The American Bahá’í/Volume 14/Issue 9/Text

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The American Bahá’í September, 1983

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Wave of arrests, pressure continues in Iran

PRESSURES MOUNTING AGAINST BAHÁ’ÍS IRAN, PARTICULARLY IN TEHERAN, WHERE MEMBERS OF BAHÁ’Í INSTITUTIONS ARE BEING HUNTED, THEIR HOMES RAIDED. IF NOT FOUND, THEIR FAMILIES ARE BEING HARASSED.

TWENTY-TWO BELIEVERS INCLUDING 11 WOMEN WERE ARRESTED BETWEEN 11 AND 20 JULY, AS FOLLOWS:

TEHERAN: HADI SHAFI'I, BAHIYYIH KAYHAN-IRAD, SHAHNAZ MUSSAMAPARAST, TUHFIH ZANJANI, TAHIRIH PAKAZMA, MAJDHUBP MU'MIN, MIHRANGIZ RAMZI (IMAMI), MULUK KHADIM, IRAJ QANUNI, AZIZU'LLAH DIHQAN, MAWLAVI, KASHANI, AZIZU'LLAH BADI'I. YAZD: MIHRABAN LUHRASB, SIMIN LUHRASB, ATA-'U'LLAH LUR, SHAHRIYAR PURKHURSAND, MU-NIR MIHRIGANI, SIMIN AKHTARKHAVARI. SHIRAZ: FARZANIH BAHRAMSHAHI. MASHHAD: MUNIRIH VAHDAT, NUSRATU'LLAH VAHDAT.

THE ABOVE FRIENDS IN YAZD WERE ALSO EXILED TO KHASH, BALUCHISTAN ON 16 JULY, ALONG WITH THREE PREVIOUSLY IMPRISONED NASIR ARDALAN, MAHBUBIH MUVAFFAQ. IN THAT CITY WHOSE NAMES ARE: TAHIRIH VAHDATI, AZIZU'LLAH VAHDATI, IRAJ LUH-RASB.

URGE YOU APPEAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, ORGANIZATIONS USE THEIR OFFICES ASSIST FREE INNOCENT VICTIMS ENEMIES FAITH IRAN.

UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE JULY 26, 1983

PERSECUTIONS IRANIAN FRIENDS REMAIN UN ABATED. WAVES ARRESTS PROMINENT BAHÁ’ÍS RECENTLY INTENSIFIED. REGRET INFORM FOL LOWING DETAINED ON 28 JULY:

TEHERAN: MAHBUBI NADIRI, SUHRAB DUSTDAR. KARAJ: GHULAM HUSAYN FARHAND, IHSA-NU'LLAH KATIRI, NA'IM BADI'I, FIRUZ ATHARI, YUNIS NAW-RUZI, INAYATULLAH HAQIQI, TA-HIRIH MUTLAQ, JAMSHID PURUSTADKAR, IN-AYATU'LLAH IZADI, PARI VUJDANI, ABAZAR SADRI, BAHRAM ISHANI, NURU'LLAH YIKAN.

UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE AUGUST 2, 1983

ARRESTS IRANIAN BRETHREN CONTINUING. FOLLOWING 24 INCLUDING 10 WOMEN IMPRISON-ED BETWEEN 3 AND 5 AUGUST:

SARI: SUHRAB SAMIMI, SUDABIH ZIYAR (SA-MIMI), FARIDIH SAMI'I, ZHILA RIDA'I, MITRA YAVRUM, SHUHRIH RIDA'I, MUHAMMAD MAH-MUDI, SIYYID-TAQI HUSAYNI, ARDISHIR HU-SAYNI. TEHERAN: AWRANG DARUGAR. RA-MIYYAN, GUNBAD-I-KAVUS: AMINU'LLAH SA-FA'I. URUMIYYIH: ASAD ILKHCHI, QURBAN-ALI HAJAFZADIH-ILKHCHI, SANA'IYYIH ILKHCHI, HUSAYN-BABA ASL-JAFARI, KHANBABA ASL-JA-FARI, NANIH-QIZ AHMADZADIH, AZIZULLAH KAFFASHI, FARIBA KAFFASHI, SIRUS KAFFASHI, DARYUSH KAFFASHI, ZHAKLIN HABIBI, MINA TIZFAHM, FADLULLAH MAQSUDI.

UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE AUGUST 16, 1983

9 new National Assemblies to be formed at Ridván 1984

OVERJOYED ANNOUNCE FORMATION AT RIDVAN 1984 FOL-LOWING NINE NEW NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES:

THREE IN AFRICA: CAPE VERDE ISLANDS, EQUATORIAL GUINEA, AND GABON. THREE IN AMERICAS: FRENCH GUI-ANA, GRENADA, AND MARTINIQUE. TWO IN ASIA: AN-DAMAN/NICOBAR ISLANDS, AND YEMEN (SAN'A). ONE IN EUROPE: CANARY ISLANDS.

LAST TWO NATIONAL ASSEMBLIES NAMED ABOVE ARE SUPPLEMENTARY ACHIEVEMENTS SEVEN YEAR PLAN.

PRAYING SHRINES BOUNTIFUL BLESSINGS MAY SURROUND SUPPORT FRIENDS EVERYWHERE IN THEIR ENDEAVORS PROMOTE GOD'S HOLY FAITH.

UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE JULY 31, 1983

Electoral districts throughout country gear up for annual conventions October 2

You are warmly invited to the annual convention to be held in your electoral district Sunday, Oc-tober 2. Please see Page 11 for the location of your convention site.

The primary purpose of the dis-trict convention is to elect the delegate(s) who will represent your district at the annual Na-tional Convention to be held next April 26-29 in Chicago.

ANOTHER vital purpose of each district convention is to allow for a wide exchange of views among the friends on the impor-tant affairs of the Cause in that district.

Ballots will be available at the convention. If you are prevented by illness or some other unavoid-able circumstance from attending, you may vote by mail.

To obtain a ballot prior to the convention, please contact the District Teaching Committee co-ordinator or the person who is designated to receive absentee bal-lots by mail.

If you are unable to do this be-cause time is too short, you may vote by using the following pro-edure:

On a white piece of paper (about 3x5 inches), print the name(s) of the person(s) you wish to vote for. Please note that you are to vote for the exact number of delegates allotted to your dis-trict.

Voting for a greater or lesser number will invalidate your bal-lot. To find the number of dele-gates for your district, see Page 11.

PLACE your ballot in a plain white envelope and seal it. Do not See DISTRICTS Page 11

'Nationwide potluck' is planned

So, you say you've never been to a nationwide potluck where everyone, at the same time, is en-joying the same delicious menu in support of the same first-ever pro-ject? Well—here's your chance!

All District Teaching Commit-tees have an opportunity this year to host a lunchtime fund-raising potluck at District Conventions (October 2) to support the first North American Bahá’í radio sta-tion—WLGI! And plans are cooking.

ALTHOUGH this is a volun-tary activity (because some Dis-trict Teaching Committees' plans See POTLUCK Page 5

Index

Viewpoint 3 Letters 5 The Funds 6 Goals Committee 7 Youth News 8-9 Education 10-11 Race Unity 12 Teaching 14 Spanish 15 Publications 16 Classifieds 17 The Media 18-21 Persian 22

"WLGI" POTLUCK LUNCH

Bahá’ís in Mount Vernon, Wash-ington, participated July 9 in the eighth annual Skagit River raft race. Although the Bahá’ís did not win the race itself, they won ex-cellent publicity for their raft in local newspapers. The raft in-cluded a globe and the words 'The Bahá’í Faith' painted on each side. Crew members all wore 'One Planet, One People... Please' T-shirts. Rafters pictured are Mike Griffin, Linda Griffin, Rus-sell Weaver and Ritch Boreman. (Photo by Kim Thomsen, Skagit Valley Herald) [Page 2]

Enemies of Cause help spread Message

Dear Bahá’í friends:

While heart-rending news of barbarous persecution of our brothers and sisters continues to arrive from Iran, the Bahá’ís show unmistakable signs of determination to confound the enemies of the Faith.

Those who had hoped to obliterate the very word Bahá’í have only succeeded in making it known to hundreds of millions of people on every continent of the globe.

THOSE WHO HAD spread untruths about the teachings, the purposes, and the history of the Faith have only helped to win for it in an unprecedented measure recognition, respect and admiration. Thus the extremist mullahs have become an instrument for the advancement of the Cause of God.

The American Bahá’í community has suddenly been confronted with unanticipated opportunities to proclaim and teach the Faith. Such opportunities must not be dissipated.

The press, radio and television have aroused much interest in the Bahá’ís. We must satisfy this interest by inviting our friends and neighbors to our homes for discussions of teachings that have transformed so many lives and have the power to transform all of humanity.

If we but do our part, the concluding years of the current Seven Year Plan will be remembered in history as the years of emergence from obscurity and of vast expansion of the American Bahá’í community.

With loving Bahá’í greetings,

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

Marion Carpenter Yazdi (third from left), author of the book Youth in the Vanguard, was the guest of honor May 21 at a tea hosted by the Bahá’í community of Santa Paula, California. Afterward, a copy of Mrs. Yazdi's book about the early years of the Faith at Stanford University and the University of California at Berkeley was presented to Dan Robles (second from left), the librarian at the Blanchard Memorial Library in Santa Paula. Also present were Bahá’ís (left to right) Mark Eaton, Molly King, Mary Foghi, Jean Eaton, Mich Yamamoto and Artemis Ledesma.

‘Survivors of martyrs’ must carry Faith forward

In one of His prayers, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá says: "O Lord! These are the survivors of the martyrs, that company of blessed souls."

Who are the survivors of the martyrs? Only their relatives and friends?

NO! I believe that all of us, the followers of the Blessed Beauty, the Bahá’ís of the world, are the survivors of the martyrs. Every single one of us is a survivor of the martyrs.

As a survivor of the martyrs, every Bahá’í has an obligation to consider serving the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh his first and most important priority.

Teaching, giving to the Bahá’í Funds, educating Bahá’í children, helping to consolidate Bahá’í communities, becoming deepened in the Faith, being obedient to the Bahá’í institutions such as one's Local Spiritual Assembly, and accepting the honor and bounty of serving one's Bahá’í community in any way his Assembly may ask him to serve are among these responsibilities.

No doubt, we all understand that the Bahá’í world community is one family, and that every time one life is sacrificed for the Faith.. for every one of us, it is as though we have lost a member of our immediate family.

The shock and sorrow of such a loss can be at least partially compensated by doing something good in the name of the dear one we have lost in the spirit of sacrifice, and by becoming and feeling as close as possible to our beloved martyr.

MARTYRDOM is certainly not a loss to the martyr himself, since the martyr simply gives something temporary (earthly life) in return. for something permanent (the eternal life).

But for the survivors, martyrdom can be a loss unless something is done about it; something as precious and as great as martyrdom itself.

Praying for the survivors of the martyrs, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá writes:

"O Lord! Graciously reinforce them with a new spirit; illumine their eyes by enabling them to behold Thy wondrous evidences in the gloom of the night; destine for them all good that aboundeth in Thy Kingdom of eternal mysteries; make them as brilliant stars shining over all regions; luxuriant trees laden with fruit and branches moving in the breezes of dawn."

Dear friends, let us ask ourselves how we can attract the grace of God for the "reinforcement of our Bahá’í spirit," so that we will become "luxuriant trees laden with fruits" in this "gloom of night" of persecution of our beloved family members in Iran.

CLEARLY, the answer is to offer the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh, the greatest gift in the world, to as many people as possible by teaching the Faith and serving the Cause, its institutions and its followers.

One of the Iranian Bahá’ís wrote while in prison:

"Value and cherish the Bahá’í friends, since seeing them is like seeing the Blessed Beauty Bahá’u’lláh and serving them is like serving God..."

Let us take these courageous and self-sacrificing souls as our examples and follow in their footsteps.

Recently, at a Feast, the suggestion was made that everyone take one of the beloved martyrs of the last four years as his example, study his or her life and services, learn about his or her heroism, and become so close to that martyr as to be able to seek his or her help in teaching and living the Bahá’í life.

In this way, it was suggested, each of us can become a hollow reed, a vehicle for transferring the assistance and spirit of the martyrs from the Abhá Kingdom to this world.

THE TIME is short, the time is now, the time is past. Mankind is in dire need of the gifts of Bahá’u’lláh. Who else but us, His followers, can offer this gift to a waiting world?

Let us, the survivors, follow in the footsteps of the martyrs, our beloved family members.

Let us awaken each morning with their memories and in their names. Let us ask them to be with us every moment of the day. And at night, let us sleep with their precious reminders.

Let us become familiar with their lives, one by one, and make them an inseparable part of our own lives.

Let every atom of our being sing the praises of God in their names, and let us serve, and teach, and be as servants to our institutions and humbly obedient to them.

This is the standard for the survivors of the martyrs.

(This month's article was written by Tahirih Foroughi of Reno, Nevada. Dr. Foroughi is a member of the National Teaching Committee.)

More than 50 Bahá’ís attend regional conference for business, professions

More than 50 Bahá’ís were present July 23 at a regional conference at the Bahá’í National Center co-sponsored by the Business and Professional Affairs Committee and the Spiritual Assembly of Evanston, Illinois.

The conference, whose over-all theme was "Recognition, Understanding and Action," had a twofold purpose: first, to gain an insight into our personal commitment to excellence in all our endeavors; and second, to explore ways in which to proclaim and teach the Faith to all strata of society including the business and professional community.

To help accomplish those purposes, there were small group discussions on "Barriers and Solutions to Achieving Personal Excellence" and "Teaching: Obstacles, Approaches, Accomplishments."

Among those attending were four members of the Business and Professional Affairs Committee: Susan Berge, Shahab Fatheazam, Lawrence Miller and Jeff Mondschein.

Mr. Miller, who is president of Tarkenton and Company, an Atlanta-based management consulting firm, spoke on achieving personal excellence; Mr. Fatheazam, vice-president and partner of Kidder Peabody, a Wall Street investment bank, on teaching peer professionals.

Participants came from eight states and from Brazil.

Two Bahá’ís selected

Two Bahá’ís have been selected for inclusion in the 1983 edition of Outstanding Young Men of America.

The two are Kevin H. Smith of Birmingham, Alabama, and Dean Dobbert of Upper Arlington, Ohio.

Nominations for the listings are made by senators, congressmen, governors, mayors, state legislators, university and college presidents, and various civic groups. [Page 3]

'Each one teach one' remains Bahá’í standard

To the Editor:

Bahá’u’lláh has called each and every one of us to the first and most important requirement placed upon us when we accepted the priceless gift of membership in His Cause:

"Teach ye the cause of God, O people of Bahá, for God hath prescribed unto everyone the duty of proclaiming His Message, and regardeth it as the most meritorious of all deeds."

WE ARE, individually and collectively, responsible for the continuing enrollment of new believers.

Individually, our watchword is "each one teach one." ‘Abdu’l-Bahá called us to that standard in the Tablets of the Divine Plan.

If some individual Bahá’í had not been willing to share this Cause, would any of us be Bahá’ís today?

I pray to God that every Bahá’í in the U.S. will make just one commitment this year—that Riḍván will not pass without at least one enrollment.

Collectively, our teaching plans and efforts come through the institutions of the Faith.

All we need do is follow the directives of the Universal House of Justice, the Hands of the Cause of God, the Continental Board of Counsellors, and the National Spiritual Assembly.

Had we followed their directions in the past, there would be many more Bahá’ís in the U.S. than now exist.

Our focus, nationally and locally, has not been on teaching. As a result, we had fewer, by half, declarations during B.E. 139 than in B.E. 138.

So, let our National Spiritual Assembly make teaching the first priority. Let us have national and local teaching projects. Let us have a progressive series of teaching institutes, conferences and deepenings.

And let the members of the National Spiritual Assembly encourage the friends by their personal teaching efforts until there is a groundswell of teaching spirit in this country, resulting in an unprecedented growth in the number of new Bahá’ís.

Ross Klutke Portland, Oregon

To the Editor:

Belly-aching does not belong in the Bahá’í way of life. Whatever one's complaint, there is an antidote in the Writings and in work for the Cause.

Whatever the grievance, think of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. He and His family daily—regardless of the tribulations—recalled incidents over which they could laugh together: "Laughter is a spiritual relaxation."

Whatever the bill of particulars, boast: "From amongst all mankind hath he chosen you, and your eyes have been opened to the light of guidance and your ears attuned to the music of the Company above..."

Whatever the sadness, be happy: "My home is the home of laughter and mirth."

Whatever the discontent, "...be cheered by draughts from the eternal cup of love for God, and make merry as (they) drink from the wine-vaults of Heaven."

"...sing harmonies and lays in this divine garden ... and plant a tree in the field of the visible world which may bring forth fruits of the utmost delicacy and freshness."

You'll feel better, the world will be a bit better, and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá will have more about which to smile.

Patricia J. Smith Burlington, Vermont

To the Editor:

I feel I must comment on the article by Pat Tyler Kinney (March) about woman's role as mother.

I often feel that many Bahá’í women feel they must comply with the status quo; that is, stay home and be mothers—that motherhood is a full-time job that continues at least until the children are 15 or 18 years old.

I ALSO often get the feeling that Bahá’ís who are mothers assume that other responsibilities belong to motherhood (i.e., cleaning the bathroom, cooking, sweeping the floors, taking out the garbage).

‘Abdu’l-Bahá did not say that women must "stay home" and educate the children. He said women should be the "primary trainers of children" and the "first teacher of the child." "Primary" does not mean "total," it means first in order and importance.

My position is that women can have a primary position as educators of children without having to stay home all the time.

I become frustrated when I see what seems to me an interpretation of what ‘Abdu’l-Bahá wrote as meaning that women must stay home in order to be effective mothers.

There is no reason why a woman cannot enjoy the benefits of both the intense pleasure of being the primary trainer of her children and the immense satisfaction of spending time away from the home pursuing some other (secondary) goal.

I AM aware of the great difficulty in today's workplace of finding a job that isn't so demanding that the primary importance of rearing children becomes secondary, and I become angry at the injustice in the workplace, where women are penalized for becoming pregnant and find it difficult to leave a job momentarily to tend to the needs of their children.

My hope is that someday the workplace will not be built entirely around what today suits only the needs of men. Someday, a harmonious situation will prevail that will accommodate men and women equally without fear of reprisals or put-downs.

I am also aware of the frustration women have when they find themselves relegated to the role of house cleaner and chief cook. That is not "motherhood" and is a role that can be shared by everyone in the family.

I would encourage every woman to pursue continually a lifelong task of self-improvement, whether it be in education, a career, or some other area.

When a woman has goals and feels fulfilled as a person, then she can share her happiness and enthusiasm with her children.

Ann Richardson Rockland, Maine

To the Editor:

In my opinion we Bahá’ís all have a gift in our hearts which is invested by Bahá’u’lláh. But we should not own it, or deprive others from possessing it.

We are appointed to wrap this gift in precious wrapping paper. We are the wrapping paper, and our message the gift.

Once this gift is given to a soul, what happens to the wrapping paper? It is discarded.

We should not attach ourselves to the gift, but rather remain separate and not be hurt if we are not as precious as the gift itself.

The purpose of teaching is to attract human beings to the Divine message and so imbue them with its spirit that they will dedicate themselves to its service.

Kambiz Rouhani Clearwater, Florida

To the Editor:

This is in regard to the "Comment" article in the January issue of The American Bahá’í on EST training.

In May 1982 I took the EST training course. It was a unique experience in a room with 220 other people.

I AGREE with the writer that it was a powerful experience, and one that for me was totally positive. I never once felt it to be a threat to my sanity or my psyche. And I never felt it to be some discipline that could pull me away from the Faith. If anything, I feel an even greater appreciation for the Bahá’í way of life.

The course cleared up some childhood traumas I'd carried around for 40 years. Many psychiatrists are advising patients to do the training.

During the course of 60 hours of group interaction there developed a feeling of fellowship experienced by all 220 of these former total strangers, a sincere desire to reach out unselfishly to each other.

My personal experience, after a year, is that the benefits I derived far outweigh the possibility of any harmful effects.

Also, I found ample opportunity to mention the Faith to some open-minded individuals. I became aware that most of them are searching for ways to better their lives.

I believe that many of them would be receptive to the Faith, and have heard that nearly half a million people have completed the EST training.

I would enjoy hearing from other Bahá’ís who have done the training.

Eddie Lee McLaughlin Harrison, Arkansas

The National Spiritual Assembly does not find the methods employed in EST training to be compatible with the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh. The objective appears to be personal transformation, but its method of attaining that goal requires initially that the individual experience a kind of humbling through verbal abuse.

The National Assembly encourages those who are interested in personal transformation to participate in the Comprehensive Deepening Program offered by the National Education Committee. The believers may find of interest pages 308-10 in the book, The Psychological Society.-Ed.

To the Editor:

Since becoming a Bahá’í this past February I have come to love the Cause more and more as I continue seeking the truth, studying the Writings, and associating with other Bahá’ís.

I became a Bahá’í through my own personal search, study and meditation, and thus realized the truth of the teachings and of the Prophets of God who are Mirrors of His light for this era.

YESTERDAY, however, I received a letter from two of my closest friends who live about 300 miles away.

They had investigated the Faith, and from the tone of their letter it was apparent that they did not like what they had found, and were telling me their inner feelings.

After reading the letter several times and pondering it, I could only pity them that they would not seek deeper into the history of the Messengers of God, not only of the Bahá’í Revelation, but of all religions, and see their similarities.

At this time I can only ask them to follow Jesus' advice about testing a true from a false prophet: "By their fruits shall ye know them."

Indeed, many things come to test our faith, to see if we are true to the Cause of God.

This letter from two of my dear and respected friends has been such a test, but I stand firm and true.

New from George Ronald, Publisher

The Hand of the Cause GEORGE TOWNSHEND his life by David Hofman

The wonderful story of this great servant of Bahá’u’lláh is related in this inspiring, fascinating biography.

A wonderful book. This is real writing. The Hand of the Cause Paul Haney

Surely one of the most deeply moving biographies in the first century of the Bahá’í Faith's epic movement westward... Douglas Martin, Secretary, NSA of the Bahá’ís of Canada

A truly magnificent book. Counsellor Peter Khan

448 pp, 6¼ x 9¼ in, 63 illustrations Hardcover $19.50 (332-103) Softcover $9.50 (332-104)

GEORGE TOWNSHEND

Order through your local librarian, or send check or money order (including 10% for postage and handling, minimum $1.50) to: Bahá’í Publishing Trust 415 LINDEN AVENUE, WILMETTE, IL 60091 [Page 4]

ELLA BAILEY

"Oh, Ella Bailey, Ella Bailey! Oh, Ella Bailey, Ella Bailey...!" ‘Abdu’l-Bahá kept repeating her name when they met for the first time in Chicago in 1912.

"In those few words," Miss Bailey recalled many years later, "He gave me all the emotions of a lifetime....He made me feel His spiritual power and His truth."

ELLA Bailey was born December 18, 1864, in Houston, Texas, and her family moved to San Diego, California, while she was still an infant. At age two she was stricken with polio which left one of her limbs paralyzed.

Ella became fond of nature, and in spite of her handicap became an expert horeswoman. After attending normal school in San Diego she moved to Berkeley and began her career as an elementary school teacher.

She was introduced to the Faith by Helen Goodall and studied afterward with Lua Getsinger before becoming a Bahá’í prior to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit to the U.S. in 1912.

Because the friends in California did not expect the Master to visit the West Coast, several of them traveled to Chicago to meet Him.

MISS Bailey made the trip with her close friends Helen Goodall and Mrs. Goodall's daughter, Ella Cooper.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá greeted Miss Bailey warmly, saying He was happy to see her with her spiritual mother, "... thereby confirming a beautiful spiritual relationship that continued for life between Mrs. Goodall and myself," said Miss Bailey.

Ella Bailey was the first chairman of the Spiritual Assembly of Berkeley and served on that Assembly for more than 20 years. She taught constantly but preferred to remain in the background, avoiding publicity for herself.

A long-time resident at the Berkeley Women's City Club.

Spiritual Assembly of Miami observes its 50th anniversary

The Spiritual Assembly of Miami, Florida, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year with a series of proclamation events—the goal is one per month.

AN intercommunity committee has been set up to plan the events with help from area Assemblies and the local media committee. In April, a fish fry was held at a local park and 100 helium-filled balloons bearing a message of unity were given to children.

In May, an observance of the Declaration of the Báb included a buffet dinner and talent show. In June, information booths were set up at three area locations for Race Unity Day.

At one of these booths, in the "little Haiti" area, a message in creole was attached to helium balloons which were passed out to children in front of a supermarket.

In July, the committee helped plan a memorial service for the recent Bahá’í martyrs in Iran. Three hundred invitations were mailed to local officials, churches, synagogues, social service organizations and universities.

Future plans include a beach party, an awards presentation, an evening of history to view the community's archives, and much more.

Bahá’í Martine Levy (center) chats with an interested passerby at a Bahá’í information booth set up in Miami, Florida, on Race Unity Day, June 12, as a part of the Spiritual Assembly of Miami's 50th anniversary observance. Also pictured are Bahá’ís Marlene Bastien (standing) and her mother, Mrs. Bastien. The motto on the seeker's T-shirt reads 'Everyone Counts.'

36 attend 1st Chippewa Valley Bahá’í Teaching Conference

Robert G. Wilson, secretary of the National Teaching Committee, addresses the first Chippewa Valley Bahá’í Teaching Conference held June 25 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

The first Chippewa Valley Bahá’í Teaching Conference was held June 25 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

Thirty-six adults and 24 children from Wisconsin and Minnesota attended the conference, which was sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Eau Claire.

Discussion was centered on the various conditions in our personal lives that can promote or inhibit our ability to teach the Faith.

Speakers included Robert G. Wilson, secretary of the National Teaching Committee; Mike Furst, an assistant to Auxiliary Board member Stephen Birkland; Charlotte Shaw, an assistant to Auxiliary Board member D. Thelma Jackson; and Jack and Georgia Johnson from Chippewa Falls.

Among the conference highlights was a children's presentation that included prayers, songs, and a skit the children had learned in their classes.

The conference was followed in the evening by firesides held simultaneously in Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls, which is the Spiritual Assembly of Eau Claire's extension teaching goal.

73 embrace Faith in Encenadas, Mexico

Seventy-three people in Encenadas, Mexico, declared their belief in Bahá’u’lláh during the first phase of a year-long border teaching campaign sponsored by the District Teaching Committee of Southern California No. 4.

Among those embracing the Faith are many professional people from the educated middle class. Two of the declarants are from a nearby Reservation, and their enrollments will open a new Indian locality. The two had heard of the Faith before and are eager to carry the Message back to their Reservation.

