The American Bahá’í/Volume 22/Issue 8/Text

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[Page 1]

Contract signed for phase two of Mount Carmel Projects

FOLLOWING RECEIPT BUILDING PERMITS FOR SECOND PHASE OF TERRACES OF THE BÁB’S SHRINE AND FOR EXCAVATION FOR THE FIRST TWO BUILDINGS, AND AFTER COMPLETION TENDER FORMALITIES, WE REJOICE ANNOUNCE CONTRACT SIGNED 17TH JUNE 1991, OFFICIALLY COMMENCING PHASE TWO OF MOUNT CARMEL PROJECTS.

THIS PHASE WHICH IS EXPECTED TO TAKE APPROXIMATELY 16 MONTHS, WILL INCLUDE EXCAVATION AND ANCHOR WORK FOR CENTER STUDY TEXTS AND ARCHIVES EXTENSION AS WELL AS EARTHWORK OF FIVE TERRACES IMMEDIATELY BELOW HOLY SHRINE AND EXTENSION OF MAIN TERRACE. TOTAL COST THIS PHASE ESTIMATED FIVE MILLION DOLLARS.

APPEAL CONTINUING FLOW FUNDS ENSURE UNINTERRUPTED PROGRESS. SUPPLICATING SACRED THRESHOLD DIVINE CONFIRMATION HISTORIC UNDERTAKING

UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE JUNE 20, 1991 SAST

‘The real treasury of man is his knowledge.’—Bahá’u’lláh

World Congress arrangements

To all National Spiritual Assemblies

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

Following the distribution by the World Congress Logistics Office of registration materials, the Universal House of Justice received some inquiries regarding the costs of the travel and hotel arrangements connected with the event. In reviewing afresh all the details of these arrangements, the House of Justice was prompted to share the following points which we have been instructed to convey to you.

Marking the centenary of the inauguration of the Covenant, the World Congress is, of course, of immense significance to the worldwide Bahá’í community, but it should also be understood to have great implications for the world at large, particularly in view of the current state of human affairs and the new status increasingly being enjoyed by the Faith in the public mind as a "principal world religion."

New York is one of the most complex cities in the world, combining both the good and evil of modern civilization. But because of the history of the relationship of the city to the Center of the Covenant and the high status which He conferred upon it in designating it "City of the Covenant," its choice as the place for an international event to mark the 100th anniversary of the Covenant was natural.

The importance of the occasion calls for a gathering of unusual size, if for no other reason than to demonstrate the response of humanity, after 100 years, to the inception of so unique a divine provision as the Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh.

The National Spiritual Assembly of the United States with the assistance of its Logistics Office, acting under the direction of the Universal House of Justice, has engaged in prolonged and difficult negotiations to hire an adequate Congress site for some 30,000 attendants, to acquire space for auxiliary activities, to effect binding contracts for sufficient hotel rooms and for travel arrangements, to provide the means of transport within the city to and from the Congress sessions, and to provide for the security of the friends.

In making all these arrangements, the National Spiritual Assembly is exerting itself to keep the costs to the minimum and to ensure the maximum possible protection of the friends coming to New York. As you know, a travel agency, Corporate Travel Consultants (CTC), with capacities suited to the requirements of the World Congress was appointed to help with the travel and hotel arrangements as described in the registration materials you have received.

As it is important that certain details of the agreement with CTC be generally understood by the friends, the National Spiritual Assembly has been asked to convey these to you. The House of Justice feels that the contractual arrangement between the National Spiritual Assembly and CTC has been carefully conceived, given the complexity and scale of the challenges associated with mounting an event of such magnitude in a place like New York; and even though the friends are free to choose what they will do, it urges them to consider seriously the advantages of the arrangements made by the National Spiritual Assembly.

THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE Department of the Secretariat July 30, 1991

Trees removed, Shrine's arcade completed

New ornamental light fixtures, as the one shown on the left of this composite photograph, have been installed in the colonnade of the Shrine of the Báb, and the ceiling of the colonnade has been newly plastered around them.

The original six rooms of the Shrine of the Báb on the slopes of Mount Carmel in Haifa were constructed under the supervision of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Who planned the first small garden on the eastern, western and northern sides of the Shrine. Some of the trees planted during His ministry may still be there, and many planted at the instructions of the beloved Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, are still flourishing.

To protect some of the rare and valuable plants growing on the site of the new Terraces, about 250 trees have been relocated, being successfully transplanted to the Temple property in Haifa. They will be re-planted on the Terraces when the earth-works have been completed.

Meanwhile, arrangements have been made by the Hand of the Cause of God Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhiyyih Khánum to complete the decoration of the Shrine’s arcade.

During the 1940s, when the superstructure of the Shrine was designed by Amatu’l-Bahá’s architect-father, the Hand of the Cause of God William Sutherland Maxwell, the colonnade around the Shrine was to be lighted by a series of fixtures set in the ceiling.

Although the superstructure for the Shrine of the Báb was completed in 1953, the pressure of various events in the Holy Land delayed the installation of the ceiling lights in the arcade, as Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhiyyih Khánum wished to place the order for these with the same firm she had visited in Madrid, Spain, with the Guardian, and which had made the four lanterns in the corners of the arcade approved by Shoghi Effendi himself.

On a recent trip to Spain to attend the European Regional Women's Conference, Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhiyyih Khánum was able to find this same firm and place the order for the lovely brass ceiling lights which, according to the original design, are now in position and complete the decoration of the Shrine’s arcade. [Page 2]

TEACHING

With the May issue of The American Bahá’í, the National Teaching Committee began publishing a series of articles to encourage and facilitate homefront pioneering and traveling teaching to various Bahá’í communities. Assemblies, Bahá’í Groups, or District Teaching Committees that are interested in receiving traveling teachers or homefront pioneers may send to the National Teaching Committee for its consideration such information as provided below:

Doctors urgently needed in Eagle Butte, South Dakota; opportunity for homefront pioneering

General practitioners and OB/GYNs are desperately needed in Eagle Butte, on the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation. The National Teaching Committee is encouraging Bahá’í doctors and their families who are considering homefront pioneering to investigate the possibility of relocating to this priority homefront pioneering goal area.

Eagle Butte (pop. 3,000) is the second fastest-growing city in South Dakota. It is in the north-central area of the state, three and one-half hours from either Rapid City, SD, or Bismarck, ND, and two hours from Pierre, the capital of South Dakota.

Summers are hot and winters cold, but the town is surrounded year round with the lovely prairie country seen in Dances with Wolves. Government housing is available for doctors, and the K-12 school system, which is 80 percent Indian, is fairly good. In addition, a community college in Eagle Butte offers limited college courses.

For entertainment, Eagle Butte boasts a movie theatre, two video stores and good fishing. A vehicle is necessary, but one can get by without a four-wheel drive.

The Bahá’í community has 15 adult members and several youth and children. Many of these believers need to be helped in deepening and empowered to arise as fully participating community members who are engaged in promoting the Bahá’í Cause.

Doctors who are interested in serving in Eagle Butte should contact Terry Pourier, the Indian Health Care Services Unit director, at 605-964-2811. To contact the Bahá’í community, please phone Sandra Frazier, 605-964-7340.

Chinese newsletter

Guang Ming, a newsletter about Chinese teaching, is produced quarterly by the National Chinese Teaching Committee. Anyone who would like to receive a (free) copy may contact the secretary of the Committee at the Bahá’í National Center, 708-869-9039, ext. 231.

Nearly 350 at Continental Indigenous Council

Nearly 350 people from Alaska, Canada and the U.S. gathered July 3-7 at the Maxwell International Bahá’í School in Shawnigan Lake, British Columbia, Canada for the sixth Continental Indigenous Council.

The atmosphere of service presented by Maxwell staff/students and nearly 50 volunteers combined with the physical beauty of Shawnigan Lake to provide a spiritual and inspirational setting for the Council.

Children, youth, adults and elders participated fully in the council. Many non-Bahá’í volunteers and participants became enkindled and declared their belief in Bahá’u’lláh.

Honored guests present were retired International Counselor Aziz Yazdi and his wife; Counselor Don Rogers, a member of the International Teaching Center; and Counselors for the Americas Jacqueline Delahunt and Ruth Pringle.

All aspects of the Council were planned and directed by a tripartite committee of the National Spiritual Assemblies of Alaska, Canada and the United States.

The program included an inspiring address by Counselor Rogers, exciting talks by Counselors Delahunt and Pringle, loving stories of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá told by Mr. Yazdi, a presentation about the World Congress, a Pow-wow, and a well-supported entertainment night.

The theme of transformation and the family was supported by programs for children and youth and a series of workshops with topics such as:

• using the sacred Writings to impact the teaching of children and youth; • a talking circle to share teaching institute methods which are being used in Alaska, Canada and the U.S.; • exploration of the importance of involving families in teaching activities; • development of self-esteem and Bahá’í character; • how spiritual attributes can be used to strengthen the spiritual foundation of the family.

On Sunday, July 7, several believers were recognized by the Council as "spiritual warriors" for their commitment to take part in traveling teaching as they returned to regular Bahá’í activities and communities following the Council.

Franklin and Mary Jane Kahn from Flagstaff, Arizona, joined Bahá’ís on the Lummi Reservation near Bellingham, Washington, for a unity Feast. Mitchell Silas and his family left to travel and teach in British Columbia and the northwestern U.S. until July 23.

Three indigenous youth from Canada joined the youth teaching team from Oregon to travel and teach in Washington and Oregon. The Vancouver Workshop volunteered to travel and teach in British Columbia for the next few weeks.

Many unmentioned spiritual warriors left the Council with a renewed commitment to carry the healing Message of Bahá’u’lláh to the inhabitants of North America.

Chinese Committee seeks 'host families' for students

The U.S. National Chinese Teaching Committee wants to find Bahá’í "host families" for Chinese students from the People's Republic of China. There are currently 42,000 such students in the United States.

Families with children and extended families are especially sought for this service. You need not live in a university community to be of service, just near one.

Being a host family means offering occasional hospitality and life-long friendship to new students from China who live on campus, to help them adjust to living in the U.S.

"Help to make them feel at home; find out where they are staying, ask if you may render them any service; try to make their lives a little happier." (Abdu'l-Bahá, Paris Talks, p. 15)

FOR MORE INFORMATION contact the U.S. National Chinese Teaching Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL, 60091. Phone 708-869-9039, ext. 231.

Special Materials Committee should review materials for Bahá’í sale or distribution

Notice to all Bahá’í artists, musicians, craftsmen and others who are producing items for distribution and sale which represent the Bahá’í Faith:

The Special Materials Reviewing Committee urges all Bahá’ís who are producing or planning to produce items for sale and/or distribution and which represent the Faith to submit plans to the committee before investing time or money in printing or production.

The committee advises the friends that Shoghi Effendi instructed them not to reproduce likenesses of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá for distribution or sale, saying, "...they should confine themselves to His photographs, as these are, of course, a much more perfect likeness of Him."

Questions may be addressed to the committee by writing to the Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

In early April, consultant, lecturer and writer Lloyd Steven Seiden presented a course at the Bosch Bahá’í School on effective event production, devoting most of the weekend to sharing his nearly 20 years experience in producing conferences, workshops, seminars and other events in an effort to provide Bahá’í communities with a methodology that can enhance even the simplest of meetings. Participants (pictured here) returned to their communities with practical techniques and new insights into the often-ignored area of planning and production that can help transform any Bahá’í gathering into an inspiring event.

Bahá’ís from two Wisconsin cities bring Chinese students to House of Worship

On Saturday, June 22, some Bahá’ís from Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, accompanied 56 Chinese students (15 from Madison and 41 from Milwaukee) to see the House of Worship. The idea for the outing arose independently in the two cities, and was linked together by an assistant to the Auxiliary Board.

One Chinese friend shared flyers with some of her friends, and soon the original plan of using four cars had to be revised to renting a bus to accomodate the demand. "The trip took 12 hours," one individual remarked, "and it was 12 hours of teaching, with constant questions the whole time."

As arranged in advance, Mandarin-speaking Bahá’ís were on hand to assist at the House of Worship. After a performance of South American folk music, the guests heard an introduction to the Faith in English and Mandarin, saw the audio-visual programs about the Temple and "The Promise of World Peace", and in two groups were given bilingual tours of the House of Worship. Chinese box lunches were provided for a picnic through the generosity of the local Spiritual Assembly of Milwaukee and other friends. The group ended their trip by visiting Chicago's Chinatown before returning to Wisconsin.

One of the outing organizers said there were many questions about the Faith on the way home. "One man commented that he could see Chinatown anytime, but the thing he really appreciated was seeing the House of Worship and hearing the Bahá’í teachings."

The House of Worship Activities Office welcomes similar tours from other communities, and will help in the planning.

The American Bahá’í is published monthly by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States, 536 Sheridan Road, Wilmette, IL 60091. Postmaster: Send address changes to Management Information Systems, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. Executive editor: Jack Bowers. Associate editor: Ken Bowers. Art director: Scot Corrie. The American Bahá’í welcomes news, letters and other items of interest from individuals and the various institutions of the Bahá’í Faith. Articles should be written clearly and concisely; color or black-and-white glossy photographs should be included whenever possible. Please address all materials and correspondence to The Editor, The American Bahá’í, Wilmette, IL 60091. Copyright ©1991 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. World rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A. [Page 3]

An important message about World Congress travel, housing

To All National Spiritual Assemblies

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

Bahá’í World Congress, 1992

As you know, the registration materials for the Bahá’í World Congress were recently mailed to all National Spiritual Assemblies. These materials were prepared by the World Congress Logistics Office which is charged with making the travel and housing arrangements for the more than 30,000 attendees expected at the Congress.

Some friends have raised concerns regarding the prices quoted for air travel and hotel accommodations and have expressed the belief that these arrangements can be secured at lower rates. In considering the matter, the Universal House of Justice has asked us to send you certain details concerning the nature of the arrangements which have been made with the travel agency, Corporate Travel Consultants (CTC).

As you can see from the registration materials you have received, the believers are free to make their own travel and housing arrangements, should they so desire. However, they are warned that the airline industry is in a volatile condition, and that they could be subject to unforeseen increases in travel costs if they choose to follow this course. In addition, they should know that the hotels in New York are known to overbook their rooms in anticipation of cancellations, and hence, those making their own hotel accommodation arrangements run the risk of arriving in New York to find that there are no rooms available for them, despite their having confirmed reservations. To avoid such untoward occurrences, the Logistics Office worked with CTC to provide the travel/hotel packages based on signed contracts and guarantees.

Formidable challenges must be met in the planning and execution of the World Congress, among them: the sheer size and complexity of the event, the very high cost of living in New York, the vastness of the city, its complicated and congested traffic, the difficult business climate, the threat to personal safety.

In arranging for this event, great effort is being made so to integrate all elements of the logistics and the program as to envelop the Congress attendees in a total Bahá’í experience from the time of their arrival in New York to the moment of their departure and to shelter them under the wings of the Bahá’í institutions for the duration, to the extent possible.

It is against this background of planning that CTC was engaged. The following details throw some light on the nature of the contract signed with CTC:

• CTC has negotiated, and will continue to negotiate, for the lowest possible cost both for travel and hotel space.

• Since negotiations with the airlines and hotels were entered into two years ahead of time, both the airlines and the hotels had to project estimates of 1992 costs on condition that the Bahá’ís would be guaranteed the lowest discount prices at the actual time. Therefore, if the lowest prices exceed the projected ones, the friends will not have to pay more than has been quoted to them; however, if the prices are lower at that time than the projected costs, adjustments will be made and refunds effected as necessary.

• Because of the large number of friends expected, it was not safe to rely on ordinary reservation of hotel rooms. New York hotels are notorious for not honoring reservations because of the high demand for hotel space in a city known for numerous large events. Therefore, contracts had to be drawn up and signed between the National Spiritual Assembly and various hotels for some 20,000 rooms to guarantee that the friends will indeed have living accommodations in New York. We have done this with confidence that the friends will adhere to the arrangements made.

• A variety of hotels have been chosen at different levels and costs. The friends should know that if they are able to fill up the rooms in these hotels, a number of very large spaces, ball rooms and conference facilities will be made available to the World Congress free or at minimal cost, for the auxiliary activities and gatherings of the friends outside of the Congress sessions. Since each session of the Congress will have to be held twice to accommodate the large number of attendees expected, and for other reasons, it will not be possible for the friends to remain at the Congress site after these sessions. Therefore, it is critical that space in the hotels be available to the Congress attendees. If the hotel rooms are not taken according to the arrangements made, the cost to the Bahá’í Fund of renting such extra space could amount to as much as a million dollars.

BAHÁ’Í WORLD CONGRESS NEW YORK 1992

The contract signed with CTC does not allow for the agency to earn more than the usual commission. However, there is a great difference here which benefits the plans of the Logistics Office. CTC has agreed in its contract with the National Assembly that it will render certain services without any additional charge, namely: 1) provide on-site services during the Congress at every airport and Congress hotel to ensure quality services from arrival to departure; and 2) assume responsibility for registration costs incurred by the Logistics Office for each package sold for up to 20,000 persons.

As you will appreciate, we made an exclusive contract with CTC to effect the greatest advantage both for the travel and hotel arrangements and for the requirements of the Congress program. It would require too long a letter to elaborate on the details of this contractual arrangement, but we hope it will suffice to express our confidence that it is the best that could have been done in view of the immense scale of the event being planned. If large numbers of the friends choose not to operate within the expectations of this contract, the consequences could be very serious.

We rely upon the friends' support in this matter, since if this support is not forthcoming, many difficulties would be created for the organization of the World Congress. We especially appeal to the friends who are in the travel and hotel accommodations business to exercise restraint, out of respect for the arrangements described above, and not initiate projects in relation to the World Congress that will produce the effect that the Bahá’ís are competing against themselves. However, if any friend becomes aware of the possibility of better arrangements at better prices, he or she should feel entirely free to call this to the attention of the Bahá’í World Congress Logistics Office, giving it an opportunity to review the situation and to take appropriate action to protect the interests of the friends in effecting the best possible economy. Indeed, such action would assist that office to keep CTC alert to the provision of our contract to guarantee the lowest costs to the Congress attendees.

With loving Bahá’í greetings,

NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF THE UNITED STATES July 31, 1991

Brilliant Star Magazine

Light up your Stars! one year $12.00 (six issues) U.S. and Canada two years $20.00, U.S. and Canada International, surface, one year $15.00 International, surface, two years $28.00 International, airmail, one year $25.00 International, airmail, two years $47.00 in U.S. dollars

Brilliant Star Name Address Bahá’í ID # Zip Send to: Brilliant Star Subscriber Service Bahá’í National Center Wilmette, IL 60091

Bahá’ís in Oregon dedicate summer to teaching Cause on full-time basis

Forty to 50 people, most of whom are youth, have dedicated themselves to teaching the Faith on a full-time basis this summer in Oregon. Some of these believers have already been teaching the Faith full-time for a year or more and intend to continue doing so until the end of the Six Year Plan.

The traveling teaching team is sponsored by the District Teaching Committee of Western Oregon.

This summer's teaching efforts were begun with an intensive, 12-day deepening institute that started June 16 in Aurora, Oregon, conducted by Auxiliary Board member Marshall Murphy.

The initial phase of the institute consisted of nine days of intense deepening, using primarily The Hidden Words and The Seven Valleys and the Four Valleys. The last three days consisted of orientations about the specific populations on which teaching efforts were to be focused this summer.

The three populations to which the full-time teachers are reaching out with the Message of Bahá’u’lláh are American Indian, black American, and Hispanic. During the three-day orientation that was a part of the deepening institute, cultural aspects and information about effective methods of reaching that population were shared. After the orientation, the 40-50 participants were divided into three teaching institutes for reaching the three populations.

As part of their teaching methods, the strategies of the teaching institutes include making presentations of the race unity statement, the statement on Bahá’u’lláh, and the peace statement.

The teaching institute for black Americans was to be carried out in Eugene and Portland. After beginning in Eugene, an interesting discovery was made: the Hispanic population demonstrated a great interest in the Faith.

The Hispanic teaching institute, which had been operating in the Woodburn, Oregon, area, then visited Eugene before focusing its efforts on the residents of Madras.

The American Indian teaching institute planned to work first at the Umatilla Reservation. The Indian Council there had given the team permission to work with the children and youth on the Reservation, and the institute has begun to develop children's classes.

Before arriving on the Reservation in July, the members of this teaching institute were able to offer themselves for service at the Continental Indigenous Council at Shawnigan Lake, British Columbia (July 3-7).

They were also able to visit Seattle and consult with a group of youth who wish to start a full-time teaching team in Washington state. [Page 4]

PIONEERING

Where will you be next Ridván? The answer to this question is vital to a victorious culmination of the Six Year Plan. With eight months left and many goals yet to win for Bahá’u’lláh, each of us should search his soul and then take action.

Young and old alike can and must participate. Knowing that not all can settle in other countries for years, the Universal House of Justice has offered us the option of full-time service for the Faith on a shorter term basis, "short-term pioneering."

For youth, a year in service to the Cause can have even fuller meaning as you fulfill these short-term goals for the Universal House of Justice. Those of you who are preparing for college and/or careers can take time to pioneer for a few months abroad, giving you the opportunity for professional and personal growth as well as making valuable contacts for future pioneering efforts.

Those friends awaiting U.S. citizenship can achieve their hearts' desire to pioneer by spending several months overseas without jeopardizing eligibility for citizenship. For those receiving pensions, you, too, can offer to serve internationally. And if all this seems financially overwhelming, call us—financial assistance may be available.

The words of our beloved Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, in addressing the North American believers during the first Seven Year Plan, remain as timely today as then:

"I would particularly direct my appeal [for pioneers] to those American believers, sore-pressed as they are by the manifold, the urgent, and ever-increasing issues that confront them at the present hour, who may find it possible... to establish permanently their residence in such countries as may offer them a reasonable prospect of earning the means of livelihood...

"Should they find it impossible to take advantage of so rare and sacred privilege, let them, mindful of the words of Bahá’u’lláh, determine, each according to their means at his or her disposal, to appoint a deputy who, on that believer's behalf, will arise and carry out so noble an enterprise.

"It would, no doubt, be of exceptional importance and value, particularly in these times when the various restrictions imposed in those countries make it difficult for a considerable number of Bahá’í pioneers to establish their residence and earn their livelihood in those states, if certain ones among the believers, whose income, however slender, provides them with the means of an independent existence, would so arrange their affairs as to be able to reside indefinitely in those countries.

"The sacrifices involved, the courage, faith, and perseverance it demands, are no doubt very great. Their value, however, can never be properly assessed at the present time, and the limitless reward which they who demonstrate them will receive can never be adequately depicted. 'They that have forsaken their country,' is Bahá’u’lláh's own testimony, 'for the purpose of teaching Our Cause—these shall the Faithful Spirit strengthen through its power. ...By My life! no act, however great, can compare with it, except such deeds as have been ordained by God, the All-Powerful, the Most Mighty. Such a service is indeed the prince of all goodly deeds, and the ornament and the ornament of every goodly act.'

"Such a reward, it should be noted, is not to be regarded as purely an abstract blessing confined to the future life, but also as a tangible benefit which such courage, faith and perseverance can alone confer in this material world...." (The Advent of Divine Justice, pp 55-57)

Now is the time to arise. For additional information, please contact the Office of Pioneering and ask how you can serve in these exciting times. Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette 60091, telephone 708-869-9039.

On May 16-19, 20 people attended a Pioneering Institute sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Austin, Texas. The participants plan to pioneer both internationally and on the homefront.

Pictured are participants in the 1991 Pioneering Institute held July 5-10 at the Louhelen Bahá’í School in Michigan. Among them are prospective, visiting and former pioneers.

TWO-YEAR PLAN U.S. GOALS

SHORT-TERM PIONEERS

Goal	Open Goals
Romania	2
USSR	2
Ukraine	2
Kazakhstan	2
Other Republics	2
Yugoslavia	2
Bulgaria	2
Czechoslovakia	4
DDR/East Germany	2
Hungary	2
Poland	2
Mongolia	1
China	4
Totals	32

LONG-TERM PIONEERS

Goal	Goals Completed
Bulgaria	1
Czechoslovakia	2
DDR/East Germany	2
Hungary	2
Poland	2
Romania	1
USSR	1
Ukraine	0
Kazakhstan	1
Other Republics	3
Yugoslavia	4
Mongolia	1
China	2
Totals	22

TRAVELING TEACHERS

Area/Country	Goal	Filled
Ukraine	100	157
Kazakhstan	2	2
USSR (Other Republics)	150	221
Bulgaria	5	3
Czechoslovakia	30	16
DDR/East Germany	10	1
Hungary	35	11
Poland	15	8
Romania	10	8
Yugoslavia	40	6
Mongolia	4	2
China	35	73
Totals	440	508

SHORT-TERM PIONEER GOALS

AFRICA

Goal	Months	Goals Completed (months)
Ciskei	24	0
Guinea-Bissau	12	0
Liberia	12	0
Nigeria	12	0
Tanzania	36	6
Uganda	24	0
Zambia	24	34
Totals	144	40

AMERICAS

Goal	Months	Goals Completed (months)
Argentina	24	0
Bahamas	12	5
Barbados	12	0
Brazil	24	0
British V.I.	12	0
Colombia	24	0
Dominica	12	0
Ecuador	12	12
Guyana	24	31
Honduras	24	13
Jamaica	24	3
Leeward Islands	12	8
Martinique	12	0
Mexico	36	37
Nicaragua	24	1
Panama	36	13
Paraguay	24	0
Puerto Rico	12	3
Uruguay	24	0
Venezuela	12	10
Totals	396	136

ASIA

Goal	Months	Goals Completed (months)
India	24	9
Japan	24	0
Pakistan	12	0
Taiwan	36	19
Totals	96	28

AUSTRALASIA

Goal	Months	Goals Completed (months)
Mariana Islands	12	0
Marshall Islands	24	0
W. Caroline Islands	12	5
Totals	48	5

EUROPE

Goal	Months	Goals Completed (months)
Portugal	24	0

It's not too soon to start preparing for UN Day, UNICEF Day events

It's not too soon to prepare for two events often celebrated by Bahá’í communities: United Nations Day, October 24, and UNICEF Day (United Nations Children's Fund), October 31.

Materials are available for both of these programs. The UN Day kit includes a poster, suggested activities, a sample proclamation, press release and information about the use of radio and television.

To order, write to Publications Department, UNA-USA, New York, NY 10017 (phone 212-697-3282). The cost is $5 per kit.

The UNICEF materials include a "Trick or Treat" collection box, several lovely posters, project suggestions and information about the work of the U.S. Committee for UNICEF.

To order, write to United States Committee for UNICEF, Westerville, OH 43081 (phone 1-800-252-KIDS).

"The more one can give, the better it is..." National Bahá’í Fund Wilmette, IL 60091 [Page 5]

May-June Fund contributions experience slight decline

THE FUNDS But pace compared to last year continues to be encouraging

Contributions for the first two months of the Bahá’í fiscal year indicate that the friends are exerting themselves to maintain last year's admirable pace of giving. Offerings to the four major Funds of the Faith for May and June totaled $1,890,055, compared with $2,202,801 for the year before. This result is 14 percent lower than last year's, which is still a significant achievement in light of the strenuous efforts so many individuals and communities made at the end of the year to reach the Local Assembly goals for the National Bahá’í Fund.

Correspondence from some communities indicates that the believers are "catching their breath" after their recent rush to victory.

As we enter the summer months, this continuing trend is highly important, especially this year when restoration work on the House of Worship is scheduled to enter a new, more complex and costly phase.

Seasonal needs at the World Center are higher, as well. With the exciting announcement of expanded work on the Terraces and the first two buildings on the Arc, our hearts and prayers will be turned increasingly to Haifa for news of the steady progress on these majestic Projects.

This is For GoD (This cartoon accompanied a recent contribution to the National Bahá’í Fund)

Our Sacred Obligation National Bahá’í Fund Wilmette, IL 60091

Spiritual Assembly of Huntsville, Alabama, holds press conference to present race unity statement

On June 5, the Spiritual Assembly of Huntsville, Alabama, held a press conference at the local public library to announce to the community the National Spiritual Assembly's call for the elimination of racism in America.

In his opening remarks to the press, Gary Wolfe, chairman of the local Assembly, said, "There is no reason that the city of Huntsville with its unique background and resources could not become the model, not only for Huntsville or even the U.S., but for the world as a whole for the resolution of racial divisions and the upholding of a new standard of human honor and dignity."

The Huntsville Bahá’í community took the opportunity also to announce the success of its Race Healing Institute which was established following the Conference of the Association for Bahá’í Studies in Atlanta in 1990. The Institute is coordinated by Dr. Marjorie Waddell and Mrs. Paule Ebrahimi.

The press conference introduced to about 200,000 people in the Huntsville-north Alabama area the National Spiritual Assembly's statement "The Vision of Race Unity-America's Most Challenging Issue." Because of the press coverage, a nearby community has sought the help of the Huntsville Bahá’ís in addressing racism in their community.

Young pen-pals

From California comes this wonderful little note:

"My sister and I collected $60 for the Arc. I am 11 and my sister is 13 years old. We recycled cans and I sold handballs to the Bahá’í community. I got the handballs from my next door neighbor who was going to throw them away, he said they were no good. But I figured 60 percent of the bounce was still good. My family went on pilgrimage last summer; it was very moving to see the Bahá’í Shrines and Holy Places."

Bahá’í Justice Society co-sponsors National Conference on Peace-Making

In June, the Bahá’í Justice Society seized an historic opportunity when it co-sponsored and took part in the National Conference on Peace-Making and Conflict Resolution in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The Justice Society joined such groups as the Carter Center at Emory University, the Academy of Family Mediators, and the Polaroid Corporation in co-sponsoring this biennial conference.

The stated mission of the conference was to "promote the use and acceptance of non-violent approaches to the resolution of conflict and to improve conflict resolution theory and practice."

The focus of NCPCR activities is on conflict resolution and peace-making activities conducted in the U.S. while also serving as a link to similar activities around the world.

A full-day workshop was offered under the auspices of the Bahá’í Justice Society. The session, entitled "Bahá’í Consultation: A Cooperative Model of Decision-Making for Diverse Communities," was presented by Jack Guillebeaux and Betty D. Morris. The focus was on identifying diversity and providing a system of community interaction that encourages and relies upon diversity among its members.

The Justice Society maintained visibility throughout the conference with an information table at the Community Fair, whose purpose was to provide for the exhibition of art work, books and other materials for general distribution.

An estimated 200 copies of "The Promise of World Peace" were given to conference attendees along with other informational literature about the Faith. In all, more than 1,000 people from the U.S. and Canada as well as from South Africa, Northern Ireland, the Soviet Union and other Eastern European countries attended the conference.

Jack Guillebeaux of Montgomery, Alabama, was one of two Bahá’ís who presented a day-long workshop entitled 'Bahá’í Consultation: A Cooperative Model of Decision-Making for Diverse Communities' during the National Conference on Peace-Making and Conflict Resolution (NCPCR) in June in Charlotte, North Carolina. The conference was co-sponsored by the Bahá’í Justice Society.

Bahá’ís in San Jose hold another in ongoing series of multi-cultural events

On June 29, the Bahá’í community of San Jose, California, held another in its ongoing series of cultural enlightenment events.

The culture saluted this time was that of Southeast Asia including Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, China and Japan.

The program began with a potluck supper of Oriental food, after which the San Jose Vietnamese Student Association entertained the audience of about 50 with dance and a fashion show and there were Thai and Polynesian dances as well.

The event closed with prayers in Japanese, Vietnamese, Spanish, Persian and English.

HUQUQU’LLÁH

Payments for Huqúqu’lláh should be made to "The Bahá’í Huqúqu’lláh Trust" and sent to one of the Trustees:

Dr. Elsie Austin, P.O. Box 927, Silver Spring MD 20910 (Tel. 301-589-8481).

Dr. Amin Banani, Santa Monica, CA 90402 (Tel. 213-394-5449).

Dr. Daryush Haghighi, Rocky River, OH 44116 (Tel. 216-333-1506).

Inquiries regarding Huqúqu’lláh should be referred to one of the Trustees or to the Office of the Secretariat, Bahá’í Huqúqu’lláh Trust, Rocky River, OH 44116.

Video tapes of talks by the Hand of the Cause of God and Trustee of Huqúqu’lláh Dr. Ali-Muhammad Varqá, and by Ali Nakhjavání, a member of the Universal House of Justice, are available from the Office of the Secretariat for $6 each (postage included).

Copies of the compilation "Huququ’lláh, Extracts from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi and the Universal House of Justice" can be obtained from the Bahá’í Distribution Service at 85 cents per copy. [Page 6]

BAHÁ’Í DISTRIBUTION SERVICE at the American Bookseller’s Association Trade Show, New York

To aid the friends in emblazoning "the Name of Bahá’u’lláh across the globe" and in making "it a known eminence in the consciousness of peoples everywhere," the Universal House of Justice asked the Office of Public Information at the Bahá’í World Centre to prepare a statement on Bahá’u’lláh. It is a brief introduction to the life and work of Bahá’u’lláh, conveying His vision of humanity as one people and of the earth as a common homeland.

Bahá’u’lláh

prepared by the Office of Public Information at the request of the Universal House of Justice

SC $5.95

"The widest possible proclamation of the Name of Bahá’u’lláh," the Universal House of Justice has written, will be "an important feature of the activities of the Holy Year" and "A corollary" of the Bahá’í World Congress the purpose of which is "to celebrate the centenary of the inquguration of the Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh and to proclaim its aims and unifying power."

The statement "is intended primarily for wide distribution to the public," the Universal House of Justice has explained. It also has great value "as a source of study and inspiration for the Bahá’ís."

The special edition being prepared in the United States is elegant and dignified and is eminently suitable for presentations to national, regional, and local dignitaries and prominent figures. The deep-red cover stock has Bahá’u’lláh’s name stamped in rich gold foil; additional richness comes from a subtle red pattern on the cover. The end sheet is embossed with Bahá’u’lláh’s name. The text is set in large, easy-to-read type which will also make the special edition very usable for study classes.

7" x 10", 58 pp. Bahá’í Publishing Trust of the United States

Bahá’í Newsreel, Vol. 2, No. 1

VT $15.95

The fourth in this very popular and informative series, Volume 2, Number 1, features a special report on the Bahá’í World Congress to be held in November 1992. Other topics highlighted are the development of Bahá’í scholarship and worldwide Bahá’í youth activities. It concludes with a particularly moving segment about an Aboriginal Bahá’í girl in Australia who is the first of her people to win an important "field & track" meet and gain national recognition for her skill.

Approximately 28 minutes Media Services

BDS announces price increase effective August 1

An annual price increase will be effetive as of August 1, 1991. An updated Price List reflecting these changes will be available in August. If you have placed previous orders with us during the past year, you will automatically receive your copy in late July. If you haven't ordered within the past year, call to request your copy. 1-800-999-9019.

The Six Year Plan: Messages from the Universal House of Justice

NB $8.00

The Six Year Plan brings together 27 major messages of the Universal House of Justice written during the Six Year Plan. Starting with the letter of January 2, 1986, that announced the beginning of the Fourth Epoch of the Formative Age, this volume of messages includes letters outlining the goals of the Six Year Plan and highlighting the progress of the International Bahá’í community in fulfilling them. Among the messages included are Ridván messages from 1986-91, and announcements and descriptions of progress made toward the goal of completing the Are on Mount Carmel. 8-1/2" x 11", 81 pp.

Bahá’í Publishing Trust of the United States

The Bahá’í Faith

SC $1.00

Again available, this teaching booklet basically informs declarants about the Central Figures, Bahá’í teachings, laws, and administration. Includes beautiful colored photographs of the Bahá’í Houses of Worship and other Holy Places.

Bahá’í Canada Publications

Persian: The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh: Selected Letters

by Shoghi Effendi translated by Hushmand Fatheazam HC $24.95/SC $14.95

From 1929 through 1936 Shoghi Effendi wrote a series of long letters to the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada unfolding a clear vision of the relation between the Bahá’í community and the entire process of social evolution under the Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh. The letters elaborate on Bahá’u’lláh’s establishment of the Bahá’í Administrative Order as the nucleus and pattern of world civilization. A major letter in the compilation is "The Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh," which the National Spiritual Assembly has chosen as the "book of the year" for focused study. "The Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh delineates the station of Bahá’u’lláh, the importance of His Covenant and its Center, and His establishment of an administrative order designed to usher in the long awaited "kingdom of God on Earth."

