The American Bahá’í/Volume 2/Issue 5/Text
A YEAR OF VICTORIES![edit]
EXCERPTS FROM NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY REPORT TO 62nd ANNUAL CONVENTION[edit]
The American Bahá’í Community has never before witnessed a year of such spectacular victories as the year 127. All the expansion goals on the homefront were achieved in excess of the expectations of the Nine Year Plan—and this, two years ahead of schedule.
- 36 new and restored Local Spiritual Assemblies were formed this Riḍván, a number surpassing that required at the outset of the Plan to achieve the 600 called for, and bringing the present total of Assemblies to 839.
- approximately 4,000 localities claim Bahá’í residents; the Plan called for 3,000, a goal that was achieved as early as last August.
- the membership of the Community more than doubled with most of the new adherents, some 20,000, residing in the Deep South alone.
The overall expansion of the Community encompassed every minority designated by The Universal House of Justice for our major concentration: thousands of Negroes, hundreds of Spanish-speaking peoples, scores of Indian Americans have embraced the Cause of God; and a breakthrough has been made in reaching the Oriental people in Seattle.
The legal goals—namely, incorporation of Local Spiritual Assemblies, recognition of Bahá’í Holy Days and recognition of the Bahá’í marriage certificate—have also been achieved in all 48 states and Puerto Rico with only two exceptions: the incorporation of Local Spiritual Assemblies in the States of Virginia and West Virginia where State laws prohibit the incorporation of religious bodies.
1009 NEW BELIEVERS IN JAMAICA[edit]
U.S. Mass Teaching Team with Bahá’í pioneers in Jamaica.
In response to a request from The Universal House of Justice that the National Spiritual Assemblies of Jamaica and the United States initiate mass teaching in Jamaica and enlist at least 1,000 new believers prior to the forthcoming Caribbean Conference to be held in Kingston, Jamaica, May 21-23, 1971, it was arranged to send a mass teaching team of six believers from the Deep South to Jamaica during the month of March. Result? 1,009 Jamaicans embraced the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh! Some of these native believers were immediately deepened in the Faith and took an active part in the month-long campaign.
Following are excerpts from the team’s report:
Newly elected National Spiritual Assembly. From left, Mr. Glenford E. Mitchell (Secretary), Dr. Sarah Pereira, Dr. Dorothy Nelson (Treasurer), Dr. Dwight W. Allen, Miss Magdalene Carney, Miss Charlotte Linfoot (Asst. Secretary), Dr. Daniel Jordan (Vice-Chairman), Mr. Franklin Kahn, and Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh (Chairman).
State Goals Committees Evolve To District Teaching Committees[edit]
(See page 3)
National Spiritual Assembly Report[edit]
Thus, to the already bedecked crown of American Bahá’í achievement can be added another shining jewel; that is, the distinction of not having to win a breathless victory on the homefront during the Nine Year Plan which is, in fact, the first in the series of teaching plans entrusted to the discretion of The Universal House of Justice during this tenth and last part of that divinely-initiated process that began with the Adamic Cycle six thousand years ago and is destined to usher mankind to the unimaginable splendors and peace of the Golden Age of the Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh...
Inexpressible indeed is our gratitude, for our success has not been reserved for the homefront alone. We have also accomplished much on the international scene. A total of 205 pioneers have settled in 66 countries since last Riḍván. At that time 172 goals remained to be filled, but these were supplemented by 89 during August. At present 119 posts are yet unmanned. Summer youth projects were held in Mexico and Honduras, and preparations have been made to send youth projecteers to ten countries in Latin America and to Samoa and Switzerland. But the most striking initiative undertaken by us on the international field this year, and one which may well prove to be the forerunner to a more highly developed form of travel-teaching, was sending a mass teaching team of six believers from the Deep South to Jamaica during the month of March. In a matter of four weeks, the team’s vigorous and daring activities produced over 1,000 declarations on the western half of the island which in turn led to the formation of fourteen new Local Spiritual Assemblies. This achievement at once assured that community of the attainment of its Nine Year Plan goals and of a huge reception for the Caribbean Oceanic Conference...
This was surely a year of victories...
The American Bahá’í community has touched upon an awareness of the essential intention of the Nine Year Plan as intimated by The Universal House of Justice when it announced the plan in 1964, namely, that it is both timely and desirable and is a matter of the utmost urgency, in view of the grave dangers hanging over mankind, to awaken the masses to the Message of Bahá’u’lláh. The growth which has been gaining momentum throughout the country over the last several years, although it has manifested itself much more dramatically in the Deep South than elsewhere, is accelerating toward a level beyond our present ability to calculate. This demands that the community resolutely and with matching speed develop the means for absorbing huge numbers of new believers and ensuring the transformation of their lives in conformity with Bahá’í principles. It means that ways must be devised to aid the believers in so mastering the provisions of the Covenant that no assault upon the community by the idle, the misguided, or the power-hungry will inflict any damage. It suggests that the administration, though adhering rigidly to established principles, must develop a flexibility in procedures that will accommodate this mighty challenge.
Local Spiritual Assemblies will have to be greatly strengthened in authority and influence; the operations of the State Conventions must be revamped in order to facilitate much larger electorates; Bahá’í education on a much wider scale than we ever before contemplated and in a variety of ways hitherto untried must be provided every stratum of the community; methods of communication must be developed which will not exclude the comprehension of thousands, and perhaps tens of thousands, of illiterate or semi-literate believers; methods of registering and educating thousands of children in the Bahá’í community must be developed and promoted without delay.
