The American Bahá’í/Volume 23/Issue 15/Text

The American Bahá’í
Volume 23, Issue 15

Concert at Carnegie Hall to salute second World Congress

On Sunday, November 22, at 2:30 p.m., a gala concert at New York's historic Carnegie Hall will present a musical salute to the second Baha'i World Congress which opens the following day. The theme of the concert is “Celebrating the Baha'i Vision of World Peace.”

Among the world-renowned artists who are contributing their services to this unique event are pianists Eugene Istomin and Byron Janis, soprano Benita Valente, mezzosoprano Tatiana Troyanos, and baritone Norman Bailey.

The Cleveland Quartet, one of America’s foremost chamber music ensembles, will perform Mozart's quintet for clarinet and strings with David Schifrin as guest soloist.

Special features will include the appearance of 20year-old Baha‘i violinist Vali Phillips, and a first performance by members of the World Congress Choir of music composed to Baha'i texts.

Both Mr. Istomin and Mr. Janis have toured interna tionally for more than a quarter of a century and have recorded with virtually all of the foremost conductors of the day.

Miss Troyanos and Miss Valente are favorite divas at the Metropolitan Opera in New York and have sung with many of the leading opera companies overseas. During the recent concert season at the Met, Miss Troyanos and Miss Valente were heard in productions of Mozart's “The Marriage of Figaro” and Richard Wagner's “Tannhauser.”

Mr. Bailey, one of our best-known Baha’i performing artists, has sung at the Met, with the New York City Opera, and the English National Opera with whom he recorded the first English-language version of Wagner's “Ring” cycle.

Vali Phillips is concertmaster with the Eastman School of Music Symphony in Rochester, New York, and has won many competitions for violin including those of the New England Conservatory and the Boston Symphony

Young Artists.

The World Congress concert will give Baha'is attending the Congress an opportunity to visit Carnegie Hall during its centennial celebration season for which it was recently restored to its original 19th century splendor.

Tickets, priced from $12 to $45, may be purchased in advance if payment in full is received no later than November 1 (see order form, page 5). For payments received by that date, your tickets will be mailed to you.

Checks should be made payable to Bahd't Classical Concert. The Baha'i World Congress Office CANNOT ACCEPT CASH, and credit card purchases are not possible through that office.

If you prefer to charge your tickets, you may do so by phoning the Carnegie Hall ticket office, 212-247-7800.

This is a proclamation event for which a certain number of seats is available, Tickets will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

The American Baha’i

Volume 23, No. 15

‘...knowledge is a veritable treasure for man.

’—Baha'u'llah

Taytor-Rusino A personal look at Michigan's successful teaching Bde

‘Im B.£. 149 / October 16, 1992

“If a small number of people gather lovingly together, with absolute purity and sanctity, with their hearts free of the world, experiencing the emotions of the Kingdom and the powerful magnetic forces of the Divine, and being at one in their happy fellowship, that gathering will exert its influence over all the earth. The nature of that band of people, the words they speak, the deeds they do, will unleash the bestowals of Heaven, and provide a foretaste of eternal bliss. The hosts of the Company on high will defend them, and the angels of the Abhdé Paradise, in continuous succession, will come down to their aid.” (Selections From the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahd, p.81)

Office of Public Information reminds friends that media should not be invited to Feast

The Office of Public Information would like to remind the friends that local Spi tual Assemblies and individual Baha'is should not invite reporters or other nonBaha'is to the Nineteen Day Feast or to District Convention.

Publicity that might be generated by a journalist attending the Feast is not sufficient justification to compromise the cardinal principle of the institution of the Feast; when a non-Baha’i is present at the meeting, it is no longer the Nineteen Day Feast.

If a journalist asks permission to attend the Feast, the PI representative should explain the nature of the Feast, that it is restricted to Baha'is only. The local Assembly or Group could arrange a special meeting to which the journalist could be invited. /

INSIDE: D Traveling teaching

Adrianople

Ss

The media

Holy Year presents many opportunities for friends to help other communities

While in exile, Baha‘u'llah reveals unsurpassed power of His Covenant

Extracts from Writings concerning proclaiming Faith through mass media

The Taylor-Rubino Teaching Institute, operating in and around Ludington, Michigan, has seen electrifying results since its inception a year ago, with a total of 50 declarations in several communities, and the establishment of firesides and deepening programs attended by hundreds of people interested in the Faith.

THE PACE of victories has accelerated in the past several weeks, highlighted by the participation of project members in a Race Unity Festival sponsored by local Baha'i communities, during which the Name of Baha’u'll4h was proclaimed in the press and before 50,000 spectators; and a surge in declarations, leading to plans for the institute to help elect in the near future Ludington’s first local Spiritual Assembly.

The institute, sponsored by the local Assembly of White River Township, was formed in the summer of 1991 when about 50 youth decided to dedicate themselves to teaching. They named their project after Molly Rubino of Detroit and Louise Taylor of Montague, two devoted Baha’is who had recently passed away. Since then youth from across the state of Michigan and, more recently, from across the country, have contributed as full-and part-time teachers.

«Through study, prayer, consultation and action, the youth who take part regularly are developing into experienced Baha'i teachers and community build

a

Pictured are some of the non-Baha’i cl

t Fe

eo dren who attend Baha’ i children’ sclasses

at the Baha’i Center in Muskegon, Michigan. The classes are given by members

of the Taylor-Rubino teaching project.

ers, organizing and helping in various community service projects and leading firesides and Baha’{ children’s classes attended by as many as 100 people at a time.

Institute members have made a profound impression on residents in every community they have visited. Local citizens have lavished praise on the Baha’is for their spirit of love and fellowship; some community leaders have even helped them plan their teaching activities so as to receive maximum attention.

“It is pure joy to watch them in action,” says Nancy Watters, a member of the Taylor-Rubino Project Council, which coordinates and oversees the activities of the institute. “Words are inadequate to convey the tangible spiritual power that has been generated here.”

Carole Dickson, another adult coordinator of the institute, has been closely involved with the project since its inception. She recently shared her perceptions on its successes with the editors of The American Baha'i. The following are ex tracts from her letter:

“Actually, the only quality we really possessed when we first got a group together was that we yearned to teach and serve. From that point on, Baha‘u'llah made the prayer become real. By responding to the transforming power of His Word we became a united group, our hearts increasingly attracted to Him and to each other. The successes we are experiencing as a result are proof of His aid and assistance.

“THE TAYLOR-Rubino Project is a working example of what can happen when the process is begun of allowing Baha'u'llah to direct the activities of those who wish to spread His Message together. Another devoted and experienced Baha’i once described the process as she has seen it work, It corresponds well to our experiences and goes like this:

“(1) A small group of Baha’ is immerse themselves in the Creative Word through individual and collective deepening.

See TAYLOR-RUBINO page 12 [Page 2]2 The American Bana’i

Traveling teaching opportunities during the Holy Year

The Baha’i World Congress is creating, unique opportunities for communities to receive traveling teachers. Many Baha’i’s from all over the world have contacted the National Teaching Office offering to help the teaching efforts of communities they travel through while driving to and from the World Congress.

THE PRIMARY role of traveling teachers is explained on behalf of Shoghi Effendi in a letter dated September 1, 1933:

“What visiting teachers are supposed to do is to give the final touch to the work that has been done, to consolidate rather than supplement individual efforts and thereby direct them in a constructive and suitable channel. Their task is to encourage and inspire the individual believers, and to broaden and deepen their vision of the task that is to be done. And this, not by virtue of any inherent spiritual right, but in the spirit of simple and whole-hearted cooperation.”

A network of regional traveling teaching coordinators is in place to help develop the itineraries of traveling teachers, matching the talents of traveling teachers with the needs of the communities asking for help.

Ifatraveling teaching coordinator knows that a traveling teacher will be passing through a region and can stop ina particular community, the coordinator will call that Assembly or Baha’i Group to ascertain whether the traveling teacher's services are needed and to help make arrangements for the visit.

HOSPITALITY may be offered by a community; however, believers should understand that they are expected to pay their own expenses including transporta

Monetary Fund seeks applicants for its Economist Program

Applications for the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) Economist Program should be in by November for those who wish to be considered for the April selection. Applicants must obtain an application form from the IMF.

The Economist Program is the best way for young economists to enter IMF's professional staff. It’s also a good way to get a foot in the door to economist jobs with other international public and private agencies. (Excerpt from “International Employment Hotline. ”)

For more information, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette IL 60091. Telephone 708-869-9039 or fax 708-869-0247, Attn: Office of Pioneering.)

The American Baha'i is published 19 times a year by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201. Second class

at Evanston, IL, and additional mailing offices.

1062-1113. Executive editor: Jack Bowers. icot Corrie. The

‘Icomes news, letters and other items of ‘iduals and the various institutions of the

American Bahé interest from ing

Baha'i Faith. Articles should be clear and concise; color or black-and-white glossy photographs should be included whenever possible. Please address all materials and correspondence to The Editor, The American Bahd'i, Wilmette, IL 60091. Postmaster: Send address changes to Management Information Systems, Baha'i National Center, 1233 Central St, Evanston, IL 60201. Copyright © 1992 by the National

Spirit World rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.

‘lum B.€. 149 / Octoser 16, 1992

1 Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States.

tion, food, and accommodations. Traveling teachers should also give suf Teaching Coordinator to verify that person’s status as a Baha’i.

Stories Wanted: Race Unity Activities

The National Teaching Office wants information on various efforts in which Baha’is are engaged to promote race unity. We would like to be able to share more news and information in upcoming issues of The American Bahd’i and create a network that will enable the friends throughout the country to replicate successful initiatives. Please send a summary of your efforts with photographs, when available, to: National Teaching Office, Baha'i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. Phone 708-869-9039; Fax 708-869-0247.

ficient notice to the regional coordinator so that communities can be contacted and effective plans for their visits be made. Usually, three to four weeks notice is adequate, but due to the large numbers of people who will be traveling around the time of the World Congress, those who wish to visit communities in November or December 1992 should contact the traveling teaching coordinator immediately.

Occasionally, traveling teachers pass through an area and call the local Baha*is without having set up a visit through the traveling teaching coordinator. The Baha’i community is not obligated to host or to sponsor the activities ofa traveling teacher if arrangements have not been made in advance, but it may choose to do so.

If a community is contacted directly by a traveling teacher, it is advisable that the Assembly call the National Traveling

Baha’i communities that would like to request the visit of a traveling teacher may contact the traveling teaching coordinator in their region, as listed below. Those interested in traveling to teach may contact the appropriate regional coordinator.

Those who are interested in traveling through more than one region should contact the National Traveling Teaching Coordinator, who will work with the regional coordinators in setting up an itinerary.

National Traveling Teaching Coordinator: Laura Cessna, National Teaching Office, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091; phone 708-869-9039, ext. 232.

Region 1 (ID, MT, OR, WA, WY): Bob and Brooke Record,

Aberdeen, WA 98520; phone 206-5334011. Region 2 (CA, NV): Sandra Huit,

Fair Oaks, CA 95628; phone 916-961-0807.

Region 3 (AZ, CO, NM, UT): Terri Agahi, Phoenix, AZ 85023; phone 602-863-1919.

Region 4 (IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD): No Regional Coordinator. Contact the National Coordinator.

Region 5, #1 (AR, OK): Will Sutter,

Oklahoma City, OK 73104; phone 405-235-2802.

Region 5, #2 (LA, MS, TX): Riaz Haghpajuh, Addison, TX 75244; phone 214-243-1540.

Region 6 (IL, IN, KY, MI, OH, WI): Rose Wendel, . Dayton, OH 45459; phone 513-433-1120.

Region 7 (CT, ME, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT): Nancy Duggan,

Malden, MA 02148; phone 617-324-7915.

Region 8 (DC, DE, MD, NC, SC, TN, VA, WV): Bruce Barker,

Mt. Airy, NC 27030; phone 919-789-7878.

Region 9 (AL, FL, GA): Elizabeth Anderson, P.O. Box 131, Cedar Key, FL 32625; phone 904-543-6530.

For those traveling teachers passing through Illinois who would like to stop at the Baha’ i House of Worship in Wilmette, there will be pre-Congress and post-Congress activities in which they may take part. Information about hotels and activities may be obtained through the Baha'i House of Worship Activities Office (phone 708-869-9039).

Some guidelines for following through on proclamation

(The following article is excerpted from The DirectLine, June/July 1992) °

To proclaim the Faith is to introduce it to the public; it is to make the nature and purpose of the Baha’i Faith widely known. Proclamation takes various forms, such as engaging innewsworthy activities, presenting The Vision of Race Unity to prominent persons, distributing flyers and invitations to Baha'i events, marching witha banner or float in parades, or sponsoring panel discussions on important social issues. It is an aspect of teaching that, in general, has been done very well in the United States. Proclamation has assisted the Faith to emerge from obscurity and has helped us gain many friends. ...

BEYOND helping the Cause to become well known, proclamation has another function. It is a means through which receptive souls can be found and attracted to the Faith. This is an important step in the process of teaching, which involves teaching ourselves, finding and attracting receptive souls, delivering the Message of Baha*u'llah with wisdom, nurturing souls to unqualified acceptance of Baha'u'llah, and assisting them to become steadfast Baha’is.

If the Cause of Baha‘u'llah is to grow in number as a result of our proclamation activities, we have to find those individuals, from among the many people whoattend our events or respond to our publicity, who are interested in learning more about the Faith.

Tobeable toevaluate their level of interest, we must interact with them. We cannot always afford to wait for

them to come to us to ask questions, because unless they know who we are and unless they are outgoing enough to come to us, we may not know that they are receptive.

Evenso, there are ways that we can make iteasier for individuals to find us, if they are so inclined. Obviously, if we place an advertisement about the Faith in a newspaper we should include an address and phone number. If we are constantly aware of the need to make ourselves accessible, we can come up with other creative ways to identify ourselves as well. The Baha’is in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for example, all wore the same kind of T-shirt when they participated in their Race Unity Day picnic and parade, so that people with questions would know whom to approach.

Of course, we should be careful not to overwhelm receptive souls who are not bold enough to approach us. Yet we need not withdraw from them, either. Many other communities have conceived of creative ways to gain and maintain contact with receptive individuals without being “pushy.”

In Omaha, Nebraska, a sign-up sheet was circulated at a picnic following their third annual Race Unity Day parade for a newsletter produced to inform interested persons of upcoming Baha’i activities. In Reno, Nevada, a guest book was set out during an “open house” at the Baha'i Center, and those who signed it are being sent invita tions to upcoming events. In addition, Baha'is have made friends with some of the people who attended this event and have invited them to dinner.

Astrategy should be in place to follow up on our proclamation efforts and bring receptive souls closer to the Faith. This strategy should be developed as a part of the event itself, in the context of the community's local teaching plan.

It is important thatno proclamation activity occur in and of itself, isolated from other teaching activities in the community. A race unity walk, for example, might be preceded by a plan to distribute The Vision e Unity and the statement on ll4h to prominent individuals, a press release to local newspapers, and an effort to distribute flyers and invitations to organizations and acquaintances, while the walk might be followed by a panel discussion onrace unity anda series of firesides to which interested persons might be invited.

EVEN THOUGH a teaching program for the community may be in place, it is important that individuals further support community efforts by taking it upon themselve to develop personal friendships with those who show interest in the Faith.

As we continue to interact with those who. are found to be receptive, we will have opportunities to talk about Baha'u'llah and His Message ina way that is appropriate for these individuals, further discuss the Faith, and continue to nurture them until they are firm believers in the Cause.

The proper response io Covenant-breakers _ What should Baha'is do if Covbreakers or their supportppear at the sites of the World Congress? The most effective way of dealing with them is simply to ignore them. a ‘The friends should remain aloof and serene. Under no circumstances should Baha'is attempt to _ engage these people in conversaions or allow themsel be

goaded into any encow enant-breakers.

[Page 3]

ADRIANOPLE

Te American BaHA'i 3

In exile, Baha'u'llah reveals power of the Covenant

By Ken Bowers

During the years of Baha’u'llah’s exile to Adrianople there occurred a crisis of the first magnitude—the open rebellion of Mirza Yahya, who made public his claim that he, not Baha’u'llah, was the Promised One foretold by the Bab. Mirza Yahya’s pretense to prophetic office marked the consummation of years of intrigues designed to consolidate his own leadership of the Babi community and to simultaneously undermine Baha’u'llah’s authority.

MIRZA Yahya was Baha’u’lah’s half-brother, and had been chosen by the Bab to act as head of the Babi community after His own martyrdom, pending the appearance of “He Whom God will make manifest”; in other words, the Promised One. But he proved unequal to such a great honor.

Mirza Yahya never made an ef

let of Salman), written in honor of Shaykh Salman, the intrepid messenger who for more than four decades helped to keep the lines of communication open between Baha‘u'llah and His followers in Iran. In the Lawh-iSalman the Blessed Beauty touched on many profound subjects, all of which shed light on His Station and on the power of the Covenant to hold the Baha’i community intact.

Adib Taherzadeh, in The Revelation of Baha'u'llah, Vol. 2, gives a masterful explanation of this important Tablet, much of which has not yet been translated into English. He calls particular attention toa passage wherein Baha’u'llah explains one of the hidden meanings of the Islamic phrase, “There is no God but God,” regarded by Muslims as their primary article of faith.

Baha'u'llah revealed that the “letter of negation” (the

attribute to mankind, such power is released as can generate, through successive ages, all the manifold arts which the hands of man can produce. This, verily, is a certain truth. No sooner is this resplendent word uttered, than its animating energies, stirring within all created things, give birth to the means and instruments whereby such arts can be produced and perfected. All the wondrous achievements ye now witness are the direct consequences of the revelation of this Name.

“...Know thou that the revelation of every other Name is accompanied by a similar manifestation of Divine power. Every single letter proceeding out of the mouth of God is indeed a mother letter, and every word uttered by Him Who is the Well-Spring of Divine Revelation is a mother word, and His Tablet a Mother Tablet. Well is it with them that apprehend this truth.”

REGARDING His own Revelation, Bahaé’u’llah revealed such

fort to lead or defend the Babi community openly. He was afraid that he might suffer the same fate as thousands of the Bab’s illustrious followers who had already given their lives for the Cause. Rather, he lived in seclusion or in hiding, often in disguise. Usually only a few of the believers even knew his whereabouts; yet in spite of his supposed

In every previous Dispensation, the ‘letters of negation’ had been victorious over the faithful, causing divisions and schisms within the ranks of the followers of the Prophets. Now, however, the situation was reversed. God had, through the invincible power of His Word, entirely precluded the possibility of such rifts.

words as these:

“The world’s equilibrium hath been upset through the vibrating influence of this Most Great Order. Mankind’s ordered life hath been revolutionized through the agency of this unique, this wondrous System, the like of which mortal eyes have never witnessed.”

leadership he occasionally went so far as to threaten with excommunication any Babi who divulged such information.