5-1/2" x 8-1/2", 212 pp., introduction, preface Persian Institute for Bahá’í Studies

بھائی متباقی از آثار صادر و مسلم حضرت بانی سوری

Preserving Bahá’í Marriages

compiled by the Universal House of Justice SC $2.25

A number of communications received recently by the Universal House of Justice have indicated a lack of appreciation of the sanctity of Bahá’í marriage. Therefore, a special study was commissioned concerning the urgent need for safeguarding the sacred marriage tie. This booklet is in two parts: the first is a memorandum, linking selected quotations around certain important themes. The second is a compilation of extracts from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the letters of Shoghi Effendi, and the Universal House of Justice. It is hoped that the believers will meditate on the guidance contained in the memorandum and compilation, and come to appreciate more deeply their responsibilities in taking action to fulfill the true function of the institution of Bahá’í marriage.

5-3/4" x 8-1/4", 34 pp., introduction, references National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Canada

Rhapsody

by Michael Fitzgerald SC $6.95

Written primarily at the Martha’s Vineyard Writer’s Workshop, Fitzgerald uses an original nine-line stanza composition in this book-length love poem, integrating human and divine love meant to stir the senses and provoke the emotions. The poetry, which is readable, yet evocative, is dedicated to all lovers, and is suitable for a wide audience.

5" x 8", 44 pp. Kalimát Press

Persian: The Bahá’í Faith: The Emerging Global Religion

by William S. Hatcher and G. Douglas Martin SC $13.95

Written as an undergraduate textbook and originally published by Harper & Row, Publishers, this book was named by the Encyclopedia Britannica as a 1986 book of the year in religion. According to the Montreal Gazette it "Provide(s) non-Bahá’í readers with an excellent introduction to the history, beliefs, and sociopolitical structure of a religion that originated in Persia in the mid-1800s and has since blossomed into an international organization with over 3 million adherents from almost every country on earth."

5-1/4" x 8-1/2", 334 pp. Persian Institute for Bahá’í Studies [Page 7]

Arches of the Years

by Marzieh Gail HC $28.50/SC $15.75 Continuing the vivid story of Ali-Kuli Khan's diplomatic career, Marzieh Gail takes her readers on the family's travels. The story provides new insights into ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit to America and gives an unusual per- spective on the Versailles Conference of 1919. Vignettes of President Wilson, Phoebe Hearst and other characters from the early days of this century are interspersed among fascinat- ing pictures of Persia at the turn of the century. 6" x 9-1/4", approximately 360 pp., 16 illustrations George Ronald, Publishers

Down The Do-Re-Me

by Red & Kathy Grammer CS $10.95 Teacher's Notes $10.95 Once again the Grammer's have produced a cassette and support material that is not only entertaining but, more important, educational. Through his music, Red stimulates his young listeners to understand the magnificence of nature, the benefits of being a caretaker of living things, the beauty of dawn, the spiritual well-being of offering work as service, and many other themes significant to spiritual education. The cassette is suitable for chil- dren ages 2-7. The Teacher's Notes book aids teachers and parents in conveying the values expressed by the songs. Teacher's Notes: 8-1/2" x 11", 44 pp., introduction, note pp. Cassette: approximately 28 minutes Children's Group Inc.

Education: A Bahá’í Perspective

SPECIAL SALE ITEM EDUCATION A Bahá’í PERSPECTIVE

Education A Bahá’í Perspective SC $8.95 10/pkg.

"Ignorance, the Universal House of Justice writes in The Promise of World Peace, is indisputably the principal reason for the de- cline and fall of peoples and the perpetuation of prejudice. No nation can achieve success unless education is accorded all its citizens."

Education: A Bahá’í Perspective, the third title in this very popular perspective series, challenges its readers to broaden their view of the essentials of education. It identi- fies nine elements of programs of literacy and basic education beyond the skills of reading, writing, and simple arithmetic that basic edu- cation can and should promote.

Originally priced at $12.95 for a 10 piece packet, we have reduced the price to $8.95 until November 1, 1991. It is an excel- lent introduction to the Faith for all those involved or interested in education. 5-3/4" x 8-1/4", 14 pp. Bahá’í Publishing Trust of the United Kingdom

The Vision of Race Unity

NEW TEACHING TOOL THE VISION OF RACE UNITY AMERICA'S MOST CHALLENGING ISSUE A STATEMENT BY THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE Bahá’ís OF THE UNITED STATES

This document should be shared and distributed as widely as possible and used to accelerate teaching of the Faith.

The Vision of Race Unity America's Most Challenging Issue by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States GE (General Edition intended for mass distribution) 10/pkg $3.50 50/pkg $15.00 100/pkg $25.00 PE (Presentation Edition) $2.00 each PK (Press Edition) $.50 each 10 $17.50 .25 $40.00

Racism, termed by the Universal House of Justice in The Promise of World Peace as "one of the most baneful and persistent evils" and "a major barrier to peace," is the subject of this major statement from the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. We have been told by Shoghi Effendi that the eradication of racism is America's "most vital and challenging issue"-one that has become all the more pressing with the recent resurgence of divisive racial attitudes and the deepening despair of minorities and the poor. Recognizing that America's peace, prosperity, and her standing in the international community depend on the resolution of this issue, the National Spiritual Assembly offers a vision of race unity grounded in the principle of the oneness of humankind. The National Spiritual Assembly also offers for examination the experience of the Bahá’í community, which has endeavored far more than a century to create models of unity. Individual Americans are challenged to heal the wounds of racism and begin building a society in which people of diverse backgrounds live as members of one family. This document should be shared and distributed as widely as possible and used to accelerate teaching of the Faith. 5-1/2" x 8-1/2" (GE), 7" x 9" (PE), 13 pp., addendum Bahá’í Publishing Trust of the United States

Oraciones Bahá’ís

HC $12.95 Una seleccuón de Oraciones reveladas por El Báb, Bahá’u’lláh, y ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Contiene oraciones para alabanza, creyentes, matri- monio, noche, y reuniones. Este edicion de tan buen calidad de Oraciones Bahá’ís tela esta publicado en Espana y ofrecido para la primera vez por el Servicio Distribucion. 4-1/2" x 6-1/2", 311 pp. Editorial Bahá’í de España

La Consulta

una luz de guia universal por John E. Kolstoe SC $10.95

Este libro trata del método Bahá’í de toma de decisión, la consulta. Con la ayuda de citas sacadas de los escritos sagrados Bahá’ís, el autor examina cuestiones como: lo que es la consulta, como consultar, como utilizar la consulta. Por qué la gente ve las cosas de forma diferente y cómo la consulta puede convertir estas diferencias en fuerzas, Como enfrentarse a las dificultades en la consulta. El papel de la consulta en el desarrollo de la comunidad Bahá’í y en la aparición del orden mundial de Bahá’u’lláh. 5-1/4"x7-3/4", 316pp., introducción, epílogo Editorial Bahá’í de España

Al Buscador (To A Seeker)

por Nathan Rutstein SC $6.95

La mayoría de nosotros busca algo importante, algo que vaya a mejorar la calidad de su vida. La búsqueda de la felicidad y la paz es muy antigua. Frecuentemente pasamos por alto la necesidad de desarrollarnos espiritualmente, entendida como una vía hacia la felicidad. Y cuando por fin nos decidimos a tomar un sendero espiritual, a menudo acabamos desilusionados. De todas maneras continuamos buscando alguna forma de guía espiritual que pueda servirnos, a nosotros y al mundo, para salir de las dificultades. En su nuevo libro, Nathan Rutstein describe la manera en que Bahá’u’lláh puede enseñarnos el camino hacia esa escurridiza felicidad. 5-3/8" x 7-7/8", 112 pp., referencias Editorial Bahá’í de España

East European Language Titles

NOW AVAILABLE ALBANIAN Hidden Words; Bahá’í Prayers ARMENIAN Hidden Words BULGARIAN Communion with God; God's Message Renewed GEORGIAN Bahá’í Prayers; What is the Bahá’í Faith GERMAN Bahá’í Faith Introduction; One Religion; Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era; Hidden Words

Recent New Titles

The Divine Art of Living Selections from the Bahá’í Writings compiled by Mabel Hyde Paine; revised by Anne Marie Scheffer SC $9.95

Equality of the Sexes A Bahá’í Principle by the National Bahá’í Women's Group SC $2.00

Faith & World Economy A Joint Venture by Giuseppe Robiati; foreword by Ervin Laszlo SC $23.00

Alzheimer's Disease An Eclipse before Sunset by A. M. Ghadirian, M.D. SC $2.75

Treasure Chest A Workbook About Bahá’u’lláh by Debbie Wix and Gail Radley SC $5.95

Steppin' To A Brand New Beat by Mike Rogers CS $8.95

Compilation of Compilations compiled from the Bahá’í Writings HC Two-Volume Set $39.95

The Journal of Bahá’í Studies Vol. 2, No. 4 SC $6.00

The Prophecies of Jesus by Michael Sours SC $18.95

The Purpose of Physical Reality by John Hatcher SC $10.50

Paisajes Del Alma by Navid Mohabbat HC $13.95

Enlighten Curriculum Vol. 2 Kindergarten & Vol. 3 First Grade by Lea Iverson SC $19.95

Sam Bald Eagle Augustine Bahá’í Talks From the Heart CS $8.95

Bahá’í Distribution Service / PHONE 1-800-999-9019 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091 FAX 1-708-251-3652

ORDER FORM

Ordered by: (Please print or type) Name Address City Circle one: AMEX Master Card Expiration Date: Signature: QTY TITLE Date ABST State Zip Day Phone VISA Account Number:, Check Money Order on Account COST AMOUNT TOTAL [Page 8]

HELP WANTED

Experienced, intelligent person, energetic, good language skills, computer experience helpful but not necessary Apply in person

CLASSIFIEDS

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

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

POSITION available in lovely Pacific Northwest. Abundant opportunities for teaching, saving jeopardized Assemblies and forming new ones. Many spirited Bahá’í communities with good activities for youth. Bahá’í-owned, start-up controls contractor needs experienced help now. If you have training and experience in estimating, engineering or technical installation supervision of HVAC control systems (especially DDC), please contact Nick Galaday at SETPOINT Automation and Control Technologies, Vancouver, WA 98660 (phone 206-694-7174). We are the factory-authorized rep for Kreuter Manufacturing Company, and, obviously, are an equal opportunity employer.

HIGH SCHOOLS in Newcomb and Tohatchi, New Mexico, which are operated by the Naalni Shi Development Corp., have immediate openings for certified teachers with specialties in math and English. The curriculum is self-paced and individualized to the needs of the student body which consists primarily of Navajo students. Applications and/or questions may be directed to Reed Amadon, Career Development Center, Lufkin, TX 75901; phone 409-637-1741 or FAX 409-637-1754.

PIONEERING (HOMEFRONT)

MOVING? Put your shoulder to the wheel in one of many localities in Northern California I which need Bahá’ís to retain, regain or attain Assembly status. Area has small to large colleges, ethnic diversity, mountain solitude or western "foothill" towns, agriculture, or close-to-capital city excitement. For information, please write to the District Teaching Committee of Northern California No. 1, c/o Grace Shahrokh, secretary, Fair Oaks, CA 95628, or phone 916-966-7490.

HOMEFRONT pioneers needed for the rural North Carolina communities of Roxboro (pop. 12,000) and Person County (pop. 18,000) about 30 miles north of Durham with easy access to major universities and employment opportunities. Inexpensive land and housing available; one isolated Bahá’í presently lives in the area. For information, please contact Terri Hamrick, Roxboro, NC 27573, or phone 919-597-4687 (home) or 919-599-8366 (work).

EXCELLENT homefront pioneering opportunity for one or two persons to help build and strengthen a multi-ethnic agricultural community by becoming a VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) literacy worker in a library Adult Literacy Program in Belle Glade, Florida. A one-year commitment beginning in January 1992 is required. Must be a U.S. resident and have own transportation. Job training, basic subsistence allowance, health insurance and mileage allowance are provided. No experience needed. Belle Glade, on the southeastern corner of Lake Okeechobee, is 45 miles west of Palm Beach, 75 miles northwest of Miami. For more information about this opportunity, write to Pat Meier, Belle Glade Branch Library, Belle Glade, FL 33430, or phone 407-996-3453.

NORTH FLORIDA, an area with abundant water, Spanish moss-draped oak trees, lush farm lands and woods, needs homefront pioneers. Land is cheap; homes start at $47,000. Employment is marginal, but cultural activities are splendid and nearby rivers are lovely. Self-employed or retired people are invited to write for details to Hans Valk, Lake City, FL 32055 (phone 904-755-3675).

PIONEERING (OVERSEAS)

AFRICA. Burundi: Macro-Economist. Kenya: Education Director for undergraduate program in wildlife conservation. Tanzania: Bahá’í Secondary School Principal. AMERICAS. Belize: Custodians for the Amelia Collins Institute. Honduras: Elementary School Teachers (2). Turks & Caicos: Education Director for undergraduate marine resource management and conservation study program. AUSTRALASIA. Tinian: Teachers, Doctors, Nurses. The Bahá’í Medical Project encourages Bahá’í physicians to give a minimum of two weeks' voluntary medical service in Guyana. The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Ireland is seeking someone experienced in public relations to help the Irish Bahá’í community in its public relations work and to train one or more individuals to continue the work. The Bahá’í Office of the Environment for Taiwan is seeking volunteers and/or employees to help extend its range of environmental service projects. Urgent need for Assistant Manager for a Honda motorcycle/ bicycle and small engine repair and maintenance business. For more information about any of these positions, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or telephone 708-869-9039.

PARLEZ-vous francais? If you do speak French, you are urgently needed for traveling teaching in French Polynesia. For more information, contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 708-869-9039.)

WHAT MUSICAL instrument do you play? A comb? harmonica? recorder? Or could it be a trumpet, saxophone, guitar or flute? You and whatever portable musical instrument you play would be most welcome in any of the ongoing teaching projects scattered throughout the planet. So, if you have not yet taken your vacation, consider teaching and playing in one of the following countries: Benin (West Africa), Bophuthatswana, Brazil, Burundi, Canada, Cook Islands, East Leeward Islands, Fiji, Jamaica, Hong Kong, South Africa, Trinidad, West Leeward Islands. These are just some of the many sites of ongoing teaching projects where you and your instrument are needed and welcome. Contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 708-869-9039 for more information).

THE NATIONAL Spiritual Assembly of Alaska appeals to our community for Filipino traveling teachers to help teach in targeted sizeable Filipino communities. For more information please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 708-869-9039).

WINTER in southern Mexico. Here is an innovative way to combine learning Spanish with teaching in that language. The Javier McKeever English Language Institute has a special arrangement for the winter school year. For more information, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 708-869-9039.)

ARCHIVES

THE NATIONAL Bahá’í Archives is seeking, at the request of the Universal House of Justice, original letters written on behalf of the Guardian to the following individuals: Adelia Hoyt, Emma Hughes, Lilah Hughes, Harold Hunt (died Butte, MT, 1961), Jean Hunt, Nan Hunt, Bertha Hunter, Parthenia Hunter, Elizabeth Hurlbut (died San Francisco, 1936), Clara Hurlock, and Helen Inderlied (died Binghamton, NY, 1959). Anyone knowing family members or relatives who might have access to these letters from the Guardian is asked to contact the National Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or to phone 708-869-9039.

THE NATIONAL Bahá’í Archives is missing the minutes of the National Teaching Committee for the years 1948-62. If anyone who served on the National Teaching Committee during those years still has copies of the minutes, the Archives would appreciate receiving them. Donations should be sent to the National Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

WANTED

MEDIA SERVICES at the Bahá’í National Center seeks professional-quality slides and photographs of Bahá’í events for possible use. Especially needed are formal and informal shots of Spiritual Assemblies, teaching events, children's activities, and diverse groups of people meeting, working, and enjoying recreational activities together. Please send slides or photos with a letter specifying whether they should be returned to: Bahá’í Media Services, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

ESSAYS needed about American youth who have professed their faith in Bahá’u’lláh to be compiled in a chronicle entitled 99 Lights Across America. Essays should explain how the individual came to recognize Bahá’u’lláh and how this transformed his/her life. The book will be an inspiration for teaching the Faith, and will attest to the fact that everyone is potentially a Bahá’í regardless of race, religion, social or economic background. Publication of the identity of the author of each essay is optional. Please send essays as soon as possible to Jennifer Redson, Washington, DC 20012 (phone 202-726-5909).

AN EXCITING feature of the Bahá’í World Congress in New York City in November 1992 will be a specially-created World Congress Choir, consisting of singers from all parts of the world. Bahá’ís who plan to attend the World Congress are invited to audition for the choir. Singers from any part of the world can try out by mail provided they are able to record their voices on cassette tape. Information about how to do this is available from the World Congress Program Committee. In addition to the main choir, singers are needed for special choirs in various parts of the world including Africa, South America, the Pacific Islands, the Caribbean, Iran, India, Europe and the Far East. The World Congress is not able to pay for transportation or housing of singers. Bahá’ís who feel they may be capable of taking part in this project are warmly encouraged to send for an application form and audition procedures. Write to: Bahá’í World Congress Choir Audition, P.O. Box 789, Wilmette, IL 60091 U.S.A.

WORLD ORDER magazine is actively seeking book reviews. Such reviews should be 750- 2,000 words (3-8 typewritten pages) long, double-spaced, and clearly written. Reviews may be written on recently published Bahá’í books, non-Bahá’í works that relate to a Bahá’í teaching in some way, or any work that could be of potential interest to World Order's readers. Undergraduate and graduate students are especially encouraged to submit manuscripts. A list of books that particularly need to be reviewed is available on request, as are guidelines on preparing essays for World Order. Write to World Order magazine, 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091.

ONEWORLD Publications is seeking innovative teaching and proclamation ideas. If you as an individual, or your community, have found some interesting way of proclaiming the Faith involving community affairs, parade events, displays, conferences, seminars, newspaper or magazine articles, games, signs, and so on, please share your ideas with us. Oneworld plans to compile your contributions into a booklet and publish it so that everyone can benefit from the wide range of creativity in the Bahá’í community. Send to: Proclamation Ideas, Oneworld Publications, Oxford OX2 7AR, United Kingdom.

WANTED: Bahá’ís who are interested in forming a Bahá’í computer professional association to foster an exchange of ideas and information, share experiences, provide support, and form links between those needing the information technologies and the Faith. For more information, please contact Neil Krandall, Cincinnati, OH 45224, via the Bahá’í National Center Bulletin Board System, or phone 513-681-1677.

THE SPIRITUAL Assembly of Carroll County, Maryland, requests any plays or dramas suitable for children, either Bahá’í-related or on moral topics. Send to: Joan Murphy, Westminster, MD 21157.

CONFERENCES

VISUAL ARTISTS: Yes! There will be a juried art exhibit at the Green Lake Conference. For information and guidelines, please contact Jocelyn Boor, Shorewood, WI 53211 (phone 414-962-4625).

THE THIRD annual Green Lake Conference Friday Forum will be held September 13. This year, there will be two concurrent forums: "Business and Ethics: A Bahá’í Perspective," with Larry Miller, and "Achieving Race Unity: A Focus of Personal Transformation." For a registration form, write to Carolyn Malouf, Cedarburg, WI 53012.

MISCELLANEOUS

PARTICIPATE in Oasis, a magazine of the Bahá’í Studies Association of Chile. Are you an artist? Send your poems, prose, drawings, photos, etc., to Casilla Although it is our desire to publish everything we receive, we cannot promise to do so. Chile.

Training session marks start of summer teaching campaign for youth

On June 14-16, a teacher-training session for youth was held in Richmond, Virginia, as a cooperative effort between the National Teaching Committee and the Auxiliary Boards.

Auxiliary Board member Tahereh Ahdieh brought together young people from Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania to take part in the workshop and to begin intensive summer teaching projects.

All of the youth attending committed a minimum of two weeks for full-time teaching either in their home communities or traveling teaching.

Several Bahá’í communities in Virginia, Pennsylvania and Maryland have launched projects specifically using 10- to 16-year-olds.

Through collaboration with Tahereh Ahdieh, several local Spiritual Assemblies sponsored teaching projects using these young people. In Frederick, Maryland, June 16-22, the local Assembly involved the youth in direct teaching, firesides, public meetings and a proclamation event.

In Danville, Pennsylvania, July 6-21, the local Assembly had the youth conducting firesides and taking part in direct teaching.

The Spiritual Assembly of Radnor, Pennsylvania, was also planning a teaching project for the youth in July and August.

The Spiritual Assembly of Chesterfield, Virginia, launched a teaching project June 24. As there have been successful teaching efforts among the Cambodian peoples recently, the project is devoted to reaching Cambodian youth and children.

If you are traveling outside the United States for any reason, please contact the Office of Pioneering (708-869-9039) for information. [Page 9]

Bahá’ís in media consult on second World Congress

At conferences in Los Angeles, New York City

More than 175 Bahá’ís from 20 countries, most of whom are employed in journalism, broadcasting, advertising, filmmaking or public relations, attended two recent conferences to develop ideas for reaching the media with the story of the second Bahá’í World Congress.

A Media Task Force, appointed by the World Congress Program Committee, organized the two conferences, the first of which was held May 18-19 in Los Angeles, the second June 22-23 in New York City.

Both were announced to the Bahá’í world community through National Spiritual Assemblies and Boards of Counselors and through notices in The American Bahá’í.

Conference participants generated more than 300 suggestions and ideas for consideration by the Task Force and Program Committee including ideas for collateral materials, radio and television programming, newsworthy events ancillary to the Congress, ways to make known the Person and Mission of Bahá’u’lláh to the press, advertising campaigns and slogans, and communicating the purpose and excitement of the Congress to the friends.

Conference participants generated more than 300 suggestions and ideas for consideration by the Task Force and Program Committee.

The job now faced by the Media Task Force is to distill the best and most workable ideas from among them, and to develop plans to reach the media before, during and after the World Congress.

One unexpected result of the conferences was to heighten awareness of the importance of the Congress. As Gordon Kerr of the Bahá’í Publishing Trust of the United Kingdom explained, “We must send the word out (about the World Congress) again and again, using various media.”

‎Peiter Pieter‎ Bakker from the Netherlands expressed the hope of both conference groups that contacts made would be maintained, while Cyndy Bowater of New Zealand added, “Much in the media is negative, documenting the downfall of society. It’s nice for once to be part of something positive, to refocus. This (conference) helps us see a path in our professions as well as in the Bahá’í community. Now we know there is a family of Bahá’í media professionals out there who will be thinking of us and praying for us.”

The Media Task Force tried to reach all professionals worldwide through its early call for names, but many were still missed. If you know of any journalist, broadcaster, film-maker, advertiser or public relations professional who missed these conferences, the Task Force would appreciate your forwarding names, addresses and phone numbers to Trish Swanson, World Congress Media Task Force, Bahá’í International Community, 866 United Nations Plaza, New York, NY 10017.

The Task Force will give to National Spiritual Assemblies and Continental Boards of Counselors the names of those attending from their countries as a resource in working locally on World Congress publicity and media relations.

Countries represented at the conferences, besides the United States, were Bermuda, Brazil, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Guyana Haiti, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, Venezuela and Zaire.

The members of the World Congress Media Task Force are Guitty Ejtemai, an editor for the Iranian Service of the Voice of America, convenor; Robert Harris, director of public relations for a Philadelphia hospital; Shirley Lee, representative to the United Nations for the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly; Brad Pokorny, public information officer of the BIC’s Office of Public Information in New York and editor of One Country; Ron Precht, director of the National Assembly’s Office of Public Information; Trish Swanson, the new information officer of the BIC in New York; and Sandra Todd, former information officer at the Bahá’í World Center in Haifa who presently lives in Texas.

One Country receives two prestigious awards; now available by subscription

In March 1989, the first issue of the Bahá’í International Community’s innovative quarterly newsletter, One Country, came off the press.

In the last two months, One Country has received two prestigious awards: the “Award of Merit” in the newsletters category from the U.S. Religious Public Relations Council, and the “Grand Award” for newsletters in the Apex ’91 Awards for Publication Excellence.

The newsletter focuses on the activities of Bahá’í communities as they address social issues worldwide, whether in the area of social and economic development, preserving the environment, or promoting peace.

The initial mailing went to more than 2,000 individuals and groups. The list has since grown to 10,000 copies in English sent to prominent people and organizations in the news media, the United Nations system, and international organizations and individuals including government officials, academics, and influential decision-makers.

One Country is published in English, French and Chinese and sent to 174 countries. A Russian edition will soon be available, and a Spanish-language edition is in the works.

The executive editor of One Country is Douglas Martin, director-general of the Bahá’í International Community Office of Public Information. Brad Pokorny, the editor and chief correspondent, was formerly a staff writer for New England’s largest daily newspaper, The Boston Globe.

Veronica Shoffstall is the production assistant. Correspondents from other countries often contribute articles and features.

Letters of appreciation for the content, format and focus of One Country have come from people and groups in many countries.

The good news for Bahá’ís is that One Country is now available for subscription. Write to Subscriber Service, Bahá’í National Center, 536 Sheridan Road, Wilmette, IL 60091 U.S.A. Cost: U.S., Canada and Mexico, $12 per year, $22 for two years; other overseas addresses, $16 per year, $30 for two years.

ONE COUNTRY April-June 1991 / Vol. 3, Issue 2 Newsletter of the Bahá’í International Community “The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens”—Bahá’u’lláh

Inside: 2 From the Ten Commandments to World Order: a perspective on spiritual principles and social progress. 4 In the Soviet Union, Western business specialists bring new economic ideas. 7 In Brazil, an agricultural development and training project focuses on ecological principles. 16 Review: author John Huddleston examines The Search for a Just Society, past, present, and future.

“Earth Summit” in 1992 stimulates NGO activities worldwide Non-governmental organizations are gearing up for the U.N. Conference on Environment and Development, creating new networks and alliances and re-shaping old relationships. GENEVA—With more intensity than ever before, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from diverse sectors are organizing to address the issues raised by a major United Nations conference: the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). Participants say the level of activity reflects the widespread and urgent interest in protecting the earth’s environment. In addition to those international NGOs that have traditionally concerned themselves with environment and development issues at the United Nations, a wide range of local, national, and international organizations—ranging from academic to religious groups—are striving to become involved in the UNCED process. “All of the boundaries are being crossed,” said Rev. Daniel Martin, director of the International Coordinating Committee on Religion and Earth (ICCRE). “There is unprecedented involvement of both traditional NGOs and non-typical NGOs—from the business sector, trade unions, women, and the indigenous world. All of these groups are getting involved and finding a voice.” This level of activity has spurred some important new directions for policy-makers and government delegations involved in the preparatory process for UNCED, according to some observers. The viewpoints of indigenous peoples and women are increasingly considered in UNCED documents, say some, and the spiritual underpinnings of the environmental movement are more widely acknowledged. The process is also challenging and re-shaping existing relationships between the various NGOs themselves, between NGOs and governments, and between NGOs and the United Nations system. New networks, alliances, and partnerships are being formed as all parties become aware of the interlocking issues of environment and development. One bright prospect, others add, is the emergence of a new level of cooperation between and among NGOs, governments, and the U.N. system. This could lead to a more integrated approach in addressing not only environmental problems, but other social and economic issues facing humanity. Some say that such an approach is already evident. “From UNCED, we are going to have a new rationale for many policies (Continued on page 10) “This conference is giving all of these sectors a tool for integration, for dialogue and for moving toward common goals.”—Yolanda Kakabadse

National Center’s Bulletin Board System serves community

In August 1989 the National Spiritual Assembly introduced its newly developed electronic National Center Bulletin Board System.

Since that time, the system has served as a formal electronic communication link between the offices and agencies of the National Assembly and the members of the U.S. Bahá’í community.

The BNCBBS is based on a computer whose sole purpose is to receive calls from other personal computers throughout the country, displaying menus from which users may either collect or leave information and messages.

The system is designed to disseminate news throughout, and gather information from the U.S. Bahá’í community. Its intent is also to help facilitate the achievement of the goals of the Six Year Plan.

Deepening and educating individuals further in the Faith is carried out through a wealth of information available on the system. Matters that are not already addressed by online text-files may be handled by users leaving messages to the offices or agencies.

Another aim of the BNCBBS is to enable those institutions and agencies of the Faith that are online (Local Assemblies, District Teaching Committees, Groups) to obtain information (guidance, Feast mailings, The American Bahá’í, etc.) and make it available to those in their areas.

As local institutions grow and mature, they can help decentralize some of the work done at the Bahá’í National Center.

Educating the public about the Faith is made possible through a small public area on the system, whose size may be increased in the future.

Since its inception, the BNCBBS has received (as of March 25) 12,942 calls from Bahá’ís in the U.S. Its users group has grown from 100 to 980, an 880 percent increase in its one and one-half years of operation.

Among those obtaining and exchanging information on the system are 365 members of Local Spiritual Assemblies, 79 members of registered Groups, 40 members of District Teaching Committees, 150 Public Information Representatives, nine National Treasurer’s Representatives, three members of the National Spiritual Assembly, one member of the Continental Board of Counselors, seven Auxiliary Board members and 32 assistants to the Auxiliary Boards.

To access the BNCBBS, users must have a personal computer, a communications software package, and a 300, 1200 or 2400 baud modem. The BBS phone number is 708-869-0389, and callers should set their software parameter settings at N/8/1 (No Parity, 8 databits, 1 stop bit). The BNCBBS will accept calls 24 hours a day. [Page 10]

Children to petition President Bush to sign UN Convention

Over the next eight months, children across the U.S. will be collecting thousands of signatures from classmates and friends urging President Bush to sign the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, an international treaty that guarantees children’s basic rights and protections.

For several years the National Spiritual Assembly has been working with other non-governmental organizations including Amnesty International, the American Bar Association, B’nai B’rith International, and the United Nations Association to help bring about the ratification in the U.S. of various UN human rights treaties.

The American Council for Voluntary International Action (InterAction) has been spearheading efforts for ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The National Spiritual Assembly encourages Bahá’í communities, schools and conferences to consider giving active support to the “Children’s Petition” campaign developed by InterAction.

The Children’s Petition is designed to educate children about their rights as guaranteed by international law and to enable them to address the President about the UN Convention.

In “The Promise of World Peace,” the Universal House of Justice says that measures such as the children’s Convention, “if courageously enforced and expanded, will advance the day when the specter of war will have lost its power to dominate international relations.”

Last summer the National Spiritual Assembly addressed a letter to Secretary of State James Baker, stating: “Over a 10-year period the United States government played a key role in drafting the Convention and proposing several articles that were included in the treaty. By agreeing to uphold an international standard for the care of children, the U.S. would set a global example the world would not fail to notice.

“The United States could once again demonstrate its moral leadership by announcing the support of a Convention designed to protect the rights and freedoms of our most precious trust—the children of the world.”

The National Assembly then expressed “the hope that the President will speedily transmit to the Senate for its advice and consent this vitally important treaty.”

By April 1991, 77 countries had ratified the Convention, making it law in their countries, and 59 countries had signed the document, indicating that they were seriously considering its ratification. So far, the U.S. has neither signed nor ratified the Convention.

For more information on the Children’s Petition and related curricula, please contact the National Spiritual Assembly’s office in Washington, D.C., 1320 19th St., N.W., Washington, DC 20009, or phone 202-265-8830.

Service/Employment opportunities at the Bahá’í National Center

“O Ye apostles of Bahá’u’lláh!” ‘Abdu’l-Bahá addressed the believers of the North American continent, “...consider how exalted and lofty is the station you are destined to attain. ...The full measure of your success is as yet unrevealed, its significance still unapprehended.” And again: “Your mission is unspeakably glorious.” (Quoted by Shoghi Effendi in God Passes By, p. 254)

The National Spiritual Assembly is calling for loving, talented people to arise to serve the National Assembly at this time. Some of the positions available are:

Operations Services Manager, Media Services Manages and coordinates the work of the department, media services, production and stock footage library/image bank; helps the department develop increased capacities for video production, multi-lingual post-production, distribution and library/stock footage services. Minimum of two years experience in operations management required; familiarity with the processes of media production a plus but not required. Must have a clear understanding of the structure and processes of Bahá’í administration, nationally and internationally, and a demonstrated capacity to organize and execute complex tasks in a constantly changing environment.

Activities and Program Coordinator, Bahá’í House of Worship Coordinates all programs, activities and special events sponsored by the House of Worship Activities Office while contributing to a loving and hospitable environment. Must demonstrate a clear understanding of the Bahá’í Teachings, have proven ability to coordinate meetings and special events especially with a volunteer work force, possess strong interpersonal skills, be able to work well with limited supervision and in a team environment. Must have a good command of the English language, proven ability to work with confidential information, and be able to produce correspondence in a business format with a minimum of 40 wpm.

Refugee Program Assistant, U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office Helps administer the Bahá’í refugee program in the U.S., demonstrates an attitude of service and the promotion of unity. Must have knowledge of, and respect for, Bahá’í institutions, have excellent verbal and written communication skills in English, demonstrated ability to deal effectively with refugees and understand refugee trauma, have WordPerfect processing skills with a ‎minumum minimum‎ of 40 wpm, demonstrated capacity to organize and execute complex tasks in a constantly changing environment. Knowledge of Persian, Vietnamese, Hmong and/or Cambodian languages desirable but not required.

Other opportunities include:

• Administrative assistants in several departments including the Office of the Treasurer and Human Resources
• Office manager, House of Worship
• Librarian/archivist, Media Services
• Secretary, Office of External Affairs (Washington, D.C.)
• Public information specialist, administrative aide, Office of Public Information
• Administrative aide, Office of the Secretary
• Fulfillment assistant, Bahá’í Publishing Trust
• Registration processing specialists, World Congress Logistics Office
• On-air operator, WLGI Radio Bahá’í (Hemingway, South Carolina)

Pictured (left to right) are Richard Fox, recipient of the 1990 Bahá’í Peace Award in Mint Hill, North Carolina; Father Joseph Mulligan of St. Luke Catholic Church, which co-sponsored this year’s event; Sister Veronica Grover, recipient of the 1991 Peace Award; and Mrs. Vida Wachob, who presented the award to Sister Grover.

Second annual Bahá’í Peace Award ceremony honors peace activist nun in Mint Hill, N. Carolina

The second annual Bahá’í Peace Award ceremony was held Sunday, March 13, at St. Luke Catholic Church in Mint Hill, North Carolina.

The Peace Award, a part of the Mint Hill Bahá’í Peace Project, recognizes a person (or group) who has made an outstanding contribution to promote peace on a local, national or international level.

This year’s recipient is Sister Veronica Grover, SHCJ, who has been involved since the 1960s in education for peace and justice. In the inner-city schools of the Philadelphia Archdiocese, she worked with other teachers and parents to promote better human relations between black and white students and provided educational opportunities to foster understanding of and appreciation for different cultures.

In 1975, Sister Veronica initiated the National Center of Justice and Peace Education at the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA). She also co-authored a K-12 educational design, “Seeking a Just Society,” which has been translated into Spanish.

Since 1982 Sister Veronica has continued her ministry of justice and peace education, working through parishes and diocesan groups in various Southeastern dioceses as well as through the inter-faith community.

The Mint Hill Bahá’í Peace Project was begun in January 1986 by William C. Wachob Jr. with the presentation of “The Promise of World Peace” to the city’s mayor and city council.

Mr. Wachob continued to work diligently for peace until his death in December 1988 at age 37. The Peace Project is being carried out in his memory, with the Peace Award presented each year on March 31, the anniversary of his birth.

In 1990 the award was presented by Mr. Wachob’s son, 10-year-old Naisan Peter Wachob, and this year by his widow, Vida Wachob.

This year’s guest speaker was Nancy Dobbins, a Bahá’í from Fort Worth, Texas, whose topic was “Peace and the New World Order.” Also on the program was music and dance from India, Panama, Vietnam, Hawaii and the Philippines. Father Joseph Mulligan, pastor of St. Luke, sang and played guitar, with his rendition of “Let There Be Peace on Earth” one of the evening’s highlights.

