The American Bahá’í/Volume 2/Issue 2/Text
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Thou seest me in my lowliness and weakness, occupied with the greatest undertaking, determined to raise Thy word among the masses and to spread Thy teachings among Thy peoples.
South Responds To Divine Summons[edit]
Over 8000 Souls Respond to the Healing Message of Bahá’u’lláh in the Carolinas, Hundreds More in Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Tennessee
The opening sentence of the prayer for the Southern states describes the activities of the devoted followers of Bahá’u’lláh in the South. Like a strong but gentle wind, the Army of Bahá’u’lláh is fanning the flame of faith in the hearts of the masses. One by one, all of the southern states are experiencing within their borders the large-scale enrollment of peoples into the Faith of the Lord of Hosts. Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia have already witnessed the beginning of this cherished wish of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and this oft-expressed hope of Shoghi Effendi.
Guided by the instructions of our infallible Universal House of Justice and the continuous supervision of our National Spiritual Assembly, mass teaching is developing more and more effective ways to handle the challenges which such an influx of new believers poses. Mass teaching means mass proclamation, mass expansion, and mass consolidation. It means that the three prerequisites for successful teaching enumerated by the beloved Guardian in The Advent of Divine Justice must be strictly adhered to (i.e. rectitude of conduct, chaste and holy life, and freedom from racial prejudice). The Bahá’í standard cannot be compromised. It must be held high like a beacon light. Mass teaching requires it, and continued success in this vital work demands it. The following articles and pictures capture but a small part of the excitement, dedication, and love of God that our brothers and sisters in the mass teaching fields everywhere are reflecting.
Carolina Story[edit]
“The real secret of universal participation lies in the Master’s oft expressed wish that the friends should love each other, constantly encourage each other, work together, be as one soul in one body, and in so doing become a true, organic, healthy body animated and illumined by the spirit. In such a body, all will receive spiritual health and vitality from the organism itself, and the most perfect flowers and fruits will be brought forth.”
Dillon, South Carolina[edit]
It rained; it sleeted, it snowed. The friends were cold, tired, often hungry. They slept, for the most part, in sleeping bags on hard floors. They were very young, very old. They were Bahá’ís.
At midnight from the kitchen could be heard some of the women making sandwiches for the next day’s noon meal. With each plop of sandwich into a sandwich bag, some loving voice could be heard saying “Alláh-u-Abhá!” Thus our food was blessed with word and with service.
One never knew whose children were whose, for if one child cried, many hands reached to comfort him.
If someone were cold, a coat was offered, some socks, gloves, a sweater. If someone were sick, some tea was fixed, cold tablets gotten, a bed offered.
And we taught:
“Praised be God for the lamps that the fire of His Love lights. One day I met on the road a lady who’d declared two days previously. She told me that she was visiting her sick friends. I asked her if she thought they would like to hear about Bahá’u’lláh, the coming of the Promised One. Her reply was, ‘Well, honey, I surely do and that’s what I’m going to tell them about.’ We parted after saying the healing prayer.”
A friend was sitting in the kitchen one morning, trying to get a body, tired from too little sleep, to begin to function. Someone came along and asked if he could say the morning prayer for him.
At night, the friends would gather in small groups, discussing the past day’s teaching work, pointing out what new methods seemed to work well, what others seemed less effective. “Hey, that was terrific the way you handled that situation in the restaurant!”
When neck muscles became too tense, too stiff, always someone was there to massage them into beautiful relaxation. Too excited, too keyed up to sleep? Out into the hall to share your feelings with some weary friend who’s weary but not too much so to hang in there and let you talk.
And we taught, sometimes accidentally.
“The owner of a nearby grocery store-snack bar had just become a Bahá’í and wanted us all to eat lunch with him in the store. It was there that we met an Indian who, after joining the ranks of Bahá’u’lláh, would think of nothing else but taking us to some friends’ houses. He spent the next two days in Dillon with the Bahá’ís preparing to help lead the teaching work in his hometown after we left.”
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Planning To Teach In The South?
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Carolina story[edit]
A very new Bahá’í was being besieged with questions he obviously couldn’t handle. Another Bahá’í gracefully, graciously moved in and gently helped him to tell the glorious Message of Bahá’u’lláh.
One morning all the windshields were frozen solid with snow and ice from the night before. One lone, cold Bahá’í was out defrosting all the windshields on all the cars.
A Bahá’í husband lovingly ironed his wife’s slacks while she slept, too exhausted to know that he was seeing to her needs.
“Let’s clean up the kitchen,” one tired-eyed girl said. “Everyone else has gone to bed. They’re all so tired.”
The children.... The women took turns staying in and keeping all the children while the other mothers went out and taught the Message of the Promised One of All Ages.
One young man was from the town and knew most of the people. “Hey, man,” he’d say, “come over here and let’s rap. Have you heard about the Bahá’í Faith? Well, this girl here will tell you all about it!” And again, “Hey, man...” and again, until each of us had someone to give the Message to.
And we taught, sometimes effortlessly.
“At this park, we met some new Bahá’ís who wanted to walk around with us—well, it turned out to be a breathless journey. From the word go, they had us visiting friends’ houses, breaking up a basketball game, stopping anywhere the people were. I tell you, no longer were we conscious of the cold or of our weakening states—from each new soul who accepted Bahá’u’lláh, we’d receive a portion of life-giving energy.”
In the mornings, the friends gathered for briefings, prayers, songs, fellowship. All would join hands in a circle, and prayer after prayer after prayer would fall worshipfully from the lips of the friends, prayers for protection, for teaching, prayers of thanksgiving and praise. And then songs of joy, of supreme happiness to be doing God’s work, as one family, in one world, with one purpose, ...to raise the standard of Bahá’u’lláh over the whole earth.
And we taught, sometimes with unexpected humility.
“There are countless memories of just mentioning the name of Bahá’u’lláh and telling the Message of oneness and then having the person take over from there and tell us what this new religion is about and really helping us in understanding the great significance of the coming of the Promised One.”
And there was New Year’s Eve. There were a few eggs thrown at the house, a cherry bomb or two. The friends smiled at each other as they welded themselves into one imperishable whole unit, whole in spirit, in love of Bahá’u’lláh, in dedication to God’s Great Plan. Hands were joined and souls were joined and the cry was raised, “Yá-Bahá’u’l-Abhá! We shall achieve it!” What a beautiful place in which to spend the old world New Year!
And we taught, and sometimes it was funny.