By contrast, Baha'u'llah was well known asa follower of the Bab. In Iran and in Iraq He proved Himself a tireless and fearless champion of the Cause of God. Moreover, so great were His knowledge and spiritual qualities that He, and He alone, was able to preserve the unity and integrity of the Faith throughout the turbulent years leading up to His own Declaration. By the time He revealed His true Station, He was already considered by the vast majority of believers—and by non-believers as well— to be the leader of the Babi Faith.

Baha‘u'llah’s steadily growing ascendancy, and the signs of Divine power and might that He continually manifested, did not move Mirza Yahya to submit to His authority. Instead his heart burned with envy and hatred, for, although a complete coward, he craved glory and honor.

At last, after Baha’u’llah’s Declaration and removal to Adrianople, when it became clear that the entire Babi community was rallying around His standard, Mirza Yahya’s insatiable lust for leadership drove him to the extreme infamy. He issued a “counter-declaration” of his own, thereby throwing the believers into consternation.

THE REASON that Mirza Yahya’s claims were so confusing to the believers was that he was held in high esteem by most of them. As the nominee of the Bab he enjoyed the deference and respect of the friends, the vast majority of whom had no inkling as to his true nature. This is because Baha'u'llah Himself had consistently chosen to conceal His half-brother’s misdeeds from the other believers, never openly censuring him for his many wrong-doings. The references in His Writings to mischief-makers within the ranks of the community had always been indirect.

Therefore, when the believers were faced with opposing claims from individuals both of whom were considered to be upright and devoted followers of the Bab, the potential for a breach in the unity of the Cause seemed very real. z

It was at this point that the Blessed Beauty, Who had hoped for years that Mirza Yahya might mend his ways, was forced to remove the veil that until then had hidden his many crimes. Baha’u'Ilah revealed Tablet after Tablet that exposed his half-brother, and his small band of followers, for what they were.

At the same time, in mighty and exalted language, Baha'u'llah made unmistakably clear that God would tolerate no attempt to usurp the authority of the Cause, which would remain forever one and indivisible.

THe Tastet of SALMAN

One of the most significant of Baha’u'llah’s Tablets

revealed during this period was the Lawh-i-Salmdn (Tab word “no”), because it preceded that of affirmation, as it does in the original Arabic, meant that God had ordained that the forces of negation, i.e., the violators of the Covenant, should dominate over the faithful. The creative power of this one phrase was so far-reaching that the entire course of history had been affected, and the forces of evil had indeed achieved ascendacy. The Word of God, then, far from having been compromised, had actually been fulfilled!

THE BLESSED BEAUTY went on to state that in this Dispensation God had entirely removed the letter of negation. Thus, the phrase “There is no God but God” was now changed to “He is God.”

Baha'u'llah made clear that the effect of this would be to ensure that no one could ever again violate the authority and integrity of the Cause. The Baha’i Dispensation was from the beginning fundamentally different, and was destined through this new, God-given capacity to achieve what no previous Revelation had done.

How marvelous it is to realize that Baha’u'Il4h, with one stroke of His Pen, completely subverted a phenomenon that had persisted since the beginning of history! In every previous Dispensation the “letters of negation” had been victorious over the faithful, causing divisions and schisms within the ranks of the followers of the Prophets. Now, however, the situation was reversed. God had, through the invincible power of His Word, entirely precluded the possibility of such rifts.

In meditating upon such passages Baha’is become aware of the true nature of the revealed Word of God. The utterances of the Manifestations of God have a power far beyond mere words, placing them ina category infinitely higher than the sayings of other men, however wise or pious. For Their Words do not simply point out the course of human development—they determine it.

Consequently, the Covenant of God is not to be seen as a mere agreement or contract. It is a force of inconceivable potency, so great that everything in the universe is subservient to it. As ‘Abdu’l-Baha stated, “...all the forces in the universe in the last analysis serve the Covenant.”

In many of His Writings the Blessed Beauty spoke about the creative power of the Word of God. Following is a well-known passage from Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah:

“Every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God is endowed with such potency as can instill life into every human frame, if ye be of them that comprehend this truth. All the wondrous works ye behold in this world have been manifested through the operation of His supreme and most exalted Will, His wondrous and inflexible Purpose.

“THROUGH the mere revelation of the word ‘Fashioner,’ issuing forth from His lips and proclaiming His

These passages, in which the Supreme Pen discloses the true nature of the Cause, totally transform our understanding of the effect of the Word of God in the world of creation. What of the Revealers of the Word Themselves?

The Bab, speaking with the voice of God, revealed the following:

“In truth I have created Thee through Thyself, then at My own behest I have fashioned all things through the creative power of Thy word. ...”

And from Baha'u'llah we have these remarkable lines concerning the Manifestations of God:

“Nay, all else besides these Manifestations, live by the operation of Their Will, and move and have their being through the outpourings of Their grace.”

These passages imply that the very nature of a Messenger of God is different from that of other men, a concept explicitly confirmed elsewhere in Baha’u'llah’s Writings. And to think that it was such an exalted and mighty Being as this whom Mirza Yahya dared to oppose!

The claims that Baha’u'lla4h makes concerning the Word of God necessarily lead one to wonder why, if Divine Revelation is truly so powerful, God never provided for the preservation of His Cause from the “letters of negation” in past Dispensations.

AS MR. TAHERZADEH points out in the same chapter in which he dicusses the Lawh-i-Salmdn, the answer is that the Divine Messengers have always had the power to institute a Covenant similar to Baha’u'llah’s. That They chose not to do so was through no limitation on Their part; rather, it was because of the incapacity of the people of past ages to appreciate the meaning of such an institution.

The Prophets of bygone eras knew perfectly well that the time had not come to endow humanity with such a blessing, which is also a great spiritual responsibility; yet They all alluded to such a time in their prophecies. Abundant references can be found in the Scriptures of the past in support of this idea. Perhaps the best known is this statement of Christ's:

“I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth...” (John 16:12-13)

In revealing the Lawh-i-Salmdn it was important that Baha’u' lah stress the power of God to preserve the unity of the Faith in this new Dispensation, especially at a time when the schemes of Mirza Yahya had reached their heights. Up to that point the Cause had suffered many calamities due to hostile forces from without, but had not yet been put in such imminent danger from within. Time had yet to tell the true potency of the Covenant.

Moreover, it is probably more than coincidental that Shaykh Salman was honored as the recipient of the

See ADRIANOPLE page 19

‘Im B.€. 149 / Octoser 16, 1992 [Page 4]

Baha'i NGO represented at UN Public Information conference

Baha'i representatives of nongoyernmental organizations (NGOs) including the National Spiritual Assembly were among a record 1,300 representatives of NGOs who gathered September 9 for the annual United Nations conference sponsored by the UN Department of Public Information.

The theme, “Regional Conflicts: Threats to World Peace and Progress,” inspired the involvement and concern of attendees from 58 countries.

UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros

BAHA'I! YOUTH SERVICE CORPS TRAINING

A Training Institute is being planned for January 5-10, 1993, at the Bosch Baha’i School. All youth, who live on the west coast and in the western states, please note, THIS IS THE ONLY TRAINING TI BE HELD IN YOUR REGION THIS HOLY YEAR AND UNTIL JANUARY 1994. Remember, you must take part in a Training Institute before you leave for your post. If you are interested in attending, contact the Office of Pioneeringat the Bahai National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 708-869-9039.

AFRICA

©), (E) (E) (E) (E) (E) (E) (E) (E) (E) (E)

(E)

Kenya (Preferably Outside Nairobi) Nigeria ... Sierra Leone South Africa St. Helena . Namibia Transkei Uganda (One to teac! university; one doctor) Venda.. Total for Africa

AMERICAS (E)

Bahamas (North Abaco, Eleuthera, Andros, Cat Island, Long Island) .

Barbados (Employment opportunities

Ghali, after asking for a moment of silence in memory of two French members of the UN peacekeeping force killed in the line of duty in Bosnia-Herzegovina, delivered the keynote address, saying that the mounting responsibilities of the UN cannot successfully be undertaken without the continued Suppor AIRY participation of NGOs.

Former President Finny Carter, in a video taped address, urged his audience to focus on what unites us, said that regional solutions imply regional responsibility, and emphasized that “we cannot continue to look the other way’ when, developing nations request our help.”

Dr. Soheil Bushrui, director of the Baha'i Chair for World Peace at the University of Maryland, spoke at a panel discussion on

“Conflict: Interreligious Approach.”

Shirley Lee, representative to the UN for the National Spiritual Assembly, moderated a luncheon session at which a number of NGO representatives presented a wide array of projects and initiatives designed to.contribute to the resokition of conflicts and the amelioration of suffering around the world.

The conference provided an opportunity for NGOs and other participants to enhance their knowledge of the issues involved, share their concerns and expertise, formulate strategies for action, and support the work of the UN in resolving conflicts, maintaining world peace, and furthering social and economic development.

State Department's Foreign Service Board to give annual written examination on Saturday, November 7

The U.S. State Department's Foreign Service Board of Examiners, which administers the annual Foreign Service written examination, hasagnounced that this year’s exam will be given on Saturday, November 7.

Registration deadlines to take this year’s exam are October 2 for those who wish to take it in the U. S. and September 11 for those who wish to take it at an overseas location. The exam takes half a day. Ap

6 YEAR PLAN U.S. PIONEERING GOALS

Goals Open EI Goals Open Assigned Goals AMERICAS - Continued _ Assigned Goals pense wa (E) Jamaica (Preferably self-supporting for 5 9 rural areas to work in village development) 4 0 v (F). Martinique (French-speaking youth to eno roll in university or with musical talent) ...... 1 0 0 (S) Nicaragua (Preferably Persian) 2 0 o (E) St. Lucia (Skills in community consolo idation)'2, 4 th o (E) St. Vincent & Grenadines 2 keke 0 (D) Suriname (Preferably Persian) .. 2 t 0 (E) Trinidad & Tobago (Preferably Persian) 2 oO c (S) Uruguay . oan (S) Venezuela .. 2 0 ° (E) Virgin Islands, British Ho heNO ee Total for Americas 45 8 Goals Open Is

(E) In

0 (E)

(E) relations experts) 1 oO for a dentist) . 1 0 (E) Nepal.......... 2 0

(E) Belize (For radio, consolidation, devel- (M) Taiwan (Chinese Background) .. ply

(S) opment projects; skills for the National Total for Asia 6 0 Secretariat) ... ee 0

(P) Brazil (Preferably for Amazon project, Goals Open possibly of Persian background)........... 2 0 AUSTRALASIA Assigned Goals

Malaysia (To help develop public

plication packets may be obtained from the Department of State, Recruitment Division, P.O. Box 12226, Arlington, VA 22219, or from most federal employment offices around the country.

If you are traveling outside the United States for any reason, please contact the Office of Pioneering (708869-9039) for information.

©. fe ha erie nis ee Boll a (E) Mershall islands (To help with admin (E) Dominica 2 1 istration) ... <2 AO! (F) French Guiana (Preferably Persian) 5} 1 Total for Americas 1 0 (E) Grenada 2: 0 (F) Guadeloupe (Opportunities for English EUROPE pare Open teachers) .. on 2 me | (E) Guyana (Preferably East Indians and (P) Portugal (Couples for goal areas outside Blacks .. 0 greater Lisbon, preferably Portugese or (S) Honduras (Bay Islands, Spanish-speaking) .... o 50% preferably self-supporting) ..... 1 Total for Europe 0 Total goals assigned .. 77 Pioneers to goal countries. 259 Pioneers filling goals for other countries .. 18 Total goals filled.. 68 Pioneers to non-goals 80 Total Pioneers sent .... . 757

Language Key: (&) English (D) Dutch (F) French (M) Mandarin (P) Portuguese (6) Spanish |

T-TERM PIONEER GOALS

Goals Months AFRICA ___ (months) Completed Ciskei 24 7 Guinea-Bissau 12 3 Liberia 12 0 Nigeria 12 17 Tanzania 36 24 Uganda 24 oO Zambia Pod, oh GOs Totals 144 103 AMERICAS Argentina 24 0. Bahamas 12 19 Barbados 12 10 Brazil 24 21 British V.1. 12 14 Colombia 24 0 Dominica 12 0 Ecuador 12 18 Guyana 24 46 Honduras 24 26 Jamaica 24 29 Leeward Islands 12 49 Martinique 12 0 Mexico 36 80 Nicaragua 24 2 Panama 36 27 Paraguay 24 0 Puerto Rico 12 3 Uruguay 24 im Venezuela 12 22 Totals 396 373 ASIA India Japan Pakistan , 12 au. Taiwan. 36. eas Totals 96 86 AUSTRALASIA

24 0 12 re

Mariana Islands Marshall Islands

W. Caroline Islands 12 Totals

oe

E ed 24 4

ONGOING TRAVELING

TEACHING OPPORTUNITIES

AUSTRALIA; ALBANIA; BAHAMAS; BANGLADESH, BELIZE,; BULGARIA; BURKINA FASO; CAMBODIA; CHINA; CISKEI; COLOMBIA; COOK ISLANDS; COSTA RICA; DOMINICAN REPUBLIC; EAST GERMANY; EQUATORIAL GUINEA; FIJI; FRENCH POLYNESIA; GAMBIA; GERMANY; GUATEMALA; GUADELOUPE; GUINEA BISSAU; GUYANA; HAITI; HONG KONG; HUNGARY; ICELAND; INDIA; IRELAND; ITALY; MALAYSIA; MALTA; MOZAMBIQUE; NEPAL; NEW CALEDONIA; PAKISTAN; PANAMA; PHILIPPINES; PORTUGAL; PUERTO RICO, ST. VINCENT & THE GRENADINES; SAMOA; SIBERIA; SIERRA LEONE; SWEDEN; TAIWAN; THAILAND; TONGA; TRANSKEI; TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO; TUVALU; UGANDA; UNITED KINGDOM; VANUATU; WEST LEEWARD ISLANDS; YUGOSLAVIA; ZAMBIA.

‘ILm B.£. 149 / Octoser 16, 1992 [Page 5]

INTRODUCTION

In The Advent of Divine Justice, Shoghi Effendi states that certain actions are necessary if we are to be successful in teaching the Faith to others. The foundation of this success lies in the deepening of each Baha’i.

The Guardian states that Baha’is must be “thoroughly familiar” with the history and teachings of the Faith and outlines steps that will help Baha'is achieve this “familiarity.”

The following guide is intended to assist the believers in their quest to understand and follow the Guardian’s exhortation. Although a full text of the passage is included, only the second sentence is taken apart and discussed. It is in this sentence that the Guardian describes the actions which must be taken in the process of deepening.

For each facet of deepening, the action is defined, supplementary references from the Writings are given, and questions regarding the individual's response to the suggested action are asked.

Text

“Those who participate in sucha [teaching] campaign, whether in an organizing capacity, or as workers to whose care the execution of the task itself has been committed, must, as an essential preliminary tothe discharge of their duties, thoroughly familiarize themselves with the various aspects of the history and teachings of their Faith. In their efforts to achieve this purpose they must study for themselves, conscientiously and painstakingly, the literature of their Faith, delve into its teachings, assimilate its laws and principles, ponder its admonitions, tenets and purposes, commit to memory certain of its exhortations and prayers, master the essentials of its administration, and keep abreast of its current affairs and latest developments.

“They muststrive to obtain, from sources that are authoritative and unbiased, asound knowledge of the history and tenets of Islam—the source and background of their Faith—and approach reverently and with a mind purged from preconceived ideas the study of the Qur’an which, apart from the sacred scriptures of the Babi and Baha'i Revelations, constitutes the only Book which can be regarded as an absolutely authenticated Repository of the Word of God. They must devote special attention to the investigation of those institutions and circumstances that are directly connected with the origin and birth of their Faith, with the station claimed by its Forerunner, and with the laws revealed by its Author.

“Having acquired, in their essentials, these prerequisites of success in the teaching field, they must, whenever they contemplate undertaking any specific mission... , endeavor, whenever feasible, to acquire a certain proficiency in the languages spoken by the inhabitants of those countries, and a knowledge of their customs, habits, and outlook.” (The Advent of Divine Justice, p. 49)

OUTLINE OF ELEMENTS

In this text, the Guardian outlines the following elements of deepening as “prequisites of success in the teaching field”:

¢ delving into its teachings,

assimilating its laws and principles,

committing to memory its exhortations and prayers,

mastering the essentials of its administration, and

keeping abreast of its current affairs and latest developments.

1. “Study for themselves, conscientiously and painstakingly, the literature of their Faith.”

Each individual is responsible for the progress of his or her soul. Each is called to study, every day, the Writings of the Faith.

“Immerse yourselves in the ocean of My words, that ye may unravel its secrets, and discover all the pearls of wisdom that lie hid in its depths.” (Baha’w Wah, Synopsis and Codification of the Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 27)

“Recite ye the verses of God

Prerequisites of success in teaching: a study guide

this ocean, so that he may, in proportion to.the eagerness of his search and the efforts he hath exerted, partake of such benefits as have been pre-ordained in God's irrevocable and hidden Tablets.” (Baha’u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 326)

How do I “delve” into the teachings?

What is the role of reflection in this process?

Does everyone have some capacity to

study the Writings? 3. “Assimilate its laws and principles.”

To “assimilate” means to understand and incorporate. Living the Baha’i life requires understanding the principles of the Faith and changing one’s life to live according to those principles.

“Think not that We have revealed unto

THe American BaHA'i 5

you a mere code of laws. Nay, rather, We have unsealed the choice Wine with the fingers of might and power. To this beareth witness that which the Pen of Revelation hath revealed. Meditate upon this, Omen of insight!” (Baha'u'llah, Synopsis of the Kitdb-i-Aqdas, p. 12)

“It is incumbent upon every man of insight and understanding to strive to translate that which hath been written into reality and action.” (Baha’u'll4h, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 166)

¢ How can I change my attitudes and behaviors?

4. “Ponder its admonitions, tenets and purposes.”