St. Luke Church co-sponsored this year’s ceremony.

Massachusetts Bahá’í gives personal library to W. Samoa

Mildred Hyde, an 85-year-old Bahá’í who lives in Haverhill, Massachusetts, recently donated her entire Bahá’í library of about 100 books to the Bahá’í library in Western Samoa.

Ms. Hyde, a Bahá’í since 1949, has been an active teacher for many years especially at the Green Acre Bahá’í School. She also had her own local Bahá’í radio program from 1949-53. [Page 11]

WORLD NEWS

Bahá’ís of Moissala, Chad, enrolled 51 people during a 28-day teaching campaign last February. The campaign, dedicated to the late Hand of the Cause of God Collis Featherstone, had as its goal reaching people of many social backgrounds through systematic teaching. ...

Counselor Abbas Katirai, Knight of Bahá’u’lláh for Sakhalin, reports that there are now six local Spiritual Assemblies on the island, with five new Assemblies having been formed at Ridván. Some are in the relatively inaccessible north area of the island. ...

A teaching campaign in Durazno, Uruguay, has led to the enrollment of 21 new believers. The campaign involved a deepening, a meeting with the believers, children’s education ‎classses classes‎, and a slide program. ...

Liberian Bahá’í refugees now living in Cote d’Ivoire held a conference March 30-31 in Tiobli. Bahá’ís from many localities took part, with attendance totaling 108 women, 121 men and 130 children. The Universal House of Justice sent its greetings to the conference, and assured the friends that it would say prayers on their behalf. ...

The director-general of the Bahá’í House of Worship in India reports that some 500,000 people visited the “Lotus of Bahapur” in March including a record one-day number of 143,635 on March 24. More than 322,000 people, mostly villagers from the area around Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, came between March 16-24, drawn by the Ram Navami Fair at the Kalkaji Temple, which is near the House of Worship. ...

The Continental Board of Counselors in Africa reports “a modest beginning of entry by troops” in Ogooue-Lolo Province, Gabon. There are now 155 believers, three local Spiritual Assemblies and another locality opened to the Faith in that province, with more than 90 of the believers enrolled since last September. ...

Four Counselors and 32 Auxiliary Board members in Southeast Asia took part February 23-March 2 in the area’s first Regional Conference for Auxiliary Board members, held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Two of the Auxiliary Board members came from Laos, two from the Philippines, and one from Taiwan. An important aspect of the conference was the daily sessions on reading and meditating on the Holy Writings, which set the tone and formed the basis of study of the key topics.

In Shan State, Myanmar, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly and an assistant to an Auxiliary Board member taught for 40 days to fulfill the goals of a tribal teaching project. During their trip, nine localities were opened to the Faith and more than 150 people were enrolled including the first Bahá’ís of the Lahoo and Eikaw tribes. ...

Bahá’ís have a 10-minute program each week on Rwanda Radio consisting of a prayer, a main topic, and news. Preparation of each program takes many weeks, as it is written in French, then translated into the native national language of Rwanda. ...

Ninety-one people were enrolled in the Faith in Ghana on April 19-20 following an institute to deepen 70 believers who were enrolled in March. The declarations were recorded in the upper eastern region of Ghana, bordering Burkina Faso, and marked the first time in that country that such a large number were enrolled in such a short period of time. ...

Bahá’ís of South Africa were asked to send two delegates to the recent National Interfaith Conference in Johannesburg, an invitation which the National Spiritual Assembly happily accepted. The Bahá’í ringstone symbol was displayed alongside symbols of other religions, and the Bahá’ís were asked to say a prayer to close the conference. ...

The Bahá’í community of Joao Pessoa, in the State of Paraiba, Brazil, has succeeded in having study of the Bahá’í Faith included in the curriculum of the Ecumenical Institute of Theological Sciences. The Institute, which was founded in March 1990, offers undergraduate studies in theology for high school religion teachers. ...

Twenty of the 66 people who took part recently in the 56th course of the Permanent Teaching Institute of the State Bahá’í Council of Orissa, India, were enrolled in the Faith halfway through the course. ...

Public response was described as overwhelming when the Maxwell Bahá’í School in British Columbia, Canada, was featured recently on national television. Both the school and the Canadian National Bahá’í Office report receiving an impressive number of calls in response to the program. ...

The National Spiritual Assembly of Nigeria bought space in a major national newspaper to print a photograph of United Nations Secretary-General Javier Pérez de Cuéllar receiving a copy of “The Promise of World Peace” from the Hand of the Cause of God Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum, inviting the public to request free copies of the peace statement. Since then, about 400 requests have been received from businessmen, lawyers, doctors, members of the armed forces, students and others from 21 states of Nigeria. ...

The Spiritual Assembly of Schaerbeek (Brussels), Belgium, organized a program at the National Bahá’í Center in April to mark Race Unity Day. More than 100 people attended the event, representing 15 countries, including 20 Chinese visitors. ...

In March, Bahá’ís took part in an international conference, “World Religions Responding to Global Threats,” at the National University in Heredia, Costa Rica. The event was organized by the university’s Ecumenical School of Religion and the University for Peace in Ciudad Colon. Dr. Hoda Mahmoudi, a Bahá’í who is associate dean of California Lutheran University, presented a paper entitled “The Bahá’í Response Toward Global Threats.” ...

The Spiritual Assembly of Auckland, New Zealand, chose a Naw-Rúz dinner as the occasion to share the Faith with people of capacity. About 140 Bahá’ís including many of Auckland’s city councilors, district court judges, high school principals, university professors, doctors, lawyers, media people, United Nations personnel, consul-generals from overseas, and others joined some 100 Bahá’ís for the dinner at one of the city’s leading hotels. ...

Counselor Ruth Pringle (far left) represented the Universal House of Justice during the election at Ridván 1991 of the first National Spiritual Assembly of the West Leeward Islands. Counselor William Roberts (far right) represented the Board of Counselors in the Americas on the historic occasion.

Auxiliary Board member V. Thamil Chelvi speaks about individual transformation during an interfaith seminar on ‘The Role of Religion in the Harmonious Blending of the Soul Force’ held recently in Coimbatore, India.

Garifuna Indian traveling teacher James Elijio (right) shares the Faith with Carib elder Alancid Valmond during a recent visit to Carib Territory in the Commonwealth of Dominica by Mr. Elijio and his wife, Therese.

MOVING? Got a new telephone number? Please don’t forget to let your local community secretary and the National Spiritual Assembly know about your new address and/or phone number right away so there will be no interruption in receiving your Bahá’í mail. For your convenience, an address change form appears on the last page of each issue of The American Bahá’í. Simply fill it out, place it in an envelope, and mail to: Management Information Systems, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

[Page 12]

Bahá’ís earn many top honors

Howard Larson, a Bahá’í from Elk Grove Village, Illinois, is listed in the 1991-92 edition of Who’s Who in the World, a biographical compilation of distinguished individuals worldwide. Mr. Larson, who is vice-president of a graphic arts business and owner of Howard Larson and Associates, is also listed in Who’s Who in Advertising and Who’s Who in America.

Ali Manning Thomas, a 16-year-old Bahá’í who is a junior at East Lansing (Michigan) High School, has won a full scholarship to study this summer in Japan from the Youth for Understanding and International Exchange program, one of two high school students in the state to receive the honor. His trip to Japan is sponsored by the U.S. Senate and the government of Japan. In his winning essay and personal interview, Ali mentioned the Bahá’í Faith as the motivating force behind his desire to travel to Japan to study.

Joseph Broussard, a 71-year-old Bahá’í from Algiers, Louisiana, was profiled in a recent front-page article in the Gretna Picayune for his more than 1,000 hours last year spent as a volunteer worker at Total Community Action Center in Algiers. Mr. Broussard began volunteering his time at the Center four years ago after retiring from his position as a record-keeper in the New Orleans Criminal Court clerk’s office.

Rabbani "Hope" Turpin, a young Bahá’í from Fairview, North Carolina, has been chosen from among thousands of high school students in that state to attend "Summer Ventures in Math and Science" and will study for five weeks at East Carolina University. Last year she received the Alexander Graham Bell Arts and Science Award, presented annually to a deserving deaf teen-ager, and was included in Who’s Who in American High Schools. At age 15 she has been given permission to attend college half-time next year as a resident at the North Carolina School for the Deaf in Morganton.

Sylvia Ramsey, a Bahá’í from Stanwood, Washington, who works in the payroll department at General Hospital Medical Center in Everett, has been named GHMC Employee of the Year for 1990. "She heads a prestigious list of employees," the citation reads, "who are models of service excellence in their work and contacts." Ms. Ramsey served for many years on the Spiritual Assembly of Everett.

George Shahnazarian, a Bahá’í who teaches English as a second language at Public School 111 in Queens, New York, has received three prestigious awards for his innovative work in that field: (1) New York state’s coveted ISS-LEP award; (2) America’s national IMPACT-II award; and (3) the Metropolitan Opera House’s world-renowned Stagecraft Training Workshops award. Mr. Shahnazarian, a teacher for 20 years, has developed a highly effective teaching program, ESBALLOPRA (ESL through Ballet and Opera), combining specialized ESL techniques with ballet/opera stories/videos and role-playing.

Lucien Randazzese, a 22-year-old Bahá’í from Penfield, New York, has been graduated with highest honors from Rochester Institute of Technology. A dean’s list student during each of his academic quarters at RIT, he is a member of Tau Beta Pi, the national Honor Society for engineers, and was this year named an RIT Scholar, an honor accorded to less than one percent of the student body.

Mr. C.C. Cheng, a long-time Chinese Bahá’í and proprietor of the Peking Book House in Evanston, Illinois, was featured in May in an article in the Chicago Reader which mentions that he was one of the first three Bahá’ís in Taiwan.

Lance Vickery, a 15-year-old Bahá’í from Lawrence, Kansas, recently became an Eagle Scout, Boy Scouting’s highest rank. He has earned 21 merit badges including the God and Country religious award.

Nancé J. Dooley, a Bahá’í from Glendale, California, recently received her certificate as a specialist in alcohol and drug abuse from Glendale Community College where she compiled a 4.0 grade-point average and earned placement on the National Dean’s List for academic excellence. She also received a special commendation from the Glendale Community Hospital’s alcohol and drug abuse program for her more than 600 hours of volunteer service.

Martha Villagomez, a 16-year-old Bahá’í from Benbrook, Texas, recently won the annual writing competition sponsored by the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. The contest theme was "What Cultural Gifts Have Hispanics Contributed to the U.S. and Why Are They Important to Me?" Her prize for placing first at the national level was a five-day all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. It was the third writing contest in which Miss Villagomez, an honor student at Western Hills High School in Benbrook, has won first prize.

Haideh Yazdani, a Bahá’í from Huntington, Maryland, is one of 195 high school seniors across the country named recently as "National Scholars" by Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Accepted as a member of the class of 1995, Haideh will be a student in Cornell’s College of Arts and Sciences.

Erin Mitchell, a Bahá’í who is in sixth grade at William Henry Middle School in Dover, Delaware, received an award at the close of this school year "in recognition of (her) outstanding efforts in every endeavor and part of student life" at the school. Besides maintaining a high scholastic average, Erin takes part in drama, chorus, ballet and Girl Scouts.

Dr. Raymond Jeffords, a Bahá’í from Chattanooga, Tennessee, is one of 12 faculty members at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga who have been awarded professorships from the University of Chattanooga Foundation. The professorships are designed to reward and retain younger faculty members not only for their superior academic talents but for their potential as leaders inside and outside the classroom. Dr. Jeffords teaches accounting at UT-C.

Children prepare to perform during the first 'Kids for Peace Now' conference June 6 at Ohio State University in Columbus held in conjunction with the fifth annual peace conference sponsored by the Bahá’í Peace Committee of Central Ohio.

Central Ohio Bahá’í Peace Committee holds 5th Conference at Ohio State U.

On June 6, the Bahá’í Peace Committee of Central Ohio held its fifth annual Peace Conference at Ohio State University in Columbus.

More than 150 adults from some 20 peace-related organizations attended the conference whose theme was "Building Blocks for World Peace: Universal Education and World Citizenship."

At the same time, more than 150 children and youth, more than half of whom were not Bahá’ís, attended the first "Kids for Peace Now" conference.

Sessions at that conference included "Me," "Me and Others," and "Me and the World." The youngsters also enjoyed performances by the Cleveland Bahá’í Youth Workshop and a Columbus self-esteem team.

Keynote speakers at the conference for adults were Soheil Bushrui, director of the Bahá’í Peace Chair at the University of Maryland; a Bahá’í, Robert Harris; and a director of a local community center.

Members of the Columbus school board and community education development, UNICEF, and the director of an educational program for homeless women joined Dr. Bushrui and Mr. Harris in a panel discussion.

The following groups took part in giving workshops or setting up display tables: Miami Valley Council of Native Americans; Interfaith Center for Peace; Pride Youth Services; "A World of Difference" campaign; Columbus Council on World Affairs; an OSU emeritus professor of psychology; Copapayo Sister City Project; Ohio Coalition for Philippine Concerns; World Federalists; YWCA Peace School; Anti-Defamation League; and Columbus Literacy Council.

Dr. Bushrui arrived in Columbus a few days before the conference and carried out nine speaking engagements ranging from addressing students at three high schools and one college to a radio talk show and lecture on Khalil Gibran and W.B. Yeats at a local library. He also conducted a fund-raiser for the Peace Chair at which $5,000 was donated.

Welcome S.E. Asians

The U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office would like to remind the friends of the National Spiritual Assembly’s standing policy that local Bahá’í communities welcome Southeast Asian Bahá’í newcomers to the U.S. whether or not they have credentials from overseas.

Please feel free to include these friends in your Bahá’í community activities. Bahá’í membership transfer/enrollment forms for Southeast Asian newcomers are available on request from: U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 708-869-9039, ext. 216).

George Ronald to publish career guide for youth

George Ronald Publishers is preparing to publish a book aimed primarily at young people to help them choose a career. Anyone with expertise in a particular calling or occupation is asked to send an essay to George Ronald Publishers, OX5 2DN, Oxford, England, providing information about how to enter the field, the opportunities that will further the progress of a Bahá’í on the path of service to the Cause, and the implications for that career with the establishment of the Lesser Peace.

In May, Alvin Petty, a former Baptist minister, is reported to have been the first Bahá’í ever to deliver a high school baccalaureate address in Texas. Mr. Petty, a newly enrolled Bahá’í, referred several times to The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh during his address to the graduating class at Roby High School. Until recently, Mr. Petty was pastor of one of the largest Southern Baptist churches in Fisher County, Texas. He now serves as juvenile law enforcement officer for a three-county area. His wife, Kathy, also a new Bahá’í, is chief librarian at the Roby Public Library. [Page 13]بمبلغی بین بیست تا بیست و پنج میلیون دلار است که بصندوق بیت العدل اعظم تبرع شود. مسلّم است که حصول این مقصد در حیطة استعداد اهل بهاء است که چون قیامی عمومی و عاشقانه فرمایند و عظمت مشروعات آینده را دریابند آن وقت حیات و هستی خویش را وقف خدمت امر اعظم کنند و دیگر بذل مال که بالمال از دست ما بیرون رود و بفنا راجع شود سهل و آسان گردد و سبب سرور دل و جان و وسیلة تقرب به آستان یزدان مهربان شود. ابهی علی‌الخصوص نفوسی که از بدایت ایام در دامن امرالله پرورش یافته و نتائج تقدیم خدمات به آستان الهی را دیده و تجربه کرده‌اند این فرصت مبارك را نیز غنیمت خواهند شمرد و از پای نخواهند نشست مگر آنکه مقدورات و استعداد و همت خویش را صرف تأسیس و تکریم امر عزیزی نمایند که مقصد اقصای مظاهر الهیّه در ادوار گذشته بوده است. امری که صلح اعظم را در عالم برپا سازد و لوای عصر ذهبی دور جمال قدم را برافرازد و مدنیتی آسمانی در این جهان فانی تأسیس نماید ...." (پیام شهرالعزة ۱۴۴ بدیع)

اعلی تا شهر حیفا و محاذی اعظم خیابان آن مدینه مکرمه است و باشجار و ریاحین مختلفه مزین و بسرج مضيئه لامعه منور و منظور نظر اهالی این سامان است و مایه ابتهاج و افتخار ولاة امور در این ارض من بعد حسب‌الاشارة مرکز عهد الهی بشاهراه و سلاطین ارض مبدل گردد و این تاجداران عظام و ‎محرمان کعبه رحمن پس از وصول بساحل ارض محرمان کعبه رحمن پس از وصول بساحل ارض محرمان کعبه رحمن پس از وصول بساحل ارض‎ مقصود و زیارت از طواف قبله اهل بهاء مطاف ملاء اعلی در مرج عکا باین مدینه مکرمه مشرفه توجه نمایند و بجبل کرمل صعود نمایند و بکمال شوق و وله و انجذاب بسوی این مقام محمود شتابند و از راه این طبقات خاضعاً خاشعاً متذللاً منکسراً تقرب بآن مرقد منور مطهر جویند و در باب حرم کبریاء تاج را بر خاك اندازند و سجده کنان تراب مشکبیزش را تقبیل نمایند و لبيك لبيك يا علی الاعلی گویان در رواق مقدسش طواف نمایند و بکمال عجز و ابتهال آیات باهرات لوح کرمل را تلاوت نمایند و در حدائق و چمنستانهای وسیعة بدیعة این مقر اسنی و حظيرة غنا و جنة عليا مشی و سیر نمایند و روائح معطره‌اش را استنشاق کنند و از اثمار طیبه جنیه بدیعه‌اش مرزوق گردند و آلام و محن و بلایا و رزایا و اسارت و مسجونیت و شهادت آن مظلوم عالم را با چشمی اشکبار و قلبی سوزان يك يك بياد آرند و بهاء کرمل و آثار عظمت و قهاریت و غلبه و سیطره محیطه قهارالعالمین را در اطراف و اکناف این بقعه مرتفعه برأی‌العین مشاهده نمایند ...... "

باشند بکلی مأیوس سازد و دلسرد نماید. ای کاش عزیزان ایرانی کل تحقق اهداف فردی و ملی و بین‌المللی نقشه شش ساله را اول وظیفه روحانی خویش شمارند و مؤسسات را منظماً و مستمراً افزایش دهند و واسطه فیض هدایت از ملکوت ابهی گردند و در نهایت توجه و خضوع و همت بسائقة وجدانی بآنچه سبب سرور ابدی آنان است قیام فرمایند و خود را مصدر خیر جامعه سازند و از حیات نتیجه گیرند .......

..... ای دوستان وقایع مهمه خطیره در پیش است و هر قدر افق عالم تاریکتر گردد قدر و منزلت امر اعظم جلوه صبحدم نمایانتر شود و پرتو عظمتش شرق و غرب را بانوار هدایت روشنتر سازد و آثار آن عظمت بنوبه خود را ارض اقدس مرکز جهانی امرالله انعکاس یابد و آنرا توسعه بخشد و توسعة مرکز جهانی متقابلاً عالم بهائی را باهتزاز آرد و اشراقی دیگر در آفاق افکند و این فعل و انفعال از لوازم ذاتیه ترقی و تقدم امر غنی متعال است تا آنکه جهان ظلمانی نورانی شود و عالم انسانی فر یزدانی گیرد.

..... از مميزات شش ساله این است که جوانان عزیز بهائی را مجال فراوان می‌بخشد که پای در میدان عبودیت نهند و قبل از آنکه اوقات فراغتشان مفقود شود و پای‌بند تمشیت امور خانواده گردند آنرا صرف خدمت امرالله نمایند و از آغاز جوانی تجارت روحانی آموزند و گنج معنوی اندوزند که حافظ و معین آنان و دلیل راهشان در بقيّة حیات عنصری باشد. در ایامی که حکومتهای جهان جوانان را به اجباری بکارهای دشوار میگیرند و فن جنگجوئی و خونریزی می‌آموزند از جوانان بهائی تقاضا شده که یکسال، بیشتر یا کمتر، از عمر خود را منحصراً وقف عبودیت آستان الهی فرمایند و در ظل مؤسسات بهائی بخدماتی روحانی و اجتماعی و انسانی قیام نمایند پیام محبت بخشند و بآبیاری نهال ایمان پردازند تا ان شاءالله در حدیقه حقیقت از ثمرة رضای جمال مبارك برخوردار شوند و سرآمد اقران گردند .....

ای معاضدان باوفا و ای دلدادگان جمال کبریاء تشييد اين مشروعات فخیمه فاخره از لوازم ضروریة امر الهی است زیرا ارتفاع آن ابنیه تحقق بشارات جانبخش لوح مبارك كرمل را نوید میدهد و تأسیس دوائر و معاهدی را مژده میبخشد که بجمال قدم رافع بنیان صلح اعظم منسوب است. اینست که باید کل به ابدع جمال در نهایت شکوه و جلال در کوه کرمل لانه و آشیانة انبياء بنا شود و وعدة جانپرور "وترى الارض غير الارض" جلوه‌ای جدید نماید.

ای عزیزان حق امروز شرف مشارکت در این خدمت جلیل و بی‌نظیر بما اهل بهاء در این نسل و در این عهد تفویض گشته و چنین فرصت مبارکی از دسترس آیندگان بیرون است. شك و تردیدی نیست که یاران عزیز که به گنج ایمان رسیده و آثار غلبه امرالله را بدیده یقین دیده‌اند به آنچه مقتضای وفا است قیام کنند و آنچه قابل است نثار راه عبودیت نمایند و از خود اثری بگذارند که بمرور دهور باقی ماند و سبب سرور و سعادت جاودانی گردد. شروع ساختمان این ابنیه مبارکه لازمه‌اش فراهم شدن ذخیره‌ای بمبلغ لااقل پنجاه میلیون دلار است که استمرار در ساختمان را تضمین نماید و پس از آن اقلاً برای ده سال آینده در آمدی سالیانه

بشارت آنکه طراحی ابنیه فخیمه‌ای که بارادة حضرت ولی امرالله قرار است در مستقبل قریب حول قوس مشرف بر مرقد مطهره ورقة مباركة عليا در کوه کرمل ساخته شود و محور و مرکز دوائر و تأسیسات اداری امرالله قرار گیرد بهمت مهندس عالیمقامش جناب حسین امانت اکمال پذیرفت و بتصویب رسید و اقدامات اولیه جهت مباشرت به ساختمانش آغاز گردیده است .......

.... راجع به این مشروع عظیم است که مولای بی‌منتها در توقیع مورخ سنة ۱۰۸ بدیع چنین میفرمایند: " .... و این جادة مجلل و زیبا که امتدادش از مقام [Page 14]....مبارك نمايند.

.... باری ای دوستان الهی با اينهمه ترقيات محيرالعقولى كه نصيب امرالهی گشته هر صاحب بصيرتی در می‌يابد كه عالم بهائی وارد مرحله‌اى جديد در مراحل تدريجى نظم اداری امرالله گشته است لهذا اين هيئت طى پيام مؤرخ ۲ ژانویه ۱۹۸۶ اعلام داشت كه حال عهد چهارم از عصر تكوين آغاز گرديده و مرحلهٔ جديدی در حیات روحانی جامعهٔ بهائى بوجود آمده است كه خود طليعهٔ عهدهای آينده اين عصر نورانى خواهد بود و تا ظهور عصر ذهبى نظم بديع جهان‌آرای الهی امتداد خواهد داشت ....

... پس ای ياران معنوى شاد باشيد و مستبشر و مطمئن كه آنچه واقع شده و ميشود مدد و مؤيد آئين الهی و سبب خير بندگان بارگاه مقدس اوست. كوته‌نظرانند كه از نهیب حادثه از ميدان بدر روند اما برگزيدگان جمال كبرياء ديده جهان‌بين دارند و بافق سعادت ابدى ناظرند و طلوع شمس وعده‌هاى جانب‌پرور الهی را منتظر. كار خود را بلطف پروردگار حواله كنند و كامكارى را در بردبارى شناسند و يقين نمايند كه آيهٔ "فسوف ينزل على احبّائه ما يجعلهم به غالباً على كلّ شيئى و انّهم بعد ما غُلِبوا سيغلبون" در حق ايشان نازل و بيان "انّ موعدهم الصّبح أليس الصّبح بقريب" بر دشمنان امر الهی صادق. جمال مبارك جلّ ثنائه بأصرح كلام اهل بهاء را بشارت داده و وعده فرموده‌اند كه:

"ای دوستان نور فوق نور و عنايت فوق عنايت و رحمت فوق رحمت و عزت فوق عزت و نعمت فوق نعمت است ان شاءالله محروم نمانيد و ممنوع نشويد و مقامات خود را باسم مالك وجود و سلطان غيب و شهود حفظ نمائيد ظلم ظالمين و اعتراض معرضين و ضوضاء فاسقين شما را محزون ننمايد قسم بسلطان وجود من قريب جميع اين بساطها برچيده شود و اثری از اين نفوس در ارض باقى نماند و در عرصه هستی و انجمن عالم ذكر شما و مقامات شما و آنچه از شما ظاهر شده و يا در سبيل حق بر شما وارد گشته حرف بحرف ظاهر شود و درعالم منتشر گردد."

شكى نبوده و نيست كه هر بساطى كه بنايش بر كذب و افتراء و ظلم و جفا باشد بقائى نيابد و بزودی منطوى گردد و نجم آمال دشمنان حضرت ذوالجلال أفل شود و غلبه امرالله محقق گردد. نظر باين بيان صريح حضرت ولى امرالله نمايند كه ميفرمايند:

"جمعی از بُلَها و سُفَهاء چنان انگاشتند كه پيروان امر حضرت بهاءالله روحى و روح من فى الوجود لسلطنته الفداء مشتی ضعفايند و در گوشه و كنار بعضی از ممالك مظلمة متأخره افتاده و پراکنده. جمعشان متشتت و روحشان افسرده و افكارشان پريشان و منقلب. جهت جامعه مفقود و از فيوضات روح‌القدس ممنوع و مأیوس .... هزار شكر شارع قدير را كه حقيقت شريعة‌الله را بر تدعيان مكشوف نمود و سطوت قديمه را در انظار جهانيان از خواص و عوام جلوه داد. عن قريب گل شهادت دهند كه بهائيان کاسر اصنام اوهامند و از تعصبات جاهلانه فارغ و آزاد. هوشمند و غيورند و توانا و مقتدر. با درايت و كفايتند و خيرخواه دولت و ملت. پر نشئه و نشاطند و از پيشرفت مقاصدشان بر بهجت و انبساط. مستند از روح فياضند و متكل بر امدادات متتابعة حضرت بى‌نياز. عده‌شان يو‌ماً فيوماً در ازدياد و انفاس مسكية قدسيه‌شان فاناً در انتشار. در اكثر اقاليم با روحى پر فتوح چون فارسان دلير بتسخير قلوب و تطهير اخلاق و تزكية نفوس مأنوس. حاملين پيام نجاتند و رافعين خيمة وحدت عالم انسان. در شرق و غرب عالم پيروان اسم نظم اعظم چون اعضاء و جوارح يك تن متحد و مرتبط و در ظل اعظم بتمهيد سبيل و تأسيس مدنيتى بى مثيل مشغول .... سنريهم آياتنا فى الآفاق و سيعلم الذين ظلموا أى منقلب ينقلبون"

پس ای دوستان مهربان وقت شادمانى است زيرا وعود حضرت كردگار پى در پى در عالم امكان آشكار و پديدار شود. چه نيكوست كه در اين عصر مبارك كه فرصتهاى جديدى در ميدان عبوديت فراهم آمده چشم از غير حق بربنديم و اعمال و اقوال و اوقات و اموال خويش را وسيلة عزت و نصرت امر الهى نمائيم و بجان بكوشيم تا آهنگ جهان بالا بلند شود و پرتو ملاء اعلى بدرخشد و سراپردهٔ يگانگى بلند شود آئين نفاق از لوح آفاق برافتد بايد در همۀ حال وفاداری را در فداكارى دانيم تا چند صباحى كه در اين جهان فانی فرصت ماست در راه عشق و محبت محبوب آفاق بگذرانيم و در عالم بقا فيض حضور يابيم و از صهبای سرور نوشيم و از ثمرهٔ حيات برخوردار گرديم." (پيام شهرالبهاء ۱۴۳ بديع)

"... امر جمال قدم امری است عظيم و هرگز نبايد آنرا با شئون عالم امكان مقايسه نمود. چه خطاست كه جميع قوا را صرف تأمين ‎معيشيت معيشت‎ و بهبود كسب و تجارت و ازدياد ثروت و طلب راحت نمائيم و آنچه ما را در دو جهان توانگر و جاودان سازد غافل مانيم. همچنانكه زندگانى جسمانى وابسته به تنفس است حيات جامعه بهائى نيز به تبليغ امرالله وابسته است و تبليغ امرالله كه اعظم وظيفة هر يك از پيروان جمال ابهى است مانند تنفس اختصاص بافراد و زمان و مكان معينى ندارد. تبليغ امرالله است كه مغناطيس تأييدات غيبية ملاء اعلىٰ است و تأييدات الهيّه است كه ضامن توفيق اقدامات و اجرائات و مجهودات اهل بهاء است. ملاحظه در اقوام سائره و پيروان اديان سالفه و حكومات قاهره فرمائيد كه ظاهراً بهر قوه‌اى كه متصور شود مجهزند و ثروتى بيحساب و عده و استعدادى بيشمار دارند معهذا چون از تأييدات الهى بى بهره‌‌اند با آنهمه توانائی و توانگری و با وجودى كه مستند از جميع قوای عالم امكانند باز اقداماتشان بى اثر بل موجب ضرر و خسران است. حال آنكه اين مشت ضعفا با وجود مقابله با مشكلات و مصائب و شدائد فوق بشرى به نيروى معنوى و روح قدسی و تأييدات آسمانى بر همۀ آنها فائق آمده و در ساير بلدان توانسته‌اند كه با وجود مقاومـت اهل عالم به مقدمات تأسيس مدنيت روحانى آسمانی در عالم انسانی موفق شوند. تبليغ و انتشار كلمة‌الله چون با حيات فرد فرد اهل بهاء آميخته باشد نتائجش بسيار است زيرا هم قلوب ياران را قوى و مطمئن و ارواحشانرا مستبشر و مستريح ميسازد و هم سبب ميشود كه خيل عاشقان جمال رحمن ازدياد يابد و بر تعداد لشكر نجات بيفزايد و فتوحات روحانية آينده را تسريع نمايد. امروز ازدياد مقبلان درگاه الهى از اهم امور است زيرا اين ازدياد تعداد سبب افزايش استعداد شود و منابع مادى و انسانی و روحانى عالم بهائى را غنى‌تر و نافذتر سازد و امر مبارك را با سرعتى بيشتر بمراحلى پيشتر برد.

بكرات از ياران عزيز ايرانی كه در ممالك و ديار منتشرند تقاضا شد كه هر يك چون مشعل هدايت باشند و پرتو هدايت به نقطه‌اى افكنند نه آنكه در منطقه‌اى مجتمع شوند و بامور ثانويه پردازند زيرا اجتماع آنان در يك شهر و يك نقطه بمنزلة اتلاف قوای معنوى جامعه ياران است. ايرانيان عزيز كه سابقه‌اى درخشان در ظل امر يزدان دارند و به فتوت و كرم و مهمان‌نوازى و نوع‌پرورى شهرهٔ آفاق گشته‌اند نبايد به بهانه‌هاى واهى از قبيل ندانستن زبان و ترس از غربت و از اين قبيل معاذير نارسا خود را از خدمتى كه از ايشان ساخته است محروم سازند و اوقات خود را اغلب به ديد و بازديد و مصاحبت يكديگر هر چند مطبوع و مقبول باشد بهدر دهند. بتجربه ثابت شده كه يك خانواده بهائى ايرانی در يك شهر پايه و مركزى براى امر مبارك و ياران نرسيده ممالك تواند بود و حال آنكه اجتماع چند خانواده در يك محل چه بسا اسباب خمودت گردد و با وجود حسن نيتى كه ياران ايرانی دارند ارتباط شخصی و اجتماعی و تجارتی مرتب و مكرّر آنان در يك محل توقعات بيجاتى را بوجود آورد و سبب شود كه بانك حادثه‌اى دلهاشان از يكديگر مكدّر شود و اختلاف و كدورت ببار آورد و ‎ضترش ضررش‎ بامرالله راجع شود و دوستان غربى را كه از آنان انتظار دارند كه اقران قهرمانان جانفشان ايران [Page 15]بهائی را از تحصیل علوم محروم ساخته و از مدارس ایران اخراج نمودند پیروان اسم اعظم در عوض ۳۹۲ مدرسه در قارات مختلفه تأسیس نمودند و در بعضی ممالک کتب درسی مخصوص امر بهائی در مدارس عمومی تألیف کرده و تدریس میکنند.

اگر احباء ایران را از کار و شغل و رزق یومی ممنوع و محروم ساختند بهائیان عالم بایجاد ۴۲۰ برنامه بهداشتی و کشاورزی و تربیتی پرداختند که آشنا و بیگانه از آن منتفع شوند.

اگر جرائد و رادیو و تلویزیون در ایران وسیلهٔ هتك حرمت شریعةالله و انتشار افتراء نسبت باحباءالله گشته در ممالک و بلاد سائره بقدری جرائد و وسائط اعلان عمومی درباره امرالله بنشر حقایق پرداخته‌اند و تضییقات یاران را در ایران تقبیح نموده به اشاعه اخبار و مقالات در حمایت از امر اعظم و بهائیان مظلوم پرداخته‌اند که احصائش دقیقاً ممکن نه. یاران وفادار باین مراتب نیز اکتفا ننموده‌اند و علاوه بر رادیو بهائی در کشور اکوادور سه فرستنده رادیو مستقل بهائی نیز در کشورهای بولیوی و پرو و آمریکا تأسیس کردند که منحصراً در دست بهائیان است و بانتشار تعالیم الهی و پخش برنامه‌های مفید اجتماعی مشغول است.

اگر احباء ایران از مسافرت و شرکت در میادین خدمت موقتاً محروم گشته‌اند بحمدالله بهائیان عزیز در شرق و غرب جبران آن محرومیت را نموده‌اند چنانکه بیش از ۳۲۰۰ مهاجر فداکار قیام کرده و اهداف نقشه هفت ساله را تحقق بخشیده‌اند بعلاوه بیش از ۵۸۰۰ نفر دسته دسته باسفار تبلیغی از طریق مؤسسات امریه اعزام گشته‌اند. اگر در مجالس ایران ذکر اسم‌الله فقط از حلقوم ارباب کینه و غرض بیرون می‌آید در عوض مجامع عالیه عالم و ‎پا و پارلمان‌های پارلمان‌های‎ ملل تا بحال متجاوز از یکصد لایحه و بیانیه در حمایت از امر اعظم گذرانده‌اند. از جمله در پارلمان اروپا که مرکب از نمایندگان ده کشور اروپائی است سه لایحه باتفاق آراء به تصویب رسیده که به موجب آن نمایندگان از احزاب مختلفه در ده کشور اروپائی از دولتهای خویش خواسته‌اند که حمایت از مظلومان ایران را متعهد گردند.

