The American Bahá’í/Volume 2/Issue 7/Text
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Northeastern Regional Office:
Mrs. Kathleen Javid
111 Barton Road
White Plains, NY 10605
Southern Regional Office
Miss Magdalene Carney
424 Johnson Street
Canton, MS 39046
Western Regional Office:
Mrs. Joan Bulkin
551 South Parish Place
Burbank, CA 91506
NSA ANNOUNCES Establishment of Regional Teaching Office Committees[edit]
The National Spiritual Assembly approved plans for the immediate establishment of Regional Offices of the National Teaching Committee in the Northeastern, Southern, and Western States and Regional Teaching Committees to oversee and guide the work of these offices. Mrs. Kathleen Javid of White Plains, New York, Miss Magdalene Carney of Canton, Mississippi, and Mrs. Joan Bulkin of Burbank, California, will act as the Regional Office administrators in their respective regions.
NSA DECISION INITIATES MORE EFFECTIVE CONSOLIDATION OF RAPIDLY EXPANDED COMMUNITY[edit]
The Regional Teaching Committees will be primarily concerned with the consolidation of Local Spiritual Assemblies while the District Teaching Committees will be engaged in the process of raising isolated centers and Bahá’í groups to Assembly status. The Regional Office will act as the coordinating agency to assure that immediate and proper attention is provided to all Assemblies. Each office will be in constant touch with the National Teaching Committee, which is responsible to the National Spiritual Assembly for the proclamation, expansion, and consolidation of the Faith in the continental United States. The Regional Office will maintain an activities calendar of all major events taking place in that particular region. A Bahá’í community can therefore call upon the services of the Regional Office to check if a conflict might exist with a program that is being considered locally.
NOTE: District Teaching Committees and Local Spiritual Assemblies should send notices of all scheduled and/or anticipated events to their Regional Office for inclusion on the master activities calendar.
The Regional Teaching Committee, in cooperation with one or more District Teaching Committees, will sponsor special institutes and conferences to assist all interested Bahá’ís in deepening their understanding and appreciation of our beloved Faith.
While the Regional Teaching Committees will be primarily, though not exclusively, concerned with consolidation activities, the District Teaching Committees will also assume the responsibility of lovingly and patiently nurturing new assemblies through their first year of existence. In this aspect of their work, District Teaching Committees will have active contact with their Regional Teaching Committee through the Regional Office.
BASIC TEACHING STRUCTURE FOR FUTURE GROWTH SET[edit]
With the inauguration of the District and Regional Teaching Committee structure this year, one of those unexpected bounties, springing from the resounding victories of our Nine Year Plan home-front goals, has resulted—the establishment of a basic teaching structure capable of handling the rapid growth prophesied and anxiously awaited for the Faith in America. This structure, flexible in its organization and more economical in its operation, will no doubt serve as the means of assuring the continued success of teaching and deepening plans for a long time to come.
Each American Bahá’í is urged to pray for the success of these new committees, as they begin their first year of service to the American Bahá’í Community, and to cooperate in whatever way possible with the activities they sponsor.
Dr. and Mrs. David Ruhe Visit Wilmette[edit]
Dr. and Mrs. David S. Ruhe, during a recent visit to this country, spent a few days in Wilmette. Dr. Ruhe, member of The Universal House of Justice, and formerly secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States—in which capacity he served for five years—spoke to several hundred of the friends at a special reception in Foundation Hall in the House of Worship, June 27.
Mrs. Margaret Ruhe was introduced first, and delighted the audience by sharing some of her experiences and impressions of life at the World Centre in Haifa, and also in Israel itself.
During an impressive address by Dr. Ruhe, in which he stressed the importance of pilgrimage, education, and the need to improve the quality of Bahá’í life—especially in America, which is undergoing a “crisis in character”—he showed some interesting slides, not only of the beautiful Bahá’í Holy Places, but also of other spots.
(continued on page 3)
Homefront Goals Reviewed[edit]
As the National Teaching Committee reviews the overall status of the homefront in relation to the requirements of the Nine Year Plan, it finds it easy to expect that the community will achieve Local Spiritual Assembly goals in excess of 1,000, and surpass 5,000 localities where Bahá’ís reside by Riḍván 1972. Although the statistical objectives of the Plan have been attained, widespread proclamation of the Message of Bahá’u’lláh and large-scale expansion remain topmost among the priorities of the community. Because of the mighty challenges arising from the critical need to consolidate our great gains in expansion thus far, we may well regard this year as a time for regeneration, a time to get set for the glorious final stretch of the Plan. Let us therefore keep the following goals before us for 1971-72:
- To consolidate the outstanding gains of last year in an energetic, positive, and realistically phased manner.
- To establish a Local Spiritual Assembly in every state capital (missing are: Augusta, Maine; Concord, New Hampshire; Montpelier, Vermont; Albany, New York; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Dover, Delaware; Annapolis, Maryland; Frankfort, Kentucky; Pierre, South Dakota; Bismarck, North Dakota; Helena, Montana).
- To continue to pursue an active minority teaching program toward those peoples specified by The Universal House of Justice (Negro, American Indian, Spanish-speaking, Chinese, and Japanese).
- To continue to reach the youth of America and those visiting this country, especially on college and high school campuses, with the healing Message of Bahá’u’lláh.
- To expand the base and extend the scope of Bahá’í education for children.
- To initiate active programs to strengthen Bahá’í family life and the social fabric of Bahá’í communities.
The above goals represent more than an administrative challenge. They embody the spirit of the Nine Year Plan as recently stated in the 1971 Riḍván Message from The Universal House of Justice. The assemblies and localities goals will be won on behalf of our sister Bahá’í communities around the world where the religious and political climate does not allow them the freedom, such as we have here in America, to teach our precious Faith. So for them, we dedicate these future victories, both in quantity and quality, for surely we can do no less.
Southern California Announces Start of Large-Scale Enrollments Amongst Spanish-Speaking People[edit]
Large-scale enrollments have begun in southern California, and the question is repeatedly being asked, “How did it start?”