In brief, the administrative machinery of the Faith in America has entered upon another phase in its evolution. Much as this evolution will tax our resilience, we do have the assurance and must believe that success will also crown our endeavors.
It is rather remarkable that these realities should dawn upon us at this particular juncture in Bahá’í history just a few months before the fiftieth anniversary of the passing of the beloved Master—an event which made possible the opening of the Formative Age in which we are now living. It appears to come at our moment of unprecedented success and equally unprecedented challenges essentially as a providential reminder of those divine principles enunciated by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in His Will and Testament, the charter of the Administrative
JAMAICA STORY[edit]
“Mafoota: Here we met with some of the Bahá’í friends and began to deepen and teach. This resulted in five declarations each with its own significance. To cite an example, Mrs. Chambers had been a Bahá’í for about two months, but her husband was not. He came to the gathering and listened, asked questions and talked to the friends. Each of us could see the dignity and sincerity in this man’s face. But he did not declare. After the gathering he invited some of the friends to see his garden where he grows lettuce, cabbage, tomatoes, and flowers. One of the friends asked him, ‘Mr. Chambers, how long have you been a Bahá’í?’ He said, ‘I have not joined yet.’ ‘Would you like to be a Bahá’í?’ He signed his card in the garden.”
“Vineyard and Black River: After showing a few slides on a battery-operated projector (no table, so it was held by hand) we were disappointed after no one seemingly responded. The showing was held at the shop of Mr. Bennett but no light was available for the people to see the faces of the Bahá’ís talking. Two young teenagers asked for prayer books only.
But next day while teaching at the bus stop next to the sea in Black River, a Mr. Myers signed his card, saying he had been in the crowd at Vineyard the evening before. Therefore, we changed our techniques. Instead of asking people to come forward to sign cards, they were asked to stay and talk, ask questions, etc. Usually, a number of people would join then.”
“Williamsfield: I shall always have a soft spot in my heart for the people here, particularly the Mullins’. Alberta and I had the right-hand side of the road going west—apparently a community of Seventh Day Adventists. Anyway, we had had no declarations and it was almost time for the bus to pick us up. We were debating further action at a road corner when Alberta noticed a lady beckoning to us. Thus we were introduced to Mr. and Mrs. Mullins who were being neighborly in asking strangers to get out of the sun and be cool for a while. After finding out that the Mullins’ were Adventists, I felt it wasn’t any use to tell of Bahá’u’lláh. Alberta seemed to
National Spiritual Assembly Report[edit]
Order, and in a number of His tablets and talks—principles that in the main are concerned with distinguishing the qualities of Bahá’í life. It is to these principles and their power of transforming the inner self that we must address ourselves if we are to succeed ultimately in securing the foundation of the Bahá’í community and coping with the exigencies of administrative development.
The principle of rectitude of conduct with its implications, in the words of Shoghi Effendi, of “justice, equity, truthfulness, honesty, fair-mindedness, reliability, and trustworthiness;” the principle of chastity with its implications, again in his words, of “modesty, purity, temperance, decency, and clean-mindedness,” which as stated by him in The Advent of Divine Justice “can tolerate no compromise with the theories, the standards, the habits, and the excesses of a decadent age”—both these principles are particularly germane to the challenge we face in this dark period of the Age of Transition. By applying these divine principles conscientiously to our daily lives, we who are being recruited from a decaying order, which The Universal House of Justice affirms cannot be repaired, will be able to achieve that transformation without which all our designs for an enlarged administration, no matter how well conceived, will utterly fail.
In conclusion, as extraordinary as it is at this stage of the Nine Year Plan, and grateful as we must be, our feat of triumph is a mere step on a long, turbulent course toward our manifest destiny. We must press on as never before with more proclamation, more expansion, and infinitely more consolidation. The challenges facing our community are obviously no longer limited to the announced statistical objectives of the Plan, but signalize in a much broader sense the imminent release in greater and greater measure of the as yet largely dammed-up potential of a spiritually endowed community. Our plans for the immediate future must therefore aspire toward this wider vision.
State Goals Committees Evolve To District Teaching Committees[edit]
The unprecedented victories of the past year were to a great extent the result of greater participation by more believers in more ways in serving the Cause we all love so dearly. One such group of dedicated believers were the members of State Goals Committees. It was their concern to open new localities to the Faith and to assist groups to attain Assembly status and thus achieve the goals of the Nine Year Plan. Having accomplished all the homefront goals of the Nine Year Plan, the time was ripe to expand the teaching organization in order to better consolidate the recent gains and provide the base for future growth.
It is on the triumphant notes of victory that State Goals Committees evolve to District Teaching Committees and will take on an even greater responsibility for the progress and welfare of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh throughout the United States.
There will be some 70 District Teaching Committees, 19 more than last year’s State Goals Committees.
They will be known as, for example, the Minnesota Bahá’í Teaching Committee or the Northern Nevada Bahá’í Teaching Committee. It will be their responsibility to not only assist isolated believers and groups with the proclamation, expansion, and consolidation of the Faith in their district but to also assist and nurture new Local Spiritual Assemblies during their first year of existence. District Teaching Committees must reflect in deed and action an added degree of loving patience, dedicated and sacrificial service and Bahá’í maturity as they prosecute their duties and responsibilities. As always, cooperation will keynote the relationship between these committees and already established and functioning Assemblies.