Some 20 to 25 Bahá’ís from the U.S. side of the border are committed to weekend excursions for consolidation and teaching. Funds for the campaign—which is entirely self-supporting—were raised by a fiesta and Mexican dinner that netted $1,500.

Connecticut Bahá’ís participate in 'Alternatives Marathon' for peace

Bahá’ís in New Britain, Connecticut, participated this year in an "Alternatives Marathon" at Central Connecticut State University whose theme was "Inner and Outer Peace."

A local Bahá’í led three workshop sessions on "True Happiness and True Freedom: A Bahá’í Perspective."

Three sheets of relevant quotations and prayers were used as reference materials, and were taken home by the students, one of whom later wrote a favorable commentary on the course.

Also, a Bahá’í from a nearby community led a workshop on "The Search for Truth: Freedom from Prejudice."

The title and description of each Bahá’í workshop was listed in the course brochure which is sent to all participants and students and appears in the local newspaper.

Washington State passes resolution

On May 25, the House of Representatives of Washington state passed the following resolution concerning the persecution of Bahá’ís in Iran:

WHEREAS, In the past four years, the Iranian government has executed thousands of persons for their religious beliefs; and

WHEREAS, Members of the Bahá’í faith in Iran have suffered the loss of property and jobs as a result of their religious convictions; and

WHEREAS, In addition to executions and the loss of property and jobs, members of the Bahá’í faith in Iran have been subjected to extreme governmental harassment, persecution, and imprisonment; and

WHEREAS, At least one hundred twenty-five Bahá’ís were arrested in Shiraz in a single month this year, and these arrests continue; and

WHEREAS, Those Bahá’ís arrested are often executed without the benefit of a trial and without being convicted of any crime except their refusals to renounce their religious beliefs; and

WHEREAS, The members of the Bahá’í faith in Iran have been specifically excluded from civil protection under the current Iranian Constitution; and

WHEREAS, The Bahá’í faith is recognized around the world and its members are a peace-loving people who believe in the basic principles of justice, equality, and unity; and

WHEREAS, The denial of religious freedom and the persecution of a group of human beings is a threat to the freedom of all people;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, By the House of Representatives of the State of Washington, That we support United States Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 73 which condemned the Iranian persecution of the Bahá’í community; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That we urge Congress and President Ronald Reagan to persevere in their efforts to halt the persecution of members of the Bahá’í faith in Iran; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be forwarded to President Ronald Reagan, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and to the members of the congressional delegation from Washington State.

ADOPTED May 25, 1983. [Page 5]

Contributions rise, but remain far short of goal

At the Bahá’í National Convention last May, the proposed contributions goal was raised at the suggestion of the delegates by more than $3 million.

This was done to allow the National Spiritual Assembly to initiate critically needed repairs on the dome of the House of Worship.

NEVER before has such a sizable increase been made in the goal from one year to the next (last year's goal was $6.48 million, increased to $10 million this year).

The American Bahá’í community has not yet adjusted to the new goal, as is evidenced by the level of contributions during the first six Bahá’í months of the year.

Although the year-to-date contributions are slightly higher than during the same period last year, they have fallen $1.5 million below the amount needed to keep pace with the new goal.

The primary reason that contributions have not kept pace with the new goal, according to Dorothy W. Nelson, treasurer of the National Spiritual Assembly, is that the number of individuals contributing directly to the National Fund has declined significantly during the summer months.

Last year an average of 5,012 believers contributed to the National Fund each month. By late July of this year, that number had dropped to 3,961.

IF THE present campaign of unified action to restore the House of Worship, expand the facilities at the Louis Gregory Institute and build a radio station there, and bring about a vast increase in the number of Bahá’ís in this country is to succeed, it requires above all unified action on the part of the friends in contributing to the National Fund.

In a Feast message dated August 12, the National Spiritual Assembly reminded the friends that the $10 million contributions goal should not be seen simply as a national endeavor.

The recent Bahá’í International Convention in Haifa, Israel, vividly reminded the members of our National Assembly that the Bahá’ís throughout the world look to this country to provide the means by which to proclaim and consolidate the Faith globally.

To meet adequately these expectations requires more funds than are presently flowing into the national Treasury.

We have a great opportunity now to rededicate ourselves to our spiritual heritage as the champion-builders of Bahá’u’lláh’s administrative order.

The sooner we restore the Temple—the symbol of our heritage—the more triumphantly we can reaffirm our place as leaders in the Bahá’í world community. If we now seize the chalice of sacrifice and supply the material resources needed at this time, we will have made another great stride toward achieving our destiny.

The $1.5 million shortfall in contributions can therefore be regarded as a "spiritual thermometer" registering the health and vitality of the American Bahá’í community. The remedy depends upon each Bahá’í playing his part in the functioning of the entire body.

What is needed now is for 20,000 Bahá’ís to give whatever they can afford to the National Bahá’í Fund every month. Will you be one of the 20,000?

Potluck

are finalized at this point and won't allow for such meal plans), the National Spiritual Assembly hopes that as many districts as possible will be able to support this activity whose purposes are:

• To educate the attendees further regarding the significance, plans and needs of the Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute expansion program including the first Bahá’í radio station in North America.

• To encourage everyone's active support of this project including their time, talents, prayers and contributions.

• To make a positive use of the lunch period at District Convention.

• to encourage a sense of unity on a nationwide basis as everyone enjoys the same luncheon across the country.

The menu for the potluck is composed of some real taste treats from the WLGI fund-raising cookbook, "Let's Get Cooking," and includes a varied range of luncheon fare from "Uncle Henry's Brunswick Stew" (a traditional potluck favorite!) to "Apple (Get to Heaven) Cake."

ALL THIS fun activity can happen easily if the District Teaching Committee can depend on the help of the communities in its district.

It has been suggested to the committees that assignments for each of the menu items, drinks and clean-up be made in order to handle the lunch on a cooperative and simple basis.

If your District Teaching Committee decides to host a potluck, please lend your full assistance to its plans.

Imagine—instead of bringing along your peanut butter sandwich, or fighting to find the local "greasy spoon" and then get served in a hurry, you can have lunch with the champion-builders of Bahá’u’lláh’s Administrative Order on October 2, enjoying together (and with the entire country!) a meal that befits such a unique undertaking in our proud history—WLGI—North American Bahá’í radio.

Bring your lunch money—and we'll see you there!

RECIPE OF THE MONTH

This month's recipe will give you a taste of what's to come at the District Convention-WLGI potlucks. It also gives us a chance to publicly correct an awful error. This apple cake recipe comes to us from Peggy Scott, who is presently serving at the National Center but who hails from Birmingham, Alabama, not from Atlanta, as shown in "Let's Get Cooking." Peggy knows we're sorry for the mistake—but you won't be sorry when you try:

APPLE CAKE

1 1/2 c. cooking oil 3 eggs 2 c. sugar 2 tsp. vanilla 3 c. flour 1 tsp. soda 1 tsp. salt 1 c. chopped pecans 3 c. apples, peeled and chopped fine

Glaze: 1 c. sugar 1/4 c. milk 1 stick margarine

Mix together first 4 ingredients. Sift together and add flour, soda and salt, blending well with electric mixer. Fold in nuts and apples. Bake in tube pan* at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Glaze: mix and cook 3 minutes. Pour hot sauce over cake hot from oven; let set in pan at least 2 hours. Remove right side up. HINT: This is a tried and true recipe and has been to so many Alabama potlucks that it was known as Peggy's "Get to Heaven" cake.

• Tube pan—bundt pan or angel food cake pan.

National Bahá’í Fund

INDIVIDUAL PARTICIPATION GOAL: 20,000 individuals RECEIVED: 4,282

CONTRIBUTIONS GOAL: $527,000 RECEIVED: $342,068

YEAR TO DATE TOTALS GOAL: $10,000,000 140 B.E. Perfection-Kamál

The Bedrock of All Other Institutions National Bahá’í Fund Wilmette, IL 60091

WLGI radio begins ‘broadcasts’ from studios in Mother Temple

MUSICIANS: WLGI needs you! Musicians are encouraged to compose and, if possible, record "station I.D.'s" (i.e., musical introductions) for WLGI. These should be forwarded to WLGI at the Bahá’í National Center. The National Spiritual Assembly will then select the one(s) to be used on the air in South Carolina.

"WLGI—Lift up your hearts! The Day of God is here! WLGI."

With those inspiring lyrics, Bahá’í radio station WLGI began "broadcasting" to local communities across the country at the Feast of Kamál on August 1.

THE broadcasts originate from a studio at the Mother Temple of the West in Wilmette, and are distributed via cassette tape to all Local Spiritual Assemblies and Groups of five or more.

Recorded as a national news bulletin, the broadcasts share up-to-the-minute reports of victories in teaching, consolidation and fund-raising for the critical needs of the Faith.

These broadcasts play an important role in the National Spiritual Assembly's "campaign of unified action," and the community's informal response to "WLGI on the air" has to-date been one of excitement and enthusiasm.

The host for the series of broadcasts is the Hand of the Cause of God William Sears.

Although illness prevented Mr. Sears from participating in the initial broadcasts, it is hoped that he will be able to assume his position behind the microphone early in the fall.

IN THE meantime, the friends have had an opportunity to hear from "guest commentators" such as Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, who explained the campaign of unified action, and Dr. Alberta Deas, director of the Louis Gregory Institute, who reported the activities and aspirations for expansion of the Institute.

If your community has a success story to share about your part in the campaign for unified action (teaching, fund-raising, Friendship Teams, etc.) you are invited to phone in your news for broadcast over WLGI.

Call the "news bureau" in the National Teaching Committee office, 312-869-9039, or write to WLGI, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

Isolated believers and those in Groups of fewer than five members should not hesitate to contact a nearby Assembly to borrow a copy of previous Feast broadcasts so that they can be "in on the news" too. [Page 6]

Bahá’í pioneer must move about like a ‘seed in the wind’

“The earth is but one country and mankind its citizens.”—Bahá’u’lláh

“The duties of teaching and pioneering are enjoined upon all believers.”—The Universal House of Justice (Quickeners of Mankind, p. 24)

What does it mean to be a Bahá’í? To be a Bahá’í is to be a citizen of the world, to be familiar with the lands and the seas, to be able to travel and move like a seed in the wind to wherever one might implant the glorious teachings and standards of the New Age as revealed by Bahá’u’lláh.

As ‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ said, “Why are ye silent? Shout! Why are ye sitting? Move! Why are ye quiet? Stir! This is not the day of rest and comfort. Travel ye constantly, spread far and wide the Teachings of God!”

Unlike the seed in the wind, the Bahá’í pioneer must, by an act of will, make certain decisions—when to go and where to settle.

It is helpful therefore to become aware of the conditions of other places in the world and the opportunities to live and serve successfully elsewhere, just as a gardener must know the requirements of different seeds for their best growth and development.

It is also important to know your own self and your needs in order to find the spot where you will “take root” in your efforts.

Some seeds sprout in dark, moist areas; others lie dormant for a long time on the hard, dry earth until a few drops of water appear.

Wherever you may be carried by the winds of will, you must be prepared to respond to that call when it begins to stir in your heart.

WHAT is your education? What needs can you serve with your talents and skills? What possibilities are there in the pioneering posts that remain to be filled? What must be done to get ready?

Some questions can only be answered by you, while other information can be supplied by the International Goals Committee which can help open the doors for you.

The goals of the Seven Year Plan have provided the direction of the wind. Each Bahá’í is a potential pioneer, a “seed” to settle in new and foreign soil where it will give nourishment and beauty to barren lands.

Clearly, each one of us must realize his responsibility to arise and serve. International pioneering is the highest priority for service, and by this means we can demonstrate to the world that the earth is indeed but one country and that mankind is one family.

And when we arise to serve, we attract the blessings of the Abhá Beauty, for this is God’s own Plan.

“Let the doubter arise and himself verify the truth of such assertions. To try, to persevere, is to ensure ultimate and complete victory.”—Shoghi Effendi (Messages to America, p. 17)

Capable, dedicated pioneers urgently needed for vacant posts in Marshall, Caroline Islands

“Upon our efforts depends in very large measure the fate of humanity.” (Wellspring of Guidance, p. 120)

We know as followers of Bahá’u’lláh that our efforts really do count, that our services are needed more desperately than ever before, as we watch the old world order crumbling before us while we erect the institutions that will sustain the New World Order and uphold the laws of a new and most glorious age for mankind.

The UNIVERSAL House of Justice is concerned about the lack of progress toward achieving the goals of the Seven Year Plan in the Caroline and Marshall Islands. It feels that each of these communities would benefit from the help of capable full-time teachers, and the International Goals Committee seeks humble and devoted souls who will pick up and go.

Self-sufficient traveling teachers would help greatly, but even more desirable would be pioneers who could move to one of these islands and settle.

If one cannot go oneself, it is possible to earmark contributions to the National Bahá’í Fund for this important work above and beyond his regular contributions.

The situation in the Carolines and Marshalls is serious, and believers are needed to help in the teaching work and the development of functioning Assemblies in these island areas.

To help in your decision to arise and fulfill this need, a brief description of each of these goal areas follows. More information about them can be obtained by writing to the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or by phoning 312-869-9039.

Caroline Islands

These islands are centered in the South Pacific off the shores of Australia. They have their local languages, but English is also spoken.

The lifestyle is simple and operates at a slow pace. Visitors and pioneers should be prepared to “rough it.”

There are two seasons per year, and temperatures average between 80-85 degrees.

Unemployment is high, and pioneers would need to offer skills that local people can’t provide. Jobs can possibly be obtained by teachers (especially math and science) at the Community College of Micronesia on Ponape.

Less likely positions exist for high school teachers, doctors and medical personnel, dentists, and especially lawyers.

Employment with individual business firms is extremely rare, and it is best to apply for jobs while visiting the islands.

Bahá’ís who are self-sufficient are greatly needed. Retired persons with an independent income are most welcome. A minimum of $700 per month per couple is needed.

Marshall Islands

Located northeast of the Caroline Islands in the Pacific Ocean, the Marshall Islands are presently a U.S. Trust Territory.

Marshallese and English are the languages spoken. Temperatures range in the high 70s and 80s with high humidity, typically tropical.

The local diet is mostly fish, boiled rice and breadfruits, and the terrain varies from rugged in the outer districts to easier traveling in city areas. The cost of living is high and jobs are scarce. A minimum of $500 a month for a couple is needed.

What few job possibilities there are might be in teaching, small business investments, or public health. The smaller islands have only primary schools, with secondary schools on the larger ones.

The International Goals Committee asks the American Bahá’ís to consider taking a year’s break from the American culture and investigate the culture of these people.

They are in great need of help, and this would be an ideal opportunity to gain a fuller understanding of and appreciation for another culture.

The need for deepening and consolidation is very real. One or more traveling teachers could do a world of good in one year of teaching.

We urge you to seize this chance for spiritual victories both in your own personal growth and in that of the Bahá’í world community.

Newspaper ad brings good response

The Bahá’í community of Brookhaven, New York, placed a quarter-page ad July 22 in ‎News-day Newsday‎, one of the most widely read daily newspapers in the New York City-Long Island area.

The ad was run again by Newsday on Sunday, July 24, this time free of charge. Several phone calls were received from people responding to the ad.

PIONEER GOALS

Revised: August 16, 1983

AFRICA	Needed	EUROPE	Needed	AMERICAS	Needed
(P) Angola	3	(F) Belgium	4	(•E) Bahamas	1 (1)
(F) Burundi	1	(Gr,E) Cyprus	9	(E) British Virgin Is.	2
(P) Cape Verde Is.	4	(•D) Denmark	5 (1)	(•E) Dominica	2 (2)
(F) Chad	3	(•E) Malta	4 (1)	(•F) French Guiana	1 (0)
(F,A) Djibouti	2	(P) Portugal		(F) Haiti	3
(S) Equatorial Guinea	2	Azores	1	(•E) Leeward Islands	4 (0)
(•E) Gambia	0	Madeira	2	(E) St. Vincent	0
(F) Guinea	2	Total	25	(F) Suriname	2
(P) Guinea Bissau	2			(E) Trinidad/Tobago	1
(•E) Liberia	0	ASIA !! Needed	Total	16
(F) Madagascar	6	(•J) Japan	0
(F) Mali	1	(P,E,C) Macau	0	AUSTRALASIA !! Needed
(•A,F,S) Morocco	1 (1)	(•E) Nepal	4 (1)	(E) Caroline Islands
(P) Mozambique	3	(E) Sri Lanka	1	Belau (Palau)	1
(F) Reunion	2	(•E,T) Thailand	0	Kosrae	0
(E) Sierra Leone	0	Total	5	Ponape	2
(A,E) Somalia	6			Yap	2
(E) Tanzania	1			(E) Cook Islands	4
(F) Tunisia	1			(•E) Fiji	2 (0)
(E) Uganda	2			(E) Kiribati	6
(F) Zaire	1			(F) Loyalty Islands	2
Total	43			(F) Marquesas	1
				(•E) Marshall Islands	1 (1)
				(F) New Caledonia	2
				(E) Niue	1
				(E) Papua New Guinea	5
				(E) Solomon Islands	5
				(E) Tinian	2
				(F) Tuamoto Arch.	2
				(E) Tuvalu	2
				(F,E) Vanuatu	2
				Total	42

LANGUAGE KEY

A-Arabic	Gr-Greek
C-Chinese	J-Japanese
D-Danish	P-Portuguese
E-English	S-Spanish
F-French	T-Thai

• Goal countries assigned specifically to the United States. The rest are goals assigned to other countries, which the Universal House of Justice has asked the U.S. to help fill.

( ) Indicates the number of pioneers needed from the United States. [Page 7]

Chicago youth wins top prize in citywide crafts competition

CHARLES HOWARD

Charles Howard, a Bahá’í youth who attends Kenwood Academy in Chicago, was one of the top award winners in a recent city-wide crafts contest that drew more than 2,700 entries in a dozen categories.

Charles won first prize in woodworking for a bookcase and secretary that he designed and built.

USING as his model a single photograph, he developed his own blueprint and designed and built many of the tools he used to complete the project, working after school and late into the night.

Meanwhile, he was maintaining a B-minus average in honors class work at Kenwood and starring on its basketball team.

Charles was crowned prince of the school’s senior prom and was a member of the Kenwood Academy Senior Advisory Committee.

An active Bahá’í, he is a member of the District Youth Committee.

In a ceremony at the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry, Charles received a trophy for his winning entry which has an estimated value of $3,000 and which he presented to his parents as a gift.

He will begin studying engineering this fall at the University of Wisconsin.

Series of special conferences for youth to be held October 8

Attention Bahá’í college students! A special “V.I.C.E.” conference is being held Saturday, October 8 ... and you are requested to attend. What is V.I.C.E.? Vast Increase in College Enrollments!

To find out about becoming a member of the “V.I.C.E. squad,” you’ll need to attend the conference near you.

A series of nine V.I.C.E. conferences is being held across the country. They will be day-long events to facilitate an exchange of ideas among Bahá’í college students and will focus on the teaching plans for the 1983-84 school year.

Each Bahá’í College Club is urged to send at least two members to one of the conferences. For more information, please contact the registrar in your area.

Oregon (Oregon State University). Philip Reich, P.O. Box 1351, Corvallis, OR 97339 (503-758-5073).

Northern California (Stanford University). Faranak Samadani, P.O. Box 5571, Stanford, CA 94305 (415-325-6465).

Southern California (University of California at Irvine). Farzaneh Ghofrani, P.O. Box 17254, Irvine, CA 92714 (714-551-8934).

Colorado (University of Colorado at Denver). Tony Duran, Lakewood, CO 80228 (303-988-1565).

Texas (University of Houston). Susan Hansen, Houston, TX 77025 (713-667-7529).

Illinois (Northwestern University, Evanston). David Khorram, 600 Lincoln St., Room 125, Evanston, IL 60201 (phone number unavailable).

Massachusetts (Harvard/Radcliffe Universities). Jim Markert, Currier House, Cambridge, MA 02138 (617-495-8751).

Washington, D.C. (George Washington University). Bijan Samali, Hyattsville, MD 20782 (301-559-3918).

Georgia (University of Georgia, Athens). Carey Murphy, Tucker, GA 30084 (404-934-4656).

More than 100 youth attend conference in New York City

Shown are some of the more than 100 Bahá’í youth from six states and the District of Columbia who attended a regional youth conference July 1-3 at the Bahá’í Center in New York City.

More than 100 Bahá’í youth from six eastern seaboard states and the District of Columbia gathered July 1-3 at the Bahá’í Center in New York City for a regional youth conference whose theme was “The Role of Bahá’í Youth in the Future.”

The conference, which was sponsored by the Bahá’í Youth Committee of New York City, was opened with a reading of the June 23 letter from the Universal House of Justice to Bahá’í youth around the world.

Speakers included Gisu Muhájir, representing the National Youth Committee; Dr. Edward Carpenter (“Bahá’í Youth as Futurists”); Jeffrey Mondschein (“Getting My Act Together and Taking It on the Road”); Michael Hampton (“Career Development”); and Dr. Tahereh Ahdieh (“The Sacrifice of Bahá’í Youth in Iran”).

Linda Ahdieh, youth representative at the United Nations, announced that the UN has proclaimed 1985 as International Year of Youth.

Conference entertainment included live music by Paul Vinas, a Charlie Chaplin film, and dancing.

U.S. youth in Europe send back glowing reports

Glowing reports from the young traveling teachers in Europe are being received at the National Youth Committee office.

As reported in last month’s issue of The American Bahá’í, 18 American youth spent the summer serving the Faith as international traveling teachers following a pilgrimage to the World Centre in Haifa, Israel.

WHILE in Europe, the youth were heavily involved in teaching. Joining local believers and Bahá’í pioneers, they worked at booths distributing literature about the Faith and handing out invitations to public meetings.

They also participated in a number of firesides that led to the enrollment of several new Bahá’ís.

One youth, Veda Afsahi of Anaheim, California, who taught in Germany, Holland, Denmark and Sweden, writes of her experience:

“One of the many things I experienced on pilgrimage is that I learned to recognize that the heart and mind should be united and work as one. How often has the mind changed what the heart feels?

“If one learns to teach from the heart it will be found that it is so easy to attract people. One thing that truly unites everyone is that each person has a heart in which the capacity to know about Bahá’u’lláh exists.

“A Bahá’í’s job is to ‘sow the seeds of knowledge and wisdom in the pure soil of the heart ...’

“The Cause of Bahá’u’lláh is limitless, and our ability to serve is also limitless. We should never put boundaries on the level of capacity that can be reached by us all.

“Pilgrimage is an experience that is so hard to describe. There is so much emotion, and everyone has a different pilgrimage.

“I learned and felt so much, and one thing that describes what I have tried to write is from the words of Bahá’u’lláh: ‘Earth and heaven cannot contain Me; what alone can contain Me is the heart of him that believeth in Me, and is faithful to My Cause.’”

Conference is slated at U. of Oklahoma

The Bahá’í College Club at the University of Oklahoma is sponsoring a conference October 7-9 on the campus of the university in Norman.

The theme of the conference, which will be intellectually oriented, is “A Bahá’í World View.” Speakers will include Dr. Dwight W. Allen, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly; and Ray Johnson, former principal of the New Era Bahá’í School in Panchgani, India.

For more information please phone Taraneh Sadeghi, 405-321-8753.

‘Sacrifice’ nets $1,600

A recent “Sacrifice Supper and Auction” sponsored by the ‎Spirituall Spiritual‎ Assembly of Prospect Heights, Illinois, raised about $1,600 for the National Fund.

Because the community is relatively small, Bahá’ís from the surrounding area were invited to participate.

The supper menu consisted of homemade soup, bread and butter, milk, tea or coffee. The 55 people who attended paid either $2, $3 or $5 per person for supper ($1 for children).

After a brief talk and prayers, items were sold either at auction or at a “general store.”

Bahá’í youth is class valedictorian

SARA LYNN ALGOTS

Sara Lynn Algots, a 17-year-old Bahá’í youth from Scio, Oregon, was graduated this year as valedictorian of her high school class with a 3.96 grade point average.

Miss Algots was recognized as an Oregon Scholar and National Merit Scholarship finalist, and was named a Century III Scholar.

She was awarded an $1,800 Chevron Merit Award, a $1,200 South Santiam Scholarship, and a $648 Oregon State cash award.

She also received the Albany (Oregon) Democrat-Herald Carrier of the Year Scholarship ($250) and a DAR certificate ($25).

Miss Algots also received recognition in Spanish II, English, physics and citizenship (first place) in high school, and was named Student of the Month last January.

During her senior year she wrote, edited and published the Scio High School counseling newsletter which was mailed each month to the homes of all junior and senior students to inform them of post-high school educational opportunities and scholarships.

During her four years of high school, Miss Algots taught the Faith actively, introducing many of her teachers and fellow students to the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh.

Whenever possible, she wrote about the Faith in essays required for scholarship applications.

She presently serves on the Spiritual Assembly of Linn County’s teaching committee and has been a Feast coordinator.

In August, Miss Algots entered Reed College in Portland to continue her education. [Page 8]

Bahá’ís encouraged to take big LEAP forward

Is your local Bahá’í community actively participating in the Local Education Adviser Program?

Do you know about the LEAP materials and activities to help meet the needs of Bahá’í children, youth and families that have been developed over a period of several years as a result of experience in local communities?

The National Education Committee invites you to contact the LEAP coordinator in your district about becoming a local education adviser.

You can find out the name and telephone number of the district coordinator by contacting the District Teaching Committee secretary or your Assembly secretary.

Following is a description of the program:

Local Education Adviser Program

Purpose

To train representatives of Assemblies and Groups, on a district-wide basis, to serve as education advisers to their respective local communities, and to help meet the needs of Bahá’í children and youth on a district-wide level.

Structure

Under the direction of the National Education Committee, national representatives will conduct a “training” session with the adviser candidate on the topic of Bahá’í child education.

After completing the basic session, future sessions will be held at least twice a year to introduce new skills and topics, and to provide opportunities for sharing ideas and community experiences with other advisers.

Assemblies and Groups are invited to appoint one or two individuals as adviser candidates. These individuals should: a. have a personal interest in, and a sense of commitment to, Bahá’í children and youth; b. be prepared to attend all adviser sessions and complete the required homework assignments. The pace and quality of workshop activities is intensive, and participants should be prepared for this. Advisers will carry out a homework assignment involving the local community following the first adviser session.

The program is open to Local Assemblies, Groups and isolated believers. The interested candidate who lives in an Assembly area is requested to receive permission from his or her Assembly before contacting the LEAP district coordinator to schedule a training session.

Workshop content

Participants in the Adviser Program will be encouraged to look beyond “classes” as the only means of providing Bahá’í educational experiences for the children. Ways of incorporating children and youth into the “natural” Bahá’í calendar events, especially the Nineteen Day Feast, will be an important focus for consultation.