“Well, quite frankly, it had been a long day and it was just about time for nature to be calling quite relentlessly. However, how could I succumb to her urgency when I saw three girls about my age walking toward me? Weak-willed as I must have been, I could only say ‘hello’ and hurry on to the nearby service station. How could I let go of this opportunity for teaching these beautiful souls? Well, I found out after I headed back because who should be retreading their steps but the same three girls. It was as though we all realized the ‘coincidence’ of our second meeting. We all stopped and soon...we all shared our love of Bahá’u’lláh and His Message of unity.”
Carolina Story
(continued from page 3)
And we taught, sometimes bumblingly.
“One night we had arranged a public meeting at a recreation center in another town. The Road Show was late getting back to Dillon, so a carload of us—all essentially non-singers—went alone, praying fervently that the Road Show would soon follow. Well, when we got there, there were already about 15 youth waiting to see what was going to happen... and more and more youth and adults were pouring in. We stalled about as long as possible, too long really, and even so there was still no Road Show. What to do!!! All we could do was try to lead some songs ourselves. I’m afraid it was “Laugh-in” time for a while when, thank God, halfway through our third song, in comes the Road Show. Believe me, we all sighed our sighs of relief! During the night, almost all of the 80 or so people there became Bahá’ís, and those who’d already declared experienced their first deepening class. As we all warmed up, some of the audience joined us up front. Some of them sang for us, and we parted only after all forming a big unity circle and sharing prayers for unity and thanksgiving!”
“...In such a body, all will receive spiritual health and vitality from the organism itself, and the most perfect flowers and fruits will be brought forth.”
The friends at Dillon were indeed one soul in one body. They also became one cold in many bodies. Many were there during the whole campaign. It was exhausting work. Most of the friends were running purely on the strength asked for and received from Bahá’u’lláh, and this overcame all illness, discomfort, and hardship. The cars went out each day, packed to capacity with Bahá’ís and occasional guitars. The journeys, whether long or short, were filled with songs, prayers, and happy, excited talk. A happy closeness and warmth was present always with the teams, a one-mindedness in the love of Bahá’u’lláh and a desire to give this great, healing Message to the world. And always the Bahá’ís were loving, kind, sensitive, and gentle with each other.
In laundromats, restaurants, night-clubs, on the streets, in yards, in the rain, in the mud, in the snow....always the cry was raised, “Yá-Bahá’u’l-Abhá!”
Returning to Dillon at night, there were again songs, prayers, talk, but the cars were quieter. There prevailed a heavy mood of peace, and many slept away the hours home.
And we taught, always with God-promised results.
“One lady looked out her window and saw two Bahá’ís singing. She opened the door and yelled to them that if it was their music she heard, she wanted them to come and sing for her. She insisted that they come inside her house and “set awhile”. Next moment, all her children were becoming Bahá’ís. A few days later, some more of us visited her again, and she gave us all the warmest welcome. We talked awhile and then spent most of the time with her in prayer—each child, with the exception of one who was just too shy, read from the prayer book with amazingly flowing sentences.
“The Feast of Honor was held in her home the following week. It started off quite differently from what we expected. There was a woman preacher there with some youth supporters. She had come because she felt it was her duty to tell them that they were losing their salvation by forgetting about Jesus. Needless to say, this was filling the small house with much tension and not serving any positive purpose. So what we decided to do was have the social portion of the Feast first and welcome all to partake of the goodies—actually a sandwich and cookie buffet which our hostess had prepared for us. And then we explained that it was very important for the Feast night to be a time especially for Bahá’ís. So the non-Bahá’ís left. Even so, the whole house was filled.
“We had selected short readings and had written them down on separate pieces of paper. We felt it extremely important that this community read the readings and essentially do all they could from the very beginning Feast. One of us had briefly described the purpose of and the structure of a Feast, and so amazingly, we all went easily into the business portion, consultation this first time being based on people’s present feelings and thoughts about His Cause, about actually being a part, an integral part of the Cause. That night this community’s first chairman was elected.”
And we are still teaching.
Yá-Bahá’u’l-Abhá! We shall achieve it!
A PIONEER WRITES[edit]
Last month, we published portions of a letter from Ruth Pringle, pioneer to Panama. She spoke of the purity of the people there and their radiant spirit. In that same letter, she continues...
“Now I would like to share with you a little of the story of Panama’s Tahirih, whose name, by the way, is Dorothea. Dorothea is a beautiful young woman of perhaps twenty-five to twenty-eight years of age, the mother of five children who are the essence of spirituality, and a loving and understanding wife. The beauty of her presence, the serenity of her countenance, the strength and confidence of her gait, the blush of the newfound and deep love which surrounds her, and reflects itself upon all who are near her, her generosity, compassion, wisdom, and silent suffering all combine into a single pulse of attractiveness which is immediately arresting and compelling, relegating into nothingness the dire poverty of her physical life.
“Dorothea has been a Bahá’í for approximately six months. She was the first in her community to accept the Faith. This community is located about eight hours of hard and steady upward climb into the mountains above Ponuga. Her husband was violently opposed to the Faith. He did all he could through words to dissuade her. When words failed, he resorted to physical methods. He beat her daily to no avail, rather he strengthened her resolve. Then he threatened to leave her. He finally carried out his threat, thinking the difficulties of caring for five children alone would be sufficient to make her reconsider, stay at home, and give up this nonsense. Upon his return, however, he found that in spite of everything she had grown deeper, more resolute, and devoted to her new Cause than ever before. Again he beat her and threatened to take the children away from her. To this, she replied that the most precious possession any woman has is her children, and to her, her children were more precious than her own life. She loved them deeply. But Bahá’u’lláh had suffered as no man could ever suffer, sacrificed everything, even His children, that she might believe in Him. For this, she was eternally grateful and if He should desire from her the sacrifice of her children as a proof of her love and sincerity, she would gladly and joyfully offer them in His path. Now her husband was convinced of the futility of the situation. He knew how much his wife loved her children. What strange power had taken hold of his wife that she would risk everything for it, even her life as she told him? He began to investigate. About a month ago, while visiting pioneers were present, he expressed a desire to become a Bahá’í. He too had been touched. Now they are united, this time through the power of the love of Bahá’u’lláh. Now they work together, travel barefoot together, proclaiming the Oneness of Humankind and raising the Call of the Kingdom.”
Bahá’í teachers and new believers from western Tennessee.
Artists
Photographers[edit]
An invitation from the Bahá’í Publishing Committee[edit]
There is an increasing need for a variety of illustrated publications to serve the Bahá’í community. If it is to meet effectively the growing needs of our growing Faith, the Bahá’í Publishing Committee must have access to a diversified range of Bahá’í artistic talent.
If you are a Bahá’í artist or photographer, interested in serving the Faith with your talent, you are invited to send to the Committee a small representative selection of samples (not more than six) that most clearly illustrate your style of work.
