The American Bahá’í/Volume 3/Issue 9/Text
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Bahá’ís Attend 57th Annual National Esperanto Congress[edit]
The 57th Annual Universal Esperanto Congress held in Portland, Oregon, July 30 to August 6, and the Post-Congress held in San Francisco, California, August 7 to 13, are now history. Those who have been attending these annual meetings say that this one was a vigorous and successful one. For two solid weeks, Esperantists from all over the world (Africa, Australia, and countries behind the Iron Curtain, etc.) associated together in peace and harmony, using only Esperanto as the means of communication.
Nine Bahá’ís were present at the Congress—seven from the United States and two from Alaska. Other organizations represented were the American Federation of Teachers, the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, the World Federalists, UNICEF, the Department of Education of the State of Oregon, and Oomoto, a popular religious minority in Japan. Also represented were the governments of Belgium, Germany, Israel, Japan, Norway and Sweden, and the city of Sapporo, Japan, sister city of Portland, Oregon.
After the official Bahá’í representative from the United States read the letter of greeting from the National Spiritual Assembly, many people later approached her to tell about friends of theirs who are Bahá’ís, or to describe their visits to the Holy Shrines in Haifa, Israel.
Following is a report in the words of the Bahá’í representative:
“Monday morning, July 31, I attended the meeting of the War Resisters League. Afterwards I had a long discussion with the chairman of the meeting, an Esperantist from Texas.
“Monday evening, the Bahá’ís attending the Congress gathered to observe the Nineteen Day Feast. We had readings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in Esperanto, and an excellent consultation period followed by refreshments. During the Congress, there were a number of conflicting meetings making it difficult for everyone to attend everything, and it was decided during consultation that our group split into groups to enable a Bahá’í delegation to be present at each meeting.
“We had an opportunity to put this decision into effect the next day. It was necessary for me to attend a meeting of the Esperanto League for North America, since I am chairman of a national committee. At the same time, there was a meeting of the religious group, Oomoto, which is attracting a great many young people in Japan. The theme of this meeting was “Eighty Years of Striving for Peace and Harmony Among Mankind.” Some of the Bahá’ís went to that meeting. Our youth delegate, Nick Athan, who is also a member of the World Esperanto Youth Organization, made friends quickly, and was able to create an interest in the Bahá’í Faith. He worked ceaselessly and tirelessly.
“Wednesday morning, four of us attended the Ecumenical meeting which had as its theme “Interfaith Cooperation.” The chairman was Father Klimowicz of New Jersey. After a Protestant minister from The Netherlands and a Catholic priest had given their talks, the Bahá’í representative was called upon to speak. I told the audience of Bahá’u’lláh’s prophecy that the Christian sects would unite, after which I wished them success in their endeavors, and offered any assistance they felt they could use.
“That same afternoon, Oomoto held its annual Interreligious Meeting. Prior to the Congress, the Bahá’ís had received an invitation to participate from the group’s headquarters in Japan. In making the arrangements, we received permission to distribute Bahá’í literature at the door of the meeting hall. The theme of this meeting was “Religion and Youth—How Religion Guides Young Generations.” Each speaker was given seven minutes to present his paper. Since the subject was about youth, Nick Athan had been asked to prepare and present a paper. He did a beautiful piece of work, emphasizing in his talk the youthfulness of The Báb and Bahá’u’lláh and Their followers.
(continued on page 2)
| STATE AND DISTRICT CONVENTIONS—See statement by the National Spiritual Assembly on pages 6 and 7 |
[Page 2]
Esperantists Meet
(continued from page 1)
“As a result of this meeting, we were asked to make Bahá’í literature more available and, with the permission of the Congress Secretary, Mr. Michael Nevan, we were able to place posters and literature in the Esperanto Information Service Department. We were the only religious group granted this privilege. We also donated several pamphlets to the Esperanto Book Service.
“The Post-Congress was held the following week at the San Francisco State College. This was a cultural program which presented contributions made to American culture by four ethnic groups—American Indian, Negro, Mexican and Oriental.
“I had been asked by the Post-Congress Committee to organize an all-Indian program for Tuesday, August 8. The Bureau of Indian Affairs in Gallup, New Mexico, gave permission for ten members of the well-known Indian Dance Club of Fort Wingate High School, and two teachers, to travel to San Francisco for this purpose. The young Navajos presented a beautiful and colorful program, all the more beautiful because it was conducted entirely in Esperanto without the need for an interpreter.
“During this program, we were able to announce that the group would present dances at the San Francisco Bahá’í Center the following evening. As usual, many other affairs were going on at the same time; however, three Esperantists came—a gentleman from Texas and two ladies from France. After the dances, my husband and I related some of our experiences in teaching the Faith on the Navajo Reservation. Some literature was distributed.
