discount policy remains unchanged

A. Librarians who have an account with the Publishing Trust will receive a 10 per cent discount on all items except "Rhythm of Growth" packages, Bahá’í World sets, and the deluxe leather prayer book. B. You must order more than $25.00 to receive the 10 per cent discount. C. The short, unmarked line in the lower right-hand corner of the order form is for subtracting your discount. D. The Publishing Trust no longer gives "case lot" discounts.

Postage and handling charges

A. You will be billed for the exact amount of the postage or United Parcel Service charges. B. There are two methods of shipment available:

1. Fourth Class. This is by far the cheapest way (7 cents per pound), but it is also the slowest because it is of low priority in the postal system. Allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. (Please do not inquire about your order within the first 5 weeks.)
2. United Parcel Service (UPS). They will deliver almost anywhere in the country in 1 week. (Note: They cannot deliver to a post office box.) If you add to this the few days it takes the Trust to process an order, you should have it in about 2 weeks. This method is more costly, but it is worth the extra expense if you are planning an event and want to be sure to have the order. (Please do not inquire about your order within the first 2 weeks.)

Returning unsold items for credit

A. Unsold items may be returned for credit of 90 per cent of the purchase price, provided the following conditions are met:

1. Notification of intent to return is mailed to: Customer Service Department, Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091, within 6 months of the date of invoice for the items being returned.
2. The items are returned, postpaid, to: Bahá’í Distribution Center, 523 Green Bay Road, Wilmette, IL 60091, in saleable condition.
3. A copy of the invoice or a list of the items showing the stock numbers, quantities, titles, librarian's account number and the original invoice numbers is included with the shipment.

B. Upon fulfillment of the above conditions, the library account will be credited for 90 per cent of the amount originally charged for the materials.

Returning damaged items and items shipped in error

A. These items are not subject to postage or handling charges. B. You will be refunded or credited for 100 per cent of the amount, plus any shipping charges. C. Send the items to: Bahá’í Distribution Center, 523 Green Bay Road, Wilmette, IL 60091.

1. Enclose a note explaining the error or damage, along with your account number and the number of the invoice on which these items appeared.
2. Try to return merchandise within 30 days.

D. Please do not ignore mistakes. We cannot make you happy if you do not make us aware of the problem.

MasterCard and VISA

A. If a librarian calls the Trust with an order, we will charge the librarian's account and give the librarian's discount. B. If the same librarian calls and insists that we put the order (minimum $10.00) on MasterCard or VISA, it will be handled as a personal order, and no discount will be given. [Page 17]

هفتاد و چهارمین انجمن شور روحانی ملی بها ئیان ایالات متحده ۲۶-۲۹ می ۱۹۸۳ مهمانسرای مک کورمیک - شیکاگو

جلسات پرشور و هیجان هفتاد و چهارمین انجمن شور روحانی ملی با تلاوت دعا و مناجات ‎بیا دشهدای بیاد شهدای‎ عزیز ایران و با حضور ۱۵۵ نفر از نمایندگان نواحی مختلف ایالات متحده و متجاوز از ۱۵۰۰ نفر از احباء سراسر آمریکا روز پنجشنبه ۲۶ می در مهمانسرای مک کورمیک افتتاح گردید. حضور جناب ویلیام سیرز ایادی عزیز امرالله و جناب کلمفورد میچل عضو محترم بیت العدل اعظم و چند نفر اعضاء هیئت مشاورین و نمایندگان محافل ملیه شادی و شعف خاصی بجلسات بخشیده بود.

ابتدا پیامهای واصله از بیت العدل اعظم بشرح زیر قرائت گردید. ۱- پیام رضوان ۱۴۰ بدیع، ۲- پیام مورخ ۱۹ می ۱۹۸۳ در مورد بسط و توسعه دارالتبلیغ بین المللی و تغییرات کلی در اعضا و وظائف آن موسسه جلیله ۳- پیام تلگرافی مورخ ۲۲ می ۱۹۸۳ در مورد بیانیه حضرت رئیس جمهور ریگان در حمایت از بها ئیان ایران. سپس گزارش سالانه محفل روحانی ملی بها ئیان آمریکا و پس از آن گزارش و برنامه‌های لجنات ملی یکی پس از دیگری با نظم و ترتیب خاصی باستحضار احباء رسید.

بیانات گرم و مهیج جناب ویلیام سیرز ایادی عزیز امرالله و همچنین بیانات شیوا و دلنشین جناب کلمفورد میچل عضو محترم بیت العدل اعظم الهی احبای حاضر در جلسه را غرق در مسرت و فرح نمود.

حضور جلسه صعود حضرت بهاءالله جل اسمه الاعلی در ساعت ۳ بامداد روز یکشنبه ۲۹ می در سالن بزرگ هتل بسیار مجلل برگزار گردید و خانم شکوه رضایی دیویس نیز با صدای دلنشین خود زیارتنامه را تلاوت کردند. سالن جلسه از جمعیت موج میزد و تقریبا جای خالی دیده نمیشد. دیگر در آن وقت خواب و استراحت برای کسی معنی نداشت.

روز شنبه ۲۸ می ساعاتی که نمایندگان با نوشتن برای انتخاب اعضاء محفل روحانی ملی ایالات متحده به صندوق اخذ رای رفته بودند لجنه ملی امور احبای ایرانی جلسه خاصی برای احبای ایرانی ترتیب داده بود و جناب دکتر فیروز کاظم زاده منشی محترم محفل روحانی ملی در آن جلسه سخنرانی جالبی ایراد فرمودند که خلاصه‌ای از بیاناتشان ذیلاً درج میگردد. در این جلسه ناظم محترم نیز قسمتهایی از فعالیتها، اهداف و منویات لجنه را باستحضار دوستان رسانیدند.

در گزارش محفل روحانی ملی، سال ۱۲۹ بدیع را سال فاجعه و پیروزی، سال درد و نشاط، سال زیان و منفعت نامیدند سالی که با همه آزار و اذیت و شهادت احبای مظلوم و ستمدیده ایران، فتح وظفر نهائی را نصیب جامعه بها ئی در سراسر عالم نمود و انظار اهل عالم را متوجه این دیانت جهانی کرد. در این گزارش تغییراتی در اعضاء محفل ملی یعنی انتصاب جناب کلمفورد میچل بعضویت بیت العدل اعظم الهی و بهمراه جبران ناپذیر فقدان جناب دکتر دنیل جردن و انتخاب امت الله دکتر مگدالن کارنی بسمت مشاور قاره‌ای در دارالتبلیغ بین‌المللی در ارتقای رتبه تشریح شد.

جناب دکتر کاظم زاده در مقدمه بیانات خود فرمودند شهادت احبای عزیز ایران وضع امر را در آمریکا دگرگون کرده است. وقتی رئیس جمهور ایالات متحده راجع به بها ئیان صحبت میکند، وقتی تلویزیونها رادیوها و روزنامه‌ها راجع بامر ما صحبت میکنند و مینویسند، عکس العمل آن بسیار زیاد است حال دیگر دولتها و ملتها میدانند دیانت بها ئی چیست و بها ئیها چه میگویند و تعالیم حضرت بهاءالله چقدر مهم است. دیگر استادان دانشگاه وقتی در دانشگاه‌ها از ادیان مختلف صحبت میکنند از دیانت بها ئی بیشتر و بهتر میتوانند صحبت کنند، وقتی دانشنامه (معارف) یا تجدید چاپ میشود دیانت بها ئی را بهتر میتوانند تشریح و توصیف کنند، وقتی روزنامه نیویورک تایمز سرمقاله خود را بامر ما اختصاص میدهد دیگر مسئله مجهولیت امر دیانت بها ئی در بین نیست، و خلاصه آنکه هم اکنون شبکه های مهم تلویزیونی خود را برای پخش برنامه هایی درباره امر ما آماده کرده و مرتبا دستگاه‌های ارتباط جمعی از دفتر محفل ملی سئوال مینمایند و اطلاعات میخواهند.

در دنباله بیانات خود فرمودند سال ۱۹۶۹ که بایران آمدم دیدم دوستان نزدیک غیربها ئی من از بردن نام بها ئی امتناع میورزند ولی حال وضع عوض شده است حتی از ایران نیز وضع بکلی عوض شده است. جناب دکتر کاظم زاده از احبای عزیز ایرانی خواستند که کتاب ظهور عدل الهی بقلم حضرت ولی امرالله را نه یکبار بلکه چند بار بخوانند و اشاره فرمودند که از جمله مسأله تبعیض نژادی را حضرت ولی امرالله در این کتاب بنحو احسن تشریح فرموده اند. احبای ایرانی میتوانند روابط حسنه ای با سیاه پوستان در آمریکا برقرار نمایند و در کار رفع تعصبات نژادی فوق العاده مفید و موثر واقع شوند. سپس انتظارات جامعه جهانی آمریکا را از احبای ایرانی با داوری سودمند و خاطر نشان ساختند که اگر از یک بها ئی آمریکایی عمل خلافی سربزند، خوب میگویند کار بدی کرده ولی وقتی یک بها ئی ایرانی عمل خلافی انجام دهد فورا متوجه قدمای امر در ایران میگردند و عمل او را بآنها مقایسه میکنند.

خلاصه اهم اقدامات لجنات ملی آنکه لجنه ملی جوانان در ۲۸۱ دانشگاه مشغول خدمات تبلیغی بوده و ۲۵۰۰ نسخه از کتاب «فریادی از دل» بقلم جناب ویلیام سیرز را بین دانشجویان توزیع نموده و ۲۲ نفر از جوانان بنقاط مهاجرتی خارج از آمریکا مهاجرت کرده اند. لجنه ملی اهداف مهاجرت بین المللی ۴۶۴ نفر مهاجر به نقاط مهاجرتی خارج از آمریکا اعزام نموده ولجنه ملی تبلیغ علاوه بر اتمام مدرسه لوفلن و افزایش تعداد محافل روحانی به ۱۶۷۸، نقشه‌های تبلیغی انفرادی و دسته جمعی طرح نموده است. لجنه ملی امور احبای ایرانی تشکیل ۱۲ لجنه ناحیه ای امور احبای ایرانی را بشارت ورزیده، چندین جلد کتاب فارسی و عربی را تجدید چاپ نموده و کتاب تلخیص و تدوین احکام کتاب مستطاب اقدس را به فارسی ترجمه نموده که بزودی در دسترس دوستان عزیز قرار خواهد گرفت.

سپس رئیس مؤسسه لوئیس گرگوری در مورد تأسیس اولین فرستنده رادیو بها ئی ایالات متحده در کارولینای جنوبی تفصیل سخن گفت و نماینده محفل روحانی ملی بها ئیان کانادا راجع به انجمن مطالعات بها ئی و برنامه‌های آتی آن بتفصیل سخن گفتند.

گروه‌های الفت

قلم معجز شیم مرکز عهد و میثاق الهی روزی را وعده فرموده است که: "در هفت اقلیم آهنگ سبوح و قدوس رب الملائکه والروح بلند گردد و خیمه وحدت عالم انسانی در قطب جهان بلند شود... شرق و غرب با یکدیگر عشق بازد و بانس و الفت پردازد و این مژده گوشزد آفاق گردد و این اشراق خاور و باختر را روشن و منور نماید."

در سالهای اخیر تاییدات جمال اقدس ابهی شامل گشته و مقدمات این یگانگی و وحدت و انس و الفت فراهم شده. حتی استقرار جمع کثیری از یاران ایران در ممالک ‎مخمره مختلفه‎ اگر چه همراه با شدائد و بلایای لا تحصی بوده است ولکن اثرات غیر قابل انکاری در حصول این اتفاق و اتحاد داشته و دارد و از جمله میتوان نمود که یکی از حکمتهای انتقال احبای ایرانی به ایالات متحده کمک به جلب قلوب ملتهای مختلف این مملکت به جامعه پیروان اسم اعظم است. لجنه ملی امور احبای ایرانی با مشاوره با لجنه ملی تبلیغ طرح بسیار ساده‌ای را برای نیل به مقاصد فوق یعنی ایجاد دوستی و انس و الفت بیشتر در جامعه بها ئی و تقدم فعالیتهای یاران در سبیل نشر نفحات رحمانی پیشنهاد نموده است. این طرح عبارت است از تشکیل گروه‌های کوچکی بنام الفت. هر گروه با مشارکت یکی دو نفر از احبای ایرانی و یک یا دو نفر از یاران غیر ایرانی تشکیل میشود و این جمع باتفاق به تهیه و اجرای برنامه‌های تبلیغی یا فعالیتهای و خدمات اجتماعی میپردازند. به این ترتیب حتی آن عده از دوستان که تاکنون بعلت عدم آشنایی با زبان و آداب و رسوم و یا فقدان وسائل و امکانات دیگر از قبیل وسیله نقلیه و غیره آن موفق به شرکت در فعالیتها و خدمات نمیشده‌اند میتوانند سهمی در این جهاد روحانی داشته باشند و در راه اعلای امر الهی قدمی بردارند.

حقوق الله

نشانی معاونین محترم امین حقوق الله:
در غرب ایالات متحده: Dr. Amin Banani Santa Monica, CA 90402
در شرق ایالات متحده: Mr. Moussa Mostaghim P.O. Box 296 Ephrata, PA 17522

میدان خدمت

یوکاتان - مکزیک

در اثر مشاورین قاره‌ای آمریکا اطلاع رسیده است که بسبب وضع اقتصادی کشور مکزیک احبای شبه جزیره یوکاتان در جنوب غربی این کشور احتیاج به کمک و تقویت فوری دارند. بسیاری از احبای بومی این منطقه بعلت کمبود کار ناچار خواهند شد به شهرهای بزرگ و مناطقی که محل آمد و شد سیاحان است کوچ کنند. در صورتی که چند خانواده از احبای ایرانی بتوانند در آن منطقه مستقر شده در امور کشاورزی یا صنایع سبک سرمایه‌گذاری نمایند از انتقال احبای محلی به سایر نقاط جلوگیری شده اساس تشکیلات امر در آن ناحیه تقویت و تحکیم خواهد شد. به کسانی که بمنظور ایجاد کار در آن منطقه مستقر شوند اجازه استفاده از زمینهای دولتی داده خواهد شد.

تسهیل ویزای مکزیک برای کسانیکه گذرنامه آمریکایی یا کانادایی دارند بسیار سهل است بعلاوه برای احبایی که سرمایه کافی بجهت ایجاد طرحهای زراعی یا صنعتی در اختیار داشته باشند احتمال گرفتن ویزای مهاجرتی وجود دارد. احبای مکزیک اعلام نموده‌اند که وکیل با تجربه‌ای برای کمک به مهاجرین عزیز در زمینه گرفتن ویزا آماده است. شایسته است که در ابتدای کار ممکن است یکی دو نفر از علاقه مندان برای مطالعه اوضاع و بررسی امکانات سفری به آن صفحات بنمایند تا بتوانند اطلاعات لازم را در اختیار سایرین قرار دهند.

جمهوری ایرلند

بیت العدل اعظم الهی مایلند ۴ عائله از احبای ایرانی بقصد مهاجرت و استقرار در جمهوری ایرلند قیام نمایند. البته داوطلبان بایستی سیار باشند و کمک و آماده برای استقرار در نقاطی که جانب محفل روحانی ملی ایرلند تعیین میشود باشند. اگر در خانواده‌ها مهاجرین اطفال بها ئی وجود داشته باشند امکان موفقیتشان بیشتر خواهد بود.

جلسه سالانه انجمن عفو بین‌المللی

جلسه سالانه شعبه آمریکا ی انجمن عفو بین‌المللی در ۱۲ ژوئن ۱۹۸۲ در آتلانتا، ایالت جورجیا با شرکت قریب به ۴۰۰ نفر منعقد گردید. بدعوت مسؤولین انجمن جناب یاران فردوسی از طرف محفل روحانی ملی ماموریت یافتند در جلسه مذکور حضور یافته شرحی از گرفتاری خود در ایران در معیت والد مکرم جناب فتح الله فردوسی ‎علیه رضوان الله علیه‌رضوان‌الله‎ و شرح شهادت آن شهید مجید همراه با عده‌ای دیگر از اعضاء محفل مقدس روحانی طهران در تاریخ ۲ ژانویه ۱۹۸۲ بیان نمایند.

