The American Bahá’í/Volume 5/Issue 7/Text

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The American Bahá’í July, 1974

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[Page 1] This 1963 gathering at Royal Albert Hall in London attracted more than 6,000 Bahá’ís. The attendance at the St. Louis Conference August 29-September 1 is expected to be even larger. Nearly 4,500 people have already pre-registered for this conference, which could become the largest Bahá’í gathering ever held.

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Community responds to pioneer assignments

Thirteen of the one hundred twenty preliminary pioneering goals assigned to the United States in the Five Year Plan were filled as of July 1, according to the International Goals Committee.

An additional 38 believers will be ready to leave the country by the end of the calendar year, to settle in 12 more goal countries. In the preliminary stages of the Plan, pioneers must be sent to 57 countries, islands, and territories of the world.

Two of the pioneers scheduled to leave before 1975 will be Canadians, settling U.S. goals in Botswana. Two will be Alaskans, who will fill American goals in Western Samoa.

Four of the pioneers from among this contingent will settle in the Bahamas, which is scheduled to elect its first National Spiritual Assembly during this Plan. Another believer will attempt to settle in Grand Turk, a town of 2,300 people in the Turks and Caicos Islands of the West Indies.

Since the beginning of the Five Year Plan, 21 Bahá’ís have pioneered to areas not listed among current goals.

The Five Year Plan calls at the outset for 557 pioneers to settle in every region of the world. Additional assignments can be expected as these are completed.

One hundred and one pioneers left the United States to settle in foreign countries during the interim year between the end of the Nine Year Plan and the launching of the Five Year Plan.

During the Nine Year Plan, 3,553 pioneers from throughout the Bahá’í world were settled at assigned posts. Of these, 2,265 remained at the end of the Plan. The U.S. share of the total was 1,099 pioneers. At the end of the Plan, 656 of these pioneers were still at their posts.

Conference update

Nearly 4,500 people were registered for the St. Louis Conference at the beginning of July. Registration forms were continuing to arrive at the National Center at the rate of approximately 100 per day. The registration period for the Conference ends July 31.

Many of the hotel accommodations offered by Tony Lease Tours have been reserved, particularly in the less expensive package “B” group. Rooms for three and four people are no longer available in package “B,” for example. Some are still available in Package “A,” however, notably at the Chase Park Hotel, the site chosen for the children’s school. Free parking will be available at the Chase Park and the Jefferson hotels.

(Continued page two)

Support for UN continues strong

Bahá’ís have supported the United Nations in its essential purpose from the time of its creation in 1945, and that support continues undiminished. Strengthening the relationship between the Bahá’í International Community and the United Nations is consequently a goal of the Five Year Plan.

The most effective way for individual Bahá’í communities to demonstrate this support is to faithfully observe the special events days associated with the United Nations: World Development Information Day, October 24, and Human Rights Day, December 10.

Bahá’ís can use these observances as opportunities to associate with the members of their local United Nations Associations, making them aware of our continuing support for the UN goal of establishing world peace and contributing to the unification of the human family.

The Bahá’í community has long participated in observances of Human Rights Day. Little need be said of the reason for this occasion. World Development Information Day, however, is not as familiar to us and does require some explanation.

Underlying the United Nations’ extensive global development efforts is the principle stated in the organization’s charter, that peace in the world and amity among nations must be predicated on general economic stability and the personal well-being of peoples. Consequently, more than 80 percent of UN resources are invested in economic and social programs, especially in the vast poor and developing regions of the world.

The United Nations Development Program, established in 1970, calls upon the wealthy industrial countries affiliated with the UN to pledge a modest portion (one percent) of their annual production to effecting improvements in poorer nations’ systems of industry, resources, communications, education, agriculture, health, nutrition, housing, employment.

(Continued page two)

[Page 2]

Conference information updated

(Continued from page one)

Prices for airfares have been adjusted to compensate for a realignment of prices announced by the major airlines in June. While some prices have increased, some have decreased. The group airfares from Chicago, for instance, will be $51 per person, rather than $59.27. The adjustments will be made by Tony Lease Tours.

There is no charge for attendance at the Conference; therefore, there is no registration fee as such. Bahá’ís with current identification will, and are entitled to, attend conference sessions at no charge whatever. The sum of $10 which each attendee has been requested to pay will cover the estimated costs of materials and services, which are indispensable to the holding of the Conference. Each person is thus invited to contribute to these particular costs; however, no one incapable of so doing should for that reason alone not come to the Conference, because upon arrival and application the cost will be waived. It is with this in mind that the National Spiritual Assembly established scholarships for those who could not otherwise attend the Conference.

Special activities planned

A series of special activities are planned at the House of Worship in Wilmette during August and September for the benefit of Bahá’ís traveling to and from the St. Louis Conference.

From August 22 through August 28, and again from September 2 through September 8, devotional programs will be held daily in the auditorium of the House of Worship, at 11 A.M. and 7 P.M.

The hours of the Temple will be extended during the period between August 26–28 and September 1–3. The House of Worship will open at 8 A.M. and close at midnight.

Guided tours of the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds, the meeting place of the National Spiritual Assembly, will be conducted between 11:30 A.M. and 7:30 P.M. August 26–28 and September 1–3.

Travelers are invited to serve as guides at the Temple during their visit to Wilmette. A special souvenir brochure on the House of Worship will also be distributed to the friends who visit during this period.

Individuals who would like to take advantage of these opportunities to visit the House of Worship on their way to or from St. Louis are requested to fill out the form on page 8 and mail it promptly to the House of Worship Activities Office, 112 Linden Ave., Wilmette, Illinois 60091. It will help the staff at the House of Worship to prepare for the large influx of ‎vistors visitors‎.

Opportunities for teaching

Bahá’ís who plan to use ground transportation to reach St. Louis are invited to do teaching work along the way. The National Teaching Committee will put interested Bahá’ís in touch with District Teaching Committees on their route of travel to do necessary work in those areas. Send a tentative itinerary to the National Teaching Committee, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091, if you are interested.

Special opportunities also exist for teaching in the eight states abutting Missouri. If you would like to visit and teach in one of these states, arrange to come to the Conference early or to stay after it is over. To volunteer for one of these projects, write to the National Teaching Committee at the above address.

Publicity contacts made

Preliminary contacts with the public media in St. Louis indicate there will be substantial opportunities for publicity and proclamation during the August conference.

During a recent three-day visit to St. Louis, the staff of the National Information Office contacted dozens of radio and television stations to request public service time to inform people in the city of the significance of the Bahá’í events planned there.

The news media—radio, television, and newspapers—have generally indicated they consider the Conference significant and newsworthy and plan to cover it adequately.

Of six television stations contacted in the St. Louis metropolitan area (population 2,400,000), five had local programming and expressed interest in assigning some segments to the Bahá’í Faith. Discussions are currently being held with 12 producers of interview and public affairs programs to schedule Bahá’í guests during the Conference period.

Public service announcements—including spots for the public proclamation and concert Saturday, August 31—will be aired on approximately 25 local radio and television stations. An effort is being made as well to have that meeting and concert broadcast live on FM radio, effectively extending the audience by thousands.