“The San Francisco Assembly should be commended for its initiative in taking advantage of every opportunity to proclaim the Name of Bahá’u’lláh, and for its cooperation and courtesy.
“The Navajo dancers presented a program at the San Francisco Indian Center the following evening and also appeared on television. They went home exhausted, but happy.
“As a result of their fine performance, the Fort Wingate Indian Dance team has been invited to the 58th Universal Esperanto Congress to be held next year in Belgrade, Yugoslavia.”
Louis G. Gregory Institute Dedication and Special Deepening Conference[edit]
The newly built Louis G. Gregory Institute in Hemingway, South Carolina, will be dedicated on Sunday, October 22, 1972. All of the friends who can are encouraged to attend and will be most welcome.
The Institute is dedicated to the memory of Hand of the Cause of God Louis G. Gregory, himself a native of Charleston, South Carolina. In 1922, Mr. Gregory became one of the nine original members of the first National Spiritual Assembly elected by the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada.
Louis Gregory died on July 30, 1951, and in death, even as in life, he brought the races together. There were expressions of love and inspiration from all parts of the world. He is buried in Eliot, Maine, near the Green Acre Bahá’í School.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá said of Louis Gregory: “He is like pure gold. That is why he is acceptable in any market, and is current in every country.”
In conjunction with this historic and most significant event, the Continental Board of Counsellors for North America will sponsor a conference in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on October 20 and 21. Again, all of the friends who can are encouraged to attend and will be most welcome. The conference is for Bahá’ís only.
Further details regarding these two events will be announced later; however, the friends will want to have the following information concerning accommodations at the beautiful Ocean Forest Resort Hotel in Myrtle Beach. It is hoped that the friends will use this hotel in order to take advantage of the reduced rates.
Louis G. Gregory, 1874–1951
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EUROPEAN PLAN
No planned group meal functions. Buffet breakfast will be offered at the rate of $2.00 per person plus 15% gratuity and 4% tax. Each individual will pay his room account in advance and be responsible for his own meals. Please complete the reservation form and send it to: Manager, Ocean Forest Hotel, P.O. Box 927, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 29577. |
Givers in the True Sense of the Word![edit]
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Qualities to Live By
GLEANINGS FROM THE WRITINGS OF BAHÁ’U’LLÁH, p. 284 Be fair to yourselves and to others, that the evidences of justice may be revealed, through your deeds, among Our faithful servants. Beware lest ye encroach upon the substance of your neighbour. Prove yourselves worthy of his trust and confidence in you, and withhold not from the poor the gifts which the grace of God hath bestowed upon you. He, verily, shall recompense the charitable, and doubly repay them for what they have bestowed. No God is there but Him. All creation and its empire are His. He bestoweth His gifts on whom He will, and from whom He will He withholdeth them. He is the Great Giver, the Most Generous, the Benevolent. GLEANINGS FROM THE WRITINGS OF BAHÁ’U’LLÁH, p. 277 |
A Bahá’í friend was talking with a stranger from another part of the country. Before long they were discussing the Faith. “I met some Bahá’ís once,” he said. “Very self-sacrificing people!”
It should not surprise us that the stranger described the Bahá’ís as “self-sacrificing”, since this is a quality we are taught to cultivate. Bahá’ís are probably inclined by nature to be givers in the true sense of the word, because they long with all their hearts to serve God and their fellowman. Bahá’ís give of their time, energy and other resources to take the Message of Bahá’u’lláh to the waiting masses through special teaching projects, proclamations, firesides, etc. Contributions to the Fund, which enable many of these activities to be carried on at home and in other parts of the world, constitute a vital part of the resources given by the believers.
Although we all feel in our hearts the need and desire to give to the Fund, sometimes we are afraid our gift would be too small to matter. A nickel or a dime seems so insignificant when compared to a contribution of several dollars, and is overwhelmed by the size of the national budget. The marvelous thing about the Bahá’í Fund, however, is that when we give to it regularly, even in small amounts, the size of our gift is less important than the fact that we give sacrificially.
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A LETTER TO THE TREASURER
We are all here on the German summer youth project in the area around Erlingen. We would like to continue our regular support of the United States National Fund, as we have heard reports that the status of the Fund is not very encouraging. Enclosed please find (our) contributions... These should be applied to the youth goal of the budget. During this summer teaching project, we have realized even more the importance of the Bahá’í Fund in assisting the teaching work throughout the Bahá’í world. |
American youth on the Summer Project in Germany shown outside the House of Worship in Frankfurt.