علاوه بر سخنرانی ایشان نمایشگاهی از عکس‌های انهدام بیت مبارک شیراز و سایر صدماتی که بر جامعه ممتحن و ستمدیده ایران وارد آمده است در محل انعقاد جلسه ترتیب داده شده بود که مورد توجه شرکت کنندگان در جلسه قرار گرفت و قریب به ۸۰ نفر به احباء مراجعه نموده نشریات و اطلاعات اضافی درباره آیین بها ئی دریافت نمودند.

در پیشنهاد مسؤولین انجمن بیانیه‌ای در حمایت از ۱۹ نفر احبای محبوس در شیراز که محکوم به اعدام شده بودند توسط احباء تهیه شد که در جلسه عمومی مطرح و تصویب گردید و از جانب حاضرین در جلسه به ایران مخابره شد. [Page 18]

ترجمه پیام منیع دیوان عدل اعظم الهی خطاب به بهائیان عالم رضوان سنه ۱۴۰ بدیع

یاران عزیز و محبوب

مورخین آتیه سرعت یافتن محتوی و حرکتی که حضرت ولیّ‌محبوب امرالله توصیف فرموده‌اند، یعنی تلاشی و اضمحلال نظم کهن و ارتفاع و استحکام نظم بدیع جهان‌آرای حضرت بهاءالله را طی دهه اخیر باحتمال قوی از بارزترین خصوصیات این دوره محسوب خواهند داشت. افزایشی که اخیراً در این تسریع و شتاب حاصل گشته بیش از پیش قابل ملاحظه است. قوائی نیرومند در داخل و خارج امر الهی فعال و درکارند تا این دو روند توأماً این قرن پرحادثه را به نقطه اوج مسیر خود بکشانند. از جمله شواهد متعددی که این جریان را آشکار می‌سازد از جهتی ازدیاد مداوم و اساسی و جلوه و ظهور سریع امر الهی در همه مسائل و امور جهانی است که در سراسر عالم به مشیت کامله ربانیه تحقق می‌یابد، جریانی که با اکلیل جلیل جلوه و زیبایی کوه کرمل، جبل ربّ، مکلّل گشته و اکنون بهار ربانی اش با شکوهی خیره‌کننده آغاز می‌شود.

در پنج سال گذشته تمایل و تفاعل تاریخی فتح و اعتلاء و مصیبت و ابتلاء در جامعه امر الهی همچنان ادامه داشته است. ‎جند هدی جمله‎ فقدان شش ایادی عزیز امرالله و لطمات امواج بلیّات و تضییقات شدیدی را که بار دیگر ‎شمس جمع‎ یاران ستمدیده را در اقلیم ایران احاطه نموده و منجر به اعدام حضرت نقطه اولی در شیراز و تخریب بیت اجدادی حضرت بهاءالله در تاکر و شهادت دهها نفس نفیس گردیده، تحمل نموده‌ است. ولکن این مصیبات و بلایای متتابعه ‎قواشی قوائی‎ جدیدی در دل و جان یاران برانگیخته و شجر امرالله را سقايه نموده و منجر به حصول خرمنی از فتوحات باهره گشته است. در رأس این فتوحات اتمام و اکمال موفقیت‌آمیز نقشه پنجساله، شروع نقشه هفت‌ ساله که اکنون در سال نهائی مرحله ثانی است، و اعلان بیانیه امر حضرت یزدان به رؤسای دول و به پارلمان‌ها و اعضای مجالس مقننه و به وزراء و زعمای دول و پیشوایان ملل و افراد ممتاز در حرف و شئون متنوعه قرار دارد که موجب تغییر نظر و رفتار ارباب جراید و وسائط ارتباط جمعی گردیده و در نتیجه بنحو روزافزونی برای اخذ خبر و اطلاع از امر الهی به احباء مراجعه مینمایند.

به این انتصارات باید تشکیل مراسم مسامره و تذکر پنجاهمین سال صعود حضرت ورقه مبارکه علیا، و اتمام مرمت و تعمیر طبقه فوقانی بیت عبدالله پاشا و افتتاح آن در این ایام بر روی اولین دسته از زائرین، و استقرار بیت‌العدل اعظم در مقر دائمی که مرحله‌ای دیگر از تحقق نبوّات عظیمه لوح کرمل است، و پیشرفت منظم ساختمان اولین مشرق‌الاذکار جزائر پاسیفیک در ساموا و ام‌المعابد شبه قاره هند در دهلی جدید را نیز اضافه نمود.

از جمله خصوصیات بارز مجاهدات جامعه در میدان تبلیغ و تحکیم مبانی امرالله آثار و نتایج مفیده مستمره شرکت بیش از شانزده هزار نفر از یاران از جمیع نقاط عالم در پنج مؤتمر بین‌المللی، اجرای برنامه‌های فشرده تبلیغی با کمک و مساعدت جدی جمیع طبقات جامعه و با استفاده از شور و نشاط و قوای مستعده جوانان بهائی، و تأسیس دومین فرستنده رادیوئی در آمریکای جنوبی، و تشکیل مجدد محافل روحانیه ملیه یوگاندا و نپال و تأسیس ۹ محفل روحانی ملی جدید است که دو محفل از آن محافل نه گانه در ماه می تشکیل میگردد و عدد بیوت عدل ثانوی را به ۱۳۵ بالغ خواهد ساخت. مهمتر و بالاتر از همه وحدت عمل و اقدامی است که در جلب حمایت و پشتیبانی عمومی بجهت احبای محبوب و زحمت‌کشیده ایران به تمام جامعه جهانی‌مان شده است. این روح یگانگی همچنین در بذل مال و اتفاق منال برای جبران تبرعات کریمانه‌ای که سابقاً از جانب یاران ایران واصل می‌گردید، و در ازدیاد خلوص و فداکاری فردی یاران که بندرت بمیزان و مقیاسی چنین عمومی ‎مشهد مشهود‎ بوده و آینده‌ای متعالی را نوید می‌دهد ظاهر و متجلی شده است.

این جریانات حاکی از رشد و بلوغ روزافزون جامعه دیانتی جهانی است و شواهد دیگر این رشد و روند صعودی از جوامع ملی بهائی به حیات اجتماعی و اقتصادی کشورهای متبوع است که نمونه‌های آن تأسیس مدارس محلی روستائی، ایجاد فرستنده‌های رادیوئی، اجرای برنامه‌های عمران روستائی و طرح‌های طبی و زراعی است. بر این اقدامات که فقط سرآغازی از خدمات اجتماعی جوامع بهائی بشمار میروند باید تسلط و مهارت علمی را افزود که در نتیجه بحران ایران در ارتباط با سازمان‌های بین‌المللی و حکومت ملی و وسائط خبری، بعضی عناصر و عوامل فرعیه جامعه بشری که باید برای استقرار صلح در عالم انسانی روز‌بروز بیشتر با آنان همکاری نمود، بدست آمده است.

افق وسیعتری مقابل انظارمان پدیدار گشته که از تجلی روز‌افزون و عمومی قوای مکنونه در امر الهی برای سامان دادن به امور جامعه انسانی منوّر است. در این روشنائی نه تنها وظائف و فرائض ‎دوری فوری‎ و کنونی ما بخوبی تشخیص داده میشود بلکه مجاهدات و تعهدات جدیدی که بایستی بزودی مورد توجه قرار گیرد تمیز شیوه‌های ملاحظه میگردد. در حال حاضر باید اهداف نقشه هفت ساله را تکمیل کنیم و به پرورش فضائل معنوی و صفات روحانی بپردازیم که اثرات آن حصول وحدت و یگانگی بیشتر فی مابین یاران و فعالیت هم آهنگ، باطمانینت و با کفایت محافل روحانیه محلیه و ملیه بر حسب میل و اراده هیکل مبارک حضرت ولیّ‌امرالله خواهد بود.

شک و شبهه‌ای نیست که جامعه جهانی بهائی از عهده جمیع این وظائف برخواهد آمد و با ‎نتحارات نجاحات‎ جدیده‌ای توفیق خواهد یافت زیرا ‎فواضی فیوضاتی‎ که حضرت بهاءالله عطا فرموده‌اند با حوائج زمان تطبیق میکند. لذا باید اطمینان کامل داشته باشیم که نیروی جدیدی که در ارکان و جوارح امر الهی غلیان دارد آنرا قادر به مقابله با مجاهدات آینده میسازد تا متناسب با میزان رشد و بلوغ و امکانات موجود به توسعه و بهبود حیات اجتماعی و اقتصادی ملل عالم مساعدت نماید و با قوائی که جهت استقرار نظم در جهان میکوشند همکاری کند، و در انتفاع صحیح از تکنولوژی جدید مؤثر واقع شود، و بمجمع این طرق و جهات بر آبرو و اعتبار و تقدم امرالله بیفزاید و سبب اصلاح شرائط و احوال ‎مسی بنی‎ نوع انسانی گردد.

حال وقت سرور و شادمانی است. شمس جمال اقدس ابهی در قطب امکان طالع و لائح است و از پرتو انوارش تباین و تضاد بین تاریکی و افسردگی و یأس و حرمان و سرگردانی جهان از جهتی و بهجت و اطمینان و طرب و ایقان یاران از جهت دیگر روز‌بروز روشنتر و آشکارتر میشود. مسرور باشید که روز خدا فرا رسیده است.

با تحیات ابدع ابهی بیت‌العدل اعظم

ترجمه پیام تلگرافی بیت‌العدل اعظم الهی مورخ ۱۸ جون ۱۹۸۳

با حزن و الم شدید خبر بدار آویختن شش نفس دیگر از خادمین ‎شمیع شجیع‎ امرالله را در آخرین ساعات یوم ۱۶ جون در مدینه شیراز اعلام میداریم.

• جناب دکتر بهرام افنان، طبیبی عالیقدر، ۴۸ ساله
• جناب بهرام یلدائی، محصل، ۲۲ ساله
• جناب جمشید سیاوشی، بازرگان، ۳۹ ساله
• جناب عنایت الله اشراقی، کارمند بازنشسته شرکت نفت، ۶۰ ساله
• جناب کورش حق بین، تکنسین برق، ۲۷ ساله
• جناب عبدالحسین آزادی، کارمند وزارت بهداری، ۶۰ ساله

بخاطر حفظ جان سایر مسجونین شدیداً نگرانیم زیرا تهدید شده‌اند که اگر تبری ننموده اسلام نیاورند بسرنوشت مشابهی مبتلی خواهند شد. این رفتار بیرحمانه عوامل متعصب که اکنون علی‌رغم افکار عمومی جهان قانون و عدالت را بدست خود گرفته‌اند بذل توجه مخصوص دول و زعماء ملل را ایجاب میکند تا منتهای کوشش برای ممانعت از ادامه چنین اعمال مخالف اصول عدالت و انصاف و حقوق بشر معمول گردد...

بیت‌العدل اعظم

ترجمه پیام تلگرافی بیت‌العدل اعظم الهی مورخ ۱۹ جون ۱۹۸۳

مورخ ۱۹ جون ۱۹۸۳

بدنبال اعدام فجیع شش نفر از احباء یوم ۱۶ جون در شیراز مسؤولین امور در آن مدینه با بدار آویختن ده نفر از نسوان معصوم در لیله ۱۸ جون مرتکب جنایت شنیع دیگری گردیده‌اند.

• امةالله نصرت خانم یلدائی، ۵۴ ساله، والده جناب بهرام یلدائی که یوم ۱۶ جون بدار آویخته شده بودند
• امةالله عزت خانم اشراقی، ۵۰ ساله، قرینه جناب عنایت الله اشراقی که یوم ۱۶ جون بدار آویخته شده بودند
• امةالله رؤیا خانم اشراقی، در حدود ۲۰ ساله، صبیّه جناب اشراقی
• امةالله طاهره خانم سیاوشی، ۳۲ ساله، قرینه جناب جمشید سیاوشی که یوم ۱۶ جون بدار آویخته شده بودند
• امةالله مونا خانم محمودنژاد، ۱۸ ساله، صبیه جناب یدالله محمودنژاد که یوم ۱۲ مارچ ۱۹۸۳ اعدام گردیده بودند
• امةالله زرین خانم مقیمی، کمتر از ۲۵ ساله
• امةالله شیرین خانم دالوند، در حدود ۳۰ ساله
• امةالله اختر خانم ثابت، ۱۹ ساله
• امةالله سیمین خانم صابری، در حدود ۲۰ ساله
• امةالله مهشید خانم نیرومند، ۱۸ ساله

اعدام این نسوان بیگناه بنام دیانت با پستی غریبه‌ای شدید به وجدان عالم بشریت وارد نماید. همگی آنان بجرم فعالیت در جامعه بهائی من‌جمله تعلیم و تربیت جوانان دستگیر شده بودند.

بسیار استنطاق‌های طولانی در زندان به آنان اخطار شده بود که طی چهار جلسه برای تبرّی از امر و قبول اسلام تحت فشار قرار خواهند گرفت و اگر تا نوبت چهارم ورقه های از پیش آماده شده مبنی بر تبرّی را امضاء نکنند کشته خواهند شد. همگی مرگ را بر انکار ایمانشان ترجیح دادند.

خانمها چند ساعت قبل از اجرای احکام اعدام با اعضاء خانواده که هیچکدام از اعدام‌های قریب الوقوع مطلع نبودند ملاقات کردند. خبر این جنایت ناجوانمردانه به سرای اطلاع عامه اعلام گردید و نه خانواده‌ها رسماً مطلع شدند. اولیای امور از تحویل اجساد به منسوبین خودداری نمودند و حتی اجازه دیدن اجساد را نیز نداده‌اند.

بایستی یادآور شد که در ماههای اخیر و اواخر سال ۱۹۸۲ بیش از ۸۰ نفر از احباء در شیراز گرفتار شدند. ‎سعداً بعداً‎ اولیای امور اعلام داشتند که ۲۲ نفر از آنان محکوم به اعدامند مگر آنکه تبری کنند. ولکن اسامی این افراد هیچگاه فاش نشد و باین ترتیب بر فشار روحی مسجونین بهائی افزوده گردید.

تا کنون ۲۱ نفر از این ‎سعائیان بهائیان‎ علی‌رغم وساطت پیشوایان ملل و فشار افکار عمومی عالم اعدام شده‌اند و سایه شومی بر سرنوشت سایر مؤمنینی که در زندان زجر میکشند افتاده است...

بیت‌العدل اعظم [Page 19]

Reading the Íqán over and over again

A new pocket-sized edition of the Kitáb-i-Íqán, Bahá’u’lláh’s Book of Certitude, will be released in the fall by the Bahá’í Publishing Trust. It is the second in a series of new pocket-sized editions of works written by Bahá’u’lláh and translated by Shoghi Effendi.

The first in the pocket-sized series, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, was released at the Bahá’í National Convention and affordably priced at $3. The series will eventually include Epistle to the Son of the Wolf and Prayers and Meditations. The low price is possible because the typesetting for the books has been completely paid for in previous editions.

The impetus for the small, inexpensively priced editions of Bahá’u’lláh’s works comes from a goal of the Seven Year Plan given to the U.S. in 1981. That goal calls for "a nationwide campaign, with emphasis on the use of the Creative Word, designed to inspire every believer to live the Bahá’í life, thus demonstrating to their fellow-countrymen the beneficent effects of the Bahá’í way of life achieved through adherence to the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh."

Of Gleanings, Shoghi Effendi wrote that it should be the "continued guide and companion" of every Bahá’í.

Of the Kitáb-i-Íqán, the Guardian said it "should be read and read over again by every soul who desires to serve the Movement or considers himself an active member..."