Your response to this invitation will open lines of communication between the Bahá’í Publishing Committee and talented graphic artists within the Bahá’í community.
The style samples you submit will be viewed by the Committee, and either returned to you at once, or kept on file for possible future use. If you do not want your material held on file, please indicate this when you submit. It should be understood that the Committee’s acceptance of samples for its files does not necessarily constitute acceptance of the material for any particular current or future use.
Though experience is not necessary, the Committee would like to know of any experience you may have had in the field of graphic arts, and whether you would offer your work as a contribution or would want payment.
Send to:
- Bahá’í Publishing Committee
- Mrs. Lois W. Goebel, Secy.
- 112 Linden Avenue
- Wilmette, Illinois 60091
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THE AMERICAN BAHÁ’Í is published monthly by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois, 60091. Material must be received by the 15th of the month of its intended publication. Black and white glossy prints should be included with material whenever possible. Articles and news written in a clear and concise manner are welcomed from individuals as well as assemblies and committees. Address all mail to: The American Bahá’í Editorial Office, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois, 60091. |
NSA Clarifies Role of Chartered Ship for Caribbean Conference[edit]
Some questions have arisen about the decision of the National Spiritual Assembly to charter a ship for those believers planning to attend the forthcoming oceanic conference in Kingston, Jamaica—one of the eight continental and oceanic conferences announced by the Universal House of Justice in its message to the Bahá’í world at Riḍván 1969. We can think of no better way of replying than to refer to the letters from that supreme Institution in which the following excerpts can be found:
- The international scene will witness the holding of oceanic conferences forecast by Shoghi Effendi. The first one will be held during August 1968 on an island in the Mediterranean Sea to commemorate Bahá’u’lláh’s voyage upon that sea, a hundred years before, from Gallipoli in Turkey to the Most Great Prison in ‘Akká. In the subsequent years of the Nine Year Plan, others will be held in the Atlantic Ocean, in the Caribbean Sea, the Pacific Ocean, and the Indian Ocean. (Wellspring of Guidance, p. 66)
- As a stimulus and aid to this vital work as well as to the promotion of all the goals of the Plan, we announce the holding between August 1970 and September 1971 of a series of eight Oceanic and Continental Conferences... (Riḍván 1969 Message)
- We call upon all National Assemblies to encourage attendance at the Conferences (Letter dated June 7, 1970)
The Universal House of Justice has written to all National Spiritual Assemblies in recent months, listing the locations of these conferences, showing the areas from which the principal representation should come, and calling upon these Assemblies to encourage attendance at the Conferences. The American believers have been requested especially to support the Caribbean Conference in Kingston, Jamaica—May 21-23, 1971; the North Atlantic Oceanic Conference in Reykjavik, Iceland—September 3-5; and the North Pacific Oceanic Conference in Sapporo, Japan—September 3-5, 1971.
Chartering the ship, “New Bahama Star”, for 11 days, May 17 - 28, has made the following objectives attainable: (1) providing the least expensive means of encouraging the largest possible attendance by American believers at the Caribbean Conference; (2) picking up fellow believers from Puerto Rico and from the Leeward, Windward, and Virgin Islands, who could not otherwise afford to attend this conference, which was called specifically to stimulate the Bahá’í work in their area; (3) creating opportunities for a wide and effective proclamation of the Message at several ports; (4) providing living accommodations for the duration of the Conference which otherwise would not be available in Kingston at moderate cost for a large number of attendants. Furthermore, we intend to grasp the precious opportunities afforded by the travel interim to and from the Conference to hold intense pre- and post-Conference institutes aboard ship. As can be seen, this whole arrangement is designed to be a concerted program for the proclamation, expansion, and consolidation of the Cause and must not be confused in the minds of the friends with the extravagance characteristic of over-indulgent pleasure cruises to the Caribbean islands.
Rockford, Illinois Hosts Conference[edit]
Youth Committee directs successful conference - fieldwork produced 16 new believers in a few hours on a cold, windy day. Victories continue!
Silent Teacher[edit]
“I shall raise up for thee the treasures of the earth...”
I didn’t notice him at first crowding into Foundation Hall with the rest of the fifty 6th graders on a tour of the House of Worship. Later, I tried to recall at what moment his large brown eyes found mine—certainly before his first question. As I began explaining the story of the Bahá’í Faith, I remember seeing his attentive expression; his direct gaze. He sat perfectly still and composed, more as a man would than a child. Then came his first question, “You say all religions teach the same faith, but I see many differences. Can you explain that to me?”
All the children had listened with polite attention to the brief introduction that I was attempting to gear to a 6th-grade level. I felt I wasn’t reaching them. The words that came to me were above them; my choice of words too adult. The coordinator stood at the rear of the Hall listening and shaking his head as I spoke. I knew he understood my problem, but I stumbled on—unable to express the teachings with the simplicity of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. So my answer to the young brown-eyed boy was too long and very involved. Yet to my surprise, his eyes indicated understanding, and he nodded his head. Then other hands flew up. Question after question came from the young group, leaving me breathless and excited. The children came from a Catholic School and were accompanied by two nuns and four mothers. Many of their questions centered around their own rituals and how they might compare to the Bahá’í teachings. They wanted to know about Heaven and Hell, about Christ as the Son of God, and what constituted a “sin” in the Bahá’í Religion. They asked about Bahá’í marriages. They also wanted to know if people were born as Bahá’ís. Small arms pumped the air, and with eager faces, they bombarded me with questions for forty-five minutes. As time went on, and as the children showed more sincere interest, the hands kept on waving; and one boy pleaded, “one more, one more!” And in a shy voice, he said softly, “I just want to thank you for answering so many questions.” I was so moved I could not trust my voice and whispered a choked reply.
My next encounter with the brown-eyed boy came after the tour of the displays in Foundation Hall. Upstairs in the sunlit Auditorium, he walked beside me, read aloud the inscriptions over each window, asked about the Greatest Name, felt the pillars with his small hand, and wanted to know what they were made of and how they were made. But it was on the way to the bus that with a slight frown he said, “I read downstairs on one of your walls that Christ would come again with a new name. Do you know where it says that in the Bible?” My heart leapt, for only the night before I had read in one of the pamphlets that very quote listing the reference. He continued, “You see, I’m a Christian, and I can’t ever remember hearing that He would come again with a new name.” I told him to wait a moment and I would bring him something he could keep that would answer his question. I raced along the path, dashed downstairs, grabbed the pamphlet “Prophesy Fulfilled” and
- WOULD YOU LIKE TO PIONEER ABROAD???
- RECEIVE ALL THE BOUNTIES OF THIS EXALTED SERVICE, WITHOUT LEAVING THE UNITED STATES?