To “ponder” is to think deeply about a subject. It can mean to meditate, contem See SUCCESS page 18

every morning and evening.” ae: (Baha*u'llah, The Importance of 1 DERE THE BAHA'I FUNDS

What does it mean to study Quarterly Contributions: July '90 to July ‘92

“conscientiously”? © What constitutes “the litera- $4,500 ape rna ional ees ture of the Faith”? % ee 00 2. “Delve into its teachings.” “Delving” into the teachings = $3,500 means to explore or probe the a $3,000 Arc Projects Fund Writings for the truths they con- a tain. Searching for meanings y $2,500 within the Words we read re- $2,000 quires thoughtful effort. i National Fund “My holy, My divinely or- 2 $1,500 dained Revelation may be lik- Bg, 000, ened unto an ocean in whose depths are concealed innumer- ean) able pearls of great price, of $0 surpassing luster. It is the duty of every seeker to bestir himself ai 4 a8 a te PP, 28 oa ne and strive to attain the shores of ORDER FORM Conferences are held at Green Acre, in Chicago Baha'i World Congress Concert for Chinese-speakers Celebrating the Vision of World Peace mwo conferences for Chinese speaking November 22, 1992 Baha'is were held recently, the first June Carnegie Hall 26-28 at the Green Acre Baha'i School and the second August 21-23 at the Baha'i Center in Chicago.

First Name Last Name The Green Acre conference, for Mandarin speakers in the Northeast, drew more than 20 Chinese from Florida, Massachu Street Number City, State Zip Code setts, New York, New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin. It was sponsored by the National Chinese

Area code/Home Telephone Area code/Work Telephone Teaching Committee in cooperation with

Number of tickets: Ticket total Handling Charge Total Enclosed

at

Make Checks Payable to: BAHA'I CLASSICAL CONCERT

Mail this coupon and payment to:

Ms. Mary Watson

c/o Baha'i World Congress 866 United Nations Plaza Suite 119

New York, NY 10017

Ticket categories: $12, $15, $20, $30, $35, $45

PAYMENT MUST BE RECEIVED IN OUR OFFICES BY NOVEMBER 1 For more information, phone 212-756-3569 Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. EDT

Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis

Sees

Sos

$ _2.00

$2

the Green Acre School and the Spiritual Assembly of Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Through lectures and discussions, the friends studied the life and teachings of Baha'u'llah, the significance of His Revelation, and His Covenant and administration.

The Chicago conference, inspired by the event at Green Acre, drew 22 Chinese from Illinois, Indiana, lowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin.

The conference used no speakers; instead, workshops were conducted on the statement on Baha’u'llah and Call to the Nations, from the writings of Shoghi Effendi, in Chinese.

A highlight was the presentation of the most recent Baha’i newsreel, with the commemoration of the anniversary of the Ascension of Baha‘u'll4h, in Mandarin Chinese.

The conference ended with tours of the Baha‘i House of Worship and Baha'i National Center.

‘Im B.€. 149 / October 16, 1992 [Page 6]6 The American BAHA'i

Baha’i Families Perspectives, Principles, Practice by Patricia Wilcox SC $10.95 When two people marry they set about creating a family unit. Each one has an idea of what a family should be. Where do these ideas come from? Baha ’is derive their understanding of marriage from the Baha’i Writings, a priceless storehouse of divine guidance. In Baha'i Families: Perspectives, Principles, Practice Patricia Wilcox—teacher, family counsellor, and mother of five—draws on the teaching of the Baha’i Faith to provide an insight into the development of happy, strong, and united families. In particular, she looks at marriage as. a ‘fortress for well-being, ’* unity and diversity within the family, the equality of women and men, and family in transition. She also examines the education of children and consultation as a tool for progress. 5-1/4" x 8-2", 166pp., contents, foreward, references, bibliography George Ronald, Publisher

i]

Bae | FAMILIES

cla Wilcox

NE

VIDE

An Introduction to Baha’u’llah

by Douglas Martin

VT $14.95

Originally prepared for TV broadcast in Canada, Mr. Douglas Martin, Director of the Office of Public Information at the Bahai World Centre, talks about Baha‘u' lah. His engaging comments are based on the recent publication written by the Office of Public Information at the request of the Universal House of Justice. This program is not only an excellent program for Baha’is who are studying the statement on Baha'u'llah, but also provides a fine introduction to Baha'u'llah for those encountering the Faith for the first time. Ideal for use at firesides, Baha’i-club meetings, and classes on comparative religion.

27 minutes

Vision TV / Visual Services Office

The Baha’i Newsreel, Volume 3, Number 2

by Baha'i Media Services

VT $15.95

SPECIAL HOLY YEAR EDITION! Centenary of the Ascension of Baha’u'lld4h—expanded coverage of the commemoration services in the Holy Land and around the world. Twelve new National Spiritual Assemblies formed at Ridvan. Brazilian Federal Chamber of deputies holds solemn plenary session to pay homage to Baha‘u'llah. Baha’i International Community addresses world leaders at UNCED *‘Earth Summit”” in Rio de Janiero. BIC activities at the related **Global Forum’ conference of NonGovernmental Organizations in Rio: Symposium on moral leadership, contribution of Baha’i children and youth, **Global 500°° award for Baha’i Institute in India, Peace Monument—enduring Baha'i legacy. Commemorative postal stamps in Brazil and Trinidad and Tobago. The Prime Minister of Guyana responds to Baha’i development activities. Baha’i leadership on race issues in the wake of the Los Angeles riots in America. Tribal chiefs embrace the Faith as the ‘‘Ocean of Light’’ spreads to Vanatu. 48 minutes

Wor_p C

Posters

“Unity” Poster large (16" x 23") $5.00 each

“Faith” Poster large (16" x 23") $5.00 each

“Unity” Poster small (7" x 10") 5 for $5.00

“Faith” Poster small (7" x10") 5 for $5.00

A unique presentation of Baha’u'llah’s words surrounded by lively colorful borders and patterns that reflect the Baha'i Communities coming together in New York. Printed on archival quality acid-free paper. Suitable for framing. Available with two different quotations and in two sizes.

World Congress Office

Medallion

$35.00 each

A three- inch bronze medal. One side depicts the familiar World Congress logo. The other side presents a “hoop of many hoops” pattern surrounded by words to remind us of the event's significance.

World Congress Office

Special Times

by Susan Engle and Jean White

CS $9.95

Popular songwriter Susan Engle has teamed up with Jean White, Priscilla Jeanne, and Nina Doering to produce a new cassette tape for children. The cassette is divided into seven sections that correspond to parts of Baha'i life that are familiar to Baha’i children: Waking Up, Morning Prayers, Baha'i Schools, Teaching The Cause of God, Feast, Holy Days, and Going to Bed. Dialogue between a parent and child introduces each section. Instrumental accompaniment is intentionally sparse, says Susan Engle, to help “celebrate the use of the human voice and to encourage people to sing.” Quotations from the Baha’i writings are both spoken and sung to aid memorization. If you enjoyed Come and Sing or Loving Hands, you'll love this cassette.

Approx. 60 minutes Shoestring Productions

The Bahai Faith by Patrick Vickers HC 11.50

This book looks at the Baha’i Faith, the youngest of the world religions, from the viewpoint of two Bahai children. The clear, easy-to-read text covers family and community life, holy days, basic beliefs, and history. Combined with original full-color photographs and illustrations, it conveys ina straightforward way what it means to be a young Baha’i. This book will be particularly welcomed by teachers working in a multi-faith context because of its stress on shared spiritual values and respect for all the

Baha

world’s great religious traditions. 6-1/2" x 9-1/8", 64pp., contents, index Oneworld Publications

oi on

Bahay Faith

Tl es

Baha’i Prayers

A Selection

SC $.50

An inexpensive, introductory selection of prayers from the Baha’ writings. Included is Blessed is the Spot, the short obligatory prayer, and prayers forassistance, morning, journey, night, children, youth, parents, healing, spiritual growth, forgiveness, the departed, mankind, teaching, and unity. Also included are selections from The Hidden Words and a calendar of the Nineteen Day Feast. An excellent gift. 3" x 4-%", 29pp., table of contents Bahda’i Publishing Trust of Malaysia

Naw-Riz: New Day

A Compilation

HC $14.95

Read this exciting new compilation on Naw-Ruz, long-celebrated in Iran as the ancient New Year--now a world holiday of the Baha’i Faith. Contains prayers and sacred writings for the occasion, historic Babi and Baha’i celebrations, significance of the Baha’i calendar, and some Persian customs associated with Naw-Ruz, including recipes for delicious Persian food!

5-1/4" x 7-1/4", 92pp., table of contents, preface, sources, appendix

Kalimat Press

Occasions of Grace

by Roger White

SC $11.95

Here is the long-awaited major volume of Roger White's works written over the last decade since his previous two collections Another Song, Another Season and A Witness of Pebbles.

This new collection brings together a wide selection of poems, portrayals, vignettes and a good dash of White's well-loved humor. It delicately balances asympathetic portrayal of the strength of the Faith and its adherents witha portrayal of the vagaries of twentieth century life. Truly a portrayal of the new and old world orders.

8-4" x 5-2" George Ronald, Publisher

Order now through the Baha’i Distribution Service ¢ 1-800-999-9019

‘ILm B.£. 149 / Octoser 16, 1992 [Page 7]THe AMERICAN BaHA'i 7

Baha’u’llah Art Print

AP $5.00 Baha’i Publications Australia has produced

an inexpensive full-color poster using the same cover as the hardcover and general

ns of the statement on Baha’u'llah. Suitable for framing or for use at public gatherings and book displays. The quote at the bottom of the poster reads:

66

We desire but the good of the world and the happiness of the nations ... That all nations should become one

in faith and all men as brothers; that the diversity of religion should cease, and differences of race annulled—what harm is there in this?

39

20-3/4" x 15"

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Baha’i Faith in America

Baha’i Faith World Religious Stat. Baha’i Peace Program - Pack of 5 Baha’i Studies 15: Abiding Silence Blessings Beyond Measure

Centers of Baha’i Learning Compilation of Compilations Consultation Compilation Creating Patterns of Unity, Guide Dawning Place, SC

Drawings, Verse and Belief

From Strength to Strength

Iran’s Secret Pogrom

Journal Baha’i Studies Vol. 2, No. 3 Journal Baha’i Studies Vol. I, No. 4 Journal Baha’i Studies Vol. 2, No. | Peace: More than an End to War, SC Perspective Series, Education Pictorial History/S. Africa

Power of Unity

Sense of History, SC

The Six Year Plan

Special Measure of Love

Spiritual Foundations

Stirring of the Spirit

Teaching Prominent People

Traces that Remain

Valley of Search

Way to Inner Freedom

SEESEELES EGER ELSE SERESEELES2

Kid’s Books

BJ and the Language of the Woodland 595 Birth Announcement Cards 4.50 Children’s Feast Packet #3 32.50 Fly Away Home 6-95 My Baby Book 8:00

6:00

Youth in Vanguard Special Materials

‘Abdu’l-Baha Color Litho 11" x 14" Baha’i Coloring Book, Set/4

Do It Yourself Sticker Kit

Gift of Life, 10/pk.

Native American Cards, 8/pk. Tapestry Notecards, 1 0/pk.

Sggcrs

5.00 5.00 3.00 3.00 7.25) 1.00 25.00 1.00 3.50 1.00 10.00 1.00 175 2.50 2.50 3.00 5.50 6.50 3.50 3.25 6.00 3.50 1.00 1.00 1.00 75 10.00 6.00 3.75

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Journal of Bah@’i

Studies Vol. 4, No. 1

SC $6.00

Baharieh Ma’ani’s detailed historical examination of the role North American women played in education and women’s” movements in Iran includes brief biographies of such luminaries as Dr. Susan Moody and Keith Ransom-Kehler. ** Bret Brenneman takes a close look at Socrates” use of rhetoric in his dialogues, and concludes that,at its best, Socrates’ “pedagogical” rhetoric “demonstrates the nurturing nature of refined speech.” ** Michael Sours probes into the relationship and meaning of some of the central figures in Christianity and the Baha’i Faith, with on Sophia, the Greek ication of wisdom, and The Maid of Heaven. ** Ross Woodman offers and unfettered interpretation of the work of the famous moder artists in a Baha’i context. 6"x9", 95pp., contents, biographical notes Association for Baha’i Studies

Journal of Baha@’i

Studies Vol. 4, No. 2 SC $6.00

This issue features. a comprehensive article on the role of women in art. Anne Atkinson delves into the Baha’i writings to support the belief that ina Baha’i society women’s creativity, fully developed and recognized, will be a powerful force for the advancement of humanity. ** Phyllis Chew, a language teacher in Singapore, draws partially on her own background in her detailed comparison of traditional Taoist beliefs in relation to the Faith and other religions. ** Another educator, Maija Pihlainen, describes a participatory approach to learning at the Macau-based School of Nations that she characterizes as “a potential instructional model within which Baha’i principles and ideas, with their emphasis on moral educ: participation, cooperation, and consultation could be effectively implemented.” The issue also contains five reviews of book relevant to the Baha’i Faith.

Recent New TITLES

CHI: Baha'u'llah SC $3.00

The Life of the Soul PA 10/pk $3.50 100/pk $25.00

Hidden Words (British Edition) HC $14.95 | SC $9.95

Education on Trial SC $14.95

Nearness to God, HC HC $14.95

Models of Unity SC $1.00

The Invisible Hand SC $9.95

The Baha’i Faith, What is It? PA 10Ipk $3.50 100/pk $25.00

Tablets of Bahd’u’llah PS $3.00 net

Day of Glory HC $24.95 | SC $11.95

Seven Valleys (British Edition) HC $14.95 | SC $9.95

Garden of Bahd’u’llah HC $9.95

DA (oyu (el Os

BDS Wu Be CLosep NoveMBer 23-NoVEMBER 27

The Baha’i Distribution Service will be closed from November 23 through November

27 for The Baha’i World Congress.

THE Covenant oF Band’v’LLAH

The Covenant of Baha'u'llah, by Adib Taherzadeh, is now out of print in hardcover. George Ronald, the publisher of the book, assures us that they are planning to reprint the book in softcover in the near future. We regret this inconvenience.

| Ordered by: (Pléase print or type)

|

Name. | Address |

‘lum B.€. 149 / Octoser 16, 1992 [Page 8]8° THe American BanA'i

GLASSIFIEDS:

Classified notices in The American Baha'i are published free of charge as a service to the Bahd't 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

THE BOSCH Baha‘i School is seeking a recreational leader for its 1993 summer program. This person will work up to 40 hours per week during the summer session— 10/11 weeks during the summer program—and will be housed on campus. Pay consists of room and board and 20 hours per week at minimum wage. Qualifications include knowledge of basic recreational activities such as volleyball, swimming, ping pong, baseball/softball. In addition, the person hired will be expected to conduct exercise/aerobics classes and morning jogs/walks, and will be responsible for checking out and maintaining in an orderly fashion all athletic/recreational equipment. This lividual should also be able to serve as aswimming pool lifeguard, and musical talent would be helpful for sing-alongs and participation as needed during evening programs. Those who are interested should send a letter of intent to the Bosch School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, or phone 408423-3387 (fax 408-423-7564). Bosch will send an application form to those who ask for it by letter, phone or fax. Those who apply should understand that transportation at Bosch is limited, and the’schoot is a good! distance from metro areas, shopping centers or public transport. Service in this position would begin in early June 1993.

THE LOUHELEN Baha‘ School has a regular and continuing need for short-term and long-term volunteers in a variety of areas. Applications to serve are especially invited from individuals and/or couples interested in one-year or longer periods of service.The school is seeking help from. professionally skilled Baha‘is able to serve the school for a few days or weeks at regular intervals through‘out the year. Especially needed are mechanics; building maintenance and heating/air conditioning specialists; gardeners and agriculturalists; and carpenters to provide scheduled service at mutually convenient times during the year and to help with preventive maintenance programs, seasonally-urgent projects, and special property-enhancement projects. Also needed is a talented gardener or smallscale agriculturalist who can offer long-term full-time service to the school. Room and board and full participation in Louhelen’s active Baha'i conference schedule and commulife are available for the person or couple invited to serve in this extremely important role. Those who are interested in any of these positions are asked to write to Dr. Rick Johnson, director, Louhelen Baha'i School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423 (phone 313653-5033; fax 313-653-7181).

ASSISTANT cook: a full-time position during the summer program (10-12) weeks and part-time the rest of the year (20-30 hours per week depending on the session) at the Bosch Baha’i School. Should have experience in food preparation for large groups—up to 150—breakfast, lunch and dinner. Knowledge of meal planning, menu preparation, nutrition and use of restaurant-type kitchen equipment would be helpful. Housing at Bosch may be available. Please send a letter of intent to the Bosch Baha'i School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Phone 408-423-3387 or fax materials to 408-423-7564. Bosch will send application forms on receipt of letters of

intent or phone/fax calls. A car is necessary, as the school is some distance from major shopping and population centers.

THE MAXWELL International Baha‘i School in Canada regularly needs retired persons to volunteer in supervisory/managerial positions such as for the uniform shop, laundry service, front desk, ete. Youth volunteers are also needed in many areas. Room and board provided. If you are interested, please apply to the Service Coordinator, Maxwell International Baha'i School, Bag 1000, Shawnigan Lake, British Columbia VOR 2W0, Canada, or telephone 604-743-7144.

PIONEERING (HOMEFRONT)

FAYETTEVILLE, Georgia, needs four active adult Baha'is to raise the Group to Assembly status. We are presently five adults and five children who are seeking other souls on fire with the love of God to help teach the masses in this area. We recently held a successful Race Unity Day event, and soon will present copies of the race un the mayor and other local offi ardent souls to help set the area aflame and receive the bounties conferred on a local Assembly. Fayetteville offers good schools, employment opportunities, and easy access to Atlanta and the airport. Come visit, or write or phone for more information to Bernice Rosenstreich Hunter,

Fayetteville, GA 30214 (phone 404460-9831).

THE SCHOOL district of Columbia, Missouri, is actively seeking to employ black teachers at the elementary and secondary school levels. The Baha‘i community of Columbia is active and growing, but needs diversity. Co

lumbia, close to the country but only two hours “

from Kansas City or St. Louis, is a prime area for promoting race unity. To request an application, write to Dr. Gene Huff,

Columbia, MO 65203. For more information, phone the Baha‘is of Columbia, 314-449-6799, or write to P.O. Box 1421, Columbia, MO 65205.

NEEDED: Baha'is who are interested in relocating to Jackson, Michigan, to help the local Spiritual Assembly which is in jeopardy. For more information, please phone Alexandra Rivera-Rule, 517-783-6236.

DOCTORS and other health care professionals are desperately needed to serve Indian communities in Nebraska, Iowa, North Dakota and South Dakota. This homefront pioneering opportunity includes the potential for carrying Baha‘u'llah’s Message to American Indians. For more information, please phone Ada James at the National Teaching Committee Office, 708-869-9039.