He urged Bahá’ís to form classes to study the Íqán, "which contains the basic tenets of the Faith." He explained that "The one who ponders over that book and grasps the full significance will obtain a clear insight into the old scriptures and appreciate the true mission of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh," for the Íqán, he wrote in yet another letter, explains allusions in other Sacred Texts to the Bahá’í dispensation and enables the Bahá’ís to "unfold the mysteries" in the holy books.

In yet another letter, Shoghi Effendi singled out the Íqán as a book of "special importance," one that "explains the attitude of the Cause towards the prophets of God and their mission in the history of society,"

The new pocket-sized editions of Bahá’u’lláh’s Writings put the Creative Word in our hands in an affordable, easily portable and attractive format. Now we must rise to the Guardian's challenge. He said "every Bahá’í should master" books such as the Íqán and "be able to explain their contents to others." He also promised that the Íqán is "interesting" and "absorbing."

Hardcover, Catalog No. 103-008, $13; pocket-sized edition—to be announced.

How to order

Use the order form below to order any of the titles listed on the publications pages or in the Publishing Trust price list that appears elsewhere in this issue of The American Bahá’í. Cash orders must be accompanied by a check or money order for the full amount (including 10 per cent for postage and handling, minimum $1.50).

Credit card orders are accepted by phone (1-800-323-1880) and by mail; a VISA or MasterCard account number and expiration date must be included. Send orders to the Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091.

Music, mime herald two new children's books

Songs, mime and autographs heralded the release at the Bahá’í National Convention of two new children's books from the Bahá’í Publishing Trust.

Winifred Barnum Newman, the author and illustrator of The Spotlessly Leopard, and Alvin N. Deibert and Carol Joy, author and illustrator, respectively, of B.J. and the Language of the Woodland, were all on hand for two autographing sessions for the new books.

SONGS and a mime presentation based on the two new children's books drew fascinated adults and children to the Convention bookstore during the lunch and dinner hours on Sunday.

The songs were written and performed by the "Heart Sisters" (Susan Engle and Jean Marks), who were accompanied by their husbands, Michael Moutrie and Andy Marks. The accomplished mime was Sandra Magestro.

The performances were repeated for several children's classes on Sunday morning.

The Spotlessly Leopard, in captivating text and illustrations, tells the story of a leopard who gives up his spots in the vain hope of learning to fly. He has to learn the hard way the importance of being one's own self.

The Spotlessly Leopard (Softcover, Catalog No. 353-020, $3) is Ms. Newman's second book for the Publishing Trust and the third she has illustrated.

Her Secret in the Garden was published in 1980, and in 1982 she illustrated Gail Radley's Zahra's Search. Ms. Newman has also recently published the book Gumwrappers and Goggles for Southwest Airlines.

B.J. and the Language of the Woodland (Softcover, Catalog No. 353-019, $3.50) is a chapter book about the exploits of an unusual female frog who sets out to learn the languages of the forest animals.

In the course of her studies she does learn a lot about the activities of the other animals—and she also finds rewards she never expected.

Children at the National Convention are entertained by music and mime which make the children's books The Spotlessly Leopard and B.J. and the Language of the Woodland come vividly to life. Both books are available from the Bahá’í Publishing Trust in Wilmette.

Titles from Around the World

BIC—Bahá’í International Community Can—Canada GR—George Ronald KP—Kalimat Press Twn—Taiwan WO—World Order HC—Hardcover SC—Softcover

New Books

The Importance of Deepening for Knowledge and Understanding of the Faith A must for helping youth and adults map out a study route through the Creative Word—a new compilation from Haifa containing previously untranslated passages. Sheds new light on what books and topics we need to study as well as why we need to study them. Illuminates the relationship between mastering the writings and success in teaching and administrative undertakings. (Can.) (SC, Cat. No. 215-084, $2)

The Diary of Juliet Thompson The intimate diary of Juliet Thompson's pilgrimage to ‘Akká (1909) and her travels with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in Europe and America (1911-12). 396 pp., photographs. (KP) (HC, Cat. No. 332-107, $14.95)

Coupon for Ordering from the Publishing Trust

Title | Qty | Price 'Abdu’l-Bahá litho, 10 1/2x15 | | $2.00 'Abdu’l-Bahá lithos, set of 7 | | $5.00 Publishing Trust catalog | | $2.00 Martha Root, HC | | $20.00 Martha Root, SC | | $11.00 Spotlessly Leopard | | $3.00 B.J. Language of Woodland | | $3.50 Strengthening Admin. Order | | $6.00 Bookplates | | $2.00 To Move the World, SC | | $7.00 Christ and Bahá’u’lláh | | $2.95 Visit with the Master, cs | | $6.00 Diary of Juliet Thompson | | $14.95 We Are Bahá’ís, cs | | $6.00 5th Internat'l Convention, cs | | $6.00 From Behind the Veil | | $2.50 Gleanings, pocket-sized | | $3.00 Importance of Deepening | | $2.00 Kitáb-i-Íqán, HC | | $13.00 Bahá’ís in Iran | | $1.50 Bahá’ís in Iran/Spring World Order | | $2.50

New Edition

Christ and Bahá’u’lláh (Cat. No. 331-010, $2.95)

Special Materials

We Are Bahá’ís For children of all ages—12 songs including "We Are Bahá’ís," "Songs of the Month," and "The Prisoner." Performed by a Bahá’í children's choir in Canada. (Can.) (Cat. No. 832-027, $6)

Bookplates Personalize your books with attractive blue bookplates bearing Mishkin-Qalam's calligraphic rendering of a bird of paradise in the form of the Greatest Name sitting on the tree of paradise. (Twn.) (Cat. No. 842-003, $2)

Special Half-Price Offer

The Bahá’ís in Iran—a Report on the Persecution of a Religious Minority Be prepared to capitalize on President Reagan's statement about the Bahá’ís in Iran. This white paper puts at your fingertips an overview of the systematic nature of the persecution of the Bahá’ís and of the fake charges. (BIC) (SC, Cat. No. 555-100. Regular price, $3; special price $1.50)

World Order, Spring 1982/The Bahá’ís in Iran Your friend's questions in the wake of President Reagan's speaking out for the Bahá’ís in Iran will find easy and thorough answers in the white paper described above and in the Spring issue of World Order containing written testimony presented before the House of Representatives' Subcommittee on Human Rights and International Organizations. (WO) (SC, Cat. No. 555-200. Regular price, $5; special price, $2.50) [Page 20]

Publishing Trust’s 1983-84 catalog available

The Bahá’í Publishing Trust is pleased to announce the availability of its new 1983-84 catalog.

The catalog is loose leaf and punched so that it may be placed in a three-ring binder. The pages have been designed so that they can easily be updated throughout the year.

ONE COPY of the Publishing Trust catalog will be sent free of charge to all Local Spiritual Assemblies that formed at Riḍván 1983 and to all Groups that have set up an account with the Publishing Trust by filing a new account authorization form since Riḍván 1983.

Assemblies and Groups are free to copy the catalog and share its contents with the members of their communities.

The free copies of the catalog were mailed in mid-June. Please allow two to three weeks for delivery. Each catalog was mailed with a current price list and complete instructions for its use.

All Spiritual Assemblies and Groups receiving a catalog will also receive free updates and price lists as they become available during the year.

A limited number of Publishing Trust catalogs (Catalog No. 368-003, $2) will also be made available to individuals on a first-come, first-served basis for $2 including postage and handling.

Individuals will not receive automatic updates, but such information will be printed on the publications page of The American Bahá’í.

Spiritual Assemblies that have requested catalogs recently will receive them in the mid-June mailing. Individuals who have requested catalogs should resubmit their request, together with $2.

Autograph parties mark release of new Publishing Trust books

Autograph sessions at the recent Bahá’í National Convention marked the release of two new books about two heroines of the Faith.

Kathleen Jemison Demas was there to autograph copies of her intriguing novel From Behind the Veil—the story of Táhirih, the first heroine of the Bahá’í era.

From Behind the Veil (Softcover, Catalog No. 332-108, $2.50), an easy-reading novel for all ages, dusts the history off history books enabling the heroic and human sides of Táhirih to spring to life.

Equally important, the book captures the feelings one remembers when first becoming a Bahá’í.

Mabel R. Garis also was at the National Convention to autograph copies of her recently released biography, Martha Root: Lioness at the Threshold.

The culmination of six years of research, Martha Root is a highly readable biography of North America’s greatest Bahá’í teacher and the foremost Hand of the Cause raised up by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s will and testament in the first Bahá’í century.

The biography (Hardcover, Catalog No. 332-105, $20; Softcover, Catalog No. 332-106, $11) covers Martha Root’s fascinating first career as a successful Pittsburgh journalist.

But it is her second 30-year “career,” in which Martha lives out her almost literal response to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Tablets of the Divine Plan, that causes readers to re-evaluate their own lives.

Martha Root, as she comes alive under Mabel Garis’ pen, still sets the pace for all who arise to teach.

Publishing Trust offers ‘Gift of Love’ for sharing

Have you ever wanted to give someone a Bahá’í book but hesitated because you were not sure whether they already owned it?

If so, the Bahá’í Publishing Trust has the answer. Since June 1 the Publishing Trust has been offering a “Gift of Love”—a gift certificate to help you share Bahá’í treasures with family and friends.

These certificates are good for any item carried by the Publishing Trust. They are used just like money for partial or full payment of an order.

The gift certificates are available only from the Bahá’í Publishing Trust in Wilmette, and may only be redeemed through the mail from the Publishing Trust. (Please do not ask your community or Bahá’í school librarian to honor these certificates.)

Ordering a “Gift of Love” (Catalog No. 868-000) is simple. Send (1) the name and address of the recipient, (2) your name and address, and (3) a check or money order for the amount of the certificate in full dollars only—there is no handling or postage charge for gift certificate orders—to the Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 1-800-323-1880. You must provide VISA or MasterCard information on all phone orders.

The certificate, in a handsome gift envelope, will be sent either to you or to the recipient, as specified when you order.

To make the gift certificates available, we regret that they cannot be purchased from or redeemed through local or school librarians. They cannot be charged to community or school accounts, and they are not eligible for the 10 per cent community discount.

The certificate may be redeemed any time within two years of the date of issuance by sending it with an order to the Trust.

Because of its limited bookkeeping capacity, the Publishing Trust asks that when redeeming the certificate you spend it in full. The Publishing Trust is not able to return unused portions of the certificates in credit. Also, it will not redeem any certificate for cash.

“We feel that these certificates are the perfect gift for occasions such as marriages, births, anniversaries, Ayyám-i-Há, graduation, and the like,” says Larry Bucknell, general manager of the Publishing Trust. “They’re also a great gift for a new Bahá’í who is just starting his book collection.”

A Gift of Love

“The beginning of all things is the knowledge of God, . . .” —Bahá’u’lláh

TO _____________________________________________________________________

for the amount of ________________________________________________ $ ______

From ___________________________________________________________________

This certificate is redeemable for any item distributed by the Bahá’í Publishing Trust, Wilmette, Illinois.

Prepared by ____________________ Date issued __________ 19 __ No. № 0001

This Gift Certificate is redeemable only by mail order through the Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091, or at the Bahá’í House of Worship Bookshop. (It may not be used to purchase books from the local Bahá’í librarian.)

This Certificate will not be honored if not redeemed within two years after the purchase date. All obligations of the Bahá’í Publishing Trust arising upon the purchase or issuance thereof shall cease at the end of such two year period.

Bahá’í Publishing Trust 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091

Notes . . . from the Publishing Trust

HC—Hardcover PS—Pocket-sized SC—Softcover

A Novel for All Ages

From Behind the Veil Táhirih, the foremost heroine of the Bábí era, comes alive in an easy-to-read novel of suspense and drama that captures the excitement one experiences when finding God’s messenger for the new age. By Kathleen Jemison Demas. 121 pp. (SC, Cat. No. 332-108, $2.50)

Pocket-Sized Gleanings

Pocket-sized edition of Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh Make plans now to use the new pocket-sized edition of Gleanings to reach leaders of thought. Bound in a handsome maroon flexible cover (similar to that used on the new softcover Bahá’í Prayers), the inexpensive, portable Gleanings will make an impressive gift to the most discerning. (PS, Cat. No. 103-031, $3)

New Photographs of the Master

‘Abdu’l-Bahá Lithograph, 10 1/2 x 15 inches A majestic three-quarter length formal portrait of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá suitable for homes and Bahá’í Centers. (Cat. No. 875-047, $2)

‘Abdu’l-Bahá Lithographs, set of seven A new selection of seven lithographs of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in a variety of poses, formal and informal. All suitable for framing. Brown duotone. Two 8 x 10s; three 5 x 7s; and two 4 x 5s. (Cat. No. 870-020, $5)

Two Champion Builder Books

Martha Root: Lioness at the Threshold A highly readable and entertaining biography of America’s greatest teacher and the foremost Hand of the Cause of God raised up by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s will in the first Bahá’í century. Shy about taking a trolley across town, Martha Root—armed with the creative word of Bahá’u’lláh—was fearless in sharing His message of love with millions around the world. By M. R. Garis. 496 pages, many photographs. (HC, Cat. No. 332-105, $20) (SC, Cat. No. 332-106, $11)

Softcover edition of To Move the World By popular demand: a softcover edition of Gayle Morrison’s biography of the Hand of the Cause of God Louis G. Gregory and the story of the advancement of racial unity in America. (SC, Cat. No. 332-073, $7)

New for Children

B.J. and the Language of the Woodland A green frog, determined against all odds to learn the languages of the other forest animals, finds communication has perils—and untold rewards. Text by Alvin N. Deibert; illustrations by Carol Joy. For 6-11 year olds. (SC, Cat. No. 353-019, $3.50)

The Spotlessly Leopard A leopard without his spots and with a vain hope of learning to fly has to learn the hard way the importance of being one’s own special self. Text and illustrations by Winifred Barnum Newman. (SC, Cat. No. 353-020, $3)

Hands of the Cause of God Featured on New Cassettes

Fifth Bahá’í International Convention Features the Hand of the Cause of God Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum reading the Riḍván message from the Universal House of Justice to the Bahá’ís of the world and making the opening address at the first planning session of the International Convention, plus the closing address by the Hand of the Cause William Sears. (Cat. No. 831-078, $6)

A Visit with the Master In a new Legacies of Service tape, the Hand of the Cause of God Corinne True talks about her first visit with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in 1907, describes the Master’s words, and recounts the presentation of the request to build the first House of Worship in North America. (Cat. No. 831-055, $6)

Strengthening the Administrative Order The Hand of the Cause of God Horace Holley, who was the long-time secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly, talks, in another new Legacies of Service tape, about strengthening Bahá’í institutions, maintaining faith in turbulent times, and the dynamic influence of the Wilmette House of Worship. Three different talks. (Cat. No. 831-056, $6)

Available from Bahá’í Publishing Trust Wilmette, IL 60091

[Page 21]

CLASSIFIEDS

Classified notices in The American Bahá’í are published free of charge as a service to the Bahá’í community. Notices are limited to items relating to the Faith; no personal or commercial messages can be accepted for publication. The opportunities referred to have not been approved by the National Spiritual Assembly, and the friends should exercise their own judgment in responding to them.

OPPORTUNITIES for service abound in South Carolina. Homefront pioneers are needed in the Orangeburg area to consolidate mass taught areas and help strengthen active communities. The Orangeburg metropolitan area consists of about 45,000 people employed mostly in industry, commerce and agriculture. Industry includes chemicals, textiles, woodworking, metalworking and apparel. Orangeburg is 40 miles from the capital city, Columbia. Please contact the South Carolina Central District Teaching Committee, c/o John Foster, Box 1552, Orangeburg, SC 29116.

THE BAHÁ’Í International Community would like to receive reports from Bahá’í communities which held programs or activities in connection with United Nations Day and/or UN Human Rights Day in 1982, or observances of World Environment Day (June 5) or Disarmament Week. Please send reports as soon as possible to the Bahá’í International Community, 866 United Nations Plaza, New York, NY 10017.