Several Bahá’ís in the Anaheim area, determined to take the Message of Bahá’u’lláh to the masses of mankind—in this case, the Spanish-speaking people—got together, studied the messages from The Universal House of Justice regarding Teaching the Masses, Universal Participation, and Worldwide Proclamation, all of which can be found in the book, WELLSPRING OF GUIDANCE.
After consultation, and with the approval of the Local Spiritual Assemblies in the target area, they decided to launch a month-long teaching-deepening campaign and named it OPERATION TRUMPET BLAST.
Appropriate literature and other proclamation materials were selected and an adequate supply was ordered from The Bahá’í Publishing Trust. A good supply of declaration cards was requested from the National Bahá’í Center. Posters were made. And time was set aside each night to recite the prayer, “Is there any Remover of difficulties...” 500 times!
Initially, there were only five foot-soldiers to start off the campaign—four youth and one adult, none of whom could speak Spanish. Undeterred, they trusted in Bahá’u’lláh and went ahead. The first person to accept the Message happened to be bilingual and was of immediate assistance in translating the Message into Spanish for others. The first day of teaching resulted in a beautiful harvest of 17 new believers. It was found that the inability of the teachers to speak Spanish was not a problem.
One of the Bahá’ís tells the following story when asked if he finds the difference in language a problem. “One day while teaching, we met an elderly man, Sr. Emeterio Solano. Since he spoke no English, and we spoke little or no Spanish, we read to him from one of the Spanish pamphlets with great difficulty. Upon hearing of the new Messenger of God, Bahá’u’lláh, the return of Christ, and the new teachings He has brought to bring about love, justice, unity, and peace, Sr. Solano overwhelmed the messengers as he wept with happiness, repeating ‘Yes! Yes!’ and that he wanted to be a Bahá’í. When I returned to invite him to a meeting, he embraced me and wept again, saying ‘¡Mi hermano¡ Mi hermano¡’ Not sure that he really understood, I again read in Spanish that Bahá’u’lláh was the return of Christ, the Promised One, and ‘Yes!’, he affirmed that he understood. His only regret was that not everyone he had told had accepted Bahá’u’lláh.”
In less than one month, the number of new believers, mostly Spanish-speaking, has climbed to over 250! Every day and every evening the soldiers of Bahá’u’lláh are “in the field” singing, praying, and teaching. Every evening, new believers are brought to the Bahá’í center for deepening and fellowship immediately upon their declaration of belief and are involved in the teaching work from the beginning.
The Universal House of Justice has told us that “Expansion and consolidation are twin processes that must go hand in hand” and that the “friends must not stop expansion in the name of consolidation”; that “deepening the newly enrolled believers generates tremendous stimulus which results in further expansion” and that the “enrollment of new believers, on the other hand, creates a new spirit in the community and provides additional potential manpower that will reinforce the consolidation work.”
The success of OPERATION TRUMPET BLAST is truly a confirmation of these words from WELLSPRING OF GUIDANCE, p. 33. Moving into Phase II of their plan, these valiant believers are bent upon the development of an army of Spanish-speaking Bahá’ís who will be prepared for the spiritual conquest of the Southwest. In this area alone, there are over five and a half million Spanish-speaking people—waiting!
“Now California and the other Western States must earn an ideal similarity with the Holy Land, and from that state and that region the breaths of the Holy Spirit be diffused to all parts of America and Europe....”
(see VICTORY CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENT P.4)
Concerning the Quality of Bahá’í Life[edit]
In its annual report to the delegates at the last National Convention, the National Spiritual Assembly pointed to the critical need to upgrade the quality of Bahá’í life if the gains of the rapidly expanding American community are to be consolidated. Hereunder is a statement from the Assembly which may be regarded as the opening notes of a series of actions it intends to take in assisting the community to improve its inner life.
The phenomenal expansion of the American Bahá’í community and the pressing needs of consolidation make it necessary for every believer to focus upon what Shoghi Effendi has identified as an essential factor “that must contribute its proper share to the strengthening and vitalization of the Bahá’í community, upon which must in turn depend the success of any Bahá’í plan or enterprise.” This factor is a chaste and holy life which “must be made the controlling principle in the behavior and conduct of all Bahá’ís, both in their social relations with members of their own community, and in their contact with the world at large.”
Well over thirty years ago the beloved Guardian, aware of the rapid degeneration of morals, called upon the friends “at this threatening hour when the lights of religion are fading out, and its restraints are one by one being abolished” to “pause to examine themselves, scrutinize their conduct, and with characteristic resolution arise to purge the life of their community of every trace of moral laxity that might stain the name, or impair the integrity of so holy and precious a Faith.” (ADVENT OF DIVINE JUSTICE, pp. 24, 25.)
In announcing to the Bahá’í world the objectives of the Nine Year Plan, The Universal House of Justice wrote of the coming expansion and pointed out that,
“The healthy development of the Cause requires that this great expansion be accompanied by the dedicated effort of every believer in teaching, in living the Bahá’í life, in contributing to the Fund, and particularly in the persistent effort to understand more and more the significance of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation. In the words of our beloved Guardian, ‘One thing and only one thing will unfailingly and alone secure the undoubted triumph of this sacred Cause, namely, the extent to which our inner life and private character mirror forth in their manifold aspects the splendor of those eternal principles proclaimed by Bahá’u’lláh.’ ” (WELLSPRING OF GUIDANCE, p. 25.)
The laws of Bahá’u’lláh governing personal behavior are the proper concern of the divine institutions which are responsible for the health, the growth, and the well-being of the community. Therefore, the National Spiritual Assembly urges every Local Spiritual Assembly to give high priority to the education of the community in the laws and standards of Bahá’í conduct and the promulgation of the Bahá’í way of life. The Universal House of Justice has stated that the foundation of all other accomplishments of the friends “is their study of the teachings, the spiritualization of their lives, and the forming of their characters in accordance with the standards of Bahá’u’lláh.” It is incumbent upon Local Spiritual Assemblies to promote the study of the teachings and to help the friends to acquire knowledge of the fundamental verities of the Faith so that they may see the significance of Bahá’u’lláh’s words,
“Think not that We have revealed unto you a mere code of laws. Nay, rather, We have unsealed the choice Wine with the fingers of might and power...!