COLORS needed: white crayons seek rich tones with which to brighten the box. The Baha‘i communi of Greenwich, Schuylerville, Easton, Fort Edward and Saratoga, New York, would like to diversify the area with many skin tones. Near the state capital and other small to medium cities, the Greenwich area offers close community relationships, easy access to larger towns (30-45 minutes), and access to Vermont's recreational and historic sites. If you would like to know more about the economic security, social attitudes, job opportunities, educational systems and property rates in the area, please phone the Gometz family, 518-692-9094. You are also invited to spend a weekend for an “up close and personal” view of the area. Local Baha'is will help you.

PIONEERING (OVERSEAS)

EMPLOYMENT opportunities overseas: AFRICA—Angola: water engineer. Burkina Faso: administrative officer for the WHO"s Onchocerciasis Control Program. Chad: project advisor, country representative for Africare. AMERICAS— Bermuda: chief financial offi cer. Brazil: elementary school teachers, kit dergarten teacher. ASI[A—Korea: chief mechanical engineer. Singapore: software programmer. AUSTRALASIA— Kwajalein Atoll: automotive mechanics, electronic and com

munications technicians, SATCOM, CRYPTO/COMSEC, GPS. EUROPE—Hu gary: senior social security specialist, senior industrial relations specialist, wage and remuneration specialist. Romania: child psychologist, nurse, occupational therapist, pediatric dietitian, physical therapist. Russia: radio/television journalists and production specialists. MULTI-REGIONAL—program officer for Traffic USA for the World Wildlife Fund. Senior construction engineers for upcoming projects in East Africa. International health care consultants for short- and long-term assignments for USAID-sponsored projects. For more information on any of the above, please contact the Office of Pioneering at the Bahai National Center, Wilmette IL 60091; telephone 708-869-9039 or fax 708-869-0247, Attn: Office of Pioneering.

URGENT need in Brazil for a kindergarten teacher and two elementary school teachers for the School of the Nations Baha'i School. For more information, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Baha'i National Center, Wilmette, IL 6009 | (phone 708-869-9039; fax 708-869-0247).

THE NATIONAL Spiritual Assembly of Guatemala is seeking an older, retired couple to occupy the caretaker house at its national institute. For more information, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Baha'i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 708-869-9039; fax 708-869-0247).

CVA Oln INA etsy

THE NATIONAL Baha‘ Archives is seeking, at the request of the Universal House of Justice, original letters written on behalf of the Guardian to the following individuals: Mary McKee (died Brooklyn, NY, 1944), Mary P. McKeegan, Marie E. McKevitt, Annie E. McKinney (died Providence, RI, 1935), Edna M. McKinney, Carolyn McLeod, Nagene McMahon, Edna McManamey (died Fruitport, MI, 1972), and Barbara Ann McVay. Anyone knowing family members ot relatives who might have these letters from the Guardian is asked to contact the National Baha'i Archives, Baha‘i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 708-869-9039).

THE NATIONAL Baha‘ Archives still has available several sets of unbound issues of World Order magazine, 1966-83, vols. 1-6, 817. The sets are complete except for missing, vol. 7. The sets will be given to any local Spiritual Assembly or other Bal titution that could use them for their library or to give toa local or college library. Please contact the National Baha'i Archives, Baha'i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 708-8699039).

ANTED:

THE INTERNATIONAL Baha‘i AudioVisual Center (IBAVC), a field agency of the Universal House of Justice, is looking for writers of radio scripts. We are especially (erested in obtaining script series on topical issues such as the environment, racism, and world peace. IBAVC offers scripts to Baha'i communities around the world—a wonderful way to multiply the effects of your teaching efforts. For more information, or to submit scripts, write to IBAVC,

Maracaibo, Venezuela, or fax (59) (61) 618572 ‘or (59) (61) 912958.

WANTED: children’s plays on racism for community presentation. Please contact K. Tomarelli,

Westminster, MD 21158.

WANTED: your personal “Baha'i” stories (audio taped, handwritten or typed) for a collection to be shared at Baha'i schools and in book form (the working title is “Stories of Everyday Miracles”). The four categories in which I am most interested are (1) your personal teaching stories/triumphs; (2) how/when/ where you became a Baha'i (your own story of seeking); (3) stories that confirm “there are no accidents or coincidences”; and (4) your most meaningful “Baha'i” dream (what it was and how it has affected your life choices since).

Don't worry about spelling or grammar. Please take the time to help me record the life stories and Baha‘i history that we “children of the half-light” are helping to create. Please send stories to Anne R. Jennison, |

- Lee, NH 03824 (phone 603-659-3868).

FORUM, a new international Baha'i magazine, is being published under the auspices of the National Spiritual Assembly of New Zealand. The quarterly magazine, whose purpose is to bring Baha’is closer together by promoting an exchange of information and ideas, invites contributions from writers. If you have something to offer, or would like more information about the magazine, please write to Forum, c/o The Marshall Family,

_ Dunedin, New Zealand (phone/fax (64 3) 473-7279).

MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin, is known as the City of Festivals, and the Spiritual Assembly of Milwaukee would like to make Race Unity Day/Weekend one of the best festivals of them all. This year’s event, the only one in the city promoting its cultural diversity, drew more than 1,000 people. To make it an even greater success, the friends are looking for entertainers from diverse backgrounds. If you are interested in taking part, please send a letter outlining talent and fee considerations to: Race Unity Day Task Force, Milwaukee Baha‘i Center, Milwaukee, WI 53205.

1AM SEEKING biographical information, photographs and personal anecdotes about Mary Tucker Hatcher to augment some notebooks and audio taped interviews that have been placed in my keeping. The information gathered will be organized into book form, with emphasis on Mary's career as a Baha'i teacher and homefront pioneer in New Hampshire. Please send any photos, letters or your handwritten, typewritten or taped remin cences (don’t worry about spelling, grammar, etc.) to Anne R. Jenison, Lee, NH 03824 (phone 603

659-3868).

WANTED: correspondence from isolated believers. Knowing how lonely it can be, especially on Feasts and Holy Days, I would like to start a correspondence club to bring isolated believers together to discuss successes, problems, teaching efforts, and to deepen on matters of the Faith. Please write to M.J.A. Isaacs,

Alpine, TX 79830. All correspondence will be answered.

MISCELLANEO,

THE INTERNATIONAL Baha‘i AudioVisual Center (IBAVC) will be publishing a catalog of materials related to the Holy Year (including videos, audio cassettes, radio programs, slide sets). The catalog will list information on what is available and who is distributing it. If you would like your materials to be included, please write to IBAVC,

Maracaibo, Venezuela, or fax the relevant information to (59) (61) 618572 or (59) (61) 912958.

A RESOURCE LIST of Baha’i environmental professionals is being compiled, the immediate purpose of which is to include Baha'is in overseas environmental projects with international agencies. Opportunities may be short-term or long-term witha special focus on projects in Eastern Europe. The list is being compiled in consultation with the Baha'i International Community Office of the Environmentand the International Teaching Center. If interested, please forward your résumé to Alexander Tavangar, Geo-Environmental Consultants Inc., 55 Valley Stream Parkway, Suite 140, Malvern, PA 19355. Fax 215-251-2366; telephone 215-251-0900.

FOR SALE

A SELECTION of six 8 1/2 by 11-inch reproducible flyers addressing issues relevant to American Indians is being offered by the Regional American Indian Teaching Committee for the Southern West States. For more information, please contact the committee in care of Mike Bigler,

Stillwater, OK 74074.

‘lum B.€. 149 / Octoser 16, 1992 [Page 9]THE American BanA'i 9

During the past Baha'i year, 4,294 new believers were enrolled in the Faith in Guyana. Inseveral areas, teaching activities have been aimed at reaching promi nent people, some of whom have embraced the Faith and gone on to lend support to community development projects the Baha'is are undertaking

°

Last January, 10 new local Spiritual Assemblies were formed and 230 new believers enrolled in the Faith in the indigenous areas of Chimaltenango, Sacatepéquezand Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. The teaching campaign was carried out by a team consisting of three young women in their Youth Year of Service and two other traveling teachers.

°

More than 140 participants representing 14 countries and 25 Romanian localities attended the first National Baha'i Conference for the Holy Year held June 5-7 in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Among the speakers were Douglas Martin, director of the Baha'i Office of Public Information at the World Center in Haifa, Israel, and Auxiliary Board members Ligia McGill of Romania, Marzio Zambello of Italy and Robert Weinberg of the United Kin; dom. Asa result of direct teaching activities in Cluj-Napoca during the conference, 26 people embraced the Cause of Baha'u'llah.

The efforts of four young women who have been teaching while traveling across Hungary have léd toa 30 percent increase in the number of believers in that country during a 10-month period. The team has visited schools, orphanages, homes for the elderly, taught in the streets, presented concerts and public talks, and conducted

firesides. During their stay in

Békéscsaba in the eastern part

of the country, nine people

embraced the Faith in LO days. .

Ten people were enrolled in the Faith during the first Regional Baha'i Women’s Conference in Mali, held last May 3 in Bougouni. Attending were 35 Baha'i women, 35 men, and 60 children. The focus of discussion was monogamy, the equality and rights of women and men, child education, and practical

health matters. .

As a result of increased teaching activities in and around Paris, France, six people have been enrolled in the Faith since last Naw-Ruz, while a number of others have drawn close to the Faith. The Regional Teaching Committee recently increased the number of Bahd’i posters in the area from 300 to 400, and there has been a 90 percent increase in the number of contacts.

.

The first program to mention the Faith on Transkei television was filmed at the Baha'i Center in Umtata and featured children presenting Baha‘i songs, skits, and quotations from the Writings. The children, some of whom were not Bahd‘is, came from four communities.

°

Tony Howey, a Baha‘ifrom near Timaru in the center of the South Island of New Zealand has won the prestigious Nuffield Scholarship, awarded annually to outstanding farmers. Mr. Howey, who is spending the latter half of this year studying inthe United Kingdom, is interested in seeds, grains and large-scale vegetable production as well as biological control of weeds and pests and the development of markets for high-value low-weight crops.

°

As a special contribution to the centenary commemoration of the Ascension of Baha‘u'llah, the National Spiritual Assembly of Spain decided to have 100 public

To stabilize the excavation of the site for the Center of the Study of the Texts at the World Center on Mount Carmel in Haifa, Israel, more than 300 anchors have been placed into the mountain. Here a worker sprays on a special type of concrete to prevent rocks from falling.

ch ere More than 60 Baha’

conferences May 28-29. In spite of many obstacles, including the absence for commemoration in Haifa of 20 of the country’s most active believers, 89 of the conferences were held including one in Ceuta, a Spanish town in northern Morocco. Statistics from 70 of the conferences show a total attendance of more than 3,000 including 2,000 non-Bah: 44 articles in the nation’s press; 60 radio interviews, 25 of which were more than 20 minutes long; Bahda’i guests on 10 television programs; attendance at the conferences by four city mayors, 10 local authorities and one ambassador; 22,000 posters proclaiming the name of Baha'u'llah and announcing the events; the distribution of 1,000 press kits; and the sale by the Spanish Publishing Trust of 25,000 copies of the statement on

is from East New Britain gathered for a recent one-day institute on ‘The Story of the Fund’ at the Baha'i Center in Rabaul, Papua New G: were Kesia Aisoli from Lae and Rajah Segeran from Kimbe. Also workshop on the Fund, and a presentation of the Baha'i newsreel from the U.S.

un ae act

ca. The guest speakers cluded were prayers, a

Baha‘u'llah for use at the conferences. .

For the ninth year in a row, Baha'is took part in the annual Book Fair in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The Fair, with more than 4,000 stands exhibiting more than a million titles, is considered one of the most important such events in Latin America. Some 1,000,000 people visited the Fair this year.

.

With the holding of a meeting in the Community Center in Parsons, 15 miles northwest of Basseterre, the Island Teaching Committee opened another rural village to the Faith in St. Kitts, West Leeward Islands. Four adults and about 25 youth and children attended the meeting, and one adult was later enrolled in the Faith.

Robert C. Henderson, secretary-general of the N:

during a recent visit to the Baha'i Mr. Soeurn’s first visit to the Bah:

tional Center in Wilmette, Illi House of Worship and the National Center.

Cambodian Baha'i among distinguished speakers at Louhelen's Southeast Asian Helpers Conference

Sen Soeurn, a Cambodian Baha'i from Lowell, Massachusetts, was one of four distinguished guest speakers at the Southeast Asian Helpers Conference held July 24-26 at the Louhelen Baha'i School in Davison, Michigan.

Mr. Soeurn presented an informative talk on “Buddhism and the Baha’i Faith,” addressing the similarities between the teachings of Buddha and Baha'u'llah.

When a Buddhist accepts Baha’u'llah, said Mr. Soeurn, it is not a “conversion” but a changing of state to accept the newest and latest “Buddha.”

Buddhists, he said, tend to be receptive to Baha’u'llah once they learn about His life and teachings. Once they accept Him, they are eager to follow His ways, which is not difficult because of the many similarities between Buddhist and Baha’i expectations of personal conduct.

Mr. Soeurn, who was a Buddhist before he came to the U.S., spent most of his early life ina Buddhist monastery and was educated in high school by Buddhist monks. His search for spiritual truth led him to the Baha’i Faith.

‘Im B.£. 149 / Octoser 16, 1992 [Page 10]10 THe American BaxA'i

THE MEDIA

Extracts from Writings on proclaiming Faith through mass media

To National Spiritual Assemblies Dear Bahd't Friends,

A few months ago, the World Congress Media Task Force, which is charged with organizing media activities in connection with the World Congress, asked the World Center to prepare a compilation of extracts from the Writings on proclaiming the Faith through mass media. When the Task Force received and studied the compilation that was prepared, they indi and this is what was revealed in response: Great care should be exercised that whatever is written in these days doth not cause dissension, and invite the objection of the people. Whatever the friends of the one true God say in these days is listened to by the people of the world. It hath been revealed in the Lawh-i-Hikmat: ‘The unbelievers have inclined their ears towards us in order to hear that which might enable them to cavil against God, the Help in

may be better appreciated and understood by the public.” (February 11, 1934, to a National Spiritual Assembly) (10)

“In connection with your publicity releases, the Guardian wishes your Committee to lay particular emphasis on the fact that the Revelation of Baha‘u'llah marks the coming of age of mankind, and that the principle of the oneness of humanity—which is the core and the distinguishing feature of His Message—is

cated that they had found it helpful, and suggested that a copy be sent to National Spiritual Assemblies, as it might be equally useful to them. The Universal House of Justice has approved this suggestion, and it is hoped that the copy that follows will perhaps prove to be of help to

‘The people need to hear the word “Baha'i” so that they can, if receptive, respond and seek the Cause out. The primary duty of the friends everywhere in the world is to let the people know such a Revelation is in existence; their next duty is to teach it.’

but an evidence of the fact that the world has attained the stage of maturity, and can, therefore, carry this principle of oneness into the concrete realm of social reality. The close relationship that exists between the Faith, the maturity of the world, and the Baha'i teaching of the oneness of

you, or to the national committees appointed by you, in promoting your proclamation work through the mass media. With loving Baha'i greetings, Universal House of Justice Department of the Secretariat

(EDITOR'S NOTE: In the future The American Baha'i will publish excerpts from the Writings and statements from the Guardian and the Universal House of Justice about other aspects of Baha'i relations with the communications media.)

. Proclaiming the Faith Through Mass Media

From tHe Writines oF BaxA'u'LLAH

“In this Day the secrets of the earth are laid bare before the eyes of men. The pages of swiftly-appearing newspapers are indeed the mirror of the world. They reflect the deeds and the pursuits of divers peoples and kindreds. They both reflect.them and make them known. They area mirror endowed with hearing, sight and speech: This is an amazing and potent phenomenon. However, it behoveth the writers thereof to be purged from the promptings of evil passions and desires and to be attired with the raiment of justice and equity. They should enquire into situations as much as possible and ascertain the facts, then set them down in writing.” (Tablets of Bahd'u'lldh Revealed after the Kitdb-i-Aqdas; Wilmette: Baha'i Publishing Trust, 1988, p. 39) (1)

“O newspapers published throughout the cities and countries of the world! Have ye heard the groan of the downtrodden, and have their cries of anguish reached your ears? Or have these remained concealed? It is hoped that ye will investigate the truth of what hath occurred and vindicate it.” (From a Tablet translated from the Arabic) (2)

“Say: O men! This is a matchless Day. Matchless must, likewise, be the tongue that celebrateth the praise of the Desire of all nations, and matchless the deed that aspireth to be acceptable in His sight. The whole human race hath longed for this Day, that perchance it may fulfill that which well beseemeth its station, and is worthy of its destiny. Blessed is the man whom the affairs of the world have failed to deter from recognizing Him Who is the Lord ofall things.” (Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah; Wilmette: Baha‘i Publishing Trust, 1983, p. 39) (3)

“Teach thou the Cause of God with an utterance which will cause the bushes to be enkindled, and the call ‘Verily, there is no God but Me, the Almighty, the Unconstrained* to be raised therefrom. Say: Human utterance is an essence which aspireth to exert its influence and needeth moderation. As to its influence, this is conditional upon refinement which in turn is dependent upon hearts which are detached and pure. As to its moderation this hath to be combined with tact and wisdom as prescribed in the Holy Scriptures and Tablets. Meditate upon that which hath streamed forth from the heaven of the Will of thy Lord, He Who is the Source of all grace, that thou mayest grasp the intended meaning which is enshrined in the sacred depths of the Holy Writings.” (Tablets of Bahd'u'lléh Revealed after the Kitdb-i-Aqdas, p. 143) (4)

“Thou hast written that one of the friends hath composed a treatise. This was mentioned in the Holy Presence,

Peril, the Self-Subsisting.’ Whatever is written should not transgress the bounds of tact and wisdom, and in the words used there should lie hid the property of milk, so that the children of the world may be nurtured therewith, and attain maturity. We have said in the past that one word hath the influence of spring and causeth hearts to become fresh and verdant, while another is like unto blight which causeth the blossoms and flowers to wither. God grant that authors among the friends will write in such a way as would be acceptable to fair-minded souls, and not lead to cavilling by the people.” (From a Tablet translated from the Persian and Arabic) (5)

From tHe Waritinas oF ‘Aspu’L-BaHA

“It is therefore urgent that beneficial articles and books be written, clearly and definitely establishing what the present-day requirements of the people are, and what will conduce to the happiness and advancement of society. These should be published and spread throughout the nation, so that at least the leaders among the people should become, to some degree, awakened, and arise to exert themselves along those lines which will lead to their abiding honor. The publication of high thoughts is the dynamic power in the arteries of life; it is the very soul of the world. Thoughts are a boundless sea, and the effects and varying conditions of existence are as the separate forms and individual limits of the waves; not until the sea boils up will the waves rise and scatter their pearls of knowledge on the shore of life. ‘Thou, Brother, art thy thought alone, The rest is only thew and bone.’—Riimi, The Mathnavi, I 2:277 (The Secret of Divine Civilization; Wilmette: Baha'i Publishing Trust, 1983, pp. 109-10) (6) FROM LETTERS WRITTEN ON BEHALF OF THE GUARDIAN TO INDIVIDUAL BELIEVERS, UNLESS OTHERWISE CITED

“It is undoubtedly very important to have first-class articles, faithfully presenting the teachings of the Cause, appear in outstanding papers. People that, for some reason or other, keep away from the Baha'i gatherings, and who are nevertheless interested in the spirit and teachings they expound, might find their opportunity in reading such articles that appear in the papers.