Interviews planned

A series of interviews with early believers, especially those who met ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, will be conducted at the St. Louis Conference for Bahá’í News by Mrs. Beth McKenty, a journalist from Shorewood, Wisconsin. The purpose of the interviews is to collect information on the important early periods of Bahá’í history in the West for possible publication and to preserve it for future uses. Believers who might wish to speak with Mrs. McKenty can contact her through the National Information Committee, 112 Linden Ave., Wilmette, Illinois 60091.

Special Services

Two large rooms have been reserved at Kiel Auditorium to serve as entertainment and sleeping areas for the children. Movies will be shown during some conference sessions, and cots for naps will be made available. These special areas will be open from 7:45 P.M. until 10:30 P.M.

Housing

All hotel packages listed in THE AMERICAN BAHÁ’Í include accommodations for five days and four nights; the seven-and-a-half percent room tax charged by the city of St. Louis; round-trip airport transportation; shuttle bus service within St. Louis to and from Conference events; porterage and tips; Conference services and materials fee; and a special travel pack.

There will be no charge for children under 12 in hotel rooms if they are accompanied by parents or guardians.

Bahá’ís not flying to and from the Conference may deduct $5.00 from the listed price.

The cost of the hotel room through the tour package is less than can be obtained by making independent reservations. As much as 50% of the package price is for services other than a room itself. For example, the room rate for two people in a “B” category hotel is $9.00 per person per night; for three people in a similar room the cost would be $7.00 each per night. Other rates are comparable.

The nearest KOA campsite available is in Barnhart, Missouri, near Interstate 55, 35 miles from Kiel Auditorium. The Conference Committee recommends that reservations be made in advance. To do so call 314-479-4449.

Information on economy housing can be found on page five. In addition to these package arrangements, an effort will be made to reserve an area for use by individuals with sleeping bags.

Support for UN strong

(Continued from page one)

social welfare, etc. Through such a cooperative effort, it is hoped that conditions of life for the generality of mankind will improve to the point where peace and stability become viable.

The Master, in many of His talks in the United States, spoke of the need to readjust the distribution of wealth to abolish extremes of poverty and affluence. In a remarkable talk at Brotherhood Church in Jersey City, He predicted the following:

the American Bahá’í 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. Copyright © 1974, National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. World Rights Reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.

“In the future there will be no very rich nor extremely poor. There will be an equilibrium of interests and a condition will be established which will make both rich and poor comfortable and content. This will be an eternal and blessed outcome of the glorious twentieth century which will be universally realized.”

In another address, the Master assured us that, “whenever the ties between nations become strengthened and the exchange of commodities accelerated, and any economic principle is established in one country, it will ultimately affect the other countries and universal benefits will result.”

Shoghi Effendi has written: “The world is, in truth, moving on towards its destiny. The interdependence of the peoples and nations of the earth, whatever the leaders of the divisive forces of the world may say or do, is already an accomplished fact. Its unity in the economic sphere is now understood and recognized. The welfare of the part means the welfare of the whole, and the distress of the part brings distress to the whole.”

In light of the Bahá’í writings, the statement of the UN Charter (“... that conditions of stability and well-being are necessary for peaceful and friendly relations among nations.”) which provides the rationale for the World Development Program, is in harmony with the principles and objectives of the Faith, and is worthy of the support of the Bahá’í community. It is through such development programs as this that the developing nations will achieve the means of advancement, helping to eliminate the extremes of wealth and want the Master so decried.

International picnic

An international picnic for Bahá’ís and their friends will be held at Canatara Park in Sarnia, Ontario, Sunday, August 11, beginning at 10 A.M. Those attending must provide their own meals. Recreation will include swimming and group singing. Participants are invited to wear national costumes, if they desire.

[Page 3]

Crucial hour will require painful decisions

A talk given by Auxiliary Board member Jane McCants at the 65th National Bahá’í Convention.

As the Five Year Plan is announced to the Bahá’í world each one of us has a lonely and enormously important decision to make in his own heart. The Guardian said that ultimately, all the battles of life are within the individual. No amount of organization can solve the inner problems, or produce or prevent victory or failure at a crucial moment. We are at a crucial moment. It is in our individual hearts and souls that the miracle of transformation must occur.

The purpose of the life of Bahá’u’lláh, the matchless beauty of His Words, and the unceasing suffering of His life, was to woo our souls from attachments to the world of dust and clay, towards the celestial realm of immortal joy.

“O My servants! Could ye apprehend with what wonders of My munificence and bounty I have willed to entrust your souls, ye would, of a truth, rid yourselves of attachment to all created things, and would gain a true knowledge of your own selves....”

And then a warning, because our predisposition to be lost in dust and clay is centuries old:

“Suffer not your idle fancies, your evil passions, your insincerity and blindness of heart to dim the luster, or stain the sanctity, of so lofty a station.”

Bahá’u’lláh’s message to us is that we are immortal souls. The purpose of every plan, of every call to action, is to transform the human heart. The battlefield in which we find ourselves has been described perfectly by the Sign of God on earth, Shoghi Effendi. In The Advent of Divine Justice he tells us that we live in a nation drenched in materialism, torn by racial animosity, deadened with immorality and decadence. He calls upon the American Bahá’ís to win for themselves an inner spiritual triumph, to separate themselves from materialism, to be willing to leave comfort and luxury for foreign lands, to pioneer, to love people they have never met. He asks us to free our hearts from the bondage of prejudice, so that we can soar in the free realm of awareness of the oneness of the human race. And he asks us to step out of decadence and immorality, to prove, by the example of our lives, the validity of God’s standard for man.

Will that be easy? The Guardian said that the friends must at all times bear in mind that they are in a way like soldiers under attack. He went on to say that the world is at present dark, torn by prejudices, anarchy, disruption, hatreds, and we must be vigilant and beware lest any of those negative forces affect us and through us come into the Bahá’í community. So we must separate ourselves from the darkness, fear, anarchy, and desperation of the world around us, set our sights on the guidance of The House of Justice, and pray daily to be filled with the regenerating power of Bahá’u’lláh. We must become the champion-builders of His World Order.

Dr. Jane McCants

It will not be easy. Nor would we wish it to be easy. We are the spiritual descendants of the Dawnbreakers, the descendants of the mother of Ashraf, the descendants of the seven martyrs of Tehran, the descendants of a little boy named Varqá who eagerly accepted the cup of martyrdom to proclaim his faith in the Báb. Would we wish our role as their descendants to be easy? The Guardian said that we should not forget that an essential characteristic of this world is hardship and tribulation. It is by overcoming them that we achieve our moral and spiritual development.

The Master said that sorrow is like furrows. The deeper they go, the more plentiful is the fruit we obtain. If it is difficult to love, to cherish, to obey, to nurture Local Spiritual Assemblies, let us say, “Alláh-u-Abhá.” If it is difficult to live an immaculate life in a world of decadence, let us say “Alláh-u-Abhá.” If it is difficult to pull our roots away from material goods and change our sense of security from reliance on material things, and pour our treasures into the Fund, to leave our homes and pioneer to foreign lands, if that is difficult, let us say, “Alláh-u-Abhá.” Because if it were easy, we would be unworthy as spiritual descendants of the Dawn-breakers of the Bahá’í Faith.

Bahá’u’lláh said that if His followers failed to respond to His Message, so great was His power that He could raise up the stones to serve Him. That reminds me of a Bahá’í friend who was working too hard. He was going to committee meetings, he was visiting people, he was doing too much. So, in our wisdom, we told him to relax, to take it easy—there were Plans to come, he shouldn’t wear himself out. His response was, “I don’t want to be overtaken by no stone!”