In addition to exposure to educational theory, methods and materials, an emphasis in the workshops will be on consultation and communication abilities, so advisers can better serve community efforts to help the children love Bahá’u’lláh and identify with His teachings.

Adviser functions

• Serve as education adviser to the local community.
• Conduct deepenings on a variety of consolidation topics prepared by the National Education Committee.
• Participate in district functions that provide opportunities for children’s programs, such as District Convention.
• Help stimulate and develop district events for youth, such as camping weekends.

Materials

The following items are used as resource materials for the program and are purchased by the adviser at the first session:

Child Education Teacher Training Handbook ($9); workshop packet ($4); cassette tape on child education by the Hand of the Cause of God A.Q. Faizi ($1.50); book, How to Really Love Your Child ($3).

The Teacher Training Handbook and the workshop packet (first two items listed) are required purchases. (If the community already has a copy of the Teacher Training Handbook and does not wish another, this purchase is optional.)

The tape by Mr. Faizi and the book How to Really Love Your Child are recommended materials for a community library, but their purchase is optional.

If the adviser or Assembly is not able or does not wish to assume the cost of materials, funds are available from the National Bahá’í Fund, since the materials are essential to the training program.

Checks should be made payable to “Bahá’í Services Fund” and earmarked “LEAP.”

The “Education” pages of The American Bahá’í will regularly carry articles on various aspects of child education/parent training in future issues. Watch for them.

The Spiritual Assembly of Piscataway, New Jersey, is sponsoring Sunday classes each week for children ages 5-8, 9-12 and 13-17. The total number of children participating is 32. This photo of students and their teachers was taken at the final session of the 1982-83 school year.

Canada’s national secretary to teach course at Louhelen

Douglas Martin, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada, will teach a course on Bahá’í history during a Thanksgiving weekend conference November 25-27 at the Louhelen Bahá’í School.

Mr. Martin’s course is entitled “Trends in Contemporary Bahá’í History.”

Also teaching will be Mrs. Melanie Smith whose course is entitled “The Language and Structure of Bahá’u’lláh’s Prayers.”

“We’re extremely pleased to be able to offer two outstanding courses for the Thanksgiving weekend conference,” says Mrs. Paula Drewek, secretary of the Louhelen School Council.

“Mr. Martin is one of the Bahá’í community’s leading historians and has been heavily involved in diplomatic work undertaken by the National Assembly of Canada on behalf of the Bahá’ís in Iran. He has observed recent developments in the Bahá’í world from the vantage point of an historian and his remarks should be most stimulating.”

Mrs. Smith’s course is one that she has offered with excellent results at the Bahá’í School of the North Shore, an intercommunity school sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Wilmette, Illinois.

The weekend program will include recreational activities, an evening of musical entertainment, and plenty of time for fellowship. Classes for children and youth up to age 21 will be offered.

Those who wish to make a reservation may send a $10 non-refundable deposit per person to the registrar, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423, or phone the school at 313-653-5033.

The conference, which begins Friday evening, will be preceded by a “Family Day” beginning at 11 a.m. Friday, November 25. The day’s events will include cooperative games, arts and crafts, music, and recreation.

‘God’s Purpose for Youth’ is theme of regional conference at Louhelen

A Regional Youth Conference will be held October 28-30 at the Louhelen Bahá’í School.

The conference theme is “‘God’s Purpose for Youth in the 1980s.’”

The speakers will be Soo Fouts, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly, and Dr. Fuad Ziai, an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Illinois who was actively involved in youth activities in Iran before coming to the U.S.

The conference chairman will be Changiz Geula, a member of the Louhelen School Council.

Among the topics to be discussed are the role of youth in building a new civilization based on spiritual principles, and God’s purpose for man in this age.

Also included will be recreational activities, music, and a party celebrating the first anniversary of the new Louhelen School.

There will also be a special program for pre-youth 11-14 years old that will feature a class on life after death and on teen-age relationships. Teachers will be Diane Farris and Carole Dickson.

Enrollment for the junior youth program is limited, and early registration is advisable.

More information can be obtained by writing to the school, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423, or by phoning 313-653-5033.

Louhelen sets regional business conference

The Business and Professional Affairs Committee, a recently appointed committee of the National Spiritual Assembly, will hold a conference October 21-23 at the Louhelen Bahá’í School.

The conference is geared to Bahá’ís and their friends who are seeking ways to integrate the Bahá’í teachings into their personal and professional lives and to teach the Faith in business and professional circles.

YOUTH and others interested in the topics to be discussed at the conference are also invited to attend.

Presenters include Larry Miller, president of Tarkenton and Company of Atlanta, a management consulting firm, who will speak on teaching one’s peers in business and the professions, and Susan Berge, vice-president of Tucker, Anthony and R.L. Day, Providence, Rhode Island, an international brokerage firm, who will speak on balancing one’s professional life, family life, and service to the Faith.

There will also be a presentation on the role of business and professional people in the Bahá’í community.

Serving as chairman will be Jeffrey Mondschein, assistant vice-president of the Wells Fargo Bank, New York City.

Mr. Miller, Ms. Berge and Mr. Mondschein are all members of the Business and Professional Affairs Committee.

Workshops will be held, and the conference will include ample time for fellowship. A program for children to age 14 will be provided.

Those who are interested in attending the conference may send a $10 non-refundable deposit to the registrar, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423, or phone the school at 313-653-5033.

Bahá’í architect honored by Rotary

Shinji Yamamoto, a Bahá’í for many years who was Wisconsin state architect until his retirement in 1976, was honored recently by the Rotary Club of Madison.

Mr. Yamamoto was introduced at the meeting by another Bahá’í, Dr. Manucher Javid, who told of Mr. Yamamoto’s internment with his wife, Hifume, during World War II and his subsequent architectural career in Madison that led to his being that state’s premier government architect.

Mr. Yamamoto, whose three children all have Ph.D’s in organic chemistry, has been a member of the Spiritual Assembly of Madison for almost 40 years, and the Faith was mentioned prominently in Dr. Javid’s remarks to the Rotarians. [Page 9]EDUCATION

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

Study course: The importance of deepening

Introduction

In unveiling the Seven Year Plan at Naw-Rúz 1979, the Universal House of Justice shared with the Bahá’ís of the world a number of plans to be implemented from the Holy Land and designed to help in “the strengthening of the World Centre and the augmentation of its worldwide influence.” Among these plans was the following:

Work will be continued on the collation and classification of the Sacred Texts and a series of compilations gleaned and translated from the Writings of the Faith will be sent out to the Bahá’í world to help in deepening the friends in their understanding of the fundamentals of the Faith, enriching their spiritual lives, and reinforcing their efforts to teach the Cause.

The Importance of Deepening Our Knowledge and Understanding of the Faith: Extracts from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi is the most recent of these compilations.

A series of monthly study classes to be published in The American Bahá’í will use passages from this compilation to explore the essential relationship between one’s study of the Bahá’í Writings and his efforts to live the Bahá’í life, teach, and contribute to the building of the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh.

The first class, “Deepening on the Creative Word,” introduces many of the themes in the compilation and challenges individuals to set specific goals for further study of the Writings. Future study classes will include activities for families, children and youth.

Class format

The study classes are designed for use by discussion groups of several participants, but they may also be used in individual study. Copies of The Importance of Deepening Our Knowledge and Understanding of the Faith are available through the Bahá’í Publishing Trust; however, communities need not delay in beginning these monthly classes since extracts from the compilation are included herein. The number preceding each quotation corresponds to the reference number used in the compilation.

Each class is designed to last for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Discussion of one question may have to be cut off and the next question introduced in order to stay within the suggested time limit. Many communities will find it beneficial to appoint one or two individuals to familiarize themselves with the material in advance and to serve as discussion group leaders. Each question should be read aloud, followed by a period of discussion by the group members. The quotations should be used to stimulate group consultation. In addition to this study class guide, the group will need a chalkboard and chalk or a large sheet of newsprint paper and a felt tip marker.

It is recommended that after the opening prayers and welcome, the discussion group leader(s) or some member of the study group read aloud the previous section marked “introduction” before beginning work on the first study question.

I. Our need to deepen on the Creative Word.

What is the Creative Word and how are we called upon to use it during the Seven Year Plan?

“We call upon you to ... pursue a nationwide campaign, with emphasis on the Creative Word, designed to inspire every believer to live the Bahá’í life ...” (The Universal House of Justice, message to the Bahá’ís of the U.S. concerning the second three-year phase of the Seven Year Plan, January 1981)

“Term creative word in context Seven Year Plan goal refers to Writings Bahá’u’lláh ...” (The Universal House of Justice, cable to the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly, May 23, 1983)

13. “O My servants! My holy, My divinely ordained revelation may be likened unto an ocean in whose depths are concealed innumerable pearls of great price, of surpassing luster.”

What is the nature of deepening?

80. “To strive to obtain a more adequate understanding of the significance of Bahá’u’lláh’s stupendous Revelation must, it is my unalterable conviction, remain the first obligation and the object of the constant endeavor of each of its loyal adherents.”

93. “To deepen in the Cause means to read the writings of Bahá’u’lláh and the Master so thoroughly as to be able to give it to others in its pure form.”

158. “When a person becomes a Bahá’í, actually what takes place is that the seed of the spirit starts to grow in the human soul. This seed must be watered by the outpourings of the Holy Spirit. These gifts of the spirit are received through prayer, meditation, study of the Holy Utterances and service to the Cause of God.”

Why is there an emphasis on studying the Creative Word?

4. “Immerse yourselves in the ocean of My words, that ye may unravel its secrets, and discover all the pearls of wisdom that lie hid in its depths.”

141. “The principles, administration and fundamentals of the Faith are well known, but the friends need greatly to study the more profound works which would give them spiritual maturity to a greater degree, unify their community life, and enable them to better exemplify the Bahá’í way of living; in other words, to ‘lead the life.’”

“Direct thine attention to the holy Tablets ... Then wilt thou see that today these heavenly Teachings are the remedy for a sick and suffering world, and a healing balm for the sores of the body of mankind. They are the spirit of life, the ark of salvation, the magnet to draw down eternal glory, the dynamic power to motivate the inner self of man.”

II. The Rewards of Deepening and Difficulties Which May Be Encountered

What are some of the rewards you have found in reading and studying Bahá’u’lláh’s Writings?

(The discussion leader should encourage several individuals to share something from their personal experiences.)

What are some of the rewards promised in the Writings for those who deepen?

6. “Gather ye together with the utmost joy and fellowship and recite the verses revealed by the merciful Lord. By doing so the doors to true knowledge will be opened to your inner beings, and ye will then feel your souls endowed with steadfastness and your hearts filled with radiant joy.”

12. “Intone, O My servant, the verses of God that have been received by thee, as intoned by them who have drawn nigh unto Him, that the sweetness of thy melody may kindle thine own soul, and attract the hearts of all men.”

58. “I counsel you that you study earnestly the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh, so that, God helping you, you may in deed and truth become Bahá’ís.”

111. “The words of Bahá’u’lláh and the Master, however, have a creative power and are sure to awaken in the reader the undying fire of the love of God.”

160. “He is very happy to have this opportunity of welcoming you into the service of our glorious Faith, and he urges you to quietly and steadily read the teachings, as in this way you will fit yourselves to teach others, and also deepen your own understanding and lay a foundation in your soul which no amount of tests and trials can change or destroy.”

What are some of the difficulties or setbacks which ‎Bahá’í’s Bahá’ís‎ sometimes experience in: (a) striving to establish a regular deepening schedule, and (b) carrying out the actual deepening process?

(As group members make contributions, the discussion leader should make a list of the difficulties on the left-hand side of the chalkboard or sheet of newsprint. Classes with six or more participants might choose to break up into groups of three or four, each group generating its own list, then share their lists with the group as a whole.)

What specific suggestions or solutions might help to overcome these difficulties?

(Leaders should write these points on the right-hand side of the board or paper opposite the corresponding difficulties.)

III. Guidelines for Deepening in the Creative Word

According to the Writings, what are some of the methods we should use in deepening?

1. “Recite ye the verses of God every morning and evening.”

51. “O maid-servant of God! Chant the Words of God and, pondering over their meaning, transform them into actions!”

112. “The Master used to attach much importance to the learning by heart of the Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh and the Báb.”

130. “...endeavor to commit to memory certain passages from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, and in particular, some of His prayers.”

The following works of Bahá’u’lláh are mentioned in the compilation. The numbers refer to specific quotations found therein.

The Hidden Words (37, 38, 39, 40, 42, 65)

Tablets (42, 43, 44, 108, 109, 143)

Most Holy Book (Kitáb-i-Aqdas) (43, 85)

Kitáb-i-Íqán (49, 91, 97, 102, 109, 143)

Kitáb-i-Ahd (Book of My Covenant) (84, 123)

Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh (126, 127, 143)

Prayers and Meditations (149)

IV. Setting Personal Goals for Deepening in the Creative Word

How might you improve the way in which you personally study the Creative Word? What kinds of specific deepening goals would you like to attain in the weeks, months and years ahead?

With these questions in mind, each member of the group should use the remaining time in this session to reflect on his past study patterns, goals and accomplishments and what he would like to strive for in his future study. Then he should set a specific, measurable and attainable goal that can be accomplished before the next study session which will appear in the October issue of The American Bahá’í.

Goal-setting hints: Memorizing the noonday prayer and saying it daily is a specific and measurable goal. “Reading the Writings with greater understanding” is not as specific and measurable a goal as “selecting several of the Hidden Words to read, meditate upon and memorize.”

Close the study session with a prayer.

2 Thanksgiving conferences set

The 1983 Tennessee Bahá’í Institute and Regional Youth Conference will be held during the Thanksgiving weekend, November 24-27, in Johnson City.

The over-all theme is “Emerging from Obscurity.”

The Youth Conference will be held at the Camara Motel in Johnson City, the Institute at the Buffalo Mountain Resort six miles away.

The Institute will include children’s classes and English- and Persian-language workshops.

Recreational facilities include a golf course, three tennis courts, and nature trails.

For information about rates, accommodations and registration, write to the conference committee, Hixson, TN 37343, or phone Iraj Radpour, chairman, 615-875-5443, or Jerry Strain, secretary, 615-842-8068.

About 100 participate in Arizona Summer School

About 100 adults and children participated July 1-4 in the 1983 Arizona Bahá’í Summer School on the Belmont Bahá’í property near Flagstaff.

The school’s theme was “Workers in the Divine Vineyard During the Age of Transition.”

Its varied program included prayer and meditation, study, songs around a campfire, nature walks, craft projects, and classes on divine attributes, Bahá’í history and literature, nature and spiritual insights, and developing spirituality.

Instructors were Janet Herbst, Barry Horst, Rick Wadleigh, LaRue Keys, Melanie Martinez and Pam Wegener.

In response to a directive of the Seven Year Plan, every class included extensive quotations from the Creative Word.

Jo Hipp presented an evening program that was centered around excerpts from the recent “To Move the World Conference” in Washington state. The program was followed by a lively discussion about the “most challenging issue.”

A highlight of the conference was the declaration of a seeker whose husband had recently declared his belief in Bahá’u’lláh after visiting the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette. [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 has available a listing of homefront pioneer goals. Selected communities have been asked to raise up specific numbers of pioneers. Also, potential homefront pioneers who have contacted the National Teaching Committee office have been given this material.

WE ARE pleased by the generous response from these communities and individuals.

Inspiring responses have been received from Jacksonville, Florida, which raised five homefront pioneers and is still recruiting; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which has sent two pioneers to their posts and has two others preparing to go; Kansas City, Missouri, which has sent out one homefront pioneer; and Buffalo, New York, which has four potential pioneers and is looking for more.

Those who arise to serve on the homefront are often helped in various ways. One heartwarming story comes to us from Lynn Neale, who, with her husband Cliff and their children, Tom and Alise, are homefront pioneers in Plattsburgh, New York:

"First of all," she writes, "when we were thinking of homefront pioneering, we took a family vacation to Michigan.

"After several hours of driving in a hot family bus, we pulled up to the first restaurant we saw in this town we never heard of, Plattsburgh, and Cliff, being the sort of person he is, told the waitress, 'We are Bahá’ís.'

"'SO AM I,' she replied. One thing led to another, and after six months we moved to our wonderful new home at the base of the Adirondack Mountains.

"We did have an Assembly for a short time but because this is a college town, some people moved away. So we are a Group of five adults in the city limits with several other Bahá’ís some minutes away.

"There are many teaching opportunities here, especially within the French-American community.

Amoz Gibson campaign sets Reservations ablaze

Bahá’ís from Colorado, Ohio and Kansas gathered at Macy, Nebraska, for the final two weeks of the successful Amoz Gibson Teaching Project.

More than 60 declarations had been recorded during the initial phase of the campaign in Wanblee, South Dakota. As a result, three new Assemblies will be formed on Indian Reservations.

AMONG those present to help in the Macy project were Robert Wilson, secretary of the National Teaching Committee; Hal Maggiore, an assistant to Auxiliary Board member Ronna Santoscoy; and Douglas McAdams, representing the District Teaching Committee of Nebraska.

Macy was the site of the first all-Indian Local Spiritual Assembly in the U.S. A letter written to the National Spiritual Assembly on the Guardian's behalf in November 1951 stated:

"The Guardian feels that the Macy Indian assembly should get real help and be speedily enabled to play its proper administrative part in national Bahá’í affairs.

"He considers this of paramount importance, as our attitude towards minorities, particularly such a very important one as the American Indians, demands that we give special precedence in attending to their welfare and unfoldment as participants in Bahá’u’lláh’s World Order."

There were three enrollments during the project in Macy.

Bill Thompson, a traveling teacher who visited Wanblee, had these observations:

"MY RETURN to Wanblee was a pleasant surprise. The number of workers had expanded from six to about 40...

"Major milestone: the Persian youth and Wanblee young people have finally clicked on a rap session format. We have tried to encourage the youth for some time. Some really heavy talking, teaching and reading has been going on all week. Many declarations and heavy, thoughtful questions and answers...

"The (Bahá’í) youth seem to have been successful in getting some of these kids to get down to the heart of the Message. Once they get opened up, the kids will talk with anyone who will listen. Some of the young declarants have been so on fire they've helped the direct teaching effort...

"The entire town is aware of our presence. We've been able to do more direct teaching and have found literature in most of the homes...

"My friend John, the chief of police, is really happy with what the Bahá’ís have done for the children. The level of crime and problems with the young people have dropped to almost none. This truly is evidence of the effect of the Divine Word ...

"AMONG the helpers have been the Navajo, Oneida and Winnebago... The project is also developing members within the Sioux nation to be future teacher-leaders.

"...Well, we got word to go to Kyle and teach. We were told to raise an Assembly by Thursday, July 15...By 5 p.m. that evening the team had reached 11 believers and established about a dozen solid contacts...Some were actually waiting for someone to tell them about the holy men...

"A woman told us about her mother who told her she would see the 'Day of Judgment' and Mom would watch to see how she'd handled it...

"One fellow even asked us to hurry up and help make everyone a Bahá’í before we left."

Long Beach community's success story underscores Friendship Team usefulness

The American Bahá’í community is forming Friendship Teams! The Spiritual Assembly of Long Beach, California, writes:

"The Long Beach community has established several Friendship Teams consisting of two Persians, two blacks and five whites.

"Their objective at this point is to visit the inactive believers in our community and lovingly encourage them to come to a Feast or fireside. Already, we have learned that some are invalids or do not have transportation. A report was made at Feast, and several of the friends expressed an interest in visiting these people.

"Other goals are supporting the teaching activities and basically getting to know each other and being friends to each other."

Long Beach hopes to improve its participation and is encouraged by the efforts of its Friendship Teams.

Does your community have a goal that needs a special effort? Form a Friendship Team and see what happens!

Remember, Friendship Teams can do anything. As of August 25, records at the National Teaching Committee office showed 102 teams in 29 states.

Teaching through FRIENDSHIP TEAMS

The National Teaching Committee has a goal of 1,500 Friendship Teams. If everyone follows the example of Batavia and Glencoe, Illinois, the goal will be won easily. Each of these small communities has three Friendship Teams!

Write to the National Teaching Committee with the news of your Friendship Teams and their victories.

The Universal House of Justice wrote on March 3, 1977:

"When the friends realize that the hosts of the Kingdom are waiting to rush forth and assist them, that others from their own ranks have arisen and have been successful, that everyone can find some effective method of teaching according to his own particular capacities and talents, they will then no doubt arise with greater confidence to take the first step, and this, we know, will be aided and guided from on high, for the very act of striving to respond to God's call will bring in its wake countless divine blessings."

One of the duties we look forward to most at the National Teaching Committee is counting our divine blessings in the form of enrollments. With each new Bahá’í the world as we know it comes closer to becoming the Kingdom of God on earth.

Enrollment figures for the month of July are: ADULTS—143. YOUTH—54. TOTAL—197.

The total for July 1982 was 273. From April 1 to August 1, 1983, the total is 627. During the corresponding period last year the total was 770.

State	Adult	Youth	Total
Alabama	0	1	1
Arizona	8	1	9
Arkansas	0	0	0
California	15	14	29
Colorado	12	4	16
Connecticut	1	0	1
Delaware	0	0	0
Florida	7	1	8
Georgia	10	5	15
Idaho	0	1
Illinois	13	2	5
Indiana	0
Iowa	0
Kansas	0	1	0
Kentucky	0		0
Cody	0		0
Louisiana	3	0	3
Maine	2	1	3
Maryland	0	0	0
Massachusetts	2	0	2
Michigan	2	2	4
Minnesota	0	1	19
Mississippi	2	1	3
Missouri	2	0	2
Montana	1	0	1
Nebraska	2	0	2
Nevada	0	0	0
New Hampshire	0	0	0
New Jersey	2	1	3
New Mexico	1	3	4
New York	3	2	5
North Carolina	7	30	7
North Dakota	0	0	0
Ohio	0	0	0
Oklahoma	0	0	0
Oregon	9	1	10
Pennsylvania	4	0	4
Rhode Island	1		1
South Carolina	5	6	11
South Dakota	18	0	18
Tennessee	3	0	3
Texas	9	6	15
Utah	0	0	0
Vermont	0	0	0
Virginia	2	1	3
Washington	4	0	4
West Virginia	0	0	0
Wisconsin	0	1	1
Wyoming	0	0	0
Washington, D.C.	0	0	0
TOTALS	143	54	197

[Page 11]

Districts

Continued From Page 1

mark this envelope in any way. Then place the sealed envelope into a larger envelope for mailing. Be sure to write your name on the larger envelope and address it to the person in your district who is to receive mailed ballots.

Any Bahá’í who is a member in good standing, is at least 21 years old, and is a resident of your electoral district is eligible to vote and be voted for as a delegate to the National Convention.

The only exceptions are the Hands of the Cause of God and members of the Continental Board of Counsellors who are exempt from administrative duties.

Auxiliary Board members are eligible for election as delegates; however, if an Auxiliary Board member is elected, he must choose between accepting this administrative responsibility and retaining his membership on the Auxiliary Board. He cannot do both.

Please bear in mind these instructions from the beloved Guardian concerning the attitude to be adopted in electing representatives of the Faith:

“IT IS incumbent ...to consider without the least trace of passion, prejudice, and irrespective of any material consideration, the names of only those who can best combine the necessary qualities of unquestioned loyalty, of selfless devotion, of a well-trained mind, of recognized ability and mature experience.” (Bahá’í Administration, p. 87)

Registration begins at 9 a.m. October 2. An agenda will be distributed at each convention.

Everyone attending the convention must present a current identification card. It is the responsibility of each Bahá’í to keep his or her identification card up-to-date.

District Convention sites

Alabama Northern (1). Alabama A&M College, Fine Arts Auditorium, Huntsville. Mail ballots to Mrs. Jacqueline Osborne, Florence, AL 35630.

Alabama South/Florida Northwest (1). Vanity Fair Community Center, Monroeville, Alabama. Mail ballots to Marjorie Williams, Auburn, AL 36830.

Arizona Northern (3). Mingus Union High School, Old Highway 279 and Fir St., Cottonwood. Mail ballots to Michael Chunowitz, Phoenix, AZ 85023.

Arizona Southern (1). The Golden Flower, 58 Opera Drive, Bisbee. Mail ballots to Mehraban Iraninejad, Tucson, AZ 85716.

Arkansas (2). Carmichael Community Center, S. Elm and W. Crisp, Searcy. Mail ballots to Peter L. Johnson, P.O. Box 16, Dept. of English, UAPB, Pine Bluff, AR 71601.

California Central No. 1 (7). Lincoln High School, 555 Dana St., San Jose. Mail ballots to Mrs. Johanna Anderholm, Redwood City, CA 94062.

California Central No. 2 (1). Site to be announced. For information contact David P. Baral, Stockton, CA 95207. Mail ballots to Ronica Smith, P.O. Box 4513, Fresno, CA 93744.

California Northern No. 1 (2). Placer High School, 275 Orange, Auburn. Mail ballots to Mrs. Frances K. McCune, Elk Grove, CA 95624.

California Northern No. 2 (1). Santa Rosa Jr. College, Santa Rosa. Mail ballots to Carol Leo, Fortuna, CA 95540.

California Southern No. 1 (7). University Student Union, California State University, 1250 Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach. Mail ballots to Verna M. Johnson, Hawaiian Gardens, CA 90716.

California Southern No. 2 (3). Santa Ana College—Johnson Center, 17th & Bristol, Santa Ana. Mail ballots to Mrs. Kathy Peterson, Redlands, CA 92373.

California Southern No. 3 (1). Veterans Memorial Building, 511 2nd St., Fillmore. Mail ballots to Cheryll McCarty, Morro Bay, CA 93442.

California Southern No. 4 (3). San Diego Bahá’í Center, 6545 Alcala Knolls Drive, San Diego. Mail ballots to Eileen Norman, Carlsbad, CA 92008.

Colorado Northeastern (2). Plaza Hotel, 1900 Diagonal Highway 119, Longmont. Mail ballots to Martha C. Tromp, Franktown, CO 80116.

Colorado Southeastern (1). Sangre de Cristo Fine Arts and Conference Center, Pueblo. Mail ballots to Donald E. Brayton, P.O. Box 1033, Woodland Park, CO 80863.

Colorado Western (1). Montrose High School, 700 S. Townsend, Montrose. Mail ballots to Fred North, Mancos, CO 81328.

Connecticut (2). Manchester Community College, Manchester. Mail ballots to Sharon Ramsharran, Hartford, CT 06120.

DelMarVa (1). Holiday Inn, 348 N. Dupont Highway, Dover, Delaware. Mail ballots to Sandra Fishman, R.D. 2, Box 222, Camden, DE 19934.

Florida Central (1). Sanora Swim and Tennis Club, Sanora Blvd., Sanford. Mail ballots to Dr. Monib Collestan, Lake Mary, FL 32746.