“If in every center the friends could win the cooperation of at least one of the local papers, they could thereby start a teaching campaign far more effective than anything yet attempted.” (January 11, 1932) (7)

“Concerning the publication of Shoghi Effendi’s general letter to the Western friends regarding the world order of Bahd‘u'llah in the local papers: Shoghi Effendi would willingly permit you to do it, either in part or as a whole. He hopes that it will arouse some interest in the Cause and stimulate the teaching work.” (May 17, 1932) (8)

“In regard to your wish of broadcasting the Message, Shoghi Effendi would advise you to consult with the Spiritual Assembly as to whether such an action meets their approval, and if so to ask their assistance and help for finding the best means through which to carry out your plan. The idea of a wireless station is rather ambitious and requires much financial expenditure. If, however, you find it feasible and within your financial capacity you should not hesitate to do so, inasmuch as this will enable you to spread the Cause in a much easier and more efficient manner.” (August 13, 1933) (9)

“He is fully alive to the difficulties facing the friends at the present time. But he would urge each and all to work harder than ever, and to persevere in order that the Faith

mankind should be carefully analyzed and presented, so as to bring into relief the full significance of the Cause.” (February 5, 1938, to a National Spiritual Assembly) (11)

“The Cause, with all its power and perfection, is to a certain extent dependent on the people who compose its ranks, and no doubt in the future, as people possessing greater specialized abilities and talents join it, we shall see a marked advance in the methods it uses to propagate itself.” (October 14, 1942) (12)

“In connection with the radio work he has no specific suggestions to make, as he feels that those actively connected with it in the States know the possibilities better. However, he would suggest that the main consideration is to bring to the attention of the public the fact that the Faith exists, and its teachings. Every kind of broadcast, whether of passages from the Writings, or on topical subjects, or lectures, should be used. The people need to hear the word ‘Baha'i’ so that they can, if receptive, respond and seek the Cause out. The primary duty of the friends everywhere in the world is to let the people know such a Revelation is in existence; their next duty is to teach it.” (July 24, 1943) (13)

“He feels it would be excellent if the Cause could be introduced more to the people through the medium of radio, as it reaches the masses, especially those who do not take an interest in lectures or attend any type of meeting.” (March 7, 1945) (14)

“The matter of obtaining free time on the radio is one which the Radio Committee and the National Spiritual Assembly must decide upon; but the principle is that every effort should be made to present the teachings over the air as often as possible as long as the manner in which it is done is compatible with the dignity of our beloved Faith.” (August 15, 1945) (15)

“He was also very pleased to see that the Cause is receiving newspaper publicity there, and that you are winning the sympathetic interest of editors and people of importance. The Faith needs friends as well as adherents, and you should always endeavor to attract the hearts of enlightened leaders to its teachings.” (October 5, 1945, to a local Spiritual Assembly) (16)

“He was very pleased to see the excellent publicity the Cause received in the Chicago Sunday Tribune, and hopes more will be forthcoming, of a similar nature, all over the country. In this connection, he sees no objection to using the advice and services of non-Bahd'i experts, or agencies, as long as the purity of the teachings and the dignity of the Faith are maintained.

“LIKEWISE, large, well-publicized meetings and interesting radio programs should be concentrated on. Every effort should also be made to obtain wide, first-class publicity for the Faith in newspapers and magazines.” (December 21, 1945, to a National Spiritual Assembly) a7)

“So very much depends on how the Cause is presented tothe public, and the Guardian is always anxious to see the friends devise new ways and means of teaching and publicity.” (February 25, 1946) (18)

“He still feels that the type of films you wish to produce for teaching the public and stimulating the Baha‘is themselves, are of great importance, and he urges you not to give up this work which you are fitted to do, but rather to write again to the new National Spiritual Assembly and ask them to appoint a:committee which will be able to

‘Im B.€. 149 / Octoser 16, 1992 [Page 11]THe American BaHA'i 11

really assist you.

“The Baha'is should not always be the last to take up new and obviously excellent methods, but rather the first, as this agrees with the dynamic nature of the Faith, which is not only progressive, but holds within itself the seeds of an entirely new culture and civilization.” (May 5, 1946) (19)

“THESE slides of our Baha'i Temple and various activities are very interesting, and open a new door on the teaching approach to the general public. The more interesting sets [that] can be collected and circulated amongst the friends, the better...” (December 28, 1946) (20)

“Your suggestion for a motion picture about the Cause is very good in principle, but such a film would have to be of the highest order, and he feels you should turn to the National Spiritual Assembly for advice in this matter. As we cannot show the Founders of the Faith, out of respect for Their exalted station, a scenario about the Cause would have to be truly a masterpiece in order to have popular appeal.” (April 5, 1947).(21)

“He considers your radio contacts very important, and urges you to cooperate with the ... National Assembly and in this way assist them and also follow administrative procedure—that is whenever direct Baha'i broadcasts are envisaged.” (July 18, 1947) (22)

“He approves of your desire to teach the principles of the Faith through radio. But he urges you to do all you can to always, however small the reference you are able to make to it may be, clearly identify or associate what you are giving out with Baha’u'llah. The time is too short now for us Baha'is to be able to first educate humanity and then tell it that the Source is this new World Faith. For their own spiritual protection people must hear of the name Baha‘i—then, if they turn blindly away, they cannot excuse themselves by saying they never even knew it existed! For dark days seem still ahead of the world, and outside of this Divine Refuge the people will not, we firmly believe, find inner conviction, peace and security. So they have a right to at least hear of the Cause as such!” (April 24, 1949) (23)

“He feels that the projected radio broadcasts are of the utmost importance as they afford you an opportunity of bringing to many listeners a sense of the greatness of the Cause. In this connection he has some advice to give you: You should stick carefully to facts and beware of putting any interpretations of facts into it. ... The Guardian advises you not to introduce into a series for public consumption anything obscure or mystical. ...” (November 5, 1949) (24)

“The friends must be very alert, vigilant, in giving information to the public; the enemies of the Faith, and readers such as the Ambassador, have access to the press and might rightfully claim we have di torted facts not historically correct. We cannot be too careful, and every statement made should be checked to ensure correct historical facts. ...” (January 22, 1951, toa National Spiritual Assembly) (25)

“HE WAS immensely pleased to hear of the presentation of the Faith over television, and considers that your Assembly has every right to feel proud of this achievement. It shows that when the strong desire to serve unites the members of a Baha'i community, they literally break into new fields in their teaching efforts, and their reward is assured.

“He hopes that you will succeed in pioneering in many new ways of bringing the Cause before the public; and he assures you all of his most loving prayers for the

success of your work for the Faith.” (December 6, 1951, toa local Spiritual Assembly) (26)

“The cable launching the World Crusade deals with some 26 different goals. In the two press releases which you sent the Guardian, mention is made, and not too emphatically, of only a few of these goals. In asking that the Crusade be publicized, the Guardian had in mind a strong portrayal of what our goals are, publicizing all of them. No doubt, a strong public statement for the Press can be released by the National Assembly.” (December 5, 1952, toa National Spiritual Assembly) (27)

“The beloved Guardian has received the clippings from English newspapers and read them with keen interest; he attaches much importance to such publicity in journals of such high standing.” (August 30, 1955, to a National Spiritual Assembly) (28)

FROM LETTERS WRITTEN BY THE UNIVERSAL House oF Justice

“It is essential that those responsible for Baha'i public relations rid themselves of any concept of the Baha'i community as merely one religious group among others. This is the Cause of God, struggling to spread His Message for today among a mankind that is receding farther and farther from Him.” (July 21, 1968, to a National Spiritual Assembly) (29)

“The proclamation of the Faith, following established plans and aiming to use on an increasing scale the facilities of mass communication must be vigorously pursued. It should be remembered that the purpose of proclamation is to make known to all mankind the fact and general aim of the new Revelation, while teaching programs should be planned to confirm individuals from every stratum of society.” (Naw-Riiz 1974 to the Baha'is of the world) (30)

“It is our hope that the great power of radio for proclamation, teaching and deepening may be mobilized wherever possible, and with the promising initiatives which have occurred in Ecuador and elsewhere we now anticipate the development of more widespread use of the medium which will be of service to the Cause and to mankind.” (April 7, 1974, to a National Spiritual Assembly) (31)

FROM LETTERS WRITTEN ON BEHALF OF THE Untversat House oF Justice

“Obviously, the principles of the Faith should not be paraphrased in public statements in such a way as to distort their meaning, but wisdom dictates how little or how much detail about a specific principle should be presented at any given tim (June 18, 1975, to a National Spi Assembly) (32)

“The main purpose at this time of any publicity related to the Bahd’is of Iran is to take advantage of the fact that the press and other media are more than ever before ready to publish information about the Faith. Baha'is should seize this opportunity to proclaim the Faith, but not to attack the government of Iran.” (April 8, 1980, to a National Spiritual Assembly) (33)

“...the main objective of the proclamation to the masses is not so much to deal with current, and often ephemeral, issues but to make known the fact of the new Revelation, the appearance of Baha'u'llah and all that event implies for the regeneration and guidance of the world. Of course, your announcement of the Great Message should be made in terms relevant to the people you are addressing and the problems which occupy their minds, but it is much more important to proclaim Baha‘u'llah and His teachings rather than deal with the controversial issues of the

tual

day.” (October 19, 1981, to a National Spiritual Assembly) (34)

“The great importance of mass media in the proclamation of the Faith is recognized by all, particularly at this time when the persecutions in Iran have opened many broadcasting doors.

“THE HOUSE of Justice appreciates the zeal of those who are developing this valuable program plan for television production and distribution, and has observed the praiseworthy initiatives resulting in useful productions. ...” (May 16, 1982, toa private corporation) (35)

“In response to your request for guid ance on the best ways to approach artists in teaching the Faith, it can be said that in addition to those methods which attract people generally, artists will be responsive to art. When the sublime teachings of the Faith are reflected in artistic work, the hearts of people, including artists, will be touched. A quotation from the Sacred Writings or description of the art pieces as it relates to the Writings may provide the viewer with an understanding of the source of this spiritual attraction and lead him to further study of the Fait to an individual) (36)

“Campaign for enlightenment of the Press: This is undoubtedly of great importance and isa field in which an agency such as ... can be of great assistance. However,

.. [the agency] should not be left alone to explain Baha'i materials to important editors; it would be much more effective for a knowledgeable Baha'i representative with a suitable personality to participate in the press tour.

“Media Training: This too is an excellent suggestion. When Baha'fs are to appear on tadio or television it is most important for the individual to be chosen with care and for that person to be given the necessary training so that a correct impression will be

made on the hearers or viewers. A bad or clumsy presentation can produce a lasting bad effect and undo a great deal of earlier good work.

“Informational Material: Here the services of a non-Bahd'i agency can be vital. Like all groups, Baha'is tend to develop their own terminology which, while meaningful to Baha’is themselves, can be bewildering or even meaningless toa non-Baha’{ audience. The National Assembly or its appropriate committees will know, from the point of view of the Baha’{ teachings, what they want to say, but ... [the agency] can help to cast this in a form in which it conveys the correct meaning to the public.” (March 20, 1985, to a National Spiritual Assembly) (37)

“Your letter...containing the news of your monthly television programs was received by the Universal House of Justice with great pleasure.

“This is a commendable achievement, and will afford your community every opportunity to become skillful in assembling, and preparing suitable materials for these regular transmissions. However, with regard to your question on the use of the Greatest Name in the video taped introduction, we have been instructed to inform you that it is not appropriate to use the Greatest Name in this way. You may wish to choose another suitable symbol, perhaps a ninepointed star or some other design by which you may be recognized.” (August 4, 1986, to a National Spiritual Assembly) (38)

“O Thou the Merciful One! O my Lord! Make Thy protection my armory, Thy preservation my shield, humbleness before the door _ of Thy Oneness my guard, and

- Thy custody and defense my fortress and abode.”-—-Tablets 0, ‘Abdu’l- -Bahé, p- 619

The Spiritual Assembly of Washington, D.C., has appointed a Task Force to disseminate the ‘Vision of Race Unity’ statement from the National Spiritual Assembly. Among the community leaders who have received the statement are the city’s ‘shadow’ Senator, Florence Pendleton (right), pictured with a member of the Spiritual Assembly, Cornelia Rutledge; and the Rev. Jesse Jackson, who accepted the statement with great enthusiasm in March.

‘Iu B.E. 149 / October 16, 1992 [Page 12]12 The American Bana’

Women and men: partnership for a healthy planet

By THE BanA'l INTERNATIONAL ComMUNITY

“The well-being of mankind, its peace and security, are unattainable unless and until its unity is firmly established.” These prophetic words, uttered by Bahd‘u‘llah during the closing decades of the nineteenth century, were all but ignored by the leaders of that day. However, in the cl decade of the twentieth century, hum: has become increasingly aware of its interdependence and is convinced at last that no individual, institution or nation can live in total isolation from the whole. The environment/development crisis has caused many torethink their view of the world and begin to look at the earth as a single organic, interdependent and uni system. Consequently, the search for balance between the needs of society and the limited resources of the natural world is taking place within the larger context of the search for balance, peace and harmony within society itself.

The intimate link between the unity of the human race and equality of the sexes is explained in the Baha'i Writing:

“... woman must be given the privilege of equal education with man and full right to his prerogatives. That is to say, there must be no difference in the education of male and female in order that womankind may develop equal capacity and importance with man in the social and economic equation. Then the world will attain unity and harmony. In past ages humanity has been defective and inefficient because it has been incomplete. War and its ravages have

Havlon Aube: frompageL

“(2) The Writings inspire the friends with a vision of what Baha‘u'llah would like to have happen, and they become attracted to that vision. This in turn serves to prepare the believers for the teaching work. Meanwhile, the spiritual atmosphere acts upon the hearts of waiting souls, who are made ready to receive the Message.

“(3) The last, and critical, aspect of the process is the commitment to follow through with whatever is decided upon to make the vision a reality. The final stage is where many plans fail and the spiritual energy is dissipated.

“There are probably a number of Baha'is who yearn to teach, but are not quite sure how to get beyond the deepening and planning stages. The essential thing, I think, is to turn to Baha'u'llah and never stop asking for His help. Eventually He will guide everyone who does this to do his or her part in establishing His Kingdom.

“Once a teaching institute is fully under way its members will be able to learn from experience what the best teaching methods are, given their own situation. Over the last year we have noticed a few particular aspects of our work that we feel have contributed to the success of the project. Virtually all of them reflect the guidance given to us in the Writings and from the Institutions of the Faith. Other believers coming together to form teaching institutes may find these observations helpful:

“e CHOOSE a “target population” with whom to share the Message. During the Holy Year it would be crucial to take into account the present mandate from the National Spiritual Assembly to focus on bringing about interracial harmony. Once

blighted the world; the education of woman will be a mighty step toward its abolition and ending, for she will use her whole influence against war. Woman rears the child and educates the youth to maturity. She will refuse to give her sons for sacrifice upon the field of battle. In truth, she will be the greatest factor in establishing universal peace and international arbitration. Assuredly, woman will abolish warfare among mankind.”

TO DATE, most systems of social organization have marginalized women. Over-all, modern development strategies have tended to ret nd, at times, exacerbate conditions of inequality. To address inequality of the sexes, the United Nations launched the landmark “Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace (1975-1985).” As a result of research undertaken during the Decade, the vital contributions of women to the social and economic life of their nations became more visible. The new also highlighted the unnecessary burdens borne by women and the obstacles preventing theit full participation in society. More sigi cantly, the Decade brought women together and provided them with unprecedented opportunities to exchange views and experiences. Women found that theit shared concerns for their own future and for that of the human family enabled them to transcend national, class and racial boundaries.

In addition, the Decade catalyzed the revitalization of traditional women’s organizations and the creation of new grassroots

a specific group has been chosen, the next step is to make the Faith known to them. The key here is to act, not just plan. We have the promise that the doors of opportunity will then open: as ‘Abdu’l-Baha said, ‘Make a beginning, and all will be right.”

“e THE teaching institute should make a long-term commitment to the souls they teach, expecting to be involved with one group for many years. We have found that nurturing new believers and communities must be undertaken slowly and patiently if they are ever to be strong enough to develop on their own. Remember the patience of the Master and the Guardian!

“e Teach systematically. We have found that this saves energy and allows us to keep track of all our friends and contacts inan efficient manner. For example, it has been our practice to keep files listing the names of seekers along with such information as: who made the initial contact; materials in their possession which they have found beneficial, what setting they like to learn about the Faith in, such as at home orina public place; and other people with whom they would like us to share the Faith. We are also developing our own teaching materials that will be specially adapted to local needs.

“e Try to involve new believers in the institute, encouraging them to teach the Faith as soon as they feel ready. Each believer in Baha'u'llah is just as valid a teacher as another, regardless of experience or length of time in the Faith, as long as the heart has a real connection with the Blessed Beauty. It is interesting that many of our most energetic teachers have not yet signed their own declaration cards!

“e Seek out the support of the Institutions of the Faith. We have a real coalition of Institutions offering us guidance right now, including the Auxiliary Board and two local Assemblies. It would be difficult to overestimate their contributions to

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) addressing specific needs of women. These NGOs have facilitated an extensive networking among women, empowering them to articulate their needs, design their own programs, and begin affecting policy-making at all levels. As a result of efforts undertaken during the Decade, development planners have begun to address women’s lack of access to resources such as education, technology and credit. United

Nations agencies, national governments, and international development agencies have established divisions to address the needs and concerns of women.

These are significant achievements that must be greatly strengthened and expanded. Despite some progress, however, women remain on the fringes of policy making, and the systems which have traditionally oppressed them remain largely t. These

See PARTNERSHIP page 13

Among the friends mictined at a recent meeting in Lansing) Michigan, 3 are members of the Chan family, Chinese/Vietnamese believers who arrived in this country last December as refugees. Shortly after coming to the states they were

contacted by the Baha’is of Lan-si functions. The family has taken pa’ other activities, adding to the diver

‘our success. “e Strive for diversity in the Baha'i teaching teams. We are the most wellreceived when a racially diverse group of believers goes visiting and teaching. It is only natural that if we teach racial harmony we should offer the world Baha’i ‘families’ that exemplify this principle.