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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. |
Bahá’í Child Education and Family Life[edit]
Finding Good Qualities[edit]
One of the necessary steps in establishing family unity and in contributing towards world unity is to develop a new attitude in our relationships with one another. The example set by present-day society teaches us to place the blame on others, to criticize, to backbite, and to notice the faults of others.
Bahá’u’lláh tells us we must look for the good qualities in others and to love our fellowman better than ourselves.
“It is Our wish and desire that every one of you may become a source of all goodness unto men, and an example of uprightness to mankind.... If any differences arise amongst you, behold Me standing before your face, and overlook the faults of one another for My name’s sake and as a token of your love for My manifest and resplendent Cause.” (BAHÁ’Í WORLD FAITH, pp. 137-8)
“O Son of Being!
“How couldst thou forget thine own faults and busy thyself with the faults of others?...” (THE HIDDEN WORDS OF BAHÁ’U’LLÁH, Arabic No. 26, p. 10)
HOW CAN WE LEARN TO DO THIS AND HELP OUR CHILDREN LEARN TO DO THIS?
We must first examine our own behavior:
Do we have the habit, perhaps without realizing it, of making negative remarks about people; for example,
- the lady next door and the clothes she wears?
- the Assembly chairman who talks excessively while conducting the Nineteen Day Feast?
- Mrs. So-and-so and how she is bringing up her children?
- how poorly the Local Spiritual Assembly or some committee is functioning?
- etc.?
Do our children overhear us saying these kinds of things?
We must put into practice the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh:
Point out the good qualities in others, especially when bad ones are most evident.
Notice, respond to, and praise the good qualities of our children and our husband or wife.
Don’t wait until our children express bad qualities before we give them our attention, as this only reinforces those qualities.
Make a point of not backbiting, gossiping, or faultfinding, and correct ourselves when we do.
Here is the fourth page, for your book on qualities:
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GOOD QUALITIES My example of looking for good qualities in others |
Add the following pages to your book on Bahá’í principles. Don’t forget to color a leaf on your tree when you finish the activity!
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LOOKING FOR THE GOOD QUALITIES
ACTIVITY: Find five hidden objects in the picture below and color them. |
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Were you able to find the hidden objects right away? Sometimes we have to look very hard to find all of the good qualities in a person. |
THE PALM OF VICTORY IS NOT YET OURS—[edit]
Only Seven Months Left to Win the Remaining Goals of the Nine Year Plan
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) | 2 |
| 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) | 3 | |||||||||||||||
| Finland | (SC) | 2 | |||||||||||||||
| Netherlands | 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)
State and District Conventions[edit]
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Every possible effort should be made by the believers to attend the State/District Convention. |
The following information on State and District Conventions is extracted from letters of Shoghi Effendi and statements of the National Spiritual Assembly. It has been arranged in a questions-and-answers format to facilitate reading.
What is the Purpose of the State Convention?[edit]
The State Convention is a Bahá’í institution of fundamental importance to every believer. Not only is it an electoral body called upon to elect a determined number of delegates to the National Convention, but it is also a consultative body dealing with important considerations of teaching and other Bahá’í services.
“It is expressly recorded in ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Writings that these National Assemblies must be indirectly elected by the friends; that is, the friends in every country must elect a certain number of delegates, who in turn will elect from among all of the friends in that country the members of the National Spiritual Assembly.” (Shoghi Effendi)
What is the Responsibility of the Believers to the State Convention?[edit]
“He... wishes to stress the importance of reminding the believers that they should make every possible effort to attend the meeting for its election of the State or Provincial delegates in order to stimulate a larger group consciousness which will greatly facilitate the process of the believers becoming acquainted with each other, and provide an intermediary state—which will become increasingly valuable and necessary—between the local organization, represented by the group or assembly, and national collective action, represented by the activities of the Convention and the institution of the National Assembly.”
(From a letter written on Shoghi Effendi’s behalf.)
In the following statement concerning the election of the Local Spiritual Assembly, Shoghi Effendi enunciates a principle which applies to all Bahá’í elections,...”
“...every declared believer of 21 years and above, far from standing aloof and assuming an indifferent or independent attitude, should regard it as his sacred duty to take part conscientiously and diligently, in the election,...”
What about Youth and the State Convention?[edit]
Bahá’ís between the ages of fifteen and twenty-one have all the rights and privileges of a community member except voting in Bahá’í elections and serving as members of Assemblies and as Convention delegates. Bahá’í youth may participate in all the consultations at the Convention; they may also serve as tellers’ assistants, registrars, and readers. Participation in the Convention in these ways will not only contribute to the success of the occasion, but will also aid in preparing the youth for future service as administrators of the Faith.