To assist District Teaching Committees in the vital consolidation work, the National Teaching Committee will establish regional offices whose chief responsibility will be to see that new, restored, and jeopardized Assemblies receive the attention and assistance that will ensure the healthy and constant growth of these local Bahá’í institutions.
JAMAICA STORY[edit]
be reluctant to leave when the bus drove up.
So, I told Leon that the Mullins’ were Seventh Day Adventists and we hadn’t told them of the Faith. This was more than he could take—he told the Mullins’ that it was thought that Seventh Day Adventists didn’t want to hear of a new Messenger from God. Mr. Mullins then asked to hear the Message and made his declaration. The moral is: do not make up the minds of the people for them—tell them about Bahá’u’lláh if they wish to hear and then let them decide.”
(A neighbor of the Mullins’ declared her belief in Bahá’u’lláh too.)
“Lucea: A moment of heaven on earth again occurred at the beach on the outskirts of Lucea. A group of young adults were walking together—their number including an off-duty policeman and a member of the Ras Tafari. We told of Bahá’u’lláh with much love and tenderness and eight of the group of 10 became Bahá’ís. All of this occurred while the young fellows sat on old logs in the delightful shade of a number of majestic palm trees, lining the sandy beach along the Caribbean Sea—its waves eternally bearing a message of love and devotion to the Creator while cool gentle winds played upon us as if following the express direction of the Nightingale of Paradise. As these young fellows responded so positively to the call of Bahá’u’lláh, certainly one could hardly imagine a more rewarding experience.”
“...the hospitality, inspiration and help (of the local pioneers) contributed in no small way to the success...”
“The knowledge and appreciation of spiritual verities on such a large scale has been a revelation, even though we know each person has been created with the capacity to know God. They (the new believers) especially are aware of the need to apply the Teachings to oneself, to become a vehicle for God and serve Him through serving mankind. They are eager to learn how to organize and work together using Bahá’í teachings and prayer.”
|
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. |
LOCAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES[edit]
9 YEAR PLAN
Goal: 600 by Riḍván 1973
Progress:—840! Riḍván 1971
[Page 5]
SOUTH CAROLINA LEADS NATION IN ASSEMBLY GROWTH
| Local Spiritual Assemblies | |||||
| State or District | New | Old | Lost | Total | |
| 1. | SC | 100 | 8 | 0 | 108 |
| 2. | GA | 35 | 8 | 0 | 43 |
| 3. | E. TX | 28 | 11 | 0 | 39 |
| 4. | NC | 19 | 6 | 0 | 25 |
| 5. | FL | 15 | 23 | 0 | 38 |
| 6. | AL | 11 | 10 | 0 | 21 |
| 7. | AR | 10 | 3 | 0 | 13 |
| 8. | LA | 7 | 8 | 0 | 15 |
| 9. | WA-W | 6 | 22 | 0 | 28 |
| 10. | MA | 6 | 10 | 0 | 16 |
| 11. | CT | 6 | 6 | 0 | 12 |
| 12. | CA S-2 | 7 | 30 | 1 | 36 |
| 13. | MI | 5 | 18 | 0 | 23 |
| 14. | WV | 5 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| 15. | N. IL | 6 | 18 | 1 | 23 |
| 16. | VA | 6 | 7 | 1 | 12 |
| 17. | CA C-1 | 7 | 30 | 2 | 35 |
| 18. | AZ | 4 | 11 | 0 | 15 |
| 18. | CO | 4 | 11 | 15 | |
| 19. | ID | 4 | 3 | 0 | 7 |
| 20. | NJ | 3 | 9 | 0 | 12 |
| 21. | NV | 3 | 5 | 0 | 8 |
| 22. | MS | 4 | 5 | 1 | 8 |
| 23. | CA S-3 | 2 | 9 | 0 | 11 |
| 24. | IN | 2 | 7 | 0 | 9 |
| 24. | S. IL | 2 | 7 | 0 | 9 |
| 25. | OK | 2 | 5 | 0 | 7 |
| 26. | MT | 2 | 3 | 0 | 5 |
| 27. | KY | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| 27. | ND | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| 27. | TN | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| 28. | CA-N | 3 | 18 | 1 | 20 |
| 29. | KS | 1 | 6 | 0 | 7 |
| 30. | NH | 1 | 5 | 0 | 6 |
| 31. | DE | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| 31. | RI | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| 31. | SD | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| 32. | WA-E | 2 | 6 | 1 | 7 |
| 33. | TX-W | 2 | 4 | 1 | 5 |
| 34. | WI | 0 | 17 | 0 | 17 |
| 35. | OH | 0 | 15 | 0 | 15 |
| 36. | OR | 0 | 13 | 0 | 13 |
| 37. | PA | 0 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| 38. | MN | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 39. | ME | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| 39. | UT | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| 39. | WY | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| 40. | NM | 1 | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| 41. | NY-W | 2 | 12 | 2 | 12 |
| 42. | NY-E | 0 | 10 | 1 | 9 |
| 43. | IA | 0 | 6 | 1 | 5 |
| 44. | CA C-2 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 4 |
| 45. | NE | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| 45. | VT | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| 46. | CA S-1 | 3 | 37 | 5 | 35 |
Ranking based on net gain and then total.