- COME TO THE SOUTHWEST... MOVE TO A BORDER TOWN,
- AN ISOLATED LABOR CAMP VILLAGE,
- AND HELP US REAP THE FRUITS!
- AN ISOLATED LABOR CAMP VILLAGE,
While knowledge of Spanish is helpful in teaching here, the most important factor is the individual’s reliance upon the Blessed Beauty.
If a believer is truly a channel, Bahá’u’lláh will remove the difficulties, and open the doors.
For example, several youth came from California to do travel-teaching in Arizona. They were sent to the Agua Prieta-Douglas area, an Arizona border town. Through the efforts of two Douglas pioneers (Gibb and Becky Byron), the Arizona Area Youth Committee, and the Spanish-Speaking Teaching Committee, Agua Prieta had been opened and was found to be an extremely ripe area for mass-teaching. However, the youth did not find the pioneers at home, so they set out to teach on their own. They stopped to teach at a gas station on the American side. One of the girls had brought a musical instrument and began to play. Soon a small crowd gathered, and the Bahá’ís began to explain the Faith. During the discussion, one of the service station attendants asked how he could become a Bahá’í. As he was declaring, several men from Mexico drove up. They asked the gas station manager what these hippies were doing there. The manager explained that they were not hippies, but Bahá’ís, and that they had a beautiful Message to share. He translated as one of the youth told the two gentlemen about Bahá’u’lláh. They were very touched by what he said and, through their interpreter, asked the youth to give the Message in Mexico that evening. They readily agreed, wondering what they were going to do.
That evening the people met them as promised. Fortunately, one of the girls had had one year of Spanish in high school. She told the people they were like flowers in God’s garden (the only two words she could remember were flowers and garden). She also read to the people from a Spanish pamphlet. Several souls declared their belief; the youth felt more would have declared, but they didn’t know how to say, “would you like to become Bahá’ís?” in Spanish.
With the help of the Spanish-speaking pioneers, and several other Spanish-speaking resources, follow up was planned and carried out. The two men who “happened by” the gas station are now firm Bahá’ís, each having vowed to individually (Dios mediante) enroll ONE HUNDRED SOULS! Many other souls have embraced the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh (the last report was over 36), and the teaching momentum grows daily as the declarations roll in.
Do these new believers REALLY UNDERSTAND? Don Antonio and Don Abran, two of the new believers, have already taken days off work to set up meetings. The new believers THEMSELVES have organized the teaching work. Several have volunteered to travel teach, and one dedicated soul, Senora Angela de Castillo, and her daughter Beatriz, have gone to Southern Mexico to tell the rest of their family in Agua Prieta! Don Antonio explains that Bahá’u’lláh is like a mighty tree, the tree of life. With Bahá’u’lláh we all can find a strong foundation upon which to base our lives....
Beloved co-workers, many areas similar to Agua Prieta exist throughout the Southwest, waiting for dedicated, devoted servants of Bahá’í. Several such soldiers have already arisen with great sacrifice, and are helping “reap the fruits.” Dick Haley of Wilmette is pioneering in Agua Prieta, and Ronald Feurtado and his family have moved from West Virginia. Ronaldo and his wife have two young children, and no guarantee of finding work. Although they have suffered innumerable hardships to make the move, they are not discouraged, and have simply placed their “whole trust in Bahá’u’lláh.”
If you are interested, please contact the SPANISH-SPEAKING TEACHING COMMITTEE:
- c/o Marilyn Herrera, Secretary
- 917 East State Avenue
- Phoenix, Arizona 85020
- Phone: (602) 943-6609
Florida — Kaleidoscope of Bahá’í Activities[edit]
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Ha entrado al mundo en una nueva etapa de la historia, la edad de madurez del hombre y el principio de una civilización mundial. La fuente de este nuevo desarrollo fue de un hombre que fue exiliado, torturado, desterrado y encarcelado por más de 40 años. Vivió durante el último siglo. Su nombre: |
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Bahá’u’lláh |
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Bahá’u’lláh es el último en la sucesión de los Mensajeros Divinos enviados por Dios desde el principio de la existencia del hombre. El es el prometido de todas las religiones y su advenimiento anuncia la edad del cumplimiento mencionado en todas las profecias del pasado. Bahá’u’lláh aporta el plan de Dios para la paz, justicia y unidad mundial. |
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Para mas informes: Bahá’í Faith, P.O. Box 7485, Miami, 33155 |
Florida Kaleidoscope[edit]
A beaming and radiant Ugandan enters the Banyon Room of the Everglades Hotel on Biscayne Boulevard in downtown Miami, having first set foot on U.S. soil in that bustling city. Over two hundred Bahá’ís arise to pay him honor and thrill to the stirring message which he – Enoch Olinga, Hand of the Cause of God1 – delivers to an enraptured audience on that cool September evening in 1970.
On the platform that same evening, Michael Jamir, Vocational Counsellor with the Seminole Indian Agency, Bureau of Indian Affairs, introduces to Mr. Olinga, Mr. George I. Storm, the first Seminole Indian to embrace the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh2. Hearts swell with pride as the two men embrace each other.
Bahá’ís of South Dade excitedly gather around the Gutierrez-Vega family 3a, as the last of them are welcomed into the Faith only several months after mother3b, son, and grandson accept God’s Holy Manifestation on a hot, humid day in July 1970 at the Redlands Labor Camp near Homestead. This beautiful Mexican American family numbers five adults, one youth, and over twelve children. The Feasts and study classes are enriched as prayers and consultation are conducted in both Spanish and English.
Universities and junior colleges in Tallahassee, Gainesville, Tampa, Boca Raton (near Fort Myers), Dade County, Broward County, and Coral Gables are alive with campus activities, as Bahá’í professors and students work together to proclaim the Word of the New Day to the thirsting, curious, and intelligent minds of the scholars and teachers alike.
A certain Rick Leicht4, typical of the scholarly youth, spends many hours studying the precious literature which will ground him deeply in our beloved Faith.
Still yet, a young and vibrant Keith Clarke5, Chairman of the Florida Bahá’í Youth Committee, joined by an indomitable pioneer returned from Ecuador, white-haired Ida Solomon6, travels the streets and byways of Tallahassee suburbia with other devoted friends from that area to draw scores of attracted souls into God’s spiritual Army of Light....or a Nancy Hart7 who ceaselessly lends her time and car, driving from Teaching Conference to Teaching Conference, never resting a moment, and on call at any instant.
State Convention, Clearwater, Florida8.... songs of rejoicing and heads bowed in prayer....an ingathering of friends in love with the Cause of God, partaking of each other’s friendship, participating in serious consultation....overwhelmed and overjoyed by the reports of victories on the homefront....mindful of their co-worker, Curtis Kelsey, who not long before was gathered into the Abhá Kingdom.
