The American Bahá’í/Volume 3/Issue 10/Text
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“GATEWAY” CONFERENCE OPENS THE WAY[edit]
Nearly 1,000 Bahá’ís converged at the War Memorial Building in Trenton, the state capitol of New Jersey, on September 8, 9, and 10, for the Northeastern Regional “Gateway” Teaching Conference.
The impact of seeing and meeting Bahá’ís of practically all races and of various backgrounds from every state in the Northeast, and from as far west as California; the zeal and enthusiasm of the Bahá’í youth in proclaiming the Faith in Trenton and nearby towns; as well as the singing, and the many youthful pioneers present, all helped to make this Conference an occasion which will live in the annals of Bahá’í history in the Northeastern Region for some time to come.
The Conference opened Friday evening with prayers and songs, followed by a welcome from the Willingboro Assembly, which coordinated the Conference, and a talk by Auxiliary Board Member Mr. Albert James entitled “Preparation for Teaching.” The remainder of the evening program was devoted to entertainment by soloists and groups.
On Saturday morning, Mr. Wayne Hoover of Portland, Maine, spoke on “Community Unity: The Foundation for Successful Teaching.” This was followed by a presentation by the Northeast Oriental Teaching Committee entitled “A New Challenge for Oriental Teaching” and a talk entitled “Building the Spirit to Teach” by Mr. Glenford E. Mitchell, Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly. At noon, the friends were given guidance for a five-hour proclamation throughout sections of Trenton and nearby towns. This was coordinated by Mr. Bill Foster of Princeton, New Jersey.
The Saturday evening session opened with prayers and songs which were followed by a presentation by the Deep South Committee and another talk by Mr. Mitchell on “The Advent of Divine Justice.” Then came a period of inspiring entertainment which was followed by a talk by Mr. Richard D. Betts, Secretary of the National Teaching Committee, during which he made an appeal for pioneers, especially to fill the remaining goals of the Nine Year Plan in other parts of the world.
Prayers and songs opened the Sunday morning session, after which the three recently appointed Regional Public Information Representatives, Mr. Robert Dutton, Miss Joy Victory, and Mr. Frank Sawyer, were introduced. The representatives offered their assistance to all local Public Information Representatives, as well as to local Assemblies and groups, and provided public information kits. Mrs. Mildred Mottahedeh, representing the International Goals Committee, then gave a brief account of her worldwide Bahá’í experiences spanning many years, and introduced a number of Summer Project pioneers to Europe and Latin America, as well as pioneers to other goal areas in the world. Mrs. Mottahedeh also introduced a number of volunteers interested in pioneering. This was followed by an inspiring talk on the relationship of Bahá’í administrative institutions to each other and on “New Dimensions in Proclamation and Consolidation” by Dr. Dwight Allen, member of the National Spiritual Assembly.
(continued on page 2)
A pictorial expression of the happiness and joy experienced in friends greeting and meeting friends during a break at the recent “Gateway” Conference.
[Page 2]
“GATEWAY” CONFERENCE
(continued from page 1)
Among the outstanding exhibits at the Conference were those of the National Teaching Committee on the American Indian; CHILD’S WAY, the Bahá’í magazine dedicated to children everywhere; and of the Regional Public Information Representatives which provided printed material and kits.
To supplement the teaching effort, an information center was established and remained open for one week after the Conference. This was located opposite the War Memorial Building and was maintained by local Bahá’ís to answer inquiries about the Faith.
The love, unity, and enthusiasm generated by this remarkable gathering unmistakably made its mark on the city of Trenton. In hotels and restaurants in the heart of the city, expressions like “It’s been a pleasure to serve you people” were commonplace.
Words and space, due to deadline limitations, can never express adequately the gratitude the Conference owes to those many workers “behind the scenes” who put so much effort into their work whether it was the registration of believers, the care of children, the maintenance of cafeteria and bookstore facilities, the exhibits, etc.
In the eyes of this correspondent, the “Gateway” Teaching Conference, aside from making the influence of the Faith known in the capitol city of the state of New Jersey (the results of which only the future will tell), brought together hundreds of Bahá’ís of the most diverse backgrounds ever assembled in one gathering in the Northeastern Region of the United States since the days of the Master, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.
A final highlight of the Conference was coverage by the local television station and other news media.
Text and photos by Mr. Frank Sawyer of New York City
Part of the teaching team of Bahá’ís who staffed the information center which was located in a rented building across the street from the Conference site. The information center remained open for a week after the Conference and was maintained by local Bahá’ís to answer inquiries about the Faith.
Enhancing the American Indian art exhibit at the Conference are (left to right) Mrs. Sylvia Baruch, former Secretary of the Northampton (Massachusetts) Assembly, and Mrs. Soo Fouts, member of the National Teaching Committee and of the Northeast Oriental Teaching Committee.