NOTE: Above statistics subject to change pending approval by the National Spiritual Assembly.
TELEGRAM[edit]
SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF SWARTHMORE, PA.
ACCLAIM WITH DEEPEST GRATITUDE SIGNAL VICTORY REPRESENTED RETENTION YOUR SORELY TESTED ASSEMBLY NOW STANDING AS SHINING PROOF RESILIENCE ALMIGHTY COVENANT LORD HOSTS AND UNFAILING GRACE VOUCHSAFED HIS FIRM DEVOTED SERVANTS DESPITE ALL DIFFICULTIES. LOVING RIḌVÁN GREETINGS ASSURANCE OUR FERVENT PRAYERS HOLIEST HOUSE OF WORSHIP.
WOW! Victory! Our goals are won, won, won!!![edit]
More than 800 Local Spiritual Assemblies, approximately 4,000 localities, more than 200 college clubs, recognition of Bahá’í Holy Days in all states... etc., etc., etc.,
NOW WHAT?[edit]
“...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...”
- (The Universal House of Justice, 12/70)
“The twin processes so clearly described by the beloved Guardian in his essay “The Unfoldment of World Civilization”—the steady progress and consolidation of the Cause of God on the one hand and the progressive disintegration of a moribund world on the other—will undoubtedly impose upon us new tasks, the obligation of devising new approaches to teaching, of demonstrating more clearly to a disillusioned world the Bahá’í way of life and making more effective the administrative institutions of the Faith. The authority and influence of National and Local Spiritual Assemblies will have to be strengthened in order to deal with larger Bahá’í communities...”
- (The Universal House of Justice, 4/71)
Now that a major objective of the Nine Year Plan has been attained—the formation of new Local Spiritual Assemblies—we must direct our attention towards these newly born Institutions which, like newly born babies, must be given the proper nourishment, understanding, and assistance to attain maturity. We must aid them to become “the potent sources of the progress of man, at all times and under all conditions.”
- Your co-worker,
- Hal
- Your co-worker,
“...the whole earth will be illumined”[edit]
“You must attach great importance to the Indians, the original inhabitants of America... should these Indians be educated and properly guided, there can be no doubt that through the Divine teachings they will become so enlightened that the whole earth will be illumined.” —‘Abdu’l-Bahá
The pictures presented here give ample testimony that The Universal House of Justice Message on “Teaching the Masses” (July 13, 1964) is as applicable on an Indian Reservation as it is in the deep South. We call on the friends during this next Bahá’í year to increase their efforts a thousandfold to reach the American Indian with the healing Message of Bahá’u’lláh before the forces of a degenerate society have made such inroads that these waiting souls will become veiled from the Message of the Coming of the Promised One.
These souls are the results of the teaching efforts initiated by the North Plains Indian Committee in cooperation with the State Goals Committees of Idaho, Montana, and North and South Dakota. The dedicated service of the Bahá’ís in those states has raised up five new Local Spiritual Assemblies in Indian areas. In addition, the Navajo Reservation Committee has increased the number of Indian Assemblies on that Reservation from two to four.
We pray that Bahá’u’lláh will continue to shower His bounties on those tireless few so that “... each one may become like unto a regiment and conquer these countries through the love of God and the illumination of divine teachings.” (‘Abdu’l-Bahá)
“No more laudable and meritorious service can be rendered the Cause of God, at the present hour, than a successful effort to enhance the diversity of the members of the American Bahá’í Community...” (Shoghi Effendi)
[Page 7]
“The goal should be all-Indian assemblies, so that these much exploited and suppressed original inhabitants of the land may realize that they are equals and partners in the affairs of the Cause of God, and that Bahá’u’lláh is the Manifestation of God for them.” (Shoghi Effendi)
‘Abdu’l-Bahá Himself has stated how great are their potentialities, and it is their right, and the duty of the non-Indian Bahá’ís, to see that they receive the Message of God for this day. The friends should bear in mind that in our Faith, unlike every other society, the minority... receives special attention, love, and consideration...” (Shoghi Effendi, 1957)
INVITATION TO YOUTH FOR SOUTHERN PROJECT[edit]
“The stage is set. The hour is propitious. The signal is sounded. Bahá’u’lláh’s spiritual battalions are moving into position...”
There is no time to lose, the hour is ripe for the proclamation, without fear and without reserve, and without hesitation, and on a scale never as yet undertaken, of the one message that can alone extricate humanity from the morass into which it is steadily sinking and from which they who claim to be the followers of the Most Great Name can and will eventually rescue it.
The Deep South Committee announces plans to win over the waiting multitudes. Goal: First stage, 50,000 new Bahá’ís beginning June 4, 1971 in Goldsboro, North Carolina!
This project constitutes the first of nine stages of a plan for the current year which we pray will witness the enrollment of 450,000 believers under the banner of Bahá’u’lláh. Out of the experience of mass teaching in the last few months, definite principles of simultaneous mass expansion and consolidation have been developed. Teachers will be trained to apply these principles in teaching the waiting masses. We extend a special invitation to youth of all ages to respond to The Universal House of Justice 1971 Riḍván Message to arise and teach while there is yet time. Cost will be $1 per day for food and lodging. For more information please contact:
- Deep South Committee,
- Ferydoun Jalali, Secretary
- 4902-1/2 Western Blvd.