Florida Northern (1). University of Florida Student Center, Museum Road, Gainesville. Mail ballots to Beverly C.A. Sneed, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250.

Florida Southeastern (3). Santaluces Community High School, 6880 Lawrence Road, Lantana. Mail ballots to Paige Massey, Lake Worth, FL 33461.

Florida Southwestern (2). Gulfport Community Center, 5730 Shore Blvd. S., Gulfport. Mail ballots to Robert D. McKinney, Gulfport, FL 33707.

Georgia Northeastern (1). Medical College of Georgia, Dept. of Physical Therapy, Augusta. Mail ballots to Jan Perry, Route 2, Box 259C, Harlem, GA 30814.

Georgia Northwestern (2). Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center, 450 Auburn Avenue N.E., Atlanta. Mail ballots to Malcolm Thomas, Road, Doraville, GA 30360.

Georgia Southern (3). Site to be announced in Savannah. For information contact Connie Morgan, Savannah, GA 31405. Mail ballots to Joan Shinnick, Brunswick, GA 31520.

Idaho North/Washington East (1). Red Lion Inn, Pasco, Washington. Mail ballots to Gary Eugene McConnell, Kennewick, WA 99336.

Idaho Southern (1). Camp Sawtooth, Star Route, Ketchum. Mail ballots to Frances Seme Newlin, H.C. 76, Box 1010, American Falls, ID 83211.

Illinois Northern No. 1 (2). Ramada Inn, I-90 and Route 20, 7550 E. State St., Rockford. Mail ballots to Jerry Helt, DeKalb, IL 60115.

Illinois Northern No. 2 (3). Evanston Township High School, 1600 Dodge Avenue, Evanston. Mail ballots to Becky Lorentzen, Blue Island, IL 60406.

Illinois Southern (2). Ramada Inn, Route 13, 3000 W. Main St., Carbondale. Mail ballots to Joel Smith, Carbondale, IL 62901.

Indiana (2). Greenfield Central High School, 810 N. Broadway St., Greenfield. Mail ballots to Michael Dapoz, Greenfield, IN 46140.

Iowa (1). Camp Hantesa, Boone. Mail ballots to Dan Hines, P.O. Box 45, New Liberty, IA 52765.

Kansas (1). Holiday Inn, 914 Madison St., Topeka. Mail ballots to Stella Ranjbar, Emporia, KS 66801.

Kentucky (1). East Middle School, Shelbyville. Mail ballots to Sanford Swanson, P.O. Box 133, Shelbyville, KY 40065.

Louisiana Northern (1). Sheraton Inn, 3880 Greenwood Road, Shreveport. Mail ballots to Everett L. Hubbart, Shreveport, LA 71104.

Louisiana Southern (2). Joan’s Day Care Center, 1712 Carrollwood, LaPlace. Mail ballots to Robert Anker, LaPlace, LA 70068.

Maine (1). University of Southern Maine, Luther Bonnie Hall, Portland. Mail ballots to Alma Warner Carr, P.O. Box 256, South China, ME 04358.

Maryland/D.C. (2). Site to be announced in Frederick, Maryland. For information contact Larry Nylin, P.O. Box 1424, Frederick, MD 21701. Mail ballots to Ruth Nylin, P.O. Box 1424, Frederick, MD 21701.

Massachusetts (3). Holyoke College, Holyoke. Mail ballots to Elda DiLorenzo, Lowell, MA 01854.

Michigan Mainland (3). Muskegon Community College, 221 Quarterline Road, Muskegon. Mail ballots to Douglas Allen, Southfield, MI 48075.

Minnesota Northern (1). Bemidji State University, Bemidji. Mail ballots to Harlen Whiting, Carlton, MN 55718.

Minnesota Southern (1). Lakewood Community College, Theatre Building, 3401 Century Avenue N., White Bear Lake. Mail ballots to Ali Mahakadi, Golden Valley, MN 55422.

Mississippi (1). Paul Johnston State Park, Hattiesburg. Mail ballots to Virginia Johnson, Route 1, Box 219A Livingston Road, Madison, MS 39110.

Missouri (2). Stewart Hall, University of Missouri-Columbia. Mail ballots to Jeanne Engle, Fulton, MO 65251.

Montana (1). Copper King Inn, 4655 Harrison, Butte. Mail ballots to Betty Bennett, Butte, MT 59701.

Navajo-Hopi (1). Site to be announced. For information contact Dr. Gordon H. Tong, P.O. Box 395, Tuba City, AZ 86045. Mail ballots to Dr. Tong at that address.

Nebraska (1). Nebraska Youth Leadership Development Center, Route 2, Aurora. Mail ballots to Mrs. Geri Marshall, P.O. Box 74, Aurora, NE 68818.

Nevada Northern (1). Lovelock Community Center, 6th St. across from Pershing General Hospital, Lovelock. Mail ballots to Richard Francis, P.O. Box 18437, Reno, NV 89511.

Nevada Southern (1). Paradise Park Community Building, 4770 Harrison Drive, Las Vegas. Mail ballots to Dr. Jeffrey Andrews, Boulder City, NV 89005.

New Hampshire (1). Richards Auditorium, Murkland Hall, University of New Hampshire, Main St., Durham. Mail ballots to Jon Ring, Exeter, NH 03833.

New Jersey (2). Busch Campus Student Center, Rutgers University, Bartholomew Road, Piscataway. Mail ballots to Evelyn Grammar, Hamilton, NJ 08610.

New Mexico Northern (1). Valley Plaza Community Center, Highway 6, Belen. Mail ballots to Mrs. Dorrie Emmel, P.O. Box 637, Jemez Springs, NM 87025.

New Mexico South/Texas West (3). YMCA Building (downtown), 701 Montana, El Paso, Texas. Mail ballots to the Spiritual Assembly of El Paso, P.O. Box 5100, El Paso, TX 79953.

New York Eastern (3). Lecture Center, State University of New York-New Paltz, Route 32 south of New Paltz. Mail ballots to Evelyn Aabel, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603.

New York Western (2). Rochester Institute of Technology, Lomb Memorial Drive, Rochester. Mail ballots to Cheryl Jones-Richter, Victor, NY 14564.

North Dakota (1). Holiday Inn, Jamestown. Mail ballots to Linda Duckwitz, P.O. Box 1166, Jamestown, ND 58401.

North Carolina Central (2). North Carolina A&T State University, E. Market St., Greensboro. Mail ballots to Lonnette Edwards, Greensboro, NC 27405.

North Carolina Eastern (2). Site to be announced. Mail ballots to Dr. Gary Reusche, Cary, NC 27511.

North Carolina Western (1). McKnight Hall, UNC-Charlotte. Mail ballots to Lillian Dobbs, Star Route, Black Mountain, NC 28711.

Ohio Northern (2). Bowman Hall, Kent State University, Kent. Mail ballots to Norma Avegnon, University, OH 44118.

Ohio Southern (1). John Bryan Community Center, 100 Dayton St., Yellow Springs. Mail ballots to Rose Wendel, Dayton, OH 45459.

Oklahoma Eastern (1). University of Tulsa. Mail ballots to Steve Smith, Norman, OK 73070.

Oklahoma Western (2). Arms Services YMCA, S.W. 4th and B Avenue, Lawton. Mail ballots to Fuad Zahrai, P.O. Box 2054, Norman, OK 73070.

Oregon Eastern (1). Blue Mountain Community College, 2411 N.W. Carden, Pendleton. Mail ballots to Mrs. Mary Thompson, P.O. Box 447, Helix, OR 97835.

Oregon Western (3). Mt. Hood Community College, 2600 S.E. Stark, Gresham. Mail ballots to Ernestine Berkey, Albany, OR 97321.

Pennsylvania Eastern (2). Pottstown Senior High School, Wilson and Washington Sts., Pottstown. Mail ballots to John Moyer, Gilbertsville, PA 19525.

Pennsylvania Western (1). Bel Air Hotel North, 2800 W. 8th St., Erie. Mail ballots to Susan Leopold, Erie, PA 16502.

Rhode Island (1 delegate). Mattatuxet Yacht Club, S. River Drive, Narragansett. Mail ballots to Mrs. Edith Carpenter, Warwick, RI 02888. For information phone 401-461-7904.

See CONVENTIONS Page 22 [Page 12]

RACE UNITY

‘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)

‘Path to Progress’ race amity conference theme

“RACE AMITY . . . A Vital Path to Progress” is the theme of a three-day conference sponsored by the South Carolina Regional Teaching Committee that is drawing registrants from across the country.

The conference is to be held October 14-16 in the lovely seacoast city of Charleston, South Carolina, the birthplace of the Hand of the Cause of God Louis G. Gregory.

It will open with a dramatic play entitled “Them Next Door” and continue with presentations and seminars on a variety of topics pertaining to race amity.

The speakers will include Counsellor Sarah M. Pereira; Dr. William Roberts, chairman of the National Education Committee; Auxiliary Board member Nat Rutstein; Dr. Elsie Austin, an attorney and former member of the National Spiritual Assembly; and Dr. Andrew Billingsley, the president of Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland, who is a renowned sociologist and long-time friend of the Faith.

Special classes will be provided for children ages 5 through 14 with Dr. Ann Rowley, an educational specialist from Athens, Georgia, coordinating an all-day program Saturday, October 15.

Parents are urged to pre-register their children early so that plans can be made to accommodate those who will be attending the conference with their parents.

The conference is designed for Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís alike, and the believers are asked to encourage their non-Bahá’í friends to attend, says Alonzo Nesmith Jr., chairman of the South Carolina Regional Teaching Committee.

Any Bahá’í who anticipates bringing a non-Bahá’í guest must also pre-register his guest(s).

Non-Bahá’í guests may attend conference sessions free of charge. Their only expenses will be for meals and lodging.

The pre-registration fee of $15 covers conference materials, one breakfast, one lunch and a reception.

Registration checks should be made payable to “Bahá’í Race Amity Conference.”

The conference site is the Francis Marion Ramada Hotel in downtown Charleston. Rooms for the conference are priced at $40 per night for a single, $48 for a double, and $8 more for each additional person in a room (maximum of four).

To secure reservations at these special rates, phone the Ramada hotel system at its toll free number, 1-800-228-2828, and say that you will be attending the Bahá’í conference at the Francis Marion Hotel in Charleston.

The conference registrar is Deborah V. Nesmith, 803-766-7826. For more information, phone 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, 7014 Plantation Road, Northwoods, Charleston, SC 29407.

St. Petersburg Bahá’ís take part in church’s race unity program

The Bahá’ís of St. Petersburg, Florida, participated in June in a Race Unity Day program at the Greater Mt. Zion AME Church.

Dr. Kerry McCord opened the morning service with a Bahá’í prayer and a brief presentation on the Faith.

The Rev. Jesse Brown then invited the Bahá’í Choral Group, consisting of Bahá’ís from St. Petersburg and the surrounding area, to perform at the church’s youth program that afternoon.

Dr. McCord also spoke to the youth, after which the Rev. Brown invited the Bahá’í musical group to perform during a mid-summer revival service and asked that a representative of the Bahá’ís of St. Petersburg come to speak to his congregation in the near future.

The Bahá’ís also received an invitation to speak at a church in Ft. Myers.

A bouquet of flowers was presented to the Mt. Zion church on behalf of the Spiritual Assembly of St. Petersburg, symbolizing the lovely garden of humanity.

New Britain friends participate in civic interfaith service

Bahá’ís in New Britain, Connecticut, participated June 24 in an interfaith service entitled “An Evening for Unity and Justice.”

The event was organized by local civic, religious and humanitarian organizations to precede by one day a planned rally in New Britain by the Ku Klux Klan.

Bahá’ís were present at a press conference held two days before the service, and one of them, Mrs. Jacki Odess-Gillett, led those present in singing “God Is One” and “One Heart Ruby Red.”

A Bahá’í statement composed of quotations about the oneness of mankind and a brief statement about the Faith was one of 13 that appeared in the printed program for the interfaith service.

Afterward, Andres Centeno, a representative of the Hispanic community, invited the Bahá’ís to his home any afternoon to discuss the Faith.

CIRBAL to sponsor 3-week radio course at new training center in Puerto Rico

A three-week radio broadcasting course sponsored by CIRBAL, the Bahá’í mass media center for Latin America, will be held November 14 through December 3 in Arecibo, Puerto Rico.

The course instructor is K. Dean Stephens, director of CIRBAL’s broadcast division and designer of Radio Bahá’í facilities.

Mr. Stephens is a certified senior broadcast engineer with more than 25 years’ experience in broadcast administration and engineering.

All graduates of the course will receive a certificate suitable for framing detailing the various elements covered.

Reserved tuition is $400 per student including materials, room and board. $100 is payable by November 7, the balance by November 14.

Non-reserved applicants will be admitted if space is available. All tuitions later than dates indicated above are $450.

Sessions will be conducted in English and Spanish at CIRBAL’s new Amoz Gibson Training ‎Centre Center‎ on a farm in the hills of Arecibo.

For more information contact the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

The Spiritual Assembly of Batavia, Illinois, observed Race Unity Day with a public meeting and panel discussion. The panel members were (left to right) Bert Burnell, an elementary school principal; Bahá’ís E.J. Sullivan, Robert Ramirez and Xcylur Stoakley; and William Rausche, a retired Methodist minister. Mayor Jeffery Schielke, who proclaimed June 12 ‘Race Unity Day’ in Batavia, attended the program, and both he and Mr. Rausche wrote letters to the Assembly expressing their thanks for having been invited to participate.

A gospel choir from a local church entertains during a Race Unity Day picnic June 19 sponsored by the Bahá’í community of Frankfort, Kentucky. Adding to the festivities were Bahá’í musicians from Frankfort and Louisville, Kentucky, and from Cleveland, Ohio. The picnic also featured games, fellowship and plenty of good food.

Essential to Our Progress National Bahá’í Fund Wilmette, IL 60091

[Page 13]

World NEWS

More than 400 people, about half of whom are indigenous residents of Honduras, declared their belief in Bahá’u’lláh during “Camino del Sol” (Trail of the Sun), a recent 15-day regional teaching campaign planned by the National Teaching Committee of Honduras and dedicated to the Hand of the Cause of God Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyih Khánum.

The campaign was designed to concentrate on three of the main indigenous groups in Honduras: the Hicaque, Paya and Garifano peoples.

The eight-member teaching team included members of the Miskito, Garifano, Hicaque and Paya Indian tribes, one member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Honduras, and one Auxiliary Board member ...

Radio Bahá’í in Ecuador has developed what it terms “mural newspapers” that are being placed in village homes and community centers.

The poster-like “newspapers” are composed primarily of illustrations with a brief text that can be quickly explained by someone who is able to read to those who cannot.

Each “newspaper” contains a Bahá’í message and a social comment such as tips on nutrition or planting or health ...

As of last January, the goal for the establishment of new Local Spiritual Assemblies in Chad was exceeded by 90 ...

The national television news service in Italy recently featured a three-minute report on the persecution of Bahá’ís in Iran.

Describing Bahá’u’lláh as “Messenger of the Omnipotent,” and referring to “His Holiness the Báb,” the report showed the demolished House of the Báb in Shíráz. The commentary was quite sympathetic toward the persecuted Bahá’ís ...

Dr. Laurence Poncini, a Bahá’í who is a lecturer in chemistry at the University of the South Pacific and chairman of the Spiritual Assembly of Suva, Fiji, has received the 1982 Allan Joseph Casey Medal for sugar research.

The medal is awarded each year to a scientist in sugar research who has contributed to advancements in sugar chemistry ...

The Timonde Tutorial School, established two years ago by the Spiritual Assembly of Timonde, Ghana, has been absorbed into the public school system of the area’s educational district.

“We have therefore the first Bahá’í primary school in the country at Timonde in the Upper East,” reports the National Spiritual Assembly of Ghana ...

News in brief

Pleasant Hill Bahá’í named 1983 ‘citizen of year’

Roberta McFarland, a member of the Spiritual Assembly of Pleasant Hill, California, has been named that city’s 1983 Citizen of the Year.

Mrs. McFarland, a resident of Pleasant Hill for 13 years, was recognized for her work in coordinating the renovation of the Old School House, Pleasant Hill’s first school which later housed the city’s fire department.

The structure is now home to the Pleasant Hill Arts Council, Friends Abroad, Friends of the Pleasant Hill Library, the Guild of Quilters, Onstage Theatre, and the local Historical Society.

Mrs. McFarland headed the Friends of the Pleasant Hill Library for three years, and is presently on the board of the city’s Historical and Cultural Center, the 4th of July Commission, and the Library Information System Lay Advisory Board.

ROBERTA McFARLAND

Mrs. McFarland, the recording secretary of the Spiritual Assembly of Pleasant Hill, has a B.A. degree in home economics from McGill University and serves as an administrative consultant to six Bay Area communities.

She and her husband, Gerald, an engineer, have two daughters.

The National Bahá’í Archives now has available a guide to its collections that are open for research.

The 19-page guide covers 149 collections of institutional records, personal papers, community histories, and personal recollections, giving the collection title, quantity, and some information about contents and significance.

The guide can be ordered for $2 from the National Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

Two Christian Science churches in the Brookhaven, New York, area promised prayers for the Bahá’ís in Iran after receiving copies of the book A Cry from the Heart which was sent to 100 clergymen in that area by the Spiritual Assembly of Brookhaven.

The Christian Scientists also forwarded a news clipping of an article about the persecution of Bahá’ís in Iran that appeared in the July 14 issue of The Christian Science Monitor.

Homefront

Continued from Page 10

Cliff became involved in coaching and umpiring baseball and basketball ... and Tom adds his contribution by always wearing a jersey with the number nine.

“I became involved with a battered women’s crisis intervention program and won a volunteer of the year award in 1980.

“Alice has several close girl friends who participate in our family activities, and now they say they can hardly wait to turn 15 so they can become Bahá’ís.

“Both Tom and Alice won good citizenship awards here the first year after moving. They adjusted quickly and love it here. This is a lovely and tranquil town for raising children.”

•

For information on how to become a homefront pioneer, contact the National Teaching Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

Correction

On page 13 of the June issue of The American Bahá’í, it is stated that Dr. Hiroji Mukasa, president of Rotary International, was received by the Universal House of Justice during Mr. Mukasa’s visit in March to the World Centre.

While Mr. Mukasa visited the Seat of the Universal House of Justice, and two of its members were in the party which received him and his entourage, it is incorrect to say that he was “received by the Universal House of Justice.”

We regret the error.

More than 250 at art exhibit sponsored by Bahá’ís of Paramount, California

Visitors examine works of art at a day-long exhibit presented June 26 by the three-member Bahá’í Group of Paramount, California.

On June 26, the three-member Bahá’í Group of Paramount, California, supported by the communities of Compton and Gardena, presented an art exhibit that featured works by Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í artists.

The exhibit included crafts, sculptures, drawings, paintings, calligraphy and poetry.

Also on the program was an anti-gang membership presentation by Tony Ostros, an employee of the city of Paramount, and a karate demonstration by instructor Julian Chan and 20 of his students.

More than 250 people visited the day-long exhibit at the Towers Art Center.

yes I want to receive Brilliant Star, please enter my subscription for one year, $9.00 (six issues) two years, $17.00 foreign, surface, one year, $11.00 foreign, surface, two years, $21.00 foreign, air, one year, $15.00 foreign, air, two years, $28.00 Please enclose payment. name ______________________________ street ____________________________ city ______________________________ state & zip _______________________

Send to Brilliant Star/Child’s Way Subscriber Service Suburban Office Park 5010 Austin Rd. Hixson, Tn. 37343

Enclosed is my gift of $ ________ to the Brilliant Star/Child’s Way Endowment Fund established in honor of the Bahá’í children of Iran, for the purpose of developing materials for children. I understand that my gift will become part of a perpetual fund whose earnings will support this purpose.

The first Champion Builder Book due to unprecedented popularity

NOW AVAILABLE in SOFTCOVER

Read the life story of the first black Hand of the Cause of God that is stirring the hearts and changing the lives of the American Bahá’ís.

321 pp., notes, index 28 photographs foreword by Glenford E. Mitchell

Catalog No. 332-073

$7.00* Softcover only

Louis G. Gregory and the Advancement of Racial Unity in America

TO MOVE THE WORLD

by GAYLE MORRISON CHAMPION BUILDER BOOKS

Order through your local librarian, or send check or money order (including 10% for postage and handling, minimum $1.50) to

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

• Price valid only in the United States

[Page 14]

Nuevas asambleas nacionales

A todas las asambleas espirituales nacionales Queridos amigos bahá’ís,

El siguiente télex se manda hoy por la Casa Universal de Justicia a asambleas espirituales nacionales seleccionadas, y se nos piden transmitir el texto a ustedes para que puedan compartir las alegres noticias con los creyentes en su comunidad. GOZOSOS ANUNCIAR FORMACIÓN EN RIDVÁN 1984 LAS SIGUIENTES NUEVE ASAMBLEAS ESPIRITUALES NACIONALES:

TRES EN ÁFRICA: ISLAS CABO VERDE, GUINEA ECUATORIAL, Y GABÓN. TRES EN LAS AMÉRICAS: GUYANA FRANCESA, GRANADA, Y MARTINICA. DOS EN ASIA: ISLAS ANDAMAN & NICOBAR, Y EL YEMEN (SAN’A). UNA EN EUROPA: ISLAS CANARIAS.

LAS DOS ÚLTIMAS ASAMBLEAS NACIONALES ARRIBA NOMBRADAS SON LOGROS SUPLEMENTARIOS PLAN DE SIETE AÑOS. ORANDO SANTUARIOS BENDICIONES ABUNDANTES RODEEN SOSTENGAN AMIGOS EN TODAS PARTES EN SUS ESFUERZOS PROMOVER SANTA FE DE DIOS.

CASA UNIVERSAL DE JUSTICIA

Materiales de propaganda en español ya listos

Se acaba de producir una colección de material para proclamación y publicidad dirigida a la prensa de habla hispana.

La colección, resultado de colaboración entre la Oficina de Información Pública y el Comité Nacional de Enseñanza, se puede adquirir por el precio de $5 (franqueo incluido) de la Oficina de Información.

La colección contiene folletos sobre la igualdad del hombre y la mujer, la unidad de la humanidad y la visión Bahá’í de las Leyes Divinas para la humanidad.

Se ‎incluye incluyen‎ también retratos, con encabezamientos, de la Casa de Adoración en Wilmette y el Santuario del Báb en Haifa; un informe titulado “La Fe Bahá’í y su Comunidad Mundial,” y un breve folleto escrito por Shoghi Effendi que explica los puntos principales de las Enseñanzas Bahá’ís; una colección de artículos para publicación relacionados con varios Días Sagrados y observancias especiales, y unos anuncios listos para publicar.

Otros materiales ofrecidos por la Oficina de Información Pública incluyen la colección para la prensa de habla inglesa ($5), una colección dirigida a los funcionarios públicos (inglés, $5), y una dirigida a los empresarios funerarios (inglés, $4.50).

Iran: Dos secuestros, 130 creyentes acosados

A todas las asambleas espirituales nacionales Queridos amigos bahá’ís,

La Casa Universal de Justicia ha mandado otra vez más un mensaje por cable a asambleas espirituales nacionales seleccionadas respecto a la lamentable condición de nuestros hermanos en Irán, y ha pedido que se comparta el texto con ustedes.

ATROCIDADES AUMENTAN CONTRA HERMANOS CUNA FE, AHORA DIRIGIDAS HACIA CAMPESINOS INDEFENSOS CERCA SÁRÍ EN MÁZINDARÁN. EN EL PUEBLO IVÁL MÁS DE 130 BAHÁ’ÍS INCLUYENDO MUJERES Y NIÑOS HECHOS CAUTIVOS POR TRES DÍAS EN UN CERCADO SIN ALIMENTO NI AGUA. CUANDO PRESIÓN A RENEGAR FE, ACEPTAR ISLAM FALLÓ ELLOS FUERON PERMITIDOS REGRESAR A SUS CASAS. NO OBSTANTE, MISMA NOCHE, PRIMERO DE JULIO, FUERON ATACADOS POR ALDEANOS Y OBLIGADOS A ESCONDERSE EN BOSQUE CERCANO.

OTRAS NOTICIAS CONGOJOSAS DOS BAHÁ’ÍS DISTINGUIDOS TIHRÁN, JIHÁNGÍR HIDÁYATÍ Y AHMAD BASHÍRÍ, SECUESTRADOS. SÚPLICAS A LAS AUTORIDADES HASTA AHORA DESATENDIDAS; DESMIENTEN CONOCIMIENTO ALGUNO DE SU SECUESTRO O SU PARADERO.

INSTAMOS CONTINUAR ESFUERZOS MEDIANTE OFICIALES GUBERNAMENTALES, ORGANIZACIONES HUMANITARIAS, MEDIOS NOTICIEROS.

CASA UNIVERSAL DE JUSTICIA 4 DE JULIO DE 1983

Llamado a la juventud del mundo

A las asambleas espirituales nacionales Queridos amigos bahá’ís,

La Casa Universal de Justicia ha enviado el siguiente cable, dirigido a la juventud bahá’í en todo el mundo, a asambleas espirituales nacionales seleccionadas, y ahora se envía a ustedes para que lo compartan con los amigos, y especialmente con la juventud bahá’í, en su comunidad.