When I was upstairs praying that I could think of something to say, some stones spoke to me. They were the stones of this House of Worship. Stones reared up by a visionary few American Bahá’ís, stones built with the sacrifice of believers around the world, stones placed in a magnificent design cherished by the Guardian, stones which became a House of Worship dedicated by Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum. And I thought, “Those stones must long to say to each of us as we listen to the announcement of this Five Year Plan, ‘Rise up. Remember your heroes. The spirit of Martha Root, of Corinne True, of Dorothy Baker, of Horace Holley, of Hyde and Clara Dunn, of Agnes Alexander, is beckoning you, is waiting to confirm you, is longing to see you perform deeds which carry on the tradition of heroism of the American Bahá’í community.’ ”

As we win the spiritual battle within our own hearts, we become the creatures which Bahá’u’lláh has longed for us to become; and at the end of the Five Year Plan, we will, as the Guardian said, reach our goals, tired but blissful. Looking at one another, we will see the divine creation which Bahá’u’lláh says we are: “Ye are the stars of the heaven of understanding, the breeze that stirreth at the break of day, the soft-flowing waters upon which must depend the very life of all men.”

Youth are again needed to win Plan goals

A talk given by Auxiliary Board member Darrell Borland at the 65th National Bahá’í Convention.

In The Advent of Divine Justice, written in 1938, the Guardian had these words for Bahá’í youth: “No greater demonstration can be given to the peoples of both continents of the youthful vitality and the vibrant power animating the life and the institutions of the nascent Faith of Bahá’u’lláh than an intelligent, persistent, and effective participation of the Bahá’í Youth, of every race, nationality, and class, in both the teaching and administrative spheres of Bahá’í activity. Through such a participation the critics and enemies of the Faith, watching with varying degrees of skepticism and resentment, the evolutionary processes of the Cause of God and its institutions, can best be convinced of the indubitable truth that such a Cause is intensely alive, is sound to its very core, and its destiny is in safe keeping.”

Since that time, in letter after letter, tablet after tablet, from our Guardian, and later from The Universal House of Justice, have come instructions and pleas to our Bahá’í youth. And always the youth have arisen to fulfill their assigned goals. Indeed, the Guardian and The Universal House of Justice have indicated that the key to victory for the Cause of God lies in the hands of its youth. This is the destiny of Bahá’í youth. This is what they are called upon to do: to strive, to work, to pray, to grow, to mature, to carry the Cause of God through this land and the next, to pass it on to the waiting hands of later years, until ultimate victory is achieved. Simply the fact of being young, according to The Universal House of Justice, presents the Bahá’í youth with a time of great opportunities, challenges, and tests. And it is interesting that opportunities, challenges, and tests are ranked together and that they are spoken of in equally positive language.

The Bahá’í youth are given the opportunities to truly apprehend the Teachings of their Faith, and to give them to their contemporaries. Challenges are given, challenges to overcome the pressures of the world, and to provide leadership for their own and succeeding generations. I don’t need to dwell on the pressures of this world. But to the Bahá’í youth—those of you who don’t already know it—I would point out that in the day in which we are living the world will do everything in its power to destroy your faith. It cannot stand to have you hold to your beliefs, because when you do, you are challenging its hysteria, you are challenging its sense of failure, you present an alternative, and the world does not want an alternative. It is basking in its own destructiveness, and it wants to remain there. Everything it can do to destroy your faith, to cause your disillusionment, to break down your resolution, it will do, and dear friends, you must be strong, or you will be washed away. Look at what has happened to this world in the past eighteen months. Since the publication of The Synopsis and Codification of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, and the presentation to the Bahá’í world of that marvelous document, The Constitution of The Universal House of Justice, look at what has happened to the world. It’s going to get worse, and it’s going to happen faster. The Bahá’í youth are in the vortex of this storm. All eyes are going to be turned toward the youth, particularly the eyes of their contemporaries. It’s up to them to decide how strong they can be.

You are blessed, friends—God is going to send you tests, enabling you to exemplify in your lives the high moral standards set forth in the Bahá’í Writings. If you are not presented with tests, how can you prove to the world and to your non-Bahá’í contemporaries, that you are capable of withstanding the

(Continued page eight)

[Page 4]

Una Visión Nueva

EL PRIMER PASO—la primera vez que vino a mis manos un libro bahá’í, lo ojeé con curiosidad y con mucho escepticismo; se abría ante mí (cristiano de bautismo y educación), una visión nueva, que por ser nueva me desconcertó; estaba por aquel tiempo muy lejos de comprender el significado de aquella fe que ilumina decisivamente mi vida. Pasó un tiempo hasta que las circunstancias me proporcionaron la oportunidad de asistir, como invitado, a una reunión bahá’í. La cordialidad con que se trataban los allí reunidos fue otra de mis sorpresas, confieso que agradables, en honor a la verdad. Ver cómo jóvenes y adultos se manifestaban me dio la impresión de encontrarme en un lugar extraño, algo así como si de pronto todo a mi alrededor se transformase, que los hombres que me rodeaban se hubiesen vuelto niños, algo altamente aleccionador, desacostumbrado en este ir y venir de despreocupación y aislamiento que nuestro egocentrismo morboso nos ha proporcionado. Apareció en escena un joven persa; las muestras de cariño que le dispensaron aumentaron más mi desconcierto; no comprendía nada de lo que veían mis ojos, no pensaba, observaba con mucha atención lo que allí sucedía. Repasé el local con una ojeada y vi colgados de las paredes hermosos cuadros de templos y jardines; llamó poderosamente mi atención la fotografía, a gran tamaño, de un señor muy venerable. Ocupó la presidencia el joven persa; se recitaron oraciones con una gran devoción y acto seguido el joven comenzó a conversar sobre temas que me conmovieron. Sentía dentro de mí algo que no había experimentado antes; algo desacostumbrado en la forma de decir y hacerse estaban produciendo en aquel acto, pero me sonaba a utopía. ¿Era posible que la unión de la humanidad llegase a realizarse por medio de una religión mundial y que esta religión fuese precisamente la Fe de Bahá’u’lláh? Es evidente que aún estaba inmaduro para comprender aquellas afirmaciones.

“Pasó el tiempo, pero en mi corazón comenzó a germinar la semilla; sentía necesidad de saber más sobre la Fe. Ya que no ojeaba los libros bahá’ís, los leí ávidamente; la mayor dificultad que encontraba era la de aceptar a Bahá’u’lláh como la Nueva Manifestación; me veía impotente para arrancar de mí los prejuicios de mi trayectoria cristiana. Cristo era el principio y el fin, el alfa y el omega. Transcurría el tiempo y la semilla se convirtió en un árbol de pequeñas dimensiones. Comprendí que Bahá’u’lláh era el enviado de Dios para esta era atormentada por un deshumanizado materialismo. El Báb, Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá y Shoghi Effendi han conmovido lo más profundo de mi ser, y la luz se hizo y vi claro que no era una utopía. La Fe de Bahá’u’lláh, con su advenimiento, daba principio a un orden nuevo.