What should be the Character of the State/District Elections?[edit]
“On the election day, the friends must wholeheartedly participate in the elections, in unity and amity, turning their hearts to God, detached from all things but Him, seeking His guidance and supplicating His aid and bounty.” (Shoghi Effendi)
“Let them exercise the utmost vigilance so that the elections are carried out freely, universally and by secret ballot. Any form of intrigue, deception, collusion and compulsion must be stopped and is forbidden.” (Shoghi Effendi)
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The friends must elect a certain number of delegates who in turn will elect from among all the friends in the country the members of the National Spiritual Assembly at the National Convention. No nominations and no discussion of names are permitted. One’s vote should be kept confidential. |
“One’s vote should be kept confidential. It is not permissible to make any reference whatsoever to individual means. The friends must avoid the evil methods and detestable practices of the politicians. They must turn completely to God, and with a purity of motive, a freedom of spirit and a sanctity of heart, participate in the elections; otherwise the outcome will be chaos and confusion, serious difficulties will ensue, mischief will abound and the confirmation of God will be cut off.” (Shoghi Effendi)
What are the Qualifications of a Delegate?
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Bahá’ís vote after prayer and thought. |
“...it is incumbent upon the chosen delegates to consider without the least trace of passion and prejudice, and irrespective of any material consideration, the names of only those who can best combine the necessary qualities of unquestioned loyalty, of selfless devotion, of a well-trained mind, of recognized ability and mature experience.” (Shoghi Effendi)
“In regard to your question about qualifications of delegates and Assembly members, the qualifications which he outlined are really applicable to anyone we elect to a Bahá’í office, whatever its nature. But those are only an indication, they do not mean people who don’t fulfill them cannot be elected to office. We must aim as high as we can. He does not feel that the friends should attach so much importance to limitations—such as people perhaps not being able to attend Assembly or Convention meetings, because if they do, then the fundamental concept of everyone being willing to do Bahá’í service on administrative bodies will be weakened, and the friends may be tempted to vote for those who, because of independent means or circumstances in their lives, are freer to come and go but less qualified to serve.” (From a letter written on Shoghi Effendi’s behalf.)
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The friends must wholeheartedly participate in the elections in unity and amity. |
Any adult resident in your electoral district is eligible to serve as a delegate to the National Convention. Members of the Auxiliary Board are eligible for election, but if elected they must decide whether to serve as delegates or resign from the Auxiliary Board, since members of the Auxiliary Board cannot serve in administrative capacities.
“This Cause is a Cause which God has revealed to humanity as a whole. It is designed to benefit the entire human race, and the only way it can do this is to re-form the community life of mankind, as well as seeking to regenerate the individual. The Bahá’í administration is only the first shaping of what in future will come to be the social life and laws of community living. As yet the believers are only first beginning to grasp and practice it properly. So we must have patience if at times it seems a little self-conscious and rigid in its workings. It is because we are learning something very difficult but very wonderful—how to live together as a community of Bahá’ís, according to the glorious teachings.” (From a letter written on Shoghi Effendi’s behalf and quoted in the booklet, THE LOCAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY, compiled by The Universal House of Justice.)
Drawings from “THE TRUSTED ONES OF GOD: The Local Spiritual Assembly” by permission. Copyright © 1972 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States.
What is Electioneering?[edit]
The friends sometimes ask the National Spiritual Assembly to comment on electioneering. Webster’s Third New International Dictionary defines electioneering as follows: “to campaign for one’s own election” and “to try to sway public opinion esp. by the use of propaganda.” The barest acquaintance with the Teachings on Bahá’í community life indicates that campaigning and propaganda have no place in Bahá’í elections.
In the following statements, Shoghi Effendi elucidates the unique features of a Bahá’í election:
“On the election day, the friends must wholeheartedly participate in the elections, in unity and amity, turning their hearts to God, detached from all things but Him, seeking His guidance and supplicating His aid and bounty.” (Translation from a letter to the friends in Persia dated February 27, 1923)
“The electors must...prayerfully and devotedly and after meditation and reflection elect faithful, sincere, experienced, capable and competent souls who are worthy of membership...”