- Raleigh, N. C. 27606
- Phone (919) 828-8931
PERISCOPE[edit]
At the Brunswick School, a private school for boys in Greenwich, CONNECTICUT, three Bahá’í youth presented a 45-minute program for the students. After a lively question and answer period, 25 individuals asked for further information.
The University of Hartford, CONNECTICUT, has a rule that no organization can have space; i.e., hire a hall on the campus more than twice in any one school year.
After the Bahá’ís had been twice on the campus for meetings, they were informed by the management that an exception to their rule had been made for Bahá’ís.
“Bahá’ís may have space as often as they wish,” it was said. “Bahá’ís are always welcome.”
A kite-flying picnic was fun for all ages as well as a mini-proclamation in Bristol, RHODE ISLAND. Bristol is a goal area.
KCBN, a rock and roll radio station in Reno, NEVADA, with the aid of a Bahá’í disc jockey, presents Bahá’í spot announcements and Sunday morning messages. The youth are saying, “Oh, yeah. I’ve heard about that on the radio.”
The Covina Group, CALIFORNIA, invited the Mayor of Covina and his wife to dinner recently. They presented a book to the Mayor and had a newspaper photographer handy. The Mayor and his wife were so impressed they asked questions and discussed the Faith for 5 hours!
A team of four went to Kingston, MARYLAND: “On the road we saw an old gentleman walking, and he thumbed a ride. He commented on how nice it was to see young people who were so considerate. As we neared the house where he was going, we saw several people outside. We asked if he would mind if we went to meet them, and he seemed very glad to invite us. When we reached the house, a lady came out and greeted us very warmly. We introduced ourselves and she invited us in. As it turned out, the old gentleman was her uncle. We sat in their living room and began to tell her, her uncle, and one of her sons about Bahá’u’lláh. Right away she began to say, “Yes, I believe you.” She started telling us that there was only one God and that it was time for all people to come together... In a matter of minutes, they said that they wanted to be Bahá’ís. She told us that she had dreamed that strangers would be coming to her house with some good news. Her uncle also said that he had felt that morning that they would have visitors.”
Unipar[edit]
This morning I visited a garden. The juniper trees, tall and green, stood as sentinels welcoming me. The water from the fountains sparkled in the sunlight. Neatly trimmed grass outlined and encircled the many beds of different colored flowers which reminded me of the words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, “...the various races of humankind lend a composite harmony and beauty of color to the whole. Let all associate, therefore, in this great human garden even as flowers grow and blend together side by side without discord or disagreement between them.”
I sat down feeling at peace and happy inside for the beauty which surrounded me. From under a bush across the walk, a small rabbit stuck out its head, looked around, and scurried away from the nest. Though the gardener might wish that the rabbit not seek its food from the beautiful flowers and leaves, he would undoubtedly agree with me in smiling and happily thinking that another creature of God was at home and content in this wonderful garden—the garden surrounding the Bahá’í House of Worship.
My reverie was broken by the approach of a man in coveralls who was carrying a spade. He said, “Good morning, Unipar. What are you doing here?” I replied, “Being happy.” I invited him to sit by me and to tell me about his work in caring for the garden.
The gardener explained to me that the gardens were designed by a landscape architect, Hilbert Dahl, with the guidance and approval of Shoghi Effendi. Five men, including two young men serving during the summer at very low wages, under the direction of a devoted Superintendent, plant flowers and shrubs, apply fertilizer and sprays, weed, cut the grass, and keep the fountains flowing and clean. They even maintain a greenhouse!
A behind-the-scenes tour with the gardener showed me the many things Unipar must provide besides the wages of the gardeners. In containers, being nurtured before planting in the gardens, were several new rose bushes—purchased at a special price of only $1 per plant. There were rakes and hoes—one hoe $5.49. I found gasoline for the lawnmowers—33 cents per gallon. Oil, stakes, electrical tape, a sprayer, clippers small and large, grass seed, string, and a garden catalog (that was free!). These are but a few of the items required to care for the gardens.
The Universal House of Justice said, “large numbers of small sums combine into a mighty river that can carry along the work of the Cause.” Thirty-three cents contributed to the National Bahá’í Fund will buy a gallon of gasoline for the lawnmower, many gifts of 33 cents will keep the tank filled, and a river of gifts will help toward the maintenance and beautification of these sacred grounds.
Look for me the next time you are in the Bahá’í gardens. I’ll be there. With much love,
Remember, too, that you can contact me at the following address:
- Unipar
- c/o National Bahá’í Fund
- 112 Linden Avenue
- Wilmette, Illinois 60091
“Go thou straight on ...”[edit]
On Saturday, March 27, 1971, mass teaching began in the target area of Manchester, Vernon (Rockville) and Mansfield (Storrs) in Connecticut. Directed by the State Goals Committee and Auxiliary Board Member Mrs. Adrienne Reeves, over 60 Connecticut Bahá’ís, including residents of the target towns, met to contribute ideas and manpower, and to learn about guidelines for mass teaching, to pray, learn songs, read the Sacred Writings and prepare to take to the field to teach Bahá’u’lláh’s healing message. Excitement had run so high among the local Bahá’ís, that they brought 12 new souls under the banner of Bahá’u’lláh in the two weeks prior to the launching of this teaching effort. The unity and love that was exhibited by the friends at the first mass teaching institute was truly extraordinary.