“e Include youth and children as teachers, and teach youth and children, whenever possible. The youth are the most energetic and fearless teachers we have. Young people often find it easier to ‘break the ice,’ and young non-Baha’is are usually the most receptive to us.

“In some cases they find among their Baha’i peers a greater sense of family and belonging than anywhere else. Also, it makes a great impression on adults to see young people who are morally upright and guided by high ideals.

“e Consider the possibility of community service projects, which, besides being of real benefit to others, attract people to the Faith who admire its ideals of service to humanity.

“ANOTHER point worth mentioning is that the Blessed Beauty has different parts for all of us to play. Every group and every individual will end up manifesting His power in a unique manner. Although we learn from each others’ experiences and are inspired by them, we must not become so rigid in our thinking about the ‘proper’ way to teach that we leave ourselves closed to Baha‘u'llah’s guidance.

“In the end every teaching story is a personal experience of the transforming power of His love. We turn to Him, our hearts full of longing, fears and despair are wiped away, and healing and security are found. He re-creates us into instruments of His love and mercy, beings moved by His Will. This happens both to the teachers and the ones taught.

“I remember our first sight of the place

who saw to it that they were invited to area Baha’i classes, Holy Day celebrations and and strength of the community.

where we were to begin the work that we are now committed to for the next 10 years. It was a park, filled with children and youth who were eagerly waiting for us, for Baha‘u'llah’s love. And the waves of joyful reception, celebration and reunion that flowed out to us nearly carried us away, causing us to realize how much we had been waiting ourselves for such an experience.

“FROM then on, our prayers, our thoughts, our entire lives have revolved around the Blessed Beauty's presence in that neighborhood. Astounding developments have occurred and we know that we have only seen the ‘tip of the iceberg” when it comes to the potential for future victories. For we now have the beginnings of a spiritual community guided and protected by the Covenant, and empowered to grow and flourish.

“One of the new believers there said recently, ‘Could you stop so much of your service efforts (working in the children’s park recreation program, etc.) and just tell everyone about Baha‘u'll4h? What we need is Baha’u'llah and a local Spiritual Assembly, and then we'll teach our own children’s classes and start our own social and economic projects!”

“Crisis arid victory are to be expected, and we have seen our share of both. But in this process we are witnessing the evolution of a community into a family—the kind of family that the whole world is yearning for, guided by divine principles and held together by divine love.”

(Last summer the institute included a full-time teaching team of 12 youth who worked in several goal areas. The institute has been designated as a year of service post by the National Spiritual Assembly, which has expressed the hope that it will be one of the teaching projects that will begin the process of “entry by troops” in this country.)

a

‘lum B.€. 149 / October 16, 1992 [Page 13]13

THe American Bana’

By Ros Stockman

Shoghi Effendi has asserted that “to strive to obtain a more adequate understanding of the significance of Baha‘u'llah’s stupendous Revelation must, it is my unalterable conviction, remain the first obligation and the object of the constant endeavor of each one of its loyal adherents.” (The World Order of Baha'u'llah, p. 100)

ONE OF the most important starting points for any exploration of the significance of Bahda‘u'llah’s Revelation is the Guardian's essay, “The Dispensation of Bahda‘u'llah,” in which, in clear language and offering interpretations that only the Guardian of the Cause of God was empowered to set forth, Shoghi Effendi defined the nature and character of Bahd‘u'llah’s Revelation. This essay, published in The World Order of Baha'u'llah, pp. 97-157, isa must-read for every Baha'i during the Holy Year.

To define Baha‘u'llah’s station clearly, Shoghi Effendi decided that he had to define as well the stations of the Bab, “Abdu’l-Baha and the Administrative Order; by defining all of them, the Guardian was able to state clearly the differences between them and the uniqueness of each.

Shoghi Effendi also had to explain the Baha’i concept of God (p. 112) to make clear the distinction between Baha’u'llah and the “eternal Essence of Essences.” Thus the “Dispensation of Bahd’u'llah” goes far beyond a mere statement of Bahda‘u'llah’s station.

But because of limitations of space, the station of Baha‘u'llah is the only aspect of the “Dispensation of Bahd‘u'llah” to be considered in this essay; subsequent essays will explore other sections of it.

Shoghi Effendi divides his statement on Baha’u'llah’s Revelation into two halves, which are clearly separated by a break in the text. The first half (pp. 99-112) discusses the uniqueness and greatness of Baha‘u'llah relative to previous and future Manifestations of God and their Revelations.

Shoghi Effendi begins by commenting on certain prophecies of previous religions. The first, quoted by Bahd‘u'llah in the Kitdb-i-/qdn, apparently comes from Muslim traditions: “Knowledge is twenty and seven letters. All that the Prophets have revealed are two letters thereof. ...But when the Qa*im [the Bab] shall arise, He will cause the remaining twenty and five letters to be made manifest.” (The World Order of Baha'u'llah, p. 125)

SHOGHI Effendi then quotes the Bab extensively about how much greater will be the Revelation of “Him Whom God shall make manifest” [Baha‘u'llah], compared to His own. In this way, the greatness of Baha‘u'llah’s Revelation compared to those of previous Manifestations is underscored.

The Guardian then turns to a Zoroastrian prophecy described in a tablet by “Abdu’l-Baha: that in the Zoroastrian sacred books three separate Dispensations are mentioned, and that in the first the sun would remain motionless for 10 days; in the second it would remain motionless for 20 days; and in the third, it would remain motionless for an entire month.

Abdu’l-Baha interprets the three dispensations as those of Muhammad, the

Bab, and Baha‘u'llah, and says the prophecy indicates that Baha‘u'llah’s cycle will

Stavion oF BaHA‘u"LLAH Guardian's penetrating essay provides insight, guidance

last the longest: “at least five hundred thousand years,” the Master explains.

Shoghi Effendi uses the prophecy to make several points: that it reiterates the divine origin and independent status of Islam, a Baha'i teaching that western believers at that time had difficulty accepting; that it attests to the independent character of the Babi dispensation; and that it underlines a principle of progressive tevelation that each age has greater capacity and is more receptive to God's Revelation than the previous age.

The Guardian concludes that “the Faith of Baha’u'llah should indeed be regarded, if we wish to be faithful to the tremendous implications of its message, as the culmination of a cycle, the final stage ina series of successive, of preliminary and progressive revelations.” (The World Order of Baha'u'llah, p. 103)

Having proclaimed Baha‘u'llah’s greatness through prophecy, Shoghi Effendi then turns to the statements of Baha‘u'llah Himself about His Revelation. The bulk of the first half (pp. 103-112) consists of quotations from Baha’u'llah, with relatively little commentary.

Shoghi Effendi does, however, introduce his compilation by noting that we should “direct our attention” to “the words that have streamed from His [Baha’u'llah’s] pen” if we wish to “obtain a clearer understanding” of the importance and meaning of Baha‘u'llah’s Revelation (The World Order of Bahd'u'lléh, p. 103).

THUS the significance of Baha’ullah’s Revelation is best understood through reading the Revelation itself. The themes that Shoghi Effendi chose to include were: the greatness of Baha‘u'llah’s Revelation; Baha’u'llah’s proclamation of Himself as the return of Christ; the fulfillment of the promises of the ages; the coming of the King of Days; the forces released by Baha’u'llah’s Revelation; the superlative character of that Revelation; and the importance of Baha‘u'llah’s new World Order. The first half then closes with a quote from *Abdu’l-Baha about the greatness of Baha’u'llah and His Revelation.

The second half of Shoghi Effendi’s statement on the Revelation of Baha’u'llah (The World Order of Baha'u'llah, pp. 11219) seeks to clarify any misunderstandings that could have resulted from the emphasis in the first half on the uniqueness and greatness of Bahd’u'llah. The second half could be subtitled “words of warning,” a phrase that Shoghi Effendi uses to start his second paragraph.

First, the Guardian notes that Baha‘u'llah is not identical with God. He quotes Baha'u'llah as stating that God's unknowable essence “is immeasurably exalted beyond every human attribute such as

114) probably constitutes the definiti description that one can find in the Bahai writings.

Third, Shoghi Effendi strongly emphasizes that Baha‘u'llah’s greatness and uniqueness should not be construed as suggesting that the Revelation of Bahd‘u'llah is “the final revelation of God's will and purpose for mankind” (p. 115). Rather, the principle of progressive revelation, “the bedrock of Baha'i belief” (p. 115) is that “religious truth is not absolute but relative, that Divine Revelation is orderly, continuous and progressive and not spasmodic or final.” (p. 115)

The Guardian provides four pages of quotations from Bahd’u'llah and the Bab that illustrate spiritual aspects of the principle of progressive revelation.

ONE CAN readily see how an emphasis on Bahda’u'llah’s uniqueness and great

ness could lead to such misunderstandingsas those the Guardian cautions against. The uniqueness of Baha’u'llah’s Revelation isa topic that is understood but dimly; as Shoghi Effendi notes, “an exact and thorough comprehension of so vast a system, so sublime a revelation, so sacred a trust, is for obvious reasons beyond the reach and ken of our finite minds.” (The World Order of Baha'u'llah, p. 100)

Yet it remains our duty—especially in this Holy Year—to meditate on the words of Baha'u'llah, the Bab, and ‘Abdu"I-Baha, and the interpretations of the Guardian, and thereby strive to improve our grasp of the nature of Bahda’u'llah’s sublime and wondrous Revelation.

As a compilation of the Word and a commentary on it, “The Dispensation of Baha’u‘llah” remains a matchless source for such meditation and study.

Partnership

from page 12

systems adhere to the pattern of domination that has characterized society forthousands of years: men have dominated women; one racial or ethnic group has dominated another; and nation has dominated nation.

Notwithstanding humanity’s reluctance to change, “the balance is already shifting—” according to the Baha'i Writings, “force is losing its weight and mental alertness, intuition, and the spiritual qualities of love and service, in. which woman is strong, are gaining ascendancy. Hence the new age will be an age less masculine, and more permeated with the feminine ideals— or, to speak more exactly, will be an age in which the masculine and feminine elements of civilization will be more evenly balanced.”

While women must develop their capacities and step forward to play an active role in solving the world’s problems, the impact of their actions will be limited without the full cooperation of men. Women working together in unity and harmony have already achieved a great deal within the spheres of influence open to them. Now women must come together with men as equal partners. When men lend their full support to this process, welcoming women into all fields of human endeavor, valuing their contributions, and encouraging their participation, men and women together will help create the moral and psychological climate in which peace can emerge and an environmentally sustainable civilization can advance and flour!

The transformation required for true equality will undoubtedly be difficult for both men and women because both must re-evaluate what is familiar, what is rou

tine. Blame must be relinquished because no individual can be faulted for having been shaped by historical, sociological forces. Guilt must be shed in favor of responsibility for growth. In the face of profound challenges facing humanity, all are accountable for recognizing that the old model no longer works, and all will be answerable to future generations for their stewardship of human civilization and its relationship to the earth.

Change, however, isan evolutionary process requiring patience with one’s self and others, loving education and the passage of time. The transition will be eased when men realize that they will be unable to achieve their full potential as long as women are prevented from attaining theirs. Indeed, when men actively promote the principle of equality, women will no longer have tostruggle for their rights. Gradually, both women and men will discard longheld unhealthy attitudes and progressively incorporate into their lives the values conducive to true unity.

IN THE OPINION of the Bahai International Community, the emerging world civilization will be sustained by a common commitment toa new set of values, a shared understanding of the balance between rights and responsibilities, and a willingness on the part of each to serve the best interests of humanity asa whole. For Baha'is, the commitment to the emancipation of women is nota recent development nor is equality of the sexes a vague ideal. It is our conviction that the unification of the human race depends on establishing the equality of men and women. Humanity, the Baha’i Writings explain, having passed through the stages of infancy, childhood and turbulent adolescence, is now approaching maturity, a stage that will witness “the reconstruction of the whole civilized world—a world organically unified in all the essential aspects of its life.”

corporeal existence, ascent and descent, egress and regress.” (The World Order of Bahd'u'llah, p. 113)

Second, Shoghi Effendi cautions that Baha‘u'llah’s greatness and uniqueness should not be understood to invalidate the truths or divine guidance offered by previous religions. His statement about the relationship between Baha’u'llah’s Revelation and the religions that went before it (p.

AMERICAN BAHA'i COMMUNITY Agenda for the Holy Year

1. Orient our Feasts, Baha'i schools, our gatherings large and small, arts and music, and our study of the Baha'i Writings to a deeper appreciation of the station and Person of Baha‘u'llah and the meaning of His Revelation. . 5 2. Direct our proclamation and teaching activities toward helping people understand Who Baha‘u'llah is and what He teaches. 3. Arrange activities to celebrate and reflect on the Covenant, focusing on the life of ‘Abdu’lBaha as Its embodiment. 4. Intensify individual and community efforts for spiritual growth, paying particular attention to heightening the qualities of joy and love in the Nineteen Day Feast.

aaa

‘lum 8.€. 149 / October 16, 1992 [Page 14]14 The American BanA'i

AUSTRALIA Juez lee de los Escritos Sagrados en un Servicio para lanzar Semana del Refugiado El Honorable Marcus Einfeld Q.C., Juez del Tribunal Federal, y la sra. Bobbie D’Art , Directora’ Nacional de Austcare (Cuidado Australiano para Refugiados), se encontraban entre los que leyeron de los Escritos de Baha’u'llah durante un servicio para lanzar la Semana del Refugiado realizado en la Casa de Adoracion Baha’i el 21 de Junio. El Honorable Einfeld dio un discurso conmovedor sobre el estado de los refugiados en el mundo y sus stiplicas de ayuda a las 400 personas que asistieron. Los visitantes e invitados alabaron a los Baha'is porel servicio y porla presentacion del coro Baha’i. Todos los invitados ~ especiales de la Asamblea Nacional

recibieron el enunciado sobre Baha’ Ilah.

(Informe de la Asamblea Espiritual

Nacional)

BANGLADESH

icipacién de todo Corazon de todo

Baha’i asegura éxito de los Planes

La comunidad Baha'i pequena pero vibrante y activa de Rajshahi ha probado una vez mas que el progreso de la Causa de Dios nunca se impide por la escasez de numero de los creyentes. La Asamblea Espiritual Nacional hizo la decision de conmemorar la Ascension de Baha‘u'llah de una manera digna durante el Ajio Santo. El programa planificado se dividié en dos partes. El 27 de Mayo debia haber una reunion de prensa en un restaurante local > y el 29 de Mayo debia realizarse un seminario publico sobre Baha'u'llah.

‘Una vezse hicieron las decisiones, todos .

los amigos se levantaron para hacer que estos programas ambiciosos fueran un éxito.. Todos participaron en la consulta y tomaron en serio sus responsabilidades asignadas. La reunion de prensa atrajo a representantes de todos los diarios nacionales importantes, al igual que periodistas y reporteros de periddicos, emisoras de radio y estaciones de television locales, y hasta un representante del Departamento de Informacion de Prensa del Gobierno. Un joven conferencista Baha’ se dirigié a los representantes de los medios de comunicacién y hubo un reportaje amplio y positivo en los periddicos locales en los dias siguientes.

El seminario sobre “Baha’u'llah_ y el Nuevo Orden Mundial” se realizo en el auditorio de la Biblioteca Publica. Se colocaronafiches anunciando el seminario en todo el pueblo y unas 800 tarjetas de invitacién fueron repartidas por los amigos. El invitado principal era un profesor de la Universidad de Rajshahi. El recordé una visita que habia hecho a la Casa de Adoracion de Wilmette hacia unos 30 afios y dijo que aquella visita le habia imbuido con una idea positiva sobre

.la Fe. Un miembro de la Asamblea Nacional se dirigié a la audiencia del seminario y ofrecié a la comunidad mundial Baha'i como ejemplo de unidad y espiritualidad y pidio a los participantes investigarla por si mismos..

Es de notar que “todos y cada uno de los Baha'is participaron de todo corazon de una forma u otra” para ayudar con estos eventos. Los afiches siguen proclamando la Fe luego de los eventos. “La gente sigue llegando al Centro Baha’i preguntando sobre la Fe, diciendo que la conocieron por primera vez a través de los afiches”. (Informe del Cuerpo Continental de

Consejeros)

BELICE

Primer Ministro cordialmente recibe Delegacién Baha’i

El Primer Ministro, Sr.George Price, cordialmente recibid una delegacién Baha’i el 21 de Abril y se le presenté el Enunciado sobre Baha‘u'llah, las ensefianzas Baha'is y la relacién de la Fe con el Cristianismo. También él expreso su aprecioa los Baha'is por darle noticias del Afio Santo. La delegacién estuvo compuesta por 2 miembros de la Asamblea Nacional y un Oficial de Informacion Publica para la Fe en Belice. (Informe de la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional) ETIOPIA Dos mil personas asisten a reuniones publicas en Addis Ababa

Las emisoras de radio y las estaciones de television “reverberaban con el nombre de Baha*u'llah” todos los dias durante una semana en Addis Ababa. Estaban ofreciendo invitaciones a las tres reuniones publicas realizadas en la Ciudad el 30 de Mayo para conmemorar el Centenario de la Ascension de Baha*ullah.

Unas 2000 personas asistieron a las rel nes, la mas grande de las cuales se realizé en un edificio moderno con facilidades de lujo. Durante cada programa, tres panelistas y un coordinador dirigian las charlas que Se centraban en la historia, las ensefianzas y la Misién de Baha‘u'Ilah.

En la noche antes de los eventos, un periodista dio un resumen comprensivo de las bases de la Fe por television, acompaniado de fotografias a colores de los Santuarios, de la Sede de la Casa Universal de Justicia y de todos los Templos Baha‘is. Ademds un programa de variedades bisemanal por television mostré la introduccion musical a un video Baha’ititulado “La Paz Mundial”. Ingres una personas luego de una de las charlas ptiblicas y “han comenzadoa inundarnos” las cartas preguntando sobre la Fe. (Informe de la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional)

ALEMANIA

Los Baha’is de lo que se conocia como Alemania Oriental y Occidental se retinen para Seminario

En cumplimiento de una esperanza de que “los amigos de los dos ex-estados de Alemania Oriental y Occidental legaran a conocerse mejor y crecieran juntos”, se reunieron aproximadamente 50 creyentes de toda Alemania del 3 al 8 de Junio en un castillo de mas de 300 afios de antigiiedad en Saxony. El Seminario se centré en aspectos del Afio Santo. El Consejero Continental y 2 miembros del Cuerpo Auxiliar dieron charlas que fueron seguidas por discusiones y talleres. “La consulta dentro de los grupos de trabajo se realiz6 en un espiritu de unidad”, seguin se informé. Los amigos pasearon por el campo, proveyeron unos a otros con entretenimiento en las noches y en general compartieron “mucha risa”. (Informe de los participantes)

Mauricio Primer Ministro se dirige a Eventos de Conmemoracién Publica

‘Es un gran placer para mi el estar con ustedes esta tarde para senalar la Conmemoracion Centenaria del Fall ecimiento del Fundador de la Fe Baha’i. Uno que le ha dado al mundo una firme base espiritual para realizar la unidad y la paz entre la raza humana”, declaro el sr. Anerood Jugnaugh, Primer Ministro de Mauricio, mientras se dirigia a la

conmemoraci6n publica de la Ascension de Baha’u lah realizada en la Universidad de Mauricio el 17 de Junio.