“Whenever My laws appear like the sun in the heaven of Mine utterance, they must be faithfully obeyed by all, though My decree be such as to cause the heaven of every religion to be cleft asunder....” (BAHÁ’Í WORLD FAITH, p. 127.)
Adherence to the high standards of Bahá’í conduct must be the hallmark of every Bahá’í community. A chaste and holy life, the Guardian has written, “...must be upheld, in all its integrity and implications, in every phase of the life of those who fill the ranks of that Faith, whether in their homes, their travels, their clubs, their societies, their entertainments, their schools, and their universities. It must be accorded special consideration in the conduct of the social activities of every Bahá’í summer school and any other occasions on which Bahá’í community life is organized and fostered. It must be closely and continually identified with the mission of the Bahá’í Youth, both as an element in the life of the Bahá’í community, and as a factor in the future progress and orientation of the youth of their own country.” (ADVENT OF DIVINE JUSTICE, p. 25.)
The National Spiritual Assembly is confident that the American Bahá’í community will take to heart the many exhortations in the Writings and rise to the challenge of transforming its life. Let us all be constantly aware of the beauty of virtue and the power of purity. Let us constantly hear these ringing words of Bahá’u’lláh:
“Truly I say, virtue is the greatest commander which leads the Cause of God to victory, and the legions which deserve this commander are pure, sanctified and praiseworthy deeds and attributes.” (BAHÁ’Í WORLD FAITH, p. 210.)
“...Cling ye to the hem of virtue, and hold fast to the cord of trustworthiness and piety. Concern yourselves with the things that benefit mankind, and not with your corrupt and selfish desires... By the righteousness of God! The sword of a virtuous character and upright conduct is sharper than blades of steel.” (EPISTLE TO THE SON OF THE WOLF, p. 29.)
DR. RUHE (continued from page 1)[edit]
in the Holy Land, which he encouraged Bahá’ís making pilgrimage to include in their journey. Dr. Ruhe referred to this as a wider pilgrimage through which one could feel the greatness of the destiny of our beloved Faith.
Commenting on Bahá’í education, Dr. Ruhe pointed out the recurrent theme of learning put forth by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in which He tells us that, under the tutelage of Bahá’u’lláh, we must become the most cultured, the most learned, and the most forward of our social community, and that both inward and outward perfection must be our aim.
Reflecting on the individual and collective roles we—as civilizers of a world in crisis—must follow, Dr. Ruhe impressed upon us that our individual and group characters must be of such quality and such value that we will attract newcomers to the Faith by the thousands, by the tens of thousands, and by the millions... we must be “models of excellence”, striving toward perfection... we must become people of the highest morality.
Dr. Ruhe drew our attention to the fact that we not only have a society to convert, but a society to build—two very different responsibilities of different order and different depth. He pointed out that for the first time in Bahá’í history in the United States, we have large Bahá’í communities in rural areas, particularly in the South, which can and must become totally Bahá’í communities, in which everything is guided by the Bahá’í Teachings, in which every hour is counted in the Bahá’í Calendar, in which the habit of prayer and meditation is developed, in which Feasts and Holy Day events that are meaningful are developed, in which the friends will come together joyously for all manner of purposes, and which will create a new society of values which Bahá’u’lláh has commanded us to create. We were reminded that our local Bahá’í communities will develop to the stage where they will have their own places of worship, secretariats, and other facilities which will transform, educate, and ennoble their Bahá’í citizens, thus serving as models for the rest of the world.
VICTORY CONFERENCE IN SPANISH[edit]
FIRST METHODIST CHURCH
6TH AND SPURGEON
SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA
JULY 24 and 25, 1971
TWO CONTINENTAL COUNSELLORS WILL BE PRESENT: MR. HOOPER DUNBAR OF ARGENTINA; AND MRS. FLORENCE MAYBERRY OF CALIFORNIA.
THE SPANISH-SPEAKING TEACHING COMMITTEE WILL PRESENT AN EXCITING NEW PLAN FOR THE SPIRITUAL CONQUEST FOR THE SOUTHWEST.
ALL SPANISH-SPEAKING BAHÁ’ÍS AND BAHÁ’ÍS INTERESTED IN TEACHING THE SPANISH-SPEAKING PEOPLE ARE URGED TO ATTEND.
REGISTRATION BEGINS AT 9 A.M. CONFERENCE BEGINS AT 10 A.M.
HOSPITALITY CAN BE PROVIDED FOR THOSE WHO NEED IT. OTHERS SHOULD COME PREPARED TO HELP MEET EXPENSES.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
MARVIN NELSON, 1233 SOUTH SHAWNEE, SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA 92704 (714) 540-2903, OR
BILL STEGMAIER, 2117 LINGAN LANE, SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA 92704 (714) 546-3410.
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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. |
FIRST BAHÁ’Í YOUTH CONFERENCE FOR WESTERN ASIA[edit]
NEW DELHI, INDIA
AUGUST 27-30, 1971
THE NATIONAL BAHÁ’Í YOUTH COMMITTEE OF INDIA HAS CHOSEN NEW DELHI, THE CAPITAL CITY OF INDIA, AS THE VENUE FOR THIS GREAT CONFERENCE TO BRING TOGETHER THE YOUTH OF ÍRÁN, PAKISTAN, CEYLON, INDIA, MALAYSIA, NEPAL, SIKKIM, BHUTAN, ARABIA, TURKEY, BURMA, AND AFGHANISTAN, AND TO GIVE FURTHER IMPETUS TO THE GREAT YOUTH MOVEMENT IN THE BAHÁ’Í WORLD.
ARISE THEREFORE AND START MAKING PLANS FOR YOUR JOURNEY TO NEW DELHI AND BE A PARTICIPANT AT THIS CONFERENCE.
PLEASE FILL IN THE APPLICATION FORM BELOW AND MAIL TO THE NATIONAL TEACHING COMMITTEE.
Middletown, Ohio Proclamation[edit]
Five waiting souls, three adults and two youth, accepted Bahá’u’lláh’s Message during Middletown’s proclamation, May 29-30.