THE 1983 Bermuda Bahá’í Summer School will be held August 5-14 on Darrell’s Island camping grounds. For more information please contact the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

NEEDED: Teachers and teachers’ assistants; aerobic dance-exercise teachers; musicians; psychologists; art teachers; naturalists; and anyone with talent in any area who can serve at the Green Lake Bahá’í Conference (September 16-18) for children’s classes ages 4 through 11. Please write to Jo Welter, children’s class coordinator, Madison, WI 53703, or phone 608-251-2643.

KINGMAN, Arizona, has a population of about 25,000—and no Bahá’ís. You are needed to re-locate and help establish a Spiritual Assembly with help from isolated Bahá’ís outside Kingman. A Bahá’í phone and mailing address have already been established, and the Faith has been introduced to the Community College, Chamber of Commerce, church fellowship association and local radio station. Plans are under way to have a booth at the Mohave County Fair. There is employment in Kingman for waitresses, mechanics or domestic workers. Ideal for semi-retired couple with nearby recreational areas that include lakes, mountains and desert. Please write to Bahá’í Faith, P.O. Box 3712, Kingman, AZ 86402, or phone 602-565-3895.

MEXICO: A full-time position as an English teacher is being offered for September at the Instituto Anglo-Mexicano, a preparatory school in Tampico, Tamaulipas, Mexico. Applicants need not be certified. For more information contact the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

IS THERE anyone with memories or records or photos of the early days of the Faith in China (Mainland, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan)? Facts are being gathered in preparation for a history. Time range: from the beginning to 1963. Please send your China information to Kevin W. Patton, No. 26, Lane 18, University Road, Tainan Foo, Taiwan, ROC, or to Roxanne Terrel, 1/F Block A, Macau.

ATTENTION writers. Opportunity to write articles on spiritual topics. As members of an interfaith council, the Spiritual Assembly of Derry, New Hampshire, is able to place articles in the local newspaper every month or so. Needed are inspirational articles of two pages (double-spaced), clearly written with simple terminology. Writers in the past have used quotes from the Bible and Bahá’í Writings to bridge the gap to the largely Christian audience. Articles are subject to approval of the Assembly. Please send articles to Jane Hogue, Derry Bahá’í Faith, P.O. Box 780, Derry, NH 03038.

SEVERAL items were left in the “Lost and Found” during the National Convention and are being retained by the National Assembly until they are claimed. If you lost something while attending the Convention, please write to the National Spiritual Assembly, Office of Membership and Records, Wilmette, IL 60091. Please be sure to describe the item(s) as completely as possible.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA. This is a goal country as specified by the Universal House of Justice. The ‎advertisings advertising‎ season for academic jobs is beginning, as the school year there starts in February. There are still many positions open in the teaching and business fields, especially for accountants. For more information please contact the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

HELP restore a jeopardized Assembly in northeastern Oregon where Bahá’u’lláh suddenly opened a number of employment doors to qualified individuals. (1) Special education teacher, traveling in a three-county area. For information, job description and application contact Union ESD, 100 “K” Avenue, La Grande, OR 97850. (2) Nine elementary school teaching positions. Contact the ‎La Grand La Grande‎ Public Schools, Administration Building, 1208 4th St., La Grande, OR 97850. (3) Several teaching positions at a college laboratory school. M.A. required. For information, job description and application, contact Eastern Oregon State College, Personnel Department, La Grande, OR 97850. (4) Principalship of college laboratory school. Experience in programs for gifted and talented preferred. Address same as above. Please do not mention the Faith or The American Bahá’í when requesting information or applications for any of the above positions.

SEEKING correspondence with Bahá’ís who are actors and others who work in the theatre or related fields. Would like to share ideas about how the Faith can be applied and taught in connection with the performing arts. Will respond to all letters. S. Hegarty, San Diego, CA 92103.

HAITI, a goal country, has an opening for a cooperative poultry adviser. Do you have experience in this field? If so, please contact the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

DO YOU want to pioneer? Can you teach? We have news of teaching positions in the following goal countries: Trinidad—junior high teachers. Denmark—French and science teachers. Japan—European languages, history, physical education, music/choral, English in secondary schools. And there are jobs in non-goal countries also in need of pioneers: Kenya—home economics, French, math, physics and junior high teachers. Portugal—English, experience preferred. Taiwan (for August 1)—K-8, English, social studies, science, math, arts, music, physical education, kindergarten. For more information contact the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

AFTER seven years as homefront pioneers in Taos, New Mexico, we are off to India, and would be happy and grateful for some Bahá’ís to carry on the teaching work here. We have a lovely 100-year-old adobe house with two bedrooms, a fireplace in every room, large kitchen, garden area, garage and parking space. Perfect for firesides—five minutes from town, in a country setting, surrounded by trees with a stream running by. Adults only; older Persians would be ideal. Knowledge of Spanish is helpful but not necessary. Upstairs studio may also be available. Downstairs is $340 plus utilities, upstairs is $180 plus. Unfurnished except for a stove and refrigerator; some of my furnishings will be for sale if needed. This is a great house in an important goal area with only a few Bahá’ís and a tremendous opportunity for teaching. Some jobs are available; however, having some cash reserve is very helpful. For more information write to Josha Courtney, Box 3202, Taos, NM 87571, or phone 505-758-1941.

A PIONEER with a PhD. in communications is needed in Lima, Peru, to collaborate with the programming and production division of CIRBAL. This person would help with the development of radio stations in South America and with CIRBAL’s role in the use of radio for rural development. One could live in Lima and obtain work teaching at the university. For more information contact the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or telephone 312-869-9039.

THE NEW ERA school in India needs a doctor or nurse, kitchen supervisor, and science teacher. If you qualify for any of these positions you could be on your way to India in plenty of time to see the House of Worship completed. Contact the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

PLANNING a traveling teaching trip abroad or a visit to our pioneers? If so, please pass on this exciting news of a start-up business enterprise designed to stimulate international trade/import to the U.S./income for the pioneers. Am seeking unique handicrafts which will appeal to the American market for a retail store. Interested persons should send their personal and merchandise information to Deborah Klein, Waltham, MA 02154.

PILOTS and other aviation personnel: St. Lucia in the Windward Islands of the Caribbean has job openings for flight operations manager, pilots, engineers (all with current ICAO license), reservations and ticket agents, and airport supervisors. Interested parties may contact the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

SIERRA LEONE has a job opening for a hospital administrator. Requires nursing degree and experience in staff supervision and finance. For more information contact the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

EXCELLENT opportunity to serve the Cause in the City of the New York as live-in caretakers at the New York City Bahá’í Center. The Spiritual Assembly of New York City is now accepting resumés. Preference will be given to deepened, mature Bahá’í couples. Living accommodations only are provided. Please send resumés as quickly as possible to the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the City of New York, 53 E. 11th St., New York, NY 10003.

CYPRUS is a goal country and we need pioneers there. If you have the experience to be a junior high school headmaster, please contact the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

WE NEED to place pioneers in Papua New Guinea, a world goal of the Seven Year Plan. Can you help? The following are jobs you might consider: secondary teachers of physical education, English, technical subjects, commerce; math, computer science, French, drama, music; college teachers of accounting, engineering, business, literature, geology, biology; refrigeration engineers; radio writers and actors; travel consultants. Please contact the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

LOMPOC, a city of 27,000 in Southern California only 50 miles from lovely Santa Barbara, is seeking help to develop a more diverse racial community and strengthen its teaching efforts. The community there is struggling to re-establish a lost Assembly. Please contact the Group at P.O. Box 257, Lompoc, CA 93438.

THE BAHÁ’Í Media Committee of Southeastern Nebraska wishes to borrow the Jeff Reynolds country and western tape for use on radio in the Assembly goal area of Beatrice, Nebraska. Please contact the Media Committee, NE 68464, or phone 402-821-2027.

PLEASE consider a homefront pioneer post in South Carolina. If you are willing to make material sacrifices and accept the spiritual tests of homefront pioneering, the small town of Elloree needs deepened Bahá’ís who are warm loving, patient, open, and prepared to settle there for a number of years. The Bahá’ís in Elloree want to function as a community; they need only someone who is willing to live there and show them how. Employment is scarce, but there may be openings in the school system. One might also consider commuting to a larger community for work. Orangeburg is about 20 miles away, and the lovely resort See ADS Page 31

Video tapes available

A few copies of the video tape of the Congressional hearings on Iran are still available from the Office of Public Affairs. Copies for home video machines are $30 in either VHS or Beta formats.

The 3/4-inch format tape for television is $45. Copies for use on cable or standard TV stations can be rented for a month for $5.

Many communities are having success in using excerpts from the Congressional hearings tape as part of an interview with local Bahá’ís.

[Page 22]

Atlanta Information Council produces bus poster series

The Bahá’í Information Council of Greater Atlanta, Georgia, has produced a series of attractive four-color posters and bus cards to publicize the Bahá’í Faith.

The 20-inch by 23-inch posters have been placed in the Atlanta Rapid Transit subway system and have generated an average of one phone call a day from persons interested in learning more about the Faith.

Prompted by this initial success, the council requested permission to produce the posters for national distribution. The posters, which feature the "silent teacher," the Bahá’í House of Worship, are now available in several sizes from the Office of Public Affairs.

Space is provided on the posters for a local address or telephone number. The smaller cards are regulation postcard-size and make impressive mail invitations for local events, hand-outs or mini-posters for bulletin boards.

The poster prices are as follows: 20 by 23 inch, $2.50 each, 10 for $19.50; 11 by 14 inch, $2.30 each, 10 for $17.50; Postcards (3 1/2 by 5 1/2 inches), 25 cents each, 50 for $10. Bus cards (11 by 27 1/2 inches), $2 each, 10 for $12.50.

They can be ordered from the Office of Public Affairs, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. Please make checks payable to "Bahá’í Services Fund" and include an additional 10 per cent (minimum $2) to cover postage and handling.

Elsewhere, an innovative idea for financing bus card advertising has been initiated by the San Diego area Public Information Service. They have an "Adopt-a-Bus" program that allows individual Bahá’ís to finance a bus poster for a month. The program has resulted in the display of Bahá’í bus cards in more than 200 buses for a period of several months. The total cost of placement per poster is about $4.

Creative use of these materials is encouraged as a way to keep the name "Bahá’í Faith" before the public and to promote a positive impression that reinforces teaching activities.

Promotional materials to be available for World Peace Day observances

World Peace Day, to be celebrated Sunday, September 18, was initiated by the Bahá’ís of the U.S. in 1959 to call attention to the urgent need for the establishment of lasting peace among nations.

The National Teaching Committee and the Office of Public Affairs, wishing to place particular emphasis on this important occasion, are coordinating the production of promotional materials to be made available to publicize this event.

The teachings of the Bahá’í Faith, offering as they do the promise and the plan for a lasting peace, will be emphasized. The theme will be designed to attract attention, to stimulate interest, and to offer solutions to a confused and perplexed society.

Every Bahá’í community is encouraged to plan events, according to its capability, designed to carry forth this message. Detailed information will be made available in the immediate future.

A coordinated campaign by the national community in its practical and positive approaches, speaking with one voice, can stimulate positive reactions to the Faith and provide an impetus for future contacts with like-minded organizations and individuals.

Now is the time to plan these events. The materials will be available from the Office of Public Affairs, which will be pleased to offer assistance if further information is requested.

Widespread publicity follows President's statement on Iran

As of June 15, three television networks, various radio stations and at least 100 newspapers had carried stories concerning President Reagan's statement of May 22 in which he appealed to the Ayatollah Khomeini not to carry out the death sentences imposed on Bahá’ís in Iran.

SEVERAL articles also had appeared which quote the Ayatollah's response to the President. According to the state-run radio in Tehran, Ayatollah Khomeini sharply criticized Mr. Reagan's statement, saying in part, "How come you (Mr. Reagan) support a bunch of people who do not even belong to any religion and are only here at the order of their masters to work for them?"

Newspapers in New York, Atlanta, San Francisco, Chicago, Boston and Philadelphia are among the dozens that have printed editorials supporting the Bahá’ís.

Other favorable editorial comment has appeared in papers in Columbus, Ohio; Winston-Salem, North Carolina; Wichita, Kansas, and Madison, Wisconsin.

Many smaller newspapers in this country have joined them in decrying the persecution of Iran's largest religious minority.

In addition, articles on the President's statement appeared in the Asian editions of the Wall Street Journal and London Times, and stories were carried by the British Broadcasting Company and on radio in Australia.

"We are noticing that the action by President Reagan has led to a groundswell of editorial support for efforts to alleviate the suffering of Iran's Bahá’í community," says Parks Scott, the national public affairs officer.

Several local TV stations did.

Treasure State conference focuses on media services

Media services were the main topic of consultation April 16-17 at a conference in Bozeman, Montana, attended by members of the Treasure State Bahá’í Media Service and the Montana District Teaching Committee.

Also present at the conference were Parks Scott, the national Public Affairs Officer; and Robert G. Wilson, secretary of the National Teaching Committee.

In its first seven months of existence, the Treasure State Media Service has established working relationships with many Assemblies in its area, provided 10,000 copies of a letter for doorknob distribution, developed a kit of information and forms to help local media representatives, begun preparations for a series of media seminars, and undertaken numerous smaller tasks relevant to becoming a viable service.

Bus Poster Text

Bahá’í Faith

It's time for a change

The Bahá’í Faith

It's time for a change

Our House of Worship is Open to All Mankind So are Our Teachings

Our House of Worship Is Open to All Mankind So are Our Teachings: The Unity of Mankind The Equality of Men and Women The Elimination of All Prejudice Establishment of World Peace Harmony of Science & Religion Divine Source of All Religions

Martyrs

SHOCK CONSCIENCE HUMANITY. THEY WERE ARRESTED FOR ACTIVITIES IN BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITY INCLUDING EDUCATION OF YOUTH.

FOLLOWING LONG INTERROGATION IN PRISON THEY WERE WARNED THEY WOULD BE SUBJECTED TO FOUR SESSIONS PRESSURING THEM RECANT THEIR FAITH AND ACCEPT ISLAM AND IF BY FOURTH TIME THEY HAD NOT SIGNED PREPARED STATEMENT RECANTING FAITH THEY WOULD BE KILLED. ALL PREFERRED DIE RATHER THAN DENY THEIR FAITH.

FEW HOURS PRIOR EXECUTION WOMEN MET WITH FAMILIES, NONE OF WHOM KNEW IMPENDING EXECUTION. NEWS THIS DASTARDLY CRIME NOT PUBLICLY ANNOUNCED OR FORMALLY GIVEN TO FAMILIES. AUTHORITIES REFUSED ALLOW FAMILIES RECEIVE BODIES FOR BURIAL OR EVEN TO SEE THEM.

IT SHOULD BE RECALLED THAT BETWEEN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER 1982 OVER 80 BAHÁ’ÍS WERE ARRESTED IN SHIRAZ. AUTHORITIES LATER REVEALED THAT 22 PERSONS AMONG THE 80 WERE CONDEMNED TO DEATH IF WOULD NOT RECANT. NAMES OF THESE 22 HOWEVER WERE NEVER REVEALED, INTENSIFYING PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS AMONG BAHÁ’Í PRISONERS.

IN DEFIANCE APPEALS WORLD LEADERS AND WORLD PUBLIC OPINION, 21 OF THESE BAHÁ’ÍS HAVE THUS FAR BEEN EXECUTED, CASTING SHADOW ON FATE REMAINING BELIEVERS LANGUISHING IN PRISON.

UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE JUNE 19, 1983

TO PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN

DEAR MR. PRESIDENT:

DISREGARDING YOUR GENEROUS APPEAL TO SPARE THE LIVES OF BAHÁ’ÍS CONDEMNED TO DEATH IN SHIRAZ, IRAN'S ISLAMIC REGIME HAS, ON JUNE 16, EXECUTED BY HANGING SIX MEN AND, ON JUNE 18, TEN WOMEN, THREE OF THEM TEEN-AGE GIRLS. THE NEW ACT OF SAVAGE CRUELTY GIVES FURTHER EVIDENCE OF THE INTENSITY OF FANATICISM AND THE DEPTH OF HATRED THAT MOTIVATE THE PERPETRATORS OF THESE HEINOUS DEEDS.

AMERICAN BAHÁ’ÍS VEHEMENTLY PROTEST THE NEW ACTS OF INHUMANITY INFLICTED UPON INNOCENT MEN, WOMEN AND ADOLESCENTS WHOSE ONLY CRIME WAS THEIR REFUSAL TO RECANT THEIR FAITH AND CONVERT TO ISLAM.

SOME SIXTY BAHÁ’ÍS STILL IN JAIL IN SHIRAZ ARE ALSO THREATENED WITH DEATH. THE WORLD MUST NOT PERMIT THE MURDERS TO CONTINUE. WE HOPE THAT THE UNITED STATES WILL BE IN THE FOREFRONT OF ENLIGHTENED NATIONS IN PREVENTING FURTHER SUCH BARBARITIES.

SINCERELY YOURS,

NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF THE UNITED STATES JUNE 19, 1983.

[Page 23]

Centro Internacional de Enseñanza: Mayores deberes

A los seguidores de Bahá’u’lláh en todo el mundo:

Bienamados amigos,

Por diez años el Centro Internacional de Enseñanza ha prestado servicios inapreciables en el Centro Mundial de la Fe, y es con gran regocijo que anunciamos varios pasos trascendentales en la evolución de esta institución vital del Orden Administrativo de Bahá’u’lláh.

DESDE la trágica muerte del Sr. Paul Haney han habido solamente dos Manos de la Causa residentes en la Tierra Santa.

Por lo tanto, hemos decidido llamar al Dr. ‘Alí Muḥammad Varqá y al Sr. Collis Featherstone a participar en el desempeño de tareas especiales de las Manos de la Causa residentes en la Tierra Santa, cuando sea rompimiento del Convenio. Les será posible desempeñar estas funciones ya sea por correspondencia o por estadías periódicas en el Centro Mundial.

Hemos decidido elevar a nueve el número de miembros residentes del Centro Internacional de Enseñanza. Por razones de salud, la Sra. Florence Mayberry terminará sus altamente valiosos servicios en esa institución, saliendo del Centro Mundial.

Cuatro nuevos Consejeros han sido nombrados a formar parte del Centro Internacional de Enseñanza: Dra. Magdalene Carney, Sr. Mas’úd Khamsí, Dr. Peter Khan y Sra. Isobel Sabri, a quienes ahora llamamos a transferir sus residencias a la Tierra Santa, donde se unirán a las Manos de la Causa Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum y ‘Alí Akbar Furútan y Consejeros Anneliese Bopp, Hooper Dunbar y ‘Azíz Yazdí.

Además, hemos decidido, tal como fue presagiado en anuncios anteriores, instituir un término de cinco años para los Consejeros, miembros del Centro Internacional de Enseñanza. Cada término comenzará el 23 de mayo, inmediatamente después de la Convención Internacional Bahá’í, y el término actual ha de terminar el 23 de mayo de 1988.

EN CASO que las circunstancias no permitan que la Casa Universal de Justicia haga nuevos nombramientos al fin de cualquier término de cinco años, los Consejeros seguirán en sus cargos hasta el momento en que puedan hacerse los nuevos nombramientos.

Con el crecimiento rápido de la Fe, su salida de la oscuridad, y la diversificación de las actividades que los seguidores en muchos países deben emprender en campos como la educación, el desarrollo rural, la radio y las relaciones públicas—asuntos con los cuales la Casa Universal de Justicia ha de ocuparse cada vez más—hemos decidido que ya es hora de entregar mayores responsabilidades al Centro Internacional de Enseñanza, en los campos de protección y propagación de la Fe.

Los deberes del Centro Internacional de Enseñanza, incluyendo los anunciados anteriormente y los que actualmente se le asignan, son los siguientes:

• Asumir plena responsabilidad de coordinar, estimular y dirigir a los Cuerpos Continentales de Consejeros, actuando también como enlace entre ellos y la Casa Universal de Justicia.
• Informarse plenamente de las condiciones de la Causa en todas partes del mundo y, a base de estos conocimientos, hacer informes y recomendaciones a la Casa Universal de Justicia y dar consejos a los Cuerpos Continentales de Consejeros.
• VELAR por la seguridad y asegurar la protección de la Fe de Dios.
• Estar alerta a las posibilidades de la extensión del trabajo de enseñanza y el desarrollo de la vida económica y social tanto dentro como fuera de la comunidad Bahá’í, atrayendo a la atención de la Casa Universal de Justicia y los Cuerpos Continentales de Consejeros tales posibilidades y formulando recomendaciones.
• determinar y prever las necesidades de literatura, pioneros y maestros viajeros y elaborar planes de enseñanza, tanto regional como global, para la aprobación de la Casa Universal de Justicia.
• Dirigir el trabajo de los Comités Continentales de Pioneros.
• Administrar el desembolso del Fondo Internacional de Diputación.
• Administrar un presupuesto anual que les será provisto por el Fondo Internacional Bahá’í, asignando dinero de éste para proyectos especiales de enseñanza, para la subvención de literatura y para contribuciones, cuando sea necesario, a los Fondos Continentales.

EL TRASPASO de funciones y responsabilidades en el cumplimiento de las decisiones expuestas arriba se hará gradualmente tan pronto como los nuevos miembros puedan establecerse en la Tierra Santa.

A las asambleas espirituales nacionales y comités continentales de pioneros se les notificará, de ser necesario, cualquier cambio de procedimiento que sea requerido; mientras tanto, deben continuar funcionando como antes.

En el futuro cercano el Centro Internacional de Enseñanza ocupará sus nuevas oficinas cerca de la Casa del Maestro, en el edificio que sirvió por décadas como Casa de Peregrinos Occidentales, más tarde como la sede del Consejo Bahá’í Internacional, y por los últimos veinte años, como la sede de la Casa Universal de Justicia. Ahora, dignamente, servirá como la oficina del Centro Internacional de Enseñanza hasta que un edificio permanente para esa institución poderosa pueda ser erigido en el Monte Carmelo, en proximidad estrecha a la Casa Universal de Justicia.

Es nuestra plegaria ardiente que las decisiones ahora tomadas serán bendecidas por Bahá’u’lláh y harán posible que el Centro Mundial de la Fe coordine y dirija cada vez más eficazmente las labores asiduas y abnegadas de los amigos de Dios en todas partes del mundo durante los años desafiantes ante nosotros.

Con amorosos saludos bahá’ís,

La Casa Universal de Justicia

19 de mayo de 1983

DRA. MAGDALENE CARNEY

DR. PETER KHAN

Excelencia en todas las cosas: Instrucción del niño como el trabajo de un jardinero

Extractos de los escritos de ‘Abdu’l-Bahá:

¡Oh compañeros verdaderos! Toda la humanidad es como niños en la escuela, y los Puntos de Alborada de la Luz, las Fuentes de la revelación divina, son sus maestros, maravillosos y sin par.

En la escuela de las realidades ellos educan a estos hijos e hijas de acuerdo a las enseñanzas de Dios, y los crían en el regazo de la gracia para que puedan desarrollarse en todo sentido, muestren los excelentes dones y bendiciones del Señor, y combinen las perfecciones humanas; para que puedan progresar en todos los aspectos de las actividades humanas, sean internas o externas, ocultas o visibles, materiales o espirituales, hasta que hagan de este mundo mortal un ancho espejo que refleje ese otro mundo que no perece. (Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, pág. 128)

• * *

Por lo cual, ¡oh amados de Dios! Haced un poderoso esfuerzo hasta que deis muestras de esta prosperidad y de estas confirmaciones, y os convirtáis en centros focales de las bendiciones de Dios, auroras de la luz de Su unidad, promotores de los dones y gracias de la vida civilizada.

Sed en ese país, vanguardias de las perfecciones de la humanidad; llevad adelante los diferentes ramos del conocimiento, sed activos y progresistas en el campo de las invenciones y las artes.

Esforzaos por rectificar la conducta de los hombres, y buscad sobrepasar a todo el mundo en carácter moral. Mientras los niños estén todavía en su infancia, alimentadlos del pecho de gracia celestial, criadlos en la cuna de toda excelencia, educadlos en el abrazo de la munificencia.

Dadles la ventaja de toda clase útil de conocimiento. Dejadles que participen en todo arte y oficio nuevo, raro y maravilloso.

Educadlos en el trabajo y en el esfuerzo, y acostumbradles a las privaciones. Enseñadles a dedicar sus vidas a asuntos de gran importancia, y estimuladles a estudiar aquello que beneficie a la humanidad. (Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, pág. 129)

• * *

...Deben ser constantemente y hacerlos deseosos de alcanzar todas las cimas de las realizaciones humanas, para que desde sus primeros años sean enseñados a tener altas miras, a conducirse bien, a ser castos, puros e inmaculados, y aprenderán a tener resolución poderosa y firmeza de propósito en todas las cosas. (Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, pág. 135)

• * *

A cada niño bahá’í le corresponde sobrepasar a los otros en el aprendizaje de las ciencias y las artes, pues ellos han sido acunados en la gracia de Dios.

Todo lo que los otros niños aprendan en un año, que los niños bahá’ís lo aprendan en un mes. El corazón de ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, en su amor, ansía descubrir que todos los jóvenes bahá’ís son conocidos a través del mundo por sus logros intelectuales. No cabe duda, salvo que deberán extremar sus esfuerzos, sus energías, su sentido del orgullo, en aprender las ciencias y las artes. (Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, pág. 141)

• * *

La instrucción de estos niños es como el trabajo de un jardinero amoroso que cuida sus tiernas plantas en los florecientes campos del Todo Glorioso. No cabe duda que esto producirá los resultados deseados; esto es verdad, especialmente la instrucción en cuanto a las obligaciones y conducta bahá’í se refiere, pues es menester que a los niños pequeños se les haga conscientes en sus propios corazones y almas que “bahá’í” no solo es un nombre sino una verdad. Cada niño debe ser adiestrado en las cosas del espíritu, para que encarne todas las virtudes y se convierta en una fuente de gloria para la Causa de Dios. De otra manera, la mera palabra “bahá’í” si no produce fruto, se convertirá en nada.

Esfuérzate entonces, hasta lo mejor de tu habilidad, para que estos niños sepan que un “bahá’í” es aquel que encarna todas las perfecciones, que debe brillar como un cirio encendido—no ser oscurecido sobre oscuridad y aún así llevar el nombre “bahá’í”. (Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, pág. 143)

Dos Bahá’ís ejecutados en ‎Iran Irán‎

CON CORAZONES TRISTES ANUNCIAMOS EJECUCIÓN EL PRIMERO DE MAYO DE DOS MÁS SOSTENEDORES ACTIVOS MÁS GRAN NOMBRE CUNA FE, SR. SUHAYL ŞAFÁ’Í Y SR. JALÁL ḤAKÍMÁN, APRISIONADOS DESDE OCTUBRE DE 1982 EN IṢFAHÁN. SUS FAMILIAS, AMIGOS SUPIERON MÁS QUE UNA SEMANA DESPUÉS DE SU EJECUCIÓN EN ṬIHRÁN. COMPARTAN NOTICIAS OFICIALES GUBERNAMENTALES, MEDIOS NOTICIEROS.

CASA UNIVERSAL DE JUSTICIA

13 DE MAYO DE 1983

[Page 24]

RACE UNITY

July 1983 25

‘When the racial elements of the American nation unite in actual fellowship and accord, the lights of the oneness of humanity will shine...’ (‘Abdu’l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 54)

Dr. Roy Jones, a member of the Race Unity Committee, addresses the audience at the 74th Bahá’í National Convention as other committee members (left to right) Ernest Lopez, Marilyn Greene and Maria Estela Hermosillo look on. At the far left is the Convention secretary, Dr. Wilma Brady.

Mandate defines role of Race Unity Committee

To identify the trends in race relations within and without the Bahá’í community, and to recommend to the National Spiritual Assembly the actions to be taken and programs to be adopted by the Bahá’í community to meet the insistent challenge of racial prejudice.

GOALS

A. Foster an awareness of the subtle and conditioned ways that racial prejudice is perpetuated within the Bahá’í community.

B. Highlight the role and responsibility of ‎Bahá’í’s Bahá’ís‎ toward the elimination of racial prejudice.

C. Promote racial amity by developing a spirit of dialogue and cooperation to offset the ongoing struggle between the white and black races.

D. Summarize and proclaim the specific writings that refer to race and the eradication of prejudice.

E. Provide a measure for assessing the growth of individuals and groups in reference to the elimination of prejudice.

F. Encourage the Bahá’í community to address racial issues through proper administrative channels.

OBJECTIVES

• Organize a data bank of research and informational materials to include references from a multitude of sources.
• Identify resource persons to assist in the effort to meet the specific needs of the community regarding the elimination of prejudice.
• Develop training materials for educating individuals and groups to the nature and dynamics of racial prejudice.
• Promote and support initiatives taken by local communities, districts, regions and schools in planning race amity gatherings.
• Work with national Bahá’í committees to insure every effort is made to incorporate racial diversity in all planned activities.
• Develop a strategy to form linkages with non-Bahá’í organizations that share similar ideals on race relations.
• Increase accessibility of Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í communities to the RUC by holding its business meetings in different regions.

Mailing address:

Race Unity Committee c/o Washington Bahá’í Center

Washington, D.C. 20011

S.C. gathering to recall 1921 amity conference

“Race Amity—A Vital Path to Progress” is the theme of a Race Amity Conference to be held October 14-16 in Charleston, South Carolina, the birthplace of the Hand of the Cause of God Louis G. Gregory.

PLANS for the conference are going well, according to Dr. Roy Jones of Charleston, chairman of the conference task force that is operating under the sponsoring South Carolina Regional Teaching Committee.

Speakers scheduled thus far include Counsellor Sarah M. Pereira; Dr. Elsie Austin, an attorney and former member of the National Spiritual Assembly; and Dr. Andrew Billingsley, president of Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland, who is a sociologist, author and friend of the Faith.

Auxiliary Board members and representatives of national committees also will be present for the conference at the historic Francis Marion Ramada Hotel in downtown Charleston.

Efforts are being made to assure attendance by seekers as well as Bahá’ís, says Dr. Jones.

“We want this conference to be a deepening, teaching and proclamation event,” he says.

The conference is being patterned after the Race Amity Conference that was held in 1921 in Washington, D.C., one which was enthusiastically supported by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and which had Louis Gregory as one of its organizers.

THE conference agenda includes panel discussions and workshops. The Saturday evening program will feature performances by various college, church and Bahá’í musical groups.

The pre-registration fee is $15 per person, and the deadline for registration is September 17. The fee covers conference materials, one breakfast, one lunch, and a reception.

Non-Bahá’í guests may attend conference sessions without charge, but they will be charged for their meals.

Checks to cover the registration fee should be made payable to the Bahá’í Race Amity Conference.

Rooms for the conference at the Marion Hotel are priced at $40 per night for a single, $48 per night for a double, and $8 for each additional person in a room with a maximum number of four per room.

To secure hotel reservations at these special rates, phone the Marion Ramada at 803-722-8831 and mention that you will be attending the Bahá’í conference. The deadline for hotel reservations is September 23.

To register for the conference, please fill out and mail the coupon on this page. You may also register by phoning the registrar, Deborah V. Nesmith, at 803-766-7826 (evenings only).

For more conference information, phone either Mrs. Nesmith or Lucy Conrad, 803-763-3108.