“WE” Institute Success[edit]
Nine members of the Town of Hempstead community arrived in Ellenville, New York, to participate in a “WE” Institute. There was one married couple and seven young people ranging in age from 14 to 22... The Assembly had rented a summer home for $25 for the Institute. The property was beautiful, as was the weather, and we were able to have the afternoon classes and the recreation periods outdoors...
The agenda had been prepared in advance and was followed very closely without giving the participants the feeling that they were being rushed. Meals were on time and classes always began promptly. Everyone looked forward to the deepening sessions which lasted for one-and-a-half hours each. There were three sessions on Friday and Saturday: one in the morning after breakfast, one after lunch, and one in the evening after dinner. On Sunday, we had a morning session only, since, being about 100 miles from home, we had to leave after lunch.
We deepened on the four questions suggested by The Universal House of Justice (WELLSPRING OF GUIDANCE, p. 114). Something interesting happened at our second session on Friday. Although we had all enjoyed the first session, the few quiet students “opened up” during the second session and we could feel that they were comfortable and they felt that they could speak up freely. Everyone then participated and the unity that prevailed was very good. We referred to the full texts many times so as not to take anything out of context. Everyone was satisfied in that they felt that their questions were adequately discussed and answered. We finished deepening on the four questions by the Saturday evening session and thus were able to discuss the goals set forth by our local Assembly on Sunday morning...
All agreed that this had been a wonderful experience and looked forward to holding future “WE” Institutes.
- From a report submitted by
- Pearl Fleischhacker
- Institute Coordinator
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“They cannot be the chosen people of God—the ones who have received the bounty of accepting Him in His Day, the recipients of the Master’s Divine Plan—and do nothing about it. The obligation to teach is the obligation of every Bahá’í, and particularly, the obligations of the American Bahá’ís towards humanity are great and inescapable. To the degree to which they discharge them will they be blessed and protected, happy and satisfied.” (Shoghi Effendi, BAHÁ’Í NEWS, November 1957) |
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THE AMERICAN BAHÁ’Í is published monthly by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091. Material must be received by the 15th of the month prior to publication. Black and white glossy prints should be included with material whenever possible. Articles and news written in a clear and concise manner are welcomed from individuals as well as assemblies and committees. Address all mail to: The American Bahá’í Editorial Office, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091. |
Finding Your Fullest Satisfaction in the Life of the Cause?[edit]
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Qualities to Live By
Unhappily, this is the road most men tread. But Bahá’ís must not be thus; they must rise above this condition. Actions must be more to them than words. By their actions they must be merciful and not merely by their words. They must on all occasions confirm by their actions what they proclaim in words. Their deeds must prove their fidelity, and their actions must show forth Divine light. Let your actions cry aloud to the world that you are indeed Bahá’ís, for it is actions that speak to the world and are the cause of the progress of humanity. If we are true Bahá’ís, speech is not needed. Our actions will help on the world, will spread civilization, and will help the progress of science, and cause the arts to develop. Without action, nothing in the material world can be accomplished, neither can words unaided advance a man in the spiritual Kingdom. It is not through lip-service only that the elect of God have attained to holiness, but by patient lives of active service, they have brought light into the world. Therefore, strive that your actions day by day may be beautiful prayers. Turn towards God, and seek always to do that which is right and noble. Enrich the poor, raise the fallen, comfort the sorrowful, bring healing to the sick, reassure the fearful, rescue the oppressed, bring hope to the hopeless, shelter the destitute! This is the work of a true Bahá’í, and this is what is expected of him. If we strive to do all this, then are we true Bahá’ís, but if we neglect it, we are not followers of the Light, and we have no right to the name. God, who sees all hearts, knows how far our lives are the fulfilment of our words. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, PARIS TALKS, pages 80-81. |
In April 1964, when The Universal House of Justice announced the Nine Year Plan, our attention was drawn to two major themes of that Plan, namely, “...a huge expansion of the Cause of God and universal participation by all believers in the life of that Cause.”
A huge expansion of the Cause all over the world we have witnessed, but the goal of universal participation by all believers in the life of the Cause has yet to be achieved. How can we achieve it?
In that same message, The Universal House of Justice indicated the meaning of universal participation: “...the dedicated effort of every believer in teaching, in living the Bahá’í life, in contributing to the Fund, and particularly in the persistent effort to understand more and more the significance of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation. In the words of our beloved Guardian, ‘One thing and only one thing will unfailingly and alone secure the undoubted triumph of this sacred Cause, namely, the extent to which our own inner life and private character mirror forth in their manifold aspects the splendor of those eternal principles proclaimed by Bahá’u’lláh.’ ”
Five months later, when the enthusiastic vigor of the believers throughout the world in meeting the challenge of the Plan augured well for the huge expansion of the Cause, The House of Justice asked the Bahá’í world community to bend its efforts and thoughts, with equal enthusiasm, to the requirements of universal participation (cf. WELLSPRING OF GUIDANCE, pp. 37-9).