If there were any doubts that Middletown, Ohio, was ready for approaching people directly, those doubts were quickly dispelled that weekend. Several persons who received the Message kept coming back to learn more, and they were found telling their friends the good news about Bahá’u’lláh.
One new Bahá’í was found in a park. He was invited to share lunch with several of the Bahá’ís who had stopped in the park. “I was just lying there when this fellow comes up,” he said later. “I thought he was going to ask me for some drugs. Instead, he asked me to share lunch with him and the others. Not that they had extra and were going to throw it away if I didn’t take it, but to share it! This morning, I didn’t have any friends, now I have friends all over Ohio!” This new Bahá’í is devouring books as fast as he can read them, has written letters to his new friends, and already is teaching.
The other four declared their belief when one of them told the Bahá’ís he had been reading his Bible and knew Christ was going to return with a new name. His immediate acceptance of Bahá’u’lláh has still left the Bahá’ís amazed. “He accepted in five minutes what it took me 10 years to accept!” said one. “He wanted to become a Bahá’í, and I kept trying to change the subject because I couldn’t believe he could accept it like this.”
The event was a new experience for many of us. Many remarked about how receptive the people were they had talked with. We have taught the Faith in the conventional ways. This time we went to the people—they are ready!
“...spirit of perfect fellowship...”[edit]
Fulfilling the long-awaited dream of Mrs. Violet Starr (the first Ute Bahá’í) and her daughter, Jolene Mart, Bahá’ís from Utah, Idaho, and Colorado gathered to proclaim the Message of Bahá’u’lláh at Fort Duchesne, Utah. Thus, Utah has joined the ranks of those states engaged in reaching the waiting masses with our beloved Faith.
At a meeting hall filled to capacity, the Bahá’ís shared the Message that the Promised One has Come, showing the films, “A New Wind” and “It’s Just the Beginning.” The Ute people in turn entertained the Bahá’ís by performing their traditional tribal dances.
“...With the utmost friendliness and in a spirit of perfect fellowship take ye counsel together, and dedicate the precious days of your lives to the promotion of Him Who is the Ancient and Sovereign Lord of all...” (‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Tablets of the Divine Plan, p. 4.)
Second from right, Mrs. Violet Starr (first Ute Bahá’í)
Right, Loren McCook (new believer)
Mescalero Council Fire[edit]
The Second Annual Mescalero Council Fire, held June 4-6 at the home of Bahá’í pioneers, Steve and Janet Homnick, who live on the Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation in New Mexico, attracted some 60 friends from various parts of the Southwest, including quite a few residents of Mescalero itself.
This beautiful assemblage was gathered in a tremendous spirit of love, fellowship, and unity to enjoy a full weekend of activities which included Bahá’í talks by Auxiliary Board Member, Mr. Chester Kahn, Navajo Indian, from Chinle, Arizona; Mr. Philip Cassadore, Apache Indian, from the San Carlos Reservation in Arizona; and Mrs. Meredith Begay, Apache Indian, from Mescalero, who spoke in both Apache and English, and expressed a hope that by this time next year many of the Apaches would be Bahá’ís and that the Council Fire would be even more meaningful.
This year’s gathering attracted three new believers to the Faith, and one more joined the family of Bahá’u’lláh after the Council Fire.
Music played an important role throughout the weekend and proved to be a great attraction.
A success story such as this cannot end without mention of the love and devotion poured into the preparation of all of the delicious meals by our Mescalero Indian friends, who were up at the crack of dawn each morning.
9th ANNUAL MAKAH COUNCIL FIRE
Makah Indian Reservation
Neah Bay, Washington
August 14-15, 1971
“OPERATION 70 AND 2”
GOAL: THAT EVERY SOUL HEAR ABOUT BAHÁ’U’LLÁH AND THE IMPORTANCE OF THE DAY IN WHICH WE LIVE.
A special briefing for “Operation 70 and 2” will be held on August 11-13, 1971. If you are interested in attending this session, please write for details:
Spiritual Assembly of the Makah Reservation
Mrs. Vivian March, Secretary
Box 167
Neah Bay, WA 98357
Mr. Philip Cassadore (right) with Mr. and Mrs. Roosevelt Wilson, Bahá’í pioneers, from the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation in Arizona.
Mr. and Mrs. Steve Homnick and son with new believer, Mr. Paul Martin.
Mrs. Meredith Begay (center) with a group of the friends.
Mrs. Eloise Shields preparing bread.
JAMAICA: “OUT OF MANY-ONE PEOPLE”[edit]
In addition to the pre-Caribbean Conference enrollment of 1009 new believers in Jamaica announced in THE AMERICAN BAHÁ’Í (MAY ISSUE), over 500 more have joined the family of Bahá’u’lláh.
These photographs represent some of the first fruits of the teaching done during the Conference. (Photographs by Mr. Haynes McFadden pictured top left.) Many of the people in Kingston were impressed with the Bahá’í Conference and praised its smooth operation, the warmth of the Bahá’ís and the “flower garden” they represented. Our presence in Jamaica was a living example of the country’s motto: “Out of Many—One People”.
At the Sheraton-Kingston Hotel, the Conference site, the lifeguard, waiters, cooks, repairmen, and others were so impressed by the Bahá’ís that some of them became Bahá’ís. A Jamaican couple, when they heard of the Faith, said, “You are the people we have been waiting for!” Many came to the Conference to declare their belief in Bahá’u’lláh, some cried for joy, and others told how their lives were already changed by knowing of the teachings of the Blessed Beauty.
The warmth of the people of Jamaica and the warmth of the Bahá’ís who attended the Conference were such that the Jamaicans will not soon forget the Bahá’ís, nor the Bahá’ís the friendly Jamaicans.
Periscope[edit]
The State Board of Education in NEW JERSEY has approved a request to include all Bahá’í Holy Days on its religious calendar for 1971-72.
About 200 members of the Havasupai Indian Tribe heard of Bahá’u’lláh when some Bahá’ís hiked 11 miles into their canyon in ARIZONA. Many tourists were present also.