RACE AMITY CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FORM (Sponsored by the South Carolina Regional Teaching Committee) OCTOBER 14-16, 1983

Name ______________________________ Spouse ______________________________

Address ______________________________ City ______________________________

State _________________ Zip code __________ Telephone number( ) _________________

Bahá’í I.D. number _________________ Guests ______________________________

Please complete the space below if children will be accompanying you. All children under 17 years of age must have an adult sponsor.

Name(s) _______________________________________ Adult sponsor _________________________

Address (if different from above) ______________________________ City ____________________

State _________________ Zip code __________ Telephone number( ) _________________

Mail to: Deborah Nesmith, registrar, 78 Ashley Hall, Plantation Road, Apt. A-35, Charleston, SC 29407.

Visitors admire the Race Unity Committee’s comprehensive display of cultural and minority group history at the 74th Bahá’í National Convention. The exhibit was part of a collection assembled over a 28-year period by a non-Bahá’í, Carlton A. Funn Sr. of Alexandria, Virginia.

[Page 25]

N. Dakota Bahá’í named outstanding handicapped citizen

ELAINE S. KELM

Elaine S. Kelm, secretary of the Spiritual Assembly of Jamestown, North Dakota, has been named that city’s Outstanding Handicapped Citizen of 1983.

Mrs. Kelm, a vocational counselor at the North Dakota State Hospital, was honored April 15 at the annual banquet and awards night in Jamestown.

MRS. KELM was born with a degenerative eye condition that left her blind by the age of four. After some 30 operations, she now has limited tunnel vision in one eye.

She was graduated from the University of North Dakota and is a certified Rehabilitation Counselor who has worked for the state of North Dakota for more than 20 years.

Mrs. Kelm is president of the local Toastmasters Club, secretary-treasurer of the North Dakota Counseling Association, a board member of the North Dakota Mental Health Association, and a member of the nominating committee of the North Dakota Public Employees Association.

She is also a member of the Mayor’s Committee on Employment of the Handicapped, the North Dakota Association of the Blind, the North Dakota Association for Learning Disabilities, and is a charter member of the National Rehabilitation Counselors Association.

In 1975, Mrs. Kelm helped to develop the certification procedure for rehabilitation counselors.

In her spare time, she enjoys traveling and doing crochet and other crafts. She also has raised two children and is looking forward to becoming a grandmother in October.

Her plans for 1983 include developing a Jamestown chapter of REACH, an organization for families of the mentally ill.

Referring to her visual handicap as an “inconvenience,” Mrs. Kelm says, “Physical disabilities can be an excuse not to do anything or a challenge to high achievement.”

N’western U. host to House of Worship choir

Palm Sunday 1983 marked an historic first for the Bahá’í House of Worship’s choir. On that day the choir gave its first performance outside of the Temple grounds.

The site was Alice Millar Chapel, the student religious center at Northwestern University in Evanston.

SUBSTITUTING FOR the vacationing Chapel choir, the 20-member House of Worship choir led congregational hymns and sang the anthem “Hundredth Psalm” by Felix Mendelssohn.

Such an opportunity to sing in the nearby community allows the choir to share the quickening spirit of Bahá’u’lláh with the followers of other religions.

The Bahá’í House of Worship has enjoyed a long and fruitful association with the music program at Northwestern University.

It was a choir from Northwestern that sang at the dedication of the completed House of Worship on May 1, 1953.

In 1971 the organist-choirmaster of Alice Millar Chapel, Prof. Grigg Fountain, was invited to become choir director at the House of Worship, a position he has held with distinction ever since.

IN THE 12 years of Prof. Fountain’s tenure, a number of talented singers from Northwestern have helped the House of Worship choir’s devoted core of Bahá’í volunteers.

Two Bahá’ís from the House of Worship choir sing regularly with the Alice Millar Chapel choir as well.

The House of Worship choir, which will celebrate its 75th anniversary next year, performs for most Holy Day and memorial services, and for public devotions each Sunday afternoon.

Efforts are under way to represent a greater diversity in the choir’s repertoire and to include more music by Bahá’í composers. Goals also include doubling the choir’s present size.

‎Bahá’í’s Bahá’ís‎ who plan to move to the Chicago area are strongly urged to join the choir. Membership is a rewarding service unique to the House of Worship and, consequently, to the devotional life of the Bahá’í community.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá Himself urged Bahá’í singers to share their gifts when He wrote, “I pray to God that thou mayest employ this talent in prayer and supplication, in order that the souls may become quickened, the hearts may become attracted and all may become inflamed with the fire of the love of God.”

For information on choir membership, write to the House of Worship Activities Office, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

Danny Deardorff, in Chicago to appear in play, sings, speaks at House of Worship program

Danny Deardorff, a Bahá’í from Vashon Island, Washington, who is a songwriter, musician and singer, spoke on “The Reality of Man” during a public meeting June 11 at the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois.

Mr. Deardorff also gave a musical presentation, accompanied at the piano by Dennis Yadon, a Bahá’í from Lincoln City, Oregon, who has known Mr. Deardorff and performed with him for 14 years.

Mr. Deardorff, who has appeared on stage and television with Seals & Crofts, was in Chicago to appear in a play, “Disabled Genius,” presented June 16-19 at the Chicago Art Institute’s auditorium.

The play, which depicts disabled figures in history including Franklin D. Roosevelt, Helen Keller and Vincent Van Gogh, starred actress Barbara Rush.

Besides Mr. Deardorff, who was crippled by polio as a child, and Miss Rush, the play featured two other well-known disabled performers: actor Bernard Bragg, a founding member of the National Theatre of the Deaf, and actor/comedian Henry Holden.

“Disabled Genius” is about the contributions made by handicapped people, and near the end of the performance each of the players shares his own story.

Bahá’í musician and songwriter Danny Deardorff (right) performed during a public meeting June 11 at the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette, accompanied by his friend and fellow Bahá’í, pianist Dennis Yadon. Mr. Deardorff, who was in Chicago to appear in a play, ‘Disabled Genius,’ also spoke on ‘The Reality of Man.’

BAHÁ’Í HOUSE OF WORSHIP

Wilmette, Illinois

Summer Hours (May 15 to October 14)

Main Auditorium (Upstairs) Open 6:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. for prayers; open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. for visitors

Visitors Center (Downstairs) Open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily

Bahá’í Book Shop Open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily

Sunday Activities Devotional Program, 3 p.m.

Information about transportation, food and lodging is available from the Bahá’í House of Worship Activities Office, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

Montana Bahá’ís develop model media package

Bahá’ís in Montana have put together a model media package whose theme is “High Profile—Low Budget.”

The Treasure State Bahá’í Media Service developed the packet to help the small communities in their state to take advantage of all publicity opportunities.

“FOR those communities who are asking the question, ‘Where do we begin our public affairs program?’ TSBMS feels the High Profile—Low Budget package answers, ‘Right here,’” says Bob Jones, who coordinates the program for the media service.

High Profile—Low Budget offers concise ideas, materials and instructions, he says. It is seen as the starting point of a process, rather than a finished product.

The kit includes guidelines for setting up a news release, a calendar of Bahá’í events, and what publicity each should receive.

Also included are a set of instructions and definitions to help the true media novice get started, and some samples of how news releases and public service announcements should look, says Mr. Jones.

Each kit has samples of the TSBMS stationery and specially printed cards for radio public service announcements.

A sample kit can be obtained by writing to the Treasure State Bahá’í Media Service, P.O. Box 50125, Billings, MT 59105.

The committee asks for a donation of $5 to cover the cost of printing and mailing the packet.

President names Bahá’í to serve term on federal Barriers Compliance Board

Jack O. McSpadden, a member of the Bahá’í community of Little Rock, Arkansas, has been named by President Reagan to serve a three-year term on the federal Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board.

Mr. McSpadden, 40, who has been blind since the age of 21, is one of three disabled Americans named recently to the 22-member board which began operations in 1975 and whose purpose is to ensure access for disabled persons to federally funded buildings and other facilities.

Mr. McSpadden is a graduate of the Arkansas School for the Blind and earned a bachelor’s degree from Arkansas State University.

In 1972, he was the U.S. Treasury Department’s nominee for Outstanding Handicapped Employee of the Year, and in 1979 was a nominee for the President’s Outstanding Handicapped American award.

Mr. McSpadden serves on the American Telephone and Telegraph Company’s Handicapped Action Working Committee, is a board member of the Association of Rehabilitation, Industry and Business, serves on the Governor’s Commission for People with Disabilities, and is on the advisory board of rehabilitation programs at the University of Arkansas.

He is employed as a personnel supervisor at Southwestern Bell Telephone Company.

[Page 26]

220-plus see tape of Congressional hearings; Bahá’ís in Virginia sponsor charity walk-a-thon

More than 220 people including about 30 non-Bahá’ís gathered April 16 at the University of California-Irvine to see a video tape of the congressional hearing held in May 1982 on the situation of Bahá’ís in Iran.

The event was sponsored by the UC-Irvine Bahá’í Club as its major project for spring quarter.

Among those who attended were several professors, one of the founders of the university’s Interfaith organization, and reporters from a local newspaper and the campus paper.

The presentation of the video tape followed opening remarks by a Bahá’í speaker, Lisa Janti, and music by Viqui Denman.

Afterward, an update on recent congressional action resulting from the hearings was given by Judge James F. Nelson, chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly.

The Bahá’í Club, which mailed 283 invitations to government officials, UCI faculty and others, and distributed more than 600 invitations in the Orange County area, received letters of support from the Hand of the Cause of God William Sears and the National Spiritual Assembly, and a telegram from the Universal House of Justice.

Following the program, a Persian dinner for dignitaries and guests was prepared by the Spiritual Assembly of Irvine.

Judge James F. Nelson, chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly, provides an update on congressional actions concerning the Bahá’ís in Iran at a special program April 16 sponsored by the Bahá’í Club at the University of California-Irvine. (Photo by Ralph Farrington)

News briefs

Ken Pierce, a student at the University of Southern Maine and a member of the Spiritual Assembly of Portland, was one of two winners in a recent competition on international law held at the State Office Building in Augusta.

The competition included students from the University of Maine at Orono. Mr. Pierce’s award was presented to him by the state’s attorney general, James E. Tierney.

The Bahá’í Group of Mecklenburg County, Virginia, organized a recent walk-a-thon for Cystic Fibrosis that attracted 49 participants and raised more than $900 for the charitable cause.

The well-publicized event brought much favorable public notice to the Faith.

After it was over, the mayor of Clarksville sent a letter of thanks to the Bahá’ís for organizing it.

As a result of letters that were sent to all area churches, one church—the only interracial group in town—had its youth participate.

The walk-a-thon, which proceeded in a circular three-mile route at a state park, was conducted by six adults and one youth—all of whom wore Bahá’í T-shirts, hats, etc.

Signs reading “Bahá’í CF Walk-a-Thon” were posted, directing people to the registration table.

Because one of the Bahá’ís works for the local newspaper, ads were free. So aside from time and gas spent on various arrangements, the proclamation was held for about $5 worth of stamps.

The Georgia Bahá’í Summer School will be held August 26-28 at the Eagle Rock 4-H Center in Eatonton.

Its theme is “Wage Peace, Not War.”

Excellent speakers and workshops are scheduled. The cost is approximately $35 per person for adults.

For information please contact Debra Darrell, 150 Morton Ave., Athens, GA 30605, or phone 404-353-3612.

About 90 non-Bahá’ís were among some 100 people who attended a Health and Healing Symposium May 15 sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Medford, Oregon.

The panelists included a medical doctor who specializes in nutritional therapy; a chiropractor; a homeopath; an acupuncturist; a Rolfer; a healthologist; a faith healer; a lifestyle counselor; a naturopath; and a Bahá’í who is a homeopath who presented one Bahá’í’s viewpoint on health and healing.

Each of them presented a brief introduction to his particular profession, and the presentations were followed by a question-and-answer period.

The event was publicized by the local news media, by flyers given to health food stores, and by the participants themselves.

There was a table for Bahá’í pamphlets, almost all of which were taken.

Bahá’ís Juan Cabán, William Geissler and Douglas Ruhe are the 1983 recipients of the William H. Cosby Jr. Alumni Awards at the University of Massachusetts/Amherst campus.

Dr. Cabán received his award for state service, while Mr. Geissler and Mr. Ruhe were recognized for new frontiers.

The awards were presented at a banquet May 14 at the university’s School of Education.

Each recipient was given a plaque for service to the School of Education and to the alumni community.

Dr. Cabán is associate director of admissions at the University of Massachusetts/Amherst.

Mr. Geissler and Mr. Ruhe are the principal owners of Focus Communications Inc. in Nashville, Tennessee, and of Media News Corporation, which recently acquired ownership of United Press International, the nation’s second largest news service.

Dr. William S. Hatcher, a Bahá’í from Quebec City, Canada, participated May 12 in the third annual Symposium in the Humanities sponsored by the College of Humanities at Ohio State University in Columbus.

More than 500 people attended the symposium whose theme was “Religion in the Modern World.”

Dr. Hatcher, a professor of mathematics at Laval University and a member of the executive council of the Association for Bahá’í Studies, spoke on “Myths, Models and Mysticism” during a panel discussion on Religious Symbol and Thought.

The three-day symposium covered such other topics as Religion and Culture; Religion and Personality; Religion, Politics and Society; and Religion and Secularization in Modern Societies.

On April 10, the Bahá’ís of Torrance, California, sponsored a brunch that raised $230 for the National Bahá’í Fund.

A Bahá’í couple opened their home for the brunch, invitations were sent to individuals and near-by communities, and a variety of delectable dishes was served.

Indianapolis Assembly marks 50th anniversary with banquet

Ninety-five people were present June 4 at a banquet that celebrated the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Spiritual Assembly of Indianapolis, Indiana.

Among the guests were leaders of the black and Hispanic communities and other dignitaries.

William Hudnut, the mayor of Indianapolis, was unable to stay for the entire program because of other commitments, but did manage to appear long enough to present a proclamation designating June 4 as “Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Indianapolis Day.”

The main speaker was Robert Ramirez, a Bahá’í from Joliet, Illinois.

Also present were Auxiliary Board members Dorothy Borhani and Dr. Sam McClellan.

The Assembly presented two awards, for the Oneness of Humanity to the International Center of Indianapolis, and for Race Unity to Gilbert Taylor of the education department of the Children’s Museum.

Also as a part of the anniversary observance, Mayor Hudnut was given a copy of the book Call to the Nations and the teaching booklet, “The Bahá’í Faith.”

Mayor William Hudnut of Indianapolis, Indiana (second from right), receives copies of the book Call to the Nations and The Bahá’í Faith teaching booklet from Noujan Ebrahimi, chairman of the Spiritual Assembly of Indianapolis, as Assembly members (left to right) Carol Niss and Kathleen Staton look on. The presentation was a part of the Indianapolis Assembly’s 50th anniversary observance in June.

Librarians must file forms with Trust

At Ridván each year the Bahá’í Publishing Trust asks all Bahá’í librarians to file a new account authorization form. These forms must be filed regardless of the length of time your community has had an account.

As announced in the April issue of The American Bahá’í, all communities failing to file their new authorization forms by June 1, 1983, have had their accounts closed. This means that those librarians will not be able to charge orders or to receive the librarian’s discount until a new authorization form is filed.

Librarians who have not filed a new form may still order books at full price, provided payment in full accompanies the order in the form of a check or MasterCard or VISA charge card information.

If you do not have a new authorization form, please call 1-800-323-1880 or write to the Trust at 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091. A form will be sent by return mail. Any charge order returned with the completed authorization form will be honored.

[Page 27]

Guidelines for Bahá’í Archives

Compiled by the National Bahá’í Archives Committee of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States

Archives Committee releases Guidelines for Bahá’í Archives

Guidelines for Bahá’í Archives, a comprehensive manual of archival procedures, was released by the National Bahá’í Archives Committee at the recent Bahá’í National Convention.

According to Roger Dahl, archivist at the National Bahá’í Archives, the manual is a valuable guide for establishing and maintaining local and national Bahá’í archives.