Likening the Bahá’í world to the human body, that supreme Institution explained: “In the human body, every cell, every organ, every nerve has its part to play. When all do so, the body is healthy, vigorous, radiant, ready for every call made upon it. No cell, however humble, lives apart from the body, whether in serving it or receiving from it. This is true of the body of mankind in which God ‘has endowed each humble being with ability and talent,’ and is supremely true of the body of the Bahá’í world community, for this body is already an organism, united in its aspirations, unified in its methods, seeking assistance and confirmation from the same Source, and illumined with the conscious knowledge of its unity. Therefore, in this organic, divinely guided, blessed, and illumined body, the participation of every believer is of the utmost importance, and is a source of power and vitality as yet unknown to us.”
For extensive and deep as has been the sharing in the glorious work of the Cause, who would claim that every single believer has succeeded in finding his or her fullest satisfaction in the life of the Cause? The Bahá’í world community, growing like a healthy new body, develops new cells, new organs, new functions and powers as it presses on to its maturity, when every soul, living for the Cause of God, will receive from that Cause, health, assurance, and the overflowing bounties of Bahá’u’lláh which are diffused through His divinely ordained Order.
“In addition to teaching, every believer can pray. Every believer can strive to make his ‘own inner life and private character mirror forth in their manifold aspects the splendor of those eternal principles proclaimed by Bahá’u’lláh.’ Every believer can contribute to the Fund. Not all believers can give public talks, not all are called upon to serve on administrative institutions. But all can pray, fight their own spiritual battles, and contribute to the Fund. If every believer will carry out these sacred duties, we shall be astonished at the accession of power which will result to the whole body, and which in its turn will give rise to further growth and the showering of greater blessings on all of us.
“The real secret of universal participation lies in the Master’s oft-expressed wish that the friends should love each other, constantly encourage each other, work together, be as one soul in one body, and in so doing become a true, organic, healthy body animated and illumined by the spirit. In such a body, all will receive spiritual health and vitality from the organism itself, and the most perfect flowers and fruits will be brought forth.”
The Office of the Treasurer takes great pleasure in sharing a fine example of how yet another Assembly is achieving at least one aspect of universal participation, that of contributing to the Fund:
“Our Assembly and the Community frankly consult about our Fund and there are times when some contribute twice a Bahá’í month.
“This comes about by saving odd change. Our consultation always emphasizes the power of universal participation, and though there might be a time when one is financially limited he is still a vital link in the chain of unity. Thus, his act of participation is one of sustaining spiritual strength.”
Office of the Treasurer
Bahá’í Child Education And Family Life[edit]
A Time for Reverence and Gratitude[edit]
One of the most important ingredients in creating a Bahá’í atmosphere in the home is to establish the habit of observing the Bahá’í Holy Days as a family.
Most of us have been used to celebrating Christmas, Halloween, Easter, and perhaps Yom Kippur, etc., and the observance of these days has become a part of our way of life. Our children look forward to these days, and they also have an influence on our thinking, our feelings, our manners, and even our finances.
The Bahá’í Faith brings us new Holy Days filled with a new spirit and a new sacredness. It puts back HOLINESS into the Holy Days, a spiritual quality which modern-day society seems to have forgotten.
The observance of these Holy Days as a family is not only important to the building of unity, joy, and spiritual strength in the family but is also important as a means of demonstrating to society that Bahá’u’lláh has brought a new way of life and that Bahá’ís are trying to learn to live by it.
The Universal House of Justice has given us the following guidance in statements which have been published in the BAHÁ’Í NEWS and in WELLSPRING OF GUIDANCE, pp. 69–70:
“... As you know, the recognition of Bahá’í Holy Days in at least ninety-five countries of the world is an important and highly significant objective of the Nine Year Plan, and is directly linked with the recognition of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh by the civil authorities as an independent religion enjoying its own rights and privileges.
The attainment of this objective will be facilitated and enhanced if the friends, motivated by their own realization of the importance of the laws of Bahá’u’lláh, are obedient to them. For the guidance of believers, we repeat the instructions of the beloved Guardian:
‘He wishes also to stress the fact that, according to our Bahá’í laws, work is forbidden on our Nine Holy Days. Believers who have independent businesses or shops should refrain from working on these days. Those who are in government employ should, on religious grounds, make an effort to be excused from work; all believers, whoever their employers, should do likewise. If the government, or other employers, refuse to grant them these days off, they are not required to forfeit their employment, but they should make every effort to have the independent status of their Faith recognized and their right to hold their own religious Holy Days acknowledged.’ (From letter written on behalf of the Guardian to the American National Spiritual Assembly, dated July 7, 1947—BAHÁ’Í NEWS No. 198, page 3)
“... In addition, steps should be taken to have Bahá’í children excused, on religious grounds, from attending school on Bahá’í Holy Days wherever possible.”
This also includes children under fifteen, for the Guardian has stated that “...children under fifteen should certainly observe the Bahá’í Holy Days, and not go to school, if this can be arranged on these nine days.” (From letter written on behalf of the Guardian, dated October 25, 1947, to the American National Spiritual Assembly)
Holy Days, however, are not just days to stay home and watch TV or sleep. They are to be observed with reverence and gratitude, with expressions of love for and service to mankind. The Birthdays of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh should be observed with joy and beauty.