A LA JUVENTUD BAHÁ’Í EN TODO EL MUNDO: MARTIRIO RECIENTE JÓVENES VALIENTES FIRMES EN SHÍRÁZ, LUGAR DE INAUGURACIÓN MISIÓN PROFETA-MÁRTIR, RECUERDA ACTOS DE VALOR JÓVENES INMORTALES EDAD HERÓICA. CONFIAMOS EN QUE JUVENTUD BAHÁ’Í ESTA GENERACIÓN NO PERMITIRÁ QUE ESTA SANGRE NUEVA, DERRAMADA SOBRE MISMÍSIMO SUELO DONDE REALIZÓSE PRIMERA OLA PERSECUCIÓN FE, PERMANEZCA SIN VINDICACIÓN NI QUE ESTE SACRIFICIO SUBLIME SEA EN VANO. EN ESTA HORA DE AFLICCIÓN Y CONGOJA, Y AHORA QUE NOS ACERCAMOS ANIVERSARIO MARTIRIO BENDITO BÁB, LLAMAMOS A JUVENTUD BAHÁ’Í VOLVER A DEDICARSE REQUISITOS URGENTES CAUSA BAHÁ’U’LLÁH. QUE RECUERDEN BENDICIONES QUE ÉL PROMETIÓ A LOS QUE EN FLOR DE JUVENTUD SE LEVANTEN PARA ADORNAR EL CORAZÓN CON SU AMOR Y PERMANEZCAN CONSTANTES Y FIRMES. QUE RECUERDEN ESPERANZA MAESTRO QUE CADA UNO SEA LEÓN INTRÉPIDO, BRISA PERFUMADA DE ALMIZCLE QUE SOPLA SOBRE PRADERAS DE VIRTUD. QUE MEDITEN SOBRE CUALIDADES ÚNICAS JUVENTUD MENCIONADAS TAN GRÁFICAMENTE EN ESCRITOS GUARDIÁN QUIEN ALABÓ SU ESPÍRITU EMPRENDEDOR Y AVENTURERO, Y SUS TAREAS SAGRADAS, CAUTIVADORAS Y DIVINAMENTE SEÑALADAS. ORAMOS FERVIENTEMENTE ANTE SAGRADO UMBRAL QUE EJÉRCITO DE JÓVENES RESUELTOS Y ESPIRITUALMENTE UNIFICADOS SE LEVANTE DE INMEDIATO EN RESPUESTA REQUISITOS HORA PRESENTE DEDICAR CADA VEZ MÁS SUS APRECIADAS ENERGÍAS A PROMOVER, TANTO EN FRENTES INTERNOS COMO CAMPOS EXTRANJEROS, CAUSA SU EXPECTANTE SEÑOR QUE TODO LO VIGILA. QUE MANIFIESTEN MISMO ESPÍRITU DEMOSTRADO TAN RECIENTEMENTE POR SUS HERMANOS MÁRTIRES CUNA FE, REMONTEN A ALTURAS DE ESFUERZO TALES COMO PARA LLEGAR A SER EL ORGULLO DE SUS PARES, CONSUELO CORAZONES CREYENTES PERSAS, Y DEMUESTREN QUE LA LLAMA ENCENDIDA POR SU MANO OMNIPOTENTE ARDE CON FULGOR Y QUE SU CALOR Y RADIANZA VIVIFICADORES PRONTO ENVOLVERÁN Y PENETRARÁN PLANETA ENTERO.

CASA UNIVERSAL DE JUSTICIA 24 DE JUNIO DE 1983

Excelencia en todas las cosas

Qué ‎séamos seamos‎ como luces de guía

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

En todo momento, corresponde a los artesanos del mundo ofrecer mil muestras de gratitud ante el Sagrado Umbral, y esforzarse al máximo y diligentemente dedicarse a ejercer sus profesiones para que sus esfuerzos produzcan aquello que manifestará la más grande belleza y perfección a los ojos de todos los hombres. (Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, pág. 145)

• * *

Haced un poderoso esfuerzo, para que la pureza y santidad que, sobre todo lo demás, son apreciadas por ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, distingan al pueblo de Bahá; para que en todo tipo de excelencia, el pueblo de Dios sobrepase a los otros seres humanos; que tanto interior como exteriormente sean superiores al resto; que por la pureza, inocencia, refinamiento, y por la conservación de la salud, sean los líderes en la vanguardia de aquellos que saben. Y que por su liberación de la esclavitud, su sabiduría y autocontrol, serán los primeros entre los puros, los libres y los sabios. (Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, pág. 150)

• * *

Que todos los bienamados de Dios sean la esencia de la pureza, la vida misma de la beatitud, para que en cada país sean famosos por su santidad, independencia de espíritu y humildad. Que sean alegrados por los sorbos de la eterna copa del amor, y se regocijen al beber de las bodegas del cielo. Que contemplen la Bendita Belleza, y sientan la llama y el éxtasis de esa reunión, y se pasmen de temor y sorpresa. Esta es la posición de los sinceros, esta es la senda de los leales; esta es la radianza que brilla en los rostros de aquellos que están cerca de Dios. (Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, pág. 203)

• * *

Ahora los bienamados deben levantarse entre todos los pueblos del mundo, con un corazón como el sol, un fuerte impulso interno, una frente radiante, un hálito almizclado, una lengua siempre hablando de Dios, una exposición clara como el cristal, ‎unal una‎ alta resolución, un poder nacido del cielo, un carácter espiritual, una confirmación poco menos que divina. Que todos se conviertan en un solo esplendor sobre el horizonte del empíreo, y en los cielos del mundo sean una estrella deslumbrante. Que sean árboles fructíferos en las glorietas celestiales, flores de dulce aroma en los jardines divinos; que sean versos de perfección en la página del universo, palabras de unicidad en el Libro de la Vida. Esta es la primera edad, y el temprano comienzo de la dispensación de la Más Grande Luz, por lo tanto, dentro de este siglo deben adquirirse virtudes, dentro de este lapso de tiempo deben perfeccionarse hermosas cualidades. En estos mismos días, el Paraíso de Abhá debe levantar sus tiendas en las planicies del mundo. Ahora deben revelarse las luces de la realidad, y ahora la antigua gracia debe brillar y este mundo convertirse en el placentero parque del cielo, el jardín de Dios. Y mediante las gracias celestiales, de los corazones puros todas las perfecciones, cualidades y atributos de lo divino, deben ahora hacerse manifiestos. (Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, pág. 232)

No es la cantidad, sino el espíritu ... Fondo Nacional Bahá’í Wilmette, IL 60091

[Page 15]

The Creative Word

Epistle to the Son of the Wolf: A Tablet for all mankind

Epistle to the Son of the Wolf—which the Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, called Bahá’u’lláh’s “last outstanding Tablet”—can aid us all in winning the goal of the Seven Year Plan that calls for a “nationwide campaign, with emphasis on the Creative Word, designed to inspire every believer to live the Bahá’í life,” thus demonstrating to our “fellowcountrymen the beneficent effects of the Bahá’í way of life achieved through adherence to the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh.”

How? It can help us form a positive response to the senseless persecutions of the Bahá’ís in Iran. And it can suggest a new approach for using the persecutions to share the Message of Bahá’u’lláh with those about us.

This last major Tablet of Bahá’u’lláh’s was addressed to Shaykh Muhammad Taqiy-i-Najafi, a cleric of Isfáhán, who with his students kicked and trampled the corpse of Mirzá Ashraf, a Bahá’í killed in 1888 by order of the city’s mullá.

The cleric’s father was the notorious Shaykh Muhammad Baqir, who commanded the deaths of the innocent “King of Martyrs” and the “Beloved of Martyrs.” He was named by Bahá’u’lláh “the Wolf” and condemned as “the last trace of sunlight on the mountain-top.”

Bahá’u’lláh, in Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, does call upon the “rapacious” son of the Wolf to “repent of his acts.”

But He also uses His last major Tablet to “adduce proofs establishing the validity of His Cause” and to hold out to all mankind the eternal gift of the mercy of God.

With the relentless persecutions continuing unabated in Iran, now is an excellent time to study Epistle to the Son of the Wolf (HC, Cat. No. 103-001, $11).

Titles from around the world

BIC—Bahá’í International Community GR—George Ronald KP—Kalimát Press

New Books

George Townshend: Hand of the Cause of God by David Hofman. (GR) (HC, Cat. No. 332-103, $19.50) (SC, Cat. No. 332-104, $9.50)

An Index of Quotations from the Bahá’í Sacred Writings (GR) (HC, Cat. No. 368-062, $37.50) (SC, Cat. No. 368-063, $24.50)

Supplement to The ‎Bahá’í is Bahá’ís‎ in Iran: July 1982-July 1983 A 32-page supplement for the comprehensive white paper, The Bahá’ís in Iran: A Report on the Persecution of a Religious Minority. Contains major developments in the Iranian persecutions between July 1982 and July 1983. (BIC) (SC, Cat. No. 555-106, $1)

Books by George Townshend

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

The Glad Tidings of Bahá’u’lláh (GR) (HC, Cat. No. 315-051, $5.95)

The Heart of the Gospel (GR) (SC, Cat. No. 331-017, $2.75)

The Mission of Bahá’u’lláh (GR) (HC, Cat. No. 331-018, $7.50)

The Promise of All Ages (GR) (HC, Cat. No. 331-025, $8.25) (SC, Cat. No. 331-026, $2.75)

To Build Your Library

The Seven Martyrs of Hurmuzak by Muhammad Labíb (GR) (HC, Cat. No. 332-078, $8.50) (SC, Cat. No. 332-079, $3.95)

Publishing Trust’s gift certificate can help solve troubling gift-giving problems

Solve that difficult gift question with a “Gift of Love”—a gift certificate from the Bahá’í Publishing Trust.

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

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

Ordering a “Gift of Love” (Catalog No. 868-000) is easy. Simply 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 telephone 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 in your 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.

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

Wondering what to study and why? See the National Education Committee’s page for a study outline on The Importance of Deepening Our Knowledge and Understanding of the Faith Order your copy from the coupon below

NEWS from the Publishing Trust

Back in Stock

La Fe Bahá’í teaching booklet Available once again—the popular teaching booklet in Spanish that helps seekers and declarants catch the “spark of Faith” and learn the basic teachings of the Bahá’í Faith. (SC, Cat. No. 231-006, $1.50)

Books About Model Teachers

To Move the World Louis G. Gregory, posthumously appointed a Hand of the Cause of God, shows, in the sterling example of his life, how devotion, discipline and integrity can spread the Faith and make the oneness of mankind a reality. By Gayle Morrison. Now available in a paper edition. (SC, Cat. No. 332-073, $7)

Martha Root A 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)

From Behind the Veil Táhirih and the Bábís come alive in a new novel that captures the bravery and audacity of the foremost woman Bahá’í teacher. By Kathleen Jemison Demas. (SC, Cat. No. 332-108, $2.50)

For Universal Children’s Day (October 1)

Books to share with friends and libraries

B.J. and the Language of the Woodland A green frog, in seven chapters, finds that learning the languages of the forest animals has its perils and rewards. For 6-11 year olds. (SC, Cat. No. 353-019, $3.50)

The ‎Spotlessly Spotless‎ Leopard Winifred Barnum Newman’s leopard without spots has to learn the hard way the importance of being one’s own special self. (SC, Cat. No. 353-020, $3)

The Secret in the Garden A winning story of a young girl’s perceptive understanding of unity in diversity. By Winifred Barnum Newman. (HC, Cat. No. 353-013, $3) (SC, Cat. No. 353-014, $2)

Zahra’s Search Zahra’s love for her brother leads her into an adventure of danger and hardship. By Gail Radley. (SC, Cat. No. 353-018, $3)

For United Nations Day (October 24)

Divine Law: Source of Human Rights Newly reprinted—a pamphlet for people concerned with problems of justice, injustice, and the entire range of human rights. (Pamphlet, Cat. No. 340-360, 10/$2.75)

The Environment and Human Values For anyone concerned with the state of the environment—a pamphlet that finds the problem in social structures and value systems that cannot meet new human needs. (Pamphlet, Cat. No. 340-056, 10/$2.75)

The Equality of Men and Women A thought-provoking statement on the Bahá’í teachings on the equality of men and women. (Pamphlet, Cat. No. 340-074, 10/$2.75)

One World, One People A discussion of the spiritual standards needed to resolve the interlocking economic and social problems of our day. (Pamphlet, Cat. No. 340-099, 10/$2.75)

Coupon for Ordering from the Publishing Trust

Use the order form at the right to order any of the titles on the publications page or elsewhere in 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.

Qty Title Price Qty Title Price __ Epistle Son of Wolf, HC $11.00 __ 7 Martyrs Hurmuzak, HC $8.50 __ Importance Deepening Knowl. Understanding $2.00 __ 7 Martyrs Hurmuzak, SC $3.95 __ To Move World, SC $7.00 __ Index Quotations, HC $37.50 __ Martha Root, HC $20.00 __ Index Quotations, SC $24.50 __ Martha Root, SC $11.00 __ Supp. Bahá’ís in Iran $1.00 __ George Townshend, HC $19.50 __ La Fe Bahá’í bklet. $1.50 __ George Townshend, SC $9.50 __ Divine Law 10/$2.75 __ Christ and Bahá’u’lláh $2.95 __ Env. Human Values 10/$2.75 __ Tidings Bahá’u’lláh, HC $5.95 __ Equal. Men & Women 10/$2.75 __ Heart of Gospel, SC $2.75 __ 1 World, 1 People 10/$2.75 __ Mission Bahá’u’lláh, HC $7.50 __ B.J. Lang. Woodland $3.50 __ Promise All Ages, HC $8.25 __ Spotlessly Leopard $3.00 __ Promise All Ages, SC $2.75 __ Secret in Garden, HC $3.00 __ __ Secret in Garden, SC $2.00 __ __ Zahra’s Search $3.00 Enclosed is my check or money order for $_________ (including 10 per cent for postage and handling, minimum $1.50). Charge to: ($10.00 minimum order) VISA ____________________ Card expires __________ MC ____________________ Card expires __________ Name __________________________________________________ Address ________________________________________________ City ____________________ State ________ Zip __________ (All orders are NET—no discounts. No charges on librarians’ accounts accepted. Credit card orders accepted by phone: 1-800-323-1880.) Prices good through September 15, 1983 Prices valid only in 48 contiguous states of the United States

[Page 16]

The American Bahá’í

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.

HIGH SCHOOL seniors considering a career in optometry or physical therapy, or who want a well-rounded liberal arts education, should come to Pacific University in the charming small town of Forest Grove, Oregon. Our active community of nine adults wants to sponsor a Bahá’í College Club and would like your help. Please write to the Assembly at P.O. Box 332, or directly to the Office of Admissions at Pacific University, 2043 College Way, Forest Grove, OR 97116.

SPANISH-speaking Bahá’ís are needed in the local town of Cornelius, Oregon (population 5,000), about 20 miles west of Portland. There is one family of (not yet deepened) Hispanic Bahá’ís, and many other Hispanics, both migrant workers and residents. Enjoy small town living with easy access to Hillsboro, the county seat (six miles east), and Forest Grove, the home of Pacific University (six miles west). Please write to the Spiritual Assembly of Forest Grove, P.O. Box 332, Forest Grove, OR 07116.

TANZANIA: This is a world goal post that needs to be filled. Teaching positions in chemistry and biology are open at an international school; full relocation and a two-year contract. Call immediately for more information. International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. Phone 312-869-9039.

SOMALIA, an important goal area, has openings for a field office director of community development, a district medical officer, agriculture extensionist, a civil engineer of irrigation, and chief forester. Prime opportunities that need attention now! This is a difficult country in which to place pioneers. Write to the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

NORTHFIELD-Mount Hermon alumni: I have begun to build a Bahá’í book section in the libraries of our alma mater. Please contact me to coordinate book donations to the libraries. John Nicol, class of ’58, 4920 Siesta Cove Dr., Sarasota, FL 33581. Phone 813-924-5726.

MARVELOUS opportunity to become a homefront pioneer and add diversity to the mostly Persian community of Mount Airy, North Carolina. A private home on 3.3 acres with bedrooms, an office, living and dining rooms, family room, kitchen, two and one-half baths, finished basement and circular driveway with three-car garage is for sale. The home has been used in recent years to house Persian and other foreign students as well as for a variety of Bahá’í activities. Would love to sell to a Bahá’í or Bahá’ís. For more information please contact Patsy Bradley, Rt. 3, Box 150, Mount Airy, NC 27030, or phone 919-786-7407.

BRILLIANT Star magazine needs your creative support: adults and youth and children; writers, poets, crafts persons, cooks, game players, musicians, composers, dancers, idea people, photographers, critics, mothers, fathers, siblings and grandparents—each of you has something to contribute to Brilliant Star. Universal participation makes a better publication. Some of us support by subscribing, some with ideas, some with their creative energies, some with production skills, some with editorial know-how, and some are great at telling others to be aware of a great thing! Don’t sit back and think about it any longer. ACT NOW! A special note to children: Please send us your paintings, preferably in a vertical format, for possible use on the covers of Brilliant Star. We invite you to become excited about Brilliant Star. We invite you to be proud of Brilliant Star. Please send all written materials to the Brilliant Star editorial office, Suburban Office Park, 4001 Hixson Pike, Hixson, TN 37343. Send all pictorial materials to Rita Leydon, art and production director, Box 127, Lahaska, PA 18931.

THE UNIVERSITY of Hong Kong needs a qualified lecturer in psychology. Requires a Ph.D with research competence. Social psychology is useful, as is a knowledge of the Far East. Relocation, various fringe benefits. Contact the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or telephone 312-869-9039.

LOVE to ski? Then move to Golden, Colorado, and help its five-member Group reach Assembly status. Golden, the county seat of Jefferson County (renowned for its excellent public schools), combines a small town atmosphere (est. population 15,000) with metro Denver accessibility and Rocky Mountain skiing. Golden is the home of the Colorado School of Mines. For more information write to the Bahá’í Group of Golden, 1100 Juniper Ct., Golden, CO 80401, or phone 303-279-1004.

JOBS are available for prospective homefront pioneers only 31 miles from the Louis Gregory Institute and radio station WLGI in South Carolina: public information officer, Upward Bound counselor, part-time counselor, paralegal assistant, school teachers, and manager of a fast food restaurant. For details contact Greg Myers, Williamsburg Technical College, 601 Lane Road, Kingstree, SC 29556, or phone 803-354-7255.

WE ARE a loving, active and energetic community of 10 adults and 11 (almost 12!) children in a small eastern Iowa city. We would welcome your diversity to help strengthen our Assembly, teach local seekers, and enjoy our children. If we can help you get settled, contact the Spiritual Assembly of Marion, P.O. Box 362, Marion, IA 52302, or phone the Assembly secretary, Rebecca Jensen, at 319-377-5651.

IF YOU want to become a homefront pioneer, come to Smithfield, Utah, only seven miles from Logan, home of Utah State University with a diverse educational program. There are presently no Bahá’ís in Smithfield, so come and let’s raise an Assembly by next Ridván. By the way, apartment and housing rents are cheap. Write to the Spiritual Assembly of Logan, Box 471, Logan, UT 84321, or telephone 801-752-9643.

OPENINGS for a town planning officer, senior probation and welfare officer, and a personnel secretary in the Cayman Islands. Good pay, housing, fringe benefits. This is a fine pioneer post for those who love tropical weather. Contact the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

DUMONT, New Jersey, near the Wilhelm properties where ‘Abdu’l-Bahá visited and spoke in 1912, was for the first time in more than 30 years unable to form its Assembly last Ridván and needs two more members to restore that Assembly next April. Dumont is a residential town with good schools, is near universities, New York City, and industrial areas. Apartments are occasionally available; homes can be purchased. For more information contact the Dumont Bahá’í community, 14 Pine St., Dumont, NJ 07628, or phone 201-384-6799.

DO YOU know of any Bahá’í prayers that can be said before or after meals? I would be most grateful for any information. Joan Leavitt, 101-D Dumbarton Road, Baltimore, MD 21212.

SIERRA LEONE is a difficult post in which to place pioneers. Recently, a number of high school teaching jobs have opened in various subjects. The principal of the school has become a Bahá’í and would like hard-working, dedicated co-workers. Needed are four math teachers, five in English, one in physics, two in biology, two in chemistry, two in French, two in geography, one in physical education, and two in agricultural science. Certification is probably not necessary. The school is 17 miles from the Liberian border, which is a potentially important base from which to spread the Faith. For more information, please contact the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or telephone 312-869-9039.

THE FOLLOWING are available for the cost of shipping: Bahá’í Canada, 1974-1981; The American Bahá’í, 1970-1981; Bahá’í News, 1956-1981. Most issues are available; I will send only an entire year, not individual issues. Also available are World Order since 1971; Bahá’í Journal (Great Britain) 1973-1976 (not all issues available), New Day (Ireland), a few copies in the 1970s; Glory (India), 13 copies in the 1970s; and World Citizen (three copies). Many books and other materials are also available. Please write to Sonya Murphy, 203 Pleasant Ave., Pleasantville, NJ 08232, or phone 609-646-1266.

LAMINATING machine is needed at the Louhelen Bahá’í School to laminate educational materials. If you know where one can be purchased inexpensively, or are interested in donating one, please contact Geff Marks at the Louhelen Bahá’í School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423, or phone 313-653-5033.

UROLOGISTS, there is still an important need for qualified urologists to go overseas. The Bahá’í doctor must be deepened and willing to teach only indirectly, as the country is in a sensitive area. Contact the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. Phone 312-869-9039.

BAHÁ’Í NEWS is seeking manuscripts on all aspects of the Faith for inclusion in the magazine. Articles on Bahá’í history, the teachings of the Faith, Bahá’í activities in various parts of the country or the world, or contemporary issues and problems as seen from a Bahá’í perspective are welcomed. If the article is illustrated with appropriate photographs, so much the better. Please send your manuscripts for review to the editor, Bahá’í News, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

SPEND your winter vacation teaching in a district that has seen continued success and growth over the last six years. The sixth annual Winter Teaching Project in Southern New Mexico-West Texas will be held December 17, 1983 through January 2, 1984. Teaching in northern Mexico is a part of this year’s project, as is teaching in Hispanic communities in southern New Mexico. Spanish-speaking teachers are especially needed! Please contact the District Teaching Committee of Southern New Mexico-West Texas, 1506 McKinley, ‎Alamagordo Alamogordo‎, NM 88310, or phone 505-437-0173.

HAVE YOU been at a loss trying to figure out what you can do as your part in the Seven Year Plan? Well, Yukon, Oklahoma, is the answer! We’ve recently come across an opening (usually quite hard to find) for an individual to join our work force. Qualifications: must be at least 21 years old and very enthusiastic. You’ll be stationed only 30 minutes from almost any location in the Oklahoma City area. Time is short; this may be your best chance to do your part in the Seven Year Plan. Call before someone else grabs your chance. Phone 405-354-7301 or 405-354-4447.

MANY of the homeland areas of South Africa need deepened pioneers to help in the teaching and consolidation work. There are multiple opportunities for computer science personnel and for university level instructors and administrators. If you are willing to apply for positions in outlying areas away from the main cities of South Africa, please write to the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or telephone 312-869-9039.

SPANISH-language teaching and deepening materials are available from the District Teaching Committee of Eastern Oregon, which has prepared in Spanish an assortment of popular publications from Publishing Trusts in several countries. Each pamphlet or booklet has been restructured so that it can be reproduced by your community on a photocopy machine. For a copy of the items included please send a stamped self-addressed envelope to the Eastern Oregon District Teaching Committee, P.O. Box 447, Helix, OR 97835.

HELP is needed to maintain the Bahá’í Center and Assembly in Wapato, Washington, on the Yakima Indian Reservation. Wapato, a farming and orchard area, has a dry, sunny climate and a multi-ethnic population with Caucasians in the minority. Ideal for a family or retired persons. For more information write to the Spiritual Assembly of Wapato, c/o Joyce Eklund, secretary, P.O. Box 247, Wapato, WA 98951, or phone 509-877-4554.

POSSIBILITY for homefront pioneering in a dynamic rural setting. A national design and manufacturing firm in lovely western Massachusetts needs a controller-CPA. A great opportunity to work and grow with Bahá’ís. Send resumé to Univision Inc., 210 Russell St., Hadley, MA 01035.

THIBODAUX, Louisiana, needs one or more homefront pioneers to strengthen a potentially jeopardized Assembly. Thibodaux (population about 16-20,000) has beautiful bayous, a trade school and four-year university. It is about an hour’s drive from New Orleans and one and one-half hours from Baton Rouge. The area offers possible employment

See ADS Page 23 [Page 17]

Spanish-language information kit now available

An information kit in Spanish has been added to the series of specialized kits for use in proclamations and publicity offered by the Office of Public Affairs.

The kit was prepared as a joint project of the Public Affairs Office and the National Teaching Committee. Translations were done by Emelia Allmart, a Bahá’í from Wheaton, Illinois.

MATERIALES TE NELAMACION PRICK LA TRESA LA FE BAHÁ’Í

The kit includes pamphlets on the equality of men and women, the oneness of humanity, and the Bahá’í view of divine laws for humanity.

Also included are photographs with captions of the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette and the Shrine of the Báb in Haifa; a paper entitled "The Bahá’í Faith and Its World Community"; a brief booklet by Shoghi Effendi explaining some major points of Bahá’í teachings; a set of news releases that can be adapted for various Bahá’í Holy Days and special observances, and a set of ads ready for publication.

The kit may be ordered from the Office of Public Affairs for $5 (price includes postage).

English-language kits available from the Office of Public Affairs include the standard press kit ($5), a kit designed for presentations to public officials ($5), and a kit for funeral directors ($4.50).

On May 2, Tom Armistead, a member of the Bahá’í Group of Milford, Connecticut, spoke to about 150 students and faculty at each of two high schools in that city on "Genocide: The Story of the Bahá’ís in Iran." The Group then presented Bahá’í books to the libraries at each school and to the Milford Public Library. The proclamation effort was carried out with financial support and prayers from Bahá’ís all over Connecticut. Shown presenting Bahá’í books to Stanley Carman (center), head librarian at the Milford Public Library, are two members of the Bahá’í Group of Milford, Thomas Z. Miranda (left) and Mr. Armistead.

Chicago gallery, National Assembly sponsor exhibit of paintings by Bahá’í Mark Tobey

An exhibit of paintings by Bahá’í artist Mark Tobey is being held through October 3 at the Goldman-Kraft Gallery in Chicago.

The extent of Mr. Tobey’s influence on modern painting and its enduring quality is considerable. In 1961, an English art critic wrote that Mr. Tobey was considered by prominent European painters to be the foremost living American artist.

Mark Tobey died in 1976. Some of his paintings are in the permanent collections of leading museums, others are owned by private collectors, and nine of his works are owned by the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly.

The Spring 1977 issue of World Order magazine contained a collection of articles about Mr. Tobey entitled "Tobey in Memoriam."

Visitors to Chicago may see the Tobey exhibit at 233 East Ontario St. from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The exhibit is being held under the auspices of the Goldman-Kraft Gallery and the National Spiritual Assembly on behalf of the American Bahá’í community.

‘Wage Peace’ is theme of new ad campaign

The Office of Public Affairs, working with a team of graphic arts consultants, has prepared a variety of advertising materials based on ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s words, "Wage peace."

Although especially appropriate for World Peace Day, September 18, these materials can be used throughout the year to attract attention to the Faith and provoke interest in the Bahá’í peace principles.

Materials now available from the Office of Public Affairs include:

Poster (14 x 17 inches), $1.50; poster 8 1/2 x 11 inches), $1; ad slicks (3 sizes per page), $1; bus cards (11 1/2 x 27 inches), $2.50; billboard (30-sheet), $35; reel-to-reel tape with five 30-second radio public service spots and one commercial, $5.

Also, statements by the Bahá’í International Community at a special session of the UN General Assembly on "The Promise of Peace and Disarmament," 25 cents each; "Disarmament" (oral statement), 15 cents each.

Posters, bus cards and billboards are three-color.

It is suggested that these materials be used in coordination with such programs as peace seminars, "coffees," firesides, and other creative gatherings to which influential persons, friends, and members of sympathetic groups can be invited.

This visual reinforcement of Bahá’í-sponsored group discussions or public lectures on topics relating to peace is highly recommended.