A lanky pilot from Trinidad, Ken York, and his wife, Pat (also a pilot)6, attend a Race Unity picnic on the shores of Virginia Beach, Key Biscayne, and attracted by that unity of spirit enter the Cause with such resolve that they are seen at virtually every Mass Teaching Conference held throughout the State.
Florida, the arm of America which stretches out to meet the islands dotting the Caribbean, welcomes a flow of distinguished visitors who pass through the gateway city of Miami, either on their way to teach among the charming people of these islands, or on their way back from teaching. Friends, such as: Beth McKenty6, Marguerite Sears, Ellsworth Blackwell, Blanche Rudnick9, the Harris’ and Koehl’s6, Don Barrett6, and the Owens’ – to mention but a few of these radiant souls.
“The movement itself from place to place, when undertaken for the sake of God, hath always exerted, and can now exert, its influence in the world....”
Toni Richardson returns from Jamaica, and Bill Pike sweeps down from Tallahassee to pioneer in Homestead, a town situated between Miami and Key West, and in a matter of months they are joined together in holy wedlock10.
“If it is possible, gather together these two races – black and white – into one Assembly and put such love into their hearts that they shall not only unite, but even intermarry. Be sure that the result of this will abolish differences and disputes between black and white. Moreover, by the Will of God, may it be so! This is a great service to humanity.” – ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
A former Jew and a former black Methodist minister can be heard roaring together with laughter and happiness as Leon Sternberger7 and 71-year-old J. Roby peal out the praise of God.
Oh, the power of Bahá’u’lláh!
The Bahá’ís in Florida, along with their co-workers throughout the world, are racing against time, seeking every moment to proclaim to their fellowmen the healing Message of Bahá’u’lláh.
“Verily I say,” proclaims Bahá’u’lláh, ”this is the Day in which mankind can behold the Face, and hear the Voice, of the Promised One. The Call of God hath been raised, and the light of His countenance hath been lifted up upon men....God grant that the light of unity may envelop the whole earth, and that the seal, ‘the Kingdom’s is God’s,’ may be stamped upon the brow of all its peoples.”
- 11A Bahá’í family in Perrine.
- 12Sr. Pedro Infanté and children, of Princeton Migrant Camp.
- 13Article in Spanish newspaper, “Diario las Americas,” for Anniversary of Birth of Bahá’u’lláh, November 12, 1970
Today’s Pony Express[edit]
Do you remember when you were in school and studying the history of this country? There were pioneers here then. Not the kind we have today, but they were innovators, too. Take the mail, for instance. They started a system called the Pony Express. For only a few dollars you could send mail from one place in the country to another. And it only took four to six weeks.
Do you also remember being taught in school that history repeats itself? Well, it’s doing it again. To help save money for the Fund, we use the Printed Matter rate for most supplies. This saves all of us, as contributors to the Fund, a lot of money. But it takes time. Frequently, packages are delivered four to six weeks after leaving this office. This means that the Bahá’í Marriage Certificates, Membership Declaration Cards, and Membership Report Forms that you ordered yesterday because you need them tomorrow won’t arrive on time, because only Bahá’í identification cards are sent first class.
So, when you think of us—think of the Pony Express—and plan ahead.
Because the teachings of the Bahá’í Faith are against war, each draft-age Bahá’í male must apply for 1-A-O classification.
For up-to-date information on how to go about this, write:
- Draft Data
- National Bahá’í Center
- 112 Linden Avenue
- Wilmette, Ill. 60091
SADDENED HAL COMPUTES, LISTS 56 ASSEMBLIES IN JEOPARDY[edit]
Hello!
Remember me? I am Hal, your friendly computer!
I have been very busy recently computing all the exciting statistics arriving from all over the country.
I trust that you have all made the acquaintance of my friend Unipar by now. Isn’t he wonderful? He and I always work together very closely.
Actually, I have been sad recently, but I trust that after I tell you about the cause of my sadness, you will all rise up to the challenge and solve the problem.
You have no doubt met Lee Thargy by now, but you do not know his friend Jay Pardee yet. Lee Thargy and Jay Pardee have known each other for many years. Jay Pardee says that he has been a loser as long as he can remember and has always been in trouble. Whenever Jay Pardee got into trouble, he asked Lee Thargy for help, but, alas! Lee was always either asleep or too lazy to help.
When I started working for the National Spiritual Assembly, I made the acquaintance of Jay Pardee. At first, he would not tell me about his problems, but I soon sensed that all was not well with him, so I asked if I could be of any help, but he said that it was too late and that he was too sick and could not be saved anymore. I told him that nothing is too late and that I have a wonderful friend named Unipar who can solve all his problems!
Ever since Jay Pardee met Unipar, several of his problems have been solved, and he hopes and prays that by Riḍván, he will be healthy once more.
Oh! About Lee Thargy: he sure has been doing some thinking and pondering and praying recently! He is changing many of his outdated ideas and traditions. He is waking up and beginning to respond to all the exciting things that are beginning to happen in this country. Unipar read to him the following from the recent Message from the Universal House of Justice:
“...The administration of the Cause in the United States is entering a completely new phase, of high promise, challenging problems, and golden opportunities. You are the cradle of the Administration, and in this development too, you can become a pattern for the entire Bahá’í world....”
Now Lee Thargy wants to start working very hard, he does not want to miss the golden opportunities!
Unipar read some more; he read from Bahá’í Administration, p. 21:
“The Lord hath ordained that in every city a House of Justice be established wherein shall gather counsellors to the number of Bahá (9)... It behooveth them to be the trusted ones of the Merciful among men and to regard themselves as the guardians appointed of God for all that dwell on earth.” -Bahá’u’lláh
Lee was horrified! All this time, Jay was coming to him for help, and he did not respond!