پاکستان گلستان عرفان آبیاری گشت و دهها هزار نهال نورسته ببار آمد و سبب تزئین حدیقة حقیقت گردید چنانکه مثلاً در هندوستان بیش از یکصد و شصت هزار نفر اخیراً در ظل امرالله وارد گشتند گمان مبرید ما که بانتساب بآن شیران بیشه فدا مفتخریم از ذکر خیرتان غافلیم شب و روز یاد دل افروز شما شمع هر انجمن است انوارش الهام بخشد و حرارتش دلگرم نماید جمالش دلربائی کند و عطر کافوریش مشکبیز شود. آسوده و مطمئن باشید که راه شما پوئیم و نگذاریم که ما را به بیوفائی منسوب کنند. شما در سبیل عشق بهاء جان دادید ما وقت و استعداد خداداد را بر طبق اخلاص نهیم و نثار راهش نمائیم شما دیده از مال و اندوخته بکلی دوخته‌اید ما آنچه را خداوند بعطا فرموده در سبیل عبودیتش فدا کنیم شما باعمال طیبه طاهره بانتشار و ترویج امرالله پرداختید ما نیز لسان به تبلیغ گشائیم و از برکت جانبازی شما نفوس کثیری را بساحل سعادت رسانیم. اگر از حرکت محرومید ما جبران کنیم و تشتتی را که حال خداوند بما عنایت فرموده وسیلهٔ ارتفاع امرالله در نقاط جدیده و لازمه نمائیم در يك محل مجتمع نشویم و بنام شما بفتح اقالیم سائره پردازیم. رداء تقدیس بر دوش گیریم تا بر دامن پاکتان که تار و پودش را از راستی و درستی و خداپرستی بافته‌اند غباری ننشیند. جوشن انقطاع در بر کنیم تا چون شما روئین‌تن شویم و از هجوم مکاره دنیا و حرص و طمع و شهوات که از خصائص عالم طبیعت است نجات یابیم. از آلایش جهان فانی رو برگیریم و بآسایش حقیقی جاودانی رسیم. غمخوار یکدیگر شویم دستگیر و مساعد و همراه و معاضد هم گردیم و چنان کنیم تا اعمال و اخلاقمان بر تقدیس و تنزیه امرالله چون آن شیدائیان حلقهٔ محبةالله شهادت دهد و شاهد سعادت ابدی رخ گشاید و لقاء جمال ابهی در ملا اعلی چهره نماید.

دعای این مشتاقان در جوار مقامات مقدسه علیا چنان است که آن عزیزان مهجور بآنچه در ضمیر منیر تعهد فرموده‌اند فائز گردند و مظلومان ایران را باعمال و اقوال و عبودیت آستان کردگار شادمان و امیدوار فرمایند و مفتون وفاداری و بردباری خویش کنند و باری از دوش توانایشان بردارند و بیش از پیش آنان را بر علو مقامشان و عظمت اعمالشان واقف سازند و البته چنین خواهد شد.

(پیام شهرالشرف ۱۴۱ بدیع مطابق ژانویه ۱۹۸۵)

پس ای یاران عزیز چون دیده بصیرت بگشائیم سر فدا را در استقامت بهائیان عزیز در ایران مشهود بینیم و سر تعظیم پیش آن واصلان بارگاه قرب الهی فرود آوریم و بزبان دل آن جواهر وجود را صلا زنیم که ای مقبلان ای منجذبان بشارت باد شما را که بآئین دلدادگی فائز گشتید و خاور و باختر را به تجلیات عشق جمال منور فرمودید در مجمع احباب روح جدید دمیدید و طریق انقطاع نمودید و گل را بر عبودیت آستان تحریض و ترغیب نمودید و بر آن داشتید تا بنام شما در اقصی نقاط دنیا مشروعات عظیمه برپا کنند و نقشه‌های عدیده در تبلیغ و انتشار امرالله طرح نمایند. از برکت خون

هراسان، پیروان مظلوم امر اعظم بمدد قوه غالبه دافعة محیطۀ البته هر روز نصرت جدیدی یابند و نوید امیدی بینند. نه وقایع مرعبه جهان ناسوت از تعدد و تنوع مجهوداتشان در سبیل تأسیس ملکوت الهی در این جهان ظلمانی بکاهد و نه ظلم دشمنان دیرین و کید و مکر ماکرین مانع سیر و سلوکشان بر منهج قویم و صراط مستقیم گردد. زیرا قریب به یکصد و پنجاه سال است طوفانها دیده و محنتها کشیده و تجربه فرموده‌اند که هر وقت سیلی بنیان‌افکن هجوم نمود و درختان کهن را ریشه‌کن ساخت و بر خاك نیستی بینداخت هرگز نهال نوخاسته امر الهی را آسیبی نرسانید بلکه آنرا قوت و قوت بخشید...

بموازات این ترقیات عدیده واسعه در داخل و خارج جامعه بهائی طبعاً هیأتهای انتصابی مشاورین قاره‌ای نیز که از ارکان نظم اداری محسوبند وارد مرحله جدیدی گشتند یعنی حضرات مشاورین که خادمان برازنده جامعه یاران و مشیر و مشار آنان در امور مهمه بوده و هستند بر خدمات عظیمه و مشکورة روحانیه خویش افزودند و با کمال انقطاع بر اثر اقدام حضرات ایادی معتزّه امرالله علیهم بهاءالله که هادی و قدوة حسنة آنانند مشی نموده قدر معنوی خویش را مضاعف ساختند و بالطبیعه لازم آمد که مطابق با اتساع دائرهٔ امرالله تعداد این نفوس نفیسه نیز افزایش یابد و حال اعضاء آن هیئت جلیله از ۶۳ نفر به ۷۲ نفر بالغ گردیده است. حضرات مشاورین که در ظل مجمع جلیل دارالتبلیغ بین‌المللی بر عبودیت آستان الهی قائمند و باجراء دستورالعملهای مصرحه معینه مشغول و بر تحقق اهداف نقشه‌های تبلیغی ساعی و جاهد فی‌الحقیقه سهمی عظیم در حصول انتصارات اهل بهاء داشته و دارند چندی قبل تقدیراً لمجهوداتهم و تمهیداً لاتساع نطاق خدماتهم بارض اقدس دعوت گردیدند و جز معدودی که از حرکت باین شطر بواسطه مقتضیات مملکتی جبراً ممنوع بودند بقیه موفق گشتند بعد از فوز بزیارت مقامات مقدسه مبارکه نوراء و طلب تائید از جنود مجنّده ملاء اعلی و اظهار نیستی و محویت در حضرت جمال کبریاء در مقر دارالتشریع به حبل مشورت پردازند و راجع به مجهودات و فتوحات گذشته در ظل نقشه هفتساله و شروع نقشه شش ساله مذاکره فرمایند.

رشد و نتو ذاتی و حیاتی امرالهی حال مقتضیات جدید و امکانات بدیعی را بوجود آورده که در مجهودات اهل بهاء و جامعه جهانی بهائی نیز منعکس گردیده است و ترقیات مؤسسات و مشروعات امرالله حال بدرجه‌ای رسیده که مقرر گردیده است نفس محافل روحانیه ملیه با مشورت کامل و دائم مشاورین در هر قاره اهداف نقشه شش ساله را تعیین نمایند و بصیرت و لیاقتی که بر اثر تجارب گذشته در میدان خدمت یافته‌اند صرف تقدم امر

.... اهل بهاء را بشارت باد که در این ایام پر آشوب که ارکان عالم امکان از حوادث مدهشه متواتره مستولیه متزلزل و لرزان است و جهانیان از خطرات محتومة آتیه که متوجه عالم انسانی است ترسان و [Page 16]في حكمه عجبًا افتنی بسفك دمى فى الحلّ و الحرم براستی میگویم آنچه در سبیل الهی وارد شود محبوب جانست و مقصود روان ستم مهلك در سبیلش شهدى است فائق و عذابش عذبى است لائق. این تذلیل ظاهرهٔ احباءالله در آن دیار باید سبب شود که حرارت محبّة‌الله در قلوب شدّت یابد و نور استقامت و همت نفوس را بیش از پیش منوّر سازد. این ظلم و ستم چون عاقبت ‎متد مدد‎ امرالله است باید مذاق روحانیان را شیرین و انگبین نماید و بر تشکّر و امتنان و خلوص و انجذابشان بیفزاید. چه که این واقعه مانند ابر بهاری اراضی قلوب را مستعد نموده بگل و ریاحین ایمان و ایقان زینت و رونقی بدیع بخشد و نار این عذاب نورش عن قریب پرتو هدایت کبری را بر نفوس و ارواح عالم افکند. حال وقت صبر و سکون است و هنگام تمسك بحبل‌المتین تعالیم الهی.

بحمدالله ببرکت امثال این بیانات جانبخش نور استقامت و همت از افق جامعهٔ یاران در ایران بکمال شدّت ساطع است و صبر و سکون در جمیع احوال و شئونات لائح و لامع. حتّی بازماندگان شهیدان عزیز چنان شهامتی و وفا و وقاری از خود ظاهر و آشکار ساخته‌اند که جمیع آشنا و بیگانه را مجذوب و مبهوت ساخته‌اند.....

..لهذا بهائیان عزیزی که از کشور مقدس ایران در دیار دیگر پراکنده‌اند و در ظل محافل روحانیّه محشور و بر خدمت امرالله مأمورند، باید متوجّه باشند که انظار اهل عالم از بهائی و غیر بهائی بیش از پیش بآنان ناظر و از ایشان متوقّع و منتظر که همان انقطاع و صفا و وفائی را که هموطنان بهائی ایران از خود ظاهر ساخته‌اند نمودار سازند. این چه فرصت ارجمندی است که خداوند بیمانند برای انتشار امرش مهیّا فرموده؟ باید احباء ایران در تمام جهان بنحوی قیام نمایند تا کل شهادت دهند که سر حلقهٔ خادمان عالم انسانند و اگر از ایثار جان در سبیل جانان محرومند در تقدیم خدمات دیگر بیقرار و بی‌تاب.

خانهٔ هر يك از آن یاران هر چند محقر باید مرکز انتشار انوار و تبلیغ امر حضرت کردگار باشد و در بذل تبرعات مالی چنان باشند که دوست و دشمن شهادت دهند که این دنیای فانی را قدر و منزلتی ندانند و جمع مال و ثروت را کرامت و فضیلت نشمارند و بآنچه واقع گشته توجه نمایند که چگونه ثروت عالم را بقائی و جهان فانی را وفائی نه آنچه باقی ماند خدمتی است که در راه استقرار و تقویت آئین نازنین تقدیم شود.....

....حال که احباء ستمدیده ایران از چنین خدماتی جبراً محرومند یاران دیگر آن سرزمین که در ممالك آزاد زندگانی میفرمایند باید جبران نمایند و حتّی در عین تنگدستی بآنچه لازمه وفاست بنام خویش و بالنیابه از مظلومان ایران قیام کنند و وظائف دیگر را نیز که در قبال تقدیم حقوق‌الله بعهده دارند با کمال مواظبت بانجام رسانند و از گذشته عبرت گیرند. بالاتر از همه باید باعمال و رفتاری قائم باشند که مبلغ امرالله باشد و کل را به تأثیر کلمة‌الله در قلوب و ارواح مؤمنین مقر و معترف نماید. از امور سیاسیه و شرکت در مباحث بی فایده در این زمینه احتراز جویند و دشمنان را بخدا واگذارند که یزدان فرموده که از ظلم احدی نگذرد. ای عزیزان حق جز به پیشرفت و تقدّم و ترقّى آئین نازنین، قلوب جریح و خونین ما، چگونه درمان یابد و بغیر از سلوك در سبیل عشق الهی دیگر چه راهی این تشنگان بادیهٔ حرمان را به چشمهٔ حیات جاودان رساند و بجز امید به کسب رضای جمال ابهی چگونه روح مضطرب و پریشان ما آسایش و آرامش پذیرد؟ پس عاشقان را قیامی عاشقانه باید، صادقان را گواهی مردانه شاید، تا این مراحل باقیه زندگانی بکامرانی حقیقی طی شود و باقلبی مستبشر و دامنی پر از گوهر صدق و صفا بعالم بقا درآئیم و در ملاء اعلی با رخی افروخته و سری افراخته حاضر گردیم و بعنایات حق فائز و مصداق این آیات بینات شویم:

"ای یاران الهی جهدی بلیغ نمائید و سعی شدید کنید تا موفق بعبودیت جمال قدیم و نور مبین گردید و سبب انتشار انوار شمس حقیقت شوید. جسم قدید قدیم امکانرا روحی جدید بدمید و مزرعهٔ آفاق را تخم پاکی بیفشانید. بر نصرت امر قیام نمائید. لسان به تبلیغ بگشائید. انجمن عالم را شمع هدی گردید و افق امکانرا نجوم نوراء شوید. حدائق توحید را طیور روحانی شوید و گلبانگ حقائق و معانی زنید. انفاس حیات را صرف امری عظیم کنید و مدّت زندگانی را حصر در خدمت نور مبین نمائید تا عاقبت گنج روان ملکوتی بدست آرید و از زیان و خسران برهید. زیرا حیات بشر جمیع در خطر. اطمینان بقا در دقیقه‌ای نه. با وجود این، اقوام، مانند سراب اوهام، در موجند و گمان اوج دارند! هیهات هیهات قرون اولی نیز چنین شدند و بخسران و زیان افتادند مگر نفوسیکه فانی محض شدند و در سبیل الهی بجانفشانی برخاستند. کوکب نورانی آنان از افق عزّت قدیمه درخشید و آثار قرون و اعصار برهان بر این گفتار. پس شب و روز آرام نگیرید و راحت نجوئید راز عبودیت گوئید و راه خدمت پوئید تا بتائید موعود از ملکوت احدیت موفق گردید....."

(پیام شهرالاسماء ۱۳۸ بدیع)

"..... نقشهٔ هفت ساله در رضوان ۱۳۶ تقریباً مقارن با انقلابات حالیه ایران اعلان گردید و چون مساعی یاران در سبیل تحقق اهدافش به یُمن استقامت و فداکاری و جانبازی عزیزان مؤیّد گشت نتائجی عظیم ببار آورد.

از جمله آنکه بیت العدل اعظم در مقر دائم خویش بر کوه کرمل مستقر گردید و قدمی بلند در سبیل تحقق نوایای مولای بیهمتا در ارتفاع ابنیهٔ شامخه حول قوس مشرف بر مراقد منوّره برداشته شد.

هیئت جلیلهٔ دارالتبلیغ بین‌المللی تقویت گردید و بر تعداد اعضایش افزوده شد و دائرهٔ وظائف عظیمه‌اش متسع گشت و به مقر خویش در جوار بیت مبارك حضرت عبدالبهاء منتقل گردید.

بیت معروف به بیت عبدالله پاشا در عکا که سالیان دراز منزل مرکز میثاق و چندی مکان اختفای ‎ممس نفس‎ حضرت اعلیٰ و محلّ تولّد حضرت ولیّ امرالله و مرکز ملاقات اوّلین دسته زائرین غربی با حضرت عبدالبهاء و محلّ نزول الواح و آثار ‎مبّه مهمّه‎ از جمله کتاب مفاوضات بود تعمیر و مفروش و حاضر برای زیارت زائرین اعتاب مقدسه گردید.

دوائر جامعهٔ بین‌المللی بهائی در سازمان ملل متحد وسعت پذیرفت و بر قدرت و منزلتش در محافل بین‌المللی افزوده گشت و نام امر بهاء را در مجامع شتّی بلند آوازه ساخت.

مشرق‌الاذکار ساموآ در قلب اقیانوس کبیر با حضور رئیس مملکت و وزیران و محترمین آنکشور و کشورهای مجاوره بدست حضرت امة‌البهاء حرم مبارك نمایندهٔ بیت العدل اعظم افتتاح گردید.

تعداد محافل ملیّه که در اول نقشه ۱۲۵ محفل بود فعلاً ۱۴۳ محفل و تا رضوان آینده بر ۱۴۸ بالغ خواهد شد.

قوّة سطوت امر الهی را ملاحظه فرمائید که اگر دشمنان يك محفل ملی را در مهد امرالله تعطیل نمودند یاران باوفای جمال قدم به تأسیس ۲۳ محفل ملی جدید قیام فرمودند.

اگر تقریباً ۵۰۰ محفل محلی در ایران تعطیل گشت یاران در عوض ۷۰۰۰ محفل روحانی محلی تأسیس کردند و مجموع آنرا به بیش از ۳۰۰۰۰ محفل رسانیدند.

اگر اراضی مشرق‌الاذکار در ارض طا غصباً تصرف شد یاران ۹ قطعه دیگر خریداری کرده و میکنند و تعداد اراضی مشرق‌الاذکار را بر ۱۲۲ قطعه بالغ نموده‌اند.

اگر کتب و آثار را در ایران گرفتند و سوختند و از میان بردند در عوض تعداد زبانهایی که به آثار الهیه مزین گشته با ترجمه به ۹۱ زبان جدید به ۷۴۰ زبان بالغ شد.

اگر کلاسهای درس اخلاق در آنکشور تعطیل شد هزاران کلاس دیگر در شرق و غرب تأسیس گشت و ۲۶۶ کتاب مخصوص اطفال بهائی به ۵۶ زبان در ۷۱ کشور بطبع رسید و اگر نونهالان و جوانان [Page 17]کشورند و از دسائس اهل تزویر و ارباب تخریب و از اغراض دور و بر کنار. مطمح نظرشان سعادت بشر است و خدمت قلبی و حقیقی به مردمان هر کشور. در امور اداری مطیع حکومتند و در کمال صداقت و امانت باجراء وظائف محوله مشغول و حزبی از احزاب و فردی از افراد را مرجّح بر دیگری ندانند و به مخالفت با احدی نپردازند زیرا قلم اعلیٰ ما را از فساد ممنوع ساخته و باصلاح مأمور فرموده است. بیش از يك قرن است که بهائیان بعمل اثبات نموده‌اند که خدمت عبودیت و خدمت خلق را بر عزّت و ریاست که از راه دخالت در سیاست بدست آید ترجیح دهند و در تمشیت امور خود توکّل بحضرت پروردگار جویند نه توسّل به اصحاب عزّت و اقتدار. احبای عزیز ایرانی علی‌الخصوص در این ایام که در کشور مقدس ایران اهل عدوان تیرهای تهمت و افتراء را از هر کرانه روانه ساخته‌اند، باید مواظب باشند که در معاشرت با ایرانیان خارج ایران و جمیع نفوس بنحوی رفتار و سلوك نمایند که بیطرفی و خیر خواهی اهل بهاء بر همه کس چه در خارج و چه در وطن بیش از پیش واضح و مبرهن باشد و بدست فتنه‌انگیزان که جامعهٔ مظلوم بهائی ایران را همیشه جهت مقاصد نالایقهٔ خویش نشانهٔ سهام افتراءات عدیده کرده و میکنند بهانه جدیدی ندهند و مزاحمتی ایجاد ننمایند.

باری ای عزیزان حق، ای هموطنان جمال ابهی چنین نسبت مبارکی را شکرانه‌ای لایق در خور است پدران شما قدر این موهبت کبری را دانستند و ایثار جان را در راه دلبر مهربان سهل و آسان شمردند. اسیر زنجیر شدند، طعمهٔ شمشیر گشتند، خانه و خانمان برباد دادند و ناله‌ای جز فریاد یا بهاءالابهیٰ و یا علی‌الاعلیٰ از حلقوم بریدهٔ خون آلوده برنیاوردند تا آنکه از همان صوت ضعیف جانسوز صیت جهان‌افروز نباء عظیم بتدریج در جمیع اقالیم طنین افکند و اوج گرفت و رنّان شد. حال نیز یاران عزیز در ایران که عاکفان کوی جانانند بر سر همان عهد و همان پیمانند. ملاحظه فرمائید که آن صاحبدلان باوفا با چه شجاعتی و با چه استقامتی و با چه انقطاعی و اتحاد و اتفاقی و با چه شوق و اشتیاقی هر روز در بوتهٔ امتحان میگدازند و با رخی تابان چون زر ناب، پاکی و اصالت و قدر و قیمت خویش را بر جهانیان ثابت و نمایان میسازند. در نهایت مظلومیت و صداقت و حکمت و شجاعت بر دفع شرّ اهل عدوان قائمند و برفع سوء تفاهماتی که از نشر اکاذیب و تداول تهمتهای نادرست حاصل گشته ساعی و جاهد. تن بقضا داده‌اند و سر بر وادی تسلیم و رضا نهاده، تحمّل هر بلائی را آماده‌اند زیرا به یقین مبین تحقق وعود حتمیّه الهیّه را مستلزم وقوع حوادث شدیده و تحمّل مشکلات عدیده دانند. بیان مولای توانا حضرت ولی امرالله از جمله چنین بوده است که: "اگر چنانچه در مستقبل ایام آفات گوناگون آن سرزمین را احاطه نماید و انقلابات کشوری بر تضییقات حالیه و محن واردهٔ متواتره بیفزاید" یاران عزیز در آنسرزمین نباید "ملول و اندهگین" گردند و از "مسلك و منهج قویم خویش" منحرف گردند زیرا متعاقباً خطاب به آن عزیزان چنین فرموده:

"استخلاص این فئة مظلوم بیگناه از قیود اسارت و چنگ ارباب ظلم و عداوت، ضوضاء و هیجان عمومی را مقتضی و حصول عزّت و رخاء و آسایش حقیقی از برای اهل بهاء مقاومت و ممانعت و شور و آشوب اهل حقد و جفا را مستلزم. پس اگر چنانچه تلاطم دریای بلاء ازدیاد یابد و طوفان محن و رزایا از شش جهت آن جمعیت مظلوم را احاطه نماید به خالق‌البریه بدانید و آنی متردّد نمانید که میعاد نجات و میقات جلوهٔ موعودهٔ دیرینه نزديك گشته و وسائل اخیرهٔ فوز و نصرت عظمی از برای ملّت ستمدیدهٔ بهاء در آنکشور مهیّا و فراهم شده. قدم ثابت لازم و عزم راسخ واجب تا این مراحل باقیه طی گردد و مقصود و ‎مأمال مأمول‎ اهل بهاء در اعلی‌المقامات پدیدار گردد و جلوه‌ای حیرت‌انگیز نماید. هذه سنّة‌الله و لن تجد لسنّته تبدیلاً."

اینست که آن شهبازان اوج محبّة‌الله بسرور و سکون و وقاری قائم و فائزند که مغناطیس تأئیدات ملاء اعلی گشته و آنان را به چنان توفیقاتی موفّق نموده است که اسباب تحیّر و اعجاب اهل بهاء در سراسر عالم شده و جمیع را بر آن داشته تا چون آن جواهر وجود با محبوب ابهیٰ عهدی تازه بربندند و همّتی بدیع در عبودیت آستانش بنمایند و حتی‌المقدور محرومیت کنونی یاران ایران را با خدمتی مزید و عزمی و قیامی جدید جبران نمایند و از شجاعت و استقامت و خلوص نیّت آن دلدادگان کوی دوست الهام گیرند و در میدان محبّة‌الله بمقتضای عشق قیام نمایند اینست که در این اواخر پیروان اسم اعظم در ممالك و بلاد مختلفه بیاد و بنام احباء عزیز ایران دست بفتوحات بدیعه برده و طرحی نو درافکنده و مؤیّد به تائیداتی عظیمه گشته و آنهمه را از برکت تأثیر همّت و استقامت یاران عزیز در مهد امرالله دانسته‌اند. دیگر شما ای دوستان عزیز که از آن آب آن گلستانید نغمه و آوازی ساز کنید که نفوس و ارواح را باهتزاز آورد. شمعهای آن شبستانید انوار دلنوازی بتابانید که دیدگان اهل راز را روشن سازد. دیدهٔ جان این مشتاقان در این ایام در انتظار است تا از دل ابرهای تیره و تار برق غیرت و وفا بجهد و نام نامی آن یاران نیز چون هموطنان جانفشان پی در پی با قلم زرّین بر لوح جهان نوشته گردد. دیگر این بسته به آن همّت والای شماست." (پیام ۴ شهرالملک ۱۳۶ بدیع مطابق ۱۰ فوریه ۱۹۸۰)

...... باری کدام عاشق صادقی است که دعوت معشوق حقیقی را بشنود و با سر و جان بکوی جانان نشتابد؟ کدام پروانهٔ جانسوخته‌ایست که خود را "وسیلهٔ کبریٰ" جهت صون و حمایت شمع حقیقت بیند و بال و پر در آتش فدا نسوزاند؟ کدام مؤمن موقن جانفشانی است که بداند با قبول مصیبت در سبیل الهی امرالله "صد مرتبه عظیم‌تر شود" و از "استخلاص این فئهٔ مظلوم بیگناه از قیود اسارت و راحت و آسایش خویش دست و دل بر ندارد؟" کدام عاقل روشندلی است که جمیع ملل را "از هجوم جنود شهادت مغلوب و مقهور و مهزوم" داند و با سر و جان آمادهٔ ورود بمیدان فدا نباشد؟ اینست که می‌بینیم امروز قهرمانان میدان وفا در کشور مقدس ایران با چه شجاعت و شهامت و غیرتی صابراً شاکراً علم هدایت برافراشته‌اند و دلهای آشنا و بیگانه را با مظلومیت و وقار و توکّل بر حضرت پروردگار ربوده و هزاران نفوس را که تا بحال از تأثیرات اسم اعظم غافل و از مقاصد عالیهٔ روحانیّهٔ اهل بهاء بیخبر بودند مفتون و ثناخوان خویش ساخته‌اند. اینست که می‌بینیم شهیدان مشتاق در این عصر تکوین چراغ جانباختگان صدر ظهور را فروزان ساخته‌اند و بهمان خلعت سرخ شهادت مشرّف و مفتخر گشتند. یکی پای قاتل را بوسه میزند که دست مریزاد که مرا بچنین موهبتی فائز ساختی و جان مشتاق را بوفاق جانان درآوردی. یکی خندان در وقت رفتن بمیدان میگوید که این سینهٔ من است که بطرف گلوله میرود نه گلوله بسوی سینهٔ من. یکی در وصیتنامه از عائله تقاضا میکند که نقل و شیرینی تقدیم نفوسی کنند که نعمت شهادت بوی بخشیده و دیگری در دقایق قبل از شهادت لباس فاخر میپوشد و عطر و گلاب میزند تا آراسته در گلزار بقا بلقای محبوب ابهیٰ فائز شود.

بزودی روزی فرا رسد که داستانهای این "سرخوشان مست دل از دست رفته" را که هر يك مظهر انقطاع و تقوی و انجذابند، بآب زر بر دیباچهٔ کتاب فدا بنویسند و همچنانکه امروز شرح پریشانی و قربانی اصحاب وفا در عصر رسولی موجب اشتعال نار محبّة‌الله در قلوب ماست داستانهای این ایام نیز بمرور اعصار و دهور باعث وله و نشاط و سرور و امتنان اهل عالم در ادوار آینده گردد. مشکلات حالیه و مصائب مستولیه بگذرد و زحمات فراموش شود و تنها عزّت ابدیهٔ یاران و ذلّت و محرومیت اهل عدوان باقی ماند. بفرموده حضرت ولی امرالله: "ثمرات این بلیّات و صدمات، در مستقبل ایام چون شمس ظاهر و معلوم گردد و نتیجهٔ این پریشانی و ویرانی احباء بعد از این بر وجه یاران و دشمنان هر دو مکشوف شود. احباء از صدمه و ابتلاء در سبیل امرالله نباید دقیقه‌ای آزرده گردند و متأثر و متحسر شوند. در لوح ابن ذئب، آن لسان عظمت که تسلی دهندهٔ عالم است باین بیان ناطق: 'طوعاً لقاض اتیٰ'" [Page 18]چند سحر خیزان و صبوحی زدگان بزم محبت را زجر و ملامت کنند خورشید عالمتاب را از جلوه و سطوع ممنوع نتوانند و از ارتفاع و انتشار انوار باز ندارند. اینست که ملاحظه فرموده اید تتابع و استمرار محن و بلایا در آن دیار و حبس و نفی و کشتار هزاران عاشق شیدای طلعت دلدار، آئین حضرت کردگار را از اتساع و انتشار باز نداشت بلکه بر عکس نتیجه بخشید. هر قطره خونی که در راه خدا بر خاك ریخت در اصول و عروق شجره طیبه الهیه جریان یافت و رشد و نموّش را تسریع و تشدید نمود....

(پیام به یاران ایران، ۹ شهرالعزة ۱۳۵ بدیع مطابق ۲۱ سپتامبر ۱۹۷۸)

موطن حضرت بهاءالله را که سرزمین نفوس مقدسه و شهیدان جان نثار و عاشقان فداکار جمال مختار بوده و هست بمشام اهل ایمان در هر دیار برسانند و فراموش ننمایند که انتظاری که اهل بهاء از یاران عزیز ایران دارند بسی شدید است و توقعشان بس عظیم. باین ندای جانفزای مولای بیهمتا که احباء ایران را فی‌الحقیقه فصل الخطاب است توجه فرمائید:

بشارتی مستبشرند قوله الاحلی: آنچه در عالم واقع شود از برای اولیای حق نور است و از برای اهل شقاق و نفاق نار، اگر ضررهای عالم بر یکی از اولیا وارد باز ربح با اوست و خسارت از برای مادونش یعنی از برای نفوسی که غافل و جاهل و جاحدند. اگر چه گوینده بخیال دیگر گفته ولکن مطابق است با دستگاه حق: "‎تو کرو بردی تو گرو بردی‎" اگر جفت و اگر طاق آید. در هر حال ربح و ثروت و منفعت با دوستان الهی بوده و هست اولیای حق از نار سردند و از آب خشك یعنی امورات ایشان غیر امورات اهل عالم است در هر تجارتی ربح با ایشانست یشهد بذلك كل عاقل بصير و كل منصف سميع.

".... در این ایام پر آشوب که آن ستایندگان طلعت محبوب از وطن مألوف دورند و در سلك اهل ایمان در دیگر اقطار جهان محشور و در چندین اقلیم مقیم و در خدمات اصحاب وفا در سراسر دنیا شريك و سهیم، لازم دانستیم بکمال اخلاص سخنی چند با دوستان ارجمند در میان گذاریم و کل را به آنچه ضامن رفاه و سعادت و نجاح و عزت جاودانی دانیم، دعوت نمائیم.... گمان مبرید که آنچه در این زمان در چهار گوشۀ جهان از جمله کشور مقدس ایران واقع گشته و میشود وقایعی تصادفی و منفرد و بی نتیجه و مقصد است. بفرمودۀ مولای عزیز "ید غیبی در کار است و انقلابات ارض مقدمۀ اعلان شریعت پروردگار"......

میل و رضا بلکه امر شدید حضرت عبدالبهاء در اینست که بهائیان در جمیع امور، حتی در جزئیات و معاملات یومیه و روابط افراد با یکدیگر بحسب تعالیم الهی رفتار نمایند. میفرمایند بخضوع و خشوع و افتادگی اکتفا منمائید مظهر محویت گردید و فنای محض شوید. مهر و وفا و شفقت و محبت نصایح پیشینیان بوده در این دور اعظم اهل بهاء بفداکاری و جانفشانی مأمور. ملاحظه فرمائید که در الواح مقدسه و کتب الهیه و وصایای مبارکه احبای الهی بچه حدی مأمور به پرهیزکاری و خیر خواهی و بردباری و تقدیس و تنزیه و انقطاع از ما سوی الله و تجرد از شئون دنیا و اخلاق و صفات الهیه هستند باید بهر نحویکه ممکن است قبل از همه چیز قلب را صاف و نیت را خالص نمود و الاّ اقدام بهیچ امری نتیجه و ثمری نبخشید باید از تصنّع و تقلید احتراز جست چه که رائحۀ منتنه‌اش را هر عاقل هوشمندی فوراً ادراك نماید باید اوقات مخصوصه تذکر و تنیّه و دعا و مناجات را فراموش ننمود چه که بدون فضل و عنایت الهیّه موفقیت و ترقی و پیشرفت در امور مشكل بلكه ممتنع و محال. نمیدانید که محبت خالصانه و صداقت و خلوص نیت چه اثری در نفوس نماید ولی تحقق این امر منوط بسعی و کوشش هر فردی از افراد در هر یومی از ایام است. مگذارید که اغیار و حسودان و دشمنان بگویند که علت علوّ امر در گذشتۀ ایام در اوائل ظهور قیام خارق‌العاده هیاکل مقدسه و استقامت نفوس زکیّۀ شهداء امر بوده که حال چون دیگر نیستند امر بهاءالله مجبوراً رو بانحطاط و ضعف و تشتیت و اضمحلال خواهد گذاشت."

و از جمله آن وظائف مقدسه تمسك به حبل اعتدال در جمیع شئون زندگانی است مبادا که یاران عزیز که باید جوهر انقطاع و اعتدال باشند، مفتون ظواهر این جهان فانی گردند و به آرایش دنیا دل بندند و حیات خویش را بهدر دهند. اگر اهل ثروتند باید آنچه را به آنان عنایت شده وسیلۀ تقرب به درگاه کبریاء سازند نه آنکه رنگ تعلق پذیرند و نصائح قلم اعلی را فراموش نمایند. بلی حق فرموده که "بعد از تحقق وجود و بلوغ، ثروت لازم و این ثروت اگر از صنعت و اقتراف حاصل شود نزد اهل خرد ممدوح و مقبول است." ولیکن ثروت و عزت اگر وسیلۀ خدمت و عبودیت آستان الهی گردد مطلوب است والاّ احتراز از آن محبوب، به کتاب عهدی و کلمات مکنونه و الواح سائره رجوع فرمائید تا مبادا ‎رشته‌ایک رشته‌ای‎ که باید حبل نجات گردد وبال گردن شود و ما را بهلاکت افکند چه بسیار از نفوس غافله علی‌الخصوص از هموطنان خویش را که از نعمت ایمان و عرفان محروم بوده‌اند ملاحظه فرموده‌اید که چون فی‌الجمله بدولت مستعجلی رسیدند چنان مفتون ثروت و مقام شدند که فضائل و کمالات حقیقیۀ عالم انسانی را فراموش نموده و بساط حیاتی گستردند که سراسر تصنّع و بی ثمر بود.....

.... در چنین حال پر وبالی که اهل عالم پریشان و دانایان امم در ‎چهارۀ چارۀ‎ آلام جهان حیرانند اهل بهاء ببرکت و هدایت آثار مقدسه یقین دارند که این وقایع مدهشه را هر يك علتی و معنائی و نتیجه‌ایست و کل از وسائل ضروریۀ استقرار مشیت غالبۀ الهیّه در جهان محسوب. یعنی از یکطرف تازیانه خشم و قهر الهی در کار است تا کاروان گریخته و از هم گسیختۀ عالم انسانی را خواه و ناخواه بسر منزل مقصود براند و بتازاند از طرف دیگر مشتی ضعفا را در ظل هدایت و عنایت خویش تربیت فرموده تا در این دورۀ تحوّل و عصر تکوین در میان طوفانهای سهمگین بساختن حصنی حصین که بالمال منزلگاه و پناه آن قافلۀ گمگشته است همچنان مشغول باشند. لهذا یاران الهی که چنان منظر وسیع و خطیر و دلگشائی در مقابل خویش دارند البته از آنچه پیش آید پریشان خاطر نشوند از نهیب حادثه نهراسند در هنگام بروز انقلاب در اضطراب و التهاب نیفتند و آنی از اجرای وظائف مقدسۀ خویش باز نمانند.

از خدا طلبیم که آن عزیزان را در هر یومی از ایّام موفق گرداند تا نصائح الهی را نصب‌العین خویش سازند و در راه وفا قدم گذارند و گوی سعادت ربایند.

از جمله آن وظائف مقدسه تعهد معنوی یاران بر عبودیت آستان یزدان در جمیع احوال و ایّام است یعنی این چند روزۀ حیات فانی را علی‌الخصوص در این عصر تحوّل وقف امرالله نمایند و خویش را از اندیشه کم و بیش آزاد سازند بحبل توکل متمسك شوند و فارغ از هر غصه و تشویش گردند ملاحظه فرمائید این چنین نفوس مبارکه‌ای از قلم اعلی بچه

.... از جمله آن وظائف مقدسه آنکه احباء عزیز ایران در بلاد خارجه محل استقرار خویش را با مشورت محافل و مؤسسات امریه در نقطه‌ای معین نمایند که جهت تأسیس و تقویت امرالله در آن کشور لازم است باید در میدان مهاجرت در هر کشور پیش قدم شوند نه آنکه در پی اقوام و دوستان خویش بی خبر از مقتضیات و حوائج امرالله در يك نقطه مجتمع شوند.....

.... از جمله آن وظائف مقدسه احتراز از مباحثات و مناقشات سیاسیه است که فعلاً در همه جا بازاری از رواج دارد اهل بهاء را به مخاصمات و مشاجرات و مسائل سیاسی کاری نیست. باید بکمال اتقان بر عالمیان ثابت نمود که بهائیان در ظل تربیت آئین خویش در هر مملکتی که ساکن باشند رعایای وفادار آن دولت و خیرخواه آن ملت‌اند.