It covers such topics as what to do with sacred writings and relics, how to process archival collections and prepare finding aids, and how to handle photographs, tape recordings, films, and other nontextual materials.

It also includes basic preservation techniques, a bibliography of archival references, and suggested sources of archival supplies.

To order Guidelines for Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’ís in the U.S., Alaska, Canada, Hawaii and Mexico should send $7.50 (U.S.) to the National Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. All others add $4.50 per copy for air mail shipment (total $12 U.S. per copy) or $2 per copy for surface mail (total $9.50 U.S. per copy).

Order form for Guidelines for Bahá’í Archives

Price for U.S., Alaska, Canada, Hawaii, Mexico $7.50 U.S. All others add $4.50 U.S. per copy (total $12 U.S.) for air mail or $2 U.S. per copy (total $9.50 U.S. per copy) for surface mail.

Guidelines for Bahá’í Archives (72 pages) covers in detail the organization and functioning of a Bahá’í archives. It is highly suitable for larger communities faced with the need to organize a local archives.

Name __________________________________________________

Address ________________________________________________

City _________________ State _________ Zip ______________

Order forms with payment should be sent to: National Bahá’í Archives Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

Can you identify anyone in this picture?

This photograph was taken in Jackson, Mississippi, date unknown. If you can identify any of those in the picture, or have other information about it to offer, please contact the National Bahá’í Archives Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

Dr. Kazemzadeh receives Humanitarian Award

On Friday, April 15, Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly, was given a Humanitarian Award at a dinner sponsored by the Connecticut District Teaching Committee and the Spiritual Assembly of New Haven.

Dr. Kazemzadeh, a Connecticut resident since 1956, has taken a leave of absence from his position as professor of Russian history and chairman of the Committee on Middle Eastern Studies at Yale University and arrived in Wilmette, Illinois, in June to assume his full-time administrative duties at the Bahá’í National Center.

Sixty-four people attended the dinner honoring Dr. Kazemzadeh including the first recipient of the Humanitarian Award, state Senator John Daniels, and another recipient, Frank G. Battista.

Following a brief personal reminiscence by Mrs. Mary Sawicki of Dr. Kazemzadeh’s life and work in Connecticut, Dr. Howard Garey, a long-time associate on the editorial staff of World Order magazine, gave a more detailed account of Dr. Kazemzadeh’s humanitarianism and devotion to people everywhere.

In accepting the award, Dr. Kazemzadeh thanked the group and discussed briefly the conditions under which the Bahá’ís in Iran are now living.

Typographical errors noted in Bahá’í Prayers

Several typographical errors and a misplaced line have been noted in the new edition of Bahá’í Prayers, according to Dr. Betty J. Fisher, general editor of the Bahá’í Publishing Trust.

The erroneous line appears on page 202, line 14. The correct line is “strengthened in Thy Covenant and their hearts.”

The typographical errors are as follows:

Page 21, line 9, “admitance” should read “admittance”; page 70, line 4, “odain” should be “ordain”; page 145, line 3, “sancified” should be “sanctified”; and page 231, line 4 bottom, “soversignty” should be “sovereignty.”

The final typographical error did not emerge until the period of the Fast: page 260, line 8 bottom, “word” should read “worlds.”

Ohio Bahá’ís participate in Kent State seminar on Holocaust, other tragedies

The Bahá’í communities of Trumbull County, Ohio, participated April 13-14 in a seminar entitled “The Holocaust: Touchstone for Inhumanity” at the Trumbull campus of Kent State University.

Among the speakers on the program was Lawrence Miller, a Bahá’í from Roswell, Georgia, who is president of Tarkenton and Company in Atlanta.

Speaking during a panel discussion on “Modern Tragedies,” Mr. Miller presented a concise introduction to the Faith and followed that with a brief statement on the persecution of Bahá’ís in Iran.

The Bahá’ís of Southington, Warren, Niles and Youngstown had a table at the conference at which Bahá’í literature was made available and a Bahá’í video tape was shown.

The Holocaust conference included talks and presentations by survivors of the Holocaust (in which an estimated 12 million people including up to six million Jews lost their lives during World War II), by liberators who were among the first to enter the Nazi death camps in Europe, and by historians, writers, clergymen and others who are dedicated to keeping alive the memory of the Holocaust as a means of preventing it from ever happening again.

If you lost something at Convention ...

Several items were left in the “Lost and Found” during the National Convention and are being retained by the National Assembly until they are claimed.

If you lost something while attending the Convention, please write to the National Spiritual Assembly, Office of Membership and Records, Wilmette, IL 60091. Please be sure to describe the item(s) as completely as possible.

[Page 28]

‘Do’a’ completes month-long cross-country tour

Ken LaRoche (left) and Randy Armstrong, who together comprise the versatile music group Do’a.

The music group “Do’a,” comprised of Randy Armstrong and Ken LaRoche, recently completed a month-long cross-country concert tour and teaching trip.

During their tour, Mr. Armstrong and Mr. LaRoche participated in 20 Bahá’í teaching and proclamation events including two 30-minute television shows produced by the Bahá’ís of Lincoln, Nebraska.

Bahá’í communities in each concert location arranged for firesides to follow public performances.

In Sacramento, California, more than 250 people attended a proclamation/concert at Sacramento State University, while more than 50 remained for an informal fireside after a concert at Maharishi International University in Fairfield, Iowa.

Other highlights of the tour included performances for Youth Week at the Louhelen Bahá’í School near Davison, Michigan, and a performance at Fisk Planetarium in Boulder, Colorado, that was sponsored by its National Public Radio affiliate, KGNU.

Do’a, based in New Hampshire, has been touring professionally throughout the U.S. and Canada for nine years.

Mr. Armstrong and Mr. LaRoche perform original compositions reflecting classical, jazz, folk and other musical influences on flute, guitar, and more than three dozen other instruments from Africa, India, Asia and South America.

Do’a has had recent engagements at Carnegie Recital Hall, the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, and the International Bahá’í Conference in Montreal.

The group has recorded and released three albums for Philo Records, and its upcoming fourth album, to be released this fall, is dedicated to the Bahá’í martyrs in Iran.

Cities named Minority Teaching Centers

The National Teaching Committee has named more than 35 U.S. cities to be Minority Teaching Centers.

The goal of a Minority Teaching Center is to raise up two Hispanic or two Asian believers and to help them become active teachers of the Faith.

Minority Teaching Centers will consult with the Regional Hispanic or Regional Asian Teaching Committee and develop bi-lingual firesides and proclamation events.

Spanish Proclamation Kits are available from the National Teaching Committee for $5 each. These kits can also be used as press kits.

Also available from the National Teaching Committee for $5 is a Spanish-language correspondence course. All of these materials can be duplicated.

June 1983 U.S. Bahá’í Directory now available

The June 1983 issue of the U.S. Bahá’í Directory is now available upon request to all Spiritual Assemblies and Bahá’í Groups.

The directory provides address information for Spiritual Assemblies, Auxiliary Board members, District Teaching Committees, and selected Bahá’í schools and institutes.

All communities that requested a directory last year will be sent one of the new directories automatically and should receive it by July 20.

Any community that has not received a directory by that time, or which did not request one last year but wishes to order one now, should submit its request to: Office of Membership and Records, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

As we have only a limited supply of the directories, orders will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Communities that wish to reimburse the National Fund for the cost of the directory may make checks payable to the “Bahá’í Services Fund” and note the word “directory” on the check. The production cost for each directory will be included in the cover letter.

Bahá’í speaks at Amnesty International meeting

Faran Ferdowsi, a Bahá’í from Tennessee whose father was martyred in Iran, addresses the annual General Meeting of Amnesty International held June 10-12 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Faran Ferdowsi, a Bahá’í from Brentwood, Tennessee, represented the Faith at a panel discussion on persecution which was a part of the annual General Meeting of Amnesty International June 10-12 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Mr. Ferdowsi is the son of Fathullah Ferdowsi, who was one of the members of the Spiritual Assembly of Tehran who were executed January 4, 1982.

He was imprisoned with his father for a month before he was released and subsequently managed to escape from Iran.

More than 400 people from around the country and from the Amnesty International office in England attended the meeting.

Some 80 visitors stopped to view a display of photos showing examples of the persecution of Bahá’ís in Iran and to ask questions about the Faith.

Mayor Andrew Young of Atlanta addressed a banquet session, and the Bahá’ís presented him with a copy of the book A Cry from the Heart inscribed on behalf of the Bahá’ís of Iran.

In response to a request from organizers of the meeting, Bahá’ís drafted and verified with the National Spiritual Assembly the following message concerning the situation of 19 Bahá’ís under sentence of death in Iran:

“The participants in the annual General Meeting of Amnesty International in the U.S.A. urgently request that the Government of Iran rescind the order of execution and free the 19 Bahá’ís who are currently imprisoned solely on religious grounds in Shiráz, Iran.”

Although it was thought that the message bore little likelihood of passage, it was approved by the membership and cabled to Iran.

Adrian, Michigan, community sponsors panel discussion

Shown are panelists at a Bahá’í-sponsored public forum May 24 in Adrian, Michigan. About 40 seekers attended the event.

On May 24, the Bahá’í community of Adrian, Michigan, sponsored a panel discussion entitled “Spiritual Solutions to Social Problems.”

About 40 people who previously had been unaware of the Faith attended the discussion, which attempted to provide the community with various insights on complex issues.

The panelists were the Rev. Robert Benard of Faith Temple Apostolic Church; the Rev. Albert Raloff of the United Methodist Church who is chaplain of the Maurice Spear Campus (a juvenile facility); Roxie Hall, a human services worker; Ruth Lange, a school psychologist; and Bahá’ís Sundra Moyyad of Ypsilanti and Mike Russell of Royal Oak.

The moderator was Marvin Hughes, a psychologist who is a member of the Bahá’í community of Highland Park, Michigan.

As a result of the panel discussion, the Bahá’ís of Adrian feel that others in the community are now aware that Bahá’ís are interested in and seeking solutions to such problems as peer pressure, drug abuse, companionate marriage, and prejudices of all kinds.

President

Continued From Page 23

stories when the President’s statement was released. According to Mr. Scott, Bahá’ís were interviewed in Chicago, Washington and Honolulu.

Reports are also coming in from local communities saying that doors are opening for them for interviews on local radio and TV stations.

When the newspaper circulation figures are combined with the audience figures from the three TV networks that ran the story, says Mr. Scott, at least 50 million people had an opportunity to learn of Mr. Reagan’s statement about the mistreatment of Bahá’ís in Iran.

[Page 29]

GREEN LAKE

“mirror forth My beauty”

24th Annual Green Lake Bahá’í Conference 1983 September 16, 17 & 18 Green Lake, Wisconsin

speakers

Hand of the Cause, Mr. Zikrullah Khadem

Continental Counsellor, Carmen deBurafato, Mexico

Auxiliary Board Members: Nathan Rutstein, Paul Pettit, Stephan Birkland.

optional sessions

Topics include:

“The Individual’s Role in the Family” Drs. May and Richard Czerniewski

“Developing a Bahá’í Presentation” Marion West

“We Are Not a Church” Paul Jacobi

“The Most Challenging Issue” Bonnie Taylor and Regina Anchando

exhibition

Display space available. Call or write: Robert Pamenter, 6166 Washington Circle, Wauwatosa, WI 53213 or call (414) 476-9296.

youth leadership program

A comprehensive deepening program designed to encourage self-initiating youth activities in a given area. The purpose is to discuss leadership and qualities of leadership within the Bahá’í concept. Specific skills to be covered will include consultation, media handling, public speaking and fireside giving.

pre-youth (11-14 years of age)

A special 3 hour session on Saturday with Stephan Birkland and Doug Samimi-Moore entitled “Making Decisions Using Bahá’í Principles.”

children’s classes

Once again, an outstanding series of classes are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday. Be certain to register your children in advance.

cooperative nursery

Available for children up to three years of age. Parents are expected to contribute time.

accommodations

Single occupancy ranges from $16.00/person/night to $38.00 for private bath.

Double occupancy from $10.00/person/night to $23.00.

Triple occupancy from $11.00/person/night to $18.00.

Quadruple occupancy from $10.00/person/night to $16.00.

Rates include 12 year olds and up. Tots are charged $5.00/day, all rooms. Cabins and luxury homes are also available. Contact the American Baptist Assembly early for best results.

meals

Breakfast $3.50 Lunch 4.50 Dinner 5.85 (children under 12 no charge)

conference fees

same as last year: $6.25 for adults $3.50 for children

Come Friday for dinner and don’t miss Friday night’s program.

GREEN LAKE BAHÁ’Í CONFERENCE Pre-Registration for Children’s Classes

CHILD’S NAME __________________________________________________	CHILD’S BAHÁ’Í
AGE _____ BIRTH DATE ___________________________________________	EXPERIENCES:
PARENT’S NAME: _________________________________________________	__________________________
_______________________________________________________________	__________________________
PARENT’S ADDRESS ______________________________________________	PLEASE LIST ANY
_______________________________________________________________	SPECIAL MEDICAL
PLEASE LIST ANY SPECIAL NEEDS YOUR CHILD MAY HAVE (emotional-physical-learning disabilities)	OR DIET RE
_______________________________________________________________	__________________________
CHILD WILL ATTEND SAT. MORNING ________ SAT. AFTERNOON ________
■ Send form directly to Jo Welter, 507 W. Wilson, Madison WI, 53703.	SUN. MORNING ________

GREEN LAKE CENTER RESERVATION (one per family)

Mail to Reservations and make check payable to American Baptist Assembly — Green Lake, WI 54941 Advance Deposit — Room: 1 Day Room Charge. Housekeeping/Camping, ½ total charge.				Cancellation Fee — Room: Between 2 weeks and 4:00 p.m. day before reservation, ½ deposit. Housekeeping/Camping: Between 30 days and 4:00 p.m. day before reservation, ½ deposit. After 4:00 p.m. day before reservation, no refund, either class.
LAST NAME: _________________________________________________				Accommodation/Rate Preference
List below your First Name and the name of each family member accompanying you	Age if under 18	Title Mr., Mrs. Rev., etc.	Conference Attending	1. ________________________________________
__________________________	_____	__________	____________________	2. ________________________________________
__________________________	_____	__________	____________________	3. ________________________________________
__________________________	_____	__________	____________________	I plan to room with ____________________________
__________________________	_____	__________	____________________	I desire single occupancy _________________________
Address ____________________________________________________				If not checked, a roommate may be assigned Arriving by: Car ____ Public Transportation ____ If using public transportation please give Date, Time, City and Place to be met if known, otherwise send when finalized
City & State ____________________________________ Zip _______				Confirmation
Telephone ___________________________________________________
Arrival date _____________________ Circle Time BB AM PM EVE	BB — Before Breakfast
Departure date ___________________ Circle Time BB AM PM EVE
■ FRIDAY DINNER — NO. ATTENDING __________

[Page 30]

Ten years ago...

... in The American Bahá’í

The Universal House of Justice announces the appointment of 17 more members of the Continental Boards of Counsellors, raising to 57 the number of Counsellors throughout the world.

Named as Counsellors for North America are Dr. Sarah M. Pereira, a member of the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly, and Auxiliary Board member Velma W. Sherrill ...

The Supreme Body calls the Hands of the Cause residing in the Holy Land—Amatul-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum, ‘Alí-Akbar Furútan, Paul Haney and ‘Abu’l-Qásim Faizí—and Counsellors Hooper Dunbar, Florence Mayberry and ‘Aziz Yazdí to participate in the inaugural meeting of the International Teaching Centre ...

More than 4,000 people including pioneers and guests from 19 countries attend the third National Bahá’í Youth Conference in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, making it the largest Bahá’í gathering ever held in the western hemisphere.

Among the special guests at the conference are the Hand of the Cause of God William Sears, several members of the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly, and Auxiliary Board members Dr. Peter Khan and Paul Pettit from the U.S., Dr. Yusuf ‘Abbassian from Iran, and Margo Jackson from Australia.