Unipar read some more; he read from God Passes By, p. 332:
“...These Spiritual Assemblies are aided by the Spirit of God...These Spiritual Assemblies are shining lamps and heavenly gardens, from which the fragrances of holiness are diffused over all regions, and the lights of knowledge are shed abroad over all created things. From them the spirit of life streameth in every direction. They, indeed, are the potent sources of the progress of man, at all times and under all conditions.”-‘Abdu’l-Bahá
Lee immediately made the resolution to turn over a new leaf and to help build these “potent sources of the progress of man.” I supplied him with the following list of Local Spiritual Assemblies currently in jeopardy:
N.B., Those Assemblies most urgently in need have the number of the required homefront settlers indicated in parentheses.
| AZ | Mesa |
| Prescott (2) | |
| White Cone Chapter | |
| CA | Fair Oaks-Folsom JD |
| Oroville JD (3) | |
| San Anselmo | |
| Burlingame | |
| Cupertino-Sunnyvale JD (4) | |
| Salinas | |
| San Carlos | |
| Menlo Park (1) | |
| Bakersfield JD | |
| Hermosa Beach | |
| Lakewood | |
| San Fernando | |
| Fullerton | |
| Del Mar (2) | |
| Chula Vista (3) | |
| Lompoc | |
| Pismo Beach | |
| FL | Fort Myers (4) |
| Sarasota County | |
| IL | Downers Grove |
| Glenview | |
| Park Ridge | |
| IA | Iowa City (2) |
| KS | Emporia |
| MD | Ann Arundel County |
| MI | Battle Creek |
| St. Joseph (1) | |
| MN | Rochester (3) |
| MS | Canton |
| MO | Florissant (1) |
| NE | Sarpy County (2) |
| NH | Alton |
| NJ | North Plainfield (1) |
| NM | Silver City |
| NY | Town of Greenburg |
| White Plains | |
| Hamburg Village | |
| OH | Berea |
| Euclid | |
| Warrensville Heights | |
| OR | Jackson County (2) |
| Springfield (4) | |
| PA | Eastern Chester County |
| SC | Greenville County |
| Richland County | |
| TX | Bellaire |
| VT | Putney |
| Brattleboro | |
| VA | Fairfax |
| WA | Spokane County CD/1 |
| Bellevue | |
| Pierce County CD/2 | |
| WI | Delafield |
‘HEAVENLY ARMY’[edit]
Attends Institute...
Venezuela, Rhodesia, Botswana, Italy, South Africa, Kenya, Argentina, Denmark, Afghanistan, Lesotho...
To all parts of the world, carrying the healing message of Bahá’u’lláh to every stratum of human society—these valiant and dedicated souls who have committed their lives and substance to serving the Cause in a foreign land gathered at the Holiest House of Worship in Wilmette for a special four-day Pioneering Institute.
From all over the country they came... from every kind of background... all with a common purpose—to learn all they could about pioneering and to prepare themselves for things such as “culture shock,” language barriers, and bugs... but especially to prepare themselves to be radiant candles and shining stars, proclaiming the Name of God in places they probably never heard of before they became Bahá’ís.
- “How will I order books?”
- “Will I still receive my Bahá’í News?”
- “Should I take my pots and pans?”
- “How do you say ‘God is one’ in Danish???”
This was the second of a series of invitational Institutes sponsored by the International Goals Committee specifically designed to give last-minute orientation to departing pioneers. This session, unique in that it was held at the National Bahá’í Center, proved to be a rewarding and informative time for all who attended.
Bahá’ís, never strangers, became close friends, and prayers were shared in the House of Worship for strength and guidance. Many are already at their pioneering posts, carrying with them the memory of those wonderful days in Wilmette.
Unipar[edit]
Hello! I’m back again this month with a very special message for you. This message is from our National Spiritual Assembly and it deals with the reason for my being a part of The American Bahá’í—universal participation. Without saying any more, I’m going to sign off for now so you can proceed with the important words that follow. See you next issue! — UNIPAR
“TAPPING THE SOURCES OF CELESTIAL STRENGTH”[edit]
Treasurer’s Corner[edit]
A series of thirty-six institutes reached every section of the country during December as the National Spiritual Assembly unveiled a new plan to deal with our spiritual problems with the Bahá’í Fund. Local treasurers and members of state goals committees and area youth committees were familiarized with the spiritual bases for the support of the National Fund and the urgency with which we must view our responsibilities to meet our financial obligations in this series of conferences unprecedented in the history of the American Bahá’í Community. The first of these institutes, held in the House of Worship in Wilmette, involved the participation of all nine members of the National Spiritual Assembly. Further impact was added by a message to the National Spiritual Assembly from the Universal House of Justice, supporting these institutes and calling on the American believers to recognize their responsibility to support financially the Institutions of the Faith locally, nationally, and internationally, and poignantly reminding that the Institutions of the Faith at all levels are crippled without such support.
Treasurers were asked to take back to their communities the following major points:
- Contributing to the Fund, like the obligatory prayer, is a spiritual obligation. It is not voluntary, only the amount is voluntary. Since it is between the individual and God, no pressure or coercion can be placed on an individual. It is a matter of developing the proper spiritual attitude toward giving.
- Contributing must involve sacrifice. Sacrifice is not so much giving up something you want as it is a spiritual, a sacred offering to something you love and want to honor by bestowing something of utmost significance to you upon it. In a real sense, the level of sacrifice becomes your own measure of the extent of your love.
- Regular contributing is far more important than the amount. The Universal House of Justice tells us that “large numbers of small sums combine into a mighty river that can carry along the work of the Cause.” Universal participation unleashes the power of spiritual unity and becomes a significant means of tapping the sources of celestial strength.
- Each believer must be made to feel comfortable with his own means and style of giving. Procedures to receive and account for contributions must never be designed for the convenience of the treasurer, rather they must be characterized by a spirit of reverence and assure that every believer always feels that his participation and contribution is important and unique.
- To achieve universal participation, every Assembly and Group must contribute, however little, to the National Bahá’í Fund every Bahá’í month. Regularity is important. There is a spiritual dynamism released when the entire community joins forces to attain a common goal, each contributing and arising to new levels of sacrifice.
- Every Bahá’í must personally receive, at Feasts, special gatherings, or through individual contact, the essence of this important institute, that he may perceive the importance of examining his own circumstances, the depth of his faith, and the conscious sacrifices he chooses to make which will lead to the establishment of his own personal goals for regular contributing and sacrifice.
- Treasurers are not merely collectors of money. They must constantly deepen themselves and their fellow believers in the spiritual verities of sacrifice and universal participation. They must be alert to the development of new ways to attract the friends to the bounties of giving. They must sacrifice their own personal convenience and adhere only to the purest Bahá’í standard.
The overwhelmingly favorable responses to the institutes were a part of a special spirit of enthusiasm and a renewed awareness of our obligation to support the Fund. Being able to face up to our obligation in its essential, spiritual form led to a real sense of relief—no longer was there a need for the apologetic discussions of our responsibilities that have characterized the past. We can progress to far higher horizons when we remember that we accept money from only those who have united under the banner of Bahá’u’lláh and use these resources to raise the Kingdom of God on earth!