Send orders to the Bahá’í Office of Public Affairs, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. Please make checks payable to "Bahá’í Services Fund."

Bahá’í Florida Media Conferences has been criss-crossing the state holding media gatherings that are sponsored by a Spiritual Assembly in a given area. The goal is to schedule at least one such conference a month, each of which is divided into four one-hour segments that deal with organization, print media, outdoor advertising, and radio and television. Shown discussing print media at the Southwest Florida Media Conference is task force member Diane Stinnett.

13 million households see ‘20/20’ report on Iran

On July 28, television sets in 13,160,000 U.S. households were tuned to the ABC News program "20/20," according to the A.C. Nielsen Company.

The program, which included a lengthy segment on the persecution of Bahá’ís in Iran, was seen on 30 per cent of all TV sets in use that evening (15.8 per cent of all television sets in the country), and, according to Nielsen, was the 11th most-watched program that week.

No estimate of how many people watched the program is available.

Media briefs

As a result of placing the newspaper ad headlined "...and Now They Hang Women" in an Overland Park, Kansas, newspaper, three Bahá’ís from that community were interviewed live for half an hour on a local television station.

The three, Jim and Margaret Walker and Vahid Ferdowsi, appeared August I on the "Around Town" morning program whose hostess talked with them for about 15 minutes before air time and for about half an hour afterward, saying she wanted them to return soon to talk more about the Faith.

The program was broadcast four times for a total of two hours air time.

A letter to the editor from Elie Wiesel, the widely known and respected chairman of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council, calling attention to the plight of Bahá’ís in Iran and calling upon governments, individuals and the United Nations to raise their voices in protest has appeared recently in many newspapers in this country, often as an article instead of a letter.

In the letter, Mr. Wiesel says in part, "I am particularly troubled that echoes of the Nazi cruelties are again being heard in our world.

"It is especially distressing that this occurs in a land ruled by representatives of one of the world’s great religions—Islam. Believers in the God of all men should spread compassion, not persecution; understanding, not hate.....

"Perhaps the Human Rights Commission of the United Nations should look into this matter, and perhaps an international conference should be called to deal with the question."

Dr. Winifred Eshragh, a physician who is a member of the Spiritual Assembly of Grand Rapids, Michigan, was profiled in a recent article in the Grand Rapids Press which told of her appointment as full-time doctor at Neighborhood Health Services, a health-care agency for the poor.

An estimated 10,000 people saw the Bahá’í entry in the annual Fourth of July parade in Port Jefferson, New York.

About 30 Bahá’ís marched in the parade, accompanied by a van that was decorated with a large globe and flowers, to the music of "It’s a Small World." [Page 18]

احیای ایرانی در جامعه بهائی امریکا

(این مقاله ترجمه قسمت دوم از سلسله مقالاتی است که یکی از اماءالرحمن برای درج در نشریه امریکن بهائی تهیه نموده اند. اصل این مقاله در صفحه ۲ امریکن بهائی ماه جولای ۱۹۸۳ بطبع رسیده است. قسمت اول در ماه مارچ ۱۹۸۳ چاپ شده بود.)

قسمت دوم — بعضی از وظائف احیای ایرانی در ایالات متحده امریکا

در قسمت اول این بحث راجع به ایجاد تفاهم بین احیای ایرانی و امریکائی، موضوع اشتغال از برادران و خواهران ما که از ایران به ایالات متحده آمده‌اند تشریح گردید. در این قسمت راه جذب دوستان تازه وارد را در جامعه بهائی امریکا مورد بحث قرار میدهیم.

خوشبختانه از ساحت بیت العدل اعظم الهی راهنمائی لازم در این باره شده است در پیامهای معهد اعلی مورخ ۵ ژوئن ۱۹۷۷ و ۱۰ فوریه ۱۹۸۰ و ۴ سپتامبر ۱۹۸۱ خطاب به احبای پارسی مقیم ممالک خارجه در سراسر عالم به فرصتهائی که در اثر مصائب وارده فراهم ‎کشته گشته‎ اشاره شده به احبای ایرانی توصیه میفرمایند از این فرصتها استفاده نموده با مساعی خود در خدمت امر فداکاری برادران و خواهران خود را در مهد امرالله جبران نمایند. بنابراین وظائفی که احبای ایرانی مقیم ایالات متحده بعهده دارند کدام است؟ اولین وظیفه آنست که خود را با جامعه بهائی امریکا مندمج نمایند. بدیهی است اشکالاتی در این امر وجود دارد. مشکل اول مسئله ترجمه است. برای آنکه حاضرین در یک محفل از موضوع صحبت آگاهی کافی حاصل کنند تا چه اندازه باید ترجمه شود؟ این مسئله ترجمه نه فقط در مورد احبای ایرانی بلکه در مورد نفوسی از اقوام مختلفه دیگر که در جامعه بهائی امریکا وارد شده‌اند نیز صدق میکند. بعضی جوامع محلی با ترجمه خلاصه اهم اطلاعاتی که در هیات ابلاغ میگردد این مشکل را حل کرده اند. تهیه و تدوین قبلی آن ترجمه و درج آن در نشریه ماهانه نیز مفید خواهد بود. همچنین ممکن است ترتیبی داده شود که در عقب مجلس آهسته مطالب برای چند نفری که بزبان انگلیسی آشنائی ندارند ترجمه شود یا ترجمه خلاصه مطالب با پروژکتور روی پرده نشان داده شود. در هر حال باید متذکر بود که تلاوت آیات و مذاکرات در ضیافات نوزده روزه باید بزبان کشوری که در آن منعقد میگردد صورت پذیرد حتی اگر فقط یک نفر از مؤمنین محلی در جلسه حاضر باشد.

احبای ایرانی که در نظر دارند مدت مدیدی در این کشور اقامت نمایند باید سعی کنند زبان انگلیسی را بیاموزند و احتیاج بترجمه نداشته باشند زیرا علاوه بر اینکه موجب اتلاف وقت و نیرو میشود نکته مهم تر اینست که اکثر جملات اکثراً بزبان فارسی تکلم شود جویندگان حقیقت و معتقدین جدید را خسته و از امر دور میکند. احبای ایرانی باید متذکر باشند که در این کشور امر چندان معروف و مشهور نیست. مردمی که در جلسات بهائی با اکثریت فارسی زبان روبرو میشوند ممکن است تصور کنند امر بهائی یک آئین شرقی است و نتوانند جامعیت و عمومیت امر را درک کنند و از آن روی بگردانند. یقین است که هیچیک از احبای الهی راضی به چنین وضعی نیست.

مسئله دیگری که ممکن است احبای ایرانی در محیط امریکائی با آن مواجه شوند مرتبت یا چگونگی اجرای مقررات نظم اداری در این کشور است. بسیاری از احبای ایرانی از جوامع پرجمعیت آمده تجربه عضویت در محفل روحانی محلی را نداشته‌اند و اکنون در جامعه کوچکی اقامت دارند که فقط ده نفر بهائی دارد. آنگاه متوجه میشوند که بسیاری از وظائف نظم اداری بعهده خودشان است. بعلاوه طرز اداره محفل روحانی و ضیافت نوزده روزه که با آن آشنا هستند با آنچه در مغرب زمین متداول است تفاوت بسیار دارد. نظم اداری بهائی طوری است که در هر کشور مطابق مقتضیات محلی قابل تعدیل است بطوری که وسیله اتحاد و یگانگی در جامعه بهائی گردد. بنابراین نباید تعجب کرد از اینکه طرز کار نظم اداری در امریکا از بعضی جهات با آنچه در ایران معمول بوده متفاوت است. احبای ایرانی برای آشنا شدن با رویه نظم اداری در امریکا میتوانند مجموعه "راهنمای محافل روحانی محلی" را که توسط محفل روحانی ملی طبع و نشر شده مطالعه نمایند. از طرف دیگر احبای امریکائی نباید تصور کنند که تمام احبای تازه وارد ایرانی به اصول نظم اداری کاملاً واقفند و نکات دقیق آنرا درک میکنند. ترتیب دادن جلساتی برای مطالعه و تعمق در این موضوع در ایجاد وحدت نظر و تفاهم مؤثر خواهد بود.

طریق دیگری که بوسیله آن احبای ایرانی تازه وارد میتوانند بحقیقت جزئی از جامعه بهائی امریکا شوند اینست که اجازه دهند احبای امریکائی در امور زندگی آنان را راهنمائی و مساعدت نمایند. بسیاری از احبای امریکائی مایلند که در فرا گرفتن زبان انگلیسی باحبای ایرانی کمک کنند با برای گرفتن گواهی نامه رانندگی یا مراجعه باداره مهاجرت راهنمائی و مساعدت نمایند. فقط کافی است که از آنان خواهش شود. افراد جامعه بهائی نباید بگذارند احساسات و ملاحظات شخصی مانع معاضدت و همکاری فیمابین احباء گردد. حضرت عبدالبهاء روح ما سواه فداء میفرمایند:

"‎باقوال با اقوال‎ الفت و اتحاد جهان را ستودن و وحدت نوع انسان را کمال مطلوب دانستن چه فائده دارد اگر این افکار بمرحله عمل نرسد بکلی بیفایده است" (ترجمه)

پس از تحمل مرتبه اولیه جدائی از خویشان و بستگان و دوری از وطن مألوف و بعد از آنکه بهائی ایرانی تازه وارد با رنج و تعب فراوان بر مشکلات و موانع استقرار در سرزمینی غریب فائق آمد ممکن است با خود بگوید "حکمت این وقایع چه بود؟ و چرا به این آب و خاک کشانده شدم؟" جواب این سئوال را باید در فرصت‌های فراوانی جستجو کرد که در این کشور موجود است. بجای زندگی در مملکتی که جلسات بهائی تعطیل، ذکر نام دیانت مقدس بهائی مشکل، و مبلّغ جدید تقریباً نایاب است در محیطی هستید که میلیونها نفوس مستعد و منتظر استماع بشارات اسم اعظمند. فرصت ابلاغ کلمه چه از طریق تماس مستقیم با مردم و چه از راه وسائل ارتباط جمعی نامحدود است و آزادید که آئین مقدس حضرت بهاءالله را از فراز بامها بگوش عالمیان برسانید. بعلاوه ای احبای عزیز ایرانی چه بسا که شما عزیزان را بد قدرت الهی بجهت انجام وظیفه خاصی به این دیار گسیل داشته است. چه که شما بهتر از هر کس میتوانید پیام حیات بخش امر حق را به غیر سفید پوستان این کشور ابلاغ کنید. سابقه دردناک تعصب نژادی در امریکا سبب شده است که بسیاری از مردم حتی از مخلص ترین شهابیان سفید پوست دوری جویند و متعجب باشند. اما شما که هنوز رنگ تعصب نژادی ندیده‌اید بخوبی میتوانید با امریکائی‌های افریقائی الاصل و آسیائی ها و بومیان امریکا آمیزش نموده پیام بهائی را بسمعشان برسانید. آیا مقصد اصلی از آمدن شما باین کشور همین نیست؟ اگر چنین باشد پس احبای ایرانی میتوانند نقش مهمی را در تاریخ جامعه بهائی امریکا ایفا کنند و در واقع مساعی آنان در این راه با فداکاری های بهائیان تجمع ایران برابری خواهد کرد.

پس ای دوستان عزیز ایرانی اکنون که شما در این دیار ‎بدنیای به دنیای‎ ‎متمال متمول‎ قوی تا مدتی در اینجا مقیم خواهید بود آیا وقت و همت خود را حصر در فکر پول و اموال شخصی و افسوس آنچه از دست داده‌اید خواهید کرد یا از این فرصت بی نظیر برای خدمت بامر الهی بنحوی شایسته استفاده خواهید نمود؟

مشیت الهی بر این قرار نگرفته که چون دوستان و خویشانتان در ایران جان را در سبیل جانان فدا کنند، ولکن از بسیاری جهات رسالت عظیم دیگری نصیبتان گردیده است. وادار به ترک محیط آشنا شده‌اید و در موقعیت جدید به قیام به خدمت امر رب مجيد بطرزی بدیع مأمور گشته‌اید. بطور یقین بهترین پاسخ به فداکاریهای یاران ایران و مؤثرترین وسیله تسکین و تشفی درد فقدان آنان خدمت به امر حضرت رحمن در موطن جدید است. سرنوشت چنین بوده که باتفاق یاران این سامان به سعی و کوشش برای تأسیس جوامعی محلی بهائی که در عین تنوع اعضاء آئینه مهر و وفا و وحدت و صفا باشد مشغول و مألوف شوید.

زیارت اعتاب مقدسه

غالباً دفتر ثبت نام داوطلبان زیارت اعتاب مقدسه تقاضاهائی را از یاران ایرانی دریافت میکند که حاوی اطلاعات ناقص یا ‎نادرتستی نادرستی‎ درباره گذرنامه ایرانی آنان است. کلیه احبای ایرانی، حتی آنانیکه اقامت دائم در ایالات متحده دارند، بایستی آن قسمت از پرسشنامه را که مربوط به گذرنامه ایرانی است تکمیل کنند. اطلاعاتی که در ورقه تقاضا درج میشود بایستی عیناً مطابق گذرنامه باشد و این اطلاعات علاوه بر شماره و فرقه مخصوص ورود مجدد به کشور که از جانب اداره مهاجرت صادر میشود مورد نیاز است. همکاری دوستان گرامی در ارائه اطلاعات کامل و دقیق موجب صرفه جوئی در وقت مسؤولین و کمک به صندوق محفل ملی خواهد بود.

نفوسی که اجازه تشرف تحصیل نموده‌اند و قرار است با استفاده از ورقه ورود مجدداً ایالات متحده امریکا به ارض اقدس عزیمت کنند لازم است اطلاعات ذیل را (اگر تاکنون نفرستاده‌اند) اقلاً یک ماه قبل از مراجعه به سفارت اسرائیل برای گرفتن ویزا به دفتر امور زائرین بفرستند صدور ویزا در حدود یک ماه از تاریخ تسلیم تقاضا بطول میانجامد.

• نام و نام خانوادگی عیناً بهمان صورت که در گذرنامه ایرانی ثبت شده
• شماره گذرنامه ایرانی
• تاریخ تولد که در گذرنامه قید شده
• آدرس مطابق آنچه که در گذرنامه قید شده
• شماره ویزای ورود مجدد به ایالات متحده
• نزدیک ترین کنسولگری اسرائیل به محل اقامت شما

قبل از وصول این اطلاعات به دفتر امور زائرین تقاضای ویزای اسرائیل نکنید. وصول این اطلاعات از طرف دفتر امور زائرین اطلاع داده خواهد شد.

انتشارات جدید

خاطرات نه ساله تالیف جناب دکتر یونس خان افروخته از طرف مؤسسه انتشارات "کلمات برس" تجدید چاپ شده و با جلد عالی به قیمت ۱۵/۹۵ دلار بفروش میرسد.

روزنه امید از انتشارات بهنام دوستی — گروه میثاق گلچینی است از مقالاتی که قبلاً در نشریات بهائی ایران بطبع رسیده و توسط جناب مهندس فرزین دوستدار گردآوری و تنظیم گردیده و پس از کسب اجازه از ساحت منيع بیت العدل اعظم الهی و انضمام منتخباتی از آثار مبارکه که از طرف معهد اعلی معین شده در اروپا بطبع رسیده است. تعدادی از این کتاب توسط مؤسسه "کلمات برس" وارد شده و بقیمت ۹/۹۵ دلار در دسترس احبای عزیز قرار گرفته است.

کتب جدید دیگری که توسط موسسه "کلمات برس" توزیع میشود عبارتند از:

تاریخ شهدای یزد	۱۲/۹۵ دلار
سورة الملوک	۲/۵۰ دلار
الواح وصایا	۲/۵۰ دلار
خطابات	۶/۹۵ دلار

برای سفارش کتب فوق مستقیماً با مؤسسه مذکور مکاتبه فرمائید.

Kalimat Press Los Angeles, California 90024

حقوق الله

در لوح آقا محمد کریم از قلم جمال قدم جل جلاله نازل قوله تعالى: "امر حقوق بسیار عظیم است سبب و علت برکت و نعمت و رفعت و عزت بوده و هست"

احبای عزیز میتوانند چك یا حواله بانکی مربوط به حقوق الله را بنام Bahá’í Huquq صادر نموده به آدرس یکی از معاونین محترم امین حقوق الله ارسال فرمایند.

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 [Page 19]

قسمتی از مکتوبی از مهد امرالله

۶۲/۴/۵

چه مستی است ندانم که رو بما آورد که بود ساقی و این باده از کجا آورد

‎رقیقه رفیقه‎ کریمه نه بل ‎بلبایغ ببلیغ‎ بلیغ آن خاتون وفا و فدا با ‎دمیا دنیای‎ خانه دل را طراوت و صفائی بسزا بخشیده بود افسوس که وقایع اخیر و شهادت عزیزان اسیر دل و جان بگداخت. ‎بربان بریان‎ کرد و دیده گریان. بر ما غمی رسید که دل را کباب کرد. نمیدانید غم با دلهای سوزان ما چه کرده ‎بشویم بشنویم‎ و از بشارت آخر بی خبر، بحال ناظریم و به این جمله کلال و ملال، عزیزانی از کف داده‌ایم و داغی بردل نهاده که جز مرهم نجات و استخلاص و جز تریاق مهر و وفای درمانی ندارد. هفت دختر ملکوتی بنات النعش آسمان عشق و ایمان بی گناه آمدند بیگناه رستند و بیگناه تنها به گناه عشق و ایمان اسیر کمند سپاه و غدر و بی وفای و ابناء جمعی سیاه دل گشتند و سر دار بیاراستند.

گفتم آن بار گز او گشت سر دار بلند جرمش این بود که اسرار هویدا میکرد

نه خاتون عشق به بانوئی کشور محبت سه عاشق سه فدائی خدایا مگر اشک امان میدهد چه بنویسم از آن مردان جان برکف میدان عشق چه بنویسم، از آن یکه سواران جولانگاه وفا چه بنگارم، از آن شیر نخجیرگیر دلیر چگونه یاد کنم، فآه، فآه عما قضی و ما مضى و ای وای از آنچه ظاهر و هویدا گشت و این نیست مگر از مرحمتهای مکنونه تو ای پروردگار من.

خواهرم مرا ببخشید همیشه میکوشیدم از وقایع جاریه و از حوادث محزنه مؤلمه محزون نگردم همیشه میخواستم به آخر ناظر باشم هزار جهد بکردم که سر عشق بپوشم نبود بر آتش میسرم که نجوشم

این بار دیگر فرار از کف برفت آتش بخرمن صوری افتاد روزها و روزهاست که اشک مجالم نمیدهد.

بگو بخواب که دیگر میا بدیده من جزیره‌ای که مکان تو بود آب گرفت

بلی مرا ببخشید که بی اختیار از غمها گفتم نه سلامی نه کلامی نه تحبیبی و نه ترحیبی. امیدوارم شما شاد باشید امیدوارم امر عزیز و اعظم الهی هر لحظه و آن در اعتلا باشد...

دل با اینهمه چه گمان کرده اید بخدا دوستان را ستان که همچنان بنده آستانند و آماده نثار جان. جان ببا زند و ندارند سر مهر و وفا را. در بحبوحه بلا فانی از دو جناح مأمور زیارت عزیزانم در بلاد بلاخیز بلازیر بلاانگیز بودم. چه دیدم؟ من گنگ خواب دیده و عالم تمام کر من عاجز از حکایت و خلق از شنیدنش

الله‌اکبر که چه بلند است عنقای عشق را پرواز. سبحان‌الله که قدمهای عالیه مقربین در بیابانهای بیحد بجهد و راهزاری در طلب یار دوانند. سبحان‌الله که چگونه میسوزند شمعهای روح در لیالی هجر معبود، بخدا حماسه‌ای خلق میشود که تا جهان باقیست چشم بشریت را خیره میسازد. پدر و شوهر دو شهید مجید بدر بهرام و شوهر نصرت یلداشی که همسر و فرزند برومند را از دست داده در محفل تذکر نقل و شیرینی سبیل میکند که امروز جشن دامادی فرزند ماست. مادر دو شهید که شوهر بزرگوار و ‎بدالله یدالله‎ محمود نژاد و دختر ماهرخ هفده ساله خود را در آستان محبوب قربان کرده ای دیگران را دل و قوت میدهد و یاری و تقویت میکند که این تاج وهاج است. احشاء در برابر امواج بلا چون کوه قائمند. خانمی نفت و کبریت به رُخ اشرار میدهد که این من و این خانه من بکشید و بسوزانید نه از ایمان برمیگردم و نه ترک خاندان میکنم. خانمی دیگر را به سجده میکشانند با خود کبریت و بنزین میبرد میخواهند از او بگیرند فریاد میزنند با مرگ با ایمان و با فدای در سبیل یزدان دیگر هیچ. جوانی را گوشه و دست و پا شکسته به بیمارستان میبردند میزارد و میگوید افسوس که مراد حاصل نگردید.

نه، خواهرم مطمئن باشید ما همانیم که بودیم بمیدان محبت سر بباریم و ندارند ز سر مهر و وفا را. برای عزیزان غرب داستانهای عشق و ایمان این عزیزان را بگوئید تا بدانند وارث چه میراث مرغوبی گشته‌اند که لاعدل له. تا قدر گوهری را که یافته‌اند نیک بدانند و از کف نگذارند. از آنها بخواهید برای ما دعا کنند نه دعا برای تقلیل بلا نه بخدا نه بجان شما نه. دعا برای آنکه تحمل بتوانیم و دعا برای آنکه در سبیل ‎فائم قائم‎ بمانیم دعا برای آنکه بلایای متواتره و رزایای متکاثره ما را نلرزاند و نلغزاند. ای خدا مدد فرما.

الهی الهی ثبت اقدامنا و استقمنا علی عهدک الاوفى بعونک و منک یا ربنا العلی الاعلى.

میدان خدمت

حضرت ‘Abdu’l-Bahá روحاً لعالمین له الفداء می‌فرماید قوله الاعلى: "تا نفوس در هر دیار قیام بر تبلیغ امر پروردگار ننمایند دلسوز موقعیت جلوه ننماید انوار احدیت نتابد و صبح هدی اشراق نکند و جهان جهان دیگر نشود. ایام بکمالت بگذرد و اوقات بی ثمر ماند و عاقبت زبان و خسران رخ بنماید، حسرت احاطه کند و آرزوی جان مبدل به زبان و خسران گردد. تا وقت است باید کوشید و جوشید و خروشید تا صبح امید بتابد و نور توحید بدرخشد و آفاق منور گردد جانها پر بشارت شود دلها پر مسرت گردد دیده‌ها روشن شود و حقایق انسانیه گلشن گردد این است موهبت عظمی این است هدایت کبری این است فضل بی منتها" (مکاتیب جلد ۵، ۱۰۶ - ۱۰۷)

بحمدالله در این ایام شجاعت و استقامت یاران ایران و جانفشانی های آن عاشقان امر حضرت یزدان فرصت هائی غیرمنتظره در سراسر جهان بجهت اعلام امرخداوند منان ایجاد کرده و بر وسعت میدان خدمت افزوده است. چشمها ناظر به جامعه Bahá’í است و گوشها مترصد استماع بشارات رحمانی.

از جمله امتیازاتی که نصیب جامعه Bahá’í ایالات متحده گردیده اجرای برنامه تبلیغی اپاچی گیس در ایالات داکوتای جنوبی و نبراسکا بوده است. بر اثر مساعی شرکت کنندگان در برنامه مذکور تا اوائل ماه آگوست قریب به ۷۰ نفس از بومیان آمریکا تصدیق امر مبارک را نموده‌اند و سه محفل روحانی محلی جدید در منطقه مخصوص اقامت آنان تشکیل شده است. طبق اطلاع واصله جوان سرخپوستی از معتقدین جدید جمعی از احباء سیاه‌ و سفید و ایرانی را برای ملاقات پدرش به قبیله خود میبرد. چون به چادر پدر نزدیک میشوند او را مشاهده میکند که باستقبال آمده و از آنان میخواهد که درباره دیانت جدید Bahá’í اطلاعات بدهند. سپس این شخص محترم که از سران قبیله محسوب میشود توضیح میدهد که مدتها قبل در عالم رؤیا جمعی مرکب از اقوام مختلف و درمیان آنها عده‌ای که او نمیتواند اصلیتشان را تشخیص دهد دیده که دست در دست یکدیگر بدور چادر او حلقه زده‌اند و بتهلیل و تسبیح مشغولند و کتب آسمانی بهمراه دارند بغیر از انجیل. از همان زمان ترک کلیسا کرده و بانتظار آئین جدید نشسته بود. اکنون که جمع احباء را دیده یقین حاصل کرده بود که تعبیر رؤیای قدیمی اش است. بهمین سبب بسهولت پیام یاران را پذیرفته اظهار ایمان نمود و آوازه ایمان ایشان و فرزند برومند و سایر خویشانشان در بین اعضاء قبیله منتشر گشت و موجب اقبال جمعی دیگر شد.

مقالت دیگری که به پیشنهاد لجنه امور احبای ایرانی و لجنه ملی تبلیغ آغاز گشته تشکیل گروه‌های الفت است. بقرار اطلاع تاکنون از ۲۹ نقطه در ۲۵ ایالت گزارش تشکیل گروه‌های الفت واصل شده است و استقبال احبای عزیز از این پیشنهاد که مهمترین هدفش همکاری احبای ایرانی و غیرایرانی در فعالیت‌های تبلیغی است بسیار امیدوار کننده بوده است.

آمار موجود در دفتر لجنه ملی تبلیغ حاکی است که در حال حاضر ۵۹ محفل روحانی محلی در ایالات متحده در خطر انحلال است. لجنه مذکور امیدوار است احبای الهی از هم اکنون بفکر تقویت محافل روحانی نزدیک محل اقامت خود بوده در صورت لزوم و امکان با انتقال به آن نقاط از انحلال آن محافل در رضوان آینده جلوگیری فرمایند. گذشته از محافلی که عده اعضاء آن از حد نصاب مقرر کمتر شده است مناطق متعدد دیگری نیز وجود دارد که از فیض استقرار احبای ایرانی در آن نقاط محروم مانده است. از جمله این نقاط ایالت کارولینای جنوبی را باید نام برد که اگر چه تعداد ‎حقای احبای‎ مسجل و محافل محلی آن ‎ابالیت ایالت‎ قابل ملاحظه است ولکن به یاران باسابقه و تجربه برای تکمیل معلومات احبای تازه تصدیق و تقویت محافل محلی محتاجند. بالاخص با نزدیک شدن وقوع رادیو Bahá’í در آن ایالت پیش‌بینی میشود که این احتیاج روزبروز شدیدتر شود. یاران گرامی که علاقه مندی به شناسائی با محل و امکانات استقرار در آن صفحات باشند میتوانند با ارتباط با دفتر لجنه ملی تبلیغ یا لجنه امور احبای ایرانی ترتیب سفر تبلیغی یا تشویقی به آن ایالت را بدهند تا ضمن کمک به برنامه‌های فعلی مقدمات انتقال به آن منطقه را نیز فراهم آورند.