“Beware, beware lest the foul odor of the parties and peoples of foreign lands in the West, and their pernicious methods, such as intrigues, party politics and propaganda—practices which are abhorrent even in name—should ever reach the Bahá’í community, exert any influence whatsoever upon the friends, and thus bring all spirituality to nought. The friends should, through their devotion, love, loyalty and altruism, abolish these evil practices, not imitate them. It is only after the friends completely ignore and sanctify themselves from these evils, that the spirit of God can penetrate and operate in the body of humanity, and in the Bahá’í community.” (Translation from a letter to the friends in Persia dated January 30, 1923)
“I feel that reference to personalities before the election would give rise to misunderstanding and differences. What the friends should do is to get thoroughly acquainted with one another, to exchange views, to mix freely and discuss among themselves the requirements and qualifications for such membership without reference or application, however indirect, to particular individuals. We should refrain from influencing the opinion of others, of canvassing for any particular individual, but should stress the necessity of getting fully acquainted with the qualifications of membership referred to in our Beloved’s Tablets and of learning more about one another through direct, personal experience rather than through the reports and opinions of our friends.” (From a letter dated May 14, 1927 to a Local Spiritual Assembly)
“Let them exercise the utmost vigilance so that the elections are carried out freely, universally and by secret ballot. Any form of intrigue, deception, collusion and compulsion must be stopped and is forbidden.” (Translation from a letter to the friends in Persia dated March 8, 1932)
These statements put in conspicuous contrast the spirit of Bahá’í election and practices of electioneering. It is therefore easy for the friends to distinguish between what is permissible in a Bahá’í election and what is not. In the light of the principles enunciated by Shoghi Effendi, it would be unthinkable for a believer to seek Bahá’í office, to propagandize his candidacy, or even to make private overtures to the friends in this respect; it is also highly improbable that a Bahá’í electorate educated in the principles of the Faith would permit such things to occur.
Moreover, by keeping these principles before them at all times, the friends need not suspect the motives of those who conscientiously perform their functions in the community, whether these are in the form of consulting as responsible members of the community, reporting information, or acting otherwise in the interest of the community before or after the period designated for voting in an election.
The best safeguard against the evils of electioneering is the complete and positive adherence of the friends to the principles of Bahá’í election. The above excerpts from Shoghi Effendi’s writings express the spirit in which an election is conducted by Bahá’ís. If the friends abide by this spirit, they need waste no thought on the negative practices of electioneering.
Periscope[edit]
The Bahá’ís of Macon County, ALABAMA, hosted an areawide Holy Day observance and general conference, July 9, to commemorate the Anniversary of the Martyrdom of the Báb. About thirty-five believers attended, including eight Bahá’í youth and several younger children. Communities represented were Albany, Dawson, Columbus and Fort Benning, GEORGIA; New Orleans, LOUISIANA; Montgomery, Tuskegee, Lee County and Macon County, ALABAMA; and Australia via Fort Rucker at Daleville, ALABAMA.
Following the commemoration service, a delicious meal of Southern-fried chicken, salads, fruits, etc. was served, after which Auxiliary Board Member Miss Thelma Thomas spoke on the main topic of the conference, “The Formative Age of the Faith.” Slides were then shown of the Panama House of Worship Dedication and Conference, after which the friends reluctantly dispersed to their various communities.
[Page 9]
PERISCOPE
(continued from page 8)
The 60th Annual Souvenir of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit to the grounds at Evergreen Place in Teaneck, NEW JERSEY, was held as in previous years on the last Saturday of June. There has never been a rainy day to mar this commemorative occasion. This year was no exception in spite of floods in the surrounding area.
Special services were held in the pine grove where ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s wishes for the believers to live together in complete love and fellowship were reiterated.
Exciting events took place this summer in Bridgeport, CONNECTICUT. In the late spring, the Stamford Assembly offered to help the Bridgeport Bahá’í group in a mass teaching project. On Saturday, June 3, about a dozen young people from Stamford, Darien and Danbury, and members of the Stamford Assembly, spent the day teaching. That evening, a public meeting, jointly arranged by the Bahá’ís of Bridgeport and Trumbull, was held in the Concert Hall of the University of Bridgeport. The films “And His Name Shall Be One” and “It’s Just the Beginning” were shown to an audience of over a hundred. The results of that first weekend’s teaching activities were nine new adult believers and two youth, which more than doubled the membership of the Bridgeport group!
Since then, a number of Stamford Bahá’ís have joined those of Bridgeport each weekend to further the expansion and consolidation work. As a result, two more adults have entered the Cause and a number of people have shown an interest. These activities led to an informal public meeting on Sunday, August 6, in the storefront meeting room of a sales training club. A brief summary of the Faith was given and a potluck buffet supper was served between showings of the films “It’s Just the Beginning” and “Give Me That New Time Religion.” Over forty people attended during the course of the program, about one-fourth of whom were non-Bahá’ís.
Arrangements are now under way for the election of an Assembly in Bridgeport in accordance with the recent directive from The Universal House of Justice that, as soon as the number of adult believers in any locality reaches or exceeds nine they are permitted to form their Local Spiritual Assembly immediately, rather than wait until April 21, 1973.