The effort begun that weekend was continued through April 25, centering for the first three weeks in Vernon and Manchester and shifting for the fourth week to the University of Connecticut campus at Storrs. After the first weekend, the teaching was carried out primarily by local Bahá’ís, many brand new to the Faith, and the majority of whom were youth. A total of fifty-five new believers in eight contiguous towns resulted from the effort, with many seekers’ names obtained for follow-up.
Considering the number of resident Bahá’ís at the outset and their newness to the Faith, the program was an outstanding success. Whereas in the South, street declarations were numerous, in Connecticut they were few, and a method that proved most rewarding was the street-to-fireside invitation. Our firmest new believers are those who first attended a fireside or two before becoming Bahá’ís. The firesides were supported by music and song and the film, “It’s Just the Beginning”. One couple kept an open door-fireside-every-night policy which resulted in 14 declarations. New Bahá’ís immediately went out to teach with a number receiving re-confirmation of their faith by bringing new souls to Bahá’u’lláh. An important adjunct to the teaching was a program of institutes and regular deepening in Bahá’í Writings and Laws for the new Bahá’ís.
Several new believers said, “This is what I’ve been waiting to hear all my life”, or “God has been preparing me to hear this message.” The majority of enrollments came from youth, but they are not the only ones who have the “eyes to see” and the “ears to hear”. One man of seventy, who has been totally deaf from childhood, watched the teaching efforts from a distance one weekend in a park. The second weekend he was approached by the Bahá’ís and they discovered that he had been reading their lips, at which he had become expert. The following day he became a Bahá’í.
At the University of Connecticut, informal campus teaching, planned and carried out by the campus Bahá’í Club, was augmented by guest speakers for five consecutive nights, opening with a talk by Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh. Posters, printed invitations and newspaper announcements contributed to the proclamation there. As with all Bahá’í teaching, however, it was the prayers, the unity, the hospitality and the call for the Power that brought home to the waiting souls the message of Bahá’u’lláh.
On Friday, April 16, Vernon had five adult Bahá’ís. Two more adults declared their belief in Bahá’u’lláh that weekend, and on Monday two young men from nearby communities moved their residences to Vernon. The following day, Riḍván, a new Bahá’í institution was born. Mansfield (Storrs) had to scramble to assemble its adults for an election before sundown when its ninth adult declared at 4:00 p.m. on April 21st. Another victory! Thus, two of the three target towns achieved Local Spiritual Assembly status on the first day of Riḍván.
Our youthful teachers, upon discovering the quotation from Bahá’u’lláh, “Go thou straight on and persevere in His service” (Gleanings, page 314), adopted, “straight on”, as their rallying cry. Enough praise cannot be given to the handful of youth who, weekend after weekend, sacrificed attractive diversions to go “straight on” in their service to Bahá’u’lláh.
It is hoped that others in the northern states upon hearing this success story from “cold” New England, will take heart and organize similar mass teaching efforts in their own localities. The “masses” are “awakening”, and a “new process” is being “set in motion”, and the rise of a new civilization will begin in New England.
BAHÁ’ÍS FEATURED AT “CULTURAL HAPPENING”[edit]
An idea that sprouted at a Fort Lewis College Bahá’í Association meeting in Durango, Colorado, blossomed into a two-day, all-campus “Cultural Happening,” March 11 and 12. Numerous activities, including art displays, musical concerts, and talks were open to students, faculty, and the general public. Dr. Daniel Jordan gave three classroom talks and one evening talk on education, and was part of a panel discussion on the topic, “Living Today With Yesterday.” Represented on the panel with Dr. Jordan were a Chicano priest, a theologian, two members of a National Indian youth organization, and a Spanish teacher as moderator. For the “Cultural Happening”, John Cook of the National Teaching Committee’s Minority Teaching Office presented an evening folk-singing concert on campus and one in a Durango coffee house. He also spoke on the Bahá’í Faith in a Freshman Seminar class. Bahá’í musicians, Claire Segue of New Mexico and Carol Brooks, Libby Harris and Marsha Harrington of Colorado played for several firesides assisted by some eighty more Bahá’ís from Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and California.
A two-day deepening and proclamation conference followed the “Cultural Happening”. Dr. Jordan and the Colorado State Goals Committee conducted the deepening program on the first day. Plans for future road shows, mass teaching events, and deepening conferences in the Rocky Mountain and Southwest area were presented. Dr. Jordan also gave a public talk on “Becoming Your True Self.”
Sunday, March 14, a nationally-sponsored deepening conference, mainly on the Covenant, with the assistance of Mrs. Rhoderoi Myers of Phoenix finished the four-day event. A number of the believers also traveled to Ignacio, Colorado on a Ute Indian Reservation, carrying the Message of Bahá’u’lláh to many residents there.
Since May 14, the Bahá’ís of Durango have been invited to speak to several local clubs and religious groups. The following travel teachers have also lent their assistance: Mr. and Mrs. Hampson from New Hampshire gave deepening classes and also a talk to the Durango Unitarians on the Faith; Mrs. Roan Stone from Gallup, New Mexico presented three classroom talks at Fort Lewis College on “Esperanto” and spoke at one fireside; Chester Kahn from Chinle, Arizona gave an informal talk on the Indian way of life and its relationship to the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh; and Richard Morgan, recently returned from Vietnam on his way to Florida spoke at firesides.