Have family consultation on how you want to celebrate the Anniversary of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh, November 12.
Here are some suggestions to get you started. Your own consultation will bring forth others.
- Invite a neighbor for breakfast or lunch.
- Take flowers to a neighbor who is ill or elderly.
- Read together stories about the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh.
- Find a map of Írán (Persia) and locate the places where the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh were born.
The Holy Days of the Bahá’í Faith can prepare us for life in a unified world. As we remember, observe, or celebrate these great Events, we draw nearer to the very essence of that Love and Sacrifice on which human existence is established. What a beautiful ingredient to add to our family life.
THE PALM OF VICTORY IS NOT YET OURS—
Only Six Months Left to Win the Remaining Goals of the Nine Year Plan[edit]
Below are two lists of remaining goals. One is a listing of pioneering goals specifically assigned to the United States and indicates the number of pioneers needed. The other is a supplementary list recently circulated by The Universal House of Justice showing areas of the world requiring assistance in the completion of their goals.
| AMERICAS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bonaire Island | 1 | |
| (Collaboration goal with Venezuela) | ||
| Martinique Island | (F) \ | |
| Guadeloupe Island (SC) | (F) - | 3 |
| Marie-Galante Island | (F) / | |
| (Note: Although the numerical goals for Latin America have been completed, these remaining assignments must be filled before the end of the Nine Year Plan.) | ||
| AFRICA | ||
| Dahomey | (F) | 2 |
| Gabon | (F) | 1 |
| Malawi | (E) | 1 |
| St. Helena | (E) | 2 |
| Tanzania | (E) | 1 |
| Togo | (F) | 1 |
| Zaire Republic | (F) | 2 |
| AUSTRALASIA | ||
| Western Samoa | (E) | 1 |
| EUROPE | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Azores | (P) | 3 | |||||||||||||||
| Denmark | (SC) | 2 | |||||||||||||||
| Finland | (SC) | 1 | |||||||||||||||
| Portugal | (P) | 6 | |||||||||||||||
| ASIA | |||||||||||||||||
| Indonesia | 2 | ||||||||||||||||
| Japan | 1 | ||||||||||||||||
| Kazakhstan | (CP) | 1 | |||||||||||||||
| Laos | 2 | ||||||||||||||||
| Portuguese Timor | (P) | 1 | |||||||||||||||
| Ukraine | (CP) | 1 | |||||||||||||||
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| AFRICA | *Territories with greatest need. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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If you can fill any of the goals listed, please contact: INTERNATIONAL GOALS COMMITTEE, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091 (Tel. 312/256-4400)
SUMMER PROJECTS ’72[edit]
LA PENSÉE BAHÁ’ÍE
MEXICO
Servir a los semejantes sin críticas y sin prejuicios, base de la acción humana; el hombre no debe marginarse por su color
“El ciudadano del mundo, dotado de elementos básicos para encontrar independientemente la verdad como: ojos, oídos, mente, debe comprender la religión por su propio entendimiento, en lugar de depender de alguna persona. El valor humano es el mismo para todos los seres. La base de nuestra creencia es la unidad.”
Tales conceptos fueron expresados ayer por jóvenes de diferentes nacionalidades que se encuentran en San Francisco Acatepec, en una de sus semanas de capacitación juvenil para que se continúe extendiendo la Fe Bahá’í.
Esta religión tiende a unificarlas a todas; nació en Oriente el siglo pasado, con el surgimiento de un nuevo profeta llamado Husayn Alí Bahá’u’lláh —que significa la gloria de Dios—.
En Persia (hoy Irán), nació y vivió “otro de los profetas enviados por el Padre”, fue perseguido y sufrió encarcelamientos, pero su doctrina se extendió hasta que en la actualidad hay Bahá’ís por todas partes del globo. La literatura del profeta oriental ha sido traducida a más de 300 dialectos e idiomas.
La actividad normal de un elemento de la Fe Bahá’í es trabajar en cualquier medio, sirviendo a sus semejantes, sin críticas, sin prejuicios, sin superioridades. Todas estas formas de vida, las realizan sin tener un compromiso alguno; todo es por voluntad, a nadie se obliga.
Aceptan a todos los hombres sin distinción de razas y lenguas. Se casan y se profesan fidelidad. Los enervantes quedan totalmente desligados de ellos y lo único que buscan es el amor y la unidad.
“Their radiance, their knowledge of the teachings and their ease to make contacts, often in a difficult climate requiring great patience, will continue to exercise its influence. These teams have, indeed, through their presence and their deeds, proclaimed the advent of a new race of men who are at home in every part of the planet they are striving to unite.”
FRANCE
ECUADOR
“The projects are a wonderful stepping-stone to pioneering... as a result of the project, 50% of our team are staying here in Ecuador to continue serving the Faith as pioneers... none of us will ever be quite the same again... many of the projecteers now have firm convictions and plans to one day pioneer.”