(Editor’s note: See July issue of the NATIONAL BAHÁ’Í REVIEW for a copy of the above directive. The REVIEW also contains guidelines from the National Spiritual Assembly for implementing this decision of The House of Justice.)
Over 200 Bahá’ís from SOUTH CAROLINA, NORTH CAROLINA, and GEORGIA attended a deepening conference, July 14-16, on the beautiful Clemson University campus in Clemson, SOUTH CAROLINA. The conference, sponsored by the South Carolina Regional Teaching Committee, was a huge success. New, native believers from South Carolina were well represented.
Highlighting the conference were presentations by Auxiliary Board Members Miss D. Thelma Jackson, speaking on “The Covenant,” Mrs. Eunice Braun on “The Quality of Bahá’í Life,” and Miss Thelma Thomas on “Who is Bahá’u’lláh?”
The program also included a reception on Friday evening, hosted by Local Spiritual Assemblies in the Clemson area, and several musical presentations by some of the friends.
All weekend the conference seemed to reflect the new spirit now present in South Carolina and other parts of the country, that of a constant striving to deepen in God’s Cause, and of a continued determination to build His administrative institutions. It is certain that this spirit will become more and more evident as the vital consolidation work goes forward with ever-increasing effect.
Over 200 people, about half of whom were non-Bahá’ís, attended the Race Unity Day program in the Dunbaugh Room of the YMCA Hotel, just south of downtown Chicago, ILLINOIS, on the evening of Sunday, June 11. After a prayer for unity was read to open the meeting, the Chicago Bahá’í Singers presented a program of songs which were alternated with readings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh and followed by a showing of the filmstrip “Unity in Diversity.” Their presentation ended with the singing of “God Is One” in which the audience was invited to participate.
The program also included a talk on the proclamation theme “Oneness—Pathway to Peace,” after which the guests were invited to further investigate the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh. The meeting closed with prayers for unity in Persian, English, and Spanish.
Although the room was not filled—it can hold several hundred people—the atmosphere of the meeting was very good and everyone present seemed to enjoy it. Its real effect cannot yet be judged because, apart from the rehearsals and work that went into preparing for it, approximately 1000 invitations were mailed to schools, churches, YMCA’s and YWCA’s, as well as to individuals. Many of the Chicago believers were able to post small announcements of the meeting in stores, restaurants, laundromats, etc. in their neighborhoods. On Saturday of the preceding weekend, a group of believers gathered at the Chicago Bahá’í Center at 10 a.m. for prayers, then split up into groups, each with a car, and took with them a supply of announcements and some very colorful and attractive posters which had been designed by a young artist who had just been enrolled in the Faith. Each group went into a different area of the city, seeking opportunities to place the posters and announcements in different public places.
This provided opportunities to talk with many individuals who expressed an interest in the meeting and in the Faith itself. Thus, many seeds were planted, seeds which will surely germinate if the necessary follow-up efforts are made. The warmest response came from people of different minority groups, the very minorities which The Universal House of Justice keeps urging the friends to reach, whether in the rural areas or in the cities.
The Assembly is facing the tremendous challenge and responsibility of taking Bahá’u’lláh’s healing
(continued on page 10)
The group of Chicago Bahá’ís who arranged the Race Unity Day program.
[Page 10]
PERISCOPE
(continued from page 9)
Message to the masses in the teeming city of Chicago. It feels that its efforts are pointed in the right direction, that this successful beginning will lead to even greater successes, and that it and the community will learn by doing.
(Editor’s note: For reports of other Race Unity Day activities see the August issue of THE AMERICAN BAHÁ’Í.)
The challenge of teaching the masses, reaching every stratum of society, improving the quality of Bahá’í life, and the critical condition of the National Bahá’í Fund, have been subjects for consultation by the Spiritual Assemblies of the Bahá’ís of Phoenix, ARIZONA, recently.
As a result, the Assembly has set a number of goals for its community, some of which are:
- To welcome at least 200 new believers into the Faith by next Riḍván, emphasis to be placed on reaching the prevalent minority groups in the area. The Assembly has designated seven teaching areas of predominantly Spanish-speaking, Indian, and Negro peoples and has assigned teams to each area.
- To nurture and confirm both new and older recruits.
- To raise the quality of Bahá’í individual and community life.
- To assist a nearby group to achieve Assembly status.
- The establishment of a challenging Fund goal.
In the words of the reporter, “The journey to victory will probably be bumpy with mistakes, slumps and even setbacks, but the commitment has been made and the Assembly, one of those ‘nascent institutions’ of the Faith, is beginning to function ‘vigorously and harmoniously’.”