(Sacado del Boletín de información bahá’í de España Número 51)

Inmensa obligación debe pesar creyentes

“Cuán grande,” advirtió Shoghi Effendi a los bahá’ís de Norteamérica, ... “cuán inmensa es la obligación que debe pesar sobre la actual generación de creyentes americanos en esta etapa inicial de su evolución espiritual y administrativa para escardar, por todos los medios que les sean posibles, esas imperfecciones, hábitos y tendencias que ellos han heredado de su propia nación y para cultivar, paciente y devotamente, esas cualidades distintas y características que son tan indispensables para su participación efectiva en la gran labor redentora de su fe....

“Examinando en su totalidad las necesidades más urgentes de esta comunidad, tratando de valorar las deficiencias más serias que están impidiendo el desempeño de su labor y teniendo siempre en mente la naturaleza de esa tarea aún mayor con la que esta se verá obligada a luchar en el futuro, creo que es mi deber hacer especial énfasis y llamar la particular y urgente atención de toda la congregación de creyentes americanos, ya sean ellos jóvenes o viejos, blancos o negros, maestros o administradores, veteranos o principiantes, a lo que yo creo firmemente que son los requisitos esenciales para el triunfo de las tareas que están exigiendo atención indivisa. Aunque grande es la importancia de idear los instrumentos visibles y de perfeccionar las agencias administrativas que ellos puedan utilizar para llevar a cabo su doble tarea bajo el Plan de siete años; vitales y urgentes como son las campañas que ellos están iniciando, los planes y proyectos que están creando y los fondos que están levantando para el eficiente desempeño de ambos trabajos, el de enseñanza y el del Templo, no son menos urgentes ni vitales los factores espirituales imponderables que están vinculados a sus propias vidas individuales e íntimas y los que requieren un escrutinio constante, un incesante examen de conciencia y análisis de los propios sentimientos, de parte de ellos, pues de lo contrario, el mérito de estos factores disminuiría o su requisito fundamental sería oscurecido u olvidado.”

El Advenimiento de Justicia Divina, páginas 34 y 35.

Viaje a Inglaterra

Un joven bahá’í de Inglaterra que recientemente pasó nueve meses en la India, como profesor viajero, escribe en una carta a los bahá’ís de su país anfitrión: “Concentrándonos en la enseñanza a estudiantes, cantamos canciones y dimos charlas en colegios, escuelas y universidades. Mientras uno hablaba, los otros oraban pidiendo confirmaciones divinas. Dedicábamos siempre un tiempo para la oración antes de las charlas. Muchas veces, cuando nos enfrentábamos a una audiencia de varios cientos de personas y volvíamos sintiéndonos felices, nos dábamos cuenta de que nosotros no habíamos hecho nada, que Bahá’u’lláh solo nos había ayudado... A menudo nos recordábamos unos a otros que si no fuéramos bahá’ís, nadie se preocuparía de nosotros, pero puesto que éramos representantes de Bahá’u’lláh, nosotros, un puñado de estudiantes, éramos tratados con toda cortesía y respeto... Los amigos de Bombay, Allahabad, Orissa, Panchgani, Poona... ¡cuánto conocimiento obtuve de ellos! Al igual que un simple aldeano que declaró que Bahá’u’lláh había cambiado su vida. Recuerdo las horas que anduvimos para llegar a los bahá’ís en pueblos, los días de calor abrasador en que teníamos que racionar el agua debido a la escasez; las sonrisas de los amigos y risas de los niños cuando llegábamos a los pueblos llenan mi mente. Si tuviera que escribir todo lo que ocurrió en esos nueve meses, necesitaría otros nueve para expresar en el papel lo que está grabado en mi memoria...”

(Sacado del Boletín de información bahá’í de España, Número 51)

Nueve pruebas por las cuales se reconocerá al gran maestro

1. El Gran Maestro ha de ser el educador del género humano.
2. Sus enseñanzas deberán ser universales y llevarán la luz a la mente del género humano.
3. Sus conocimientos deberán ser innatos y espontáneos y no adquiridos.
4. Deberá contestar a todas las preguntas de los sabios; sabrá resolver los arduos problemas de la humanidad; y podrá soportar las persecuciones y sufrimientos de que sea víctima.
5. Deberá llevar la alegría a todas partes y proclamar el reino de la felicidad.
6. Sus conocimientos deberán ser ilimitados y su sabiduría comprendida por todos.
7. La intención de su palabra y la fuerza de su influencia deberán ser tan grandes como para humillar a sus peores enemigos.
8. No deberá ser abatido por amarguras ni tribulaciones. Su fortaleza y convicciones pondrán de manifiesto su esencia divina.
9. Deberá ser el fundador de la civilización; el que unificará las religiones; el portaestandarte de la paz universal y la personificación de todas las más puras y nobles virtudes del género humano.

Cuando veas que en cualquier templo se cumplan estas condiciones, vuélvete a él para que sea tu luz y tu guía.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá

Conferencia Bahá’í

Durante el período comprendido entre el 28 de agosto al 2 de septiembre se llevará a efecto una conferencia bahá’í en el Auditorio Kiel en la ciudad de St. Louis, Missouri, para lanzar el próximo plan mundial de enseñanza de La Casa Universal de Justicia.

Durante la conferencia la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional repasará las metas y asignaciones eludidas en el plan para la comunidad estadounidense. Se espera un plan internacional de enseñanza y consolidación.

Se tomó en consideración la facilidad del transporte y el bajo coste de hospedaje al seleccionar la ciudad de St. Louis como la sede de la conferencia —ciudad que se encuentra en el centro del país.

Elperíodo de la conferencia cae el fin de semana del Día del Trabajo y, en consecuencia, el Comité Nacional de Enseñanza sugiere a aquellas personas o familias que puedan hacerlo, incluir en su itinerario viajes de enseñanza. Para mayor información, sírvase consultar próximos números del ].

[Page 5]

Bahá’í Summer Schools

BOSCH

Location: Santa Cruz, California

Sessions: July 21–27; July 28–August 3; August 4–10

Cost: Rates not known at press time

Registrar: c/o Bosch Bahá’í School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Auxiliary Board member Fred Schechter will be present July 21–27; and Auxiliary Board member D. Thelma Jackson, July 28–August 3.

COLORADO EAST

Location: Indian Hills Camp Coy, near Denver, Colorado

Session: August 19–25

Cost:
Adults (12 years and over)	$30.00
6 years to 11 years	$15.00
3 years to 5 years	$9.00
Up to 2 years	$0.00

Registrar: Mrs. Dora J. Hanna, 5535 Krameria, Commerce City, CO 80022

COLORADO WEST

Location: Camp Ilium, Telluride, Colorado

Session: July 28-August 3

Cost:
Adults	$40.00
Youth	$20.00
Children	$10.00

Registrar: Colorado West Bahá’í School Committee, Mrs. Pamela Johnson, Secretary, P.O. Box 162, Palisade, CO 81526

Auxiliary Board Member Peter Khan will be present throughout the session.

DAVISON / Undergoing renovations

Relocated Temporary Facilities: Northwood Institute, Midland, Michigan (I/75, exit on M/20)

Sessions: July 21-27; July 28-August 3; August 4-11; August 11-18

Cost: Rates not known at press time

Registrar: Davison Bahá’í School Council, Mrs. Elizabeth Brogan, Secretary, 870 W. Drayton, Ferndale, MI 48220

Auxiliary Board Members Katherine McLaughlin, Darrell Borland, Elizabeth Martin, and Albert James will be present at the following sessions, respectively: first, second, third, and fourth.