The participants in these institutes went forth to the friends with this enthusiastic message: We have a spiritual obligation, a spiritual opportunity to contribute our time, our substance, our treasure to the development of world order and the spiritual prosperity of mankind. Let us now pray that a dramatic change in the financial resources of the Bahá’í World may validate these institutes, that we will not only meet our two million dollar budget but gain the strength to double and triple our efforts to provide a firm foundation to the development for the Cause of God throughout the entire world. The National Spiritual Assembly stands ready to do everything in its power to assist—the Treasurers Institutes are an important part of this effort.
PERISCOPE[edit]
For over five weeks, the friends in SOUTH CAROLINA have sustained a mass teaching campaign. The first 17 days of this campaign saw an army of teachers and workers that, at times, numbered 250! This army was fed, sheltered, transported, and cared for by the local South Carolina believers. The work alone in cooking for this army is beyond belief! Picture this: close to 1000 loaves of bread, 1000 cakes and packages of sweet rolls, 250 pounds of potatoes, boxes upon boxes of apples, oranges, and bananas, hundreds of pounds of meat, fish, chicken, etc. Along with this, thousands of pieces of Bahá’í literature have been purchased and distributed. AND NOT A PENNY WAS REQUESTED FROM THE NATIONAL BAHÁ’Í FUND! The essential work continues as the friends—almost without rest—go out every other weekend to a new area to teach the masses and WIN INCREASING NUMBERS FOR Bahá’u’lláh.
At the age of 103, Dora Bray of Pasadena, CALIFORNIA, is holding firesides that have listeners eager to learn more about the Faith. Each State Goals Committee member of Southern CALIFORNIA (District 1) is studying a goal state that needs pioneers—a valuable aid to those who may consider moving.
How do you get 100 percent attendance? Everybody in a village in Botswana, Africa, turned out to hear of Bahá’u’lláh, a pioneer from OREGON reports. “The Chief had made sure of this by turning off the water supply so that the women would not stay home and work.”
Northern Cheyenne Reservation Opened To Faith[edit]
What a joy to be privileged to participate in the opening of this Northern Cheyenne Reservation of Montana! Many of us remember the film, “Cheyenne Autumn”, a sad record of the valley of despair for a whole tribe. The grave of Dull Knife, their great leader, is at Lame Deer. This last weekend saw a great uplift come to the Reservation—“Cheyenne Springtime” was at hand!
Through areas of snow warnings came the Bahá’ís from Canada, North and South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and Oklahoma. Auxiliary Board Member Angus Cowan brought some youth from Brandon, Manitoba. Distances are so great in Montana that it is hard for the believers in the west of the state to attend a Bahá’í function in their eastern area, 650 miles away!
Our Northern Cheyenne believer, Steve Whiteman, who is presently training at the Bismarck United Tribes Training Center, was with us to introduce us to many of his family in Lame Deer. His father is the Earth Maker in the Cheyenne Sun Dance and he told us much about the ways of his people. We heard how “Maheo”, the “One Alone”, renews the spirit of his people every year through the Sun Dance. And here we came, with the Message of Bahá’u’lláh from that “One Above” to bring an eternal springtime.
Some of us may have come with a feeling of trepidation about mass teaching, but the spirit of mass teaching is infectious and after one or two weekends it becomes natural to mention the Name of Bahá’u’lláh to any passerby, plug in with faith to the spirit that is going around today and take the buffalo bull by the horns and go ahead! A weekend without checking one’s list of needs seems lacking...sleeping bag, Indian pictures, films, projector, milk can full of soup, map of area, tapes, slides, bag of large candles, shovel, and of course masses of declaration cards.
One believer from Wyoming wrote, “I have only slept in a sleeping bag twice in my life, but I will try to come.”
Usually, there is only the floor of a tribal building to sleep on with some kitchen facilities and hopefully running water. Our “recreation center” in Lame Deer had been the old Day School and was well equipped. The Tribal Chairman, Steve’s uncle, lived opposite and had helped us to obtain the hall. In fact, on being given the leaflet, “Ye are all the fruits of one tree”, he said to us: “These points are just what the Tribal Council is discussing right now in their meeting.”
Within minutes, the hall was transformed by pictures on the wall, equipment, boxes of teaching material and food. The Bahá’ís gathered around for prayers and briefing. The kitchen bulged with activity under the guidance of Lenore Hutton of Ralph, South Dakota, that all-Bahá’í town of three. Angus Cowan gave us inspiration from his heartfelt stories of mass teaching. Out of the briefing came the teams that were to cover the town. Steve drew a large map on the flip-chart, drivers were assigned their teams, one or two intrepid folks decided to walk, the final prayers were said and we were on our way...
At one point, we were looking for the Bahá’ís. We asked, “Where are the Bahá’ís?” One bewildered bystander said, “My gosh, they’re everywhere!” The teams were scattered throughout the small shopping center, the housing units, tribal trailer court and the more remote Indian homes.
“Have you heard of Bahá’u’lláh?” “No, but I’ve heard of hallelujah.” The undaunted Bahá’ís would pick up from there. “Where does Mrs. Agnello live?” “...opposite Mrs. Walks-Nice, in the housing unit.” Mrs. Walks-Nice declared right there as she couldn’t go to the meeting at night.
As a thaw set in, we got stuck in the wet snow; we pushed and pulled and were pushed and pulled; but every part of Lame Deer was covered that afternoon. And so our divine group returned to the Recreation Center and the delicious hot soup, all fired up for the evening.
Bernard Pretends-Eagle introduced the program and said a prayer in Sioux. Then he called on one of the visitors to pray in Cheyenne. The films, “A New Wind” and “It’s Just the Beginning”, were shown. An invitation was made to everyone to join their Bahá’í family and suddenly all around us, Indian people, young and old, were signing up! It was an inspiration to see, especially to those from other states who had sent “trainees”. A sweet taste of success in a hitherto untouched area! There were eight adults and six youth, thirteen of whom were Cheyenne Indians. Delores Knott from Kamiah, Idaho, was the youngest at fourteen years old. The youth film was shown again and again and everyone was so excited that sleep came hard that night.
The following day, reports from the teams were shared. Everyone noted the warmth with which they had been received all over the town. Friendly smiles everywhere and an interest that grew and grew. Before leaving, coordinators for deepening work were appointed and we visited the Walks-Nice family again. Mr. James Ant, Cheyenne medicine man, said prayers in his language. Finally, we all set off in different directions, through more storm warnings, to carry back the great news.
Silent Teacher[edit]
ran back to the bus just as the children were stepping on. My little friend was standing waiting. I handed the pamphlet to him and between gasps of breath I pointed to the answer to his question and dog-eared the page for him. He grinned from ear to ear and thanked me over and over again. And then he was gone. The bus pulled away. I stood there in the wind for a moment watching it go and waving goodbye, my heart pounding, my spirit soaring and thanking Bahá’u’lláh for the undeserved bounties he had just showered upon me.