از جمله آن وظائف مقدسه تخلق باخلاق و اعمال است که مرضی درگاه کبریاست باید رائحه طیبه فرمائید این چنین نفوس مبارکه‌ای از قلم اعلی بچه هر مملکتی که ساکن باشند رعایای وفادار آن [Page 19]... و دوستان دبستان و والدین ایشان قادر گشته‌اند. و چه بسا جوانان مهذب نیک خصالی که به حلیه ایمان و تقدیس آراسته و از شئون هوی وارسته‌اند در هدایت همسالان سرگردان خویش که اسیر نفس یا طعمه دام هر نو‌هوسند توفیق یافته‌اند؛ و از آن بالاتر با سبکباری و اوقات فراغتی که در هنگام تحصیل یا بعد از اتمام آن دارند به خدمات عالیه باهره‌ای در‌سبیل اجراء اهداف نقشه های محافل روحانیّه پرداخته و جامعه‌ای را سر بلند ساخته‌اند ...

اقلیمی و قوم و طایفه‌ای ندارد و باید اصالت و جامعیت آن بر کل واضح و هویدا باشد. لهذا یاران در ایران علاوه بر مساعی جمیله شخصیه خویش در بلاد خارجه باید مشوق یاری غربی و محلی در خدمات تبلیغی و اداری باشند و آنانرا ترغیب نمایند و به پیش اندازند و خود حتی‌المقدور در پس پرده به تمهید وسائل و تسهیل امور پردازند یعنی چون نسیم صبا باشند که نا‌پیدا و پنهان است ولیکن باعث جنبش باغ و بوستان.

که باشند از دیگران ممتازند. باید چون شجره طیبه در حدیقه وفا چنان ریشه دوانند که از گزند باد و طوفان در امان باشند. و الّا چون برگ خزان ناتوان بودن و دستخوش هر باد که از شرق یا غرب وزد گردیدن شأن نونهالان بوستان حقیقت نیست. باید به هر وسیله تشبث جست تا ان شاء‌الله یاران ایران علی‌الخصوص جوانان بهائی ایران در آن کشورها محفوظ مانند و در عین تقدم و تمدن علم تقدیس افرازند و به موجب نصائح قلم اعلی رفتار نمایند.

(پیام به یاران ایران ۷ شهر القول ۱۳۳ بدیع مطابق با ۲۹ نوامبر ۱۹۷۶ )

... پس باید به هر جا که سفر نمایند و استقرار جویند مقتضیات محل را در نظر بگیرند و سعی نمایند که خود را انطباق با مقتضیات جدید دهند که مبادا نادانسته کاری شود که باعث استیحاش نفوس گردد. البته امر مبارک در مبادی عالیه کلیه در همه جا یکسان است ولیکن در شئون ثانویه و آداب و رسوم قومیه مردم هر دیار متفاوتند. یعنی در امر الهی وحدت در کثرت به این صورت جلوه نماید که اهل بهاء در اصول کلیه متحد و در فروعات ثانویه متنوع و متفاوت باشند. باغی که در ظلّ يك باغبان ماهر پرورش یابد و از رشحات يك سحاب تازه و شاداب شود و از يك جويبار سیراب گردد آرایشش به گلهای رنگارنگ و اشجار گوناگون است. لهذا اگر رابطه خویش را با جامعه‌های بهائی آن ممالک بر چنین اساسی قرار دهند، نکته چینی و خرده بینی که آتش حرارت جامعه‌ای را بیفسرد فراموش شود و بسیاری مشکلات که مولود اصطکاک و تضادهای غیر ضروری است مرتفع گردد.

دیگر آنکه چون مقصد اصلی از اقامت در ممالک خارجه خدمت امر‌الله در آن ممالک باشد البته احبای عزیز ایران حتی‌الامکان از جمع شدن در يك نقطه پرهیز نمایند. شمع روشن اگر در يك انجمن بدرخشد نور و حرارت بخشد و اگر چند شمع در يك جمع کنار هم بسوزند یکدیگر را ذوب نمایند و اشک حسرت ریزند و انوارشان به هدر رود و قامتشان خمیده گردد. بارها به تجربه رسیده که در محافل و مجامعی که عدداً غلبه با ایرانیان است چه بسا مشکلاتی روی دهد و کار تبلیغ را به تعویق اندازد. وحال آنکه هر محفل یا ضیافتی یا جلسه‌ای که در آن صفحات تشکیل گردد در وهله اولیٰ متعلق به اهل آن مملکت و برای خدمت به مردم آن کشور است. پس اولاً باید کوشید که جز در موارد استثنائی که محافل ملیه هر کشور موقتاً جهت تشکیل محفل یا به علل دیگری اجتماع چند عائله ایرانی را در يك نقطه جائز دانند از اجتماع در يك محل بپرهیزند. و ثانیاً ولو معدودی از احباء محلی در مجلسی حاضر باشند که اکثریت با ایرانیان باشد باید جمیع آن مجلس و محفل را حول نفوس محلی دوران بخشند و خود را فراموش نمایند و چون شهد و شکر در مجامع یاران هر محل بیامیزند بنحوی که بینونتی میان ایشان و احبای محلی نماند.

(پیام اول شهر النور ۱۳۴ بدیع مطابق ۵ جون ۱۹۷۷ )

نکته مهم دیگر آنکه در بعضی از موارد احبای عزیز ایرانی که وارد جامعه های دیگر میگردند متوجه نیستند که در این عصر تکوین امر مبارک در بسیاری از ممالک در شرف تأسیس است و بحکمت الهی و به اوامر صریحه مبارکه بعضی از احکام کتاب الله که فعلاً در ایران وبلاد شرقیه مجری است هنوز وقت اجرایش در ممالک مغرب زمین نرسیده. از این جهت از احبای نو رسیده غربی توقع مالایطاق داشتن و باب ملامت برویشان گشودن مخالف دستورات مبارکه است. اصولاً یاران طبق تعلیمات مبارکه نباید پاپي نفوس شوند و دخالت در امور شخصیه یکدیگر نمایند؛ بلکه باید با حلم و مدارا و خطا پوشی و صفا با یکدیگر معامله نمایند؛ مظهر رأفت کبری باشند و به لسان شفقت جذاب قلوب اصفیا گردند. همچنین باید از هر امری که عمومیت آئین نازنین بهائی را مستور دارد احتراز فرمایند زیرا امر مبارک شجره لاشرقیه و لاغربیه است و اختصاص به...

دیگر آنکه موقف یاران در آن بلاد در مورد تربیت اطفال و جوانان بسیار دقیق است زیرا از طرفی آرزوی هر پدر و مادر بهائی ایرانی آنکه جگر گوشگان با لسان الواح مبارکه آشنا باشند و با قلت وسائل به تعلیم زبان فارسی همت گمارند؛ و از طرف دیگر در محیطی که غالباً مادّه پرستی و لامذهبی حاکم گردیده باید اطفال و جوانان را به روح ایمانی پرورش دهند و آنانرا محافظت فرمایند. در این سبیل باید متوجه باشند که هم تعصب و تصلب که رائج در بسیاری از جوامع شرقی است مذموم است و هم حریت مفرطه که مایه الابتلاء اکثر مردم مغرب زمین است مطرود. باید یاران علی‌الخصوص جوانان خلق بدیع شوند و از مضرات عادات و افکار مفرطه شرق و غرب هر دو در کنار باشند. بالعکس آداب ممدوحه هر يك را اقتباس نمایند و به فضائل و مکارم اخلاق بموجب تعالیم الهیه متخلق شوند تا کل شهادت دهند که بهائیان از هر کشور و در هر جا...

... ای پروردگان مهد هدایت کبری عالم امکان منقلب است و اهل عالم هر آن بمصیبت و بلائی جدید گرفتار. آتش فتنه در جهان برپاست گاهی بر خاور زند و گهی بر دامن باختر آویزد. زمانی در کشوری شعله زند و وقتی قوم و قبیله‌ای را در کام کشد. خلق بیچاره ندانند که این آتش از کجا خیزد چه که ابصار اهل ضلال از دود غفلت و استکبار مرمود است و راه چاره نزدشان مفقود. لهذا مضطربند و پریشان و مأیوسند و سرگردان. اما اهل بهاء که بعنایت الهی اکلیل ایمان بر سر دارند و رداء اطمینان در بر از حوادث این جهان خائف و هراسان نشوند و ما وقع را کلاً منطبق کتاب مرقوم و تحقق وعد و وعید جمال قیوم دانند. یعنی چون شمس نباء عظیم در "یوم يناد المناد من مكان قريب" از افق ایران درخشید و فجر ظهور کلی الهی در آن کشور دمید معدودی چون مرغان سحر بمبارکباد صبح هدی شتافتند و بنغمه وفا بذکر و ثنا پرداختند و از جام صبوحی عیش مهنا ساختند ولیکن جمهور خلائق که در فراش انکار و اعراض بخواب غفلت دمساز بودند از آن نشاط و تفنی و پایکوبی اهل راز در فجر ظهور جمال بی نیاز برآشفتند و دشنام و ناسزا گفتند و بزجر و عتاب و حبس و عذاب پرداختند زیرا نمی‌خواستند که از بستر راحت بدر آیند و در طلوع "یوم یقوم الناس لربّ العالمین" بمشاهده انوار و مجاهده در سبیل حضرت کردگار پردازند. غافل از اینکه هر... [Page 20]

منتخباتی از پیامهای بیت العدل اعظم الهی خطاب به احبای ایرانی در بلاد غرب

Selections from Messages of the Universal House of Justice to Persian Bahá’ís Residing Abroad

منتخبات ذیل از دستخط‌های معبد اعلیٰ همراه با مرقومهٔ مورخهٔ اول شهرالجمال ۱۴۸ مطابق ۱۹ آپریل ۱۹۹۱ دارالانشاء بیت‌العدل اعظم به دفتر محفل روحانی ملی ایالات متحده واصل گردیده است. در مکتوب مذکور اشعار داشته‌اند که نظر به تقاضای برخی از جوانان عزیز بهائی ایرانی که "اظهار علاقه و اشتیاق بمطالعه پیامهای بیت‌العدل اعظم الهی خطاب به احبای ایرانی در بلاد غریبه را نموده‌اند" معهد اعلیٰ مقرّر فرموده‌اند منتخباتی از پیامهای آن ساحت رفیع بلسان فارسی ارسال گردد تا یاران رحمانی "با مطالعه دقیق و تفکّر در آن پیامها بتوانند وظائف و خدمات خویش را با نوایا و رضای معبد اعلیٰ منطبق نمایند" و "در ظلّ هدایت آن محفل جلیل به چنان قیامی پردازند که انوار شمس حقیقت و تعالیم حضرت بهاءالله آن سرزمین پهناور را بسرعت روشن و منوّر گرداند."

. . . مقصد از تبلیغ امرالله مبارزه و مجادله و تفوّق در کلام نیست بلکه باید با عزمی جزم قیام نمود و با دعا و مناجات و تخلّق باخلاق بهائی و اظهار محبّت حقیقی نسبت به جمیع نفوس بلسان شفقت در عین اعتدال مقاصد امر حضرت ذوالجلال را بر عالم و عالمیان معلوم و مکشوف ساخت. نظر به اقبال و عدم اقبال نفوس نباید کرد و اگر هم کلّ بمرحله ایمان نرسند مأیوس نباید شد زیرا هرچه بیشتر نفوس غیرآشنا از مقاصد مقدّسه اهل بهاء با خبر شوند و تجلّی مبادی سامیّه الهیّه را در حیات و معاملات یومیّه آنان ملاحظه نمایند تأثیرات مفیده اش البته در جامعه یاران انعکاس پذیرد و رافع و دافع موانع عدیده گردد و استخلاص و استقلال امر بدیع را تسهیل و تسریع نماید چه بسا مشکلات مستولیهٔ حالیّه بر اثر این است که یا نفوس بکلی از امر مبارک بی‌خبرند و یا اطلاعشان صرفاً مبتنی بر مفتریات دشمنان بی‌انصاف است اگر در این سبیل اهل بهاء نیز خاموش نشینند و بکلی بخود و امور خویش مشغول باشند دیگر چه کسی رفع سوءتفاهم کند و چگونه مقاصد خیریّه عالیّه امر بهائی بر دیگران معلوم شود نظر باین بیان مبارک حضرت ولی‌امرالله ارواحنا لعظمة مقامه الفداء اندازند که میفرمایند:

تأثیر دائمی کلّی ممنوع و محروم گردد. گفتار را رفتار و کردار لازم و کردار را همّت بلیغ و سعی مستمرّی شرط و واجب. جز جهد جهید و سعی موفور و استغاثه و استعانه و استمداد از ربّ غفور راهی نه و واسطه‌ای نیست.»

امّا جوانان عزیز بهائی فرصت بسیار مبارکی در پیش دارند و تا سبکبارند باید رهسپار سبیل خدمت گردند. اگر به اکتساب علوم و فنون عالیه نافع مشغولند یا بشغل و صنعت و اقترافی مألوف باید در همه حال مقصد اعلایشان تقدیم خدمتی به آستان یزدان باشد. سنین اخیره شاهد مجهودات جمیله و توفیقات بدیعهٔ جوانان در شرق و غرب جهان بود. از مهد امرالله نیز جمعی از آن نهالان بوستان ‎حقیقیت حقیقت‎ در گلشن عبودیّت ببالیدند و باعث فخر و مباهات کلّ گشتند بعضی تحصیل و مهاجرت را با هم قرار دادند و در هر دو موفّق شدند، و برخی جهت تبلیغ و تشویق باسفاری طویل المدّة پرداختند، و عدّه‌ای قبول شغل و کسب قلیلی را در میدان خدمت ارجح بر ‎فراض فراغ‎ راحت و مشاغل بهتر شمردند، و از این راه انقطاع خویش را اثبات فرمودند. و یقین است نفس موفّقیّت گذشته بهترین مشوّق آن عزیزان در قیام و مجهودات آینده خواهد بود.

‎نجات قافله را نجات قافله را نجات قافله را‎ از نجوم آفله نجویند و بانگ جرسی را که در این صبح صادق هدایت از آن کاروان گمگشتهٔ صحرای غفلت برآید هر چند پر طنین و بلند یابند لایق اعتناء نشمرند. چه که گوش جانشان در مفتون تغنّیات بلبلان الهی است که به گلبانگ روحانی درس مقامات معنوی آموزند و راحت جان بخشند ...

(پیام نوروز ۱۳۱ بدیع)

« . . . باید اقدام نمود و باب معاشرت و مراوده را با تمام ملل و نحل باز کرد. ایّام گوشه‌نشینی و سکوت و خموشی گذشته باید از زاویهٔ خمول درآئیم و در میدان وسیع قدم گذاریم و مباشرت بعمل نمائیم. مقصود این نیست که حکمت را فراموش نمائیم و پرده‌دری نمائیم و از حدّ اعتدال خارج گردیم و بمخالفت اصول و قوانین و رسوم دولت و ملّت قیام کنیم. حاشا که یاران الهی چنین نمایند . . .

. . . چشمهای عالمیان الیوم از وضیع و شریف ناظر به بهائیان تا از اعمال و اخلاق این بندگان پرتو نور خوی حضرت عبدالبهاء ببینند و از اطوار و حرکاتمان نتایج و آثار آن قوّهٔ مودعه در کلمات الهیّه مشاهده کنند والاّ گفتار ثمری نبخشد و هر خدمت و اقدامی بالمال از تأیید غیبی و پیشرفت و

امّا از وظائف مهمّهٔ اوّلیّه جوانان عزیز بهائی آنکه باید در بحر آثار و معارف امریّه مستغرق شوند و هر روز لااقلّ دقائقی از حیات خویش را مرتباً منظماً مصروف تحصیل و مطالعه الواح و آثار مبارکه نمایند تا ببرکت آن نسائم روح‌بخش مرآت قلوبشان از غبار عوارض مستولیّهٔ این مدنیّت مادّیّه مصفّا و پاکیزه گردد و قابل تجلّی حقائق مکنونه مودعه در آیات نازله و صحف قیّمه شود. اگر چنین شود جوانان عزیز که محاط به امتحانات عدیده و معرض آفات شدیده‌اند محفوظ مانند، و چون بفضل الخطاب آیات متمسّک شوند و آن میزان اتمّ اقوم را معیار تشخیص و فهم و ادراک خویش قرار دهند دیگر گوش هوش را از همهمهٔ الفاظ ظاهر فریب و ‎دمسدمه دمدمه‎ مکاتب عجیب و غریب فلاسفه مادیّه که مولود این تمدّن رو بزوالند فارغ سازند، وچون نفوس غافله

... بلی اگر اشتعال نار محبّت الله خواهیم باید به تلاوت آیات و مناجات و مطالعه آثار پردازیم و به برکت کلمة‌الله که چون باران معرفت از سحاب رحمت الهیّه فیضان فرموده نهال قلب و روح را تر و تازه کنیم و از نفحات وحی زنده شویم . اینست که قبلاً مکرراً از آن عزیزان رجا گردید که هر يك چه انفرادی و چه جمعاً از سر چشمهٔ جانبخش معارف روحانیّه هر روز بنوشند و بر عرفان و ایقان خویش بیفزایند و آنچه را در کتاب اقدس از سماء مشیّت نازل گردیده مجری دارند و به عهد خدا وفا کنند قوله الاحلی: " اتلوا آیات الله فی کلّ صباح و مساء انّ الذی لم یتل لم یوف بعهدالله و میثاقه "

ای عزیزان حقّ حال که به یمن دولت ایمان کلید گنج سعادت به رایگان داریم باید شکر این نعمت گزاریم ؛ یعنی لئالی درخشان آیات و تعالیم و وصایای مبارکه را ‎نشار نثار‎ نجاح عالم و ترقّی و رفاه بنی آدم کنیم ؛ نه آنکه آن ثروت بیکران را عاطل و باطل در خزینهٔ دل پنهان نمائیم و مستمندان غنای روحانی را محروم و درمانده گذاریم . لهذا تبلیغ امرالله و انتشار کلمة‌الله از اعظم فرائض اهل بهاء من دون استثناء است. هر کس حتّی طفل صغیر یا پیر زمینگیر نیز میتواند قدمی در راه تبلیغ بردارد و خدمتی را تعهّد نماید. بارها به تجربه رسیده که بسا طفلان خردسالی که تربیت روحانی یافته و درس ادب و اخلاق آموخته‌اند به جذب و تقلیب معلّم [Page 21]

LETTERS

“The shining spark of truth cometh forth only after the clash of differing opinions.”—‘Abdu’l-Bahá

The American Bahá’í welcomes letters to the editor on any topic of general interest. The purpose of the “letters” column is to allow a free and open exchange of ideas and opinions, never to denigrate another’s views or to attack anyone on a personal level. Opinions expressed in these columns are those of the writers, and not necessarily those of the National Spiritual Assembly or the editors.

Letters should be as brief as possible (a 250-word maximum is suggested) and are subject to editing for length and style. Please address all letters to The Editor, The American Bahá’í, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

Divorce in Bahá’í community

To the Editor:

I was encouraged by Robert Stockman’s letter (May) on the question of divorce in the U.S. Bahá’í community because it was an acknowledgement that members of the community are indeed becoming concerned about the rate of divorce among Bahá’ís.

On the other hand, I was disappointed because there was an apparent implication that, as there are no statistics on Bahá’í divorce, we need not be concerned about the matter and it is “business as usual.” This does not seem logical or realistic.

Whether or not the rate of Bahá’í divorce is comparable to that in the U.S. as a whole is surely less important than the abundant subjective evidence that our community seems to have a very relaxed attitude toward observing Bahá’u’lláh’s laws and teachings on this matter.

This damages not only the individuals concerned, but the community in general and children in particular (in our experience it was our children from the age of 6-7 onward who were constantly remarking that the majority of their Bahá’í friends came from broken homes).

Such a situation is an impediment to teaching because many outsiders look to Bahá’ís for higher standards including a stable and loving family structure. They are frequently disappointed and wonder if we really are as distinctive as we claim to be.

I know this is a sensitive topic for those of our generation which has suffered so much in this time of transition. Nevertheless, we surely have an obligation to have the courage to face the issue, not only for the sake of our children who must be helped to avoid our mistakes, but for the sake of the advancement of this great Cause.

Two lines of action are suggested. First, the collection of statistics to try and pinpoint the key problem areas. An obvious need is for data on the year of patience: how many end in reconciliation and how many in divorce? Do the vast majority end in failure, and if so, why?

Perhaps we should also know the percentage of divorces arising from Bahá’í marriages as opposed to those made before one or both parties was a Bahá’í. To say we do not have the resources to collect such data would suggest that we do not think of marriage conservation as a high priority.

The second action suggested is that the National Spiritual Assembly make a special effort to encourage local Assemblies to hold classes for those who plan to marry. Why should we do less than other religious communities to safeguard this “Fortress for Well-Being”?

John Huddleston

McLean, Virginia

Saving the environment

To the Editor:

Living in the Pacific Northwest I have seen great rain forests, deserts and farmland as well as mountains and creeks. Deer were seen in backyards less than five miles from where I lived in a city.

Mismanagement and abuse have changed this. Now, through coordinated efforts, some of our streams are beginning to grow salmon again, and clam beds are being seeded in areas where pollution had poisoned mollusks. Starfish are growing above contaminated soil.

These achievements are the result of efforts by people with various motives and values. They work because people like you and I took enough interest and had the skills necessary to consult and negotiate.

I have attended two environmental conferences this year, and Bahá’ís, because of the work of St. Barbe Baker, are known for planting trees. Let us become known also as those who can pave the way for agreement and harmony among loggers, hunters, fishermen, developers, shippers, scientists and others. Again, let us wage peace!

My address is P.O. Box 18006, Seattle, WA 98118 (phone 206-296-3980, work, or 206-723-8358, home). Please write or call.

Virginia Moimoi

Seattle, Washington

Keeping in touch with friends

To the Editor:

We Bahá’ís seem to scatter so and after years lose touch with one another.

Is it possible to have a column in The American Bahá’í wherein we may have names listed of friends from whom we would like to hear as to their present whereabouts?

It might be set up by printing only name (including maiden for women) and present address with a request for any old acquaintance one wishes to hear about.

How sad to see a person’s name listed only in the obituaries after years of wondering about them. Those of us now rooted far away from home by age or circumstances would so appreciate such contacts.

Martha (Mason) McKeown

Auburn, California

•

Although the National Spiritual Assembly is not at liberty to give out the addresses of individual Bahá’ís or Bahá’í institutions except for the official business of the Bahá’í community, it provides the service of forwarding mail. Bahá’ís who wish to contact other Bahá’ís whose addresses they do not know may simply send a letter to that person in care of the Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. The letter will be forwarded to the appropriate person if a present address is known. For international mail, the envelope in which the letter is enclosed should have the proper postage. The outer envelope should be sent to the Bahá’í National Center with a note indicating the name of the person to whom the letter should be sent.

Study sessions for youth

To the Editor:

As we sit here, at the end of a weekend of intensive study on the many facets of the Bahá’í Faith, we feel moved to share our experience with the American Bahá’í community.

Over the last few months, several Bahá’í Clubs, on various college campuses in California, have sponsored study weekends which resemble the intensive study institutes at the Bosch Bahá’í School in Santa Cruz.

Although the duration of the study weekends is much shorter, the feeling and the intensity of the experience are magnificent.

We would like to say a few words about the format to encourage the formation of more such weekends across the country.

The format has been guided by the principles outlined in the compilation on Bahá’í education. A collective library, composed of the books brought by all the participants, a set of study questions that are felt to be pertinent to the goals of the group (usually predetermined), and a serious study attitude comprise the weekend’s study aspect.

This is coupled with early morning prayers and walk/hikes, as well as play times to balance the spiritual, mental, physical and social needs of the students.

To help prepare ourselves for the future, evenings are spent presenting the results of our research to the group as a whole, thus providing an opportunity to learn to speak before groups, and an incentive and focus for the day.

We feel that these are not only spiritually and intellectually invigorating, but provide impetus and fodder for further teaching and individual deepening.

Youth Gathered at

Bahá’í Youth Research Retreat III

U. California-Santa Barbara

Bosch Youth Academy

To the Editor:

I am writing to encourage my fellow youth to attend the Bosch Youth Academy.

I went last summer, not knowing what to expect, and enjoyed it so much that I returned for the next Academy.

I learned about subjects of vital importance such as the Covenant, the mission of the American Bahá’í community, the great Plan of God, and the importance of going directly to the Writings for information.

Besides intensive study of the Writings, we had rigorous physical training which included early morning hikes and forestry work. I really appreciated these activities because they taught me teamwork, endurance and self-discipline.

I really encourage the youth to attend. It will be a valuable experience for them.

Shahla F. Maghzi

San Francisco, California

Welcoming artists

To the Editor:

Kathy Grammer’s article, “Arts can be powerful ally in our teaching efforts” (March), gives a warm welcome to all artists to apply their talents to creatively enhance the teaching and expression of the Faith.

As musicians, painters, dancers and others look for an interested and involved audience, it is wonderful to see Bahá’ís and the National Teaching Committee be so encouraging and supportive of all forms of art.

I would like to know more about other Bahá’í artists and the projects they are involved in. We may need to start a list of Bahá’í artists.

Perhaps a resource list would help artists learn from one another and help them develop new ideas, as well as inform the community about how to contact artists to perform at firesides, deepenings and Holy Day events.

Dale Blindheim

Suquamish, Washington

Shown in the 1990-91 school picture are many of those who regularly attend the Day-Star Bahá’í School-East, sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of King County Central, Washington state. The Day-Star School, whose sessions are held each Sunday during the school year, recently completed its 10th consecutive year of operation. [Page 22]

GUÍA DEL ESTUDIO PARA LA EPÍSTOLA AL HIJO DEL LOBO

En 1992, la comunidad mundial bahá’í conmemorará el centenario de la ascensión de Bahá’u’lláh. En su mensaje de Ridván 1990, la Casa Universal de Justicia anima a los creyentes a que concentren su atención sobre la importancia de este evento que se acerca. En dicho mensaje se les dice a los amigos que “Deben prepararse espiritualmente por medio de la oración y el estudio de las Enseñanzas para obtener una apreciación más profunda de la estación y del propósito de Bahá’u’lláh y del significado básico de Su poderoso Convenio. Tal preparación se encuentra en el corazón mismo de su esfuerzo por efectuar una transformación en su vida individual y colectiva.”

Con el fin de ayudar a los amigos a prepararse para el aniversario de la ascensión de Bahá’u’lláh, la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional ha escogido la Epístola Al Hijo Del Lobo como texto de estudio en el que se debe concentrar la comunidad bahá’í nacional durante el presente año bahá’í. En este número del American Bahá’í se encuentra la primera sesión de las seis que constituyen la guía elaborada para el estudio de este importante libro. Esta guía ayudará tanto a los individuos como a las comunidades para el estudio sistemático de la Epístola Al Hijo Del Lobo y para que tomen en profunda consideración la situación de Bahá’u’lláh, Su propósito y su dictamen para la transformación individual y de la sociedad. Las sesiones 2-6 aparecerán en los siguientes números del American Bahá’í.

PERSPECTIVA GENERAL DE LA GUÍA DE ESTUDIO SOBRE LA EPÍSTOLA AL HIJO DEL LOBO

Introducción: El estudio de todo escrito de Bahá’u’lláh necesita la utilización de diversas estrategias. En este estudio se leerá la Epístola Al Hijo Del Lobo en su totalidad; se identificarán los temas principales, se investigarán las referencias que Bahá’u’lláh hace con respecto al Corán, a gentes, a lugares y a eventos de Su vida, y se explorará la importancia de lo que Bahá’u’lláh dice en ésta, la última gran tabla de Su revelación. Los objetivos de esta guía de estudio son:

• Aumentar sus conocimientos sobre el contexto histórico de la revelación de Bahá’u’lláh.
• Ofrecerle una mejor percepción de la identidad de Bahá’u’lláh, de Su propósito, y de las pruebas que dan validez a Sus reivindicaciones.
• Promover un conocimiento más profundo de Sus enseñanzas.
• Mejorar su capacidad para enseñar la Causa.
• Estimular una resolución con base en el conocimiento obtenido mediante este estudio.

La guía de estudio se compone de seis sesiones, cada una de las cuales cubre algo menos de treinta páginas de la Epístola Al Hijo Del Lobo. Cada sesión tiene dos partes: “Trabajo Individual” y “Trabajo en Grupo.” El propósito de las secciones de “Trabajo Individual” es el de ayudarle a Ud. a identificar los temas e ideas principales, a comprender el significado de ciertas referencias y a prepararse para explorar cuestiones más amplias que serán tratadas en el “Trabajo en Grupo”. El propósito de la secciones de “Trabajo en Grupo” es el de crear unidad de comprensión al interior de un grupo y de discutir cuestiones más amplias que el mensaje de Bahá’u’lláh implica para los individuos y para la sociedad. Si Usted no tiene un grupo de estudio, deberá completar las secciones de “Estudio en Grupo” por sí solo. Ambas secciones, la de “Trabajo Individual” y la de “Trabajo en Grupo” se desarrollan según un proceso de estudio que se compone de cuatro partes, las cuales incluyen (1) preparación, (2) lectura, (3) reflexión y, (4) actuación fundada sobre una nueva comprensión.

El estudio en profundidad de los escritos de Bahá’u’lláh requiere tiempo y esfuerzo. Sin embargo Bahá’u’lláh promete que los beneficios obtenidos de tal esfuerzo son directamente proporcionales al entusiasmo y al esfuerzo del estudiante. Como las secciones de “Trabajo en Grupo” se basan en el conocimiento y la comprensión que se obtengan después de haber completado las secciones de “Trabajo Individual”, la totalidad de este estudio será más efectiva si se realiza el “Trabajo Individual” antes de emprender el “Trabajo en Grupo.”

Perspectiva general de la Epístola Al Hijo Del Lobo: La Epístola Al Hijo Del Lobo fue la última obra principal que emanara de la pluma de Bahá’u’lláh. Escrita alrededor de un año antes de Su muerte, acaecida en 1892, señala la terminación de cuarenta años de revelación. En la Epístola, Bahá’u’lláh cita “algunos de los pasajes más característicos y más celebrados” de su propia revelación y proclama al mundo claramente y sin hesitación quién es Él y el porqué de Su Venida. Por esta razón, la Epístola Al Hijo Del Lobo ofrece un modelo extraordinario con respecto a la manera de utilizar los escritos de Bahá’u’lláh para enseñar la Fe Bahá’í—un modelo ofrecido por Bahá’u’lláh Mismo.

En el Islam, como en otras religiones, el clero mantiene cierta influencia sobre los mahometanos. En la época de Bahá’u’lláh, el poder del clero era muy amplio. En Irak e Irán, los miembros del clero fueron responsables de gran parte de la persecución sufrida por los seguidores de Bahá’u’lláh. Bahá’u’lláh escribió la Epístola Al Hijo Del Lobo en respuesta a la tiranía de un clérigo en especial el Shaykh Muhammad Taqí-i-Najafí de Isfahan, cuyo padre, el Shaykh Muhammad-Báqir, era también un clérigo poderoso y enemigo confirmado de la causa de Bahá’u’lláh. Muchos bahá’ís sobresalientes fueron perseguidos y martirizados por órdenes suyas. A causa de su maldad, Bahá’u’lláh lo llamó “el Lobo” A su muerte, su hijo, al que Bahá’u’lláh se refiere como “el Hijo del Lobo”, tomó posesión de su alto cargo y continuó el mismo tipo de persecución.

En la Epístola Al Hijo Del Lobo, Bahá’u’lláh trata de convencer al Shaykh de que reconozca el mal hecho, de que solicite el perdón y la misericordia de Dios y de que cambie su comportamiento y reconozca la verdad de la causa de Bahá’u’lláh. Y le promete que recibirá en cambio una participación generosa del océano del perdón y de la bondad de Dios.

En el curso de su epístola o carta, Bahá’u’lláh proclama que la fuente de Su revelación es Dios. Describe las circunstancias que rodean Su revelación y repite las verdades de base ya expuestas en otros pasajes de Sus propias enseñanzas. Bahá’u’lláh reitera su identidad y da argumentos al apoyo de la veracidad de Su Causa.

Desafortunadamente las pruebas incontestables de Bahá’u’lláh encontraron oídos sordos. Aunque la Epístola Al Hijo Del Lobo se dirige ostensiblemente al Shaykh Taqí-i-Najafí, tiene así mismo otra audiencia. Bahá’u’lláh habla a toda la humanidad, recordándonos que la gran compasión y la gracia de Dios esperan a aquellos que atiendan al llamado del “Supremo Mediador,” el “Señor del Día del Juicio” y a aquellos que se levanten para servir a Su Causa poderosa. Para un resumen detallado de la Epístola Al Hijo Del Lobo, consulte The Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh: Mazra’ih and Bahjí 1877-92 (vol. 4:368-412) de Adib Taherzadeh. Para una descripción de los hechos odiosos del Lobo y del Hijo del Lobo, ver Dios Pasa: Encarcelamiento de Bahá’u’lláh en ‘Akká, de Shoghi Effendi.

SESIÓN 1: PÁGINAS 1:1—27:7

TRABAJO INDIVIDUAL PREPARACIÓN PARA EL ESTUDIO:

Materiales: Epístola Al Hijo Del Lobo, un diccionario, una copia de esta guía de estudio, tarjetas de 5x7 pulgadas o un cuaderno de espiral.

Opcional pero útil: Dios Pasa de Shoghi Effendi, The Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh: Mazra’ih and Bahjí: 1877-92 (vol. 4) de Adib Taherzadeh.

Preparación Espiritual: Lea el siguiente pasaje de la Epístola y tome unos pocos momentos para meditar sobre él: “Primero purifica tu alma con las aguas del renunciamiento y adorna tu cabeza con la corona del temor de Dios y tu sien con el ornamento de la confianza en él.” (2)

Perspectiva General de las Páginas 1:1—27:7: Los temas de la totalidad de la carta de Bahá’u’lláh resuenan con gran claridad en las páginas introductorias de la Epístola Al Hijo Del Lobo. Expresados de manera directa y entrelazados con oraciones reveladas especialmente para el Shaykh, se encuentran las siguientes declaraciones de Bahá’u’lláh:

1. Dios es la fuente de Su revelación.
2. La palabra de Dios es la prueba de la Causa de Bahá’u’lláh.
3. La unidad y unicidad han sido reveladas a la humanidad a través de Bahá’u’lláh.
4. El es la Pluma más Exaltada tanto como el Mediador Supremo, el lugar de la aparición de los nombres y la aurora de los atributos de Dios.
5. Los humanos fuimos creados para recordar a Dios, para glorificarlo, para reconocer a su Manifestación, para ser firmes y para ayudar a Su Causa.
6. Nuestra respuesta a la nueva revelación de Dios tiene consecuencias.

En las oraciones reveladas para el Shaykh (ver la Epístola: 2-7, 8-9, 10, 16) Bahá’u’lláh expone abiertamente los pecados de este clérigo y describe las consecuencias espirituales de sus acciones. A pesar de la gravedad de las transgresiones del Shaykh, el perdón de Dios está siempre al alcance de la mano (5), sin embargo se necesita un acto de voluntad. El Shaykh debe reconocer el mal hecho y solicitar el perdón de Dios. Posteriormente, debe acoger la Causa de Bahá’u’lláh y levantarse para promoverla (6-8).

Bahá’u’lláh le pide a Dios que ayude al Shaykh a ser justo y equitativo en su juicio. Si la justicia y la equidad no se practican, no puede haber ni orden ni tranquilidad en el mundo (25-26). Así mismo Bahá’u’lláh le aconseja al Shaykh que sofoque “La enemistad y el odio” que existen en el mundo mediante el “poder de la sabiduría y la fuerza de tu prolación” (11). Para ayudarlo, Bahá’u’lláh vuelve a exponer ciertas enseñanzas acerca de la justicia y de la equidad y acerca del propósito de las Manifestaciones de Dios y de la religión (11-16).

Bahá’u’lláh sugiere que si el Shaykh escuchara Su voz, arrojaría sus posesiones y lo seguiría (17). También describe las circunstancias que rodearon el nacimiento de Su Revelación en la mazmorra del Síyáh-Chál de Teherán y cuenta como las armas se convirtieron en instrumentos de paz y como la desobediencia y las vanas creencias entre Sus seguidores se transformaron en piedad y comprensión mediante el poder de Su Palabra y de la gracia de Dios (19-20).