میدان خدمت در خارج از ایالات متحده نیز همیشه باز است. در حال حاضر لجنه اهداف بین‌المللی احتیاج مبرم به دو خانواده ایرانی دارای گذرنامه معتبر ایرانی برای هجرت به کشور ‎نیکا راگو نیکاراگوئه‎ دارد. این نقطه مهاجرتی مورد توجه خاص بیت‌العدل اعظم است و معهداً علی‌مقرر فرموده‌اند در اسرع وقت دو خانواده Bahá’í ایرانی به آن کشور منتقل شوند.

کشور مالتا از جزایر دریای مدیترانه نیز محتاج به مهاجرین خودکفا و باسابقه تشکیلاتی است. از علاقمندان متمنی است با دفتر لجنه اهداف بین‌المللی یا لجنه امور احبای ایرانی در دارالانشاء محفل روحانی ملی تماس حاصل فرمایند.

ره چنان رو که رهروان رفتند

(شرح مختصر حیات و خدمات باهره امتةالله الموقنة طوبی خانم شمسی علیها رضوان‌الله بمناسبت جناب دکتر ایرج ریحانی واصل گردیده است. ضمن تشکر از ایشان و طلب مغفرت و علوّ درجات برای آن متصاعده الی‌الله امیدواریم عموم موفق و مؤید شویم که بر اثر اقدام آن خادمه آستان الهی قدم برداریم.)

سرکار خانم طوبی شمسی علیها Bahá’u’lláh الابهی تقریباً مدت هشت سال در شهر دالاس تگزاس اقامت داشتند در این مدت بعد از شناسائی غالباً بدیدارشان نائل میشدم.

شخصیتی عزیز و کم‌نظیر بود. سراپا شور و عشق و فعالیت بود دقیقه‌ای از آرام و قرار نمی گرفت. جز خدمت احباء و تبلیغ امرالله و نشر آیات الله کاری و فکری نداشت. براستی که وجودی نازنین بود علیها Bahá’u’lláh ورضوانه. در قزوین متولد شده بود. در سه سالگی از پدر و مادر یتیم شد. به سختی و ‎تنددستی تنگدستی‎ روزگار را گذرانده و بمدرسه رفته. در جوانی ازدواج میکند که متأسفانه در سن تقریباً بیست و چهار سالگی شوهرش از این جهان رحلت مینماید. با همه این ناملایمات و سختی‌ها سه سال بخدمت و سرپرستی اطفال یتیم، در پرورشگاه مظفری میپردازد. و متجاوز از چهار سال در دارالتربیه طهران خدمت میکند. در داخل ایران به مهاجرت و سفرهای تبلیغی میپردازد بعنوان مهاجر، چهار سال در آلمان، هفت سال در ترکیه و هشت سال در اطراف شهر نیویورک متصاعده الی‌الله امتةالله طوبی خانم شمسی هشت سال در دالاس تگزاس ساکن بود. دوبار بارض اقدس مشرف شد. و در پانزده کنفرانس بین‌المللی امری شرکت جست. با عده زیادی مکاتبه داشت. الواح و آیات رحمانه را بخدمت میبرد و برای دوستان میفرستاد و همه را بخدمت و تبلیغ تشویق مینمود (‎بکدستگاه یکدستگاه‎ زیراکس در منزل خویش موجود داشت ).

اخیراً در شهر دالاس ‎بنیاکان به‌ناگهان‎ در ‎هفته دو سه هشتاد و سه‎ سالگی ‎بدورد بدرود‎ نمود. براستی که شرح خدماتشان مفصل است و محتاج نوشتن کتابی جداگانه. بپاس خدمات برجسته و صمیمانه‌اش کتابخانه امری شهر دالاس بنامش تسمیه گردید. علیها Bahá’u’lláh و الطافه.

نشانی جدید

اگر نقل مکان کرده‌اید یا تغییراتی در نشانی منزل یا شماره تلفن شما حاصل شده است فوراً به منشی محفل روحانی محلی و دفتر محفل روحانی ملی اطلاع دهید تا وقفه‌ای در ارسال نشریات و اوراق امری ایجاد نشود.

برای مطلع ساختن دفتر محفل روحانی ملی میتوانید از فرمهای مخصوصی که در نشریه امریکن Bahá’í چاپ میشود استفاده کنید یا مشخصات کامل خود را با ذکر شماره کارت Bahá’í و تغییرات ایجاد شده روی کاغذ سفید نوشته به نشانی زیر ارسال فرمائید.

Bahá’í National Center, Office of Membership and Records Wilmette, Illinois 60091 [Page 20]

دنباله «داستان دوستان» صفحه ۲۱

«اوچی فروشنده نیست» و با این ترتیب آنان را از منزل خود راند در حالیکه بدان شب محتاج بود.

پس از آنکه قلباً مؤمن گردید شروع به تحقیق و کسب معارف امری نمود و چون مردی با ذوق و شاعر و خوش صحبت بود لذا کمی از مصاحبتش خسته نمی‌شد اگرچه خیلی کم حرف می‌زد ولی بسیار دقیق و بذله گو بود و اشعار شیرین بمناسبت چاشنی کلامش می‌کرد بزودی معلومات امری را فرا گرفت و مرحوم منیرالله چهره‌نگار در این راه بذل مساعی فرمود. شهرت اوجی سبب شد که از هر طرف به او هجوم نمایند و آسایش را از او سلب کنند ناچار به خوزستان رفت و مدتی را در اهواز و آن حوالی بماند ولی مخالفین در آنجا هم راحتش نگذاشتند ناچار به شیراز مراجعت کرد و ‎هنفاظ نقاط‎ مختلف شیراز و دهات و قصبات بسیار جهت تبلیغ با زهم رهاش نکردند و چون سایه او را دنبال نمودند و مشکلات عدیده‌ای برایش فراهم آوردند تا اینکه با موافقت محفل روحانی شیراز به تخت جمشید پناه برد و دکان نانوایی دائر کرد و چون در این حرفه تخصص داشت نانش مرغوب و برشته و خوب بود در مغازه‌اش این بیت شعر را بخط خوش نوشته و آویزان کرده بود «هر کسی که نان سنگک اوچی نمود میل کفر است اگر طعام بهشت آرزو کند» این خود وسیله‌ای برای تبلیغ بود چون تخت جمشید محل تفرج و تفریح شیرازی‌ها و بخصوص توریست‌ها بود لذا هر کس برای خرید نان به دکان او وارد می‌شد با خواندن این شعر مذاکرات شروع و بحث اوجی اوج می‌گرفت غالباً اکثر طلاب ‎حنفی حوزوی‎ که یافت دست از کار می‌کشیدند و به تبلیغ می‌پرداخت. تا اینکه در آنجا هم او را آزاد نگذاشتند مجبور شد بمرودشت برود و در آنجا ساکن شود به دهات اطراف مرتباً مسافرت و سرکشی می‌کرد و احباء را تشویق و طالبان حقیقت را تبلیغ می‌نمود.

در غائله آذرماه ۱۳۵۷ که منجر به غارت و چپاول خانه‌ها و آتش زدن منزل بهائیان در فارس و بخصوص شیراز گردید اوجی هم در مرودشت در امان نماند. بخانه‌اش هجوم کردند شیخی که بیش‌نماز محل بود و حاجی خداشناس نام داشت برای اینکه مردم را متفرق کند خود را به خانه اوجی رسانید و مردم را مخاطب کرده گفت مردم متفرق شوید اوجی مسلمان است او ذاکر آل عبا است اوجی بهائی نیست و با دست و چشم و ابرو به اوجی اشاره می‌کرد که گفته‌هایش را تأیید کند ولی اوجی فریاد زد مردم اوجی بهائی است آنهم بهائی با هـ دوچشم بعداً حاجی خداشناس که قصد داشت نگذارد در آن روز آتش‌سوزی برپا شود ثابتاً و برائةً دل را ز سبح و بن بسوز فریاد زد مردم بروید اینکار توطئه بر ضد اسلام است اوجی در پناه اسلام است او در پناه من است ولی اوجی فریاد زد و گفت اوجی در پناه خدا است نه در پناه حاجی خداشناس بالاخره شیخ در آن روز مردم را متفرق کرد و آسیبی به اوجی نرسید ولی خانه‌اش ‎بنا را ح به تاراج‎ رفت و بعد از یکی دو روز به آتش کشیده شد.

چندی نگذشته بود که قصد جانش کردند و برای قتلش همداستان شدند روزی یکنفر که در اتومبیل جیپ نشسته و از خیابان مرودشت می‌گذشت اوجی را دید و او را بنام صدا کرد وقتی اوجی نزدیک شد قلبش را هدف گلوله هفت تیر قرار داد ولی از آنجا که هنوز خدمات آن مرد شجاع در این دنیا تمام نشده بود مقدر بود که بماند و مردانه جان نثار نماید لذا تیر به کتفش اصابت نمود و استخوان را شکست او را به بیمارستان رساندند و کوشش ها بعمل آمد تا توانستند در آن اوقات مظلم و سخت او را بستری نمایند و دستش را عمل کردند ولی با همه مساعی مبذوله بالاخره دست از کار بیفتاد و تا آخر عمر حیات با افتخارش معیوب و معلول بماند.

در بستر بیمارستان غزل زیر را سرود که برایش نوشتند و بیادگار باقی ماند تا شاهد شهامت و ایمانش باشد.

‎کر گر‎ عنایات الهی چند روزی دیر شد / شکر دانش را که اکنون قسمتم یک تیر شد می‌کشم از استخوان و می نهم بر دیدگان / بار اگر تیری بقصد سینه‌ام تدبیر شد تیر حسرت بدتر از تیر جفایم می‌کشد / ار چه ‎ر‌وفقلم ره و قلم‎ برای مدتی تأخیر شد از همان ‎بیدای بیداد‎ عصر اورد این نابخردان / دل ز بس نامردمی ها دید از جان سیر شد روزگاری ناله‌ها کردم بدرگاه خدا / ای خدا آن ناله‌های زار بی تأثیر شد دیشب اندر خواب دیدم برکشا دستی بدوست / طالعم خواهید و این خوابم غلط تعبیر شد سعد از اسهم ‎نا ر‌سیدم نرسیدن‎ بر اهن منتظر / بلکه تیر دیگری از جانیش تقدیر شد شمی از خونم اگر در راه عشقش ریخت ریخت / نیمه دیگر بقر دولتش تظهیر شد گردم رسوای عشق دوست نزد خاص و عام / در حیان با سم یمن عشقش عالمگیر شد عشق عاشق را بـهر نحوی تواند میکشد / غم مخور گر با سنان یا نیزه یا ‎تعشیر تعزیر‎ شد

اوجی پس از ایمان به امر مبارک تخلص شعری خود را ‎ثابث ثابت‎ گذاشت. او دقیقه‌ای از خدمت دریغ نکرد و از اظهار ایمان در هیچجا و نزد هیچکس خودداری ننمود معتقد بود چیزی دارد که دیگران ندارند. در عین تنگ دستی وفور مستغنی و با مناعت بود غزلی که ملاحظه میفرمائید معرّف اینست که او در اوان تصدیقش سروده.

ما صفا بخشیدن از باد صبا آموختیم / مهرورزی را ز کاه و کهربا آموختیم پایداری را ز کفش و سربلندی از کلاه / گرمی و دا من فشانی از قبا آموختیم شیوه فرمانبری از شحنه امداد از عصا / عیب‌پوشیدن سراپا از عبا آموختیم از زر خالی‌خلوصی از آئینه روشندلی / انحداب و قدرت از آهن ربا آموختیم حشمت ذات از سلیمان عزت نفس از کریم / ذکر خیر از هدهد شهر سبا آموختیم فیض بخشیدن ز ابر و عطر پاشیدن ز گل / عاشقی از خادم آل عبا آموختیم راه و رسم بندگی در مکتب عبدالبها / از احبای عزیز با وفا آموختیم جای تنبیه بدی درباره اهل جهان / ‎مدهراران صدهزاران‎ آفرید و مرحبا آموختیم در دبستان عالم غیر علم عاشقی / ‎نانسانا ما بسان‎ هر علم دیگر را هبا آموختیم

در اوایل سال ۱۳۶۱ او را به زندان بردند. حاکم شرع پس از محاکمه حکم حبس و توقیف صادر نمود جناب اوجی فرمود اگر تو واقعاً مسلمانی و قصد خدمت با سلام را داری باید دستور قتل فوری مرا بدهی زیرا دست از تبلیغ دیانت بهائی برنمیدارم و در زندان هم تبلیغ می‌کنم بهمین علت ایشانرا نزد مسلمانان حبس نکردند و با سایر احباء مسجون نمودند در زندان اشعارش را یکی دیگر از احباء مسجون می‌نوشت و یادداشت می‌کرد روزی پاسدار این جریان را دید و اشعار را گرفت و بپرسید از کیست تا بـرای اینکه زمختی دیگری برای اوجی فراهم نشود فرمود اشعار از خود من است ولی اوجی که متوجه شد او را شکنجه مینمایند بیش‌رفت و گفت این اشعار را من گفته‌ام و او فقط نوشته است هر دو را بقدری چوب زدند که تمام بدنش مجروح بود.

در آخرین روز محاکمه حاکم شرع به پنج نفر شهدای نازنین نیمساعت مهلت داد تا در عقیده خود تجدید نظر نمایند و از زندان آزاد گردند وعده همه گونه همراهی و مساعدت داد و گفت شما هیچگونه جرمی که مستوجب مجازات باشید ندارید جز اینکه بهائی هستید اگر تبری کنید و از این عقیده برگردید آزادید و تمام اموال و دارایی بشما مسترد می‌شود هر پنج نفر جواب دادند ما تصمیم خود را گرفته‌ایم شما وقت را تلف نکنید حرف همان است که اول زدیم. وقتی حکم اعدام صادر شد خانم اوجی در زندان بملاقات شوهرش رفت و برای اینکه او را ناراحت نباید گفت تو را به حبس ابد محکوم کرده‌اند. اوجی ابروها را درهم کشید و متغییرانه گفت تو برای من مژده آورده‌ای؟ من آرزوی اعدام می‌کنم و وقتی حکم اعدام را به او ابلاغ کردند این غزل را در زندان سرود و با کمال شهامت و شجاعت انتظار اجرای حکم را می کشید.

ای خوش آن لحظه که قلبم هدف تیر شود / وای بر من اگر ایمای قضا دیر شود بازی خیمه شب بازی دنیا ‎سکیست چیست‎ / که به پیش سفر عشق عنا نگیر شود دم عشاق جگرسوخته را تأثیری است / که از او سلطنت عشق جهانگیر شود کبر و داری است در این ‎براء براه‎ خطرناک که دل / هر زمان دان جان گیرد و در کبر شود پیر را عشق جوان سازد و هر نا وجوان / چون گرفتار غم هجر شود پیر شود تشنگان در طلب آب روانند ولی / عاشق از سوزش عشق تو ز جان سیر شود دیده ام خوابی و امید که در اسرع وقت / بار با ما سر مهر آید و تعبیر شود کرده محکوم به اعدام مرا حاکم شرع / هان مبادا که در این مرحله تأخیر شود یا رب از بانگ اناالحق بزند چون منصور / جای دارد که در این جامعه تکفیر شود

روز بیست و چهارم آبان ۱۳۶۱ آن وجود نازنین را حلق‌آویز نمودند و اوجی را به اوج عظمت رساندند روحش شاد باد.

عشق و وفا

• این ابیات پس از خبر شهادت پانزده تن یاران شیراز گفته شد.

آه که هر دم خبری می‌رسد / تلخ تر از تلخ تری می‌رسد آه یتیمان جگر سوخته / در غم و سوگ بدری می‌رسد زانش اندوه که در سینه‌هاست / خرمن جان را شرری می‌رسد دیده نیاسوده ز طوفان اشک / سیل بلا از گذری می‌رسد زخم دل از غصه نرفته هنوز / کز جهتی نیشتری می‌رسد زینت دار است تن عاشقان / "هر دم از این شاخه بری می‌رسد"

تازه‌بخون غرقه شهید نخست / وقت شهید دگری می‌رسد ظلمی از این بیش به خلقی نرفت / از همه جانب ضرری می‌رسد لاله عزادار عزیزان ماست / داغ دلی هر سحری می‌رسد باد فروبسته لب از های و هوی / چون سخن از دربـدری می‌رسد شمع بصیرت‌جو در این حال شوق / سوزنی از پا بصری می‌رسد مطلب این عشق و فدا قصه نیست / نکته بهر ذی‌بصری می‌رسد

شاپور راسخ

تو میخواستی که فداشی

در آخرین ایامی که یکی از ‎هم‌نهمای همنوایان‎ بهائی در سجن بودند و بشهادت رسیدند ‎خامن خانم‎ سلمان از اهل ذوق و با طبعی لطیف با ایشان در یک زندان بوده اند که تأثرات عمیق خویش را از آن نمونه عشق و ایثار در تصنیف بی تکلف زیر سروده و پس از آزادی از زندان بیکی از احباء داده است:

یادته گفتی و گفتم که چه تنگه قفسا مون؟ توی این تنگی و وحشت چه میگیره نفسا مون؟ تو میخواستی که فداشی من میخواستم که رها شم تو میخواستی که فداشی...

چو بفهرست نگاهت درو دیوارو نگاه کرد انگار از تو آسمونها یه کسی ترا صدا کرد تو نگاه تو رضایت با غروری عاشقونه شوق پرواز از تو چشمات انکاری می‌ری بخونه گفتی آروم زیر گوشم زندگی به حرف پوچه چرا موندن و پوسیدن آخرش رفتن و کوچه حرف هر دومون یکی بود

شو چه زیبا پر کشیدی قفسو ساده شکستی چتر گل بسر کشیدی حالا حتی آسمونها وسعتش به زیر پاته میدونستی پر کشیدن بهترین راه نجاته قدرتت قدر یه دنیا قلب تو مثل یه دریا این حقارت واسه من بس که تو اونجا و من اینجا من تو مرداب زمینم تو بمحمودت رسیدی من توی بهت عمیقم...

یادته گفتی و گفتم که چه تنگه قفسا مون؟ توی این تنگی و وحشت چه میگیره نفسا مون؟ میدونی که تا ابد هم یادت از دلم نمیره تو عقاب پر غروری دل پرنده ای اسیره اگه زندونم نباشه توی این دنیا اسیره تو پریدی و پر کشیدی من میمونم و میپوسم و میمیرم... [Page 21]

پیام‌های معهد اعلی

ترجمه تلکس واصله از ساحت رفیع بیت‌العدل اعظم الهی مورخ ۲۱ جولای ۱۹۸۳

بکمال سرور و ابتهاج تشکیل ۹ محفل روحانی ملی جدید را در رضوان سنه ۱۹۸۴ بشرح ذیل اعلام میداریم.

قاره افریقا ۳ محفل : جزایر کیپ ورد – گینه استوائی – گابون

قاره امریکا ۳ محفل : گینه فرانسه – گرسادا – مارتینیک

قاره آسیا ۲ محفل : جزائر آندامان/نیکوبار – یمن (صنعا)

قاره اروپا ۱ محفل : جزائر کاناری

تشکیل دو محفل روحانی ملی اخیر فوق‌الذکر علاوه بر اهداف نقشه ۷ ساله میباشد. در اعتاب مقدسه برای شمول برکات و تأییدات الهیه و توفیق یاران در سراسر عالم در خدمات و مجهوداتشان جهت پیشرفت امر مقدس الهی دعا میکنیم. بیت‌العدل اعظم

ترجمه تلکس واصله از ‎ساخت ساحت‎ رفیع بیت‌العدل اعظم الهی مورخ ۲ آگوست ۱۹۸۳

ظلم و تعدّی و تجاوز و تهاجم بر احبای الهی در ایران تخفیف نیافته. موج توقیف افراد سرشناس جامعه بهائی اخیراً شدت گرفته است. بکمال تأسف اسامی افراد مفصلةالاسامی ذیل را که در تاریخ ۲۸ جولای ۱۹۸۳ بازداشت شده‌اند اعلام میداریم.

در طهران : خانم محبوبه نادری، آقای سهراب دوستدار

در کرج :

آقای غلامحسین فرهمند	آقای احسان‌الله کمتری	آقای نعیم بدیعی
آقای فیروز آبادی	آقای یونس نوروزی	آقای عنایت‌الله حقیقی
خانم طاهره مطلق	آقای جمشید پوراستاد	آقای عنایت‌الله ایزدی
خانم پری وجدانی	آقای اباذر صدری	آقای شهرام ابیانی
آقای نورالله یکان	آقای ناصر اردلان	خانم محبوبه موفق

ترجمه تلگراف مورخ ۱۶ آگوست ۱۹۸۳ واصله از ساحت رفیع بیت‌العدل اعظم الهی به یدالله ارکانی

توقیف برادران و خواهران روحانی ایرانی ادامه دارد. ۲۴ نفر یاران مفصلةالاسامی ذیل که ۱۰ نفر آنان از اماءالرحمن میباشند در فاصله بین سوم تا پنجم آگوست ۱۹۸۳ بازداشت و زندانی گردیده‌اند.

ساری :

آقای سهراب صمیمی	خانم فریده صمیمی	خانم میترا باورم
آقای محمد محمودی	آقای اردشیر حسینی	خانم سودابه ربانی (صمیمی)
خانم ژیلا رضائی	خانم شهره رضائی	آقای سیدتقی حسینی

طهران : آقای اورنگ دار‌ووگر.

رامیان – گنبد کاوس : آقای امین‌الله مفاتی.

ارومیه :

آقای اسدالله ابلچی	خانم شائبه ابلچی	آقای خانبابا اصل جعفری
آقای عزیز‌الله کفاشی	آقای سیروس کفاشی	خانم ژاکلین حبیبی
آقای فضل‌الله مقصودی	آقای قربانعلی نجف‌زاده	آقای حسین‌بابا اصل جعفری
خانم ننه قز احمدزاده	ابلچی	آقای داریوش کفاشی
خانم فریبا کفاشی	خانم مینا تیزفهم

داستان دوستان

شرح حیات شهید مجید حبیب‌الله اوجی علیه رضوان الله

که شوم وارسته و با سر ‎سرهنی سر همی‎ زنم که سراپا فکر سامانم نمیدانم کیم

حکمتی در کار خلقت بود از آغاز و من راز این حکمت نمیدانم نمیدانم کیم

اینقدر دانم که جان تا محضر جانان رود زین جهت با نام وجانم نمیدانم کیم

اول و آخر چو نبود دفتر ایجاد را من از اول فکر پایانم نمیدانم کیم

از پریشان‌گوئی‌ام وحشی پریشان است و من زین پریشانی پشیمانم نمیدانم کیم

در جلسه‌ای که چندی قبل بمناسبتی از شهدای شیراز تشکیل شده بود یکی از یاران که از نزدیک با جناب اوجی آشنائی داشته شرحی از زندگی و خدمات ایشان بیان فرمودند که قسمتهائی از آن برای اطلاع احبای الهی درج میشود.

حدود ۵۸ سال قبل خداوند به پدر و مادری مسلمان و بی بضاعت پسری عطا نمود که نامش را حبیب‌الله گذاردند و چون تنها طفل این خانواده بود مورد مهر و محبت والدین قرار داشت. در کودکی پدرش مرحوم شد. مادر برای مدت کوتاهی او را به مکتب فرستاد تا قرآن خواندن را بیاموزد و برای آموزش بدین تلاوت نماید ولی دیری نگذشت که بعلت عدم استطاعت مالی بالاجبار درس را تعطیل کرد و در دکان نانوائی به شاگردی گماشته شد با این حرفه امرار معاش میکرد و کم و بیش و از گوشه و کنار خواندن و نوشتن را آموخت از جوانی دارای ذوق ادبی و قریحه شعری بود و کم‌کم با شعرا که در شیراز زیاد بودند آشنا شد. جلسات قرائت قرآن و شرکت در امور مذهبی را فرض میدانست. مردی مؤمن و مسلمان و متشرع بشمار ‎میرفتند بود میرفت‎ کم‌کم به جرگه سیدنورالدین حسینی مجتهد تندرو مغرور و متفرعن شیراز که حزبی بنام حزب برادران یا شعار «انما المؤمنون اخوة» درست کرده بود راه یافت و مورد تمجید و تکریم و نوازش و احسان سید قرار گرفت. پس از مدتی مجاهدت و کوشش در اجرای شأن و چون رفت و آمد زیاد در ‎شهر نور تزویر و ریا‎ را از نزدیک ناظر و شاهد بود و خلاف حقیقت و ایمان و تقدیس او را به رأی‌العین مشاهده کرد دست از او کشید و به خانقاه دراویش پناه برد در آنجا نیز مدتی سرگردان بماند تا اینکه با بهائیان که آنان را ناصبی و ملحد میدانست ‎با دانسته نادانسته‎ آشنا شد و رفت و آمدی پیدا کرد. خودش میفرمود اولین جمله که مرا منقلب نمود و به تفکر واداشت این بود که وارد منزلی شدم و دیدم که بر اطاق تابلوی نصب است که با خط بسیار زیبای نستعلیق نوشته است «دین باید سبب الفت و محبت باشد» کم‌کم به تحقیقات خود ادامه داد و از تخالف و ایجاد دشمنی با بهائیان بیشتر محشور شد و کسب اطلاع نمود مدتی سرگردان گردید و در وادی حیرت پریشان احوال بی چاره ای جز قبول تعالیم بهائی نداشت عقائد گذشته را هم انکار نمی توانست. عقلم تصدیق میکرد ولی خرافات مانع راهش میشد. در آن حال زار این غزل را که مُعرّف حالات روحی او بوده سروده است:

از غزل عشق سوزانم نمیدانم کیم کرده گیسوئی پریشانم نمیدانم کیم گاه از خود بیخودم گاهی خدا مشغول راز گه ز ما و من گریزانم نمیدانم کیم گه دهر عقل با افسانه افسارم کند گه بگوی عشق حیرانم نمیدانم کیم گاه امیدم بسوی لطف نامحدود اوست گه ز نفس خویش ترسانم نمیدانم کیم گاه مقبل گاه مشرک گه یهودی گه مجوس گه نصاری گه مسلمانم نمیدانم کیم گاه بر گرد ‎جها جهان‎ که در خرابات مغان ور سراغ نور یزدانم نمیدانم کیم گاه نشناسم ز غفلت پیش پای خویش را گه همای اوج عرفانم نمیدانم کیم

بالاخره طریق مجاهدت از دست نداد و با اینکه دوستان قدیم او را به ادامه همکاری با حزب برادران تشویق میکردند او راه خود را میرفت و اعتنائی نمینمود کم‌کم مشکلات اقتصادی برایش فراهم آوردند و زندگی را به او سخت کردند راه‌های مداخل او را بستند و فقر و فاقه چهره خود را نمود کرد ولی ذره‌ای تزلزل طبیعتی شکست و دست از طلب نکشید حیرانی و سرگردانی و تردید و دودلی او ادامه داشت شبی خوابی دید که در پرتگاه خطرناکی قرار گرفته از ترس و وحشت بخود میلرزد و نجات خود را محال میپندارد چشمش به نردبانی ‎بوسیده پوسیده‎ که در کنار دره آویزان بود افتاد و با هزار زحمت خود را به نردبان رساند و با ذکر اوراد و اذکار از پله‌ها بالا رفت تا به سطح مسطح و باصفائی رسید به عمارتی عالی وارد شد سیدی نورانی و خوشرو را در آنجا دید که مشتاقانه او را در میگیرد سلام کرد سید جواب داد و گفت آیا مشکلاتت حل شد اوجی جواب مثبت داد و اراده کرد برگردد با او گفتند راه برگشت نداری و اشاره به کسی که در آن نزدیکی ایستاده بود کرد تا ‎او جی اوجی‎ را راهنمائی نماید او را نجاشی دیگر بردند که ایوانی مرتفع داشت و ساعتی در بالای ایوان نصب بود اوجی نگاه کرد دید ساعت ۴ است از خواب بیدار شد و فوری به ساعت نگاه کرد دید درست ۴ بعد از نیمه شب است همسرش را بیدار کرد و گفت من دیگر با تمام وجود بهائی شدم و هیچ مشکلی ندارم و خوابش را تعریف کرد و تا صبح به خواندن دعا پرداخت صبح شد و از خانه بیرون رفت و به هر کس از دوست و آشنا سر زد و ایمانش را ابلاغ نمود و خود را مشهور ساخت. این مطلب فوراً بگوش همکاران سابقش در جرگه حزب برادران رسید چون وجودش برای آنان مغتنم بود در صدد چاره برآمدند که شاید بتوانند تا زود است او را منصرف نمایند و چون از وضع اقتصادی و فقر مالی او که خود برایش فراهم کرده بودند با خبر بودند در صدد تحبیب برآمدند چند نفری را که بیشتر با او نزدیک بودند با بسته‌ای اسکناس بمنزلش فرستادند و او را نصیحت و دلالت نموده و دلسوزیها کردند و فقر و بیچارگی‌اش را نتیجه ابتعاد و دوری از حزب و کناره‌گیری از شرکت در مجالس دینی توجیه نمودند و وعده جبران خسارات گذشته و کمک‌های بی اندازه دادند و مقدمتاً بسته‌های اسکناس را جلویش گذاشتند که عملاً قبول نماید بدبختانه اما مصادف با عصبانیت فرد شد. اوجی فکری کرد و گفت دوستان عزیز تصور میکنم آنچه من بافته‌ام و در نزد من است خیلی قیمتی و پُرارزش است که شما میخواهید با این پولها و وعده‌ها از من بخرید و از چنگ من بیرون آورید خیلی ببخشید [Page 22]

New Archives series profiles various manuscript collections

The National Bahá’í Archives is starting a series of articles highlighting various manuscript collections in the Archives that are open to researchers. The first article is on the International Auxiliary Language Committee Records, 1934-1941.