FLORIDA

Location: Marymount College, Boca Raton, Florida

Session: July 12-21

Cost:
Adults	$10.50
15 Years to 20 years	$9.00
2 years to 14 years	$6.50

Registrar: Mrs. Fern McBride, 2301 N.E. 20th Avenue, Wilton Manors, FL 33305

Auxiliary Board Member Jane McCants will be present throughout the session.

GREEN ACRE

Location: Eliot, Maine

Sessions: July 7-13 (regular); July 14-20 (regular); July 21-27 (Pioneering Emphasis Week); July 28-August 3 (youth only); August 4-10 (regular); August 11-17 (regular); August 18-24 (regular)

Cost: Rates not known at press time

Registrar: Green Acre Bahá’í School Council, Mrs. Beverlee Miller, Secretary, 188 Main Street, Eliot, ME 03903.

The Hand of the Cause of God Zikrullah Khadem and his wife, Auxiliary Board Member Javidukht Khadem, will be present at the July 14-20 session. Auxiliary Board Members D. Thelma Jackson, Elizabeth Martin, Jane McCants, and Katherine McLaughlin will be present at the following sessions, respectively: July 7-13, July 28-August 3, August 4-10, and August 11-17; Auxiliary Board Member Ted Oliver will be present for two days only between July 21 and 27.

MONTANA

Location: Red Lodge, Montana

Session: August 11-17

Cost:
Adults (15 years and over)	$33.00
8 years to 14 years	$22.00
2 years to 7 years	$10.00

Registrar: Mrs. Betty Ann Entzminger, 710 Agate, Billings, MT 59101.

Auxiliary Board Member Eunice Braun will be present throughout the session.

NEW YORK

Location: Oakwood School, Poughkeepsie, New York

Session: July 27-August 3

Cost: Rates not known at press time

Registrar: Jillian Smith, RD 6, 31 Edmond Drive, Ballston Spa, NY 12020.

Auxiliary Board Member Adrienne Reeves will be present throughout the session.

OKLAHOMA/TEXAS

Location: Lake Bridgeport, near Denton, Dallas

Session: August 12-17

Cost: Rates not known at press time

Registrar: Oklahoma/Texas Bahá’í School Committee, Dr. Virginia Harden, Secretary, 320 East Hurd, Edmond, OK 73034.

Auxiliary Board Member Darrell Borland will be present throughout the session.

OREGON

Location: Silver Creek Falls, near Salem, Oregon

Session: July 7-12

Cost:
Over 5 years	$19.00
Up to 5 years	$9.50

($1.00 for members of family where 3 have paid one of the above rates, regardless of age.)

Registrar: Mrs. Ethlyn Lindstrom, 4874 Cedar Street, Astoria, OR 97103.

WASHINGTON EAST

Location: Camp Dudley YMCA, White Pass, Washington

Session: August 21-25

Cost:
21 years and over	$20.00
15 to 20 years	$15.00
9 years to 14 years	$11.00
5 years to 8 years	$6.00
2 years to 4 years	$4.00

Registrar: Washington East Bahá’í School Committee, Mrs. Wendy Burns, Secretary, Box 338, Buena, WA 98921

Auxiliary Board Member Angus Cowan will be present throughout the session.

Note: Arizona, California, Carolinas, Conifer Hill, Minnesota and Washington West already held.

Summer Schools Strive to Elevate Youth Classes

Junior youth (ages 11-15) are important at Bahá’í schools. Recognizing that programs for junior youth must meet the high standards of this year’s theme, “Life in a God-Centered Community,” the National Bahá’í Schools Committee is sponsoring at selected schools a special program called Teaching Project 74.

The purpose of Teaching Project 74 is to improve the classes for junior youth and to provide for continuing improvement in the quality of teaching these important young Bahá’ís. Visiting teachers will teach a model class for the junior youth enrolled at the school, and up to six observers specially selected to participate. Following the class, teacher-training sessions are held in which the teacher and the observers discuss philosophy and methods appropriate for Bahá’í education.

Tentative schedules for this program are listed below. If you wish to apply to be an observer at one of the schools, please write to the Registrar (information above).

Bosch School	July 14-August 3
Colorado East School	During regular sessions
Florida School	During regular sessions
Green Acre	June 30-July 6
Montana	During regular sessions
Oklahoma/Texas	During regular sessions

Economy Housing Offered

Housing accommodations have been secured for those Bahá’ís who wish to avail themselves of the most economical Conference housing. The following packages do not, however, include the Conference Services and Materials Fee, which must be sent separately with your Conference Registration form.

All space will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. Space is limited for Packages 1 and 2, so send in your reservation form as soon as possible if you wish these accommodations reserved for you. We must reserve the right to switch to Package 2 if Package 1 is filled.

1.	Two double beds in each room Television Conference shuttle bus service Full bath facilities	$27.00 per person four to a room
2.	Dormitory-style accommodations, Full bath facilities	$23.00 per person four to a room

Campgrounds

KAO campgrounds, Phone 479-4449, south of St. Louis on Interstate 55 in Barnhart, Mo. Approximately 35 miles from Kiel Auditorium. $3.50 per site—vehicle and camper and 2 people per day, $0.25 for each additional person, $0.25 additional for electric, $0.50 additional for air-conditioning, $1.00 for sewage hook-up. Campgrounds equipped with showers, store, pool; 2 miles from shopping.

Cahokia Mounds State Park, Illinois on old Highway #40,6 miles from downtown St. Louis. 10 sites available for campers at $2.00 per night. Unlimited campsites available at $1.00 per night per unit. Outside plumbing only—electricity and water available. No shower facilities—24-hour patrol. No reservations accepted.

You must make your own arrangements for these camping accommodations.

[Page 6]

News Briefs

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Last year’s Mescalero Council Fire.

Mescalero Council Fire Scheduled

The Fifth Annual Mescalero Apache Council Fire will be held on the weekend of August 2–4, at Mescalero, New Mexico. The Council Fire is held each year to stress the unity of mankind. It stresses to Indian peoples, through the diversity and loving unity of the Bahá’ís attending, that the Bahá’í Faith is a religion for all mankind.

As in past years, the Council Fire will be a campout affair. Bahá’ís attending should bring camping equipment and their own food for the weekend. A very limited amount of indoor floor space is available to individuals who are unwilling or unable to sleep outside. For additional information, write the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Mescalero, c/o Richard and Margaret Gurinsky, Box 148, Mescalero, New Mexico 88340, or call the Gurinskys at (505) 671-4640.

A summer youth project will operate at Mescalero during the summer, a product of the Five Year Plan goal of increased teaching among the Indians. The youth will assist in organizing the Council Fire, which the Spiritual Assembly hopes will be attended by large numbers of Bahá’ís en route to the St. Louis Conference.

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Robert and Susan Bailey

New Club Promotes Faith on Campus

Susan and Robert Bailey (above photograph) are the new Bahá’í Club of Southeastern Massachusetts University. The first event they sponsored was a two-day proclamation on campus. A display of Bahá’í materials was constructed in the student union with the help of Dr. and Mrs. Iraj Mottahed, isolated believers in the New Bedford area, and an article was published in the school newspaper presenting the primary teachings of the Bahá’í Faith. The Baileys said the response from their fellow students was better than expected. Perceptive enquirers were invited to their home for a weekly Thursday night fireside. One by-product of their proclamation was the invitation to deposit Bahá’í literature in a non-denominational dormitory chapel serving more than 600 students. “As interest grows and more people become familiar with at least the name ‘Bahá’í,’ we hope to have firesides on a regular basis on the campus itself,” the Baileys wrote.