A todo lo largo de la primera sección de la Epístola, pero más específicamente en las últimas páginas (26-27), Bahá’u’lláh va más allá del caso concreto del Shaykh y se dirige a los bahá’ís. Los anima a esforzarse “para que quizá las tribulaciones sufridas por este Agraviado y por vosotros en el sendero de Dios no resulten haber sido en vano” (26). En tanto que “pastores de la humanidad”, ellos tienen el deber de “liberar” a sus “rebaños de los lobos de las pasiones y deseos perversos y adornarlos con el ornamento del temor de Dios.” Bahá’u’lláh también les recuerda el valor que tienen un carácter virtuoso y la rectitud de conducta, y enseña que la práctica de la justicia y de la compasión se expresan en la manera como tratamos a nuestro prójimo (26).

LECTURA

Leer Para Extraer el Significado:

1. Lea y medite preguntándose a sí mismo: “¿Qué es lo que está diciendo Bahá’u’lláh?” Reléa si es necesario.
2. Lea para encontrar modelos. Trate de acordarse de otros pasajes en los que Bahá’u’lláh trate de los temas que se encuentran en las páginas 1-27. ¿Qué más dice Él acerca de ellos?
3. Las explicaciones dadas a continuación servirán para ayudarle a comprender el texto:

página
1:6	“La norma de la Palabra Más Exaltada” Al dirigirse a los líderes religiosos (La Proclamación de Bahá’u’lláh), Bahá’u’lláh afirma que “el libro en sí es la balanza infalible establecida en medio de los hombres. En esta balanza perfectísima debe pesarse todo lo que posean las gentes y las razas de la tierra...” Bahá’u’lláh ha expresado también en el Kitáb-i-Íqán (3-4) que “a menos que y únicamente cuando” la humanidad “deje de considerar las palabras y acciones de los hombres como norma para la verdadera comprensión y el conocimiento de Dios y Sus Profetas,” “el hombre nunca tendrá esperanza de alcanzar el conocimiento del Todo Glorioso, nunca podrá beber de la corriente del divino conocimiento y sabiduría, nunca podrá entrar en la morada de la inmortalidad, ni tomar del cáliz de la divina cercanía y favor....”
10:7-8	“Yo no era más que un hombre como otros, dormía en mi lecho...” ‘Abdu’l-Bahá explica el significado de estas palabras en Respuestas a Algunas Preguntas (77): “Tal es la condición de la Manifestación; no es perceptible, es una reality intelectual, exenta y libre del tiempo, sea del pasado, presente o futuro; ésta es una explicación, un símil, una metáfora, y no debe ser entendida literalmente; ni es una condición que puede ser comprendida por el hombre. Dormir y despertarse es pasar de un estado a otro. El sueño es la condición de reposo, y la vigilia es la condición de movimiento; el sueño es el estado de silencio; la vigilia es el estado de manifestación....” “Antes de manifestarse, están sigilosas y silenciosas como ‎quien duermen quienes duermen‎; después de manifestarse, hablan y están iluminados, como quien está despierto.”
12:3-4	“El es el Sutil” perceptivo, penetrante, que discierne.
12:25	“La guerra que ha envuelto a Las dos naciones” La guerra a la cual se hace referencia aquí es La guerra santa que el clero declarara durante el reino de Fath-’Alí Sháh (1797-1834), en la cual participaron Rusia y Persia siendo derrotada ésta última.
13:17	“Hablamos con el lenguaje de legislador; en otro con el del buscador de la verdad y del místico” Bahá’u’lláh reveló el Kitáb-i-Aqdas, el Libro de las Leyes, en tanto que legislador mientras que en Los Siete Valles y Los Cuatro Valles se dirige a los Sufis o místicos persas en el antiguo estilo persa.
15:22	“Hill y Haram” Consultar el glosario de la Epístola (165)
16:1	“La Kaaba” Consultar el glosario de la Epístola (167)
16:26	“El sello del Vino escogido ha sido roto” La referencia al vino escogido y sellado proviene del Corán. La palabra “sello” hace alusión al hecho de que

[Page 23]el significado de los escritos sagrados de previas dispensaciones no fue revelado sino hasta el ‎advento adviento‎ de Bahá’u’lláh. La ruptura del “sello del Vino Escogido” significa que una nueva revelación de la palabra de Dios, con el aporte de nuevas enseñanzas y de nuevas leyes, ha sido hecha pública para toda la humanidad.

17:4 “un mero pescador” Referencia a Pedro, pescador que abandonó su oficio para seguir a Cristo y hacerse uno de sus discípulos.

17:5-6 “Abu-Dhar, el pastor” Consultar el glosario de la Epístola (161).

17:29 “vindicar” defender, liberar de culpa o de acusación con pruebas al apoyo.

18:6 “un atentado contra la vida de su Majestad” Para la explicación de este evento, consultar Dios Pasa de Shoghi Effendi.

18:16 “la mazmorra de Tihrán” El Síyáh-Chál también conocido como el Pozo Negro es un viejo depósito de agua debajo de la ciudad de Tihrán, el cual fue utilizado como prisión en tiempos de Bahá’u’lláh. Para la descripción de Su experiencia en el Síyáh-Chál, consultar Dios Pasa y (vol 1:7-11).

19:17 “Victorioso por Ti Mismo y por Tu pluma” Dios envía a las Manifestaciones Divinas a fin de transmitir instrucción espiritual a la humanidad, tanto a través de Sus Palabras y de Sus hechos como del poder de los nombres y de los atributos de Dios que irradian de Sus personas. En Pasajes de Los Escritos de Bahá’u’lláh, ‎El dice Él dice‎: “El primer y más importante testimonio que establece su verdad es Él mismo. Próximo a este testimonio está su Revelación. Para quien quiera no reconozca ‎ni uno no otro ni uno ni otro‎ Él ha establecido las palabras que ha revelado, como prueba de su realidad y verdad.”

23:24-25 “Ishrág”, “Ishrágát”, “Tajallí” y “Tajalliyát” Estas tablas se encuentran en las Tablas de Bahá’u’lláh reveladas después del Kitáb-i-Aqdas.

Lectura de Profundización:

1. Haga un inventario de algunos de los temas principales en la Epístola, utilizando tarjetas de 5x7 pulgadas, una por tema. A continuación se mencionan algunos de los muchos temas que se pueden encontrar en las páginas 1-27. Haga una lista, en cada tarjeta, de ejemplos específicos de ‎un temas un tema‎ y de cualquier otra información que desee incluir (ver los ejemplos dados para sugerencias):

Directivas de Bahá’u’lláh al Shaykh (2, 7, 9, 10, 15, 16, 25)

Página	Directiva	Resultado Prometido
2	Escuchar a Dios	Acercamiento a Dios

Enseñanzas Generales y Directivas de Bahá’u’lláh (2, 4, 5, 8-9, 11, 12-13 14-16, 17, 21-24)

Página	Directiva	Resultado Prometido
11	Dios ha enviado a Mensajeros Divinos	Ellos promoverán el conocimiento de Dios y un mayor grado de unidad y de amistad entre los humanos.
12-13	A los ‎Bahá’is Bahá’ís‎: fortalecer los esfuerzos para promover la ‎causa Bahá’u’lláh causa de Bahá’u’lláh‎	El desacuerdo y las luchas de religión serán eliminados.

Directivas de Bahá’u’lláh a los Líderes y Reyes (25)

Página	Directiva	Razón
25	Apoyar la religión.	Es el instrumento principal para el establecimiento de la paz y de la tranquilidad en el mundo.

Identidad de Bahá’u’lláh (1, 8, 10, 13, 16, 20, 22, 23, 25, 26)

Página	Descripción
25	Bahá’u’lláh es la “Pluma del Intérprete Divino”

La Misión de Bahá’u’lláh (1, 8, 10, 11, 12, 16, 19, 20-21)

Página	Misión
12-13	El propósito supremo de Bahá’u’lláh y Su más grande deseo fue el de revelar la gloria y la sublimidad que existen en la unidad.

Dios Como Fuente de la Revelación de Bahá’u’lláh (1, 8, 10, 11, 12, 16, 19, 20)

Página	Dios Como Fuente de Su Revelación
8	Bahá’u’lláh no habla por un mero impulso sino que Dios “le ha dado una voz” (es decir que Lo ha hecho hablar)

La Naturaleza y el Efecto de la Palabra de Dios (1, 12-13, 17, 19, 20-21, 22)

Página	Naturaleza y Efecto de la Palabra Divina
17	La palabra de Dios transforma a la gente (Bahá’u’lláh se refiere a la transformación sufrida por Adán, Pedro y Abu-Dhar gracias a la Palabra de Dios).

El Sufrimiento de Bahá’u’lláh y Su Respuesta (15, 18-19, 20, 21)

Página	Sufrimiento	Su Respuesta
15	El Shaykh ‎a puesto ha puesto‎ a mucha gente en Su contra y ‎a azuzado ha azuzado‎ la persecución de muchos Bahá’ís	Todo lo que le pueda pasar en el sendero de Dios es el bien amado de Su alma y el deseo de Su corazón. No tiene ningún temor.

Respuestas Humanas a la Revelación de Bahá’u’lláh y Consecuencias (2-3, 4, 5, 7, 16)

Página	Acción de Dios	Respuesta Humana	Consecuencias
4	Recordó y protegió al Shaykh.	El Shaykh se alejó de Bahá’u’lláh.	La integridad y el honor del Shaykh están destruidos.

2. Para mejorar su habilidad de “recitar versos divinos cuando quiera que la ocasión lo requiera” (Tablas de Bahá’u’lláh) y para aumentar la efectividad de su enseñanza, copie varios pasajes para memorizarlos y meditar sobre ellos.

REFLEXIÓN Y REVISIÓN

Reflexión: Pase unos pocos momentos al final de cada sesión de lectura reflexionando sobre lo que acaba de leer. Haga un resumen mental de lo leído y trate de relacionarlo con lo que ya sabe. ¿Qué entendimiento espiritual ha conseguido?

Evaluación de Su Retención de los Hechos:

1. Con qué propósito fue traído a la existencia el Shaykh, y por extensión también todo ser humano? (2,3,5) ¿Con qué propósito fueron creados los sentidos? (2,6) 2. ¿Cuales fueron los resultados de la decisión que el Shaykh tomó de alejarse de Dios? (4) 3. ¿Qué efecto tienen en el mundo los dos guardas gemelos de la justicia y de la igualdad? (11) 4. ¿Qué quiere decir Bahá’u’lláh con la frase “espesas nubes de la opresión”? (13) 5. ¿Qué consejo da Bahá’u’lláh para presentar la verdad? (13) 6. ¿Qué quiere decir Bahá’u’lláh con la palabra “teólogos”? ¿Cómo describe a dichos individuos? (14) 7. ¿Cómo se debe juzgar el valor de las artes y las ciencias? (17, 26-27) 8. ¿Cuál es el valor del conocimiento? (24) 9. ¿Cuales son las dos maneras en las que Bahá’u’lláh será hecho victorioso? (19) 10. ¿Qué debe remplazar a las espadas en este día? (22, 23) 11. ¿Qué acciones conducirán a la victoria de la Causa de Dios (23) 12. ¿A quién se le da la responsabilidad de apoyar la religión? (25) 13. Nombre la causa principal de la protección de la humanidad. (24) 14. Nombre el instrumento principal para el establecimiento del orden en el mundo. (25) 15. ¿Cómo puede uno practicar la justicia y la clemencia? (26)

RESOLUCIÓN: Lea el siguiente pasaje de la Epístola (10-11) y subraye o marque las directivas que contiene. ¿Cómo puede usted actuar de acuerdo con ellas?: “Ahora es el momento de purificarte con las aguas del desprendimiento que han fluido de la Pluma Suprema y de reflexionar, enteramente por amor a Dios, sobre las cosas que de tiempo en tiempo han sido enviadas o manifestadas y luego esforzarte todo lo que puedas, para sofocar mediante el poder de la sabiduría y de la fuerza de tu prolación, el fuego de la enemistad y el odio que arde en los corazones de los pueblos del mundo.

Memorización: Escoja y luego memorice uno de los pasajes que ha copiado. ¿Cómo puede actuar de acuerdo con él? Busque o cree una oportunidad para usarlo en la enseñanza.

TRABAJO EN GRUPO

Preparación Para El Estudio:

Materiales: Epístola Al Hijo Del Lobo; Tablas de Bahá’u’lláh; Selecciones de Los Escritos del Báb; Las Palabras Ocultas; Los Siete Valles y los Cuatro Valles; El Secreto de la Civilización Divina de ‘Abdu’l-Bahá; una copia de esta guía de estudio; notas de la sección de “Trabajo Individual”.

Preparación Espiritual: Lea en voz alta la oración que se encuentra en la Epístola (16:9-25): “Tú me ves, oh mi Señor, ...” Si está trabajando con un grupo, pase algunos momentos compartiendo ideas y si está trabajando solo, ponga por escrito sus ideas.

LECTURA Y REFLEXIÓN

Revise y Comparta:

• Comparta con su grupo las respuestas a ‎la preguntas las preguntas‎ de la sección de “Trabajo Individual”. Si está trabajando por sí solo, revise sus respuestas.
• Discuta cualquier idea de interés especial. Si trabaja por sí solo, ponga por escrito las ideas que le interesaron en especial.
• Comparta sus esfuerzos de memorización y las resoluciones tomadas como consecuencia de un pasaje de la Epístola. Si trabaja solo, puede serle de utilidad mantener un diario de tales esfuerzos y de sus resultados.

Discusión: El propósito de esta sección es el de llegar a un consenso sobre las respuestas dadas a las preguntas que aparecen a continuación. Para algunas preguntas, se darán múltiples números de página a fin de ayudar a la respuesta. ‎Asígnele una páginas Asígnele una página‎ a cada miembro de su grupo (o a varios miembros, si se trata de un grupo numeroso) para que la lea y haga un reporte. En seguida consulten en tanto que grupo sobre la pregunta y formulen una respuesta para cada una. Si su grupo tiene límites de tiempo, consulten sobre las preguntas que cubrirán en grupo y las que cada individuo deberá completar por sí solo. Si está trabajando solo, escriba una corta redacción como respuesta a cada pregunta.

1. ¿Qué es el Convenio Mayor? ¿Qué responsabilidad tiene cada individuo hacia el Convenio? ¿Cuales son los beneficios que resultan de la realización de dicha responsabilidad? ¿En qué se relacionan las nueve primeras páginas de la Epístola Al Hijo Del Lobo con el Convenio Mayor? Asegúrese de tomar en consideración el propósito de la existencia humana y los resultados de realizar dicho propósito. Cite páginas al responder. 2. ¿Cómo conduce la práctica de la justicia y de la equidad al establecimiento del orden y de la tranquilidad? Piense en un problema internacional y tome en consideración las posibles soluciones con base en su comprensión de los principios de la justicia y de la equidad. Consulte la Epístola: 9, 25-26. 3. En el párrafo introductorio de la Epístola, Bahá’u’lláh afirma que la Palabra de Dios es una norma para el mundo y una demostración de la veracidad de su Revelación. ¿Cómo realiza estos dos papeles la Palabra de Dios? Lea Selecciones de los Escritos del Báb 43, 104, 105, 109, 120. 4. Bahá’u’lláh explica al Shaykh durante varias páginas lo que le ha enseñado a sus seguidores. Haga una lista de algunos de esas enseñanzas (consulte las tarjetas en las que ha hecho una lista de los temas principales). ¿Cual es el foco principal de las enseñanzas citadas? ¿Por qué cree Ud. que Bahá’u’lláh se concentra en especial en estas enseñanzas en la Epístola Al Hijo Del Lobo? 5. ¿Cómo definiría Ud. un “carácter agradable y hechos encomiables”? ¿En qué constituyen ellos una prueba del poder de la Palabra de Dios? ¿Qué efectos tienen para el progreso de la Causa de Dios? ¿Para el mundo en general? Consulte Tablas de Bahá’u’lláh, 36, 57, 257; Las Palabras Ocultas en Persa, número 69; y Secreto de la Civilización Divina, 46, 60, 98-99. 6. ¿Qué es el “temor de Dios”? ¿Por qué la gente debería temer a Dios? Tome en consideración la siguiente frase de los Siete Valles y los Cuatro Valles “todo teme a aquel que teme a Dios.” También vea la Epístola, 24 y Tablas de Bahá’u’lláh, 93, 121, 155.

RESOLUCIÓN: ¿Cómo podrían Uds. individualmente y en grupo actuar en consecuencia con la siguiente directiva de la Epístola?: “te incumbe en todo momento dirigir la atención del pueblo hacia aquello que haga de ellos los exponentes de características espirituales y acciones loables, para que sean conscientes de los que es la causa de la elevación humana y con un esfuerzo supremo puedan dirigirse hacia la más sublime posición y hacia el Pináculo de la Gloria” (24).

DEBER: Prepararse para la sesión número dos leyendo la Epístola 27:8-55:14. [Page 24]

More than 100 attend Louhelen’s first ‘Workshop for Bahá’í Youth Workshops’

More than 100 people gathered June 14-16 at the Louhelen Bahá’í School in Michigan for Project ’91, the first “Workshop for Bahá’í Youth Workshops” to learn how to be more effective in using the performing arts to teach the Faith.

The eight Bahá’í Youth Workshops represented at Project ’91 were the Atlanta Workshop; Bahá’ís in Effect (Cleveland, Ohio); Illinois Peacemakers (Glen Ellyn); Kentuckiana Workshop (Louisville); Los Angeles Workshop; LRC Performing Arts Troupe (Louhelen School); Michiana Workshop (Mishawaka, Indiana), and the Windy City Workshop (Chicago).

Workshops were made up of Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í young people age 11 and older with their adult coordinators.

Youth and adults were inspired by such excellent speakers as Jack McCants, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly, and Auxiliary Board members Javidukht Khadem and June Thomas.

Since the primary purpose of Bahá’í Youth Workshops is to teach the Faith, many speakers touched on that theme. For example, Reynaldo Cruz, secretary of the National Teaching Committee, emphasized the role of Youth Workshops as Teaching Institutes.

A highlight of the weekend was an informal talk by Joy Cross, a member of the National Race Unity Committee, and her brother, Oscar DeGruy, who founded the first Bahá’í Youth Workshop, in Los Angeles, some 20 years ago.

Besides discussing the history of that troupe and stressing the importance of teaching, they focused on the need for deepening as an integral part of the Workshop experience, showing how it is essential for effective teaching.

Existing Workshops had an opportunity to share parts of their performances with the group. And there were people attending who wanted to learn more about starting a Workshop in their area.

Everyone got a taste of the Workshop experience when all of the Project ’91 groups were given the challenge of creating new performance pieces during the weekend. These “New Workshops” used dance and drama to convey a variety of Bahá’í themes.

Dr. Rick Johnson was welcomed to his first conference as director of the Louhelen School by the enthusiasm and excitement of youth on fire with the love of God, and by the group of adult Workshop coordinators who are devoted to serving these precious young people in this vital teaching work.

Pictured (above) are many of the young people and adult coordinators who took part June 14-16 in Project ’91, the first ‘Workshop for Bahá’í Workshops,’ at the Louhelen Bahá’í School in Michigan. Below: The Louhelen Bahá’í School’s LRC Performing ‎Troup Troupe‎ entertains. (Photos by Cori Renguette)

Puyallup Bahá’í present scholarship to student for humanitarian service

For the second year, the Bahá’í community of Puyallup, Washington, has presented a scholarship to a local high school senior who has demonstrated qualities of humanitarian service to her peers and the community at large.

This year’s recipient of the $500 award, Anjanelle (Andy) Rivera, has been active in combating racism and promoting unity through her editorship of the school newspaper and her involvement in STAR (Students and Teachers Against Racism).

Last November, Miss Rivera played a major role in organizing a “multi-cultural day” for students and faculty at the school.

Florida Bahá’ís celebrate ‘Family Reunion 1991’ with gala program at St. Petersburg’s top theatre

Mary Davis and ‘New Horizons’ perform during the ‘Bahá’í Family Reunion’ held May 3-4 at the Mahaffey Theatre in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Florida’s “Family Reunion 1991” was held May 4-5 at St. Petersburg’s lovely 2,000-seat Mahaffey Theatre.

A small group of Bahá’ís in Florida devoted nine months to planning this grassroots event, which was inspired by the late Curtis Kelsey’s “family gathering” of 1970.

The vision was to create an event using music, the performing arts, and the spoken word to draw the Bahá’ís of Florida closer together so that they might experience the “unifying presence of the Holy Spirit” and become reinvigorated and rededicated to proclaiming the Cause of God.

In addition to the Family Reunion, a public proclamation event aimed at people of capacity and prominence was planned and carried out.

Other aspects of the program involved raising funds for the Arc through a silent auction, and creating a sustained and effective statewide teaching and expansion campaign with funds generated by the sale of “patron” tickets and the spirit and enthusiasm generated at the Reunion.

Artists and speakers from more than a dozen states combined their creative vision in this spirited and moving production of remarkable diversity.

The over-all theme of the program, “...let us join together to hasten forward the Divine Cause of unity, until all humanity knows itself to be one family, joined together in love” (‘Abdu’l-Bahá), was vividly experienced by everyone attending the Family Reunion.

Dr. Edward Azar, who proposed Bahá’í Peace Chair, dies at age 53

Dr. Edward Azar, former director of the University of Maryland’s Center for International Development and Conflict Management, died June 18 at his home in Washington, D.C. He was 53 years old.

Under Dr. Azar’s leadership, the Center endowed the Bahá’í Chair for World Peace. The Universal House of Justice cabled:

“We deeply deplore the untimely passing of Professor Edward E. Azar, a highly valued friend of the Bahá’í community whose successful efforts to initiate the founding of the Bahá’í Chair for World Peace at the University of Maryland are gratefully remembered. We pray for the happiness and progress of his soul in heavenly realms.

“Kindly convey our profound sympathy to members of his bereaved family and to his colleagues at the Center for International Development and Conflict Management.”

Dr. Azar, a specialist in the Middle East, served as a consultant to the President of Lebanon and was a frequent adviser to the U.S. State Department and other government agencies.

Dr. Azar, who earned his Ph.D. from Stanford University in 1969, joined the faculty of the Department of Government and Politics at the University of Maryland as a full professor in 1981, coming to Maryland from the University of North Carolina.

Shortly thereafter, Dr. Azar was named director of the university’s Center for International Development and Conflict Management, a position he held until ill health forced him to resign in 1990.

Since its inception, the CIDCM has been devoted to the resolution of ethnic, racial, economic and social conflict among and within nations. Through research, conferences and mediation, and with a data bank in conflict unique in the country, the Center has become well-known not only in the Washington area but throughout the world.

Dr. Azar first proposed the establishment of a Bahá’í Chair for World Peace in December 1988 as a direct response to the Universal House of Justice’s statement, “The Promise of World Peace,” in which the Supreme Body offered the Bahá’í community as “a model for study.”

Under his leadership, the Center has endowed the Bahá’í Chair for World Peace and is presently to have endowed fully the Anwar Sadat Chair in Population, Development and Peace. His remarkable leadership also made possible an endowment for the Khalil Gibran Chair on Values and Peace.

A number of Bahá’ís including a representative of the National Spiritual Assembly, the wife of the director for the Bahá’í Chair, and a member of the International Advisory Committee for the Bahá’í Chair attended Dr. Azar’s funeral on June 22. [Page 25]

In Honduras, a long, bumpy ride in a small, crowded plane

YOUTH

Two young Bahá’ís, Noah Bartolucci of Winston-Salem, North ‎Carolian Carolinian‎, and Jamal Reimer of Boone, North Carolina, are spending a Youth Year of Service documenting the services to the Faith of other Bahá’ís, young and old alike, in a number of areas around the world. Here is the second of a series of reports written especially for The American Bahá’í.

By NOAH BARTOLUCCI

Small planes make me nervous. They don’t have much power; they get bounced around in storms; they rarely carry co-pilots. Everyone has heard the stories. Anything can go wrong. Anything.

Today, as I climb aboard a 20-foot-long plane, I face a personal first. One look around the cabin confirms my worst suspicions. The body is riveted together; the plane must be at least 15 years old. And no co-pilot.

As we taxi down the runway, I realize that my seat belt is caught in the door. I’m two feet away from the right propeller slicing through the air—maybe I’ll not prop open the door. Maybe I’ll make the flight without my seat belt.

The plane speeds down the runway, then hurls itself into the air. We climb slowly...too slowly, I’m thinking. The pilot is having trouble getting the nose up. We’re soaring toward a tree line! I hold my breath.

We clear the trees by no more than 20 feet.

We’re departing from La Ceiba, Honduras, and our destination—an hour away—is Palacios, home of Project Bayan on the Mosquito Coast.

The project is based around a small hospital run by two Bahá’í families. Several youth have been involved in teaching there, and one will be filmed in an upcoming documentary about the Bahá’í year of service.

Jamal Reimer, who first thought of the idea for the film, is wedged against a pile of luggage in the back of the plane. He and I are the camera crew. The documentary is our year-of-service project.

The plane skims along a small chain of mountains, and I peer through the plexiglass windows. Rolling hills sprawl across the countryside, and a plush green canopy of forest covers the coast.

So far, the flight has been surprisingly smooth for a twin-engine plane. The trip seems so pleasurable, in fact, that I hardly notice we’ve sandwiched 13 people into our nine-person craft.

To my left, in a seat meant for one person, a Honduran woman sits with her two children. Her son looks to be about two years old, and her daughter is probably 10 months. They share a bag of cookies, and the girl sucks from a bottle of apple juice.

For the first 15 minutes of the flight I go unscathed—only to have cookie goo mashed on my knee. The 10-month-old is the culprit, and she has pasted herself with the same goo. Crumbs are everywhere.

The plane moves over the blue-green water of the Caribbean as the propellers dice air pockets that stand in their way. The engines drone steadily.

A voice fuzzes over the radio, and the pilot adjusts a few gauges. His instrument panel, to my astonishment, is no more elaborate than what one sees in the latest luxury-model cars. He has a few extra dials and switches; nothing more. I look at the altimeter—300 feet.

My thoughts turn to the boy next to me, who is kicking my leg. The quarters are just cramped enough to make the boy annoying, but the scenery is lovely and it commands my attention.

The coast is my favorite part of the Honduran landscape. White sand splays across stretches of beach, and mountains shoot up not more than 200 feet from the water.

The plane moves slightly inland, and I gaze down at the thick undergrowth. Mahogany, cedar and rosewood trees tower above small bushes. There are a few roads—one looks paved—and several thatched roofs mark houses.

The plane veers further inland. I see ponds and swamps. We’re still at 300 feet; it must be our cruising altitude.

Below, a river snakes through the trees. The canopy of forest is mostly deep green, but the yellowed leaves of a few palm trees break the darker shades. Mud huts can be seen through the branch tops.

As we near the end of our journey, the pilot pulls out his flight log. “Diario de Vuelos,” it reads. I can respect his need to keep records, but to write his entry he’s steering the plane with his knees. That might not cut the mustard with the FAA. I look at the altimeter—300 feet.

Dials swing and gauges tick. The engines vibrate the entire plane. I feel claustrophobic and sick to my stomach.

I’d like to open a window, but the only way to do that is to force the entire frame from its casing. That might not make the pilot too happy. Besides, with no window, the engine noise would intensify. The difference would be like listening to a jack-hammer and then putting your ear to the pavement.

The man in front of me has fallen asleep. His head rests on his seat top, and his bald spot reflects sunlight onto the ceiling. His oily scalp is a landmass of warts and evidences of exposure to the sun. My stomach churns violently. Still at 300 feet.

It’s becoming difficult to breathe now. The wings have a few uninviting gashes, and paint chips fall from the engine casing.

Turbulence. We’re descending, and coming in for the landing. But where is the air strip? Dear God! There’s no runway!

A clearing emerges from behind a patch of trees. It’s a cow pasture. And it’s our runway.

We barrel toward the field, and the plane see-saws frantically. I’m jounced against the boy to my left. He’s jolted back against me. The plane touches down and the wheels slam through cow dung. We rumble to a stop.

This is it—Palacios. I glance one last time at the altimeter: 300 feet.

“Been broken since I started flying her,” the pilot says lightheartedly.

I lurch unsteadily from the plane. Looking up, I see a family of Bahá’ís, our hosts, coming to greet Jamal and me. We made it. We’re safe. But I don’t think I’ll kiss the ground.

The family welcomes us, and their son carts off our luggage in a wheelbarrow. I watch as the last few passengers file off the plane.

The pilot hops out of his seat, and realization washes over me. I was wrong. Two people were flying that plane; ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was our co-pilot.

Jamal Reimer (left) and his Youth Year of Service companion, Noah Bartolucci, manage to smile after touching down in a cow pasture following a plane ride from La Ceiba to the Mosquito Coast in Honduras that can best be described as memorable.

Undreamed-of bounties await Bahá’í youth who arise to serve Cause by teaching overseas

Dear fellow Bahá’í youth,

Ten months ago I arrived in the Republic of Guyana with a nutshell of information and an ocean of hopes and prayers. My hopes were surpassed by the reality of the Faith in Guyana, and my prayers are answered by being accepted for a six-month extension in this country of unfathomable potentials.

I had finished one year of college, but still uncertain of what field to go into to serve the Faith best, I wanted to learn how to teach the Faith and to find a more mature outlook on future directions.

I have had the privilege of working closely under the wing of the National Teaching Committee and other institutions to deepen and learn from the amazing pioneers, and to work with people from Africa, Barbados, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, England, Israel, Malaysia, Persia, Peru, Suriname, the U.S., Venezuela, and many other islands and countries. The bounties, growth and transformation have been far more than I expected, and infinitely more than I deserve.

These bounties are waiting for the youth to rise up and seize them. They are not-far off romantic ideas that can only materialize after one has two ‎Phd’s PhDs‎ and a million dollars. I want to cry out to the masses of youth I know are dying to serve and teach before committing themselves to college. I want to cry out to them to tell them to come and see, before choosing their fields of study, a little bit of what pioneering is about. After all, if the reason we’re getting this training is to serve the Faith, what better idea than to go to a place you might like to pioneer to and then decide what to study? Get a practical idea of what is needed by the Faith and a tangible feeling of pioneering, sacrifice for the Cause, and probably the best deepening you can imagine.

A Bahá’í Youth Service Corps volunteer

Thirty men, women and children gathered June 16 for a race relations forum sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Yakima, Washington, to celebrate ‘Juneteenth.’ Guest speaker Steven Mitchell (seated center), a local teacher, presented a brief history of the civil rights movement in this country. He was joined by Bahá’í speakers Wes Baker of Seattle (left) and Ken Morphet-Brown of Yakima (seated right), both of whom spoke about the Bahá’í teachings on race unity and the healing of racism. Mr. Baker, an accomplished singer, also entertained with songs, as did the local gospel group, ‘Destiny.’ (Photo by Mary Morphet-Brown) [Page 26]

صلح اكبر و صلح اصغر

WORLD PEACE

دگرگونی‌های پرشتاب رویدادهای جهان، به ویژه در سه سال گذشته، بسیاری از احباء را بر آن داشته است که درباره مطالبی که در آثار مبارکه در خصوص برقراری صلح جهانی نازل شده است به دامن حدس و گمان بیاویزند.

در آثار حضرت بهاءالله در خصوص برقراری صلح به دو مرحله اشاره شده است: یکی صلح اصغر که صلحی سیاسی است و توسط دولت‌ها و مردم جهان ایجاد و برقرار خواهد شد؛ و دیگری صلح اعظم که زمان برقراری آن هنگامی است که آثار حضرت بهاءالله منبع اصلی هدایت جامعه جهانی و تمدن بشری خواهد بود و مؤسسات اداری بهائی کاملاً رشد خود را خواهند نمود.

حضرت ولی‌عزیز امرالله خاطرنشان ساخته‌اند که برقراری صلح اعظم مستلزم گذشت چندین قرن خواهد بود و پیش از استقرار آن جامعه بهائی از مراحل گوناگونی چون مجهولیت و مقهوریت و اشتهار و رسمیت خواهد گذشت.

همچنین به فرموده مبارک هر کدام از جوامع گوناگون بهائی در زمان خاصی این مراحل را پشت سر خواهد نهاد. توسعه و استواری جامعه جهانی بهائی به رسمیت آن و تشکیل یک نهاد جهانی بهائی خواهد انجامید و اینها همه رویدادهایی است که با صلح اعظم ارتباط می‌یابد.

صلح اصغر بسیار زودتر از صلح اعظم فرا خواهد رسید. هر چند حضرت ولی‌امرالله زمان دقیق يك دولت جهانی را معین نفرموده‌اند، با این حال چنین بیان داشته‌اند که صلح اصغر با بنای ساختمان‌های قوس حول مراقد مطهره و بلوغ مؤسسات بهائی "همزمان" خواهد بود.

حضرت عبدالبهاء در مصاحبه‌ای که یکی از روزنامه‌های مونترال با ایشان به عمل آورده بود، فرمودند که قرن بیستم شاهد برقراری صلح اصغر خواهد بود.

اما صلح اصغر واقعه‌ای نیست که یک بار صورت گیرد، بلکه فرآیندی (process) است شامل موارد و مراحل گوناگون که برخی از آن مراحل را حضرت عبدالبهاء در یکی از الواح مبارک بعنوان "شمع‌ها" یاد فرموده‌اند:

"...اتفاق کل و اتحاد عموم مکمل‌الحصول و این اسباب از معجزات این عصر مجید و قرن عظیم است و قرون ماضیه از آن محروم. زیرا این قرن انوار عالمی دیگر و قوّتی دیگر و نورانیتی دیگر دارد... و عاقبت در انجمن عالم شمع‌های روشنی برافروزد... شمع اول وحدت سیاست و جزئی اثری از آن ظاهر گردیده. و شمع دوم وحدت آراء در امور عظیمه است؛ آن نیز عنقریب اثرش ظاهر گردد. و شمع سوّم وحدت آزادی است؛ آن نیز قطعیاً حاصل گردد. و شمع چهارم وحدت دین است؛ این اصل اساس است و شاهد این وحدت در انجمن عالم به قوت الهیه جلوه نماید. و شمع پنجم وحدت وطن است؛ در این قرن این اتحاد و یگانگی نیز به نهایت قوّت ظاهر شود. جمیع ملل عالم عاقبت خود را اهل وطن واحد شمارند. و شمع ششم وحدت جنس است؛ جمیع من علی الارض مانند جنس واحد شوند و شمع هفتم وحدت لسان است؛ یعنی لسانی ایجاد گردد که عموم خلق تحصیل آن نمایند و با یکدیگر مکالمه کنند..."

حضرت ولی‌عزیز امرالله در پاسخ به یکی از احباء فرموده‌اند که این هفت شمع الزاماً به ترتیبی که حضرت عبدالبهاء ذکر فرموده‌اند ظاهر نخواهد شد. به همین جهت نباید چنین نتیجه گرفت که مثلاً چهار شمع اول تا قبل از سال ۲۰۰۰ باید در جهان واقع شود.

با این حال پیشرفت ناگهانی عالم بشری در چند سال گذشته به سوی سه شمع اول ـ وحدت سیاست و وحدت آراء در امور عظیمه و وحدت آزادی ـ آدمی را به حیرت می‌اندازد.

قبول تدریجی و عمومی دموکراسی و اقتصاد آزاد ـ و نه الزاماً نظام سرمایه‌داری ـ را می‌توان نمونه‌ای از "وحدت آراء در امور عظیمه" دانست. تلاش برای ایجاد نظمی جدید بر اساس خلع سلاح دولت‌ها و کوشش برای حل مشکلات بین‌المللی را می‌توان طلیعه "وحدت سیاست" شمرد. سقوط و از میان رفتن حکومت‌های خودکامه اروپای شرقی را می‌توان سرآغاز "وحدت آزادی" به حساب آورد.

ناگفته پیداست که در هر يك از این سه مورد جای پیشرفت و ترقی بسیار است. آنچه ذکر شد فقط نمودار قدم‌های نخستین برای سفری دور و دراز است. هنوز دانسته نیست که چه مقدار سختی و تلخی و رنج لازم است تا "وحدت وطن" در سال‌های باقیمانده سده کنونی صورت گیرد. همچنین معلوم نیست که این وحدت به چه شکل و با چه مشخصاتی پدید خواهد آمد.