PERISCOPE[edit]
Common occurrences: Churches requesting speakers (a Methodist minister in OHIO knocked on a Bahá’í’s door); radio and television interviews; talks to college and high school classes; prayer drives through unopened towns.
The State Senate of WEST VIRGINIA passed a bill granting recognition of the Bahá’í marriage. The bill is now before the State House of Representatives where opposition could arise. Prayers for the success of this Nine Year Plan objective are requested.
RHODE ISLAND achieved Nine Year Plan goal when the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Providence incorporated.
There are now over 3570 localities where Bahá’ís reside in the UNITED STATES...117 Bahá’í groups have nine or more adult Bahá’ís.
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FLASH — YOUTH PROJECT SWITZERLAND JULY-AUGUST 1971 TEACHING IN ALPINE VILLAGES WITH SWISS YOUTH. WRITE NOW FOR VOLUNTEER FORM:
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NOTICIAS DEL SUROESTE![edit]
Hermanos, por todo el suroeste hay Bahá’ís dedicados viajando, enseñando La Bendita Fé de Dios. Viajan por el calor del desierto y el frío de las montañas nevadas. Ya sabemos que la gente latina está lista para oír de Bahá’u’lláh. ¡Las pruebas se hallan en Arizona, en Tejas, en Nuevo México, en Colorado—en las caras sonrientes de los hermanos nuevos!
En el oeste de Tejas unos Bahá’ís se levantaron para buscar las “almas puras.” Unos hablaban español un poquito, otros no sabían nada del idioma. Poniendo su fé y confianza en Dios, andaban por los campos y pueblecitos, proclamando La Venida de Bahá’u’lláh. Adentro de un fin de semana, 167 personas aceptaron el Mensaje de Bahá’u’lláh!
Agua Prieta, una ciudad de la frontera entre Arizona y México, ya tiene como 36 Bahá’ís. Es difícil dar numeros, porque cada día, más y más gente entra La Fé de Bahá’u’lláh. ¿Quién está enseñando La Fe?; ¡Claro que los pioneros! pero también; ¡los creyentes nuevos! Ellos han organizado días de enseñanza cuando visitan las casas de amigos, familiares y vecinos, diciendoles de La Venida del Prometido de Dios, Bahá’u’lláh. Dos señores, Don Antonio y Don Abran han prometido individualmente traer 100 creyentes más para La Fé! Unos hermanos ya han formado planes para viajes de enseñanza a otras partes de México y los Estados Unidos! A fin de enero, El Comité Para Enseñar A La Gente Que Habla Español va a dar un Institute de Enseñanza para Agua Prieta. Los pioneros (Los Srs. Byron, Ricardo Haley y Sylvia) me dicen que adentro de unos meses vamos a tener miles de creyentes en Agua Prieta-Douglas!
Announcement[edit]
The National Bahá’í Schools Committee is pleased to inform the friends that the National Spiritual Assembly has approved its proposal for increasing the number of Bahá’í schools in the United States from 10 to 15, a fifty percent growth in one year. Rapid increases in Bahá’í enrollments, particularly in the South, and heightened interest in other areas in the formation of schools motivated the plan. The five new schools will be located in the following areas:
- Eastern New York
- Georgia/Alabama
- Northern Florida
- Southern Florida
- Arizona/New Mexico
Committees for all 15 schools were appointed in December by the National Spiritual Assembly in order to permit an early start on planning of summer sessions. The schools will also conduct sessions at other seasons of the year where this is feasible.
Announcements of all school programs, including locations, rates, and dates, will be carried in a forthcoming issue of The American Bahá’í so that readers will be able to make arrangements for attendance.
ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT ATTENDING THE CARIBBEAN CONFERENCE?
THERE’S STILL ROOM!
There are some 50 spaces aboard the “New Bahama Star” for the Floating Institute to Jamaica.
The total cost for the 11-day trip is $385 for adults, far less than a comparable amount if one were to fly to Jamaica and spend a like span of time in a hotel. This price includes all meals, port taxes, and gratuities. The ship will serve as a hotel during the time the Caribbean Oceanic Conference is in session.
AYYÁM-I-HÁ! AYYÁM-I-HÁ![edit]
It was over. It was all over. No more Christmas tree, no more stockings hanging up, no more happy, excited “family” feeling. Bea Happy was a Bahá’í now. But she was also a little girl and little girls love the happy times that things like Christmas bring. But since Bea Happy really loved Bahá’u’lláh, she wanted to live like a Bahá’í now and do all the things that Bahá’ís do.
So December came and went and the colder skies of January began to pass also.
It was in February that Bea Happy first began to notice that tingly, smiley, good “family” feeling that was beginning to fill the house. And she began to hear her mom and dad saying one of those lovely Persian words that Bahá’ís get to learn.
The word was Ayyám-i-Há. What did it mean and why did hearing it make her feel so happy?
One day, on February 25th, little Bea’s mother told her they were going to tidy up the house and make it look especially nice because at sundown that night, Ayyám-i-Há would begin. For the next four days, many friends would be coming over to visit and there would be singing and prayers and the giving of gifts, and lots of happy times.
Bea Happy’s eyes got bigger and bigger as she listened to her folks tell her about Ayyám-i-Há—how Bahá’u’lláh provided this time for all the friends so that they could take time out for fellowship and laughter and singing and games—so that they could really share happy times together and so they could share these happy times with those around them who have less—visit the sick and lonely, bring comfort to the needy and show the love of Bahá’u’lláh to all.
Little Bea’s folks told her how these joyous days would prepare the Bahá’ís for the days of the Fast, which would begin on March 2nd, and how all the friends would be so filled with radiance that they would be eager to show their thanks to God through a purifying of the spirit and a cleansing of the human temple.
Bea’s little heart was nearly bursting with gladness. How wonderful to be a Bahá’í and be able to share the new special days and new Holy Days that God has given to the world—days that are filled with the new, fresh spirit of God’s love.
Ayyám-i-Há, sang little Bea, Ayyám-i-Há, Ayyám-i-Há, Ayyám-i-Há! And right away, she began to think about how she could share this joy with her friends...she was very happy.
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Homefront Pioneers Needed!
Bahá’ís ready, willing, and able to engage in the twin processes of expansion and consolidation are needed throughout the mass teaching areas in the South. Have you thought about settling in South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, West Virginia...? Write or call:
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The American Bahá’í
112 LINDEN AVENUE • WILMETTE, ILLINOIS 60091
in this issue...
The Carolina Story
Indian Teaching:
Northern Cheyenne Reservation, MT
Florida Kaleidoscope
Assemblies in Jeopardy
NSA Statement: Caribbean Conference
Pioneer Training Institute