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Tea-Party Marks Anniversary

On Sunday, May 26, the Baltimore community held an anniversary tea-party to mark the 65th year of the establishment of a Local Spiritual Assembly in the city. Many long-standing believers attended the memorial gathering and shared recollections of Bahá’í history.

The first Assembly of Baltimore—also the first in the state—was formed in May 1909. The community had 25 believers at the time, all of whom signed a letter to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá asking His prayers for the new Assembly.

In July 1909, Mr. Edward Struven, chairman of the Baltimore Assembly, visited ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in ‘Akká while on a business trip around the world, delivering a second letter to the Master from the friends in Maryland.

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Musicians Give Up Weekends

In Moses Lake, Idaho, they told of the coming of Bahá’u’lláh in word and music. Their performance included a rendition of “Year of Sunday,” by Seals and Crofts, original compositions for voice, guitar, French horn, and flute, a slide program on the life of Bahá’u’lláh (set to the second movement of Vaughn Williams’ Second London Symphony), and selections from the Sacred Texts. To Spokane, Wenatchee, Pasco, Seattle, and Walla Walla, Washington, they brought a similar variegated program during May and June. In fact, Day-Star, a versatile six-member musical team, and one of the few road shows still active in the community, has been on the road for the Northern Idaho and Eastern Washington District Teaching Committees every weekend for months. One of its members wrote: “We are ablaze with the desire to serve the Cause and are never more happy than when we are on the road, taking the Message of Bahá’u’lláh to others.” Day-Star’s repertoire spans rock, jazz, blues, and original classical composition. The friends will have an opportunity to hear their music at the St. Louis Conference in August.

[Page 7]

Teaching Project Planned by Youth

One of the more ambitious teaching projects in the Fresno, California, area recently, was conceived and planned by Bahá’í youth. A week-long proclamation of the Faith—called Bahá’í Week—was carried out during the first week of April, following months of preparation by a youth committee representing the Fresno, Fresno Judicial District, Clovis, and Clovis J.D. communities. The 1974 Bahá’í Week was modeled after a similar event in Fresno eight years before, planned by a Victory Committee which included among its members the Hand of the Cause William Sears.

The Mayor of Fresno, Ted C. Wills, gave impetus to the event by declaring the first week of April “Bahá’í Week in Fresno.” Speakers were invited to address classes at California State University in Fresno and Fresno City College. They included Dr. Alfred K. Neumann, Lisa Janti, Florence Towers, Harold Jackson, Joan and Sidney Bulkin, Gerald Mealy, Jules Vautrot, and Vinson Brown. Two concerts were scheduled, one at a local high school, the other at the state university. ‎Perfoming Performing‎ were Don Reed, Wednesday’s Children, and John Ford Coley.

Radio and television stations and newspapers were contacted and presented with press releases about Bahá’í Week. A booth was set up and manned at Fresno’s Fashion Fair Shopping Center. It was open all day for three days during Bahá’í Week. Ten thousand copies of an eight-page newspaper were printed and included Bahá’í information and an agenda for Bahá’í Week. Eight thousand of these were mailed out; the rest were distributed at the various talks. Posters were printed and displayed throughout the city.

Throughout the week, hundreds of students heard the name of Bahá’u’lláh. Thousands more read about it. Two local Bahá’ís were interviewed on a local radio program. The local papers covered the event, along with the college papers.

Follow-up is currently underway, with many speakers coming back, including David Villaseñor and Jules Vautrot.

Florence Towers with instructor at California State University.

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Pasadena Invades Annual Rose Parade

On New Year’s Day, millions of Americans will perch in front of their televisions to watch the Rose Bowl Parade, never suspecting that it has a thing to do with establishing God’s Kingdom on earth. But for the Bahá’ís of Pasadena and surrounding communities, the Rose Bowl is a busy period. Every year since 1971 they have scheduled street teaching among the hundreds of thousands of people thronging Colorado Boulevard to watch the parade. This year plans are again underway for a “Spiritual Invasion” of the parade route. What follows is a brief account by the Spiritual Assembly of Pasadena of teaching activities at the Rose Bowl Parade in previous years. Bahá’ís who plan to be in the area are invited to participate in the planned proclamation activities.—Ed.

One Sunday in the late fall of 1971, six members of the Pasadena Bahá’í Teaching Committee met to decide upon a more effective way to expose the city of South Pasadena to Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings.

After reciting a number of prayers, we sat silently awaiting the promised help from the “concourse on high.” Finally, one member spoke, “One thing that seems to draw both Pasadenans and South Pasadenans is the Rose Parade.” No sooner was this uttered than we all sat staring dumbfoundedly at one another. The magnitude of such a thought overwhelmed us. Not only members of these sister cities but hundreds of thousands of people from all over the country converge on Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena the night before the parade to enjoy the camaraderie and excitement of the event.

Ideas rushed through our consultation so fast that we could scarcely write them down. Within an hour we had unanimously agreed upon the basic plan. It was simple and effective. Since the assemblage along Colorado Boulevard gathered to celebrate the Rose Parade and not to hear Bahá’u’lláh’s healing Message, we decided our teaching method had to be indirect.

Wallet-sized calendars would be printed for the coming year. One side of the calendar would list the basic principles of the Bahá’í Faith as set forth by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, with advice on how to receive further information. The other side would contain the calendar headed by the words “Ye are the flowers of one garden—Bahá’u’lláh.” They were to be passed out freely with the greeting “Happy New Day!” or “Happy New Year from the Bahá’ís!”

Teaching along parade route.

James F. Nelson

Direct teaching would take place only when a calendar recipient asked questions or expressed an interest in the Faith. Even if no questions were asked, thousands of people would learn that the Bahá’í Faith exists; and every day, upon looking at their calendars, they would come in contact with the name Bahá’u’lláh.

The Pasadena Bahá’í Assembly wholeheartedly approved the plan. The Hand of the Cause William Sears, when informed of the plan, said, “That’s the spirit! That’s the spirit!” Our hearts burst into flame. Continental Counsellor Florence Mayberry fanned the flame with her loving response of encouragement. Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly, agreed to fly to Pasadena and address the friends on the night of the event. The feeling that seized that small group of infant Bahá’ís defies description.

Various committees were set up to attend to the many details. An invitation to participate was extended to other Bahá’í communities, and the response was overwhelming. Over two hundred Bahá’ís from surrounding communities and faraway states assembled to help spread Bahá’u’lláh’s “perfumed fragrance.”

During the first “Spiritual Invasion,” Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh became so moved by the level of enthusiasm his talk had helped to ignite that he grabbed a stack of calendars, borrowed a warmer topcoat, and disappeared into the streets with the others.

The second “Spiritual Invasion” was highlighted by the presence of Mrs. Florence Mayberry, who gave an inspiring warm-up talk.

James F. Nelson, chairman of the National Education Committee, addressed the friends at the third annual event. He spoke of the many Bahá’í teachers of the past whose dedication and courage were inspiring and exemplary. As he had done the two preceding years, Judge Nelson remained on hand until the small hours of the morning conducting firesides for the interested seekers who were brought in from Colorado Boulevard. Although the signing of declaration cards was not the primary objective of the Spiritual Invasions, some seekers were enrolled as a result of these efforts, one of whom is now pioneering in Canada.