The Bahá’ís of southern ARIZONA celebrated the Fourth of July by participating in the Bisbee Parade. Eleven joyful believers, including three brand-new Bahá’ís from the Papago Indian reservation, marched in the parade carrying banners proclaiming the Faith. The first banner read BAHÁ’Í FAITH; the second read BAHÁ’U’LLÁH—THE PROMISED ONE; and the third very large banner, which was decked with various national flags, read UNITY IN DIVERSITY = WORLD PEACE, with NEW WORLD ORDER OF BAHÁ’U’LLÁH written underneath. On the back of this banner were written the words GLAD TIDINGS OF THE NEARNESS OF GOD.
Unity in diversity was clearly illustrated by the various races represented who wore beautiful costumes from Africa, Mexico, East India, and China.
Hundreds of people watched the parade, and literature was given to all of those who were interested in learning more about the Faith.
Unity among themselves is in the hearts and minds of the Indian people of Southern California. Attempts are being made by the Indians politically and economically to secure their well-being, but many Indians now sense the need for a closeness based upon the revival of spiritual values. Concerned Indians of deep thought realize that it is the essential unity of their people under God that is going to bring about the material and other things which they need and want.
In order to demonstrate in action the unity provided by the Bahá’í Faith, a unity festival was held July 16 in La Mesa, CALIFORNIA, close to many of the seventeen Indian reservations of San Diego County. This event, a proclamation of enjoyable social, cultural and spiritual fellowship, was sponsored by the Southwest Indian Teaching Committee (now known as the Western Region Indian Committee). The program was planned by the Indian believers.
Approximately 200 people, about half of whom were Indian, attended the all-day program which started about noon with an Indian-style luncheon of meat and vegetable stew and tortillas, and ended with a buffet supper after a full day of meaningful talks calling the Indian people to spiritual unity and the fulfillment of their great destiny, Indian dances and chants, and a Bahá’í prayer for unity which was read in English and Diegueno Indian. One non-Bahá’í Indian and his wife had traveled from as far away as Ensenada, MEXICO, to attend the festival.
Sitting together in informal groups enjoying delicious refreshments, everyone seemed to be relaxed, happy to be visiting with each other, and slow to depart after a wonderful day together.
An institute for Bahá’ís on Indian teaching which was held the day before the festival included a presentation of local Indian history and social, economic and religious traditions.
Sunday, July 16, was chosen for the festival itself inasmuch as Sunday has proven to be a popular day for minority events, and that day did not appear to be in conflict with Indian reservation programs in the area. An announcement was placed well in advance in Bahá’í area bulletins to inform the believers of both programs.
Attractive Indian-designed invitations were sent to the spokesmen of each reservation and were given to Indian friends and Indian groups throughout the county. Publicity was placed in five major newspapers, three of which printed lengthy articles with large photographs about the coming festival. The two largest papers sent reporters to the festival where they held several interviews and then published material with photographs the following day.
McArthur Recreation Hall, where the festival was held, was attractively decorated with several fine displays of Indian arts and crafts brought by Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís.
Follow-up plans include regular firesides on the reservations, more large meetings designed to attract the Indians, and additional Indian teaching institutes to be held in other areas as the needs and opportunities arise.
Planning for Bahá’í Holy Days[edit]
All Bahá’ís will want to begin now to make plans for observing the next two Holy Days, the Anniversaries of the Birth of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh, October 20 and November 12, respectively. These are days on which work is forbidden, so every effort on the part of the believers should be made to have these days off. If the employer refuses to grant these days off, however, the friends are not required to risk losing their jobs. Bahá’ís who have businesses of their own should refrain from working on these days, and every effort should be made also to have the children excused from school on religious grounds. Strict observance of these laws by the parents, older relatives, and Bahá’ís in general will set a good example and help to establish an important pattern in the lives of the children.
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SPECIAL EVENTS DAYS FOR PROCLAIMING THE FAITH TO THE PUBLIC
Please send in your articles as soon after these events as possible. |
The Anniversaries of the Birth of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh are two of the “great joy-days of the year for Bahá’ís. In Persia they are celebrated by picnics or festal gatherings at which music, the chanting of verses and tablets, and short addresses suitable to the occasion are contributed by those present.” (J. E. Esslemont, BAHÁ’U’LLÁH AND THE NEW ERA, p. 188)
BAHÁ’Í BOOKS AND MATERIALS[edit]
SPECIAL MATERIALS[edit]
NEW FILMSTRIP PROGRAM
6-00-66 The Trusted Ones of God: The Local Spiritual Assembly
A new filmstrip study program in color, with cassette narration, based on the popular study booklet The Trusted Ones of God. The filmstrip can either be shown in its entirety at one time or used in segments in deepening classes on the role, election, and function of the Local Spiritual Assembly. Part 1 deals with the spiritual foundation of the Local Spiritual Assembly. Part 2 tells how a Local Spiritual Assembly is elected. Part 3 outlines the duties and responsibilities of the Local Spiritual Assembly. Part 4 deals with the process of consultation. Part 5 gives a general summation of the Assembly’s responsibilities to the Bahá’í Community and the community’s responsibilities toward its Assembly. Essential for deepening programs on the Local Spiritual Assembly. Artwork by Dale and Claudia Robison. 50 frames.