Much publicity for the five-day conference and entertainment during its course is provided by popular Bahá’í entertainers Jim Seals and Dash Crofts ...

Richard D. Betts, former secretary of the National Teaching Committee, is elected to the National Spiritual Assembly in a by-election held to fill the vacancy created by Dr. Pereira’s appointment as a Counsellor ...

Seven Bahá’í observers join regular United Nations representatives of the Bahá’í International Community and the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly in attending a two-day conference for Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) at the UN in New York.

Dr. Victor de Araujo, the UN representative for the Bahá’í International Community, and Mabel Garis, the National Spiritual Assembly’s UN representative, participate in the conference whose theme is “New Perspectives on World Population” ...

Five Assemblies in the Tampa, Florida, area sponsor a weekly half-hour radio program on the Faith that is coordinated by the Bay Area Broadcasting Committee.

Maxwell

Continued From Page 4

who also was studying architecture in Paris.

May and Sutherland were married in London in 1902 and settled in Montreal, Canada.

Accompanied by her husband, Mrs. Maxwell visited ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in the Holy Land again in 1909.

Later, during His visit to North America in 1912, the Master accepted an invitation from the Maxwells and stayed for four days in their home in Montreal where He gave four talks.

Afterward, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá sent Tablets addressed to the Canadian Bahá’ís through Mrs. Maxwell.

MRS. MAXWELL served from 1918-21 as a member of the executive board of the Bahá’í Temple Unity, forerunner of the National Spiritual Assembly of the U.S. and Canada.

She was a member of the National Spiritual Assembly in 1924-25 and again from 1927-29. She also served from 1927-29 on the National Teaching Committee and on national and regional Teaching Committees in Canada.

In 1935, responding to a call from the beloved Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, the Maxwells traveled to Europe where Mrs. Maxwell took part in teaching activities in Belgium, France and Germany.

It was during an extended pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 1937 that the Maxwells’ only child, Mary, was married to the Guardian and became known as Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum.

In December 1939 and January 1940 the Maxwells traveled and taught in New York City, Washington and Philadelphia.

THEN, in spite of her age (70) and with the consent of her husband and physician as well as the approval of the Guardian, Mrs. Maxwell acted on a long-cherished wish to teach the Faith in South America.

On January 24, 1940, accompanied by her niece, Jeanne Bolles, she sailed for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Before departing that city for Buenos Aires, her ultimate destination, Mrs. Maxwell spoke at three meetings in a hotel in Rio and to the president of the city’s Homeopathic College.

Mrs. Maxwell arrived in Buenos Aires on February 27. Three days later she succumbed to a sudden heart attack.

On learning of her passing, the Guardian cabled:

“‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s beloved handmaid, distinguished disciple May Maxwell (is) gathered (into the) glory (of the) Abhá Kingdom. Her earthly life, so rich, eventful, incomparably blessed, (is) worthily ended.

“To (the) sacred tie her signal services had forged, (the) priceless honor (of a) martyr’s death (is) now added. (A) double crown deservedly won. (The) Seven Year Plan, particularly (the) South American campaign, derives fresh impetus (from the) example (of) her glorious sacrifice ...”

Shoghi Effendi asked Mr. Maxwell to design a suitable monument at her resting place in Buenos Aires which the Guardian erected on that spot.

Ads

Continued From Page 22

area of Santee is only six miles away. For more information please contact the Bahá’ís of Greater Orangeburg, c/o Jo Ellen Clifton, secretary, P.O. Box 1552, Orangeburg, SC 29116, or phone 803-534-8103.

THE BAHÁ’ÍS of Reno, Nevada, need Spanish/English speaking Bahá’ís to help communicate with new believers in its extension teaching goal as well as to approach and teach the Spanish-speaking people in Reno. We also extend a warm invitation to Vietnamese/English speaking Bahá’ís to come help us bring the Faith to the Vietnamese community of Reno. Reno has lovely scenery, a nice climate and a warm and loving Bahá’í community. Please write to the Bahá’ís of Reno, P.O. Box 6447, Reno, NV 89513, or phone 702-322-2813.

HONG KONG needs a librarian with at least five years experience or some experience in biosciences. Degree required. This Bahá’í community is aglow with the spirit of teaching. Interested? Contact the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or telephone 312-869-9039.

Bahá’í National Center Office Hours 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Central Time) Monday—Friday Phone 312-869-9039

The Fund Is the Life-Blood of the Faith National Bahá’í Fund Wilmette, IL 60091

In Memoriam

Aghajan Abrarpour Houston, TX October 1, 1982	Mrs. Rosie Evans Nichols, SC Date Unknown	Ossie Lee Lewis Jr. Vienna, GA 1981	Paul Ratliff Chesterfield, SC Date Unknown
Mrs. Bessie Baker Hawkinsville, GA March 1981	Sam Fryer Pamplico, SC Date Unknown	Walker Lindsey Hawkinsville, GA 1981	Dock Rice Georgetown, SC Date Unknown
Daniel D. Beranek Longmont, CO Date Unknown	Johnie Gibson Hartsville, SC Date Unknown	Mrs. Annie Linen Wadmalaw Island, SC April 1983	Mrs. Dallie Rogers Loris, SC Date Unknown
Charlie Boyd Arkansas Date Unknown	Morgan Graham Scranton, SC Date Unknown	Mrs. Ada Mahomes England, AR Date Unknown	David Samuel Hartsville, SC 1982
Mrs. Mary Boyd Andrews, SC 1979	Evelyn Green England, AR Date Unknown	Miss Lydia J. Martin Silver Spring, MD March 30, 1983	Mrs. Lucille Sanderson Kansas City, MO March 1983
Mrs. Lula Bristow Mullins, SC 1983	Ralph Guerrero Grover City, CA Date Unknown	Miss Mary Mason Fork, SC Date Unknown	Damacio Saucedo Eagle Pass, TX May 3, 1983
Jim Burch Pamplico, SC Date Unknown	Andrew Harper England, AR Date Unknown	Mrs. Mervin McBride Patrick, SC Date Unknown	Mrs. Clara Sherman Conway, SC Date Unknown
Ms. Helen Callaway Edmond, OK May 9, 1983	Marty Harbert Dallas, TX August 30, 1982	Robert Miles Darlington, SC Date Unknown	Mrs. Gennie Mae Stocks England, AR 1975
Moses Carter Wilson, NC 1981	Jerry Hawkins Patrick, SC Date Unknown	Mrs. Annie Mae Mims Hawkinsville, GA 1979	Mrs. Virdie Surratt England, AR 1982
Woodrow W. Canteen Georgetown, SC 1982	Lillian Jackson Centerville, IL Date Unknown	Mrs. Elzora Mosely East St. Louis, IL May 1981	Mrs. Mildred Vereen N. Myrtle Beach, SC April 25, 1983
Mrs. Annie Lee Clark Hawkinsville, GA 1977	Miss Joan Jenkins Conway, SC Date Unknown	Eli Murray Tulsa, OK November 1982	Robert Weaver Palmetto, GA 1982
Mrs. Mattie Clemmons Wilson, NC Date Unknown	Bernard Johnson Effingham, SC March 12, 1982	Brazel Nelson Lynchburg, SC 1982	Mrs. Loda Jane West Hannibal, MO April 23, 1983
England Cole Nichols, SC Date Unknown	Mrs. Mattie Johnson Hawkinsville, GA 1973	Mrs. Anna Neumann Sauk City, WI April 17, 1983	Miss Alta Wheeler Eliot, ME May 28, 1982
A. Bell Collins Hawkinsville, GA 1981	Mrs. Alberteen Jones Galivants Ferry, SC Date Unknown	Theodore A. Peno Webster, NH March 12, 1983	Mrs. Mary Whiting Warren, OH March 31, 1983
Miss Caitleyne Corazon Chicago, IL September 1, 1982	L.C. Kearney England, AR 1982	Mrs. Josephine Petrucci Chicago, IL 1982	Willie Wilds Hartsville, SC Date Unknown
Frazer Eaddy Johnsonville, SC Date Unknown	Leo G. Leonard Oceanside, CA May 1, 1983	Mrs. Elizabeth Pharo Philadelphia, PA May 10, 1983	Mrs. Pearl Williams Dillon, SC Date Unknown
Arthur Evans Rains, SC 1982

[Page 31]

Comment

Continued From Page 2

surprising that some administrative procedures differ from those in Iran.

Persians who wish to familiarize themselves with Bahá’í administration in the U.S. should study “Guidelines for Local Spiritual Assemblies,” published by the National Spiritual Assembly.

In turn, American Bahá’ís should not assume that all newly arrived Persians know and understand Bahá’í administration. Deepenings and study groups on these topics could help the integration process.

Another way the Persian friends can help the process is to let the Americans become involved in their lives.

Many Americans would love to help a Persian with his or her English, would be glad to help someone study to obtain a driver’s license, or wouldn’t even mind driving someone to the Immigration Office. Just ask!

As Bahá’ís we should overcome personal inhibitions and reach out to one another. As ‘Abdu’l-Bahá says:

“WHAT profit is there in agreeing that universal friendship is good and talking of the solidarity of the human race as a grand ideal? Unless these thoughts are translated into the world of action, they are useless.” (Paris Talks, p. 16)

After the first pains of separation from friends and family have subsided, and after the worst hurdles of settling into the new country have been negotiated, the transplanted Persian believer may ask, “Why did this happen? Why am I here?”

The answer lies in appreciating the immensely expanded opportunities which present themselves.

Instead of living in a country where Bahá’ís could not meet, and where Bahá’í universities were almost nonexistent, you are now living in a country where millions of people are waiting to hear the name of Bahá’u’lláh.

There is a new freedom to shout the name of the Bahá’í Faith from every rooftop!

Furthermore, dear Persian friends, perhaps you have been sent here for a specific mission. It may be the Persian believers who can truly reach the non-white peoples of the U.S. to tell them about the Faith.

THE tragic history of race relations in this country has cut off large segments of the population from even the most well-meaning white Bahá’ís. But you, who have not yet been tainted by the corrosive hatred of race prejudice, may be the very ones to take the Message of Bahá’u’lláh to the Afro-American, Asian and other native peoples of this country.

Could this be the real purpose of your arrival here? If so, then the Persian believers can play what might be one of the most important roles in the history of the U.S. Bahá’í community.

Surely, in this way, your performance can match that of the courageous Bahá’ís who are still in Iran.

So, dear friends, you are here in the U.S. and probably will be for some time to come. Are you going to use the time worrying about money and personal possessions and mourning over the lost world of pre-Revolutionary Iran? Or are you going to use this wonderful opportunity to serve the Faith on a far greater scale than you ever dreamed possible?

You have not been asked to become physical martyrs for the Cause, as have your friends and family in Iran. In many ways, however, you have been called to a different mission.

You have been asked to sacrifice the ease of familiar surroundings and to arise, take advantage of your new situation, and serve the Faith in completely new ways.

Surely the finest response to the sacrifice of the friends in Iran, and the greatest healing for the grief of their loss, can only be to serve the Faith in your new home.

Your destiny must be to join together with the friends already here in this country to create truly diverse and loving communities in which true “world citizens” will be born.

Moving? Tell us your new address

To avoid unnecessary delays in receiving your copies of The American Bahá’í send your new address and your mailing label which includes your ID number to the Office of Membership and Records, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, as soon as you know that you are going to move and what your new address will be. We will do our best to see that changes are processed quickly so that the transfer of mail to your new home is accomplished with all possible speed.

NOTE: Use this form for individual changes only.

BAHÁ’Í NATIONAL CENTER Wilmette, Illinois 60091

We have been receiving more than one copy of The American Bahá’í. Because we don’t need extra copies, please remove my name from the mailing list for this publication. Please check box.

Letters

Continued From Page 3

ments regarding either the Faith or its divinely ordained, God-propelled Administrative Order.

And the “elephant” of the Faith is moving forward—so hang on!

Can we not unite together around the Most Holy Book and the Universal House of Justice, stop arguing among ourselves in the pages of The American Bahá’í, and arise to serve mankind according to the guidance given us by the Universal House of Justice in the Seven Year Plan and in response to the loving leadership of the Board of Counsellors, the National Spiritual Assembly, our Local Spiritual Assemblies and the Auxiliary Board and its assistants?

John Versteeg

Crawfordsville, Indiana

To the Editor:

I read with interest the replies to Ms. Antoinette Isaac’s letter. I have always been entranced by the theory that we are all at least 50th cousins.

The reason I am writing, however, is to comment on the discussion of the possible annihilation of the northern continents.

THIS seems to keep coming up in Bahá’í circles based on some pretty indefinite statements.

Apparently, these were given credence by a conference not too long ago, and I know of Bahá’ís who have actually moved to the heart of the country to be away from the coasts, and have usually found themselves perched beside a mass of missile silos.

We have all known since the end of World War II that we could blow ourselves up with the nuclear weapons that we have. It is a fear that pervades our culture and sickens our youth, making them fatalistic and passive.

What many people don’t seem to understand is that even a limited nuclear war would deal us such a devastating blow that if any humans remained alive they would be reduced to a primitive, barbaric existence.

Our network of communication, transportation, common knowledge, technical expertise—everything would be gone.

The ‎Bahá’í is Bahá’ís‎ would be decimated proportionately, along with everyone else. So when I hear someone talk about blowing up the world as a good thing to wipe the slate clean and start again, I shudder.

I also shudder at the capacity to be so cold-blooded as to embrace such an idea knowing the terrible suffering such a thing would cause.

How can we tell our youth to plan for the future, to educate themselves, marry and have children, if we believe such things?

Wouldn’t it be better to use our energies to help guarantee peace for the world by teaching the Faith and trying to usher in the new era of Bahá’í unity?

Constance Black

Kensington, Maryland

To the Editor:

My husband and I are isolated in our present location. We have recently become close friends with some of the Mormons in a nearby town whose life values and goals we find similar to our own.

This week I heard them discussing a work project they are doing, and asked what it is about. Their answer: Their church district, which encompasses a large area (most of our state and parts of others) bid on a job for stuffing inserts into newspapers at a large publishing firm.

THE surrounding Mormon branches send volunteers each evening for five to seven hours, depending on the amount of work to be done. Our friends said they raised about a quarter of a million dollars for the church fund last year in this way.

I believe this kind of project would be a terrific one for the Bahá’ís to use. Having a large, centrally located community as its base, and enlisting the help of other Assemblies, Groups and isolated believers in the area, it would be quite feasible for us to carry out a similar activity.

Of course, its scope would have to be within the reasonable ability of the Bahá’ís to accomplish. But this could have a tremendous unifying effect on the Bahá’ís while providing an opportunity for the friends to give to the Fund in ways that would not otherwise be possible in these hard economic times.

As an unemployed person in a job-hungry area, I would go all out to participate in such a project.

I send this as a challenge to the American Bahá’í community. Are any of you interested? Please consider this in your area. Is it feasible?

If the Mormons can do it, so can we! They are succeeding not only through their example of living their faith daily, but by their willingness to work together in a long-term effort to physically carry out their goals. Can we match them?

Echo Mitchell

Perham, Minnesota

To the Editor:

In reference to the letter on business opportunities (May): being somewhat familiar with some of the more popular “pyramid-structured” businesses in the “innovative American business community,” I see no reason for opportunity to be taken by anyone who is offered an opportunity to investigate for himself one of these distributorships.

It is evident that the writer has not given ear to any of these offers, which are free of charge and impose no obligation to buy any products.

If he had, he would in no way be able to call them “pyramid-structured.” I think he should consider it a compliment to be thought of by these people, whether they are Bahá’ís or not.

If he felt that his relationship was being “abused” or “flagrantly violated,” I think he should reassess his self-image. It seems that all he was offered was an opportunity to look at a business which has the potential to alleviate extreme poverty in America or in any country where free enterprise is welcome.

Sharon R. Irwin

Denham Springs, Louisiana