With each succeeding year, the organization of this teaching endeavor improved remarkably, responses from other Bahá’í communities increased, and more and more heartwarming incidents were reported. There were many accounts of people trading our old calendars for the new, recognizing, if nothing more, that this was a yearly service of the Bahá’í Faith. This indirect teaching method also proved to be well suited to many of the new Bahá’ís who had never been involved in proclaiming the Faith.

[Page 8] Large share teaching to be done by youth

(Continued from page 3)

pressures the rest of the world is buckling under, that there is something in the Writings, in the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, that can change the hearts of men?

The Bahá’í youth are potentially the greatest teachers of the Faith. Nothing stands out today like a youth who has obviously purified his life and committed himself to God.

The youth will carry the burden of the teaching work during the new Plan, in all parts of the world, to all strata of society, and to all age groups. The Universal House of Justice, in its June 10, 1966, letter to Bahá’í youth, explained how the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh was arising to challenge the outworn concepts of a corrupt society and to proclaim the solution to the problems of humanity. In this letter, it said that during the lifetime of those who were now young, both the condition of the world and the place of the Bahá’í Cause within it would change immeasurably, for we were entering a highly critical phase in this era of transition. The Supreme Body went on to say that three fields of service lay open to Bahá’í youth through which the character of society could be remade.

The first of these three fields of service is to study the Teachings, spiritualize your lives, and form your characters in accordance with the standards of Bahá’u’lláh. First and foremost, friends, study the Teachings and internalize them. Make them a part of your lives. The second field of service is to teach the Faith, particularly to your fellow youth, again, by word and by example. And, third, prepare for your later years by learning a trade or profession.

Bahá’u’lláh has called on us to strive to achieve excellence in any field of service that we undertake. And we will need Bahá’ís in all fields. Do not waste your precious youth in the ways that this world is calling on young people to do. Study the needs of the Faith, examine yourselves and your talents, and prepare yourselves to serve this Faith in an ever-increasing capacity. You have the time, you have the energy, you have the optimism. You can do anything if you put your minds to it. We have been assured by the beloved Master that we will have His presence with us when we arise to serve the Cause of God. Bahá’u’lláh has told us that when we arise to serve, the heavenly concourse forms rank on rank, eager to rush to our assistance. We have the infallible guidance of the divinely ordained institution of The Universal House of Justice, whose insight can penetrate to the very heart of the world’s condition. It is the only institution on the face of this planet with authority. We have its Plan. We have been asked to examine it and to go forward to prosecute it. We now have only to move.

Darrell Borland

I would like to make one suggestion to the Bahá’í youth before closing—that they set a special youth goal for themselves. In this Five Year Plan, The Universal House of Justice is calling on the Bahá’í community to develop the institution of the Local Spiritual Assembly to a level that it has not yet attained, to allow it to mature, to allow it to develop into a fully functioning institution of Bahá’u’lláh. It has called upon the Local Spiritual Assemblies to begin now to work with the Bahá’í youth, to counsel, encourage, and guide them as they begin to prepare their lives for teaching and serving the Cause of God.

I would suggest to the Bahá’í youth that during the next five years, they begin to strive to find new ways to serve their Local Spiritual Assemblies, to work diligently to prove their loyalty, to prove their devotion to these marvelous, divinely ordained institutions. I would suggest that they place themselves at the service of the Assemblies. Go to them. Offer them suggestions for the teaching work, let them know what the youth are thinking, encourage them in their work, keep them moving, and if you have problems, talk to them and consult with them, trust them.

The youth can be the first to move forward to help in the development of this divine institution. This could be one goal for youth in the Five Year Plan—to move closer than ever before to the Bahá’í community and to the Local Spiritual Assembly.

The Bahá’í youth, who have been blessed to be allowed to recognize the Manifestation of God for this day, are called upon to do God’s “thing,” and God’s “thing” in this day is to create a new world order, a new civilization, a new society. You do that by working together in groups. You do that by creating communities, by coming together and cooperating, not by working as individuals. And in order to cooperate, in order to build a community, a society, a civilization, you must have order, you must have organization. Bahá’u’lláh has taken care of that. He has given us the Bahá’í administrative order. If you are going to do God’s “thing,” therefore, you must be a part of the administrative order. You must be obedient to it, you must love it, you must be loyal to it. And if you do that, that in itself will cause you to stand out like a beacon from the other youth in the world today—those who have not been privileged to meet Bahá’u’lláh. That in itself will guarantee victory in the Five Year Plan.

[Page 9]

BAHÁ’Í BOOKS AND MATERIALS

BAHÁ’Í LITERATURE

Universal and Lasting Peace: A Commentary on ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Tablet to the Hague
By Firuz Kazemzadeh

Universal and Lasting Peace, by Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, is a commentary on the Tablet which ‘Abdu’l-Bahá addressed to the Central Organization for a Durable Peace at the Hague in 1919. In the Tablet, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá discusses the subject of universal peace at some length, stating that the experience of a world war proved that peace is preferable to war. He discusses many of Bahá’u’lláh’s Teachings—universal peace, oneness of humanity, elimination of prejudice, equality of men and women, and so on—and explains that Universal Peace will not be attained if the question is restricted to that goal alone. “The scope of Universal Peace,” ‘Abdu’l-Bahá writes, “must be such that all the communities and religions may find their highest wish realized in it.” He concludes that the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh alone are capable of uniting mankind under one all-encompassing Power.

In Universal and Lasting Peace, Dr. Kazemzadeh places the Tablet to the Hague in historical perspective and quotes many of its key passages. He points out that a number of wars have ensued in the fifty years since ‘Abdu’l-Bahá wrote His Tablet to those trying to establish a durable peace. The task of universal peace, he writes, “is enormously complex yet absolutely essential. To those who undertake it, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s words will continue to provide guidance and inspiration.” This pamphlet will be helpful to those preparing talks and publicity for World Peace Day. Slimline format. 22 pp.

7-40-46 ......10/$1.50; 25/$3.00

The Goal of a New World Order
By Shoghi Effendi

The Goal of a New World Order is the title given to a letter written by Shoghi Effendi on November 28, 1931, the tenth anniversary of the passing of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Addressed to the Bahá’ís of the world, the communication seeks to inform them of the nature of the forces sweeping the earth in this Age of Transition. “The world,” the Guardian writes, “to whichever continent we turn our gaze, to however remote a region our survey may extend, is everywhere assailed by forces it can neither explain nor control.” This universal unrest, he adds, is due to the failure of national leaders to “adjust their system of economic and political institutions” to conform with the standards set by Bahá’u’lláh.

The Guardian explains that the principle of the Oneness of Mankind, the distinguishing feature of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh, “implies an organic change in the structure of present-day society, a change such as the world has not yet experienced.” The new world society destined to emerge will be “organically unified in all the essential aspects of its life, its political machinery, its spiritual aspiration, its trade and finance, its script and language, and yet infinite in the diversity of the national characteristics of its federated units.” The Guardian concludes that through the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh—the Mouthpiece of God for this age—and as a result of the world catastrophe that is certain to occur, the new World Order will be born. Also published in The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh. 5½ x 8½ inches. Warm cold cover. 24 pp.