El Ministro de Artes y Cultura también se dirigié a la reunion, que tuvo asistencia de 700 personas incluyendo a alcaldes y otros distinguidos invitados. Las emisoras de radio y las estaciones de television nacionales dieron amplio reportaje al evento en sus programas de noticias principales. (Informe de la Asamblea Nacional)

TAIWAN Se proclama la Fe a educadores y administradores de Educacion

El Dr. Glen Eyford, un educador Baha’i de Canada, recibid invitacién de la Asamblea Nacional para visitar Taiwan y para proclamar la Fe a gente trabajando en educacién y en los ministerios responsables de la educacién.

Del 21 al 23 de Mayo el Dr. Eyford fue recibido por el Ministerio de Educacién, el decano de la Escuela Graduada de Educacion en la Universidad Nacional de Chengchi, el presidente de la Escuela Normal Nacional de Taipei, quien expres el deseo de que los Baha'is trabajaran de cerca con él en proyectos sobre educacién moral, y el director de un Departamento del Concejo para Planificacién y Desarrollo Cultural.

REINO UNIDO El lugar de Descanso del Guardian es escena de eventos de Conmemoraci6n

“El comienzo gris y Iluvioso del dia de la Conmemoracion de la Ascension de Baha'u'llah, el 29 de Mayo”, no detuvo a los casi 2500 miembros de la comunidad britanica y muchos del extranjero enasistir a la reunion histérica en el lugar de descanso del Bienamado Guardian. Se pusoa disposicién de los Baha’ is la capilla de descanso en el terreno del cementerio para el dia completo y alli se exhibieron varias reliquias sagradas asociadas con Baha‘u'llah, incluyendo una manta, un par de pantuflas y trozos de Su cabello. Cada visitante que pasaba por la capilla recibia unos pétalos, recogidos de las flores en el lugar de descanso del Guardian, como recuerdo del Dia. Un miembro de la Asamblea Nacional dio apertura al evento con palabras de bienvenida, describiendo el significado del Dia en este Afio Santo. Luego de la bienvenida nifios de todas las escuelas Thomas Breakwell cantaron la cancion “Quién es Baha*ullah?”. Luego los nifios tuvieron una visita especial a las reliquias Sagradas y escucharon historias sobre Baha’u'llah.

Se leyeron las oraciones y lecturas escogidas para los eventos conmemorativos por la Casa Universal de Justicia, lecturas hechas por los representantes de todas partes del Reino Unido. La Tumba del Guardian se cubrid de flores; miles de rosas rojas rodaron al zécalo, entre éstas hubo seis arreglos ptesentados a pedido de los Baha’is de Iran y otros pausaste en el Medio Oriente. (Informe del Baha’i Journal del Reino Unido)

ESTADOS UNIDOS

Doscientos Baha’is asisten a Conferencia de Estudios Baha’is en Maryland ,

“Renacimiento global: El Significado de la Revelacién de Baha'u'llah” fue el titulo de una conferencia realizada en la Universidad de Western Maryland en el estado de Maryland, del 3 al 5 de Abril. La reunion fue organizada por el Comité Regional del Atlantico Central de la

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NOTICIAS DEL MUNDO BAHA

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Asociacién de Estudios Bah:

Asistieron al evento aproximadamente 200 personas de 16 estados y hubo una gran gama de conferencistas y artistas de todo tipo. Hubo entre las presentaciones formales charlas sobre “La Posicién de Baha‘u'llah”, “El Renacimiento Espiritual en la Arquitectura”, “El Papel del Individuo en la Transformacion de la Sociedad, entre otros. (Informe de la Asociacién de Estudios Baha*is) z NOTICIAS BREVES Costa Rica

Los Baha*is de ciudad Colén realizaron la primera celebracién Baha’i en el Pais del Dia Mundial del Ambiente el 5 de Junio en la escuela publica local. Una creyente recién ingresada quien es trabajadora social del area, coordiné la reunion. Asistieron mas de 60 personas y todas recibieron copia de un folleto especialmente preparado “La Relacién entre el Hombre y la Naturaleza”.

Islas Malvinas

Se realizé una exhibicion Baha’i muy exitosa en la escuela intermedia en Stanley en Enero. Se montaron paneles mostrando la historia y los principios de la Fe, la revelacion progresiva, las Casas de Adoracién y el Centro Mundial Baha’i. Los visitantes podian ver videos sobre la Conferencia de la paz en San Francisco y sobre el Centro Mundial. La emisora de radio local transmiti6 una extensa entrevista con uno de los amigos y el periddico publicé una serie de fotografias. Australia

Se encontraban jévenes aborigenes, chinos y africanos entro los 91 participantes en el Campamento Juvenil Estatal realizado en Australia Occidental, del 3 al 5 de Julio. La energia espiritual generada por el miembro del Cuerpo Auxiliar, el representante del Comité Nacional de Jovenes, y los jovenes a la vanguardia del servicio a la Causa inspiré a los alli presentes a dedicar atin mas sus vidas a Baha’u'llah. + Mozambique

Extractos del video de la conmemoracion del Centenario de la Ascension de Baha’u'Ilah en Tierra Santa se transmitieron en el boletin de noticias de la tarde para la estacion de television central en Maputo el 14 de Junio. Esta es la primera vez que se menciona la Fe en las noticias de la television.

Guinea Ecuatorial

La religion es asignatura obligatoria en este Pais, con calificacién como cualquier otra. En Bata, mayormente por los esfuerzos de los estudiantes Baha’is, su escuela reconocié la Fe como religién independiente. Debido a esto, las clases religiosas actualmente se dan en el Centro Baha’i y los estudiantes se examinan regularmente en el tema, informando los resultados de sus examenes al director de Ja escuela.

Chicago, Ill.

Durante el fin de semana de Agosto 21, 22 y 23 se realizé en el Centro Baha'i de Chicago una exitosa Conferencia para Chinos en Mandarin. El programa se centro en la persona de Baha’u'llah y los conferencistas tocaron diferentes aspectos sobre Su Vida, Su Revelacién y el papel de China en el avance de la Causa. Paralelamente hubo un estudio en inglés sobre la forma de ensefar a la comunidad china.

‘Im B.£. 149 / October 16, 1992 [Page 15]15

Tue American BanA'i

‘Heaven shines from the mountain top’

Significance of completing remaining buildings of the Arc

By Keyvan Nazerian

Ina letter of August 1987 to the followers of Baha’u'llah throughout the world, the Universal House of Justice makes this statement:

“Nigh on one hundred years ago, Baha*u'llah walked on God's Holy Mountainand revealed the Tablet of Carmel, the Charter for the World Center of His Faith, calling into being the metropolis of the Kingdom of God on Earth.”

focal point of that “far flung arc” where the future world-embracing institutions of the Faith were to be built.

The first of these institutions to be constructed was the International Archives Building, completed in 1957. On the occasion of acquiring the last necessary piece of land for the Archives, the Guardian sent a message to the Baha’is hailing that victory as a sudden acceleration in the

of ‘the world. The Universal House of Justice vividly describes this phenomenon:

“The great work of constructing the terraces, landscaping and their surroundings, and erecting the remaining buildings of the Arc will bring into being a vastly augmented World Center structure which will be capable of meeting the challenges of the coming centuries and of the tremendous growth of the Baha’i community

the Supreme Institution. While the House of Justice is an elected body, let us remind ourselves that it is fundamentally a Divinely-appointed institution whose members are chosen through a spiritual process by which the friends supplicate God's assistance. To expand on this issue, the Baha'is of the world did not merely establish the House of Justice; they were in fact taking part in a process whereby an

insitution preordained by

FOLLOWING isa passage from the Tablet of Carmel:

“Call out to Zion, O Carmel, and announce the joyful tidings: He that was hidden from mortal eyes is come! His all-conquering sovereignty is manifest; His all-encompassing splendor is revealed. Beware lest thou hesitate or halt. Hasten forth and circumambulate the City of God. that hath descended from heaven, the celestial Kaaba round which have circled in adoration the favored of God, the pure in heart, and the company of the most exalted angels. Oh, how I long to announce unto every spot on the surface of the earth, and to carry to each one of its cities, the glad-tidings of this Revelation—a Revelation to which the heart of Sinai hath been attracted, and in whose name the Burning Bush is calling: ‘Unto God, the Lord of Lords, belong the kingdoms of earth and heaven.’ Verily this is the Day in which both land and sea rejoice at this announcement, the Day for which have laid up those things which God, through a bounty beyond the kenofmortal mind or heart, hath destined for revelation. Ere long will God sail His Ark upon thee, and will manifest the people of Bahd who have been mentioned in the Book of Names.”

The evolution of the administrative institutions of the Faith at the World Center was masterfully described by Shoghi Effendi, the Guardian of the Baha’i Faith. These divinely appointed institutions drew their origin from the Manifestation of God Himself, through the revelation of the Tablet of Carmel, and were gradually brought into being through the arduous efforts of Abdu’l-Baha and the Guardian. They are now passing through a significant stage of their evolution under the guidance of the Universal House of Justice.

This historic process began during one of Baha'u'llah’ visits to the city of Haifa, when the Blessed Beauty revealed the Tablet of Carmel and also left specific instructions with Abdu’l-Baha regarding the location where the holy remains of the Bab were to be deposited and His mausoleum erected. Abdu’l-Baha then began the enormous task of acquiring the needed land, beautifying the surroundings, and building the initial stages of the Shrine of the Bab. These victories were hard-won— many were accomplished at a time when Abdu’l-Baha was still legally a prisoner; moreover, obstacles were placed at every turn by those who had broken the Covenant and by other enemies of the Faith.

WORK ON the Shrine was continued by the Guardian, who completed the building in 1953. He also built the shrines of the Greatest Holy Leaf, her brother the Purest Branch, and their beloved mother, as the

underground storage buil

Baha’u’llah was brought into being, precisely 100 years after the declaration of His Mission.

THE THREE bi gs that remain to be completed will house the International Teaching Center, the Center for the Study of the Sacred Texts, and the International Library. All three institutions are already functioning in other facilities at the World Center.

Upon the establishment of the International Teaching Center in 1973 the Universal House of Justice sent the following message to the world:

“Announce establishment Holy Land long anticipated International Teaching Center destined evolve into one those world-shaking worldembracing world-directing institutions ordained by Baha‘u'llah anticipated by Abdu’l-Bahd elucidated by Shoghi Effendi. Membership in this nascent insitution comprises all Hands Cause God and initially three

progress of a divinely-ordained process, “vast and irresistible,” and “unexampled in the history of mankind.” He stated that that same process, which “will synchronize with two no less significant developments—the establishment of the Lesser Peace and the evolution of Baha’inational and local institutions—the one outside and the other within the Baha'i world— will attain its final consummation, in the Golden Age of the Faith, through the raising of the standard of the Most Great Peace, and the emergence, in the plenitude of its power and glory, of the focal Center of the agencies constituting the World Order of Baha’u'Iléh.”

THE GUARDIAN also placed the completion of this process in historical perspective:

“The final establishment of this seat of the future Baha’i World Commonwealth will signalize at once the proclamation of the sovereignty of the Founder of our Faith and the advent of the Kingdom of the Father repeatedly lauded and promised by Jesus Christ.”

Shoghi Effendi often referred to the World Center as the heart and at the same time the nerve center of the entire body of the community of the Greatest Name. The history of the Faith offers many examples that illustrate this organic, this mutual, and this salutary and beneficial link.

Every move to expand the institutions of the Faith at the World Center, and every effort to improve the facilities and beautify their surroundings, has always been accompanied by a corresponding forward march of the Baha’i community in the rest

is under constru

The foundation for the steps of the King’s Path to the Shrine of the Bab is seen in this photograph taken in July. The foundations will be covered with beautifully finished stone before the Mount Carmel project i is completed. To the left of the wall of the Shrine, the

n. (Photo by Ruhi Vargha)

which the beloved Guardian has told us to expect. Already we see the effect of the spiritual energies which the completion of the Seat of the Universal House of Justice has released, and the new impulse this has given to the advancement of the Faith. Who can gauge what transformation will be effected as a result of the completion of each successive stage of this great enterprise?”

Let us briefly look at those institutions that will make up the Arc.

The International Archives Building was the first of these structures to be built on Mount Carmel. The origin of the institution that is housed in this beautiful edifice goes back to the early days of the Faith when the Greatest Holy Leaf, through sacrificial and painstaking effort, undertook the task of collecting the holy objects associated with the Central Figures of the Faith, also gathering Their authentic Writings. This task was continued and expanded by the Guardian.

The institution of the Archives maintains a vital link between the lives of the Twin Manifestations of God and the entire Baha'i world, providing to them and all humanity a source of spiritual sustenance. Thus this institution, which is unique in religious history, will, by preserving the authentic Writings and relics of the Manifestations of God, help to safeguard the unity of the Cause of God in this Dispensation. Significant additions to the Archives Building are now under way.

The Seat of the Universal House of Justice was completed and occupied in 1983, 20 years after the establishment of

Counselors who with Hands present Holy Land will constitute nucleus its vital operations.”

The House of Justice further defined the responsibilities of the International Teaching Center:

“To coordinate, stimulate and direct the activities of the Continental Boards of Counselors and act as liaison between them and the Universal House of Justice,

“To be fully informed of the situation of the Cause inall parts of the world and to be able, from the background of this knowledge, to make reports and recommendations to the Universal House of Justice and give advice to the Continental Board of Counselors;

“To be alert to possibilities, both within and without the Baha’i community, for the extension of the teaching work into receptive or needy areas, and to draw the attention of the Universal House of Justice and the Continental Boards of Counselors to such possibilities, making recommendations for their action;

“To determine and anticipate needs for literature, pioneers and traveling teachers and to work out teaching plans, both regional and global, for the approval of the Universal House of Justice.”

SINCE ITS establishment the International Teaching Center has become a great source of guidance for the Boards of Counselors and the entire Baha’i community, significantly reinforcing the activities of the House of Justice.

The International Library will maintain all published literature on the Faith and, as a center for scientific and cultural knowledge, will provide the House of Justice with information on world conditions and the needs of contemporary society. The Center for the Study of the Sacred Texts will make available fully researched pas See ARC page 18

‘lum B.€. 149 / Octoser 16, 1992 [Page 16]16 THe American BanA'i

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‘lum B.£. 149 / Octoser 16, 1992

[Page 18]18 The American BanA'i

Success from page 5

plate, or reflect. “Admonitions” are instructions; “tenets” are principles or doctrines.
“Through the might of God and His power, and out of the treasury of His knowledge and wisdom, I have brought forthand revealed unto you the pearls that lay concealed in the depths of His everlasting ocean. ...Who else but yourselves is 10 be blamed if ye choose to remain unendowed with so great an outpouring of God’s transcendent and all-encompassing grace, with so bright a revelation of His resplendent mercy?...” (Baha’u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, pp. 327-328)
~~Is it “enough” for me to read the~~
ings and try to be a good example?
© Whatare the benefits of meditating on the Writings?
5. “Commit to memory certain of its exhortations and prayers.”
Memorizing both prayers and principles which guide our actions helps us to better remember God's counsel, live the Baha’i life, and teach others.
“From the texts of the wondrous, heavenly Scriptures they should memorize phrases and passages bearing on various instances, so that in the course of their speech they may recite divine verses whenever the occasion demandeth it, inasmuch as these holy verses are the most potent elixir, the greatest and mightiest talisman.” (Baha*u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 200)
© What are some barriers to memorization?
What practical steps can I take which’ will aid in memorizing passages from the Writings?
6. “Master the essentials of its administration.”
The Baha’i Administrative Order is a channel for God’s love and is designed for the propagation of the Faith. The “essen

Friends invited to attend exhibit by Baha'i artist
at NYC's Babcock Galleries during World Congress
Baha'is who are in New York City are invited to attend an exhibition at the Babcock Galleries of Baha'i-inspired paintings and drawings by Walter Hatke, a Baha'i for 25 years who is associate professor of art at Union College in Schenectady, New York.
The exhibition is to open on November 24 from 5-7 p.m. Babcock Galleries is at 724 Fifth Avenue (between 56th and 57th Streets) in Manhattan. The opening is free of charge, and no formal invitation is required.
tials” of administration are the primary and necessary elements which will speed the growth of the Faith.
“... All these administrative activities, however harmoniously and efficiently conducted, are but means to an end, and should be regarded as direct instruments for the propagation of the Baha’i Faith. Let us take heed lest in our great concern for the perfection of the administrative machinery of the Cause, we lose sight of the Divine Purpose for which it has been created.” (Shoghi Effendi, Bahd 't Administration, p. 103)
“They [young Baha’is] must grasp the Administration, so that they can wisely and efficiently administer the ever-growing affairs of the Cause.” (Letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, in The Importance of Deepening, p. 45)
~~What is the purpose of the Administrative Order?~~
¢ What are the “essentials” which lead to fulfilling this purpose?
7. “Keep abreast of its current affairs and latest developments.”
In their messages, the Guardian and the Universal House of Justice constantly draw to mind aspects of the progress of the Faith. The Plans for the growth of the Faith designed by the Guardian and the Universal House of Justice give each Baha'i a direction and sense of purpose in service to the Cause. Likewise, plans of National and Local Spiritual Assemblies are crucial in the development of the Cause; each Baha'i should remain well informed as to the plans and priorities of the Baha’i world.
“There can be no doubt that the progress of the Cause from this time onward will be characterized by an ever increasing relationship to the agencies, activities, institutions and leading individuals of the nonBaha'i world. We shall acquire greater stature at the United Nations, become better known in the deliberations of governments, a familiar figure to the media, a subject of interest to academics, and inevitably the envy of failing establishments.
“Our preparation for and response to this situation must be a continual deepening of our faith, an unwavering adherence to its principles of abstention from partisan politics and freedom from prejudices, and above all an increasing understanding of its fundamental verities and relevance to the modern world.” (The Universal House of Justice, Ridvan 1984, to the Baha'is of the world)
~~What is the current Plan of the Universal House of Justice?~~
‘© Whatare the priorities for action set by our National and local Spiritual Assemblies?
© What significant developments in the growth of the Faith have recently taken place?
~~How can I respond to these developments and help to fulfill these plans?~~

| The Right of God (the

Right of God) i isa jaw revealed by Baha'u'llah in the

faqu’ Kits Agdas. Obeying the Law of Huqi’qu’lléh purifies the material alth we acquire by giving back to the Cause of God a part of that which as come from our Creator, ; ‘At this time, the Law of Huqaqu'ilah is binding only on Persian believers | and those who are required to observe the law in their native country. Western believers are free to pay Huqtiqu’Ilih if they so choose, Payments to Huqi’qu’llth are tax-deductible for federal income and estate taxes. ciel or ‘Payments should be addressed to one of the following
" silver Spring, MD Santa Monica, CA. 90402; Dr.
_ Rocky River, OH 44116,

This photograph of Bah:
of Baha'i Faith gather around the worl of the centenary of the Asce!
presenting a copy of the book Bahd'u'lldh to Mayor Sam Pick (third from right) of Santa Fe, New Mexico, appeared May 30 in the New Mexican as part of an extensive feature article headlined ‘Members
” The article was centered on observances n of Baha’u'Hah ii and included a brief history of the Faith.
Santa Fe and around the world ured with Mayor Pick are Baha'is
(left to right) Nourollah Khozein, Phil Lucas, Helen Camp, Inée Yang Slaughter and Harold Gibson. (Photo by Paul Slaughter)

Fort Collins Unity Day observance noted in newspaper
This year’s Race Unity Day picnic June 14 in Fort Collins, Colorado, was reported in a front-page article in the local news section of the Fort Collins Coloradoan with a color photograph and the headline “A day in the park for unity —Group shares ideas on what the world could one day be
like.”
Included was a brief history of Race Unity Day itself, an explanation of the Baha’ principle of the oneness of humankind, and statements by several Baha’is on the importance of establishing unity among the races.