زمان فراهم آمدن "وحدت دین" و "وحدت جنس و نژاد" و "وحدت لسان" نیز در نهانگاه آینده‌ای ناپیدا نهفته است.

اما آنچه ما می‌دانیم پیشرفت ناگزیر و پیوسته امر الهی است؛ پیشروی عاشقان جمال ابهی در کشور جان‌هاست. و با یقین می‌دانیم که آنچه حضرت عبدالبهاء بعنوان "شمع" یاد فرموده‌اند حاصل خواهد شد زیرا به فرموده مبارک: "این امور که ذکر شد جمیعاً قطعی‌الحصول است زیرا قوّتی ملکوتیه مؤید آن."

پیمان سازمان ملل متحد برای حقوق اطفال

UN CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD

در هشت ماه آینده بسیاری از کودکان از سراسر ایالات متحده به جمع‌آوری امضاء از همقطاران و دوستانشان خواهند پرداخت و جورج بوش، رئیس جمهوری ایالات متحده را تشویق به توشیح پیمان سازمان ملل برای حقوق اطفال خواهند نمود. پیمان مذکور عهدنامه‌ای است که به موجب آن حقوق اولیه اطفال تأمین خواهد شد.

چندین سال است که محفل روحانی ملی با همکاری با چند سازمان غیردولتی (از جمله سازمان عفو بین‌المللی Amnesty International و کانون وکلای آمریکا the American Bar Association و غیره) می‌کوشد که به تصویب پیمان‌نامه‌های گوناگون سازمان ملل متحد در آمریکا كمك نماید.

محفل روحانی ملی جوامع و مدارس و کنفرانس‌های بهائی را تشویق می‌نماید که حمایت خود را از این برنامه جمع‌آوری امضاء برای پیوستن به پیمان‌نامه حقوق اطفال دریغ ننمایند.

حقوق الله

HUQUQU’LLAH

حضرت بهاءالله می‌فرمایند: "امروز بر هر نفسی خدمت امرالله لازم. امورات ارض را حق جل جلاله به اسباب معلق فرموده. حقوق الهی را هر نفسی باید اداء نماید."

از دوستان عزیز مستدعی است تقدیمی‌های حقوق‌الله را در وجه Bahá’í Huququ’llah Trust به نشانی یکی از امنای حقوق‌الله ارسال فرمایند.

Dr. Amin Banani Santa Monica, CA. 90402

Dr. Daryush Haghighi Rocky River, OH. 44116

Dr. Elsie Austin P.O. Box 927 Silver Spring, MD. 20910

موفقیت مؤسسات تبلیغی

SUCCESS ‎IN OF IN‎ TEACHING INSTITUTES

حدود ۵۰ نفر که بیشتر آنها را جوانان تشکیل می‌دهند تصمیم گرفته‌اند که تابستان امسال را به طور تمام وقت صرف تبلیغ امر مبارک در ایالت اورگان نمایند. بعضی از این عزیزان بیش از يك سال است که به این فعالیت مشغول بوده‌اند و تصمیمشان بر این است که خدمات تبلیغی مذکور را تا آخر نقشه شش‌ساله ادامه دهند.

این گروه تبلیغی خدمات خود را تحت نظر لجنه ناحیه‌ای تبلیغی غرب اورگان دنبال می‌کند.

کوشش‌های تبلیغی گروه مذکور با يك دوره ۱۲ روزه مؤسسات تبلیغی که شامل جلسات تزیید معلومات بود، شروع شد که توسط یکی از اعضای هیئت معاونت اداره می‌شد.

۹ روز اول شامل برنامه فشرده‌ای برای کسب روحانیت بیشتر و حاوی مطالعه دقیق "کلمات مکنونه" و "هفت وادی" و "چهار وادی" بود. سه روز بعد این مؤسسه تبلیغی حاوی آشنائی با گروه‌هائی بود که هدف تبلیغ امر مبارک بودند.

این گروه‌ها عبارت بودند از: سیاهپوستان و سرخپوستان و اسپانیولی‌زبان‌ها. در سه روز آخر مؤسسه تبلیغی مطالبی درباره فرهنگ و آداب این گروه‌ها و همچنین روش‌های گوناگون تبلیغ برای گروه‌های مذکور به شرکت‌کنندگان در مؤسسه تبلیغی آموخته شد.

سپس شرکت‌کنندگان در این برنامه تبلیغی به سه گروه تقسیم شدند. ارائه امر مبارک در هر کدام از این سه گروه بر اساس بیانیه محفل روحانی ملی درباره وحدت نژادی و بیانیه صلح و بیانیه راجع به حضرت بهاءالله بود.

فعالیت‌های این مؤسسه تبلیغی می‌تواند بعنوان نمونه‌ای برای یاران تلقی شود.

میدان خدمت

FIELD OF SERVICE

احتیاج به پزشک در داکوتای جنوبی

DOCTORS FOR SOUTH DAKOTA

در یکی از مناطق سرخپوست نشین ایگل بیوت در ایالت ‎داکوتای شمالی داکوتای جنوبی‎ احتیاج مبرمی به پزشک عمومی و متخصص زنان است. لجنه ملی نشر نفحات از پزشکان بهائی و خانواده‌هایشان که قصد مهاجرت به داخل کشور را دارند تقاضا می‌کند ایگل بیوت را در صدر تصمیمات خود قرار دهند. از یاران تقاضا می‌شود برای کسب اطلاعات بیشتر با آقای تری پوییر Terry Pourier تلفن: ۹۴۱۱-۲۸۴ (۶۰۵) یا با خانم ساندرا فریزیر Sandra Frazier تلفن: ۷۳۴۰-۹۶۴ (۶۰۵) تماس حاصل نمایند.

میزبان برای دانشجویان چینی

HOSTS OF CHINESE STUDENTS

لجنه ملی تبلیغ چینیان در صدد یافتن یارانی است که بتوانند میزبان دانشجویان چینی بشوند. در حال حاضر حدود ۴۲ هزار دانشجوی چینی در آمریکا به سر می‌برند.

خانواده‌هائی که فرزندان یا بستگان نزدیکشان با آنها زندگی می‌کنند مورد نیاز بیشتری هستند. این خانواده‌ها لازم نیست در يك شهر دانشجوئی زندگی کنند و همین که نزديك چنین شهرهائی سکونت داشته باشند کافی است.

میزبان بودن به این معنی است که هر از گاهی از دانشجویی برای صرف غذا دعوت به عمل آید و اساس دوستی پایداری ریخته شود و به دانشجو كمك شود که با وضع جدید زندگی در محیط تازه عادت کند.

علاقه‌مندان می‌توانند برای کسب اطلاعات بیشتر با دفتر لجنه تبلیغ چینیان در دفتر محفل ملی تماس حاصل نمایند. تلفن: ۹۰۳۹-۸۶۹ (۷۰۸) داخلی ۲۳۱. [Page 27]

پیام بیت‌العدل اعظم الهی

MESSAGE FROM THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

ترجمه پیام بیت‌العدل اعظم الهی خطاب به بهائیان عالم مورخ ۲۰ جون ۱۹۹۱

با کمال خوشوقتی اعلام می‌داریم که پس از وصول جواز برای شروع دوّمین مرحله بنای طبقات مقام اعلی و خاک‌برداری برای اوّلین ساختمان از دو بنای مورد نظر و پس از اتمام تشریفات مناقصه، قرارداد مربوطه در ۱۷ جون ۱۹۹۱ به امضاء رسید و مرحلهٔ دوّم اجرای طرح‌های ساختمانی جبل کرمل رسماً آغاز گردید.

این مرحله که انتظار می‌رود قریب شانزده ماه به طول انجامد، مشتمل است بر خاک‌برداری و پی‌ریزی جهت دو ساختمان مرکز مطالعه نصوص و بنای منضمّ به دارالآثار و نیز تسطیح زمین‌های پنج طبقهٔ اوّل از طبقات تحتانی و توسعهٔ طبقهٔ اصلی مقام مقدّس اعلی. جمع مصارف این مرحله پنج میلیون دلار برآورد شده است.

تقاضا می‌شود یاران با ادامهٔ بذل تبرّعات پیشرفت بلانقطاع این مشروعات را تضمین نمایند.

در اعتاب مقدّسه تأییدات الهیّه را برای تحقّق این مشروع تاریخی مسألت داریم.

بیت‌العدل اعظم

تشکیل نخستین محفل روحانی ملّی چکسلواکی

FIRST NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHA’IS OF CZECHOSLOVAKIA

نخستین محفل روحانی ملّی چکسلواکی در رضوان سال جاری در پراگ، پایتخت آن کشور، تشکیل گردید. ایادی عزیز امرالله جناب دکتر علیمحمّد ورقاء، به نمایندگی از جانب بیت‌العدل اعظم الهی در کانونش ملّی چکسلواکی شرکت کردند.

پیشرفت عملیات ساختمانی مقام اعلی

CONSTRUCTION WORK AT THE SHRINE OF THE BAB

شش اتاق از نه اتاق مقام حضرت اعلی تحت نظارت حضرت عبدالبهاء ساخته شد. همچنین هیکل مبارک باغچهٔ کوچکی را در قسمت‌های شرقی و غربی و شمالی مقام طرح ریختند.

ممکن است بعضی از درخت‌هائی که در زمان حیات مبارک غرس شده هنوز پا بر جا باشد اما درختان بسیاری در دوره ولایت حضرت ولی امرالله کاشته شد که هنوز هم در حال رشد و بالیدن است.

تعدادی از این درخت‌ها در حول و حوش طبقاتی است که در حال حاضر در شرف ساخته شدن است. جهت نگهداری این درختان کمیاب حدود ۲۵۰ درخت به محل دیگری منتقل شده است تا پس از اتمام ساختمان طبقات دوباره به محل اصلی منتقل شود.

همچنین ایادی عزیز امرالله حضرت امة‌البهاء روحیه خانم ترتیب تزیین داخل ایوان اطراف مقام اعلی را فراهم فرموده‌اند.

در دههٔ چهل قرن حاضر، هنگامی که ایادی امرالله جناب ویلیام ساترلند مکسول William Sutherland Maxwell بنای مقام حضرت اعلی را طراحی می‌نمود، قرار بر این بود که ایوان دور مقام را چراغ‌هائی که متّصل به سقف بود، روشن کند.

روبنای مقام حضرت اعلی در سال ۱۹۵۳ ساخته شد اما حوادثی که در آن زمان در ارض اقدس رخ داد مانع از آن شد که چراغ‌های مذکور نصب شود. حضرت خانم مایل بودند آنها را از همان شرکتی خریداری کنند که چهار فانوسی را که در گوشه‌های ایوان مقام قرار دارد، ساخته بود. حضرت روحیه خانم در سفر به مادرید در اسپانیا به همراهی حضرت ولی عزیز امرالله از شرکت مذکور دیدار کرده بودند و چهار فانوس مذکور مورد پسند حضرت ولی امرالله قرار گرفته بود.

در سفر اخیر روحیه خانم به اسپانیا جهت شرکت در کنفرانس ناحیه‌ای زنان، مشارّ الیها فرصت یافتند که شرکت مذکور را پیدا کنند و چراغ‌های برنزی سقف ایوان مقام را سفارش دهند. این چراغ‌ها مطابق طرح اصلی در محل خود نصب شده و تزئینات داخل ایوان مقام اعلی را تکمیل کرده است.

ترجمه نامه محفل روحانی ملّی خطاب به محافل روحانی محلّی مورخ ۲۸ جون ۱۹۹۱

دوستان عزیز بهائی،

کنگره جهانی بهائی، مهم‌ترین واقعه سال مقدّس ۱۹۹۲ به فرمان بیت‌العدل اعظم الهی تشکیل خواهد شد. هدف از تشکیل این کنگره به فرموده معهد اعلی: "بزرگداشت صدمین سال اعلان عهد و پیمان حضرت بهاءالله و اعلام اهداف و قوای وحدت‌بخش آن" است. اصل و اساس این بزرگداشت حس اعجاب و سروری است که عهد و میثاق الهی در دل یاران ایجاد می‌کند.

همانطور که به آگاهی دوستان عزیز رسیده است، اوراق نام‌نویسی برای کنگره جهانی به تازگی به همه محافل روحانی محلّی فرستاده شد. این اوراق توسط "دفتر امور اجرائی کنگره جهانی" تنظیم شده است. دفتر مذکور از سوی بیت‌العدل اعظم الهی اختیار یافته که ترتیبات مربوط به سفر و محل سکونت بیش از ۳۰۰۰۰ نفر بهائی را که انتظار می‌رود در کنگره مذکور شرکت نمایند، فراهم نماید.

برخی از یاران در مورد هزینه سفر هوائی و هتل اظهار نگرانی کرده و گفته‌اند که می‌توان این ترتیبات را با مخارج کمتری فراهم نمود. علاوه بر این، محفل روحانی ملّی آگاه است که یک آژانس مسافرتی با جوامع بهائی تماس حاصل نموده و مدّعی شده است که می‌تواند با هزینه کمتری ترتیبات بهتر سفر و اقامت دوستان را فراهم نماید. از آنجا که محفل روحانی ملّی نگران است که این ادّعا دوستان عزیز را گمراه نماید، صلاح را در آن دید که جهت کمک به یاران مطالب زیر را به آگاهی آن عزیزان برساند تا موضوع روشن شود:

- بیت‌العدل اعظم الهی "دفتر امور اجرائی کنگره جهانی" را تأسیس فرموده و اختیار فراهم ساختن ترتیبات سفر و محل اقامت دوستان را برای شرکت در کنگره جهانی بر عهدهٔ آن دفتر نهاده است.

- این ترتیبات برای تأمین امنیت شرکت‌کنندگان و ایجاد خدمات مخصوص و تأمین کمترین هزینه موجود فراهم شده است. اگر هزینه سفر و مخارج محل سکونت کاهش یابد، یاران ما به التفاوت آن را دریافت خواهند داشت. در صورتی که این مخارج بالاتر رود، یاران بدهکار نخواهند بود.

- شرکت‌های هوائی و هتل‌ها جهت برآورد هزینه خود، با در نظر داشتن تورّم، از شاخص‌های ویژه‌ای استفاده می‌کنند. نرخ واقعی سفر و هزینه اقامت در آینده نمی‌تواند قطعاً مشخّص شود. بنابراین لازم است که برای گرفتن تعهّد از شرکت‌های هوائی و هتل‌ها رقمی بعنوان حدّ اکثر تضمین شود. با این حال دوستان حدّ اکثر تخفیف را برای مخارج مذکور دریافت خواهند داشت و مخارج لازم از آنچه در دفترچه راهنمای نام‌نویسی درج شده است - حتّی اگر هم هزینه‌ها در آینده بالاتر برود - بیشتر نخواهد بود.

- در مورد پیش‌پرداخت حدّ اقل ۵۰ درصد کلّ مخارج شرکت در کنگره جهانی، باید گفت که از این وجوه جهت تأمین ترتیبات سفر و محل اقامت استفاده خواهد شد. مبالغ پیش‌پرداخت به حساب پس‌انداز با بهره جهت کمک به صندوق‌های بهائی واریز خواهد شد. نزول حاصل از این مبالغ صرف کمک به کاهش مخارج کنگره جهانی خواهد شد که تنها درصد کمی از آن از محل مبلغ نام‌نویسی شرکت‌کنندگان در کنگره جهانی تأمین می‌گردد.

اما آژانس خصوصی مذکور که ترتیبات دیگری برای شرکت‌کنندگان در کنگره جهانی فراهم نموده است، امکان استفاده از کارت‌های اعتباری credit cards را میسّر نمی‌سازد؛ ضمانت نمی‌کند که نرخ هتل و هزینه سفر بالاتر نخواهد رفت؛ شروط و محدودیت‌هائی برای مخارج هوائی دارد و بلیط‌ها قابل تغییر و وجوه قابل پس گرفتن نیست؛ شامل صبحانه کامل آمریکائی نیست؛ اتاقهائی با تخت‌های یک‌نفره دارد و بنابراین شرایط دشوارتری برای خانواده‌ها ایجاد می‌کند؛ و تسهیلاتی از قبیل کمک در فرودگاه و هتل و دیگر جاها را فراهم نمی‌سازد. بدین ترتیب می‌توان نتیجه گرفت که آژانس مذکور با ذکر ترتیباتی که برای سفر و محل اقامت ارائه داده، در مقایسه با آنچه "دفتر امور اجرائی کنگره جهانی" فراهم ساخته، یاران را گمراه ساخته است. در نتیجه یاران باید ترتیبات و جزئیات را پیش از خرید کاملاً بررسی نمایند.

امید است که مطالب مربوط به سفر و محل اقامت را با یاران عزیز در میان نهید و آنان را به اقدام به نام‌نویسی هر چه زودتر تشویق نمایید. یاران باید مطمئن باشند که "دفتر امور اجرائی کنگره جهانی" مشتاق خدمت به یاران و تقدیم هر گونه کمک به آنان است. اگر در خصوص مطالبی که در بالا بدان اشاره شد، سؤالاتی داشته باشند، می‌توانند با "دفتر امور اجرایی کنگره جهانی" در دفتر محلّی ملی تماس حاصل نمایند.

با تحیات بهائی محفل روحانی ملّی بهائیان ایالات متّحده آمریکا [Page 28]

Complete listing of District Convention sites

Unit 1. Alabama, Northern Alagasco Midtown Center, 20 South 20th Street (enter on 19th Street South), Birmingham, AL; October 6, 1991; 10:30am (Registration: 9:30am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35205-2549. Phone for info: 205/251-3770.

Unit 2. Alabama, S/Florida, NW Performing Arts Center, 1000 Selma Avenue, Selma, AL; October 6, 1991; 10:00am (Registration: 9:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Montgomery, P.O. Box 1131, Montgomery, AL 36102. Phone for info: 205/281-9765.

Unit 3. Arkansas Mail ballots to: LSA of Little Rock, Little Rock Bahá’í Center, Little Rock, AR 72205. Phone for info: 501/666-7867.

Unit 4. Arizona, Northern-A Yavapai Community College, 1100 E. Sheldon Street, Prescott, AZ; October 6, 1991; 9:00am (Registration: 8:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Prescott, P.O. Box 2203, Prescott, AZ 86301. Phone for info: 602/445-0843.

Unit 5. Arizona, Northern-B Chandler Community Center, 125 E. Commonwealth, Chandler, AZ; October 6, 1991; 1:00pm (Registration: 12:30pm). Mail ballots to: LSA of Chandler, Chandler, AZ 85224. Phone for info: 602/899-4046.

Unit 6. Arizona, Northern-C Phoenix Bahá’í Center, 944 E. Mountain View, Phoenix, AZ; October 6, 1991; 10:30am (Registration: 9:30am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Phoenix, P.O. Box 9961, Phoenix, AZ 85068. Phone for info: 602/943-3837.

Unit 7. Arizona, Southern Northwest Center, 2160 North 6th Avenue, Tucson, AZ; October 6, 1991; 10:00am (Registration: 9:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Tucson, P.O. Box 41961, Tucson, AZ 85717. Phone for info: 602/795-2785.

Unit 8. California, Central #1-A Community Activities Bldg., 1400 Roosevelt Ave., Redwood City, CA; October 13, 1991; 10:00am (Registration: 9:30am). Mail ballots to: LSA of San Mateo County South JD, P.O. Box 2534, Menlo Park, CA 94026. Phone for info: 415/854-8259.

Unit 9. California, Central #1-B Holiday Inn, Walnut Creek, 2730 N. Main Street, Walnut Creek, CA; October 6, 1991; 10:00am (Registration: 9:15am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Walnut Creek, c/o Denise Banister, Walnut Creek, CA 94596. Phone for info: 415/945-8560.

Unit 10. California, Central #1-C Chabot College, 25555 Hesperian Blvd., Hayward, CA; October 6, 1991; 10:00am (Registration: 9:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Hayward, P.O. Box 3474, Hayward, CA, 94540. Phone for info: 415/537-0575.

Unit 11. California, Central #1-D Bosch Bahá’í School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA; October 6, 1991; 9:30am (Registration: 9:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Santa Cruz County North, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Phone for info: 408/427-0621.

Unit 12. California, Central #1-E Strawberry Park School, 730 Camina Escuela, San Jose, CA; October 6, 1991; 9:00am (Registration: 8:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Mtn. View, P.O. Box 1223, Mtn. View, CA 94040. Phone for info: 415/961-5286.

Unit 13. California, Central #1-F San Benancio School, 43 San Benancio Rd., Salinas, CA; October 6, 1991; 9:30am (Registration: 9:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Monterey, P.O. Box 1131, Monterey, CA 93940. Phone for info: 408/647-9862.

Unit 14. California, Central #1-G Phone for info: ‎Baha’i Bahá’í‎ National Center, Office of the Scty. 708/869-9039 ext. 209.

Unit 15. California, Central #2 Modesto Community Center, 800 East Morris Avenue, Modesto, CA; October 6, 1991; 10:00am (Registration: 9:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Modesto, P.O. Box 1893, Modesto, CA 95354. Phone for info: 209/521-0772.

Unit 16. California, North #1-A Senior Citizens Hall, 249 Elk, Redding, CA; October 6, 1991; 10:00am (Registration: 9:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Redding, P.O. Box 494434, Redding, CA 96049-4434. Phone for info: 916/223-0776.

Unit 17. California, North #1-B Sacramento City College, 3835 Freeport Blvd., Sacramento, CA; October 12, 1991; 10:00am (Registration: 8:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Sacramento, P.O. Box 161252, Sacramento, CA 95816. Phone for info: 916/929-0632.

Unit 18. California, North #2 Lakeport Senior Center, 527 Konocti Ave., Lakeport, CA; October 6, 1991; 11:00am (Registration: 9:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Northlake J.D., Kelseyville, CA 95451. Phone for info: 707/263-1005.

Unit 19. California, Southern #1-A City of Palmdale Sr. Citizen’s Center, 1002 East Ave. Q-12, Palmdale, CA; October 6, 1991; 1:30pm (Registration: 12:30pm). Mail ballots to: LSA of Palmdale, Palmdale, CA 93550. Phone for info: 805/273-4678.

Unit 20. California, Southern #1-B Burton Chace Community Bldg. (West end of Mindanao Way), Marina del Rey, CA; October 6, 1991; 1:00pm (Registration: 11:30pm). Mail ballots to: LSA of Culver J. D., Los Angeles, CA 90008. Phone for info: 213/822-2009.

Unit 21. California, Southern #1-C Los Angeles Bahá’í Center, 5755 Rodeo Road, Los Angeles, CA; October 6, 1991; 1:00pm (Registration: 12:30pm). Mail ballots to: LSA of Los Angeles, Attn: Barbara Bray West, San Pedro, CA 90732. Phone for info: 213/519-1811.

Unit 22. California, Southern #1-D Mail ballots to: LSA of Alta Dena, c/o Mrs. Phyllis Barrett, Sec., Alta Dena, CA 91001-3329. Phone for info: 818/798-3755.

Unit 23. California, Southern #1-E YMCA of Torrance, 2900 W. Sepulveda Blvd., Torrance, CA; October 6, 1991; 1:30pm (Registration: 1:00pm). Mail ballots to: LSA of Torrance, P.O. Box 6788, Torrance, CA 90504. Phone for info: 213/327-8446.

Unit 24. California, Southern #1-F Rio Hondo Jr. College, 3600 S. Workman Mill Rd., Whittier, CA; October 6, 1991; 1:00pm (Registration: 12:00noon). Mail ballots to: LSA of Whittier JD, Whittier, CA 90606. Phone for info: 213/695-7162.

Unit 25. California, Southern #2-A Wyndom Hotel, 888 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA; October 13, 1991; 10:00am (Registration: 9:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Palm Springs, P.O. Box 4515, Palm Springs, CA 92263. Phone for info: 619/327-8837.

Unit 26. California, Southern #2-B Fullerton Sr. Multiservice Ctr., 340 W. Commonwealth, Fullerton, CA; October 6, 1991; 10:00am (Registration: 9:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Santa Ana, P.O. Box 28354, Santa Ana, CA 92799. Phone for info: 714/839-7672.

Unit 27. California, Southern #2-C Mail ballots to: LSA of San Clemente, P.O. Box 5181, San Clemente, CA 92672. Phone for info: 714/248-7947.

Unit 28. California, Southern #3 UCEN, University of Calif., Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA; October 6, 1991; 9:30am (Registration: 8:30am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Santa Barbara, P.O. Box 1327, Santa Barbara, CA 93102. Phone for info: 805/969-6985.

Unit 29. California, Southern #4-A Japanese Cultural Center, 150 Cedar Road, Vista, CA; October 6, 1991; 9:30am (Registration: 8:30am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Vista, P.O. Box 1406, Vista, CA 92083. Phone for info: 619/724-1200.

Unit 30. California, Southern #4-B Lakeside Community Center, 9841 Vine Street, Lakeside, CA; October 6, 1991; 12:00noon (Registration: 11:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Chula Vista, P.O. Box 287, Chula Vista, CA 91912. Phone for info: 619/420-9539.

Unit 31. California, Southern #4-C San Diego Bahá’í Center, 6545 Alcala Knolls Drive, San Diego, CA; October 6, 1991; 1:00pm (Registration: 12:00noon). Mail ballots to: LSA of San Diego, San Diego Bahá’í Center, 6545 Alcala Knolls Drive, San Diego, CA 92111. Phone for info: 619/592-9022.

Unit 32. Colorado, Northeast The University Center (at 11th Ave. and 20th St.), University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO; October 6, 1991; 9:00am (Registration: 8:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Fort Collins, P.O. Box 1118, Ft. Collins, CO 80522. Phone for info: 303/223-0246.

Unit 33. Colorado, Southeast (Tentative) University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, Austin Bluffs Parkway, Colorado Springs, CO; 9:30am (Registration: 8:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Colorado Springs, c/o Mr. Tony Goggans, Colorado Springs, CO 80918. Phone for info: 719/593-8833.

Unit 34. Colorado, Western Montezuma County Annex Bldg., 107 N. Chestnut (& Montezuma), Cortez, CO; October 6, 1991; 9:30am (Registration: 8:30am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Montezuma County, P.O. Box 308, Cortez, CO 81321. Phone for info: 303/533-7771.

Unit 35. Connecticut Mohegan Community College, Mahan Drive, Norwich, CT; October 6, 1991; 9:30am (Registration: 8:30am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Ledyard, P.O. Box 31, Ledyard, CT 06339. Phone for info: 203/536-4166.

Unit 36. Delmarva Ruddertowne Convention Center, Route 1, Dewey Beach, DE; October 6, 1991; 9:30am (Registration: 8:30am). Mail ballots to: LSA of New Castle Co. West, c/o Jean Burgess, Sec., Wilmington, DE 19808. Phone for info: 302/239-9200.

Unit 37. Florida, Central Gold Key Inn, 7100 S. Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, FL; October 6, 1991; 9:00am (Registration: 8:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Orange Co. West, P.O. Box 68056, Orlando, FL 32868. Phone for info: 407/299-8275.

Unit 38. Florida, Northern Jacksonville ‎Baha’i Bahá’í‎ Center, 2140 St. John’s Bluff Rd. South, Jacksonville, FL; October 6, 1991; 10:00am (Registration: 8:30am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Jacksonville, South, Jacksonville, FL 32216. Phone for info: 904/645-6188.

Unit 39. Florida, Southeast-A Spanish River High School, 5100 Jog Road, Boca Raton, FL; October 6, 1991; 9:00am (Registration: 8:30am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Palm Beach Cnty. N., c/o Dorie Cornwell, Palm Beach, FL 33411. Phone for info: 407/845-1919 or 407/793-6445.

Unit 40. Florida, Southeast-B Pompano Beach Recreation Center, 1801 N.E. 6th St., Pompano Beach, FL; October 6, 1991; 9:00am (Registration: 8:15am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Fort Lauderdale, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33308. Phone for info: 305/772-0911.

Unit 41. Florida, Southeast-C Manford Interfaith Retreat Center, 17300 S.W. 177th Ave., Miami, FL; Saturday, October 5, 1991; 10:00am (Registration: 9:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Dade Co. South, P.O. Box 570328, Miami, FL 33257-0328. Phone for info: 305/232-4473.

Unit 42. Florida, Southwest Sun Pavilion at the Bayfront Center, 400 First St. S., St. Petersburg, FL; October 6, 1991; 10:00am (Registration: 9:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of St. Petersburg, P.O. Box 15343, St. Petersburg, FL 33733-5343. Phone for info: 813/821-8461.

Unit 43. Georgia, Northeast Tucker Hall, University of Georgia, Green Street, Athens, GA; October 6, 1991. Mail ballots to: LSA of Columbia Cnty East, c/o Harlem, GA 30814. Phone for info: 404/556-6716.

Unit 44. Georgia, Northwest-A Kid’s Unlimited, 5584 Highway 92, Woodstock, GA; October 6, 1991; 10:00am (Registration: 9:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Cherokee County, Phone for info: 404/928-4496.

Unit 45. Georgia, Northwest-B Thompson Community Center, 555 Nickajack Rd., Mableton, GA; October 6, 1991; 10:00am (Registration: 10:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Fulton County Central, c/o Mrs. Donna Afshani, Atlanta, GA 30328. Phone for info: (Dr. Nadimi) 404/455-8888.

Unit 46. Georgia, Northwest-C White Hall at Emory University, 480 Kilgo Circle, Atlanta, GA; October 6, 1991; 9:00am (Registration: 8:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of DeKalb Cnty. South, c/o Larry Strickland, Lithonia, GA 30038. Phone for info: 404/987-1375.

Unit 47. Georgia, Southern-A Mail ballots to: LSA of Macon, c/o Mrs. Anne Moshtael, Sec., Macon, GA 31206. Phone for info: 912/784-1882.

Unit 48. Georgia, Southern-B Mail ballots to: LSA of Glynn Cnty., c/o Mrs. Patricia Whitmore, St. Simons Island, GA 31522. Phone for info: 912/634-0658.

Unit 49. Georgia, Southern-C Albany, GA; October 6, 1991; 11:00am (Registration: 11:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Albany, Albany, GA 31705. Phone for info: 912/883-6929.

Unit 50. Iowa Pioneer-Columbus Community Center, 2100 Southeast 5th St., Des Moines, IA; [Page 29]

Conventions

October 6, 1991; 10:00am (Registration: 8:30am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Des Moines, P.O. Box 8244, Des Moines, IA 50301. Phone for info: 515/263-2778.

Unit 51. Idaho, N./Washington, E. Student Union Bldg., University of Idaho, Moscow, ID; October 13, 1991; 10:00am (Registration: 9:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Moscow, P.O. Box 3812, Moscow, ID 83843-0481. Phone for info: 208/882-6823.

Unit 52. Idaho, Southern Burley Inn, Burley, ID; October 6, 1991; 9:30am (Registration: 9:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Pocatello, c/o Dawn Bowman, Pocatello, ID 83204. Phone for info: 208/233-9849.

Unit 53. Illinois, Northern #1 Howard Johnson’s, 306 S. Lincolnway, off the East/West tollway (I-88) & Route 31, North Aurora, IL; October 6, 1991; 10:00am (Registration: 9:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Aurora, c/o Jeannie Kuipers, Aurora, IL 60505-4656. Phone for info: 708/859-8869.

Unit 54. Illinois, Northern #2-A Freedom Hall, 410 Lakewood Blvd., Park Forest, IL; October 6, 1991; 9:30am (Registration: 9:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Park Forest, c/o Mrs. Bonnie Petit, Sec., P.O. Box 158, Park Forest, IL 60466. Phone for info: 708/354-7018.

Unit 55. Illinois, Northern #2-B Bahá’í House of Worship, Wilmette, IL; Saturday, October 5, 1991; 10:00am (Registration: 9:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Northbrook, c/o Eleanor Eldred, Sec., Northbrook, IL 60062. Phone for info: 708/564-1996.

Unit 56. Illinois, Northern #2-C Chicago Bahá’í Center, 3321 S. Calumet, Chicago, IL; October 6, 1991; 1:30pm (Registration: 1:00pm). Mail ballots to: LSA of Chicago, 3321 S. Calumet Ave., Chicago, IL 60616. Phone for info: 312/743-8729.

Unit 57. Illinois, Southern-A Miller Park ‎Pavillion Pavilion‎, 1020 S. Morris, Bloomington, IL; October 6, 1991; 10:00am (Registration: 9:15am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Bloomington, P.O. Box 442, Bloomington, IL 61702. Phone for info: 309/662-8964.

Unit 58. Illinois, Southern-B Days Inn-Collinsville, 1803 Ramada Blvd., Collinsville, IL; October 6, 1991; 10:00am (Registration: 9:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Alton, P.O. Box 711, Alton, IL 62002. Phone for info: 618/466-2466.

Unit 59. Indiana LaSalle Elementary of Mishawaka, 1511 Milburn Blvd., Mishawaka, IN; October 6, 1991; 10:00am (Registration: 9:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Mishawaka, P.O. Box 42, Mishawaka, IN 46544. Phone for info: 219/255-9186.

Unit 60. Kansas Winfield Community Center, Baden Square, Winfield, KS; October 6, 1991; 10:00am (Registration: 9:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Winfield, P.O. Box 250, Winfield, KS 67156. Phone for info: 316/221-3089.

Unit 61. Kentucky October 6, 1991; 9:30am (Registration: 9:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Jefferson Co., Louisville, KY 40299. Phone for info: 502/266-5808.

Unit 62. Louisiana Holiday Inn, 2716 N. MacArthur Drive, Alexandria, LA; October 6, 1991; 10:00am (Registration: 9:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of New Orleans, c/o Davis Stanley Jones, DTC Sec., Slidell, LA 70460. Phone for info: 504/649-1507.

Unit 63. Massachusetts-A (Tentative) JFK Jr. High School, Bridge Street, Northampton, MA; October 6, 1991. Mail ballots to: LSA of Belchertown, c/o Miss Behdokht Rouhi, Holyoke, MA 01040. Phone for info: 413/539-9586.

Unit 64. Massachusetts-B Marlboro High School, Bolton Street, Marlboro, MA; October 6, 1991; 9:30am (Registration: 8:30am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Marlboro, P.O. Box 5781, Marlboro, MA 01752. Phone for info: 508/481-4658.

Unit 65. Massachusetts-C Cape Cod Community College, Route 132, West Barnstable, MA; October 6, 1991; 9:30am (Registration: 8:30am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Barnstable, P.O. Box 1275, Hyannis, MA 02601. Phone for info: 508/420-5025.

Unit 66. Maryland, W./D. C. Gallaudet University, NW Campus, 1640 Kalima Road, Washington, DC; October 6, 1991; 10:00am (Registration: 9:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Washington DC, Washington, DC 20011. Phone for info: 202/882-7052.

Unit 67. Maryland, Central Bryn Mawr School, 109 W. Melrose Ave., Baltimore, MD; October 6, 1991; 11:30am (Registration: 10:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Baltimore, Bahá’í Center, Baltimore, MD 21207. Phone for info: 301/488-4051.

Unit 68. Maine Lewiston-Auburn College, 51-55 Westminster St., Lewiston, ME; Saturday, October 5, 1991; 8:30am (Registration: 8:00am). Mail ballots to: DTC of Maine, c/o Mr. Steve Gargiulo, Brunswick, ME 04011. Phone for info: 207/729-6609.

Unit 69. Michigan, Mainland-A Michigan State University at the Union, East Lansing, MI; October 6, 1991; 10:00am (Registration: 9:30am). Mail ballots to: LSA of East Lansing, P.O. Box 703, East Lansing, MI 48826. Phone for info: 517/337-2858.

Unit 70. Michigan, Mainland-B NADA Center, Northwood Institute, 3225 Cook Rd., Midland, MI; October 6, 1991; 10:00am (Registration: 9:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Midland, c/o Midland, MI 48640. Phone for info: 517/839-9456.

Unit 71. Michigan, Mainland-C Faith Community Church, Moravian-46001 Warren (Canton Center & Warren), Canton, MI; Saturday, October 5, 1991; 10:00am (Registration: 9:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Canton Twp., P.O. Box 87454, Canton, MI 48187. Phone for info: 313/451-1092.