7-08-28 ......p.35; 10/$3.00

SPECIAL MATERIALS

World Unity With Security
By William Sears

In this speech, delivered at a public session of the Jubilee Congress in London in 1963, the Hand of the Cause of God William Sears describes the present deteriorating condition of civilization, seeks a cure for the ailment, and finds the perfect remedy in the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh. In his direct, persuasive talk, Mr. Sears seeks to answer the question: “Where can man find world unity with security?” An eloquent presentation. Now available on both cassette and reel tape. 54 minutes.

6-30-21 .......reel $4.50

6-30-73 .......cassette $2.50

Story of Bahá’u’lláh Poster Set

Each of the posters in the Story of Bahá’u’lláh Poster Set illustrates a particular aspect of Bahá’í teachings or history. One poster presents fourteen of “Bahá’u’lláh’s Universal Teachings”; another describes Bahá’u’lláh as the “Bearer of God’s Latest Revelation to Man” and includes three brief quotations from His Writings; a third features a map of the Middle East which shows the route Bahá’u’lláh’s persecutors forced Him to take; and a fourth lists many of the world-encompassing programs which Bahá’u’lláh summoned world leaders to initiate more than one hundred years ago. Printed in blue on white stock. 24 x 18 inches.

6-58-00 4-poster set ......$2.50; 5/$10.00

The Bahá’í Peace Program

This pamphlet contains selections from the writings of Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and Shoghi Effendi on three essential aspects of the Bahá’í Peace Program. Part I discusses the federation of mankind. Part 2 the guiding principle of World Order, and Part 3 the renewal of faith through the “organic and spiritual unity of the whole body of nations.” Originally prepared for the San Francisco conference of the United Nations. Slimline format. 21 pp.

7-40-06 ......10/$1.00; 50/$4.75

BAHÁ’Í LITERATURE

The Bahá’í Life

The Bahá’í Life: Excerpts from the Writings of the Guardian, a new compilation by The Universal House of Justice, is now available. Arranged chronologically, these selections from the Guardian’s letters discuss the need for Bahá’ís to reflect their religion in their daily lives, to manifest their love for Bahá’u’lláh through obedience to His Teachings, to promote love and unity in their communities, and to view tests and difficulties as a means of spiritual development. The Bahá’í Life will be helpful in stimulating discussion and action on the Five Year Plan goal of developing “the distinctive character of Bahá’í life.” Published by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Canada. 5½ x 8½ inches. 22 pp.

7-08-36 ......p.35; 10/$3.00

World Peace Day “There is not one soul whose conscience does not testify that in this day there is no more important matter in the world than that of Universal Peace.” —‘Abdu’l-Bahá As Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh has pointed out in Universal and Lasting Peace: A Commentary on ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Tablet to the Hague, “These words, written half a century ago, have never been more meaningful than now.” World leaders struggle constantly to prevent age-old prejudices from engulfing the planet in a nuclear catastrophe. Growing numbers of people are disillusioned by the increasingly barbaric behavior of an ailing civilization. This profoundly disturbing world condition presents Bahá’ís with an opportunity to proclaim to the public, both through the Writings and through their own harmonious relationships, that there is a solution to the problems confronting mankind. As an assistance to Bahá’í communities planning observances for World Peace Day, September 15, the Bahá’í Publishing Trust would like to bring the following materials to the believers’ attention.

[Page 10]

1st National Bahá’í Conference - 5 Year Plan

St. Louis, Missouri

Aug. 29 - Sept. 2, 1974

[Page 11]

Discuss Role of Religion

“Toward World Community” was the theme of an international, inter-religious symposium held recently at Cornell University to explore ways in which the humanities, religions, ideologies, sciences, and higher education could apply their values and concepts to world problems, and assist in the development of a world community.

Representatives of eleven world religions discussed such questions as: “How do world religions conceive of world community?”; “What is the role of religion in enhancing or obstructing world community?”; “Do the religions of the world need to join forces for realizing world community?” The spokesmen for the Bahá’í Faith were Dr. Daniel Jordan, vice-chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly, and his colleague from the University of Massachusetts, Dr. Donald Streets.

The symposium coincided with the inauguration of The Center for World Community, a new residential college at Cornell University. The major concern of the center will be to examine the world community in all of its varied aspects, including the importance of religion to its achievement. Three Bahá’ís will be among the center’s 21 initial residents. They are Barbara Armstrong, a graduate student in linguistics, and Karla Jamir and Charles Carnegie, undergraduate students in anthropology.

Dates To Remember

July 12-14   National Spiritual Assembly Meeting, Santa Cruz, California

July 13   Feast of Kalimát (Words): Dedication of the Bosch School, Santa Cruz, California

July 21-27   Pioneer Emphasis Week, Green Acre School, Eliot, Maine

July 28-August 3   Youth Week, Green Acre School, Eliot, Maine

July 31   End of Pre-Registration for the St. Louis Conference

August 1   Feast of Kamál (Perfection): The American Bahá’í Deadline for the September Issue

August 2-4   Fifth Annual Mescalero Apache Council Fire, Mescalero, New Mexico

August 9-11   National Spiritual Assembly Meeting, Wilmette, Illinois

August 11   International Picnic, Sarnia, Ontario

August 20   Feast of Asmá’ (Names)

SUMMER SCHOOLS   See page 7.

August 29-September 1   ST. LOUIS CONFERENCE

Southern Texas May Be a Good Place to Settle

Southern Texas encompasses the beautiful Rio Grande Valley; Kingsville, on the edge of the famous King Ranch; historic Laredo, on the Texas-Mexican border; and the Corpus Christi and Victoria areas.

There are Local Spiritual Assemblies in Corpus Christi, Victoria, and McAllen. There are Bahá’ís in other cities in the area, but pioneers are needed to do more teaching and deepening.

The population from Corpus Christi south to Brownsville, and from Brownsville northward along the border to Laredo, is predominantly Mexican-American. The pace of life in the region is moderate and unhurried, the product of a blending of cultures.

Texas A & I University is located in Kingsville, with a branch in Corpus Christi. Pan American University is in Edinburg, in the Rio Grande Valley. Texas State Technical Institute, a vocational-technical training center, is in Harlingen, and there are several community and junior colleges in this part of the state.

The Rio Grande Valley, with its Spanish language and decidedly Latin characteristics, is a good place to prepare for foreign pioneering.

There are job opportunities in every field—medical, educational, chemical, agricultural, ranching, petroleum, and many others.

For additional information, write or call the National Teaching Committee, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091.

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INSIDE

Approximately 4,500 people have registered for the St. Louis Conference at the end of August. Registration forms continue to pour in at the National Center. A summary and update of essential conference information begins on page 1.

In this issue The American Bahá’í continues its publication of instructive talks from the 65th National Bahá’í Convention. Auxiliary Board members Darrell Borland and Dr. Jane McCants, discuss youth and the personal challenges of the Five Year Plan, respectively. See page 3.

Bahá’ís have been keen supporters of the basic functions of the United Nations for many years. The Bahá’í communities have consistently supported special activities sponsored by the world organization. Information on this year’s UN activities can be found on page 1.

Is this where you will be in St. Louis? These were the registration lines at the Third National Baha’i Youth Conference in Oklahoma City in June 1973. They stood in the hot sun for hours waiting to enter the arena. You can avoid having to find a place in a line like this in St. Louis—St. Louis is oppressively hot and muggy at the end of August—by registering early by mail. The necessary forms are located on page 11.