Capacity Attendance To Participate In Floating Institute[edit]
The maximum capacity, 600 Bahá’ís and friends, will participate in the “floating institute” sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States while traveling to Kingston, Jamaica to attend the Caribbean Oceanic Conference this month. Bahá’ís from the Bahamas, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the Leeward, Windward, and Virgin Islands as well as from all parts of the United States make up the passenger list. The S/S New Bahama Star, the institute site and vehicle to Jamaica, will house and feed this “heavenly army” as they deepen, proclaim, and teach the beloved Faith of Bahá’u’lláh in the Caribbean.
Classes on the way to Jamaica will feature daily lectures on such subjects as the Covenant and Administration (“The Sure Handle”), releasing one’s God-given potential (“Fulfilling Your True Self”), stories about ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (“The Apple of Mine Eye”), pioneering (“These Souls Are Thy Heavenly Army”), and the spiritual significance of the masses entering the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh (“Occupied With the Greatest Undertaking”). On the return trip, lecturers will discuss “The Goal of a New World Order”, “Toward World Unity”, “The Rise of the Faith in the United States”, and Bahá’í laws (“Unsealing the Choice Wine”).
Participants in the “floating institute” will select from a variety of elective classes two classes each way to augment the three daily lectures offered to all.
While the deepening aspects of this institute constitute the major activity in the daily schedule of the attendees, ample opportunity for recreation, entertainment, and social interaction has been provided.
The unique opportunity to travel, teach, and deepen as well as support an important conference called for by The Universal House of Justice amply testifies to the illimitable bounties provided us all in these history-making times.
PIONEERS on their way to their posts pose with members of the International Goals Committee staff at the House of Worship during a break in their Pioneer Institute. These Institutes, designed to orient pioneers to their role as harbingers of God’s Message all over the world, are proving to be an invaluable springboard for pioneering projects and are held every few months. The past two have taken place in Wilmette in the shadow of the Mother Temple, and this has added an extra dimension to the gathering of these valiant souls.
Teaching Does Not End With A Declaration[edit]
The explosion of new believers and new institutions which we have witnessed within the past few months has thrust the American Bahá’í Community into a new phase of development, bringing with it unexpected challenges and overwhelming problems. These events are only overshadowed by the vision of the months which lie ahead which promise to repeat many times over the victories which we have already seen.
In an age of such vast expansion, the need for systematic and effective consolidation must occupy more and more of our attention. For, to increase the ranks of the Army of God, to raise its standard and implant its banner, is not enough.
“Is not the object of every Revelation,” Bahá’u’lláh writes, “to effect a transformation in the whole character of mankind, a transformation that shall manifest itself, both outwardly and inwardly, that shall affect both its inner life and external conditions? ... For if the character of mankind be not changed, the futility of God’s universal Manifestation would be apparent.”
The true object of all teaching is to effect this transformation in the heart and soul of the hearer. So, teaching does not end with a declaration. Even after becoming a Bahá’í, the new believer must still be taught, cherished, and nurtured until he is confirmed as a strong and active supporter of the Cause. This is, perhaps, the most challenging and rewarding aspect of teaching.
“Say: Teach ye the Cause of God, O people of Bahá, for God hath prescribed unto every one the duty of proclaiming His Message, and regardeth it as the most meritorious of all deeds.”
Most new believers in mass teaching areas cannot immediately begin to live by all the Bahá’í laws and standards of conduct. Nor can newly-formed Assemblies in these areas immediately begin to function properly. Months and even years of firm, patient, and loving consolidation work will be needed. New materials must be developed for this purpose. Pioneers and traveling teachers by the hundreds and thousands must lend their efforts and dedicate their lives to this work.
As we look upon the job which is ahead of us, we may well feel discouraged if we do not remember how many years it took for the Faith to get as well established as it is now in this country. Problems repeat themselves, and challenges reoccur. The patient, but firm, consolidation work of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and of Shoghi Effendi over years and years has left us with an example to live by.
Expansion and consolidation are twin and inseparable processes that must always advance hand in hand. Teaching plans must look beyond the declaration to the transformation of hearts and souls. Deepening and consolidation resulting in unified communities and strong Assemblies must be our immediate goals.
The Universal House of Justice, writing of expansion and consolidation, states: “A proper balance between these two essential aspects of its development must, from now on, as we enter the era of large-scale conversion, be maintained by the Bahá’í Community.”
SUMMER YOUTH PROJECTS ’71[edit]
Rock Hill and Webster Groves, Missouri
Our goals are:
- Reach a minority group.
- Raise our goal area of Rock Hill to Assembly status (there are three adults and two youth in Rock Hill).
- Double our number in Webster Groves.
We would like it to be the week of July 5th as we have Community Days the 3rd and 4th of July in Webster Groves, and we have a booth on the Bahá’í Faith during those days.
About 5 people would be the manpower needed. Adequate housing and food will be provided.
We are thinking along the lines of renting a vacant store building in a small shopping center in that area and having a display on the Faith and someone there at all times. We would plan to hand fliers out door-to-door also in these two areas, announcing nightly firesides either in Rock Hill or Webster Groves.
Please write:
- Alberta Schulte, Secretary
- 641 Selma
- Webster Groves, MO. 63119
Phoenix, Arizona
Our project will be oriented towards the masses of all minority groups: Mexican-Americans, American Indians, Blacks, and Orientals. Our goals will consist of the following: (a) Consolidation of areas already won over to the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh; (b) proclaiming the Faith in the many minority group areas in Phoenix; (c) possibly assisting in expansion to other areas outside of Phoenix in cooperation with the Arizona State Goals Committee.