“We could never thank you enough for the marvelous campaign... The dynamism of your young men and young ladies, their open spirit of friendship, their profound knowledge of the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh, their manifestation of this knowledge through their life, and above all their love for Bahá’u’lláh, have brought in Europe a revival of spirituality... Thanks to you who have conducted this campaign so well, thanks to them who, with all their hearts, proclaimed the Bahá’í message.”
“Our National Assembly has just concluded its regular monthly meeting, in which we reviewed with great happiness the blessings received from your Youth Project. They brought great spiritual power with them, and many were the expressions of appreciation of all kinds, including astonishment and wonder to see such dedicated and capable youth. It is a blessing very difficult to put into words sufficiently strong to express properly the sentiments.”
NORWAY
“I’ve become a Bahá’í. It’s so wonderful I can’t describe it. I feel such a deep and warm happiness inside, and it is too little room for my feelings inside, I have to spread them in the outside world; I have to share them with other people.
“Ever since I began reading “Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era” this thing started growing. Everything in this book was so right, and I knew it was the truth.
“It’s so wonderful! My searching for truth has come to an end, and I can’t find words describing my joy and happiness... but I’m sure you know how I feel....”
CORSICA
Les “Baha’ie” à Lupino
A PIONEER WRITES[edit]
The months since we arrived here have been so full of new experiences and conflicting trends and contrasts; really, in all frankness, life has been rough. I am profoundly impressed by the difficulty and challenge of real pioneering, when one faces a true change of culture and finds oneself so many thousands and thousands of miles away from any sort of familiar circumstances. I think of the other pioneers around the world and I stand in awe and I ask myself, but how do they do it? And, of course, I know the answer—through the power and strength of Bahá’u’lláh, and their own humility to be channels to receive it.
Seeing... two cultures... come in contact with one another is really hair-raising. I have never before understood or seen such examples of what Bahá’u’lláh must have meant by the ‘extremes’ of wealth and poverty as I have seen here. As you can gather, our every-day life has been buffeted first one way and then another by the winds of an outrageous (although not malevolent) fortune. On the surface, life has been really quite difficult. Two days after we moved into our own house, our house was robbed and I lost my last suit and only pair of respectable shoes. They came right into our room while we were sleeping...! I keep remembering that quote from the Guardian’s writings that suffering is an integral part of pioneering, and many other quotes are suddenly much more meaningful to me than they ever were... The truth of the matter is, however, that we are truly happy to be here and, although the surface is raging with huge waves and battles, we both feel a deep calm at the ocean’s depth in that this is really where we belong to serve the Faith at this time, and that we are attempting an utmost challenge for our capacities at this time... we don’t know just what Bahá’u’lláh has in store for us or just what He wants us to become, but we can feel ourselves being stretched and molded and forced to grow. And looking backward, we can see how we have been prepared and strengthened for this experience. So what you have to do is stay loose, ride the waves instead of bucking them, and trust in God to bring you out the right way.
DID YOU KNOW ...[edit]
that you can travel to—
- FRANKFURT, GERMANY
- GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
- ZURICH, SWITZERLAND
- MILAN, ITALY
- ROME, ITALY
- MADRID, SPAIN
for two weeks for less than $500* and fulfill a travel-teaching goal?
If you are interested in serving the Faith as a traveling teacher to any of these countries, please write to:
- INTERNATIONAL GOALS COMMITTEE
- 112 Linden Avenue
- Wilmette, Illinois 60091
*From New York - adult fares, ranging from $362 to $446 - November 1972 through March 1973 - include departure tax; rental car (less gasoline); and hotel accommodations (double occupancy).
Food costs are not included, but are estimated at an additional $100-150.
BAHÁ’Í NEWS—And What They Say About It[edit]
“We are thrilled with the variety of articles and wonderful pictures which your editorial staff is able to publish every month.”
Georgetown, Ontario, Canada
“May I take this chance to say how pleased my wife and I have been with BAHÁ’Í NEWS recently, especially with the various tributes to the early Bahá’ís like Lua Getsinger, Martha Root... We are enjoying it very much.”
Northampton, Massachusetts
“Seeing the friends all over the world and getting a universal view of the exciting onward march of our beloved Faith is so inspiring. That inspiration is indispensable in fulfilling the goals of the Nine Year Plan.”
Geneva, New York
“I read the BAHÁ’Í NEWS from page to page and then again. It keeps me working the best my old bones will let me.” Manhattan Beach, Florida
“As it arrives anything I am doing stops until I have read it from cover to cover. It gives me such a lift to hear of the wonderful victories being won all over. In its pages one finds so many old friends and news of their activities, the reports and quotes from conferences, etc. give one a sense of participating, and our beloved Hand’s (Hand of the Cause Rúḥíyyih Khánum) “Great Safari” is indeed an inspiration to us all to make far greater effort each day. So you can be sure each copy is deeply appreciated, especially when we are far from home base.”