Unit 72. Minnesota, Northern Holiday Inn, West Division St. at 37th Ave., St. Cloud, MN; October 13, 1991; 9:00am (Registration: 8:30am). Mail ballots to: LSA of St. Cloud, P.O. Box 1081, St. Cloud, MN 56302. Phone for info: 612/253-6432.

Unit 73. Minnesota, Southern Univ. of Minnesota-St. Paul, St. Paul Student Center, Buford and Cleveland Aves., St. Paul, MN; October 6, 1991; 9:30am (Registration: 8:45am). Mail ballots to: LSA of St. Paul, c/o St. Paul, MN 55108. Phone for info: 612/646-0312.

Unit 74. Missouri-A Tiger Kensington, 23 S. 8th Street, Columbia, MO; October 12 & 13, 1991; 10:00am (Registration: 9:30am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Columbia, P.O. Box 1421, Columbia, MO 65205. Phone for info: 314/445-5091.

Unit 75. Missouri-B Olivette Community Center, 9723 Grandview Drive, Olivette, MO; October 6, 1991; 10:15am (Registration: 9:30am). Mail ballots to: LSA of St. Louis, P.O. Box 15771, St. Louis, MO 63163. Phone for info: 314/773-1929.

Unit 76. Mississippi Best Western, 4155 Washington, Vicksburg, MS 39180; October 6, 1991; 10:00am (Registration: 9:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Vicksburg, c/o Nezzie L. Harris, Vicksburg, MS 39180. Phone for info: 601/638-5537.

Unit 77. Montana Copper King Inn (Convention Center), Butte, MT; October 6, 1991; 9:30am (Registration: 8:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Butte-Silver Bow, P.O. Box 3922, Butte, MT 59702. Phone for info: 406/782-8194.

Unit 78. Navajo-Hopi Cafe Sage, Sage Hospital Compound, Ganado, AZ; October 6, 1991; 10:00am (Registration: 9:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Ganado, c/o Brad Rishel, Sec., P.O. Box 27, Ganado, AZ 86505. Phone for info: 602/674-5685.

Unit 79. North Carolina, Central-A Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 4907 Garrett Road, Durham, NC; Saturday, October 5, 1991; 10:30am (Registration: 9:30am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Durham City, P.O. Box 51116, Durham, NC 27717-1116. Phone for info: 919/489-2918.

Unit 80. North Carolina, Central-B Best Western Carolinian Motel, 2916 Market Street, Wilmington, NC; October 6, 1991; 12:30pm (Registration: 11:00am at Sadgwar Bahá’í Center in Wilmington). Mail ballots to: LSA of Wilmington, c/o Joan Canterbury, Wilmington, NC 28409. Phone for info: 919/392-2302.

Unit 81. North Carolina, Eastern-A Cary Community Center, 324 N. Academy St., Cary, NC; October 6, 1991; 2:00pm (Registration: 1:30pm). Mail ballots to: LSA of Wake County, P.O. Box 25817, Raleigh, NC 27611. Phone for info: 919/859-0261.

Unit 82. North Carolina, Eastern-B Mail ballots to: DTC of Eastern N.C., c/o Ms. Mary Spires, Rocky Mount, NC 27803. Phone for info: 919/446-5889.

Unit 83. North Carolina, Western-A Western N.C. Bahá’í Center, 5 Ravenscroft, Asheville, NC; October 6, 1991; 8:30am (Registration: 9:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Morganton, P.O. Box 670, Morganton, NC 28655. Phone for info: 704/433-7518.

Unit 84. North Carolina, Western-B First Ward Elementary School, 401 E. 9th St. (corner of 9th and Davidson St.), Charlotte, NC; October 6, 1991; 9:00am (Registration: 9:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Charlotte, c/o Mr. Kent Autry, Charlotte, NC 28270. Phone for info: 704/366-3487.

Unit 85. North Dakota Mail ballots to: LSA of Fargo, c/o South, Fargo, ND 58103. Phone for info: 701/241-4721.

Unit 86. Nebraska Ramada Inn, 2301 NW 12th Street (near I-80, Airport exit), Nebraska, NE; October 6, 1991; 9:00am (Registration: 8:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Lincoln, P.O. Box 80601, Lincoln, NE 68501. Phone for info: 402/489-1570.

Unit 87. New Hampshire N.E. College, New Science Bldg. Auditorium, Henniker, NH; October 6, 1991; 9:00am (Registration: 8:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Manchester, P.O. Box 5883, Manchester, NH 03108-5883. Phone for info: 603/669-6609.

Unit 88. New Jersey-A Teaneck High School, Elizabeth Avenue & Queen Anne Road, Teaneck, NJ; October 6, 1991; 10:00am (Registration: 9:30am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Teaneck, Teaneck, NJ 07666. Phone for info: 201/837-3638.

Unit 89. New Jersey-B Grice Middle School, 901 Whitehorse-Hamilton Square Rd., Trenton, NJ; October 6, 1991; 10:30am (Registration: 10:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Hamilton Twp., P.O. Box 2529, Hamilton Sq., NJ 08690. Phone for info: 609/585-6120.

Unit 90. New Mexico, Northern Mail ballots to: LSA of Albuquerque, P.O. Box 35358, Station D, Albuquerque, NM 87176. Phone for info: 505/842-1863.

Unit 91. New Mexico, S./Texas, West-A Corbett Center-NMSU, University Avenue, Las Cruces, NM; October 6, 1991; 10:00am (Registration: 9:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Las Cruces, P.O. Box 1491, Las Cruces, NM 88004. Phone for info: 505/522-7189.

Unit 92. New Mexico, S./Texas, West-B (Tentative) Carlsbad Golf Pro Shop, Lake Carlsbad, Carlsbad, NM; October 6, 1991; 10:00am (Registration: 9:30am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Carlsbad, c/o Mr. Curtis Wynne, Carlsbad, NM 88220. Phone for info: 505/887-2529.

Unit 93. New Mexico, S./Texas, West-C Corbett Center-NMSU, University Avenue, Las Cruces, NM; October 6, 1991; 10:00am (Registration: 9:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of El Paso, P.O. Box 640602, El Paso, TX 79904-0602. Phone for info: 505/522-7189.

Unit 94. Nevada, Northern Clear Creek Youth Center, Clear Creek Rd. West, Carson City, NV; October 13, 1991; 10:00am (Registration: 9:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Carson City, P.O. Box 3295, Carson City, NV 89702. Phone for info: 702/885-7072.

Unit 95. Nevada, Southern October 6, 1991. Mail ballots to: LSA of Las Vegas, c/o Ernest Hensley, Las Vegas, NV 89106. Phone for info: 702/385-7650.

Unit 96. New York, Eastern-A Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), Darrin Communications Center, 110 Eighth Street, Troy, NY; October 6, 1991; 9:30am (Registration: 9:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Schenectady, P.O. Box 394, Schenectady, NY 12301-0394. Phone for info: 518/381-6381.

Unit 97. New York, Eastern-B New York City Bahá’í center, 53 East 11th Street, New York, NY; October 6, 1991; 9:30am (Registration: 8:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of White Plains, c/o LSA of New York City, Attn: Secretary, 53 E. 11th St., New York, NY 10003. Phone for info: 718/857-6601.

Unit 98. New York, Eastern-C Islip Bahá’í Center, Bohemia, NY; October 6, 1991; 9:00am (Registration: 8:30am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Brookhaven Twp., c/o Marie McNair, East Patchogue, NY 11772. Phone for info: 516/289-2006.

Unit 99. New York, Western-A Sheraton Inn-Batavia, 8250 Park Rd., Batavia, NY; October 6, 1991. Mail ballots to: LSA of Webster, Attn: Karen Marquardt, P.O. Box 224, Webster, NY 14580. Phone for info: 716/872-5662. [Page 30]

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Unit 100. New York, Western-B Mail ballots to: LSA of Ithaca, P.O. Box 572, Ithaca, NY 14851. Phone for info: 607/273-2739.

Unit 101. Ohio, Northern-A Findlay High School, 1200 Broad Avenue, Findlay, OH; October 13, 1991; 10:00am (Registration: 9:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Toledo, c/o Jeannia Samimi, Findlay, OH 45840. Phone for info: 419/244-9142.

Unit 102. Ohio, Northern-B Baker Hall, Case Western Reserve Univ., Cleveland, OH; October 6, 1991; 9:30am (Registration: 8:30am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Mentor, c/o Julie Knaus, Mentor, OH 44060. Phone for info: 216/255-0542.

Unit 103. Ohio, Southern Davis Middle School, 2400 Sutter Parkway, Dublin, OH; Saturday, October 5, 1991; 11:00am (Registration: 9:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Columbus, c/o Dianne Small, Sec., Columbus, OH 43214. Phone for info: 614/363-2114.

Unit 104. Oklahoma, Eastern Mail ballots to: LSA of Broken Arrow, P.O. Box 1119, Broken Arrow, OK 74013. Phone for info: 918/357-3845.

Unit 105. Oklahoma, Western Oklahoma City/Metro Bahá’í Ctr., 1201 S. Blackwelder, Oklahoma City, OK; October 6, 1991; 10:00am (Registration: 9:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Oklahoma City, 1201 S. Blackwelder, Oklahoma City, OK 73108. Phone for info: 405/235-2802.

Unit 106. Oregon, Eastern Jefferson County Fairgrounds, Madras, OR; October 6, 1991; 9:30am (Registration: 9:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Jefferson Co., Madras, OR 97741. Phone for info: 503/475-6627.

Unit 107. Oregon, Western-A Oregon City Senior Center, 615 Fifth St., Oregon City, OR; October 19, 1991; 10:00am (Registration: 9:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Clackamas Co. Northwest, P.O. Box 68235, Oak Grove, OR 97268. Phone for info: 503/654-0802.

Unit 108. Oregon, Western-B Council Chambers, Lewis & Clark College, 0615 SW Palatine Hill Rd., Portland, OR 97219; October 5, 1991; 10:00am (Registration: 9:30am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Portland, P.O. Box 4245, Portland, OR 97208. Phone for info: 513/244-9955.

Unit 109. Oregon, Western-C Memorial Union Ballroom, Oregon State Univ., Corvallis, OR; October 13, 1991; 9:00am (Registration: 8:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Corvallis, P.O. Box 309, Corvallis, OR 97339. Phone for info: 503/754-8211.

Unit 110. Oregon, Western-D 4-H Building, 215 Ringuette, Grants Pass, OR; October 13, 1991; 9:45am (Registration: 9:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Greater Grants Pass, P.O. Box 2022, Grants Pass, OR 97526. Phone for info: 503/479-1006.

Unit 111. Pennsylvania, Eastern West Chester University, Swope Hall (Music Bldg.), West Chester, PA; October 6, 1991; 9:00am (Registration: 8:30am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Philadelphia, c/o Mr. Donald Camp, Philadelphia, PA 19139. Phone for info: 215/544-5522.

Unit 112. Pennsylvania, Western Best Western University Inn, Wayne Avenue, Indiana, PA; October 6, 1991; 9:00am (Registration: 9:00am). Mail ballots to: Western PADTC, c/o Mary Anne Rood, Indiana, PA 15701. Phone for info: 412/465-7706.

Unit 113. Rhode Island Prout Memorial High School, Tower Hill Road, Wakefield, RI; October 6, 1991; 9:30am (Registration: 9:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Providence, c/o Ms. Sandra Egan, Sec., Providence, RI 02909-4814. Phone for info: 401/461-4702.

Units 114-139. South Carolina For information on Conventions in South Carolina, call the South Carolina Coordinating Committee at 800/735-4445 or 803/558-5930.

Unit 140. South Dakota-A Interior School, Interior, SD 57750; October 13, 1991; 9:30am (Registration: 9:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Rapid City, P.O. Box 565, Rapid City, SD 57709. Phone for info: 605/343-2929.

Unit 141. South Dakota-B Coliseum, Sioux Falls, SD; October 6, 1991; 9:30am (Registration: 9:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Sioux Falls, P.O. Box 782, Sioux Falls, SD 57101. Phone for info: 605/332-5074.

Unit 142. Tennessee, Eastern Mail ballots to: LSA of Knox Cnty. West, c/o Knoxville, TN 37922. Phone for info: 615/690-3469.

Unit 143. Tennessee, Western Rhodes College, 2000 N. Parkway, Memphis, TN; Sat., September 28, 1991; 9:00am (Registration: 8:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Memphis, P.O. Box 111101, Memphis, TN 38111. Phone for info: 901/278-2080.

Unit 144. Texas, Central-A Round Rock Community Center, Main Street, Round Rock, TX; October 13, 1991; 9:30am (Registration: 8:30am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Round Rock, P.O. Box 433, Round Rock, TX 78664. Phone for info: 512/255-4945.

Unit 145. Texas, Central-B Jerry’s Restaurant, 539 W. Main (Highway 90), Uvalde, TX; October 6, 1991; 10:00am (Registration: 9:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Uvalde, c/o Mr. Don Greer, Uvalde, TX 78801. Phone for info: 512/278-6536.

Unit 146. Texas, Eastern #1-A McKinney Community Center (Exit 39 on Central Expressway); October 6, 1991; 9:30am (Registration: 9:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Plano, P.O. Box 260031, Plano, TX 75026. Phone for info: 214/423-2250.

Unit 147. Texas, Eastern #1-B Marshall Civic Center, 2501 East End Blvd. South, Marshall, TX; October 6, 1991; 11:00am (Registration: 10:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Harrison Cnty., c/o Carol Eakin, Hallsville, TX 75650. Phone for info: 903/935-1626.

Unit 148. Texas, Eastern #1-C Hurst Recreation Center, 700 Mary Drive, Hurst, TX 76053; October 6, 1991; 1:30pm (Registration: 1:30pm). Mail ballots to: LSA of Arlington, P.O. Box 585, Arlington, TX 76010. Phone for info: 817/261-1879.

Unit 149. Texas, Eastern #1-D Marriott Hotels, Resorts, Suites, 7750 LBJ Freeway at Coit Road, Dallas, TX; October 6, 1991; 9:00am (Registration: 8:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Garland, Garland, TX 75044. Phone for info: 214/276-1256.

Unit 150. Texas, Eastern #2-A Houston Bahá’í Center, 2121 Oakdale, Houston, TX; October 13, 1991; 9:00am (Registration: 8:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Missouri City, Missouri City, TX 77459. Phone for info: 713/499-8822.

Unit 151. Texas, Eastern #2-B Houston Bahá’í Center, 2121 Oakdale, Houston, TX; October 6, 1991; 9:00am (Registration: 8:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Harris Cnty. Southwest, P.O. Box 42229, Houston, TX 77242. Phone for info: 713/561-8919.

Unit 152. Texas, Northern/Central Roby Community Center, Jct. TX 70 & US 180, Roby, TX; Saturday, October 5, 1991; 10:30am (Registration: 10:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Graham, P.O. Box 175, Graham, TX 76046. Phone for info: 915/235-2566.

Unit 153. Texas, Southern Jewish Community Center, 750 Everhart, Corpus Christi, TX; October 6, 1991; 9:00am (Registration: 8:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Corpus Christi, P.O. Box 81301, Corpus Christi, TX 78468. Phone for info: 512/993-4391.

Unit 154. Utah Westminster College-Malouf Hall, 1840 South 1300 East, Salt Lake City, UT; October 6, 1991; 1:00pm (Registration: 12:00noon). Mail ballots to: LSA of Salt Lake City, P.O. Box 57775, Salt Lake City, UT 84157. Phone for info: 801/486-3670.

Unit 155. Virginia, Northern-A Reston Community Center, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston, VA; October 6, 1991; 9:00am (Registration: 9:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Reston, c/o Shahriar Nour, Reston, VA 22094. Phone for info: 703/318-0912.

Unit 156. Virginia, Northern-B Washington Gas & Light Co., 8601 Industrial Rd., Springfield, VA; October 6, 1991. Mail ballots to: LSA of Fairfax Cnty. East, c/o Mr. Soheil Zebarjadi, South Falls Church, VA 22041. Phone for info: 703/379-3717.

Unit 157. Virginia, Southeast Girl Scout Program Center, 448 Fenton Mill Rd., Williamsburg, VA; October 6, 1991; 10:00am (Registration: 9:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Richmond, P.O. Box 13802, Richmond, VA 23225. Phone for info: 804/233-7033.

Unit 158. Virginia, Southwest Sheraton Inn Staunton, Route 275 & I-81, P.O. Box 3209, Staunton, VA; October 6, 1991; 10:00am (Registration: 9:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Staunton, P.O. Box 2682, Staunton, VA 24401. Phone for info: 703/885-6247.

Unit 159. Vermont Mail ballots to: LSA of Rochester Twp., c/o Ms. Rebecca Steventon, Sec., P.O. Box 24, Rochester, VT 05767. Phone for info: 802/767-4475.

Unit 160. Washington, Northwest-A Viking Union Bldg., Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA; October 6, 1991; 9:30am (Registration: 8:30am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Mt. Baker, c/o Monta Wagar, Sec., Lynden, WA 98264. Phone for info: 206/734-3631.

Unit 161. Washington, Northwest-B Jefferson Community Center, 3801 Beacon S., Seattle, WA; October 6, 1991; 10:30am (Registration: 11:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Shoreline, P.O. Box 60132, Seattle, WA 98160. Phone for info: 206/542-0190.

Unit 162. Washington, Northwest-C Highland Middle School, 15027 N.E. Bel-Red Rd., Bellevue, WA; October 12, 1991; 12:30pm (Registration: 12:00noon). Mail ballots to: LSA of Issaquah, P.O. Box 743, Issaquah, WA 98027-0743. Phone for info: 206/392-6216.

Unit 163. Washington, Southwest Brighton Creek Conference Grounds, 4516 State Rte. 702, McKenna, WA; October 6, 1991; 10:00am (Registration: 9:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Lakewood, P.O. Box 98496, Tacoma, WA 98499. Phone for info: 206/581-8745.

Unit 164. Wisconsin, N./Mich., Penin. Howard Johnson’s De Pere, De Pere, WI 54115; October 6, 1991; 9:00am (Registration: 8:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Green Bay, c/o Gwendolyn Hazen, Sec., Green Bay, WI 54304. Phone for info: 414/499-8422.

Unit 165. Wisconsin, Southern-A Mail ballots to: LSA of Beloit, P.O. Box 1278, Beloit, WI 53512-1278. Phone for info: 608/362-1643.

Unit 166. Wisconsin, Southern-B Sheraton Mayfair Inn, 2303 N. Mayfair Rd., Milwaukee/Wauwatosa, WI; October 6, 1991; 9:00am (Registration: 8:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Waukesha, Waukesha, WI 53186. Phone for info: 414/521-9485.

Unit 167. West Virginia Mail ballots to: LSA of Huntington, c/o Huntington, WV 25703. Phone for info: 304/523-8821.

Unit 168. Wyoming The Plains Hotel, 1600 Central Avenue, Cheyenne, WY; October 6, 1991; 9:30am (Registration: 9:00am). Mail ballots to: LSA of Cheyenne, P.O. Box 2063, Cheyenne, WY 82003. Phone for info: 307/637-4064.

National Assembly reminds friends that there are no ‘Bahá’í’ education models

The National Spiritual Assembly wishes to remind the friends that none of the current models of education and community development including Montessori, Waldorf, ANISA, the Four Worlds Development Project, Optimalearning, or the Balanced Life Values Program constitute in any way a Bahá’í “model” of education or community development.

The Universal House of Justice has been careful to ask the friends not to make statements that give the impression that there is a “Bahá’í model” of education or community development.

Education and other human development activities are commendable areas of service for Bahá’ís, but the fact that Bahá’í professionals are working on a particular project in no way means that it is to be labeled a “Bahá’í enterprise.”

Unwise actions in this regard can undermine the efforts that Bahá’í professionals may be making in their fields, and can do serious harm to the Cause.

‘Souvenir’ of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá held 79th year in New Jersey

The 79th annual Souvenir of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was held June 29 at the Wilhelm properties in Teaneck, New Jersey.

The formal program included a reading of the talk given there in 1912 by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá; a keynote address by Auxiliary Board member James Sturdivant; a talk by Maddie Jones of the Fellowship of Reconciliation; and music by the Bahá’í Unity Choir.

The program followed a picnic with international potluck sharing ‎tabale table‎.

Bahá’ís of Fulton County establish scholarship fund

The Bahá’ís of Fulton County North (Atlanta, Georgia) have established a Bahá’í Youth Scholarship Fund, with the $10,000 scholarship to be awarded annually for at least the next three years.

The first recipient is Dhabih S. Boyd, a Bahá’í youth from Griffin, Georgia, whose winning criteria included an essay on “What Is Justice?” [Page 31]

Sophie Loeding, who was first employee at Bahá’í National Center, dies at 100

Sophie Loeding, who in November 1940 became the first paid employee of the National Spiritual Assembly in Wilmette, Illinois, when she reported to work as administrative assistant to its secretary, Horace Holley, died June 21 in Naperville, Illinois, less than one month before her 101st birthday.

Miss Loeding, who became a Bahá’í in 1900 and had the bounty, as a young woman of 22, of meeting ‘Abdu’l-Bahá during the Master’s visit to North America in 1912, worked at the National Center until her retirement at age 78 and beyond that for two years as a part-time employee in the House of Worship’s bookstore.

She had been asked to come to the National Center to assist Mr. Holley by the Hand of the Cause of God Louis Gregory, who at that time was serving as the National Assembly’s assistant secretary.

When an office was established for the Secretariat at 110 Linden Avenue, next door to the House of Worship, it included a single telephone shared by Miss Loeding and Thomas and Clara Wood, the two employees of the Bahá’í Publishing Committee.

In later years, Miss Loeding recalled that one of her tasks in those early days was to type 14 copies of the minutes of the National Assembly after the minutes were approved by Mr. Gregory.

“We had no duplicating machinery,” she said. “I used a typewriter and carbon paper.”

One of the first dictating machines used in the Secretariat, she recalled, featured a wax cylinder. Later, it was replaced by a wire recorder (a forerunner of the modern tape recorder).

Miss Loeding recalled that there were about 50 employees at the National Center when she retired in 1968.

“I retired,” she said with typical candor, “because I felt that I could no longer give the National Assembly a day’s work for a day’s pay.”

Shortly after her retirement, Miss Loeding went on pilgrimage to the World Center of the Faith in Haifa, Israel.

DEEPLY SYMPATHIZE IN LOSS TO AMERICAN BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITY OF LOYAL, STEADFAST, TRUSTWORTHY SOPHIE LOEDING. HER DECADES-LONG ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES FAITH HAVE LEFT IMPRESSIVE LEGACY PARTICULARLY PRIZED BECAUSE OF PRICELESS PRIVILEGE HER MEETING WITH BELOVED MASTER DURING HIS VISIT CHICAGO. PRAYING HOLY SHRINES PROGRESS HER RADIANT SOUL ABHÁ KINGDOM.

UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE JUNE 23, 1991

SADLY INFORM YOU OF THE PASSING THIS MORNING JUST SHY OF HER 101ST BIRTHDAY OF UNTIRING, DEVOTED MAIDSERVANT OF THE FAITH OF BAHÁ’U’LLÁH SOPHIE LOEDING. SHE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING THE FIRST TO SERVE THE SECRETARIES OF THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY. SHE BEGAN THAT SERVICE ON NOVEMBER 1, 1940, WITH HORACE HOLLEY. IN LATER YEARS SHE ASSISTED CHARLES WOLCOTT, HUGH CHANCE, AND DAVID RUHE. AS HER HEALTH PERMITTED, SHE ASSISTED THE SECRETARIAT OF GLENFORD MITCHELL ALSO.

SHE WAS A MEMBER OF THE LOCAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF CHICAGO AND SERVED AS ITS SECRETARY FOR MANY YEARS.

SUCH SERVICE HAS EARNED HER A PERMANENT PLACE IN THE ANNALS OF THE AMERICAN BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITY.

SOPHIE LOEDING BECAME A BAHÁ’Í IN 1900 AT THE AGE OF 10, FOLLOWING A SERIES OF LESSONS WITH LUA GETSINGER. SHE HAD THE INESTIMABLE BOUNTY, AS A YOUNG WOMAN OF 22, TO MEET ‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ WHEN HE VISITED CHICAGO AND LAID THE FOUNDATION STONE FOR THE TEMPLE.

SHE IS SURVIVED BY DEVOTED NEPHEW JOHN LOEDING AND GRAND NIECES LINDA WATTS, ANN AND BARBARA LOEDING. THE LATTER IS A BAHÁ’Í.

WE BESEECH YOUR PRAYERS FOR THE PROGRESS OF HER SOUL.

NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF THE UNITED STATES JUNE 21, 1991

Edith McLaren, former pioneer to Guatemala, Nicaragua during Ten Year Crusade, dies

Edith McLaren, a former pioneer to Guatemala and Nicaragua, died in May in Venezuela.

Mrs. McLaren, then a widow living in Hamburg, New York, indicated her desire to pioneer to the West Indies or Central America during the Ten Year Crusade. She arrived in Guatemala in 1958 where she served as an Auxiliary Board member.

After 18 years of devoted service in Guatemala, she moved to Nicaragua in 1976, continuing to serve on the Auxiliary Board.

Due to the onset of a serious illness, Mrs. McLaren returned to the U.S. in 1985 and settled again in New York with members of her family. Unable to return to her own post in Nicaragua because of political conditions, she joined her son, Counselor Peter McLaren, who had been serving in Venezuela for many years.

Upon the news of her death, the Universal House of Justice sent the following cable to National Spiritual Assembly of Venezuela:

RECALL WITH PRIDE HER MANY YEARS OUTSTANDING COURAGEOUS SERVICES FAITH ESPECIALLY CENTRAL AMERICA. ASSURE FERVENT PRAYERS HOLY SHRINES FOR PROGRESS HER LUMINOUS SOUL WORLDS GOD.

KINDLY CONVEY HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES HER DISTINGUISHED SON DEAR FAMILY AND FRIENDS THIS HOUR BEREAVEMENT.

Press edition of statement on race available from Office of Public Information

The June issue of The American Bahá’í referred incorrectly to a press kit for “The Vision of Race Unity.” A press edition of the statement is available from the Office of Public Information, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 708-869-9039).

Muriel Stilson, long-time pioneer to Brazil, Uruguay dies at her pioneer post

Muriel Stilson, a long-time pioneer to Brazil and Uruguay, died in April at her pioneer post in Uruguay.

Mrs. Stilson lived in the San Diego Bahá’í community for 10 years before setting out in 1956, during the Ten Year Crusade, for Brazil with her Brazilian husband.

She served in Brazil for two years, then in 1958 pioneered to Uruguay.

She remained steadfastly at her post until her death, although the dampness and bitter winters were difficult for her during most of her later years.

At the news of her passing, at age 74, the Universal House of Justice sent the following cable to Uruguay:

LAMENT PASSING DEVOTED PIONEER MURIEL STILSON WHOSE MEMORY WILL BE CHERISHED BY THOSE WHO KNEW HER AND WHOSE TIRELESS SERVICES ENRICH ANNALS FAITH URUGUAY AND BRAZIL. OFFERING PRAYERS HOLY SHRINES PROGRESS HER SOUL IN ABHÁ KINGDOM.

Bahá’ís should support UN Peace Day

In 1959 the National Spiritual Assembly of the U.S. initiated the commemoration of World Peace Day. World Peace Day was observed on the third Sunday in September.

On November 30, 1981, the United Nations General Assembly designated the third Tuesday in September as International Day of Peace and stated that it should be “devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideas of peace both within and among all nations and peoples.”

In 1985 the National Spiritual Assembly replaced World Peace Day with Bahá’í support of the U.N. International Day of Peace.

IN MEMORIAM

Louis Alamia Coral Springs, FL 1989	Ruth May Datta Charlotte, NC June 11, 1991	Clarence Hilton Greeleyville, SC Date Unknown	Ollie Morse N. Myrtle Beach, SC Date Unknown
Elizabeth Bell Holly Hill, SC Date Unknown	Major Davis Sellers, SC Date Unknown	Dorothy Jackson Greeleyville, SC Date Unknown	Arthur D. Moses Wapato, WA Date Unknown
Jame Bellamy Myrtle Beach, SC Date Unknown	Purdy Davis Summerton, SC Date Unknown	Simon Jacob Jr. Nichols, SC Date Unknown	Sarah Murrell Greeleyville, SC Date Unknown
Hattie Bishop Society Hill, SC Date Unknown	Betty Durham N. Myrtle Beach, SC Date Unknown	Marion Kennedy Lynchburg, SC Date Unknown	Frank Raymond Palo Alto, CA Date Unknown
Levern Bishop Society Hill, SC Date Unknown	Bennie Edge Little River, SC Date Unknown	Margaret S. King Albany, GA March 1990	Henry Robinson Greeleyville, SC Date Unknown
Flora Brooks Staunton, VA Date Unknown	Clifton Evans Myrtle Beach, SC Date Unknown	Etta K. Little Monticello, IA 1990	Thomas Sanders Society Hill, SC Date Unknown
Ethel Brown Timmonsville, SC Date Unknown	Willie T. Felder Summerton, SC Date Unknown	Eddie Long Cherokee, NC 1987	George Singleton Greeleyville, SC Date Unknown
Jessie Mae Brown Marion, SC Date Unknown	Heshmatollah Firooz San Diego, CA June 5, 1990	Walter Matthews Greeleyville, SC Date Unknown	Betty C. Smith Society Hill, SC Date Unknown
Moses Brown New Zion, SC Date Unknown	Janie Floyd N. Myrtle Beach, SC Date Unknown	Syinla McCary Greeleyville, SC Date Unknown	Muriel Stilson Uruguay April 1991
Robert Brown Timmonsville, SC Date Unknown	Inez Graves Marion, SC Date Unknown	Willie McBride Greeleyville, SC Date Unknown	Byrd Vander Timmonsville, SC Date Unknown
Gloria Ann Burnett Cuthbert, GA Date Unknown	Lila Haigo Ridgeville, SC Date Unknown	Edith McLaren Venezuela May 1991	Lula Vaught N. Myrtle Beach, SC Date Unknown
Chong Khue Cha Portland, OR Date Unknown	Ernest Hall Holly Hill, SC Date Unknown	Carolyn Anne Mills Mexico April 22, 1991	Arthur Williams Mullins, SC Date Unknown
Yee Cha Porterville, CA June 2, 1991	Jack Haynes St. Helena, SC April 13, 1991	Maggie Morant Holly Hill, SC Date Unknown	John Wilson Greeleyville, SC Date Unknown

[Page 32]On February 18, the Greater Louisville (Kentucky) Bahá’í Youth Committee had a booth at a World Cultures Bazaar sponsored by the Jefferson County public schools. Christians, Muslims and Jews also had booths at the bazaar, whose organizers welcomed the Bahá’ís because of their involvement in other activities promoting community unity. Pictured at the booth is Karen Trollope.

MOVING? TELL US YOUR NEW ADDRESS.

To avoid unnecessary delays in receiving your copy of The American Bahá’í, send your new address and your mailing label to MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, as soon as you know what your new address will be.

This form may be used for one person or your entire family. Please be sure to list FULL NAMES AND I.D. NUMBERS for all individuals, ages 15 years or older, who will be affected by this change.

A. NAME(S): 1. I.D. # ____________________ Title ________ Full name - No nicknames please! _______________________________________ 2. I.D. # ____________________ Title ________ Full name _________________________________________________________________ 3. I.D. # ____________________ Title ________ Full name _________________________________________________________________ 4. I.D. # ____________________ Title ________ Full name _________________________________________________________________

B. NEW RESIDENCE ADDRESS: Street address _________________________________________________________________ Apartment # (If applicable) _____________________________________________________ City __________________________________________________________________________ State __________________________ Zip code _____________________________________

C. NEW MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box or Other mailing address ______________________________________________ Apartment # (If applicable) _____________________________________________________ City __________________________________________________________________________ State __________________________ Zip code _____________________________________

D. NEW COMMUNITY: Name of new Bahá’í Community ______________________ Moving date _______________

E. HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER: (________) _______________ ________________ Area code Phone number Name

F. WORK TELEPHONE NUMBER(S): (________) _______________ ________________ Area code Phone number Name (________) _______________ ________________ Area code Phone number Name

G. WE RECEIVE EXTRA COPIES BECAUSE:

• ☐ we do not have the same last name. We do not want extra copies, so please cancel the copy for the person(s) and I.D. number(s) listed above.
• ☐ the last names and addresses on our address labels do not match. We have listed above the full names of all family members as they should appear on the national records, their I.D. numbers, and the corrections so that we will receive only one copy.

H. I WOULD LIKE A COPY:

• ☐ Our household receives only one copy of The American Bahá’í. I wish to receive my own copy. I have listed my name, I.D. number and address above.

BAHÁ’Í NATIONAL CENTER 112 Linden Avenue Wilmette, IL 60091

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

AUGUST

24-29: “A Fundamentally Different Order,” “Epistle to the Son of the Wolf,” “A Messenger of Joy,” “Shoghi Effendi’s Guidance for Teaching and Transformation,” Bosch Bahá’í School, Santa Cruz, California. For information, phone 408-423-3387.

30-September 1: Pioneer Institute, Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute, Hemingway, South Carolina. For information, phone 803-558-5093.

30-September 2: National Conference on Growth, Hyatt Lincolnwood Hotel, Lincolnwood, Illinois. Sponsored by the National Teaching Committee ‎Please Please‎ note: there is no meal plan this year, and conference participants are responsible for finding their own roommates. For those who plan to fly to Chicago for the conference, special rates on Delta and American Airlines are available from Corporate Travel Consultants, Group-Services Division, 800-323-0088. For more information about the conference, please phone the National Teaching Committee office, 708-869-9039.

SEPTEMBER

8: Victory Conference, Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute, Hemingway, South Carolina. For information, phone 803-558-5093.

12-15: “Rest, Relax, Reunite” at the annual commemoration of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit to Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Hear stories of early American Bahá’ís, their meetings with the Master and the Guardian, pioneering and other adventures told by Carl Ewing, Marie Griffith, Louise Matthias and Nancy Phillips; enjoy performances by the Van Manens, Susan Lewis and Ladjamaya; take part in workshops facilitated by Fafar and Jack Guillebeaux. Pre-registration for adults, $15, for children, $10. For more information, phone 303-945-6303 or 303-625-3932.

13-15: 32nd annual Green Lake Bahá’í Conference, American Baptist Assembly, Green Lake, Wisconsin. Theme: “With humility before our Sovereign Lord...” A weekend aimed toward personal transformation as well as fellowship and fun. Two Friday Forums, plus new Saturday Forums too! Dorms, campsites, cabins, private rooms; cafeteria-style meals. For reservations, phone 800-558-8898.

20-22: Peace Fest ’91, Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute, Hemingway, South Carolina. For information, phone 803-558-5093.

21: Fifth annual Children’s Peace Conference, Pasadena, California, Conference Center. Theme: “The Vision of Race Unity... I Can Make a Difference.” For children three years old and up. For information, phone 818-797-6216.

OCTOBER

19: Founder’s Day, Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute, Hemingway, South Carolina. For information, phone 803-558-5093.

25-27: Bahá’í Leadership Association, Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute, Hemingway, South Carolina. For information, phone 803-558-5093.

NOVEMBER

14-17: National Black Story-Telling Festival, Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute, Hemingway, South Carolina. For information, phone 803-558-5093.

DECEMBER

27-29: South Carolina Bahá’í Winter School, Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute, Hemingway. For information, phone 803-558-5093.

27-30: Seventh annual Grand Canyon Bahá’í Conference, Hyatt Regency Hotel, Phoenix, Arizona. Speakers to include Dr. Wilma Ellis, Dr. Soheil Bushrui, Robert Harris. For information, phone Terry Agahi, 602-863-1919, or Shervin Nicknam, 602-998-3075.

Children of several ethnic backgrounds entertain an audience of about 200 including about 100 non-Bahá’ís during a Race Unity Day observance June 9 sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of San Marcos, California. For their efforts, the children were treated to a ‘thank you’ pizza party.

“Whoso ariseth, in this Day, to aid our Cause, and summoneth to his assistance the hosts of a praiseworthy character and upright conduct, the influence flowing from such an action will, most certainly, be diffused throughout the whole world.”—Gleanings, p. 334