The duration of our project will be from June 20 to July 17.
We request the services of 12 Bahá’í youth, who are diversified in their background. Prefer to have 6 males and 6 females, and each should be at least 18 years of age. A car in good running condition would be helpful. The youth should be able to pay their way to Phoenix and return home when the project is completed. The Local Spiritual Assembly will NOT be in a position to furnish transportation to and from Phoenix; however, transportation while in the area will be furnished, and hospitality will be provided.
Please write:
- Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Phoenix
- 6747 North 10th Place
- Phoenix, AZ. 85014
Montana
For this project, we have a young Bahá’í couple (under 30) who would accompany a group of youth on a teaching-deepening project to either one or all of the reservations in the state (6). The month of June or August is open for this couple, with the exception of the week of August 22-28 for summer school in Montana, which they would like to attend.
We need to have responsible people, since the couple do not wish to act as chaperones but merely would like assistance from a young group to carry out a teaching project. It would also entail the members of this group having enough money to furnish their own expenses, be prepared to camp out, and have their own transportation.
Please write:
- Mrs. Betty Bennett, SGC Secretary
- 2127 Garrison Ave.
- Butte, MT. 59701
Attention Midwest Youth!
Indian Teaching in Wisconsin.
Need a minimum of four male Bahá’ís experienced in mass teaching for July 5 through 11. Must provide own transportation to Green Bay, preferably with own car. Friends will provide food and housing while here. Write:
- Green Bay Bahá’ís
- 3044 Colleen Drive
- Green Bay, WI. 54301
Gallup, New Mexico
The Local Spiritual Assembly in Gallup is interested in having a summer project.
We would like to have four young people, two boys and two girls, an interracial group, and one of them Spanish-speaking. They will be given room and board with Bahá’í families, but they will need their own spending money and roundtrip tickets.
We would like to have them for four weeks, two weeks in July and two weeks in August. Our plan is for a city-wide proclamation program, along with activities for neighborhood youth at the Bahá’í Center, and a series of firesides in the evenings. We hope one or more of them can teach arts and crafts, as well as play guitar and sing.
Please write:
- Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Gallup
- 504 North Fifth Street
- Gallup, NM. 87301
Youth: Santa Ana Needs Your Help!!!
Won’t you join us in a 9-day concentrated mass teaching effort July 17-25?
Santa Ana, in the heart of Orange County, California, has an extreme diversity of racial, social, and economic classes. Tremendous possibilities!
We plan to have a mass teaching conference July 17th followed by nightly showings of the film, “It’s Just the Beginning.”
We need youth, black and white, some Spanish-speaking. (Those who have musical instruments, please bring them).
We will provide housing, local transportation, help, encouragement, and prayers.
Come, help win the West for Bahá’u’lláh!
All those interested should contact us by July 1st for complete information:
- Santa Ana Summer Teaching Project Committee
- Marvin Nelson, Chairman
- 1233 S. Shawnee Drive
- Santa Ana, CA. 92704
- (714) 540-2903
[Page 12]
Trailer for rent — summer months!
Pioneer in Laplace, Louisiana, a small town about 30 miles west of New Orleans, must leave post for summer months and would like to rent trailer to one or two Bahá’ís. Mass teaching area with many opportunities to teach and deepen. If interested, please contact:
- National Teaching Committee
- 112 Linden Avenue
- Wilmette, Illinois 60022
- Telephone No. (312) 256-6k00
Second Bahá’í Indian Council Fire at Mescalero on Highway 70, near Alamogordo, New Mexico
June 4, 5, and 6, 1971
You will need camping gear—food will be provided. For further information, please call:
- (505) 671-4640
- (505) 437-9779
Bring your friends.
FLASH!
The Bahá’ís of NEW JERSEY had asked the Board of Education for official recognition of Bahá’í Holy Days. It was recently announced over the radio that the Bahá’ís had been granted official recognition of Bahá’í Holy Days for the entire State of New Jersey.
“ON THE ROAD” FOR BAHÁ’U’LLÁH!
In response to an ad in the January 1971 issue of The American Bahá’í seeking Bahá’í musicians interested in forming a travel-teaching group, the response was great! However, more and more talent is being sought as thoughts and ideas for a more diversified road show expand.
If you are talented in the areas of drama, comedy, script-writing, writing of lyrics and music, please contact:
- Julie Hathaway
- c/o Steve and Janet Homnick
- Box 148
- Mescalero, NM. 88340
- Telephone (505) 671-4640
We hope to be on the road by September.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This group must be financially self-supporting, individually and collectively, as well as spiritually sustained by strict obedience to the laws of Bahá’u’lláh, and must present at all times the proper image and presentation of our beloved Faith.
HELP!
Green Acre Bahá’í Study Center seeking “footsoldiers” during July-August to assist in a planned campaign for mass teaching.
For further information, school rates, etc., please contact:
- Mrs. Charlotte B. Milden
- 296 Pleasant Street
- Portsmouth, NH. 03801
The American Bahá’í
112 LINDEN AVENUE • WILMETTE, ILLINOIS 60091
in this issue...
■ Highlights of National Spiritual Assembly’s Report to 62nd National Convention
■ “Year of Victories” Statistics
■ Summer Youth Projects
■ Result of U.S. Teaching Team in Jamaica
■ “the whole earth will be illumined” American Indian Teaching