Filmstrip, Cassette, Narration Book ... $7.50
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NEW AMERICAN REVISED EDITION
THE BAHÁ’Í FAITH
THIS NEW EDITION WILL BE DISTRIBUTED THROUGH COMMERCIAL CHANNELS BY THE PUBLISHING TRUST AT 50 CENTS PER COPY
BAHÁ’Í | ||
BAHÁ’Í LITERATURE[edit]
Bahá’í: World Faith for Modern Man
by Arthur L. Dahl. A revised edition of this long-time favorite pamphlet is now available. It discusses the nature and purpose of the Bahá’í Faith, progressive revelation, the history of the Faith, its religious and social teachings, and the Administrative Order. A dignified and comprehensive exposition, yet brief enough to be absorbed in a single sitting. Slimline format. 24 pp.
10/$1.50; 50/$6.50
Bahá’í: La Mondkredo por la Nuntempa Homaro
by Arthur L. Dahl. Translated by Roan Orloff Stone. Available for the first time in Esperanto, a revised edition of Bahá’í: World Faith for Modern Man. This dignified introduction to the Faith was prepared for and distributed at the recent Universal Esperanto Congress in Portland, Oregon. The pamphlet will appear in the foreign language literature list but will receive the customary discount. Slimline format. 24 pp.
10/$3.00; 25/$6.25
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.
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GREEN LAKE BAHÁ’Í INSTITUTE SPEAKERS: Hand of the Cause of God Mr. Zikrullah Khádem; Auxiliary Board Member Miss D. Thelma Jackson; Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Canada, Mr. Douglas Martin; and Mrs. Betsy Haynes and Mr. Stephen Jackson of the National Bahá’í Center in Wilmette. The Bahá’í Publishing Trust will present all of the latest Bahá’í movies, slide programs, and materials, including some on ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Programs for CHILDREN will be similar to those for the adults—the speakers will spend time with the children, too. LODGING will be available on the grounds of the Institute. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT:
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Setting of Individual Teaching Goals Imperative
In a message to the Bahá’ís of the World dated November 16, 1969, The Universal House of Justice stated: “We all know how often the Master and the beloved Guardian called upon the friends to consciously strive to be more loving, more united, more dedicated and prayerful than ever before in order to overcome the atmosphere of present-day society which is unloving, disunited, careless of right and wrong and heedless of God. ‘When we see the increasing darkness in the world today,’ the Guardian’s secretary wrote on his behalf, ‘we can fully realize that unless the Message of Bahá’u’lláh reaches into the hearts of men and transforms them, there can be no peace and no spiritual progress in the future.’
“The Nine Year Plan is the current stage in the achievement of that sublime objective. It is now imperative for every Bahá’í to set for himself individual teaching goals. The admonition of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to lead at least one new soul to the Faith each year and the exhortation of Shoghi Effendi to hold a Bahá’í fireside in one’s home every Bahá’í month are examples of individual goals. Many have the capacity to do even more, but this alone will assure final and complete victory for the Plan.”
To All College and High School Students:[edit]
If you have two or more Bahá’ís on your campus, you can start looking into forming a Bahá’í Club. Please write this office for materials.
To All College Clubs:[edit]
We have sent materials for the 1972-73 Campus Campaign to all Bahá’í Clubs. Please check your Club mailboxes. If your mailing address has changed since last year, please send your new one to this office. If your Club does not have a permanent mailbox, please try to establish one.
OFFICE OF YOUTH AND STUDENT ACTIVITIES, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091
The American Bahá’í
112 LINDEN AVENUE, WILMETTE, ILLINOIS 60091
SEPTEMBER 1972
In This Issue
REMAINING GOALS OF THE NINE YEAR PLAN
LOUIS G. GREGORY INSTITUTE DEDICATION AND SPECIAL CONFERENCE
STATE/DISTRICT CONVENTIONS
ESPERANTISTS MEET
BAHÁ’Í CHILD EDUCATION AND FAMILY LIFE
PERISCOPE
ACTIVITIES ACROSS THE NATION