An event of unusual and historic significance for the Bahá’ís of Charlottesville, VIRGINIA, took place recently. Thanks to several years of friendly relationships with the Unitarians in Charlottesville on the part of a Bahá’í, Edward Schlesinger, the minister of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Unitarian Church in that city centered his entire service, Sunday, May 9, on the Bahá’í Faith. The church, filled with some 100 Unitarians and seven Bahá’ís, heard the Reverend Walter Royal Jones give a sermon devoted to the basic principles of the Faith, its founders, and history. The minister, standing beside an inspiring large and rare portrait of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, read quotes of Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá with feeling and led his congregation in a spirited singing of “God is One.” A refreshments period after the service gave the Unitarians a further chance to become acquainted with the Bahá’ís who attended.
Mr. Schlesinger has now given the last lecture for the spring semester to seventeen students in his course on the Bahá’í Faith at the University of Virginia. The course has been such a success that the University has asked him to give it again in the fall.
In Rhinelander, WISCONSIN, an excited non-Bahá’í (now Bahá’í) called: “The radio station is paging you over the air—they want to know all about Bahá’u’lláh!” Quickly, the radio was turned on to the out-of-town station (Tomahawk) to hear an invitation to call “collect”:
The answer sought: “Who is the Prophet for this age?” Over a hook-up that took the conversation direct to the listening audience, the Bahá’í was interviewed for about 15 minutes... literature was requested to be sent to the station, and the program concluded with the announcer challenging the people to “explore,” stating that a ‘melting-pot’ religion would seem to be the only solution for our time.
How did it happen? A South African (Jew) with his Lutheran wife were being interviewed. Having just attended a Bahá’í fireside the night before, they couldn’t help but mention their new discovery that every thousand years or so a new Prophet appears with Divine Teachings, and that there had been another One for this age but they couldn’t remember His name! The interested announcer wanted to know, so he put out an alert for the Bahá’í to come to the rescue!...“We’ve just been told that there has been another Prophet. Would you please tell us His name... spell it... tell us more... Ah! Now we’re coming to grips with the real need, ‘a Center of Authority’ to set a standard, especially for the questioning youth of today.”
An 80-year-old OHIO Bahá’í says: The so-called generation gap is a two-eyed blindness. One eye, the bleary one, is the one that has been young and has forgotten the facts of his own youth; the other, the starry one, is seeing everything for the first time and feels passionately that no one, but no one, has ever seen it like it is (to him).
The Voice of America carried a 15-minute Bahá’í presentation on “Religion Today,” which was heard in Asia by the friends of a pioneer.
News From Vietnam[edit]
“Enclosed you will find a signed declaration card for Sergeant Anthony Hinds, a member of the US Armed Forces.
“Sergeant Hinds has been an enthusiastic student of the Faith since February and this morning signed his declaration of Faith. He earlier last month wrote to his grandparents about the Faith and yep—his grandfather has already declared and his grandmother is attending all the Bahá’í activities that she can in Tacoma, Washington.
“We’re located in the central highlands of South Vietnam and so far as we know, we’re the only American Military believers in this particular area of Vietnam. We’re hopefully praying for more, but for eleven months I was the only one. We’re located in the city of Qui Nhon and although there are many Vietnamese Bahá’ís in the city, the city is off-limits and there is no contact between us. However, I have visited Saigon and met the friends twice, once to celebrate the Birth of the Báb and the last time to celebrate the Birthday of the Blessed Beauty. So although isolated, I have been blessed with the opportunity of visiting the National Center and met many of the beautiful Bahá’ís of Vietnam.
“In the northern part of the country, Lt. Don Stevenson, Walter Dickey, and Sidney Jackson and the others at DaNang are really on fire. I passed through DaNang going to and coming from Sydney, Australia, where I visited the Mother Temple of the Pacific and met Mr. de Vogel, the National Spiritual Assembly Secretary, and other Australian Bahá’ís. At a fireside in the home of Fred and Eva Grans, the unity of the Faith was strikingly demonstrated because there were Bahá’ís from Cyprus, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Australia, and the United States, and our ethnic and religious backgrounds were just as varied—former members of the Judaic, Muslim, and Christian faiths, and myself from America and black. We talked about the unity of man but really, in such a warm and loving atmosphere, there was no need for words because we were living proof that man is one. I returned to Vietnam the night of Naw-Rúz so I was unable to celebrate with the friends in Sydney; however, Don Stevenson met me at the DaNang Air Base Terminal and he, Walt Dickey, and I spent the best part of the night discussing my trip, saying prayers, and reading from the EPISTLE TO THE SON OF THE WOLF. The next day, the DaNang guys held a fireside in the Camp Horn chapel. Then it was back to the Air Terminal where I boarded a plane back to the Central Highlands.
“Now my tour is just about over, I depart the 14th of June for the States and then onward to Madrid for my next assignment. That’s about all the news in capsule form from the central highlands.”
Pioneer and Continue Education[edit]
ALASKA BECKONS YOUTH[edit]
Alaska beckons Bahá’ís interested in serving the Faith while continuing their education. Accredited University facilities are available in both Fairbanks and Anchorage. Study leading to the Bachelor’s Degree is offered in most fields and graduate programs are available in many areas of specialization.
UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA[edit]
MAIN CAMPUS: Located near Fairbanks, the Main Campus of the University of Alaska has an undergraduate enrollment of about 2,000 students. The undergraduate program is sufficiently broad so that most students can either get the specific education desired or the pre-professional courses required for further study in professional schools. The total cost for room, board, and fees is $1742 per year. (This includes a $300 out-of-state student fee.) For more information write to: Director of Admissions, University of Alaska, College, Alaska 99701.