British Honduras, Central America
The October issue includes an article on early Bahá’í Pilgrimages and another installment of the article “The Great Safari of Hand of the Cause Rúḥíyyih Khánum” by Violette Nakhjavání.
Can you afford to miss BAHÁ’Í NEWS?
RENEW YOUR SUBSCRIPTIONS NOW. If you began your subscription in October 1971, your renewal is due. It should be received by October 15 if you do not want to miss an issue.
The Time is Short[edit]
by Moojan Momen
How many of us have longed to have had the opportunity to have attained the presence of Bahá’u’lláh and to have arisen to fulfill any task He may have allotted to us, or to have enrolled amongst the valiant bands of the followers of the Báb as they struggled against overwhelming adversities, or to have taken the Cause to new lands under ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s guidance. How we envy the opportunities presented to those early believers.
And yet, in our own time, the opportunity to gain undying honor has been presented to the Bahá’í world community again and again. It is a mere twenty years ago that the chance was given to the Bahá’ís of the world to earn eternal glory as the Knights of Bahá’u’lláh. How many of us, realizing the vast universal significance of the Faith, would not now give everything we have to be accounted amongst those noble souls whose names are inscribed upon the Rolls of Honor at the threshold of the Holiest Spot on earth, and whose deeds will be celebrated, for a thousand or more years to come, in those countries which they opened to the Faith. Yes, indeed, we stand too close to these events and these personages to be able to appreciate the significance of their services or to be able to divine the glory with which they will in the future be covered.
Individuals who, in our own lifetime, have been endowed with such titles as “The Father of Victories”, “The Mother of Alaska”, and “The Father of Kenya”, by the Guardian, walk amongst us today, and we cannot estimate the value of these titles for they are worth infinitely more than all the vain and empty honors that the world can bestow upon us.
We have the joy and privilege of associating with the Hands of the Cause of God, and yet we seldom realize as we converse with them or listen to them at conferences that these individuals will be in the minds and on the lips of the entire world for ages to come. Their deeds and their words will be celebrated by the generations of the future who will envy us our chance to have met these people and will yearn for the chance of having some firsthand knowledge of these standard bearers of the Cause of God.
Thus it was that the Guardian was constantly emphasizing to the believers that “the present opportunity is unutterably precious” or “the time so short, the privilege so priceless.” Truly, the opportunities that were given the believers at that time were “unutterably precious”. They did not recur. The Rolls of Honor naming the Knights of Bahá’u’lláh were opened May 28, 1953 and closed a year later on May 4, 1954. Those who had grasped the opportunity attained eternal glory, and for those who had the chance but did not take it, the chance was gone.
The Hero is one who is doing what is needed at the time when others are heedless of the call, and honor accrues most to the one who accomplishes the task at the time when it is most urgently needed. Thus it is to the very early believers who arose to serve the Faith at a time when no one else in the world responded that the greatest honor goes. Shoghi Effendi, in referring to the Heroic Age of the Faith, says that it is “a period whose splendors no victories in this or any future age, however brilliant, can rival.”
With every day that passes, cohorts are enrolling under the banner of Bahá’u’lláh. As this process accelerates, the numbers of those eager to serve the Cause swell. But there is yet time; we can still earn imperishable laurels in the field, teaching and pioneering. As the closing months of the Nine Year Plan approach, the needs of the Cause of God become great. The goals must be won, the pioneer posts must be filled. Here again is a precious opportunity. And to be given this chance is a privilege for which future generations would give everything. This is being presented to us—now. The Nine Year Plan ends next Riḍván. This particular opportunity will not recur.
“What the Cause now requires is not so much a group of highly cultured and intellectual people who can adequately present its teachings, but a number of devoted, sincere, and loyal supporters who, in utter disregard of their own weaknesses and limitations, and with hearts afire with the love of God, forsake their all for the sake of spreading and establishing His Faith.” (From a letter written on the Guardian’s behalf to an individual believer, and published in WELLSPRING OF GUIDANCE, p. 128)
“O Son of the Supreme! To the eternal I call thee, yet thou dost seek that which perisheth. What hath made thee turn away from Our desire and seek thine own?” (THE HIDDEN WORDS OF BAHÁ’U’LLÁH, Arabic No. 23)
“O Son of Love! Thou art but one step away from the glorious heights above and from the celestial tree of love. Take thou one pace and with the next advance into the immortal realm and enter the pavilion of eternity. Give ear then to that which hath been revealed by the pen of glory.” (THE HIDDEN WORDS OF BAHÁ’U’LLÁH, Persian No. 7)
“Our immediate and inescapable task, however, is to ensure that every attainable goal of the Nine Year Plan is achieved. This must be done at all costs. No sacrifice, no deferment of cherished plans must be refused in order to discharge this “most important” of the many “important” duties facing us. Who can doubt that one last supreme effort will be crowned with success?” (Riḍván 1972 Message from The Universal House of Justice)
CHILDREN’S CORNER (continued from page 4)
Here are two pages which can be cut out and pasted on cardboard or heavy paper to begin a book on BAHÁ’Í HOLY DAYS. Two more pages showing your activities on these special Days can be added. You can then color two more leaves on your tree.