Arc. foe pen

sages from the Sacred Texts with their authorized interpretations, to be used for scholarly pursuits and to aid the House of Justice in its deliberations.
It will be left to future generations to appreciate the full magnitude of the events that have taken place during what Abdu’lBaha referred to as “this radiant century,” acentury whose opening years coincided with the release of the Center of Baha’u'llah’s Covenant from imprisonment, and whose closing years will witness the establishment of the Lesser Peace.
THIS CENTURY has seen the interment of the holy remains of the Bab in their resting place on the mountain of God, the triumphant sojourn of Abdu’lBaha throughout the West, and the release of His Will and Testament.
Ithas also seen the release of the Tablets of the Divine Plan and the launching of successive global teaching plans based on them, under the guidance of the Guardian and later the Universal House of Justice; the evolution and expansion of the institution of the Hands of the Cause of God, with provisions made for the continuation of their functions in the future; and the unprecedented dispersal of pioneers and teachers throughout the world, leading to the spiritual conquest of the planet.
This century has seen the sailing of the “Ark” on the Mountain of God with the establishment of the Universal House of Justice, this infallible Institution crowning the Administrative Order of the Faith, this “last refuge for a tottering civilization.” It has seen the emergence of the Faith from obscurity and its sudden rise as a focus of attention among world leaders and enlightened thinkers searching for solutions to humanity's growing prob lems.
This century recently witnessed the observance of the hundredth anniversary of the Ascension of Baha’u’llah, commemorating an event that energized the whole world “to a degree unapproached at any stage in the course of its existence on this planet,” and has witnessed 100 years of unmatchable loyalty on the part of the Baha'is to His Covenant, resulting in a dynamic, united community covering the surface of the planet and destined to exert increasing influence in the shaping of the future world civilization.
This century has witnessed the “dawn of the Most Great Peace,” as stated by Abdu’ l-Baha. It has seen monumental scientific and technological achievements in all fields of human endeavor which have resulted in the virtual removal of all barriers dividing the human family, while providing the technical means for its unification. It is now approaching the climax of witnessing the achievement of the Lesser Peace, synchronized, as foreseen by the Guardian, with the completion of the buildings of the Arc and the evolution of the local and national institutions of the Faith.
AT this historic juncture, when rapid expansion of the Faith is taking place in all parts of the world, when the Institutions are going through a crucial phase of their development, when the House of Justice is expanding the scope of its activities, and when the world in general is desperately in need of direction to free itself from its destructive course, the need for the development of the institutions at the World Center is urgent.
The duty of the present generation of Baha’ is is to teach the Faith and to give of our wealth in fulfillment of the command of our Lord. Let us be equal to the task; let us follow the shining example of devotion set by our predecessors in the Cause; let us avail ourselves of the unique opportunities presented at this hour, and win eternal glory for ourselves and our beloved Faith.
Rt
‘Im B.£. 149 / October 16, 1992 [Page 19]

Adrianople
from page 3

Tablet. Shaykh Salman, and others like him, played a crucial role in the early history of the Faith. It was these devoted believers who were Baha’u'llah’s chief link with His followers in Iraq, Iran and other regions.
These people in particular had to have a through understanding of the issues in order to represent Baha*u’llah accurately to the believers. Also, they had to act as testimony to Baha‘u'llah’s ability to regenerate the souls of men. Mirza Yahya had his own troop of emissaries, who were busy spreading calumnies about the Blessed Beauty both far and near.
SHAYKH Salman was one who became a living example of the transforming power of the Covenant. By worldy standards he was unremarkable. Poor, illiterate and of a nature frank to the point of brusqueness, he was nevertheless a true lover of Baha’u'llah who braved every, danger and rose to the heights of service to the Cause. In return, the Blessed beauty endowed his soul with divine knowledge and heavenly qualities.
For more than 40 years Shaykh Salman traveled on foot from Iran to the Holy Presence, bringing with him supplications and messages from the believers, and returning with Tablets and instructions for them from Baha*u’llah. His journeys took
Lucille Brown, 74, Baha'i who was child actress
in ‘Our Gang’ comedies, dies in Buffalo, New York
Lucille Brown,a Baha’i who wasa child movie actress in the “Our Gang” comedies and later had parts in the movies “Stormy Weather” and “Green Pastures,” died August 21 in Buffalo, New York. She was 74 years old.
After a long career as an actress, singer, dancer and radio personality, Ms. Brown enrolled in college at age 54, earning a bachelors degree in communications from Buffalo State College and a masters degree in liberal arts from the University of Buffalo.
She had been found at age five by producer Hal Roach in an orphanage near Hollywood and cast as Farina in the “Our Gang” series. She sang and danced for many years as the headliner of Babe Barlow (her stage name) and the Sugar Drops.
She traveled throughout Europe and the Pacific entertaining servicemen during World War II, and later hosted radio programs in Memphis, Tennessee, and Buffalo.
Nearly 100 people take part in Baha'i Race Unity Walk
Nearly 100 people of many races and ethnic backgrounds took part August 15 in a Race Unity Walk sponsored by the Baha'is of Lexington, Kentucky.
Literature including the National Assembly's statement on race unity and the statement on Baha'u'llah from the World Center was given to a number of participants in the walk who were not Baha‘is.
After the walk, participants hearda brief talk on the Baha'i approach to racism by William E. Davis, treasurer of the National Spiritual Assembly, who also spoke at a public meeting that evening attended by a dozen non-Bahd‘is.
him through the length and breadth of Iran, often under dangerous and difficult circumstances. Yet so confirmed was he in his services that not once in all that time did he fail to deliver a single letter to its destination.
It is a known fact that Shaykh Salman was so pure in heart that Baha'u'llah di not have to send His Tablets addressed to specific individuals. When Shaykh Salman arrived in a certain town, he would have one of the friends read the Tablets for that location out loud one by one, he himself being illiterate. By their tone and content Shaykh Salman would be able to discern the identity of the intended recipient.
To the spiritual confirmations contained in Baha’u’llah’s Tablets Shaykh Salman added the virtues of his own spirit, which had been truly recreated. He succeeded in enkindling many souls with love for the Blessed Beauty, who saw in him the faith and happiness that they wished for themselves.
Mirza Yahya and his minions, spiritually bankrupt and utterly incapable of touching the hearts of the friends, could not begin to compete against such extraordinary evidences of Baha’u’llah’s sovereignty. Before long the vast majority of the believers had completely abandoned Mirza Yahya in favor of the true Beloved of the World.
ReFLections oF THE Hoty Year
The Holy Year has been designated by the Universal House of Justice as a time for inner reflection on the part of every believer, in the hope of a “deeper appreciation” of Baha’u'llah’s purpose and a “recommitment to the Covenant.”
Moving forward in Baha’i history, we see that the Cause of God has indeed won marvelous victories, advancing steadily and inexorably, in spite of, and often because of, the innumerable tests it has faced. And what is extraordinary, what makes the Faith so unique in history, is that many of these crises have come from within the ranks of its own followers, precipitated by those who wished to usurp the authority of the Cause for their own gain.
Witness the intrigues of the half-brothers of ‘Abdu’l-Baha and their associates both before and after Baha’u'Ilah’s passing; the machinations of Shoghi Effendi’s relatives and others during the years of his ministry; and the shameless behavior of Mason Remey and his supporters after the Guardian's death. For all the clamor they raised, and for all the transient and minor successes they enjoyed, the Cause has emerged undivided, purer and more powerful, while they have seen their hopes completely shattered and have sunk into oblivion.
THIS IS NOT to minimize the danger such people posed to the Faith, which was very great. Neither should the damage they did be underestimated, nor the infinite suffering they caused, especially on the part of Baha’u’llah’s legitimate successors. Such dramatic episodes in the history of the Faith, precisely because of their seriousness, reveal the true power of the Covenant.
We have today the advantage of historical perspective. We can easily see the truth of Baha’u’Ilah’s sayinigs concerning the creative power of His Word. We can appreciate that when He spoke of such things as the Most Great Peace and the establishment of His World Order, He was not merely predicting them—He ordained that they would come to pass. In having seen so many of His marvelous promises come true, we have a gift for which we can never be grateful enough.

Seen in a photograph taken September joining the storage building and
slopes of Mount Carmel in Haifa, Israel. (Photo by Ruhi
THe American BaHA'i 19

=
is excavation for the new retaining walls
House at the Baha‘i World Center on the ‘argha)

Chinese newsletter
ext. 231.

Guang Ming, a newsletter about Chinese teaching, is produced quarterly by the National Teaching Office. Anyone who would like to receive a (free) copy may contact the National Teaching Office at the Baha’i National Center, 708-869-9039,

IN MEMORIAM
Isabelle Belyea Rustom Jamshedi
Newport Beach,CA ‘Tucson, AZ
June 26, 1992 May 6, 1992 Hooshang Borhanian —_ Ed Joseph Columbia, SC Pawleys Island, SC April 23, 1991 Date Unknown
Curtis Brockington Brice Kennedy
Andrews, SC Lynchburg, SC Date Unknown Date Unknown Lucille Brown Jim Kerr Buffalo, NY Arco, ID August 21, 1992 July 24, 1992
LeRoy Lawson Las Cruces, NM Date Unknown
Earnest Bryant Pawleys Island, SC Date Unknown Manila Lee
Los Angeles, CA August 13, 1992
David Lightfoot Sr.
Mamie L. Cavin Pismo Beach, CA August 11, 1992
Dorothy Crosby
Rimini, SC Amarillo, TX Date Unknown April 1990 Chester Davison Daniel R. Martin
Cambridge, MN December 1991
Laramie, WY Date Unknown
Lawrence Evans Peterborough, NH January 18, 1992
Hilda Masshardt Freddy Smith
Iola, WI Las Cruces, NM April 5, 1992 Date Unknown Billy McNack Johness Snow
Wagoner, OK Date Unknown
Andrews, SC Date Unknown
Alvina Moellendorf Ann Stadelman
New Berlin, WI Tucson, AZ July 22, 1992 March 24, 1992 Salvator Mauriello June Teuffer Van Nuys, CA Chicago, IL January 10, 1992 June 30, 1992 Hanna A. Neumann —_ John Weiss Milwaukee, WI Greenfield, WI
Date Unknown Clinton Wideman
August 27, 1992 James No Fire

Jay, OK Davison, MI Date Unknown November 30, 1991 Wille Price Dora Williams Kershaw, SC Sumter, §
1990 Date Unknown
Hamid Shayesteh Richmond, IN July 17, 1992
Thelma Wright Las Cruces, NI Date Unknown

et a aS RS I
‘IL B.£. 149 / Octoser 16, 1992 [Page 20]20 THe American BanA'i
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
OCTOBER National Hispanic Baha'i Conference, Bosch Baha'i School, Santa Cruz, California. Sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Gilroy, California, and El Ruisertor] The Nightingale. Registration $35 per person; children 3-12, $25; under 3, free. For information, phone the Bosch School, 408-423-3387; Los Angeles, 818-836-7967; San Jose, 408-842-7531.
18: Founders Day (20th anniversary of Gregory Institute, 10th anniversary of WLGI licensing), Louis G. Gregory Baha'i Institute, Hemingway, South Carolina. For information, phone 803-558-5093.
22-25: “The Role of Music in a Changing World,” Landegg Academy, Switzerland.
28-31: Conference on the Role of Women in a United Europe, Landegg Academy, Switzerland. For information, phone 41-71-91 91 31; fax 41-71-91 43 O1.
30-November 1: “Rendezvous of the Soul,” a special Holy Year program for personal reflection, Bosch Baha'i School. For information, phone 408-423-3387.
NOVEMBER 5-9: First Sino-American Seminar on Women's Issues, sponsored by the Shanghai

Municipal Women’s Federation. Theme: “Women Today and Tomorrow.” aformas tion, contact Seminar on Women’s Issues, Duette J. Rochelle, Kapaa, parade whose theme was ‘Ride the Olympic Wave.’ The 25-foot-long Baha'i entry HI 96746 (phone 808-822-5756 or 808-335-3566; Fax 808-335-0065). featured a 6-foot-diameter multi-colored globe surrounded by flags of the U.S. 23-26: Second Baha'i World Congress, Jacob K. Javits Center, New York City.

The 26-December 1: Radio Baha'i International Conference (sponsored by IBAVC, the Louis Gregory Institute, and WLGD, Louis G. Gregory Baha'i Institute, Hemingway, South Carolina. For information, phone 803-558-5093.
and UN, a flag with nine-pointed star, and the inscription ‘Racial Unity. ONE RACE we all win.’ After the parade, watched by some 15,000 spectators along its two- route, the Baha'is took part in the Jubilee celebration by

providing a diaper-changing station for those who came with children to enjoy live DECEMBER entertainment, an arts and crafts sale, and talent show. \dezvous of the Soul,” a special Holy Year program for personal reflection, a a a a a = ‘chool. For information, phone 408-423-3387. | To avoid umecusay delays in civing your Thisforamaytewsdfronepersmoryourctie | 23-27: Winter I (General Session, all ages), Bosch Baha'i School. David Hofman, | MOVING? copy of aoe An cell aren we Saeco Pe | retired member of the Universal House of Justice, “A Provocative Study of the Will and TELL US YOUR te fee Bee Ge Geka Ue Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Baha”; Ron Gilpatrick, “The World Congress: Reflections and MENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS, Bahuli or older, who wil be affected by this 5 7 |_| NEW ADDRESS. | Nitta Comer Witnct I 60091, wcsoon ere | Opportunities"; Marsha Gilpatrick and Sheila Banani, “A Fundamentally Different Hl you know what your new addees wil be. i Order.” For children: “A Covenant Is a Promise.” International folk dancing, winter [> Nae | holiday activities. To register, send $80 deposit for each person to Bosch Baha'i School,
~~4S 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060; MasterCard/VISA, phone 408-423-3387.~~
je | 25-28: Eighth annual Grand Canyon Bahé‘i Conference, Hyatt Regency Hotel, PhoeuDe. ae nix, Arizona. Rooms from only $40. Youth workshops, entertainment, top speakers (Dr. [2 : | William Roberts, Dr Suheil Bushrui, others). For more information please phone the | core ae I GCBC hotline (24 hours a day), 602-375-9951.
3. 7 30-January 3: Winter II (General Session, all ages), Bosch Baha'i School. For program | oe est | details, see Winter I Session (December 23-27). To register, send $80 deposit for each It*— ais | person to Bosch Baha'i School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060; MasterCard/ I j VISA, phone 408-423-3387.
" B. NEW RESIDENCE ADDRESS: C. NEW MAILING ADDRESS: y 31-January 2: South Carolina Baha'i Winter School, Louis G. Gregory Baha'i In' stitute, Hemingway, South Carolina. For information, phone 803-558-5093. JANUARY (bh: aeccee Co see | 7-10: Pioneer Training Institute, Bosch Bahé'i School, Santa Cruz, California. For information, phone 708-869-9039. | ne appa “Apert (applicable) | ndezvous of the Soul,” a special Holy Year program for personal reflection,
~~Bosch Baha'i School. For information, phone 408-423-3387.~~
Gay Ciy FEBRUARY l= | 26-28: “Rendezvous of the Soul,”.a special Holy Year program for personal reflection, Po Pee See Hecode } Bosch Baha'i School. For information; phone 408-423-3387. | > NeW COMMUNITY: ESHOMET ET EP uONENO MERE | 26-28: Bahd'i Health and Human Services Conference, Louis G. Gregory Baha'i Institute, Hemingway, South Carolina. For information, phone 803-558-5093. | eee RACY Raa | eR ee | SPRING t ; 1 Pioneer Training Institutes, Green Acre Baha'i School, Eliot, Maine, and Bahé‘i let aceere err | | National Center, Evanston, Illinois. For information, phone 708-869-9039, | | | Aeeeale Phone mater Tene “Area code Phone muaber Name | | G. WE RECEIVE EXTRA COPIES BECAUSE: H. | WOULD LIKE A COPY: | sweldot have sxieat ar We leat pace aed ccs on Ourhonscholdreecvesony one eS ea er ete a etd egal Bnd a i cancel the copy forthe person(s) and LD. istedabove the fullnamesof all fanilyrmem- | -receivemy owmcopy. Ihave listed my name, | Sima tctonre Fee ly eld Wop x toned | dP eae ere |
records, their LD. numbers, and the corree- | ‘ons so that we will receive only one copy.

‘ « } e a 4 id « 5 4 Det. aia gee = oe 2 <r, Baha'is in Escondido, California, took part in April Ss Children’ event with a booth at a local shopping center. Besides offering quotations ae g from the Writings about mothers and children, the Baha'is provided an area in ¢ a — which families could rest and children play while attending the event, whose ars purposes were to celebrate children and to bring together those groups that are

interested in working with them.
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