SOUTHCENTRAL REGIONAL CENTER: Collegiate, technical-vocational, and general interest courses are all available at the Anchorage Community College. The collegiate program is part of the University of Alaska administered through the South Central Regional Center in Anchorage. A full spectrum of undergraduate courses is available. There are no dormitory facilities so all students live “off campus.” Fees for undergraduate courses are $100 per semester for students carrying a full schedule. For further
(continued on page 11)
Bahá’í Filmstrip Programs[edit]
35-P-8007 THE HUNDREDTH YEAR, 114-frame color filmstrip program; a documentary of the Intercontinental conferences held in October 1967 to commemorate the Centenary of the Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh; useful for proclamation programs, firesides, deepening courses, summer schools, religion classes (originally produced by International Bahá’í Audio-Visual Center as a slide program); printed narration and cassette narration included...$9.00
Available August 15, 1971
35-P-1005 GOD SPEAKS AGAIN, a 10-minute, 71-frame filmstrip program introducing the basic teachings of the Bahá’í Faith; based on a program written for the South by Tom Schwandes; this program is intended primarily for use with the “unsophisticated peoples of the world.” Voices (Charles and Sandy Bullock) and music (“Can’t You See the New Day” and “One in the Spirit”) recorded in the South; includes printed narration and recorded cassette narration...$7.50
LAND OF RESPLENDENT GLORY, a three-part, black and white filmstrip program by Guy Murchie, traces the footsteps of the Báb, Bahá’u’lláh, and the Letters of the Living through lands sanctified as the birthplace of the Bahá’í Revelation; records more than 250 photographs of geographic landmarks and Holy Places of historic and spiritual significance to the Bahá’í Faith; with narration booklet and cassette narration; sold as a set or as three separate programs:
35-P-2201 LAND OF RESPLENDENT GLORY; three-part, 225-frame, black and white filmstrip program with printed and cassette narration...$15.00
35-P-2202 LAND OF RESPLENDENT GLORY, PART ONE: “The Báb”; 114-frame black and white filmstrip program with printed and cassette narration...$6.00
35-P-2203 LAND OF RESPLENDENT GLORY, PART TWO: “Letters of the Living”; 143-frame, black and white filmstrip program with printed and cassette narration...$5.00
35-P-2204 LAND OF RESPLENDENT GLORY, PART THREE: “Bahá’u’lláh”; 98-frame, black and white filmstrip program with printed and cassette narration...$6.00
Mansion where Bahá’u’lláh was born. (LAND OF RESPLENDENT GLORY, PART THREE)
ADDITIONAL FILMSTRIP PROGRAMS are in the planning and production stage and will be announced when available.
New Cassette Tapes[edit]
20-C-8009 HEAR THE SONG OF THE WIND by the Southern California Bahá’í Chorus; similar in style to the “Victory Chorus” record; selections: Love Love Love, Freedom Sky, Come Walk with Me, Leaves of One Tree, Refresh and Gladden, The Lamp is Lighted, Happy People, Singing Wind, Be Still, Hear Oh, Sheep, Messiah, Blessed Is the Spot; a studio recorded/duplicated cassette...$2.50
20-C-8004 CAN’T YOU SEE THE NEW DAY, BAHÁ’ÍS IN THE SOUTH 1970; a collection of spontaneous recordings made during the early days of mass enrollment in the South; consisting largely of songs composed and sung by Bahá’ís; conveys something of the spirit and atmosphere in which mass teaching was initially carried out...$2.50
20-C-2118 ENROLLING THE MASSES; a study course in two parts by Hand of the Cause of God William Sears; a penetrating study and discussion of the Bahá’í Writings concerning teaching the masses and their entry by troops into the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh; two-hour class recorded on two C-60 cassettes; two-cassette package...$4.00
Order through your community librarian where possible/Personal orders must include payment/Minimum Special Materials order three dollars/All personal orders (and community orders under ten dollars) add ten percent shipping and handling charge/Minimum postage and handling charge thirty cents/
Bahá’í Publishing Trust, Special Materials Branch, 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091
New Literature[edit]
Why Bahá’u’lláh? 8-panel fold (3 1/4 x 4 1/4"), four-color art, graphically depicting man’s spiritual need of the Manifestation of God; reverse side has quotations from Bahá’u’lláh.
100/$6.50 500/$30.00 1000/$50.00
God’s New Age (SPANISH). Identical content and format as English text; specify Spanish when ordering or English will be sent; both available at same quantity prices.
25/$3.75 100/$12.50 500/$50.00 2500/$225.00
Order through your local Bahá’í Librarian when possible. Otherwise order direct from Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091
BAHÁ’Í PUBLISHING TRUST
[Page 10]
Bahá’í News Going On Subscription Basis[edit]
BAHÁ’Í NEWS will be distributed to members of the American Bahá’í community on a subscription basis beginning October 1, 1971. The yearly subscription rate will be $6.00.
This decision was reached by the National Spiritual Assembly for purely economic reasons. Ever since its first appearance in 1924, this international publication has been mailed to the American believers free of charge. However, the accelerated growth of the community makes it impossible for the National Fund to continue to bear the heavy production costs. During the last fiscal year, the production of BAHÁ’Í NEWS cost $62,000. In 1970, the monthly run was 21,500 copies; by early 1971 this figure had to be increased to 33,500. It is the hope of the National Spiritual Assembly that subscriptions will meet a large portion, if not all, of the production costs.
The decision to put BAHÁ’Í NEWS on a subscription basis will not affect the free, monthly distribution of THE AMERICAN BAHÁ’Í to all believers in the United States.
Shoghi Effendi expressed the hope that BAHÁ’Í NEWS would “become the foremost Bahá’í journal of the world;” and advised that it “should be made as representative as possible, ...replete with news, up-to-date in its information, and should arouse interest among believers... in every corner of the globe.” BAHÁ’Í NEWS has striven to live up to these objectives, which are supported by the expressed wish of The Universal House of Justice that its publication be continued. The journal provides an effective means of communicating to believers in every land the worldwide progress of the Faith and thereby stimulates the work of the Cause everywhere. As a historical record, BAHÁ’Í NEWS is valuable for research and is indexed annually.
A positive response to this new development in its life is necessary if BAHÁ’Í NEWS is to continue to fulfill its vital purpose. The friends everywhere are therefore urged to send in their subscriptions now, and certainly by September 12, so that they can receive the October issue.
Treasurer’s Corner[edit]
Scoreboard and Performance: A Reminder for Treasurers[edit]
What would be the effect of not letting members of a basketball team see the scoreboard?
Research shows that not having continual access to information about scores has three basic effects—all bad!
- It causes the team’s morale to wane.
- It causes members of the team to lose interest in the game.
- It causes team performance to go way down.