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BIRTH OF THE BAB OCTOBER 20, 1819 PERSIA
HE CAME TO TELL ABOUT THE COMING OF BAHÁ’U’LLÁH. |
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BIRTH OF BAHÁ’U’LLÁH NOVEMBER 12, 1817 PERSIA
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[Page 10]
A tremendously successful event was held by the District Teaching Committee for Utah the weekend of August 18-20 when 45 Bahá’ís and friends from Utah and southern Idaho met at Pinecliff Camp, seventeen miles east of Coalville, Utah, for classes and Bahá’í fellowship. Those in attendance spanned the ages from 4 months to 86 years, proving again there is no generation gap among the Bahá’ís.
The wisdom and gentle humor of Dr. Jalil Mahmoudi blended in a two-part presentation on “The Bahá’í Family.” The Western Regional Teaching Committee was represented by Mrs. Marlene Wood, who directed a workshop which demonstrated the wealth of ideas gained from working in groups. Miss Hoda Mahmoudi gave an interesting talk on various aspects of mental health and psychology as contained in the Bahá’í teachings. In giving a brief history of the Bahá’í Faith in Utah, Mrs. Carolyn Staples surprised everyone with the information that there was a Bahá’í resident in Utah as far back as 1918. The application of the Bahá’í remedy to present-day personal and social problems was presented by Mrs. Martha Curtiss.
After an observance of the Feast of Asmá’ on Saturday evening, two films and a filmstrip, “Give Me That New Time Religion,” “It’s Just the Beginning,” and “God Speaks Again” were shown. A brief talk was then given by two young sisters who had just returned from a pilgrimage to the Bahá’í Holy Places and whose appearance, even more than their words, demonstrated the depth of their feelings. Tears of joy and devotion were in all eyes.
One declaration of Faith was made during the weekend, and a contribution was offered for the National Fund. There was a unanimous feeling that this year’s gathering should be the first of a regular annual event.
A Bahá’í institute was held at the University of Houston, Texas, over the Labor Day weekend. Believers from thirteen communities attended. Speakers included Continental Counsellor Mrs. Florence Mayberry, Mr. Albert Porter, and Dr. Allen Ward. The friends were deeply inspired by Mrs. Mayberry’s talks on the Covenant; Mr. Porter’s excellent presentation on Bahá’í Administration, its application, and function, clarified many of the finer points of the administration; and Dr. Ward’s presentation of the Faith’s history was done with amusing and inspiring anecdotes of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s journey in the United States. Skits, films, and a children’s class were noteworthy events included in the program.
The conference ended with a panel discussion, at which time the three guest speakers led a discussion on the Bahá’í way of life.
BAHÁ’Í BOOKS AND MATERIALS[edit]
BAHÁ’Í LITERATURE[edit]
‘Abdu’l-Bahá: Fiftieth Anniversary of His Passing
Fall 1971 Commemorative Issue of World Order
An important addition to every library is the hard cover edition of the Fall 1971 issue of World Order, which commemorates the fiftieth anniversary of the passing of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. The life and Writings of the Master are explored in articles by Amin Banani, Marzieh Gail, and Kazem and Firuz Kazemzadeh. This issue also includes an extract from Hand of the Cause H. M. Balyuzi’s book on ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, a special article by Shoghi Effendi and Lady Blomfield, reprinted from the 1926 edition of Bahá’í World, and excerpts from Juliet Thompson’s Diary. This issue is an invaluable aid for studying the life and Writings of the Master and will be an important addition to every Bahá’ís permanent library.
Cloth/$3.50
The Heart of the Gospel
An attractive, new raspberry-colored cloth edition of The Heart of the Gospel is now available. In his book, George Townshend, a Biblical scholar, traces progressive revelation through the Bible.
Cloth/$3.00
The Renewal of Civilization
This brief account of the foundation and rise of the Bahá’í community and the practical nature of the Bahá’í teachings is now available in a paperback edition at a new price. Attractive red, white, and black cover.
Paper/$.75 (New price)
BAHÁ’Í HOLY DAYS, Grades 1-9
Now available at a reduced price. A series of thirty lesson plans, ten each for three age groups (Primary, Intermediate, and Junior), for use in teaching children the significance of Bahá’í Holy Days and in planning observances appropriate for each age group. Outlines goals and methods of each lesson plan. Includes teaching aids, stories, scripts, and suggested questions for group discussion. 169 pp.
$2.00 (Formerly $2.50)
BAHÁ’Í LESSON PLANS, Grade K through Grade 9
Now available at a reduced price, Bahá’í Lesson Plans are essential for everyone responsible for teaching children’s classes. These plans provide the teacher with a set of easily used materials, including lesson goals, references, methods, stories, scripts, games, and helpful aids and reminders. Each lesson plan includes sections on history, teachings for the individual, and social teachings. Lesson plans for grades K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 range from 89 to 137 pp.