This committee was first formed as the Bahá’í Committee on Esperanto in March 1934 with the aim of fostering contacts between Bahá’ís and Esperantists.

However, as the relationship between the Faith and Esperanto became clearer, it was more fully appreciated that the Bahá’í did not endorse Esperanto specifically as the auxiliary language called for by Bahá’u’lláh, but rather encouraged its use by Bahá’ís and offered help to Esperanto activities, on the basis that this was a step toward fulfilling that requirement.

AFTER several name changes the committee became known in 1938 as the International Auxiliary Language Committee.

Its most significant activity came during 1937-38 when, in cooperation with the Esperanto Association of North America, it arranged a lecture tour for Lydia Zamenhof, the youngest daughter of the creator of Esperanto, Dr. L.L. Zamenhof.

Miss Zamenhof had become a Bahá’í in her native Poland after meeting Martha Root.

She gave Esperanto courses and talks from New York to Green Acre to Illinois. Her lectures and classes were well received and produced much newspaper coverage, including some in Polish and in other foreign language and ethnic papers.

Miss Zamenhof’s visit greatly stimulated the committee’s efforts to use Esperanto to help spread the Faith. Plans were formulated to teach by correspondence, to associate with the recently formed international youth hostel movement, and to encourage Bahá’ís to be active in local Esperanto associations.

AMONG those who were active in developing these plans were Mrs. Luella Beecher; her daughter, Dorothy Baker; Roan Orloff (now Roan Stone), and Della Quinlan. Regrettably, those efforts became increasingly hampered by the spread of World War II.

The International Auxiliary Language Committee Records include, besides committee correspondence and reports, Lydia Zamenhof correspondence from her U.S. tour, scripts of some of her radio talks, and newspaper clippings about her activities.

These materials are mainly in English and Esperanto.

The International Auxiliary Language Committee Records in the National Bahá’í Archives document, then, the relationship of the Bahá’í Faith to an important international movement, Esperanto, and the efforts of the Bahá’ís to give a practical form to one of the principles of the Faith.

‘There can be no limit to one’s contributions ...’

National Bahá’í Fund Wilmette, IL 60091

Many vital archival topics are covered in Guidelines for Bahá’í Archives

Guidelines for Bahá’í Archives, a comprehensive manual of archival procedures that was released at the most recent National Convention, is now available from the National Bahá’í Archives.

The manual 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 non-textual materials.

It also includes basic preservation techniques, a bibliography of archival references, and suggested sources of archival supplies.

To order the manual, simply use the order form below.

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 at the Geyserville Bahá’í School in 1939. 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.

Conventions

Continued from Page 11

South Carolina Central (4). Columbia Jr. College, N. Main St., Columbia. Mail ballots to Cynthia Carter, Columbia, SC 29210.

South Carolina Eastern No. 1 (6). Police Cabin, McIver Road, Florence. Mail ballots to Moses Richardson, Route 2, Box 177, Darlington, SC 29532.

South Carolina Eastern No. 2 (5). Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute, Route 2, Box 71, Hemingway. Mail ballots to Lavivia Vereen, P.O. Box 181, Aynor, SC 29511.

South Carolina Northern (2). Howard ‎Johnson’s Johnson's‎, Rock Hill. Mail ballots to Robert Martin, P.O. Box 44, Winnsboro, SC 29180.

South Carolina Southern No. 1 (2). Holiday Inn, Route 95 and 63, Walterboro. Mail ballots to Mrs. Donia Spahn, Walterboro, SC 29488.

South Carolina Southern No. 2 (2). Best Western Inn of N. Charleston, 2400 Ashley Phosphate Road, N. Charleston. Mail ballots to Venne Deas-Moore, Philips St., Charleston, SC 29401.

South Carolina Western (1). Pendleton Community Center, Pendleton. Mail ballots to Nancy A. Markovich, Taylors, SC 29687.

South Dakota (1). Kneip Building (next to State Library Building), Pierre. Mail ballots to Mrs. Marinell Rhine, Pierre, SD 57501.

Tennessee Eastern and Western (2). Civic Forum, McMinnville. Mail ballots to Thomas Irvin, P.O. Box 96, McMinnville, TN 37110.

Texas Central No. 1 (2). Site to be announced in Austin. For information contact Dale L. Ricklefs, Round Rock, TX 78664. Mail ballots to Mr. Ricklefs at that address.

Texas Central No. 2 (1). Site to be announced in Midland. For information contact Monir Sadegh-Zadeh, Odessa, TX 79762. Mail ballots to Ms. Sadegh-Zadeh at the above address.

Texas Eastern No. 1 (3). Holiday Inn, 13700 LBJ Freeway (exit on Centerville Road), Garland. Mail ballots to Bertha Larralde, Carrollton, TX 75006.

Texas Eastern No. 2 (2). The Woodlands Inn, 2301 N. Millbend Drive, The Woodlands. Mail ballots to Mrs. Priscilla Banks, P.O. Box 27194, Houston, TX 77227.

Texas Northern (1). Lubbock Civic Center, Room 101, 1501 6th St., Lubbock. Mail ballots to Kim Bowers, Lubbock, TX 79424.

Texas Southern (1). Holiday Inn, 2nd and Expressway 83, McAllen. Mail ballots to Margaret Serna, Portland, TX 78374.

Utah (1). Orson Spencer Hall, Room 175, University of Utah, Salt Lake City. Mail ballots to C.D. Schneider, Ogden, UT 84401.

Vermont (1). Hartford High School, Hartford. Mail ballots to Stephen Langley, White River Junction, VT 05001.

Virginia Northern (2). Lord Fairfax Community College, Middletown. Mail ballots to Beverly Hunsaker, Marshall, VA 22115.

Virginia Southern (2). Virginia State University, Harris Hall, Ettrick. Mail ballots to Archie L. Abaire Jr., Richmond, VA 23233.

Washington Northwest (3). Marysville-Pilchuck High School, 5611 100th St. N.E., Marysville. Mail ballots to Mrs. Carol Lenhard, P.O. Box 103, Bellingham, WA 98227.

Washington Southwest (1). Evergreen State College, Olympia. Mail ballots to Zuhair Dallal, Tacoma, WA 98467.

West Virginia (1). The Community Building, Gassaway. Mail ballots to Azita Nezhad, Huntington, WV 25703.

Wisconsin/Michigan (1). Howard ‎Johnson’s Johnson's‎, 2001 N. Mountain Road, Wausau. Mail ballots to William Wieties III, Marshfield, WI 54449.

Wisconsin Southern (2). Student Union, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 200 E. Kenwood Blvd., Milwaukee. Mail ballots to Michael Paik, Delafield, WI 54935.

Wyoming (1). Casper Ramada Inn, Casper. Mail ballots to Charles Tubman, Lander, WY 82520.

Programs, scripts sought for WLGI radio

The National Teaching Committee is now accepting for review 30-second, one-minute, five-minute, 15-minute and half-hour scripts and/or programs for WLGI radio. Tapes or written scripts are acceptable. Especially sought are public service announcements, deepening themes, special information on Holy Days, devotional programs, music, stories, and children’s programs.

Please send cassette tapes or written scripts to: National Teaching Committee, c/o WLGI Radio, Wilmette, IL 60091. [Page 23]

Ten years ago...

... in the American Bahá’í

The Hand of the Cause of God Jalal Kházeh arrives September 11 in New York City for a five-day visit to the U.S. that also takes him to Teaneck, New Jersey, and Hartford, Connecticut.

His visit to this country, which is part of a trip to support the teaching work of various National Spiritual Assemblies, follows appearances at the Bahá’í National Conventions in Alaska and Canada ...

The Hands of the Cause of God Zikrullah Khadem, John Robarts and William Sears attend a meeting in Lincolnwood, Illinois, of the Continental Board of Counsellors for North America and the 21 members of the Auxiliary Board.

In addition to the four Counsellors for North America, the meeting is also attended by Counsellors Hooper Dunbar and Florence Mayberry who have recently been appointed to the newly established International Teaching Centre.

Representatives of the National Spiritual Assemblies of Alaska, Canada and the U.S. join the conference at one point to outline their respective teaching plans ...

Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly; Dr. Victor de Araujo, the Bahá’í International Community’s United Nations representative; and Mabel R. Garis, the UN representative for the National Spiritual Assembly, attend a day-long UN Association conference in New York City that is also attended by UN representatives of other non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the national directors of those organizations ...

‘Alí Nakhjavání, a member of the Universal House of Justice, visits the Bahá’í National Center in Wilmette, Illinois, and meets with the friends at the House of Worship during his first visit to the U.S. ...

More than 200 people from Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico and Pennsylvania attend a weekend proclamation event at Dinnebito, Arizona, on the Navajo Indian Reservation. Many of the Native Americans present hear of the Faith for the first time ...

The 61st memorial observance for Thornton Chase, the first American Bahá’í, is held at his resting place in the Inglewood Park (California) Cemetery in accordance with the wishes of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá that a memorial service be held each year to commemorate his passing ...

Bailey

Continued From Page 4

Miss Bailey used her membership there to sponsor many Bahá’í gatherings, and her room became a sort of clinic for the disconsolate and distressed.

SHE WAS gentle and sweet, never trying to force her opinions on someone or arousing hostility, but she would not compromise on principles.

“She would give sumptuous dinners for friends,” one of her close friends once wrote, “who were oblivious to the fact that their hostess often contented herself with tea, toast, and perhaps a little soup.”

Miss Bailey, who had retired from teaching in 1924 because of ill health, was present in 1953 at the dedication of the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette.

Having developed pneumonia after returning to California, she was obliged to live in a nursing home where she gradually regained her strength and began to plan a move to the North African country of Libya as a pioneer.

In New York City, en route to her post, she fell and hurt herself, but continued on to Italy where she suffered another fall.

Undaunted, and determined to reach her pioneering post, Miss Bailey pressed on.

EQUIPPED with an oxygen mask, she arrived in Tripoli on July 20, 1953, and was met at the airport by two Bahá’ís. Her condition quickly worsened, and she died a month later, on August 26.

Bahá’ís from the East and West who were living in Libya gathered at her bedside and chanted and read prayers in Arabic and English.

Ella Bailey’s earthly remains were buried in the government cemetery on the outskirts of Tripoli. A few days later, a memorial service for her was held at the House of Worship in Wilmette.

The beloved Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, asked that three American pioneers in Tripoli submit a design for a memorial marker for Miss Bailey’s grave, adding that he wished personally to bear the expense of that marker.

In a cablegram to the International Conference held October 7, 1953, in New Delhi, India, the Guardian paid tribute to Miss Bailey’s contribution to the Ten Year World Crusade:

“Irresistibly unfolding Crusade sanctified death heroic 89-year-old Ella Bailey elevating her rank martyrs Faith shedding further luster American Bahá’í community consecrating soil fast awakening African continent.”

Piscataway mayor joins believers at memorial service

About 60 Bahá’ís and their guests including the mayor of Piscataway, New Jersey, and the minister of a Quaker church in North Plainfield attended a memorial service July 9 for the recent martyrs in Iran that was sponsored by the Spiritual Assemblies of Piscataway, North Plainfield and Passaic.

The event was well publicized in local newspapers, and invitations were sent to some 60 people.

Both the mayor and Quaker minister expressed delight at having been able to participate in the service.

Ads

Continued From Page 16

in the sea food industry, offshore and onshore oil field-related jobs, and sugar cane refining. The Bahá’ís of Thibodaux will be more than happy to offer whatever help they can in relocating anyone who might be interested in moving to this charming community. For more information contact the Assembly at Thibodaux, LA 70301, or telephone 504-446-1826, 504-447-1920 or 504-447-2522.

Trust charts busy publishing schedule for fiscal 1983-84

The Bahá’í Publishing Trust is planning a busy publishing schedule for the rest of fiscal year 1983-84, according to Dr. Betty J. Fisher, general editor.

Now being prepared are new pocket-sized editions of the Kitáb-i-Íqán and Some Answered Questions.

Coming also is a new pocket-sized edition and a new 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 inch edition of The Seven Valleys, bound in maroon to match the new hardcover editions of Gleanings and Kitáb-i-Íqán.

The hardcover edition of The Advent of Divine Justice will be reprinted, and the softcover edition will be replaced by a portable, pocket-sized edition—another first.

A compilation on life after death is planned for spring 1984.

New and revised adult titles will include a facsimile edition of Mírzá Abu’l-Faḍl’s Bahá’í Proofs; Bruce Whitmore’s The Dawning Place, a history of the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette; and a new edition of Henry Ginn’s God’s Great Plan.

Four books for children and youth are planned: a prayer book containing a prayer in English on one page and the same prayer in Persian on the facing page; I Am a Bahá’í, Deborah Christensen’s four new Sunflower activity books bound under one cover; Fly Away Home, by Bret Breneman; and a compilation of stories by Gail Radley.

Wall and pocket calendars and a 1984-85 date book are already in production.

Two “Legacies of Service” tapes, featuring Hands of the Cause of God, together with a number of reprints, round out the publishing year.

Information on new titles and reprints will be made available as they are released for sale. Watch for announcements in The American Bahá’í.

In Memoriam

Michael W. Burks Italy, TX Date Unknown	Mrs. Josephine Griewank Wauwatosa, WI July 30, 1983	Onesi Lino Salt Lake City, UT January 7, 1982	Mrs. Minnie Siler Toledo, OH June 29, 1983
Mrs. Jennie Carter Walterboro, SC 1981	David Hancock Roanoke, VA Date Unknown	Donavan Livermore Rogers, AR June 29, 1983	Arthur Singer Red Lake, AZ June 27, 1983
Hugh Chapman Wilsonville, OR Date Unknown	Huston Hirst Greenville, SC May 1983	Mrs. Estelle Mack Walterboro, SC Date Unknown	Mrs. Miriam Stearns Kokomo, IN Date Unknown
Joseph L. Chase Cannon Ball, ND Date Unknown	Willie Jackson Americus, GA Date Unknown	Thomas McFall Hahira, GA Date Unknown	Miss Anne Stevenson Jersey City, NJ August 3, 1983
Johnny Clerkley Jr. Perry, GA March 30, 1982	Raymond Johnson Hillsboro, TX Date Unknown	Eloy Medina Fort Garland, CO Date Unknown	Otha R. Todd Zebulon, NC 1979
E. Davis Dickinson S. San Francisco, CA July 25, 1983	Mrs. Sophie Johnson Yazoo City, MS Date Unknown	Joe Middlebrook Ellaville, GA February 5, 1983	Mr. Leslie Tremper Carmichael, CA July 1, 1983
Arthur M. Duncan Monticello, NY Date Unknown	Austin J. Jones Hillsboro, TX Date Unknown	Roland Molzahn Minneapolis, MN June 14, 1983	Mrs. Dorothy Underwood Lake Park, FL July 31, 1983
Mrs. Lizzie Evans Somerville, TN Date Unknown	Charles Jones Moultrie, GA Date Unknown	Martin E. Mullins Surry, VA February 1983	Miss Kathryn Vernon Jacksonville, FL May 25, 1983
Volney Furlow Americus, GA Date Unknown	Mrs. Alta Kahn Houck, AZ July 10, 1983	Harvey W. Neff Redding, CA June 29, 1983	Mrs. Sally Walker Toledo, OH June 6, 1983
Robert Gaines Greenville, SC Date Unknown	Mrs. Enid Kimball Huntington Beach, CA June 11, 1983	George Oliver Oglethorpe, GA 1983	M. Guy Watson Jr. Baltimore, MD December 13, 1982
Mrs. Dora German Walterboro, SC 1978	Steven E. Kinsey San Francisco, CA July 6, 1983	Eldred W. Schramm Conway, SC June 21, 1983	Mrs. Estelle Williams Walterboro, SC 1982
Ned German Walterboro, SC 1978	Charles Kurzius Wayne, NJ Date Unknown	Mrs. Myrtle Scott Italy, TX December 11, 1980	David L. Wilson Live Oak, TX June 5, 1983
Miss Myriam Grabler Mansfield, OH April 5, 1983	Miss Mary A. Lewis Bainbridge, GA 1978	Robert Seabron Zebulon, NC Date Unknown	Fred M. Wilson Jasper, TX Date Unknown
George Gray Naples, FL July 1983		Mrs. Susie Sheffey East Orange, NJ October 1, 1982

[Page 24]

Letters

(Continued From Page 3)

make every effort to keep my face turned toward the light of God as it has been decreed through His Prophets.

Looking at the world today, I can understand my friends’ skepticism, yet if they were to look at other eras when the Manifestations of God came, they would see that things did not happen overnight as regards changes in the inner minds of souls.

As we see the Faith spreading over the world and unifying men, and gradually nations, we can indeed see that the New Age is happening, that the prophecies are coming true, but that it takes time and effort for God’s plan to work out.

We who are Bahá’ís must stand firm, no matter what our friends might say, and exemplify the teachings to the best of our ability. Let us also keep in mind those fearless souls who have been sorely persecuted for the glorious Cause of God.

David W. Lehning

Happy Camp, California

To the Editor:

I feel that Anthony Lee’s letter (May 1983) supporting Bahá’í involvement in public demonstrations for peace and other social issues was well researched and necessary to change what has been proscribed.

Apathetically waiting for “the collapse,” confident that when the dust has settled, a bruised and battered world will turn to us for guidance is an empty dream if we don’t help others along the way. They won’t even know who we are. Involvement does not weaken; it strengthens.

Dramatic increases in our ranks could occur if we were to support and teach those groups and individuals whose social consciences parallel our purported beliefs.

They are seeking new, non-violent heroes, and are justifiably put off by our silence and lack of visible concern. Instead of keeping a low profile, the National Assembly should issue a statement in defense of the whole human race by opposing nuclear armaments and war on any scale, as other religious leaders have done.

Peace is the most important issue of our time. Without it, all else becomes superfluous.

Perhaps if millions of people the world over demonstrated publicly for peace, those in high places would be sufficiently impressed to stop glorifying war and killing, and would get on with the business of living together in the world Bahá’u’lláh envisioned.

Sally Underhill

Katy, Texas

To the Editor:

In recent months The American Bahá’í has published a number of letters and articles that deal with important and controversial issues within the Bahá’í community.

I deeply appreciate the forum we have in The American Bahá’í for demonstrating “the principle of the undoubted right of the individual to self-expression, his freedom to declare his conscience and set forth his views.” (Shoghi Effendi, Principles of Bahá’í Administration, p. 44)

WE HAVE a regular page devoted to the race issue, a page for our Spanish-speaking friends, one or two pages for the Persian believers, and various other articles dealing with Native Americans, Asian groups, our youth, etc.

While I applaud this diversity and recognize its necessity, I feel there is something else that should be adequately addressed.

I have yet to see the issue of sexism/sexuality shown enough thoughtful consideration and concern.

True, there have been articles, talks and classes about the role of women, but these have been very general and restricted to woman’s role as mother.

We need more dialogue and exchange of ideas, for there are some specific and vital topics that need desperately to be addressed—topics like chastity (both within and outside of marriage), non-sexist parenting, birth control, biological vs. cultural femininity and masculinity, the search for a spouse (especially for not-so-young Bahá’ís), surviving the sexism and sick sexuality constantly expressed all around us, how to juggle the twin duties of career and parenthood ...

MOST of us come into the Faith after years of struggle in the old world, where we have learned many kinds of prejudices and have been afflicted with emotional and spiritual diseases.

We have all suffered, and still do, to one degree or another from the effects of a decadent age. Therefore, we all need as much understanding, support and guidance as possible—in all areas.

The area of sexism/sexuality should not be ignored, for “the happiness of mankind will be realized when men and women coordinate and advance equally ...” (‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Bahá’í World Faith, p. 241)

We must know how to coordinate, how to advance, without compromising our spiritual integrity or the sacredness of our bodies.

Here is an example of one of my personal concerns in this area.

My husband (a “non-Bahá’í”) and I have been blessed with boy-girl twins, and have endeavored, to the best of our ability, to raise them each to become spiritual, productive and unprejudiced, and to have a desire to ‎fillfill fulfill‎ their highest potential.

WE KNEW we would have a hard row to hoe among those in the old world order, but we—especially my husband—did not expect to find so much hidden resistance among the Bahá’ís.

Is it really right to assume that “boys will be boys” and that girls will be emotional and passive? Should we actually train our boys to be physical and aggressive, while training our girls to be valued for their looks above all else—even to the point of entering them in beauty/glamor contests?

Is it possible to treat boys and girls equally, to educate them so that “Dignity before God depends not on sex, but on purity and luminosity of heart”—and where “Human virtues belong equally to all”? (‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Paris Talks, p. 162)

These are some of my thoughts. I would love to see and hear more about an issue that so deeply affects each and every one of us.

Shirley Hayes

Springvale, Maine

To the Editor:

I felt the need as a psychologist, woman, and future wife and mother to respond to the first article on “True Feminism: The Bahá’í Approach” by Pat Tyler Kinney (The American Bahá’í, March).

I do not feel I would be “abdicating my role as mother” by continuing to pursue my career while sharing the bounties and responsibilities of mothering with the father of my children.

My role as psychologist, although I agree that it is secondary in importance to my religious and family commitments, is not pursued because it is, as Mrs. Kinney states, “fulfilling, exciting or rewarding,” or because of economic need.

It is pursued to help “bring forth an ever-advancing civilization” through service to others and the sharing of every aspect of my talents and training as an individual and as a Bahá’í.

Yes, Bahá’í standards are high, and we must give everyone an opportunity to express themselves, perhaps not only by offering them a chance to consider the role of women as mothers but also to consider the role of men as fathers.

How much happier would men’s lives be if they could spend more time at home with their children by pursuing “occupations with flexible hours or those that can be done at home, or where a short child-rearing hiatus would not cause difficulty.”

Let us not deny women the choice to be mothers to their children, nor men the choice to be fathers.

Suzanne Popke

Green Bay, Wisconsin

To the Editor:

In saying prayers for the martyrs of June, especially for the Afnan whose family has already given so much and for the young girls whose lifeless bodies dangling in the summer sun must have broken the hearts of everyone who saw such a cowardly act, I came upon the Fire Tablet which the Blessed Beauty wrote during a period of anguish.

SOME of the passages are especially poignant: “Calamity has reached its height: where are the signs of Thy succor ...”

“Abasement has reached its lowest depth: where are the emblems of Thy glory ...”

“Anguish hath befallen all the peoples of the earth: where are the ensigns of Thy gladness ...”

“Greed hath made captive all mankind: where are the embodiments of detachment ...”

Part of the response that our Lord gave to the Prisoner of ‘Akká was this: “Dost Thou wail, or shall I wail? Rather shall I weep at the fewness of Thy champions ...”

I suggest that you and I are the “signs,” the “emblems,” the “ensigns” and “the embodiments of detachment.”

I don’t yet feel a personal responsibility for the deaths of our Persian brothers and sisters, but if I don’t start today to teach the Faith at every opportunity and support the Funds even more sacrificially, then next month I will have to accept some of the responsibility for those deaths.

I believe that the martyrs are dying because of the collective disobedience of the Bahá’ís. The blessed Báb, in one sense, fulfilled Islam, but in another sense it is we Bahá’ís who must fulfill Islam by being “submissive to God.”

We can defeat Khomeini in a moment by being perfectly submissive to God. I pray that the American Bahá’í community will arise to fulfill the directives that our Lord God has given us through Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi. I believe that at that time we will have seen the last martyr.

Ron Frazer

Phoenix, Arizona

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