It is not only crucial for team members to have the latest information about scores, the information must also be cumulative. It is no good just having information or points accumulated from, say, the last three baskets made. Knowledge of how the team has been doing from the beginning of the game is essential if the team is to keep performance levels as high as it is capable.
Every time a treasurer fails to make his report at the Nineteen Day Feast, complete with up-to-date cumulative information on the charts showing how the community is doing, he is hiding the scoreboard from the team and therefore functions as an active deterrent to high levels of performance in supporting the Fund.
A basketball team cannot play without a scoreboard. Do you think the Bahá’í community can manage its financial commitments without its “scoreboard?”
If your treasurer and community need help in getting the scorekeeping system going, please call or write the National Treasurer’s Representative in your area or the Office of the Treasurer, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091.
Bahá’í Summer Schools[edit]
- BAHÁ’Í BRITISH COLUMBIA SUMMER SCHOOL
- AUGUST 15 - 21, 1971
- SILVER STAR MOUNTAIN
- VERNON, BRITISH COLUMBIA
INSTRUCTORS
The Summer School Committee has arranged to have a number of outstanding instructors. Among them will be Hand of the Cause of God ‘Alí-Akbar Furútan and Continental Counsellor Mrs. Florence Mayberry.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Chalet-type and campgrounds.
Meals will be served in the dining hall, but each chalet has cooking facilities for those wishing to prepare their own meals. Campers or tenters may also prepare their own meals or eat in the dining hall. NOTE: Because of fire regulations in Silver Star Park, those preparing meals at the campsite must use a proper camp stove such as Coleman, Primus, etc.
ACTIVITIES
In addition to the regular classes, there will be a variety of activities for the whole family, including wiener roasts, swimming, golfing, hiking, riding, and a chance to meet other Bahá’ís.
TRANSPORTATION
Transportation will be available from Vernon to the site of the school.
REGISTRATION
For registration form and further information, please write to:
- Bahá’í British Columbia Summer School
- 3600 31 Street
- Vernon, British Columbia Canada
- CAROLINAS BAHÁ’Í SUMMER SCHOOL
- AUGUST 1-14, 1971
- CAMP DOROTHY WALLS, NORTH CAROLINA
CLASSES
Living the Life
Awakening the Masses
The Covenant and Administration
The Fund—Our Life Blood
TEACHERS
Teachers include Auxiliary Board Members, Mrs. Javidukht Khádem and Mrs. Alberta Williford.
CHILDREN
There will also be classes for children, and babysitting services will be provided during the morning for ages 0-2.
SPECIAL PROGRAMS
Music and entertainment by many talented individuals, including a road show. Special programs will be held in the evenings.
RECREATION
Organized recreation will be provided in the afternoon.
LOCATION
Camp Dorothy Walls is located near Asheville, North Carolina between Black Mountain, N. C. and Swannanoa, N. C. on North Grove Stone Road.
(continued on page 11)
BAHÁ’Í SUMMER SCHOOLS[edit]
(continued from page 10)
REGISTRATION
For registration and further information, please write:
- Mr. Wayne Eury, Registrar
- 3920 Farmview Drive
- Charlotte, N. C. 28202
- DAVISON BAHÁ’Í SCHOOL
- DAVISON, MICHIGAN
- AUGUST 1 - SEPTEMBER 6, 1971
Editor’s Note:
Our apologies for an omission and an error in the JUNE issue of THE AMERICAN BAHÁ’Í; the omission, Senior Youth Session, August 22-September 3; the error, corrected as follows: Registrar, Davison Bahá’í School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, Michigan 48423, to whom you can write for more information on the summer program or for reservations.
As was announced in the same issue, Hand of the Cause ‘Alí-Akbar Furútan will be highlighting this summer’s session. Teaching from August 9 through 12, Mr. Furútan will speak on topics from the Old and New Testaments, and the Qur’án. Teaching the Masses will be a special focus this summer, Homecoming Weekend (September 4-6) being devoted entirely to the topic, with Mr. Charles Bullock of the Deep South Committee leading the classes. There will also be the opportunity for teaching “in the field.” Although the last two weeks will be geared toward senior youth ages 15-21, this session is not limited to youth.
Children’s classes will run simultaneously with adult classes through a parents’ cooperative. Babysitting services will be provided likewise.
- FOREIGN LANGUAGE INSTITUTE
- AUGUST 16-20, 1971
- GREEN ACRE BAHÁ’Í SCHOOL
INSTRUCTORS
Dr. Thomas F. Sousa, Associate Professor of Modern Foreign Language and Teacher Education; and Mrs. Helen R.G. Sousa, teacher of French and Russian.
COURSE
Forty hours of intensive study in the techniques for the learning of foreign language will be given. Instruction will also be given in the sound and structure systems of various foreign languages.
Special study will be available in Spanish, Portuguese, French, and Russian; also English as a foreign language.
REGISTRATION
For further information, please write:
- Registrar
- Green Acre Bahá’í School
- Eliot, ME 03903
The National Bahá’í Schools Committee is pleased to announce this special feature at four Bahá’í schools this summer:
MUSIC/DRAMA WORKSHOP
“Effective Learning and Teaching the Bahá’í Faith through Creative Drama and Music”
Dates and Schools:
| July 5-9* | Georgia/Alabama Bahá’í School Camp John Hope, Georgia |
| August 2-4 | Davison Bahá’í School Davison, Michigan |
| August 5-7 | Arizona/New Mexico Bahá’í School Blue Triangle YMCA Albuquerque |
| August 10-14 | Geyserville Bahá’í School Geyserville, California |
*Announcement arrived too late for publication in the June issue.
The workshops are for all ages. Parents and teachers are especially invited. Children will also take part. The purpose of the workshops is to help participants gain skill and assurance in communicating Bahá’í knowledge through creative dramatics and music, using the inspiration of the Bahá’í Writings and Bahá’í principles as a framework for dramatic expression. Mrs. Hayden has planned activities with rhythmic movement to music and poetry, songs, musical instruments (some of which will be improvised), stories, games, puppets, shadow plays and masks, with evaluation of the activities through consultation.
Details of school schedules and rates have already appeared in previous issues of THE AMERICAN BAHÁ’Í and also the NATIONAL BAHÁ’Í REVIEW.