$1.40 per copy (Formerly $2.00)
$12.00 per set of ten
Pasajes de los Escritos de Bahá’u’lláh
A new Spanish paperback edition of Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh is now available.
Paper/$2.00 NET
Bahá’u’lláh et l’Ère Nouvelle
Two French editions of J. E. Esslemont’s popular introductory text are now available. The price of the 1964 edition has been reduced to $.90 NET (formerly $2.50), while the 1972 edition is $2.00 NET. Please specify desired edition when ordering.
Paper/$.90 NET (1964 edition)
Paper/$2.00 NET (1972 edition)
SPECIAL MATERIALS[edit]
6-00-80 Carmel: The Mountain of God
The beautiful and profoundly inspiring slide program Carmel: The Mountain of God is now available as a color filmstrip program. The program links Carmel, the “Mountain of the Lord,” with the Central Figures of the Faith, emphasizes the spiritual significance this mountain has had in past Dispensations, and shows how prophecies concerning the Holy Land have been fulfilled through the coming of Bahá’u’lláh. Primarily intended as a tool for deepening Bahá’ís and those close to the Faith, this program is not recommended for general proclamation as it requires considerable understanding of the Faith. Excellent for Bahá’í Holy Days and special commemorative programs, and for Bahá’í institutes and conventions. 59 frames.
$7.50 NET
6-65-05
Replacement bulbs for the Viewlex V-1 filmstrip/slide projector are now available at the reduced price of $2.80 NET per bulb (formerly $3.00).
$2.80 NET (Formerly $3.00)
HOW TO ORDER
Literature and Special Materials items must be handled separately. Using the order blank below, total each category in the space provided, and add the appropriate postage and handling charges before figuring the amount of your remittance. Personal orders must include full payment.
If possible, always order through a Bahá’í Community Librarian for postpaid handling on Literature orders of $5 or more and Special Materials orders of $10 or more.
Teaching at County Fairs[edit]
An attractive booth illustrating some of the basic principles of the Bahá’í Faith was exhibited recently at both the Kane County and DuPage County Fairs. “Mankind Is One” was the focal point.
The booth, which was designed and constructed by Bahá’ís from Wheaton, Elgin, and Hoffman Estates, in Illinois, gave over 100,000 visitors who attended each fair the opportunity to read and hear about Bahá’u’lláh. Bahá’ís from six neighboring communities helped in many ways to make possible the building of the booth and the availability of sufficient pamphlets.
The reactions to the booth were varied, but most people were attracted first to the principle of the “oneness of mankind.” Some looked and then walked by, but many stopped to comment on the booth, to read the panels, or to take literature. Quite a few asked questions.
The friends felt that their efforts produced great results, and space has been reserved for a booth at next year’s DuPage County Fair.
Materials for the booth cost about $125, and a little over 100 man-hours went into the actual construction.
Rock Falls Site of Successful Proclamation[edit]
During a recent two-day deepening conference in Rock Falls, Illinois, the friends devoted a portion to consultation on “mass teaching.” After a discussion of some “do’s and don’ts” prayers were read, and some of the friends ventured into town to invite people to a public meeting in the evening.
Mrs. Ruth Hampson, from the National Bahá’í Center in Wilmette, conducted deepening classes Saturday and Sunday on Bahá’í Administration and its roots, and gave a beautiful fireside to ten seekers who were attracted to the public meeting.
Mr. Rick Faltynski of Rockford entertained the audience at the public meeting with his humor and outstanding musical talent.
The Bahá’ís of Sterling, Rock Falls, and Dixon, almost all of whom have been members of the Faith for less than one year, were overjoyed at the wonderful results of their efforts in preparing the weekend activities.
GREAT NEWS![edit]
The National Bahá’í Public Information Office is happy to announce to the friends that, in the first four months of its availability, the Bahá’í film “Give Me That New Time Religion” has been seen by over one million television viewers. Combined with the film “It’s Just The Beginning,” this brings the total number of people who have heard of Bahá’u’lláh through television to over seven-and-a-half million.
The friends should also be on the lookout for the new Bahá’í public service one-minute spot announcement on the equality of men and women. These announcements have been sent to most television stations in the country and are shown at no charge in the public interest.
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STATE AND DISTRICT CONVENTIONS— Dates, time and place to be announced in local and/or district bulletins. |
The American Bahá’í
112 LINDEN AVENUE, WILMETTE, ILLINOIS 60091
OCTOBER 1972
In This Issue
REMAINING GOALS OF THE NINE YEAR PLAN
SUMMER PROJECTS ’72
OBSERVANCE OF BAHÁ’Í HOLY DAYS
STATE/DISTRICT CONVENTIONS
LOUIS G. GREGORY INSTITUTE DEDICATION AND CONFERENCE
October 20, 21 and 22, 1972
“GATEWAY” CONFERENCE OPENS THE WAY