- NORTH FLORIDA BAHÁ’Í SUMMER SCHOOL
- AUGUST 12-15, 1971
- FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY SEMINOLE RESERVATION
SPECIAL GUEST
Auxiliary Board Member Mr. Albert James
CLASSES
Classes will be given for children under 15 as well as for youth and adults.
RATES
Adults - $15
Youth - $12 (7-17 years)
Children - $8 (6 and under)
REGISTRATION
For further information, please write:
- Mrs. Robert Entzminger, Registrar
- 2108 Mulberry Street
- Tallahassee, FL 32304
- NORTH CENTRAL STATES BAHÁ’Í SCHOOL
- AUGUST 21-27, 1971
- FRONTENAC, MINNESOTA
CLASSES
Life of Bahá’u’lláh - Adíb Taherzadeh, British N.S.A. Member
EPISTLE TO THE SON OF THE WOLF (bring book) - Zikr’u’lláh Khádem, Hand of the Cause
Mass Teaching - Poova Murday
Covenant and Administration - Javidukht Khádem, Auxiliary Board Member
There will also be evening programs from 7-8 p.m., one of which will be a film of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in America.
Children’s classes will be held for ages 4-14 emphasizing learning through doing, sharing, and helping.
PRICES
| 2-12 | $17 |
| 13-up | $30 |
Prices include meals, registration, and heated rooms. RESERVATION DEADLINE AUGUST 15.
LOCATION
Frontenac Methodist Camp, Frontenac, Minnesota. On scenic Lake Pepin approximately 70 miles southeast of the Twin Cities.
REGISTRATION
For registration and more information, please write:
- Mr. Donald Brayton, Registrar
- 415 Rice Street Anoka, MN 55303
PIONEER AND CONTINUE EDUCATION[edit]
(continued from page 8)
information, write to: Director of Admissions, University of Alaska, South Central Regional Center, 1820 W. Northern Lights Blvd., Anchorage, Alaska 99503.
ALASKA METHODIST UNIVERSITY:[edit]
This private, co-educational institution is located near Anchorage. The current undergraduate enrollment is about 500. Tuition, fees, and room and board cost $2340 per year. (There is no additional fee for out-of-state students.) Address inquiries to:
- Director of Admissions, Alaska
- Methodist University, Wesley Drive,
- Anchorage, Alaska 99504.
TOWN IN N. DAKOTA NEEDS YOUTH PIONEER[edit]
Valley City is a community of about 8000, including one Bahá’í couple. With the help of a Bahá’í youth interested in attending Valley City State College—an accredited four-year institution specializing in teacher preparation—we would be able to introduce the Faith to the campus and hopefully begin a Bahá’í Club. Before moving, contact the District Teaching Committee secretary: Bette Garske, 2012 - 5th Street N.W., Minot, North Dakota 58701, (701) 838-5562.
Bulletin Board[edit]
THE BAHÁ’Í DATA PROCESSING COMMITTEE is seeking information on Bahá’ís who have experience in the following areas:
- Business Data Processing,
- Management Information Systems, and
- Allied Fields,
who would, as the need arises, be willing to give of their time and talents.
Please send names, addresses, and resume of past experience to:
- Bahá’í Data Processing Committee
- Mr. Curt Schuyler, Secretary
- P.O. Box 2254
- Cheyenne, Wyoming 82001
BUSINESS PROPERTY FOR SALE[edit]
How would you like to set up business in Dallas, Georgia, and pioneer at the same time? A Bahá’í chiropractor is going to pioneer in New Zealand but has yet to sell his business property. He also has a trailer house near the property which he is willing to rent. For further information please write or call:
Mr. Ted Hart, 510 W. Memorial Drive, Dallas, Georgia 30132. Telephone (404) 445-3573 (Clinic) or 445-7901 (Home).
TEACHER EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES INDIAN RESERVATION[edit]
Teacher employment opportunities will be opening up for the Fall 1972 term on the Makah Reservation at Neah Bay, Washington. Bahá’ís serving on the Advisory Board to the School-Community Council urge Bahá’ís with teaching qualifications to apply for these positions which will be part of a new “School Development Program” sponsored by Urban Renewal.
This program is a tremendous opportunity and challenge to Bahá’í educators.
For further information, contact:
- Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the Makah Reservation
- Vivian March, Secretary
- Box 306
- Neah Bay, Washington 98357
JAMAICA[edit]
Accompong Town, recent site of large-scale enrollments in Jamaica, is in desperate need of a teacher for its school. Retired black couple preferable. Teaching credential necessary. Call immediately (collect), International Goals Committee 312-256-4400.
SUMMER TEACHING IN EAST TEXAS[edit]
We invite you to come and meet our newly enrolled brothers and sisters, and help them understand more about the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh. Your accommodation and food will be provided. You need only be responsible for your own travel arrangements and expenses.
Please contact the secretary of the East Texas District Teaching Committee No. 1 before coming. You may write or call: Mrs. Jeanette Hedayati, 808 South Center, Apt. 201, Arlington, TX 76010, (817) 265-1028.
CIRCUIT TEACHERS NEEDED[edit]
Two to four male believers are needed to do circuit teaching in southwestern Colorado from July 31 - August 15. Emphasis on teaching on Ute Indian Reservations, and in some Spanish-speaking areas.
Room and board will be supplied in Durango. Will need to help with transportation expenses or provide a car.
Please contact:
- Chris and Linda Cholas
- Box 114 FLC
- Durango, CO 81301
- (303) 247-9020
The American Bahá’í
112 LINDEN AVENUE WILMETTE, ILLINOIS 60091
In This Issue
JULY 1971
CONCERNING THE QUALITY OF BAHÁ’Í LIFE
Statement from the National Spiritual Assembly
ESTABLISHMENT OF REGIONAL TEACHING COMMITTEES
HOMEFRONT GOALS REVIEWED
MEMBER OF UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE VISITS UNITED STATES
LARGE-SCALE ENROLLMENTS AMONGST SPANISH-SPEAKING IN S. CALIFORNIA
MESCALERO COUNCIL
BAHÁ’Í NEWS GOING ON SUBSCRIPTION
SUMMER SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS
