The American Bahá’í/Volume 6/Issue 5/Text

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The American Bahá’í May, 1975

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[Page 1]

Riḍván message of The Universal House of Justice, April 4, 1975
National Bahá’í Review, page 1	Mr. Sears urges believers to prepare for enrollment by troops in America The Hand of the Cause William Sears in his talks at the Convention repeatedly called on the believers to arise and prepare the way for enrollment into the Faith by troops. “It is upon each of us that this momentous Five Year Plan rests,” he said. “If we could live just one of the principles of the Faith in our daily lives, we could change the face of the world.” Story page 2.	Two Counsellors attend National Convention, speak on Riḍván message In their remarks to the Convention the two representatives of the Continental Board of Counsellors—Edna True and Sarah Pereira—focused on the Riḍván message of The Universal House of Justice. The message, Miss True said, draws our attention to the worsening plight of the moribund civilization. “We must be grateful that we have a role to play in this historic time,” Dr. Pereira said. Story page 3.	National Spiritual Assembly elected by delegates, no change in composition Balloting for the National Spiritual Assembly took place Saturday, April 26. Of the 171 delegates, 156 voted in person and 13 voted by mail. There was no change in the membership of the National Assembly. Story page 5. The Annual Report of the National Assembly appears in this month’s National Bahá’í Review.
Local Assemblies to receive training in characteristics Bahá’í administration A decision to implement a comprehensive two-year training program for local Assemblies was announced at National Convention by the National Spiritual Assembly. The program will help members of local Assemblies develop a fuller understanding of the nature of Bahá’í administration. The first contingent of instructors will arrive in Wilmette for training at the end of August. Story page 6.	Head Wilmette government praises contributions of Bahá’ís in community The president of the Village of Wilmette praised the contributions Bahá’ís have made to the life of his community, and observed that this new religion might someday become “the measure by which civilization will be realized.” The village president, Warren Burmeister, spoke at the National Assembly’s 50th anniversary celebration Thursday, April 24. His position is equivalent to that of Mayor in other communities. Story page 6.	Booklet on achievements, history National Assembly published to use in teaching A special booklet explaining the origins, functions, and achievements of the National Assembly in the last 50 years was distributed to delegates at National Convention and placed on sale by the Publishing Trust. The National Assembly will use the booklet in proclamation activities during this anniversary year. It is also available to the community for proclamation use. Special rates are offered on bulk orders. Story page 7.	Aboriginal Australian conveys pioneers’ greetings to Convention delegates Harry Penrith, an Australian Bahá’í of aboriginal background, was one of the many visitors to the National Convention. Mr. Penrith had been touring the country with his family studying indigenous and immigrant housing practices. He brought greetings to the Convention from the many pioneers he had met on his worldwide travels. “I felt I had an obligation to bring the love of these people to you,” he said. Story page 7.

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Hand Cause Sears: Bahá’ís should prepare way for entry troops

An invitation to individual believers to arise and help prepare the way for enrollment in the Faith by troops was made repeatedly by the Hand of the Cause William Sears during his several talks at the National Convention.

Recalling a statement of the Master to Roy Wilhelm, Mr. Sears reminded his audience that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had said in 1912 that if each Bahá’í had exemplified even one of the Bahá’í principles in his life, much of New York City would already have become Bahá’ís by the time of His visit.

“It is upon each one of us that this momentous Five Year Plan rests,” said Mr. Sears. “If we would live just one of the principles of the Faith in our daily lives, we would change the face of the world. We have the capacity to do that ... it just takes the determination to try it.”

Mr. Sears took part in a number of the Convention sessions prior to his departure late Saturday evening for the National Convention of the Bahá’ís of Canada. He was also guest speaker at the special program Thursday evening commemorating the 50th anniversary of the formation of the National Spiritual Assembly.

One of the recurrent themes in Mr. Sears’ remarks to the delegates concerned the possibility of great victories being won when a single Bahá’í becomes detached and imbued with longing to serve the Cause. Recalling the praise given Martha Root, foremost Hand of the Cause of the first Bahá’í century, by Shoghi Effendi, Mr. Sears pointed out that it was not superior education, or training, or being born to wealth and power, that distinguished Miss Root. Rather, it was the degree of her dedication which won her the tribute from the Guardian of heroine, martyr, and saint.

He recalled also the experience of sitting at dinner with the pilgrims in Haifa in the presence of Shoghi Effendi, and of hearing a statement to this effect: “We know what to do, we do not have to be told what to do. All we have to do is encourage each other to do it.”

He remembered also the Guardian saying that one soul on fire with the Faith could “ignite an entire country.” When we are wondering how to accomplish the goals, he said, we would do well to think in terms of improvement of our own selves. Here we have the power to change, we can determine ourselves what sacrifices we wish to make, and the goals will be accomplished as we in our individual lives place the Faith first and improve our characters.

At a moving and unusual tribute to the current members of the National Spiritual Assembly on Saturday evening, Mr. Sears spoke the name of each member and lighted a special golden anniversary candle brought from Canada, each with a number “50” painted upon it. He called to mind the great servants of the past who had filled posts on the National Spiritual Assembly, and told of the year when five members went to foreign pioneering goals at one time.

‎ “‎It is difficult to appreciate the greatness of this occasion,” he said. “In the future we will tell our grandchildren of having been present this evening, when the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States celebrated its 50th anniversary.” He reminded the friends how, from its inception, the national administrative body had led the community in realizing significant goals given by the Master in Tablets of the Divine Plan.

“In 1953, when the call came from the beloved Guardian for the goals of the Crusade to be filled, he said the administrators and the distinguished Bahá’ís should be the first to go and set the example,” said Mr. Sears. “Isn’t that a marvelous thing? Some of those who went passed away at their posts, as you know.” He noted also that some former members of the National Spiritual Assembly had been named Hands of the Cause and had been called to the World Center to continue their service there.

Again and again he spoke of the importance of the establishment of the Faith in North America and the impetus its growth was given by the teaching and pioneering of American Bahá’ís. He quoted many passages from Tablets of the Divine Plan referring to the exalted station of the American believers. One of these passages from the Master’s Writings:

Consider you what doors His Holiness Bahá’u’lláh has opened before you, and what a high and exalted station He has destined for you, and what bounties He has prepared for you! Should we become intoxicated with this cup, the sovereignty of this globe of earth will become lower in our estimation than the children’s plays. Should they place in the arena the crown of the government of the whole world, and invite each one of us to accept it, undoubtedly we shall not condescend, and shall refuse to accept it.

He paid tribute also to the former members of the National Spiritual Assembly who had been called to serve as members of the Continental Board of Counsellors, and as members of the International Teaching Center.

“We now have serving on the Supreme Body, The Universal House of Justice, five former members of your National Spiritual Assembly: Charles Wolcott, H. Borrah Kavelin, David Ruhe, Amoz Gibson, and Hugh Chance. And among the Hands of the Cause, the names are like a roster of beauty and wonder... Roy Wilhelm, Louis Gregory, Horace Holley, Corinne True, Fred Schopflocher, Leroy Ioas, Dorothy Baker, Amelia Collins, and Paul Haney.”

To demonstrate the many areas in which the American Bahá’í community has made contributions, Mr. Sears told of a cablegram from the beloved Guardian during the first Seven Year Plan, in which Shoghi Effendi asked for “nine holy souls” to arise and settle the remaining nine states and provinces of the United States and Canada which still had no Bahá’ís. In a humorous vein he told of his own and his wife Marguerite’s experiences in moving to Salt Lake City, Utah, to fill one of these goals. His wife’s assurance that “Bahá’u’lláh will make all the arrangements” proved to be so and a job was secured.

When the call came for pioneers to go to Africa, Mr. Sears said he was sure that call did not include him, for he was busy serving the Faith as a television personality. After his decision was made to pioneer to Africa he heard from a friend in the Holy Land that the Guardian had said there was no service any Bahá’í could render in any Plan more important than pioneering.

“Beloved friends, when you hear the call for pioneering and for traveling teachers in this day, I hope you will remember the names and examples of those heroes and heroines of the past who rose to perform this ‘most meritorious of all deeds.’ ”

Meeting with visitors to the Convention at Central school in Wilmette Saturday morning, during the balloting for the National Spiritual Assembly, Mr. Sears again called for “one soul on fire with the Faith” to arise and set “a continent ablaze.” “Let us encourage each other to do this. We can assist each other to win great victories.

“Friends, we have averaged six hundred new Bahá’ís each year since the Faith was first mentioned in the United Stales. This is a Day when Prophets of former ages long to come back, to perform some service. Can we not surpass the record of former years?

“The light of Bahá’u’lláh will be reflected in the West to an even greater degree than in the East, only if we, His instruments, arise to carry out those great tasks. After acquiring the characteristics we must put them into service. It is not enough just to have them. We have Tablets of the Divine Plan and our task is the spiritual conquest of the planet.

“May I say again, we do not have to be told what to do. We know what to do. We only have to help each other to try it.

“I leave the words for those who have the heart, were his final words to the Convention.

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Counsellors praise 1975 Riḏván message

The Riḏván message of The Universal House of Justice was the focus for remarks by the two members of the Continental Board of Counsellors attending National Convention, Edna True and Sarah Pereira.

“This brief message has so much compressed into it that it will take considerable concentrated effort for even a glimpse of its full significance,” said Miss True.

She noted particularly the references in the message to the election of five new National Assemblies, four in West Africa and one in the Middle East.

“With the mention of these five new pillars in the building of a new world, The Universal House of Justice draws our attention again to the worsening plight of the moribund civilization, ... to the evidence of gathering clouds of widespread opposition to the divine Message of Bahá’u’lláh, and to the fact that despite these conditions, the believers throughout the world are totally prepared for the accomplishment of goals for the ultimate victory of our beloved Faith,” she said.

Commenting on the settling of 386 pioneers at posts around the world during the first year, Miss True noted that the goal for pioneers was raised from 557 to 933, and that The Universal House of Justice asked that this goal be filled by the midway point of the Five Year Plan. “With this expressed hope and appeal, the warning is given that confusion and chaos are developing in the old world order which could disrupt transportation and communication, and cause the doors to be closed in our faces.”

A new worldwide traveling teacher program which was designed by the International Teaching Center at the request of The Universal House of Justice was spoken of by Miss True. “It is now in process of being launched by the National Spiritual Assemblies, in consultation with the Counsellors around the world,” she said. “You will be hearing much more about this new project as it develops. Its aim is to swell to a mighty river the stream of those friends traveling to far lands, to reinforce those who are laboring so valiantly to expand and consolidate the widely-extended Bahá’í community, and to proclaim the Message of Bahá’u’lláh to every stratum of society.”

Miss True said that some of “the most important achievements of the first year of the Five Year Plan” have been accomplished at the World Center. “The first one ... has already brought inexpressible joy to the grateful hearts of the friends everywhere,” she said. “I refer to the tremendous accomplishment of the final acquisition of the holy house of the Master within the walls of ‘Akká. We will be hearing much more about this important victory as The Universal House of Justice shares with us the historic happenings during the 12 years that this house was occupied by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and His family. Some of the most poignant, some of the most historically significant events of the heroic age of the Faith are associated with this house.

“It was here that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was confined during the period of His second incarceration, at a very agitated and perilous time of His life. In this house was born a child ordained to hold the destiny of our Faith in his hand for 36 years and to become its beloved Guardian, a child named Shoghi by his Grandfather. Not only was this home the birthplace of Shoghi Effendi, but it was also here that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had revealed that part of His Will and Testament appointing Shoghi Effendi as the future Guardian of the Faith.”

Paying tribute to the National Spiritual Assembly on its 50th anniversary, Dr. Pereira linked the Convention message of The Universal House of Justice to the “tremendous saga that is bringing to the face of the world the promised kingdom of God on earth.”

“We must be grateful that we have a role to play in this historic time,” she said. “You will notice that, in the second part of the message, we are asked to place great focus on the part that every individual believer must play in the winning of the Five Year Plan goals.”

Referring to the rapid expansion of the Faith and the diversification of the activities of Bahá’í communities, Dr. Pereira said: “This makes it more and more necessary for every believer to ponder carefully his responsibilities and contribute as much and as regularly to the Bahá’í Fund as he can. Contributing to the fund is a service every believer can render, be he poor or wealthy, for this is a spiritual responsibility in which the amount given is not important. It is the degree of the sacrifice of the giver, the love with which he makes his gift and the unity of all the friends in this service which brings spiritual confirmation.”

“At this critical juncture in human history,” she said, “the three major goals of the Five Year Plan and its specific goals present distinct, insistent challenges to every Bahá’í adult, youth, and child, to each local community and above all to each Local Spiritual Assembly, whose development is vital for the success of the Five Year Plan.”

Urging that Bahá’ís study again the advice of the Guardian contained in The Advent of Divine Justice, Dr. Pereira said we face the major goals of “practicing a chaste, pure and holy life individually, as well as reinvigorating the inner life of our own Bahá’í community.”

Miss Edna True

Dr. Sarah Pereira

Assurance of early believers a good example for this day

The assurance of success shown by the early believers once they received permission from the Master to construct the House of Worship is a good example for present-day Bahá’ís to follow as they struggle to win the goals of the Five Year Plan, Counsellor Edna True said in a presentation to the Convention.

“When my mother had delivered the appeal to the Master,” Miss True said, recalling the visit of Corinne True to the Holy Land with a petition from the Bahá’ís requesting permission to build a Temple in America, “the Master told her He wanted her to go home and devote all the rest of her life to this great work. She protested on hearing this that it was a very great task that the Master assigned to her. He agreed, but said, ‘Make a beginning and all will come right.’ ”

In her final address to the delegates, Counsellor True used examples from the messages of Shoghi Effendi and from early Bahá’í history to encourage the friends to select portions of the Plan for personal attention and to persevere in their completion.

“I know you have heard this story many times,” Counsellor True said, “but it has so much meaning. ‘Make a beginning and all will come right!’ ”

“There is no doubt that all we need is available to help us,” she said, “but there is a certain condition to our being able to receive it. ... It has always seemed to me that when we perform the first duty of accepting Bahá’u’lláh in His full station and of dedicating our lives to service in His Cause, we connect with an infinite, dynamic source of spiritual power, all the power that is needed to carry out the world-wide missions of Bahá’u’lláh and His Cause. Our job seems to be the second part of that twin duty ... to obey all of His laws to the best of our ability. This is not the plane of perfection; what counts is that we try to obey the laws and principles ...”

Correction The following caption for the group photograph on page 1 of the April issue of The American Bahá’í was inadvertently omitted: “Eight members of an early National Assembly gathered at the home of Roy Wilhelm in 1930. Shown in the photograph, from left to right, are: Allen B. McDaniel, Leroy Ioas, Bertha Herklotz (a staff member who served as assistant to the Treasurer), Amelia Collins, Alfred Lunt, Siegfried Schopflocher, Horace Holley, Nellie French, and Roy Wilhelm.”

Miss True made reference to a statement of the Hand of the Cause William Sears assuring Bahá’ís that what will bring success to their efforts is the measure to which they demonstrate the essence of the Faith in their lives. “I think we do not realize how much we are observed,” said Miss True. “There is no doubt in my mind that our greatest and most forceful teaching happens when people see that the essence of our Faith is deeds, and not words. I think Bahá’í communities will, as we proceed with this task, stand out markedly against the background of this moribund civilization.”

Miss True also recalled that during the visit of her mother to the Holy Land, the Master not only gave permission for the Temple project to begin, He told Mrs. True as well that He wanted her to speak in public a great deal.

“Mother had absolutely no experience of this kind,” Miss True told the delegates, “no training in public speaking. The Master told her never to give this a thought. When she stood before an audience, she should look to the back of the room over their heads, turn her heart to Him, and He would never desert her.”

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The camera’s view of the 66th annual National Bahá’í Convention

Convention photos by Steven Clay, Kenneth Jennrich, Paul Slaughter, and Wayne Wellner.

1. Flowers were planted in Foundation Hall to beautify area for Convention. 2. An animated discussion between sessions. 3. A delegate registers for Convention. 4. A series of newspaper ads produced by the National Information Office gets inspection. 5. On display were photographs of all Bahá’ís who had ever served on the National Assembly. 6. Getting a headstart on deepening. 7. Delegates and friends from South Carolina. 8. Balloting for the National Assembly. 9. The members of the National Assembly being introduced to the Convention. 10. Refreshments were served at anniversary reception given by National Assembly. 11. Village president Burmeister, center, chats with members of National Assembly. 12, 13. Delegates and friends pause for well-deserved fellowship. 14. Subscriber Service did brisk Convention business. 15. The friends rise to greet Mr. Sears. 16. The House of Worship bookstore was a must stop for many delegates.

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Planning in all phases stressed in annual report of Bahá’í community life

The Bahá’í community must become more goal oriented, more persistent yet less frenetic in its attempts to teach the Cause to the waiting public, the National Assembly said in its annual report.

“There appears to be no record which demonstrates dramatic expansion of the community as a whole or in any particular instance this year,” the report said. “Yet the opportunities for teaching, and the discernible open-mindedness induced by the present state of society, suggest that far better than modest gains are immediately possible to the community.”

The report said the National Assembly strongly senses that the activities of the friends need to be channeled with more forethought and through the application of a more systematic approach to community activities.

“In a word,” the National Assembly said, “we must become more goal oriented, more persistent in our attempts at attaining objectives, but less frenetic.”

A subject that received comment was the current number of conferences being held around the country.

“Our enrollments at present fall short of the expectations generated by the current numerosity of conferences,” the National Assembly noted. “Could it be that conference activity has become an end in itself? That it is not really fulfilling its purpose? Could it have become an excuse for sheer fellowship? These, the National Assembly feels, are questions which a community on the verge of unprecedented expansion must now consider.”

While it did not suggest that conferences should be stopped, the National Assembly did say the community should make efforts to expand the teaching work.

“What we need are mature, sensitive, enthusiastic teachers to raise the Divine call to a high pitch by every suitable method and in every stratum of human society,” the National Assembly said. “We must, as soon as possible, establish a proper balance between the number of conferences being held and the practical measures taken by individuals and Local Assemblies to teach the Cause and to consolidate communities.”

To assist in this undertaking the National Assembly announced it had developed a new design for conferences that would be initiated during the current Bahá’í year.

The design calls for the holding of an integrated series of large and small conferences in different parts of the country during each of the remaining years of the Five Year Plan. All of the conferences will be planned simultaneously and center around a specific theme. The theme will identify a particular subject or area of concern for the conference to focus upon. Among the themes might be: expansion and personal teaching, community life, family life, youth development, education of children, etc.

The purpose of the large conferences will be “... to arouse the interest of the friends in a particular subject and to stimulate them to take action to achieve the objectives relating to the subject,” the National Assembly explained. The smaller conferences will “... train the Local Spiritual Assemblies and the believers at the grass roots level to take immediate action on the objectives already cited at the large conference,” the report said.

“Thus, the large conference should be seen as the mainspring from which courses of practical action would be followed through the instrumentality of the small conferences,” the report said.

Among the advantages of the design, as perceived by the National Assembly, were these:

• coordination to maximum advantage of the community’s limited human and financial resources;
• elimination of excessive conference activity throughout the country;
• establishment of a basis for measuring to some extent the results of conferences.

The first conferences fitting this new design will be held in Illinois and New York during August 1975, and in California in December 1975.

Annual Report Reminder
The text of the 1975 annual report of the National Spiritual Assembly appears in this month’s National Bahá’í Review.

Taken at a recent meeting of the National Spiritual Assembly at the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds across the street from the House of Worship, this series of photographs shows the nine members in consultation. During one of the Convention sessions, Dr. Kazemzadeh, Chairman of the National Assembly, noted that of the more than 1,500 decisions made by the Assembly during the previous year, all were unanimous.

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Training program for Local Assemblies to be launched

A decision to implement a comprehensive two-year training program for Local Spiritual Assemblies was announced by the National Assembly in its annual report to the Convention.

The training program, which will involve the local Assemblies at the beginning of 1976, is intended to help members of local Bahá’í institutions understand more fully the nature of Bahá’í administration.

In a videotaped presentation to the National Convention on Friday afternoon, National Assembly Secretary Glenford Mitchell said the training program represented the Assembly’s “... response to the requirement of the Five Year Plan which calls for the strengthening of these basic administrative units of Bahá’u’lláh’s World Order.”

The presentation was made with videotape to demonstrate to the delegates the capability of this equipment, which will be used to produce much of the program’s 30 hours of classroom materials.

The training program will proceed in three phases, Mr. Mitchell said.

Phase I involves the training of 20 two-person teams to serve as trainers of the personnel that will work with the Assemblies.

The 40 persons making up the teams of “master trainers” will be brought to the National Center for a weeklong orientation later this year.

Phase II calls for each of the master trainer teams to train 15 National Assembly representatives to work directly with the local Assemblies. It is estimated that it will take 10 weeks for this training phase to be completed. It will result in the training of 600 National Assembly representatives. In carrying out their work with the local Assemblies the National Assembly representatives will also work in teams of two.

Phase III will bring the local Assemblies into the program. Each team of National Assembly representatives will train four local Assemblies before the end of the two-year period. The training will take 30 hours to complete. At the rate of four Assemblies per team, an estimated 1,000 Spiritual Assemblies will be covered in the allotted time.

The team that trains the local Assembly will be required to remain as consultants to that Assembly until the end of the program.

The highest priority will be given to new local Assemblies, to enable them to get off to a good start without delay. The next priority will be given to local Assemblies in California, Illinois, and New York, because of their particular responsibilities in the Five-Year Plan.

Eventually local Assemblies will be asked to institute their own training program for the benefit of newly-elected members of their institutions.

The following schedule has been adopted for the execution of the program:

• Preparation of materials—April-August
• Recruitment of master trainers—April-June
• Training of master trainers—August
• Training of National Assembly representatives—September-April
• Training local Assemblies—October-end of Five-Year Plan

National Assembly Secretary Glenford Mitchell presents details on the Local Assembly Development Program for videotape recording. The finished video cassette was shown to the Convention.

Wilmette official praises community at anniversary observance

The president of the village of Wilmette paid tribute to the American Bahá’í community in a brief address before hundreds of guests in Foundation Hall, assembled for the National Assembly’s 50th anniversary observance.

He also presented to the National Assembly a copy of a special resolution adopted by the village’s Board of Trustees praising the Bahá’í community for its contribution to the spiritual life of Wilmette.

“The message I bring to you tonight on behalf of the village is that we are indeed fortunate; for you, the Bahá’ís, have given us a great deal of spiritual wealth,” said Warren Burmeister, the village president.

Mr. Burmeister and other Wilmette dignitaries, along with the Hand of the Cause William Sears and Counsellors Sarah Pereira and Edna True, joined the National Assembly at an anniversary dinner April 24 and attended an evening devotional program at the House of Worship to mark the event.

Mr. Burmeister made his remarks at a public meeting in Foundation Hall following the devotional program. The principal address was given by Mr. Sears, who spoke about the history of the National Assembly and the role assigned to that institution in the Bahá’í writings.

When considering the dictionary definition of the word community (“a group of people living together in the same place under the same law”) as applied to the teachings of the philosophers, Mr. Burmeister said he could conceive of the Bahá’í community “being located not just in Wilmette, but being a marvelously expansive community that begins to embrace all of mankind.”

“So we’re very grateful for the opportunity to be with you, to be moved and inspired by your presence and the fortunate presence of the House of Worship in our small corner of the earth, realizing that it links us with all mankind,” he said. “Perhaps this, someday, will be the measure by which civilization will be realized.”

Firuz Kazemzadeh, Chairman of the National Assembly, accepted the Trustee’s framed resolution on behalf of the National Assembly. “The village of Wilmette,” he told Mr. Burmeister. “has provided us for a long time now, with a perfect home for our Bahá’í activities.”

Other Wilmette residents who were introduced at the public meeting included two past village presidents, William Alexander and William McKnight, a past president of the Wilmette Historical Society, William James, and the director of the Wilmette library, Richard Thompson.

The members of the Spiritual Assembly of Wilmette attended the ceremony and were introduced to the audience.

During his presentation Mr. Sears recalled historic moments in the construction of the House of Worship, and stressed the international recognition the Temple has received as an architectural and religious landmark.

“I have found pictures of the House of Worship in many distant corners of the earth,” he declared. “In a Teso village in Uganda where I called upon a Bahá’í, one picture hung on his wall, a picture of the House of Worship, and underneath it the words, ‘Wilmette, Illinois.’ In many other countries this has been my experience, for all over the world Bahá’ís turn their eyes to Wilmette and hope in their lifetime to be able to visit this historic House of Worship. Next to the Holy Land, where our World Center is located, the place dearest to Bahá’í hearts is Wilmette, site of the first Bahá’í House of Worship to be built in the West.

“Hundreds of thousands of visitors have come here,” he continued, “with no violence, no vandalism, just sweetness and prayer and love, to see by sunrise and sunset this dome in Wilmette. We believe this to be the heart of the nation, and the gardens surrounding the Temple express our belief that everything associated with God and His prophets should be beautiful.”

Wilmette Village President Warren Burmeister praised the Bahá’í community in a brief presentation at the National Assembly’s anniversary observance. He is seen in the photograph on his way to the meeting, accompanied by Edna True, second from left, his wife Barbara, center, and Dorothy Nelson, right.

[Page 7]

Booklet on National Assembly published for anniversary proclamation

A special booklet explaining the origins, functions, and achievements of the National Spiritual Assembly was prepared by the National Assembly for use during its 50th anniversary year.

The first copies were distributed to delegates at the National Convention. Copies were also presented to village officials of Wilmette who attended the National Assembly’s anniversary program Thursday, April 24.

The handsome, profusely illustrated, 16-page booklet was designed to rapidly introduce readers to the functions assigned to the National Assembly in the Bahá’í writings and to highlights of the institution’s development in the United States.

The text of several thousand words can be read in one brief sitting. The booklet contains more than 60 photographs. Its title, “The National Spiritual Assembly of the United States,” is imprinted on the 10 x 10-inch maroon cover in gold stamp.

The National Assembly announced at Convention its intention to distribute copies of the booklet to all local Assemblies in the United States and to National Assemblies throughout the Bahá’í world, as well as to firms doing business with the National Center and all state and federal congressmen of Illinois.

The Assembly said a copy would be presented to the President of the United States along with other Bahá’í literature during the course of a proposed meeting with the Chief Executive in Washington, if such a meeting could be scheduled.

The booklet is the first that attempts to explain the nature and work of this important Bahá’í institution to a non-Bahá’í audience in a simplified and visually pleasing fashion. It will be employed extensively in proclamation activities during the year by the National Teaching Committee and by the National Information Committee.

These committees suggest that the booklet could be ideal for use in local communities for presentations to public officials, business people, and leaders of thought. It is available from the Publishing Trust.

The booklet contains these sections:

• Origins: Briefly describes the genesis of the National Spiritual Assembly.
• Functions: An explanation of the National Spiritual Assembly’s responsibilities as outlined in the Bahá’í writings.
• Formation: Describes a Bahá’í election and touches upon events leading to the formation of the National Spiritual Assembly in 1925.
• The members: Brief biographical sketches of the members of the National Assembly, demonstrating the diversity in background of those who are elected through the Bahá’í process.
• Achievements: A listing of some of the community’s achievements since the formation of the National Assembly, among them the wide expansion of the Bahá’í community, the establishment of Assemblies on Indian reservations, the construction of the House of Worship, the founding of a home for the aged, the publication of World Order magazine, the establishment of Bahá’í schools, and the creation of the Louis G. Gregory Award.
• Global outlook: Shows how the Faith has expanded throughout the world since its inception in Iran in 1844.
• Other National Assemblies: An alphabetical listing of the National Assemblies now established throughout the world.

Australian Aborigine Bahá’í brings pioneer greetings to Convention

“O beautiful friends of America! I bring you greetings from Australia.” With these words, Harry Penrith, Bahá’í of Aboriginal background, greeted the Convention. A Bahá’í since 1969, Mr. Penrith is recipient of a Sir Winston Churchill Fellowship, which is permitting him to visit and study indigenous and immigrant housing and hostels on a round-the-world travel grant.

Together with his wife, Leonie, and their three-year-old daughter, Lua, Mr. Penrith has visited many Bahá’í communities and spoke of the warm welcome extended everywhere.

“How pleased I am to renew acquaintance with the Hand of the Cause William Sears, whom I met six years before becoming a Bahá’í,” said Mr. Penrith. “When we reached Samoa, we were told our beloved Hand of the Cause had just left there. And when we arrived in Hawaii, he had just left. The same was true in Los Angeles. In keeping with Mr. Sears’ comments at the special observance of the fiftieth anniversary of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States, concerning the significance of Wilmette,” Mr. Penrith declared, “where should we find him? In Wilmette, Illinois!”

After listing many of the American pioneers now serving in Australia, as well as on islands of the Pacific, Mr. Penrith added: “I felt I had an obligation to bring the love of these people to you. In a sense, they have suffered from a culture shock, being away from their beloved country. On the other hand, we receive a culture shock coming here, for we have not known such affluence in our particular area of Australia as we find here. We don’t really know how homes are heated, such as you have here. It was a new experience for me to walk on snow for the first time, keeping in mind that we come from an Australian summer, which is indeed warm.”

After visiting European communities, the Penrith family will go on pilgrimage to the World Center before returning to their home in Australia. While in Wilmette, Mr. Penrith was interviewed on videotape by the Bahá’í National Information Office. He has gained extensive newspaper, television, and radio publicity in the communities visited throughout Canada and the United States and regards his trip as an opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge of the Bahá’í world community as well as specialized knowledge in his own professional field.

Mr. Penrith mentioned that he had known about the Faith for almost fifteen years before enrolling and had been won to its ranks by the consistent love shown him by the Bahá’ís.

Music contributes to inspirational quality of program

Music of faith, created around the words of Bahá’u’lláh as well as those of earlier Prophets, brought moments of unusual beauty to the special programs included in the Annual Convention. Wesley Baker, a delegate from the State of Washington, and Carrie Taylor, of Milwaukee, brought, at separate times, music so in the spirit of the Convention that succeeding speakers seemed to echo the lyrics.

“Blessed is the Spot” was the first prayer sung by Mr. Baker, to an audience appreciatively following the simple, meaningful words of this well-loved Bahá’í prayer.

In introducing another song, he mentioned how last year he had been moved by the prayers memorized by a young Bahá’í girl and shared with him as they walked across the temple grounds. He then sang: “When children pray, O, lovely things more lovely grow to be ...”

Trained in Italy, Mrs. Taylor has appeared on the concert stage in America and Europe. Her offerings were an added gift to a Convention filled with moments of love and poignancy. But it was her final selection, the old spiritual “Ain’t That Good News,” which captivated her listeners.

[Page 8]

Recommendations from Convention go to National Assembly

Several periods during the Convention were devoted to delegate consultation. There was discussion on many issues affecting the Bahá’í community; numerous recommendations to the National Assembly were adopted. The recommendations of the delegates are carefully considered by the National Assembly, although the Convention deliberations are not binding on the institution. The Convention recommendations this year fell into several categories: teaching, deepening, the Bahá’í Fund, the Five Year Plan, administration, publications, and miscellaneous. Some of the recommendations are listed below:

Teaching

Agreed: To ask the National Assembly to launch massive summer teaching projects for Bahá’í youth, with concentration in the goal areas of New York, Illinois and California.

Agreed: To ask Local Spiritual Assemblies to select a few individuals to train locally to serve as traveling teachers to the goal areas.

Agreed: That the National Spiritual Assembly should encourage Local Assemblies to promote international teaching in order to support the foreign goals.

Agreed: That the National Spiritual Assembly encourage the setting of personal Five Year Plan goals through the use of special charts and graphs.

Agreed: That the National Spiritual Assembly develop a comprehensive teaching plan for the country.

Deepening

Agreed: That the National Spiritual Assembly institute study programs on “firmness in the Covenant” in order to assist in winning the goals of the Five Year Plan.

Agreed: To arrange formally organized circuit teaching programs, nationally directed, to ensure constant flow of seasoned teachers throughout the country.

Agreed: That the National Spiritual Assembly include in the Family Life Conferences moral instruction by word and deed, as stated in the Five Year Plan.

Bahá’í Fund

Agreed: To ask the National Spiritual Assembly to set up special means for collecting funds for the building of the permanent seat of The Universal House of Justice.

Agreed: To unreservedly support the proposed National Assembly budget of $3.6 million for the coming year.

Five Year Plan

Agreed: That the National Spiritual Assembly should assign specific goals to the local Assemblies.

Administration

Agreed: That emphasis be given by the National Education Committee on training Bahá’ís to work more effectively on committees and to assist them in understanding problems and dealing with them.

Agreed: To implement speedier communication to the National Center regarding local membership progress.

Publications

Agreed: That Bahá’í publications show more of the news and successes of the Bahá’ís throughout the country and not concentrate on any one area.

Miscellaneous

Agreed: That the National Spiritual Assembly encourage Local Spiritual Assemblies, Groups and District Teaching Committees to record their local history.

Agreed: In response to The Universal House of Justice’s request that we pray for the success of the Five Year Plan and the guidance of the believers, the delegates agreed to set aside the Sunday morning devotions for this purpose.

Convention activities recorded on videotape

Segments of the National Convention were recorded on videotape with equipment owned by the National Spiritual Assembly.

A portion of this material will be incorporated into various cable and broadcast television programs being prepared by the National Information Office. Copies of all the videotapes will also be stored in the National Archives for future historical uses.

The recording was done with a new generation of Sony ¾-inch color cassette equipment.

In addition to this recording of Convention proceedings, a pre-recorded program on the National Assembly’s new Local Assembly Development Program was presented to the delegates. The new two-year program will employ video cassette recordings extensively among its classroom materials.

This new equipment, according to the National Information Office, meets broadcast standards set by the Federal Communications Commission for television. Proclamation and deepening materials can be recorded which, with little difficulty, can be broadcast or transmitted via cable.

The Information Office is currently developing scripts for two half-hour introductory programs on the Bahá’í Faith that will be produced before the end of the current Bahá’í year. An outline for a series of 13 half-hour programs, possibly directed to children, is also under consideration, as is production of a series of 30-second television spots written by volunteers in Pennsylvania.

The video cassettes also have a function within the Bahá’í community as deepening instruments, the Information Office said. One example of this is a talk given by the Hand of the Cause A. Q. Faizí during his visit to the U.S. in 1974, which has been used by the National Education Committee in recent Family Life Conferences throughout the country. This type of programming will increase as playback equipment becomes more accessible to Bahá’í communities in the United States.

[Page 9]

Tablet by the Master presented to National Archives

Steven Townsend, a delegate from Kansas, presents a newly discovered Tablet of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to the National Assembly.

---

As a gift to the National Spiritual Assembly on its 50th anniversary, the Spiritual Assembly of Wichita presented it with an original Tablet of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá recently discovered in Kansas.

The presentation of the Tablet was made at the Convention by Steven Townsend, delegate from Kansas. The Tablet was accepted by Firuz Kazemzadeh, Chairman of the National Assembly.

A translation of the Tablet was read to the Convention. It was written to comfort a believer following the death of her child. The Tablet was placed in the National Archives. A copy, Dr. Kazemzadeh said, would be sent to The Universal House of Justice.

Many tribes seen at pow-wow

Members of at least 21 American Indian tribes were among the 300 people who attended a March 23 Naw-Rúz Pow-wow organized by the Spiritual Assembly of Los Angeles.

The number of Indians attending the event far outnumbered other participants, the Assembly reported. A significant number of Persian believers were also present, the report said.

Entertainment was provided by the Navajo Culture Club dancers of Los Angeles, accompanied by Indian drummers in traditional dress, by the Bahá’í New World Singers, and by England Dan and John Ford Coley.

The director of a local Indian center who attended expressed interest in working with the Spiritual Assembly to develop a regular cultural program for the Huntington Park Indian Center.

The Navajo Culture Club Dancers of Los Angeles were among the groups providing entertainment at the Naw-Rúz Pow-wow sponsored by the Bahá’í community.

David Villasenor encourages Bahá’ís to teach American Indians by deeds rather than words. Auxiliary Board member Nancy Phillips was also a featured speaker at the gathering.

---

Local believers support first Bahamian institute

The first teaching institute ever held for all of the Bahamas took place at the newly acquired Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds in Nassau on May 2, the twelfth day of Riḍván. Of the 50 Bahá’ís attending, at least 37 were native-born Bahamians.

The institute was organized by the Teaching Committee of the Bahamas, a Committee of the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States. The purpose of the institute was to discuss ways of improving the quality of Bahá’í life in the Bahamas.

This institute was the first official function held in the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds purchased by the U.S. National Assembly in January to complete a goal of the Five Year Plan. A National Spiritual Assembly will be elected in the Bahamas at some point during the Plan.

The principal speaker was William Tucker, the Auxiliary Board member for the Bahamas. Dr. Tucker focused during his presentations on the institutions of the Faith and their respective functions.

Reuben and Beatrice Busby, from Florida, a couple who have been active in Bahamian teaching activities, also participated in the institute.

A member of the Teaching Committee of the Bahamas reported that the institute was enthusiastically supported by the friends in the Bahamas.

Above left: participants in the first teaching institute ever held for all of the Bahamas. At least 37 of those attending were native-born Bahamians. Above right: a small group of believers consult together during one of the institute’s workshop periods.

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Effective ways of teaching Faith to Indians discussed

Different approaches for teaching the Faith to American Indians were discussed at a special institute in Los Angeles January 4-5.

Bahá’ís from 24 California communities attended. The speakers included Auxiliary Board member Nancy Phillips, David Villaseñor, an artist and member of the Otomi-Huichol tribe of Mexico, Lorenzo Hall, a Yakima Indian, Jerry Boisclair, of the Cupa tribe, and Wayne Steffes, an Oneida.

Mr. Villaseñor stressed the importance of truthfulness in teaching American Indians, and said the actions of the teachers should be commensurate with their words. To illustrate his point he quoted the Indian proverb: “Your action is so loud I cannot hear a word you are saying.”

“Sometimes it is better to only do and not talk,” he said. “If a Bahá’í approaches the Indians and says one thing but does another, he would be regarded as a ‘windmill’ and lose his credibility.”

Mr. Villaseñor recommended that Bahá’ís make efforts to learn about the history and culture of the people they intend to teach. He said Indians were not a difficult people to teach, but that they should not be approached in an “uncomely manner.”

“They will adhere to the Bahá’í teachings because they are spiritual,” he said, “and their beliefs pertaining to the coming of the Promised One have always been a part of them.”

He noted several parallel observances in Indian cultures and the Bahá’í Faith. One of these was the celebration of the first day of spring at Naw-Rúz.

Mr. Steffes, chairman of the Citrus J.D. Spiritual Assembly, pointed out that as a result of governmental resettlement efforts in the last ten years, more than half the Indian population of the United States now lives in the cities. Statistics from the last census show there are now more than 100 cities in the country with an Indian population of at least 1,000.

He encouraged the believers to approach Indians in their areas without fear or hesitation.

“Indians are proud of their heritage and would joyfully say more about themselves if prompted to do so. Indians will find the Bahá’í Faith appealing when they discover the deeper spiritual truth of the Faith, because it parallels their own culture.”

One way to teach might be to offer assistance to Indian community centers in the cities, he said. But to be effective that assistance would have to be long-term and regular, he added. Many Indian communities are suspicious of religious organizations because of unpleasant experiences with church groups, but persistence and friendliness will get through to the Indian heart, he said.

[Page 10]

Pathways to service

Youth Program victories begin at home

Last month “Pathways to Service” looked at a variety of summer service opportunities available to young Bahá’ís throughout the nation and the world: the June youth conferences, summer teaching and service projects, circuit teaching, Bahá’í schools, and so on. Youth are still needed to support these efforts, particularly the foreign and domestic teaching projects.

Not every Bahá’í youth, however, has the time or money to travel far from home this summer. Many will remain in their home communities, studying or working. How can these believers help win the youth goals?

The service an individual Bahá’í youth can render at home is the foundation upon which all other victories are built. In Citadel of Faith the Guardian explains that in the final analysis the fate of the entire community rests upon the individual believer, “who constitutes the warp and woof on which the quality and pattern of the whole fabric must depend.”

The role of the individual

In its 1966 message to Bahá’í youth in every land entitled “Unique Opportunity in Human History,” The Universal House of Justice described “three great fields of service” which lie open before young Bahá’ís. This letter serves as a blueprint which can be followed by any Bahá’í youth whether an isolated believer or a member of a large community.

The first field of service, which The Universal House of Justice described as “the foundation of all their other accomplishments,” is the young Bahá’ís’ “study of the teachings, the spiritualization of their lives, and the forming of their characters in accordance with the standards of Bahá’u’lláh.” The acquisition of the distinctive characteristics of Bahá’í life is a primary goal of the Two Year Youth Program.

The second field of service indicated is “teaching the Faith, particularly to their fellow youth.” This is an extremely important prerequisite for success in the Two Year Youth Program. Without the efforts of individual Bahá’í youth in teaching amongst their peers, there can be no significant increase in youth enrollments.

The third field is “preparation by youth for their later years.” Young Bahá’ís who spend their summer studying or pursuing their chosen profession are actually helping win the goals—this type of service is mentioned in the Two Year Youth Program. While striving for professional excellence, they can also serve the Faith in their spare time—teaching on campus, supporting the Bahá’í campus club, undertaking weekend teaching circuits, etc.

There are many other ways individual believers can serve the Cause wherever they might be. The Universal House of Justice explains that every believer can teach, every believer can pray, every believer can fight his own spiritual battles, and contribute to the Fund. Many youth can make special efforts to strengthen their families. This is especially important when a Bahá’í student is home for the summer with a non-Bahá’í family. By demonstrating the Teachings through deeds, he can help unify his family and bring them to a deeper appreciation of Bahá’u’lláh.

Youth in the community

There are many ways in which youth can make significant contributions to the development of the distinctive character of Bahá’í life in their local communities. Youth who are a part of a Bahá’í group have a primary responsibility to help the group attain Local Spiritual Assembly status. This often requires enthusiastic teaching—finding new friends, hosting firesides, giving talks, helping with proclamation activities, etc.

Youth living in communities where local Assemblies are already established have almost limitless opportunities to win goals of the Plan. One section of the Youth Program focuses on the need for youth to develop a proper relationship with the institutions of the Faith, beginning with local Assemblies. The National Spiritual Assembly calls for youth to demonstrate love, submissiveness, and a disciplined and radiant response to these divinely ordained agencies. They should invest increasing energy in the plans of their Assemblies, particularly teaching plans. They can encourage the establishment of local youth clubs, help teach children’s classes, contribute regularly to the Fund, serve on committees, and actively support the institution of the Nineteen Day Feast in attendance, participation in worship, consultation, and hospitality.

Youth in the district

In addition to fulfilling their primary responsibilities in their own communities, many youth will have time this summer to travel and serve the Faith. Although volunteers are needed for projects hundreds and thousands of miles away, there is much to be done in one’s own district. Many District Teaching Committees are sponsoring teaching and service projects this summer, others have programs to teach at county fairs or other proclamation activities. Still others have planned consolidation efforts. All these activities need volunteers; youth should not hesitate to contact their District Teaching Committee if they can help.

Every Bahá’í youth can serve the Cause this summer. No one is too young, too new in the Faith, too busy, or too poor to help win the youth goals. The only thing necessary is you—your time, your efforts, your love of Bahá’u’lláh.

Youth conferences continuing through June

A total of 51 state and district conferences will be held during the month of June to stimulate the winning of all youth goals.

Listed below are the hosts and locations for these conferences. They will begin Friday evening and end Sunday noon, with special teaching projects Sunday afternoon. They are designed especially for young Bahá’ís, but all believers are welcome to attend. To register for a particular conference and to obtain more information about housing and expenses, contact the host directly.

The National Bahá’í Youth Committee, sponsor of the series, hopes that every Bahá’í youth will make a special effort to attend one of these special conferences.

NORTHEASTERN REGION

Connecticut   June 20-22

Host: Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of New Haven; Mr. David Walline, Secretary; 1243 State St.; New Haven, CT 06511

Site: Quinnipiac College; Mt. Carmel Avenue; Hamden, Connecticut

Maine   June 27-29

Host: District Teaching Committee of Maine; Mrs. Claire Cline, Secretary; 80 Willow St.; Augusta, ME 04330

Site: Green Acre Bahá’í School; 189 Main St.; Eliot, Maine 03903

Massachusetts/Rhode Island   June 13-15

Host: Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Boston; Mrs. Christina Bell, Secretary; Box 1207; Boston, MA 02104

Site: Boston University; George Sherman Student Union; Commonwealth Avenue; Boston, Massachusetts

New Hampshire/Vermont   June 6-8

Host: District Teaching Committee of New Hampshire; Mrs. Jacqueline Roberts, Secretary; 40 Webster St.; Hudson, NH 03051

Site: School for Continuing Education, New England College; Henniker, New Hampshire

New Jersey   May 31-June 1

Host: Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Teaneck; Mr. John A. Savage, Secretary; 231 Hargreaves Ave.; Teaneck, NJ

Site: Evergreen Cabin; 126 Evergreen Place; Teaneck, New Jersey

New York   June 27-29

Host: Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Ithaca; Mr. Ervin E. Kreutter, Secretary; 419 N. Cayuga St.; Ithaca, NY 14850

Site: Cornell University

Eastern Pennsylvania   June 13-15

Host: Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Bethlehem; Mrs. Janet G. Homnick, Secretary; Apt. 7, 1725 Shimer Ave.; Bethlehem, PA 18018

Site: Muhlenberg College; Chew Street; Allentown, Pennsylvania

Western Pennsylvania/West Virginia   June 6-8

Host: Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Pittsburgh; Mrs. Dawn A. Pearson, Secretary; P.O. Box 7190; Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Site: 712 South Ave.; Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania

[Note address change]

SOUTHERN REGION

Alabama   June 20-22

Host: Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Birmingham; c/o Rosemary Roper; 1318 32nd Street South; Birmingham, AL 35205

Site: The Funny Farm; Sterrett, Alabama

Arkansas   June 27-29

Host: Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Little Rock; Miss Beulah I. Magruder, Secretary; 511 N. Pine St.; Little Rock, AR 72205

Site: New Student Union Building; University of Arkansas, Little Rock; 33rd and University Avenue; Little Rock, Arkansas

Southern Florida   June 20-22

Host: Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of South Dade County; Mrs. Patricia L. Myers, Secretary; P.O. Box 560554; Miami, FL 33156

Site: YWCA 100 Southeast 4th St.; Miami, Florida

Kentucky/Tennessee   June 27-29

Host: Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Louisville; Mr. Paul McGee, Secretary; 104 Forest Court; Louisville, KY 40206

(continued next page)

[Page 11]

Dates to remember

All summer: Teaching project in Yosemite. Sponsored by National Youth Committee and the California Regional Teaching Committee.

June 24 Feast of Raḥmat (Mercy).

June 28-29 Proclamation, Paradise, California. Sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Paradise, California.

June 30-August 10 Teaching project in Olmsted County, Minnesota. Sponsored by the National Youth Committee and the Spiritual Assembly of Olmsted County.

July 1 Deadline for receipt of materials for August issue of The American Bahá’í.

July 4-6 National Spiritual Assembly Meeting.

July 4-6 Institute on mass media, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Moore, Oklahoma.

July 4-6 Ninth Annual Kansas Summer Institute, Rock Springs 4-H Ranch, Junction City, Kansas. Sponsored by the District Teaching Committee of the Bahá’ís of Kansas.

July 4-August 15 Teaching project in Carbondale, Ill. Sponsored by the National Youth Committee and the Spiritual Assembly of Carbondale.

July 4-August 31 Teaching project in New York City. Sponsored by the National Youth Committee and the Spiritual Assembly of New York.

July 7-August 1 Chicago teaching project. Sponsored by the National Youth Committee and the Spiritual Assembly of Chicago.

July 9 Anniversary of the Martyrdom of the Báb. Holy Day on which work should be suspended.

July 11 Proclamation, West Hollywood, California. Sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of West Hollywood.

July 12-13 Conference on Living the Life, Rider College, Trenton, New Jersey. Sponsored by the Auxiliary Board.

July 12-August 10 Eastern Colorado teaching project. Sponsored by the National Youth Committee and the Eastern Colorado District Teaching Committee.

July 12-13 and each weekend thereafter through August 30-31, Summer Teaching Project, Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Yarmouth, Massachusetts.

July 13 Feast of Kalimát (Words).

July 19-August 17 Vermont teaching project. Sponsored by the National Youth Committee and the District Teaching Committee of Vermont.

August 1 Feast of Kamál (Perfection).

August 1 Deadline for receipt of materials for September issue of The American Bahá’í.

August 1-31 Los Angeles teaching project. Sponsored by the National Youth Committee and the Spiritual Assembly of Los Angeles.

August 4-29 National Bahá’í Center work/study project. Sponsored by the National Bahá’í Youth Committee.

August 10-23 Hamburg, N.Y. teaching project. Sponsored by the National Youth Committee and the Spiritual Assembly of Hamburg.

August 16-17 Proclamation, Rittman, Ohio. Sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Akron.

(continued from page 10)

Site: Harris Farm; 15004 Brush Run Road; Jeffersontown, Kentucky.

Louisiana   June 27-29

Host: Alexandria Bahá’í Group; c/o Mrs. Nancy Walker; 1401 Holly St., Apt. 4; Alexandria, LA 71301.

Site: Bolton Avenue Community Center; Bolton Avenue; Alexandria, Louisiana.

Maryland/District of Columbia/Delaware   June 27-29

Host: Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Baltimore; c/o Dr. Frederick Slice, Registrar; 3827 Cassandra Rd.; Randallstown, MD 21133.

Site: Quality Inn N.W., Baltimore Beltway (exit no. 20) and Reisterstown Rd.; Pikesville, Maryland.

Oklahoma   June 20-22

Host: Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Tulsa; Mrs. Virginia R. McCoy, Secretary; 4940 E. 32nd St.; Tulsa, OK 74135.

Site: Lorton Hall, Univ. of Tulsa; Tulsa, Oklahoma.

South Carolina   June 13-15

Host: Regional Teaching Committee of South Carolina; Mrs. Gertrude White, Office Mgr.; P.O. Box 337; Goose Creek, SC 29445.

Site: Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute; Rt. 2 Box 123; Hemingway, South Carolina 29554.

Eastern Texas No. 1   June 20-22

Host: Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Fort Worth; c/o Richard Slaton, Registrar; 6501 Sabrosa Ct. East; Ft. Worth, TX 76133.

Site: Lesture Theater, Reed Science Bldg.; Texas Wesleyan College; 3200 Block of East Rosedale, Fort Worth, Texas.

Northern Texas   June 27-29

Host: Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Amarillo; c/o Miss Marie Fogarty; 4223 Monroe; Amarillo, TX 79110.

Site: Student Activity Center; West Texas State University, Canyon, Texas.

Southern and South Central Texas   June 20-22

Host: Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Corpus Christi; Mrs. Robin Denney, Secretary; P.O. Box 1572; Corpus Christi, TX 78412.

Site: Puerto del Padre; 14300 South Padre Island Drive; Box 8314; Corpus Christi, Texas.

Virginia   June 20-22

Host: Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Richmond; Mrs. Jeanne Cessna, Secretary; 3113 Rendale Ave.; Richmond, VA 23221.

Site: YMCA Camp Weyanoke; Route 5, Charles City, Virginia.

[Note address change]

CENTRAL REGION

Indiana   June 20-22

Host: Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Indianapolis; Mrs. Kathleen Station, Secretary; 1629 Stevenson; Indianapolis, IN 46208

Site: Pike Township High School; 6701 Zionsville Rd., Indianapolis, Indiana.

[Note: Friday evening—4715 North Park Ave., Indianapolis.]

Iowa June   27-29

Host: Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Ames; Mr. Don Joel Mason, Secretary; ISU Station; P.O. Box 1278; Ames, IA 50010.

Site: Iowa State University; Lincoln Way Memorial Union; Rooms 211, 212, Pioneer Room; Ames, Iowa.

Mainland Michigan   June 27-29

Host: Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of East Lansing; Mr. David L. Rouleau, Secretary; Union PO M.S.U.; P.O. Box 703; East Lansing, MI 48823

Site: Michigan State University; Campbell Hall; East Lansing Campus

Minnesota   June 27-29

Host: Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of St. Cloud; Mrs. Ruth La Quier, Secretary; 1305 13th St. SE; St. Cloud, MN 56301

Site: St. Cloud State College; St. Cloud, Minnesota

North Dakota/South Dakota   June 27-29

Host: Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Ft. Yates; Mr. Larry Scott, Secretary; P.O. Box 441; Fort Yates, ND 58538

Site: Standing Rock Indian Reservation, Skill Center, Ft. Yates, North Dakota

Wisconsin/Michigan   June 27-29

Host: Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Madison; Miss Margaret Dean, Secretary; 613 N. Frances St.; Madison, WI 53703

Site: Howard Johnson Motor Lodge; 525 W. Johnson St.; Madison, Wisconsin

WESTERN REGION

Northern California/Northern Nevada   June 20-22

Host: Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Stockton; Mrs. Jean W. Johnson, Secretary; P.O. Box 4131, Stockton, CA 95204

Site: University of the Pacific (Covell College); 3601 Pacific Avenue, Stockton, California

Far Southern California   June 27-29

Host: Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of San Diego; c/o Shannon Ricaud, San Diego Bahá’í Center; 3790 Udall; San Diego, CA 92107

Site: Rancho del Cielo; Ramona, California

Eastern Colorado/Wyoming   June 27-29

Host: Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Denver; Mrs. Kathi Jo Wyckoff, Secretary; 1079 South High; Denver, CO 80209

Site: YMCA of the Rockies; Estes Park, Colorado

Western Colorado   June 20-22

Host: Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Durango; Mrs. Rhoderoi R. Myers, Secretary; P.O. Box 256; Durango, CO 81301

Site: Ft. Lewis College; Durango, Colorado

Montana   June 27-29

Host: Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Butte; Mrs. Betty Bennett, Secretary; 2127 Garrison Avenue; Butte, MT 59701

Site: Emerson School; 1924 Phillips Avenue, Butte, Montana

Oregon   June 27-29

Host: Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Corvallis; c/o Mr. Ed Stebinger; 20 NW 33rd St.; Corvallis, OR 97330

Site: Oregon State University; Withycomb Hall; Campus Way and 30th; Corvallis, Oregon

Eastern Washington/Northern Idaho   June 27-29

Host: Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Spokane; c/o Mrs. Ruth Ottmar; E. 9920 Empire; Millwood, WA 99206

Site: Elizabethan Hall, Gonzaga University; E. 502 Boone Ave.; Spokane, Washington

Western Washington   June 13-15

Host: Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Seattle; c/o Ms. Valerie Proctor; 308 Summit East; Seattle, WA 98101

Site: Seattle YMCA; 909 4th Avenue, Seattle, Washington

[Page 12]

Spanish section

Mensaje de Riḍván de la Casa Universal de Justicia OCASION MAS GRANDE FESTIVAL CONTEMPLAMOS CON CORAZONES AGRADECIDOS LOGROS PRIMER AÑO PLAN CINCO AÑOS ELECCIÓN ESTE RIḌVÁN CINCO NUEVAS ASAMBLEAS ESPIRITUALES NACIONALES CUATRO EN ÁFRICA UNA EN ASIA. PESE EMPEORAMIENTO CONDICION CIVILIZACION MORIBUNDA EVIDENCIAS NUBES CRECIENTES EXTENSA OPOSICION MENSAJE DIVINO CREYENTES A TRAVES DEL MUNDO AVANZAN EN CUMPLIMIENTO METAS. TRESCIENTOS OCHENTA Y SEIS PIONEROS YA ESTAN ESTABLECIDOS Y CIENTO CINCUENTIDOS PREPARANDOSE PARA IR A PUESTOS. NUEVO PROGRAMA MUNDIAL DE VIAJES ENSEÑANZA ELABORADO POR CENTRO INTERNACIONAL DE ENSEÑANZA AHORA SE ESTA LANZANDO POR ASAMBLEAS ESPIRITUALES NACIONALES EN CONSULTA CONSEJEROS. AMADAS MANOS CAUSA VANGUARDIA EJERCITO LUZ QUE AVANZA PRESTAN GUIA AMOROSA ALIENTO PROTECCION CONTINUOS A AMIGOS QUE LABORAN EN VIÑA DIVINA. CENTRO MUNDIAL ABUNDANTEMENTE BENDITO A TRAVES DE ADQUISICION CASA SAGRADA MAESTRO LUGAR NACIMIENTO SHOGHI EFFENDI DENTRO MUROS AKKA PRONTO PRESENCIARA EN SUELO CONSAGRADO FALDAS MONTE CARMELO COMIENZO EXCAVACION BASES SEDE PERMANENTE CASA UNIVERSAL DE JUSTICIA Y EN ITALIA FIRMA DE CONTRATO MARMOL REQUERIDO MAJESTUOSO EDIFICIO. EN ESTA HORA CRITICA DE LA HISTORIA HUMANA TRES OBJETIVOS PRINCIPALES PLAN Y SUS METAS ESPECIFICAS PRESENTAN DESAFIO MARCADO INSISTENTE A CADA BAHÁ’Í INDIVIDUAL ADULTO JOVEN NIÑO A CADA FAMILIA BAHÁ’Í A CADA COMUNIDAD LOCAL Y SOBRE TODO A CADA ASAMBLEA ESPIRITUAL LOCAL CUYO DESARROLLO ES VITAL PARA EXITO PLAN CINCO AÑOS Y DESENVOLVIMIENTO PROGRESIVO DIVINAMENTE ORDENADA SOCIEDAD BAHÁ’Í. QUE LOS TRESCIENTOS NOVENTICINCO PIONEROS RESTANTES SE LEVANTEN RAPIDAMENTE Y QUE UN EJERCITO DE VOLUNTARIOS RESPONDA AL RECIEN LANZADO PROGRAMA DE VIAJES DE ENSEÑANZA. SE URGE A ASAMBLEAS NACIONALES LOCALES CREYENTES INDIVIDUALES CONTRIBUYAN GENEROSAMENTE TIEMPO ESFUERZOS EFUSION RECURSOS MATERIALES EN APOYA CADA FASE IMPLEMENTACIÓN PLAN AÑO VENIDERO. APELAMOS CREYENTES TODOS LOS PAISES SE UNAN A NOSOTROS EN ORACIONES SUPLICANDO BENDITA BELLEZA GUIE SOSTENGA PROTEJA SUS DEVOTOS SEGUIDORES EN SUS DEDICADOS ESFUERZOS POR PURIFICAR SUS ALMAS ALZAR SU ESTANDARTE DE EL Y SERVIR A SU CAUSA. 4 de abril, 1975 CASA UNIVERSAL DE JUSTICIA

La Casa de ‘Abdu’lláh Páshá

Acontecimiento historico

Algunos de los acontecimientos más conmovedores, dramáticos e históricamente significativos de la Edad Heroica de nuestra Fe están asociados con esta casa que deriva su nombre del Gobernador de ‘Akká, quien la construyó y usó como su residencia oficial durante el ejercicio de sus funciones, desde 1820 hasta 1832. Está situada justo dentro del ángulo noroeste del muro de ‘Akká que linda con el mar, en la vecindad próxima a la ciudadela donde estuviera encarcelado Bahá’u’lláh. La estructura del edificio, en forma de una (L)ele, aunque es principalmente de dos pisos, es irregular y en el ángulo interior tiene balcones y escaleras al aire libre, casa de baño y un pozo. Su fachada da al sur y al este. La propiedad tiene grandes patios y está limitada hacia el oeste—el lado que da al mar—por un muro que gira hacia el este en su ángulo sur y continúa hacia el corazón de ‘Akká, formando después de unos metros, el muro de una calle angosta. Al lado este, lugar donde termina el muro, se encuentra, dentro de la propiedad, una casa imponente que fue ocupada por el mismo Gobernador, cuyo ministerio coincidiera con la época en que ‘Abdu’l-Bahá residiera en el edificio principal, y cuyas ventanas hacia el norte, le permitían mantener una continua vigilancia de las actividades que ejerciera ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Cerca de esta casa hay una mezquita. El lindero oriental de la propiedad consiste en una fila de casas que dan directamente frente al patio al lado occidental, y estas ofrecían otras posiciones ventajosas al Gobernador y sus guardas para observar al Maestro. Una hilera de casas similar se extiende desde la esquina noreste a lo largo del lindero norte hasta llegar al ala longitudinal del edificio principal donde termina el mismo.

En este punto el edificio principal se proyecta hacia el norte en varios edificios unidos, formando un ángulo saliente irregular en el lindero norte. La extremidad occidental del lindero norte consiste en una pequeña extensión de muro que completa el cerco a la esquina noreste de la muralla occidental. Se encuentran grandes establos, cocheras y bodegas a lo largo del lindero sur.

Los restos mortales del Báb, que por más de 50 años fueron escondidos por algunos de Sus seguidores en distintos lugares, finalmente fueron recibidos por ‘Abdu’l-Bahá en enero de 1899 en esta casa y sepultados, una vez que se les hubieron rendido los más altos honores, en su lugar permanente en la cima del Monte Carmelo. Esta misma casa sirvió de confinamiento para ‘Abdu’l-Bahá durante el periodo de su reencarcelamiento. Shoghi Effendi, en Dios pasa, da testimonio de las condiciones de Su vida en aquel tiempo:

... Aún Sus numerosos amigos y admiradores se abstuvieron durante los días más turbulentos de ese período, de visitarle por temor a la repercusión y sospecha de las autoridades. En ciertas ocasiones la casa en que El estaba viviendo y que había sido por muchos años un centro de actividad, fue completamente abandonada. Espías, secreta y abiertamente, la vigilaban, observando cada uno de Sus movimientos y restringiendo la libertad de Su familia...

No obstante, durante estos tiempos turbulentos y desde esta casa, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá dirigió la construcción del sepulcro del Báb en Monte Carmelo, erigió bajo la sombra del santuario Su propia casa en Haifa y más adelante la casa de peregrinos, emitió instrucciones para la restauración de la casa sagrada del Báb en Shíraz y la erección del primer Mashriqu’l-Adhkár del mundo en la ciudad de ‘Ishqabád. Citamos nuevamente al amado Guardián respecto a la actividad incesante del Maestro en aquel tiempo:

... Testigos oculares han relatado que, durante ese período agitado y peligroso de Su vida, ellos habían sabido que El, con Su propio puño y letra, escribió no menos de noventa Tablillas en un solo día y que pasó muchas noches, desde el atardecer hasta el alba, a solas en Su cámara ocupándose de correspondencia que, la presión de Sus múltiples responsabilidades no Le había permitido atender durante el día.

Fue en esta casa donde ‘Abdu’l-Bahá diera sus inmortales charlas de sobremesa, las que fueron compiladas y más tarde publicadas bajo el título de Contestación a unas preguntas. En esta casa y en las horas más oscuras de una etapa que el amado Guardián describe como “el período más dramático de Su ministerio, en el apogeo de Su vida y en el cénit de Su poder.” Escribió la primera parte de Su Voluntad y Testamento que delinea los rasgos y establece las bases del Orden Administrativo que se levantaría después de Su ascención. En esta casa reveló la Tablilla altamente significativa al primo del Báb, el principal constructor del Templo de ‘Ishqabád, Tablilla cuya importancia podrá ser apreciada y comprendida solamente al desarrollarse ante nuestros ojos los eventos futuros y en la cual, como ha atestiguado Shoghi Effendi, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá “proclamó en términos conmovedores, la grandeza inmensurable de la Revelación del Báb, pregonó las advertencias que presagiaban el tumulto que los enemigos de esta Revelación tanto lejanos como cercanos, desencadenarían sobre el mundo y, profetizó, en lenguaje conmovedor, la ascendencia que el portaantorchas del Convenio ultimadamente tendría sobre ellos.”

Durante los doce años de residencia en esta casa, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá demostró la verdadera nobleza de Su naturaleza divina; venció el odio con el amor. Se dedicó sin descanso y contra la oposición que aumentaba constantemente, a la dirección de la Causa de Su Padre. A despecho del fanatismo, los celos y la amargura siguió con Su cuidado incesante de los pobres y enfermos y venció con ecuanimidad imperturbable la más severa crisis de Su vida. Las palabras del Guardián atestiguan estos hechos:

... En aquellos días, siempre que había sosiego en la tormenta que se agitaba en Su alrededor, se reunían a Su mesa peregrinos, amigos e inquisidores de la mayoría de los países antes mencionados, representantes de la fe cristiana, la musulmana, el judaísmo, el zoroastrismo, el hinduismo y el budismo. Pese a los peligros que Le rodeaban distribuía limosnas con Sus propias manos a los necesitados que se aglomeraban junto a Su puerta y llenaban el patio de Su casa los viernes por la mañana, con una regularidad y generosidad que Le ganaron el título “Padre de los Pobres.” No había nada en aquellos días tempestuosos que pudiera sacudir Su confianza, ni permitía Él que nada interfiriera con Su servicio para con los menesterosos, los huérfanos, los enfermos y los oprimidos. Nada podía impedir que visitara, personalmente, a aquellos que estaban incapacitados o que, por vergüenza, no solicitaban Su ayuda ...

Tan imperturbable era la ecuanimidad de ‘Abdu’l-Bahá que, mientras corría el rumor de que iba a ser arrojado al mar o desterrado a Fizan en Tripolitania o ahorcado en el patíbulo, asombraba a Sus amigos y causaba gracia a Sus enemigos por haberse dedicado a sembrar árboles y enredaderas en el jardín de Su casa y que, pasada la tempestad, pedía a Su fiel jardinero, Isma’il Aqá, que recogiera y obsequiara las flores y las frutas a esos mismos amigos y enemigos cuando Le visitaban.

En esta casa nació el niño preordinado a guiar el destino de la fe durante un periodo de treinta y seis años y a llegar a ser su “amado Guardián.” Su venerable Abuelo le llamó “Shoghi,” le crió bajo Su amoroso y celoso cuidado y le dirigió varias Tablillas.

Al fallecer Bahá’u’lláh, en 1892, quedaron viviendo en la Mansión en Bahjí, el arquitecto del Convenio, el medio hermano del Maestro, Muḥammad-‘Alí y miembros de esa rama de la familia de Bahá’u’lláh. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá y los miembros de Su familia, incluyendo Su ilustre hermana, la Joja.

[Page 13] Más Sagrada, permanecieron en la casa de ‘Abbúd, la que continuó siendo la residencia oficial de ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. En el transcurso del quinto año después del fallecimiento de Bahá’u’lláh, se efectuaron las bodas de las dos hijas mayores de ‘Abdu’l-Bahá de pronto se hizo aparente que la porción de la casa de ‘Abbúd era inadecuada para albergar la familia numerosa. Con vigor característico, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá tomó acción y en los meses que precedieron el nacimiento de Shoghi Effendi, hizo los arreglos necesarios para alquilar el edificio principal y, posteriormente, las alas subsidiarias de la casa de ‘Abdu’lláh-Páshá, la que estableció como Su residencia oficial. Así es como vino a acontecer que en 1897, naciera Shoghi Effendi en esa misma casa (en una habitación superior del ala que da frente al sur), casa que presenciara acontecimientos de tan vital importancia para la fe y para el futuro del género humano.

A la niñez del amado Guardián y su crianza en esa casa se refiere Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum en La perla inestimable:

Puede parecer una falta de respeto decir que el Guardián era un niño travieso, pero él mismo me dijo que era el cabecilla reconocido por todos los demás niños. Bullendo de alegría, entusiasmo y arrojo, ingenioso y risueño, este niño pequeño dirigió muchas travesuras; siempre que sucedía algo, detrás de ello se encontraba Shoghi Effendi. Esta energía ilimitada fue a menudo fuente de ansiedad cuando subía y bajaba corriendo locamente por la larga y elevada escalera al piso superior de la casa, provocando consternación entre los peregrinos que se hallaban en la parte baja de la casa, esperando para ver al Maestro. Su exuberancia era irreprimible y fue en el niño la misma fuerza que habría de hacer del hombre un comandante en jefe tan infatigable y resuelto del ejército de Bahá’u’lláh, llevándolo de victoria en victoria y, en consecuencia, a la conquista espiritual de todo el planeta. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá mismo sirve como testigo de confianza sobre esta característica del amado Guardián y escribió una frase corta en un sobre usado, con el propósito de dar agrado a Su nietecito: “Shoghi Effendi es un hombre sabio, ¡pero corre tanto de un lugar a otro ..!”

En esos días, cuando Shoghi Effendi era niño, acostumbraba levantarse casi al amanecer y pasar la primera hora del día en la habitación del Maestro, donde se decían oraciones y toda la familia tomaba el desayuno con El. Los niños se sentaban en el suelo con las piernas dobladas y los brazos cruzados en actitud de respeto. Cuando se les pedía a los niños, entonaban una oración para ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. No se oían gritos ni se mostraba conducta indebida. El desayuno consistía en pan de trigo, queso de leche de cabra y té, preparado en el burbujeante samovar ruso de bronce y que se servía en vasitos de cristal, muy dulce y caliente.

Fue a esta casa donde vino aquel primer grupo histórico de peregrinos de Occidente para ver al Maestro en el invierno de 1898-1899 y en la cual muchos más buscaron Su presencia. Algunos de ellos dejaron descripciones memorables de sus experiencias con ‘Abdu’l-Bahá y los miembros de Su familia en ese hogar. La señora Ella Goodall Cooper, una de los primeros creyentes de América, escribió:

Cierto día ... me había reunido con las damas de la familia en la habitación de la Joja Más Sagrada para tomar el té, muy temprano por la mañana. El amado Maestro estaba sentado en Su rincón favorito del diván, donde, por la ventana a Su derecha, El podía ver más allá de los muros y contemplar el Mediterranéo. Estuvo ocupado escribiendo tablillas y la paz silenciosa que reinaba en la habitación fue interrumpida solamente por el burbujear del samovar ante el cual una de las jóvenes sirvientas, sentada en el suelo, preparaba el té.

Thornton Chase, el primer creyente americano, escribió en su memoria In Galilee (En Galilea):

No supimos que habíamos llegado a nuestro destino hasta que vimos salir sonreídos a un caballero persa y luego otro y otro más. Nos bajamos y nos condujeron por la entrada abovedada con tejas rojas a un patio abierto. Atravesamos este patio y llegamos a una escalera larga de piedra con gradas quebradas y antiguas, que conducía al piso superior y a un pequeño patio amurallado sin techo. Allí se hallaba la cámara superior asignada a nosotros, contigua a la habitación de ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Todos los edificios son de piedra blanquecina y enlucida y dan el aspecto de una prisión.

Nuestras ventanas daban al jardín y a la tienda de campaña de ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, al lado de la casa que daba frente al mar. A un extremo del jardín se halla la casa del Gobernador y al otro, el muro interior de las fortificaciones. A unos pocos pies de distancia está el muro exterior a la orilla del mar. Entre estas dos paredes se encuentra la guardia con sus fusiles. Hay una garita entre una esquina de la pared y el jardín, desde la cual el centinela puede ver el terreno y la tienda de campaña donde ‘Abdu’l-Bahá recibe a sus visitantes transientes y los oficiales que Le visitan con frecuencia. De este modo Sus movimientos fuera de la casa pueden ser vistos por el Gobernador desde sus ventanas y por los centinelas. Talvez ésta sea la razón por la cual los oficiales se hacen amigos de El. Nadie que posea humanidad, justicia o misericordia en su corazón, podía vigilar a ‘Abdu’l-Bahá por mucho tiempo sin llegar a admirarle y amarle por las bellas cualidades que demuestra constantemente.

Mary Hanford Ford publicó un relato de su peregrinación a esta casa en Star of the West, vol. XXIV:

La pequeña habitación en que me alojé y donde se llevaron a cabo las conversaciones significativas con ‘Abdu’l-Bahá tenía la más sencilla apariencia. El piso estaba cubierto con una estera. Había un angosto catre y un palanganero, ambos de hierro. Al palanganero tenía un hueco grande para colocar la palangana y otro pequeño, para el jarro con agua. Todo estaba escrupulosamente limpio y había suficiente agua clara para tomar y para el aseo. Una ventana ancha daba al Mediterráneo, sobre el enorme muro de la ciudad. Cerca de esta ventana había un diván donde ‘Abdu’l-Bahá se sentaba cuando venía a conversar conmigo.

La victoria evidente que ‘Abdu’l-Bahá arraigara de la persecución, la intriga, el odio y la difamación dirigidos contra El durante los doce años que El vivió en la casa de ‘Abdu’lláh Páshá, se hizo señaladamente aparente cuando en 1908, al ser puesto en libertad, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá se trasladó a Su nueva residencia en Haifa. En esa época el futuro Guardiá tenía once años de edad, pero su nombramiento—secreto cuidadosamente guardado—ya se encontraba escrito en la Voluntad y Testamento de ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, que fuera revelada en esa casa.

Al contemplar la concentración extraordinaria de fuerzas y eventos poderosos acaecidos en esta casa, esperamos ansiosamente el día en que la misma esté completamente restaurada y lista para recibir a los peregrinos quienes aspirán en su atmósfera, sus terrenos y muros sagrados, las fragancias de un pasado glorioso.

[Page 14]

BAHÁ’Í BOOKS AND MATERIALS

Make the Most of Your Summer

“Be not content with the ease of a passing day, and deprive not thyself of everlasting rest. Barter not the garden of eternal delight for the dust-heap of a mortal world. Up from thy prison ascend unto the glorious meads above, and from thy mortal cage wing thy flight unto the paradise of the Placeless.”

—Bahá’u’lláh

With summer only weeks away, Bahá’í communities around the country are preparing for the second summer of teaching and proclamation since the beginning of the Five Year Plan. Communities are making plans to build and man booths at shopping centers and city and county fairs and to host picnics, concerts, and summer youth projects. Individual Bahá’ís young and old are mapping their travel teaching trips and vacations to many parts of the nation and the world. All of these efforts will require dedication, steadfastness, foresight, and Bahá’í Literature and Special Materials.

To assist Bahá’ís in their teaching work this summer, the Publishing Trust offers the following list of Literature and Special Materials items. The list—which is necessarily incomplete—includes eye-catching posters and absorbing filmstrip programs for fair booths as well as inexpensive introductory literature for use in all Bahá’í teaching work. Why not circle the titles that interest you? Your local Bahá’í Librarian may already have what you need, but if not, he or she will be happy to order for you. Have an exciting summer!

BAHÁ’Í LITERATURE

INTRODUCTORY MATERIALS:

7-40-02 Bahá’í Answers	10/$1.00; 50/$4.00
7-31-59 Bahá’í Faith, The: An Introduction	$40; 50/$17.50; 100/$30.00
7-40-05 Bahá’í House of Worship, The	10/$.75; 50/$3.00
7-40-10 Bahá’í: Way of Life for Millions	10/$2.00
7-40-14 Basic Facts of the Bahá’í Faith	25/$1.00; 100/$3.00; 500/$10.00
7-40-65 Decade of Expansion, A	100/$5.00 NET
7-40-35 Message of Bahá’u’lláh	20/$1.00; 100/$4.00
7-40-37 One Universal Faith	25/$1.00; 100/$3.00; 500/$10.00
7-40-38 One World, One Family	25/$1.00; 100/$3.00; 500/$10.00
7-40-40 Pattern for Future Society, A	25/$1.00; 100/$3.00; 500/$10.00
7-40-51 Sample Pamphlet Assortment	$3.95
6-46-00 Wilmette Temple teaching card	100/$3.00; 500/$13.75
7-40-95 World Order Editorials, asst. of six	$1.00
FOR INDIANS:
7-40-08 Bahá’í Teachings: Light for all Regions	$.25; 25/$5.00
7-40-70 Straight Path, The	25/$1.50; 100/$5.00
ABOUT WOMEN:
7-40-73 Women: Attaining Their Birthright	$.35; 10/$3.25
7-40-89 Women: Striking the Balance	20/$2.00
PRAYERS:
7-15-09 Communion With God	$.15; 100/$12.00
7-15-25 Mention of God, The	50/$2.50; 350/$14.00; 3500/$122.50
IN SPANISH:
7-93-55 Bahá’í Faith, The: An Introduction	$.50
7-93-51 God’s New Age	$.15; 25/$3.00
7-93-52 Immortal Passages	$.20
7-93-58 Life After Death	$.10
7-93-59 Religion of Bahá’u’lláh, The	$.05; 100/$2.00

Some of the many inexpensive introductory materials you can use this summer to tell people about the coming of Bahá’u’lláh and help win the goals of the Five Year Plan.

---

TO ORDER: Order through Community Librarians if possible! Personal Orders: Enclose full payment, Plus $.50 handling charge for all orders under $5.00.

“Every created thing in the whole universe is but a door leading into His knowledge, a sign of His sovereignty, a revelation of His names, a symbol of His majesty, a token of His power, a means of admittance into His straight path.” —Bahá’u’lláh Tokens from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh Selected and illustrated by Jay and Constance Conrader Tokens from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, a book which combines the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh with exquisite nature photographs and drawings, is now available in a paperbound edition. Featuring thirty-three photographs (ten in color), numerous drawings, and selections from the Writings, Tokens turns the reader’s attention to the beauty and mystery of the physical world and its underlying spiritual significance. Tokens from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh is a moving and satisfying experience for everyone who is touched by the beauty and profundity of the natural world and who reaches beyond these tokens to “take the step of the spirit.” Man’s station is high, his progress and happiness limitless, both in this world and the next, once he sets his feet upon the pathway of true elevation. Whether in its cloth or paperbound edition, Tokens is an impressive gift and a cherished personal possession. 80 pp. 7-03-18 cloth $9.00; 10/$85.00 7-03-19 paper $4.00

SPECIAL MATERIALS

DECORATING YOUR DISPLAY:

6-58-32 “Bahá’í Faith Unifies Mankind” poster	$.50; 10/$2.50; 500/$100.00
6-71-00 Bahá’í Temples colorprints, set of four, 12"x12"	$2.00; 10/$15.00
6-58-29 “Bahá’u’lláh” 24"x36" green poster	4/$1.80; 8/$3.20
6-58-04 Day-Glo 15"x22" 4-poster asst.	$6.00
6-58-13 Fluorescent 8½"x11" 20-poster asst.	$2.50
6-58-31 “Love Everybody” poster	20/$1.40; 100/$5.00
6-47-02 Wall Hanging A (Gleanings CLI)	$1.50; 10/$7.50
6-47-02 Wall Hanging B (Hidden Words Arabic 11)	$1.00; 10/$5.00
6-71-01 Wilmette Temple colorprints, set of two, 12"x12"	$1.00; 10/$7.50$
FILMSTRIP PROGRAMS:
6-00-25 Bahá’ís and the Holy Land, The	$7.50
6-00-11 God Speaks Again	$7.50
6-01-58 Out of God’s Eternal Ocean	$9.50
MUSIC:
6-30-25 Bahá’í Victory Chorus (reel)	$3.00
6-35-01 Bahá’í Victory Chorus 12"LP	$3.50
6-30-37 Fire and Snow (cassette)	$3.75

[Page 15]

The Bahá’í World Volume XIV Now Available

The Bahá’í World, Vol. XIV: 1963-1968

Prepared under the supervision of The Universal House of Justice, this impressive international record covers the five-year period which witnessed the Centenary of the proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh to the Kings and Rulers of the world, the World Jubilee Congress in London in 1963, the election of the first Universal House of Justice, and the launching of the Nine Year Plan.

The volume, which takes the proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh as its theme, features hundreds of illustrations and is bound in ivory cloth with the title stamped in gold on royal blue on front and spine. The frontispiece is a full-color reproduction of an illuminated Tablet in the handwriting of Bahá’u’lláh. A prized personal possession and a handsome gift for local dignitaries, libraries, and schools. 672 pp.

7-31-01 cloth	$12.50 NET

The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States

This handsome new booklet, prepared by the National Spiritual Assembly, commemorates the fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of this major Bahá’í institution. Covering the origin, history, functions, and achievements of the National Spiritual Assembly and the national Bahá’í community, the booklet is ideal for presentations to local dignitaries, editors, educators, and other community leaders. Title stamped in gold on maroon cover. More than 60 illustrations. 10 x 10 in. 16 pp.

7-32-08 paper	$3.00; 5/$10.00; 12/$20.00 (all prices NET)

The Local Spiritual Assembly (Star Study Program)

The Local Spiritual Assembly, the second of nine booklets which make up the core of the Star Study Program, is now available. The new booklet describes, in nine brief and simply-written chapters, the station, duties, and organization of the Local Spiritual Assembly as well as the institution’s relationship with the believers and other features of its operations. Handsomely illustrated by Gordon Laite. Olive green cover. 5½ x 8½ in. 17 pp.

7-64-58 paper	$.40

International
Women’s Year
1975

World Order magazine
Spring 1975

Looking for a way to inform others about Bahá’í teachings on the equality of men and women? The Spring 1975 issue of World Order may be just what you need. The issue features an editorial on the equality of men and women, a number of documents prepared by the Bahá’í International Community, and a thought-provoking review essay on a number of antifeminist books.

As a part of a proclamation program drawing attention to Bahá’í teachings on the equality of the sexes, this issue can be presented to local dignitaries, the clergy, women’s groups, libraries, schools, and editors as well as to friends and relatives. Attractive blue and green cover. Illustrated. 60 pp. Prices as low as $.75 per copy in lots of 100.

0-50-93	1/$1.60; 10/$13.00; 25/$27.50; 50/$45.00; 100/$75.00 (all prices NET)

Bahá’í Felt Lessons (Star Study Program) To assist Bahá’í communities in achieving the Five Year Plan goal of encouraging and organizing “regular Bahá’í activities and classes for adults, youth, and children” the Publishing Trust now produces four felt lessons. The lessons are designed to present basic teachings of the Faith by means of analogies — a teaching technique frequently used by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. They may be used in teaching almost any age group, including intermediate children’s classes (ages 8 and up) as well as general deepening classes. The lessons are components of the Star Study Program. Each felt lesson contains the following: pieces of uncut felt; a pattern sheet with adhesive backing and directions for making felt figures; a script to be read with each lesson (much like the narration for a filmstrip program); and a teacher’s guide featuring many suggestions for activities both before and after the felt lesson is presented. The felt lessons, described briefly below, can be put to immediate use by any Bahá’í community. They are a fruitful source of new ideas for Bahá’í classes and will last for years under normal use. The Oneness of Religion felt lesson shows that the different religions of the world are in reality one religion — the religion of God. 6-56-76..........$3.00 Each felt lesson includes a pattern sheet with adhesive backing and pieces of uncut felt. This figure represents Judaism, one of the several religions discussed in The Oneness of Religion felt lesson. This final scene from The Elimination of Prejudice felt lesson shows the fulfillment of Bahá’u’lláh’s mission—the unity of mankind. The Elimination of Prejudice felt lesson teaches that prejudice must be eliminated before mankind can live a healthy spiritual life and grow as one family. 6-56-77..........$3.00 Spiritual Growth felt lesson compares man’s spiritual growth with the growth of a plant. For example, the human soul will bear the “fruits” of virtuous conduct only as a result of “nourishment” from the Word of God. 6-56-78..........$3.00 The Station of the Manifestation felt lesson explains each part of the Greatest Name ringstone symbol, showing that the Manifestation of God is an indispensable link between God and man. 6-56-79..........$3.00 Felt Lessons Kit includes all four of the felt lessons plus a felt background, at a reduced price. The felt background can be stapled, glued, or tacked to suitable backing material such as wood or cardboard. The resulting felt board can be hung on a wall or propped upright on a table or desk. 6-56-75..........$10.50 Felt Background is available separately for those who purchase individual felt lessons rather than the Felt Lessons Kit. Blue, 18 x 18 in. 6-56-84..........$.75

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The members of the incoming National Assembly are shown here in a recent photograph taken in the auditorium of the House of Worship. The balloting took place during the morning of Saturday, April 26. There were no changes in the composition of the National Assembly. The members are, from left to right: Richard Betts, William Maxwell, Daniel Jordan, Charlotte Linfoot, Glenford Mitchell, Dorothy Nelson, Franklin Kahn, Magdalene Carney, and Firuz Kazemzadeh. Dr. Nelson received the highest vote and convened the first meeting of the Assembly. The officers elected at that meeting were: Glenford Mitchell, Secretary; Charlotte Linfoot, Assistant Secretary; Firuz Kazemzadeh, Chairman; Daniel Jordan, Vice-Chairman; Dorothy Nelson, Treasurer. Of the 171 delegates, 156 voted in person and 13 voted by mail. Two delegates failed to vote.

[Page 17]

Bahá’í Schools

an opportunity for growth

The National Spiritual Assembly has directed the National Education Committee to “stimulate, guide, supervise and coordinate the programs and activities of Bahá’í schools” during the Five Year Plan.

The National Education Committee is happy to announce that nineteen schools will be held this summer. Each summer school offers a unique learning experience; however, all are designed to further develop the distinctive character of Bahá’í life on a personal and community level. As Bahá’ís, we have two major goals, namely the transformation of our characters to reflect the names and attributes of God, and the establishment of the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh. At Bahá’í schools, we can be trained in the practice of those qualities needed for a civilization in which all men can live in harmony with one another and each individual can develop his highest spiritual powers.

The National Education Committee encourages the friends to participate in a summer school program and take advantage of what promises to be an adventure in spiritual growth and awareness.

[Page 18]

A Laboratory Experience in Bahá’í Living

“May the assembled believers... so exemplify that spirit of universal love and fellowship as to evoke in the minds of their associates the vision of that future city of God which the almighty arm of Bahá’u’lláh can alone establish.”

(Shoghi Effendi, Bahá’í Administration, p. 131)

In an atmosphere of love and devotion, we will have an opportunity to forge a strong link between Bahá’u’lláh’s administrative institutions and ourselves.

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Our Purpose

The beloved Guardian tells us our purpose is “to foster the spirit of fellowship in a distinctly Bahá’í atmosphere, to afford the necessary training for Bahá’í teachers, and to provide facilities for the study of the history and teachings of the Faith, and for a better understanding of its relation to other religions and to human society in general.” (God Passes By, p. 340) In order to achieve these goals, we must look upon our stay at a Bahá’í School as more than a pleasant vacation period. A variety of study classes, seminars, workshops, lectures, and independent study programs will be available. Competent staff members will share their knowledge and resources and be available to assist us in our ever-expanding efforts to immerse ourselves in the ocean of His words.

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Our Standards Are High

“... a chaste and holy life, with its implications of modesty, purity, temperance, decency, and clean-mindedness, involves no less than the exercise of moderation in all that pertains to dress, language, amusements, ... It requires total abstinence from all alcoholic drinks, from opium, and from similar habit-forming drugs....”

(Shoghi Effendi, The Advent of Divine Justice, p. 25)

However, this does not mean we should not have fun.

“The standard inculcated by Bahá’u’lláh seeks, under no circumstances, to deny anyone the legitimate right and privilege to derive the fullest advantage and benefit from the manifold joys, beauties, and pleasures with which the world has been so plentifully enriched by an All-Loving Creator.”

(Shoghi Effendi, The Advent of Divine Justice, p. 28)

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1975 Summer School Directory

ARIZONA

Location: Arizona Church Conference Center; Prescott, Arizona

Session: July 20–July 26, 1975

Cost: Full session rates ($10.00 deposit required, per person): adults (18 and over) $60.00; youth (12 through 17) $51.00; children (2 through 11) $36.00; children under 2, no charge. Daily rates available upon request.

Registrar: Connie Kiely; Rt 2 Box 2968; Apache Junction, AZ 85220 (602) 948-3582

Theme: Bahá’í Perspective: Knowledge, Volition, and Action

Highlights: Auxiliary Board member Nancy Phillips, “‘Abdu’l-Bahá: Tablets of the Divine Plan”; Eileen Norman, Secretary, National Education Committee, “The Local Spiritual Assembly”

BOSCH

Location: Bosch

Session: June 27–August 22, 1975

Cost: Daily: Couples $20.00; Adults $12.00; Senior Youth $9.00; Junior Youth $7.00; Children (1-10) $5.00; Infants to 1 year—no charge. Weekly (6 days): Couples $120.00; Adults $55.00; Senior Youth $54.00; Junior Youth $35.00; Children (1-10) $30.00; Infants to 1 year—no charge.

Registrar: Bosch Bahá’í School; Registrar; 500 Comstock Lane; Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Theme: First session, June 28 to July 4: Youth Week; Second session, July 5 to July 11: The Holy Qur’án; Third session, July 12 to July 18: From Strength to Strength; Fourth session, July 19 to July 25: Releasing Human Potential; Fifth session, July 26 to August 1: The Dynamic Force of Example; Sixth session, August 2 to August 8: Faith in Action; Seventh session, August 9 to August 15: A Fortress for Well-Being; Eighth session, August 16 to August 22: Spiritual Regeneration of Our Lives

Highlights: Auxiliary Board members Thelma Jackson (July 13-19); Nancy Phillips (July 5-12); Tony Lease (August 16-23)

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Location: Camp Maranatha in San Jacinto Mountains; Idyllwild, California

Session: July 6–July 12, 1975

Cost: Single person/week: 20 years & over: $50.00; 13–19 years old: $45.00; 6–12 years old: $40.00; Family/week: 20 & over: $45.00; 13–19 years old: $42.00; 6–12 years old: $20.00; 0–5 years old: $5.00. Day students: 20 & over: $9.00; 19 & under: $7.50. Late registration (after June 15): $2.00 extra

Registrar: Mr. Robert Almony; 14351 Yorba Street, Tustin, CA 92680; (714) 832-4696

Highlights: Auxiliary Board member Fred Schechter; Mrs. Elizabeth Gibson, pioneer in Malaysia; Mr. Vahid Rafati; Special classes for children and youth; Workshops/Independent studies; Special course for youth—The Dynamic Force of Example

CAROLINAS

Location: Warren Wilson College, near Asheville, North Carolina

Session: June 29–July 5, 1975

Cost: Full week, 15 years & up: bed $55.50, sleeping bag $28.50; 13–14 years: bed $52.50, sleeping bag $25.50; 7–12 years: bed $37.50, sleeping bag $25.50; 0–6 years: bed $19.50, sleeping bag $7.50; Dorm (share bed) $4.50

Registrar: Mrs. Anne Respess; 4310 Romaine Street, Greensboro, NC 27407; (919) 294-1253

Theme: From Strength to Strength

Highlights: Auxiliary Board member Katherine McLaughlin; Auxiliary Board member Elizabeth Martin, “The Local Spiritual Assembly;” Mrs. Kathy Reimer, “Bahá’í Holy Days;” Teams of teachers for 0–14 years group; Parallel adult/children curriculum; The Two-Year Youth Plan—15–20 years group

COLORADO EAST

Location: Deer Creek Christian Camp; Pine, Colorado (near Denver)

Session: August 9–15, 1975

Cost: Adults (18 and over): $47.50; Teens (13–17): $42.50; children (6–12) $36.50; children (2–5): $33.50; under 2, no charge. Camping facility—board included: Adults $42.00; Child (6–12) $30.00; Child (2–5) $20.00

Registrar: (arrangements for bus from airport can be made with registrar) Connie Dodge; 7261 Quail; Arvada, CO 80004; (303) 420-0273 after 6 p.m.; Deadline August 1—$10.00 deposit required

Theme: The Five-Year Plan—Pioneering in the Global Plan, The Education of Bahá’í Children, The Bahá’í Community and its Relationship to the Local Spiritual Assembly

Highlights: Extensive Children’s Program—four age groups; Enrichment Program for Adults and Children: Bookbinding, Music, Drama, Painting, Crafts, Horseback Riding

COLORADO WEST

Location: Camp Ilium; Telluride, Colorado

Session: July 27–August 2, 1975

Cost: Adults (12 years and over) $40.00; Children (4–11 years) $22.00; (2–3 years) $11.00; under 1, no charge; Family cost maximum—$175.00

Registrar: Al Barnes; 3032 E. ½ Road; Grand Junction, CO 81501; (303) 243-9074

Highlights: Auxiliary Board member Margaret Gallagher

CONIFER HILL

Location: Lyons, Colorado

Session: Work/Study Camp—Bahá’ís 17 and older: June 22–June 28, June 29–July 3, July 6–July 12, July 13–July 19. Family Camp—(Bahá’ís of all ages): July 3–July 6, 1975; Teen Camp—children of Bahá’í parents, ages 13–14, and Bahá’í youth, ages 15–16: July 27–August 9, 1975

Cost: Work/Study Camp: $35.00 per week; $6.00 per day; $2.00 per 1/3 day; Family Camp, with meals: Adults & youth 12 years and older: $15.00 entire session ($2.00 each meal); children 6–12 years $10.00 entire session ($1.25 each meal); children 2–5 years: $5.00 entire session; ($.65 each meal); children under 2 years: no charge; Family Camp, without meals: Head of family: $5.50 entire session; Each additional person: $3.00 entire session; Children under 2 years: no charge; Teen Camp: $40.00 each week; $7.00 each

[Page 19]

Curriculum for Growth

This year’s program is designed to offer students a wide range of stimulating topics on introductory and advanced levels. Varied formats will include seminars, workshops, and independent study programs.

A special emphasis of Bahá’í summer schools will be the development of a comprehensive curriculum for children’s classes. Its aim will be to help the children gain a sense of themselves as spiritual beings. Creative learning experiences were carefully planned to lead the child to self-awareness and a desire to develop his unique talents and abilities.

It is hoped in this warm and exhilarating atmosphere, the child will begin a lifetime love of learning.

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Recreation, too!

It is through recreational activities as well as intellectual pursuits that the Bahá’ís can express those qualities of love, fellowship, and cooperation which are the hallmarks of a Bahá’í. Summer and winter schools provide this opportunity to develop these distinctive characteristics through a balanced program of classes and physical activity. Young and old alike join in the games and fun in this important expression of Bahá’í community life.

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Dates to Remember

Many outstanding teachers will be at summer schools throughout the country this year, including a number of Auxiliary Board members (see list below). Mr. ‘Alí Nakhjavání, a member of The Universal House of Justice, will teach at Green Acre the week of July 13-19. Also at Green Acre, two weeks later (July 26-August 2), Mr. Douglas Martin of the Canadian National Spiritual Assembly will teach classes.

July 20-26	Nancy Phillips	Arizona
June 27-July 5	Javidukht Khadem	Bosch
July 5-12	Nancy Phillips	Bosch
July 12-19	D. Thelma Jackson	Bosch
August 16-23	Anthony Lease	Bosch
July 6-12	Fred Schechter	So. California
June 29-July 5	Katherine McLaughlin	Carolinas
	Elizabeth Martin
Evening, July 5	Jane Faily	Carolinas
July 27-August 2	Margaret Gallagher	Colorado East
August 9-15	Margaret Gallagher	Colorado East
June 27-July 6	William Tucker	Florida South
July 13-19	Eunice Braun	Green Acre
July 19-26	Javidukht Khadem	Green Acre
July 26-August 2	Albert James	Green Acre
August 10-16	Adrienne Reeves	Green Acre
August 17-23	Katherine McLaughlin	Green Acre
June 11-15	Katherine McLaughlin	Minnesota
June 15-21	Opal Conner	Montana
July 1-6	Darrell W. Borland	Nebraska
August 11-16	Darrell W. Borland	Okla./Texas
August 23-24	Paul Pettit	Oregon
June 26-27	Paul Pettit	Wash. West

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day: $2.50 each 1/3 day

Registrar: Mrs. Marilyn Fisher; 437 Pine; Boulder, CO 80302; (303) 443-6422

Highlights: Study and Deepening: The work/study and teen camps will spend three or four hours a day in classes devoted to the study of the Bahá’í Writings. At the family camp, the deepening program will be held in the mornings and after the evening meal. Work: In all of the camps the Bahá’ís will share in the routine jobs of camp life, i.e., dishwashing, helping the cook, and general cleaning up. Four to six hours a day will be spent in manual labor at the work/study camp. Recreation: All camps will have recreation classes.

DAVISON

Location: Alpena Exchange Club Boys’ Camp; Hillman, Michigan

Session: July 20-26; July 27-August 2

Cost: Adults (15 years and older) $45.00 per week; children (under 15 years) $35.00 per week; (15 percent discount to family groups of 4 or more)

Registrar: Bob McInnis; 2240 Glencoe Hill Drive, Apt. 6; Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Theme: The Enrichment of Bahá’í Community Life

Highlights: Courses relating the arts to Bahá’í life, economics and moral values, complete children’s program with a coordinated team of teachers working together on the curriculum which includes crafts and recreation in addition to outstanding course material.

FLORIDA SOUTH

Location: College of Boca Raton (formerly Marymount College); Boca Raton, Florida

Session: June 27-July 6, 1975

Cost: Full-time students: 21 years and up: $12.50 per day; 15-20 years: $11.00 per day; 2-14 years: $8.50 per day; under 2, no charge. Day students contact registrar for daily fee schedule. Breakfast—$1.00; Lunch—$1.50; Dinner—$2.00.

Registrar: Fern McBride; 2301 N.E. 20th Avenue; Wilton Manors, FL 33311; (305) 563-9123

Theme: A Life of Service—Five Year Plan

Highlights: Auxiliary Board member William Tucker; adult, youth, and children’s classes with workshops featured in the afternoons; a full recreation program with swimming.

GEORGIA/ALABAMA

Location: Norman Baptist Assembly; Norman Park, Georgia (southwest Georgia)

Session: August 30-September 1, 1975

Cost: Per Meal: 13 and older, $1.75; 6-12, $1.75; 3-5, $.85. Entire Session: 13 and older, $39.00; 6-12, $23.75; 3-5, $14.00. Overnight (including meals): 13 and older, $11.00; 6-12, $7.00; 3-5, $4.50.

Registrar: Mrs. Randa Wilbur; 285-D Winding River Drive, NE; Atlanta, GA 30338

Theme: The Distinctive Character of Bahá’í Life: The Individual (parallel curriculum for children and adults)

GREEN ACRE

Location: Eliot, Maine

Session: July 4-September 1, ‎975 1975‎

Cost: Adults $80.00 room and board, $12.50/day; $70.00 dorm and board, $10.00/day. Youth (9-14) $50.00 room and board, $8.50/day; $40.00 dorm and board, $7.50/day. Child (3-8) $40.00 room and board, $6.00/day. Nursery (0-2) $.50/class, $1.50/day.

Registrar: Green Acre Bahá’í School; Eliot, ME 03903

Theme: July 4 Weekend: The Dynamic Force of Example; Labor Day Weekend: Arts Festival; Week of July 6: Marriage and Family Life

Highlights: The Universal House of Justice member ‘Alí Nakhjavání—July 13-19; Auxiliary Board members: Eunice Braun—July 13-19; Albert James—July 29-August 2; Adrienne Reeves—August 10-16. Programs for children and youth are being planned by a special task force teacher.

MINNESOTA

Location: Rare Place Lodge; McGregor, Minnesota

Session: June 11-June 15, 1975

Cost: Adults (18 & over): $58.00; 13-17 years: $37.00; 4-12 years: $27.00; 2-3 years: $6.00; under 2: $3.00 (State Park in close proximity for camping.)

Registrar: Mr. Terry Stephens; Box 378; Walker, MN 56484; (218) 547-1209

Highlights: Auxiliary Board member Katherine McLaughlin; Mr. Bransford Watson, “The Most Challenging Issue;” Dr. Monib Collestan, “The Qur’án;” children’s program operated by a special task force of teachers: classes on acquiring virtues and Bahá’í heroes, nursery available with supervised recreation activities.

MONTANA

Location: United Methodist Camp on the Boulder River near Big Timber, Montana

Session: June 15-21, 1975

Cost: 12 and over: $40.00; 8-11 years: $30.00; 4-7 years: $20.00; under 4 years no charge. Camping facilities with baths available.

Registrar: Mrs. Betty Ann Entzminger; 710 Agate Street; Billings, MT 59101; (406) 252-6048

Highlights: Auxiliary Board member Opal Conner, “Central Figures of the Faith,” “Family Unit—Seeds of the Faith,” “Administering the God-Centered Community,” “How the Bahá’í Faith Releases Human Potential;” children’s classes will parallel adult classes.

NEBRASKA

Location: Camp Harriet Harding near Louisville, Nebraska

Session: July 1-6, 1975

Cost: Cabin and Meals: $10.00 per day (13 or older); $5.00 per day (2-12 years); infants free. Trailer site: $2.50 per day per trailer/camper, without meals. Tent site: $1.25 per day per tent (individually owned) without meals. Tent rental and site: $1.50 per day per adult; $.75 per day per child without meals. Meals: $7.50 per day per adult; $3.75 per day per child, or free cookout site (provide and prepare own food). Facility Fee: $1.00 per day; $4.00 per week (per person).

Registrar: Mrs. Ruth Hansen; 5638 Lenox Avenue; Lincoln, NE (402) 489-1570

Highlights: Auxiliary Board member Darrell W. Borland; “Bahá’í Heritage,” “The Individual Bahá’í Living in Bahá’í and Non-Bahá’í Worlds,” “Bahá’í Family Life,” “Bahá’í Institutions,” “Five Year Plan;” and

[Page 20]

Bosch Bahá’í School

This beautiful wooded setting in the Santa Cruz mountains in California is the setting for the newest Bahá’í-owned school. Bosch School, dedicated in 1974, is the successor to the Geyserville Bahá’í School which operated for many years nearby. With a current capacity of about 60 guests, this excellent facility promises to grow into one of the most impressive campuses in the future development of Bahá’í schools.

“It is not enough to bring people into the Faith, one must educate them and deepen their love for it and their knowledge of its teachings, after they declare themselves... the Summer Schools can be of the greatest help to the friends, new and old Bahá’ís alike, for in them they can study, and enjoy the feeling of Bahá’í companionship...”

(From letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi dated July 18, 1957 to the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada)

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Davison Bahá’í School

The Davison Bahá’í School has long been the site of summer and winter schools and is currently being renovated to be reopened during the Five Year Plan. Located near Flint, Michigan, this school has primarily served the midwestern Bahá’ís, but thousands of dedicated believers have deepened their knowledge of the Faith there. Newly reconstructed, it should continue to provide a center for study and recreation which will attract large numbers of people from all over the country.

“The Summer School has been carrying on the divine work of bringing forth jewels from the mine of humanity and it is the hope of Shoghi Effendi and the friends here that those who have been trained in the Summer School will carry on the work in the various localities from which they have come ...”

(From letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, quoted in Bahá’í News, No. 10, February 1926, p. 3)

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Green Acre Bahá’í School

For more than seventy years, this school on the banks of the Piscataqua River in Eliot, Maine, has been a site where religious teachings have been studied. Blessed in 1912 by a visit from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Green Acre has continuously been a source of inspiration and knowledge for Bahá’ís, many of whom have gone forth to pioneer to every corner of the earth. The largest of Bahá’í campuses, this school operates an intensive program each summer as well as winter and spring.

“How wonderful it would be if all the friends could arrange to spend at least a few days in one of these summer schools and take an active part in their development. These centers could attract many souls if properly arranged and made interesting; those non-Bahá’ís who visit them will then have some time to get into the spirit of the place and make a study of the Cause... We constantly receive letters from people who became Bahá’ís by visiting one of these centers and obtaining the Message there.”

(From letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, quoted in Bahá’í News, No. 67, October 1932, p. 4)

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children’s classes, nursery facilities, music, arts, crafts, movies, filmstrips, slides, fellowship, and discussion

NEW YORK

Location: Oakwood School; Poughkeepsie, New York

Session: July 19-July 27, 1975

Cost: Write to registrar for rates

Registrar: Mr. Mel Jacobsen; 5 Wyndover Lane; White Plains, NY 10603; (914) 946-6693

OKLAHOMA/TEXAS

Location: Lake Bridgeport, Texas; 90 miles west of Fort Worth, Texas

Session: August 11-16, 1975

Cost: 10 years and over: $49.50; 9 years and under: $30.75

Registrar: Mrs. Karen Kazemzadeh; 612 Highway 303, Apt. 5; Grand Prairie, TX 75050; (214) 263-8729

Highlights: “Science—the First Emanation From God Towards Man,” “Life After Death—Immortality,” “The Bahá’í Fund,” “Shoghi Effendi”

OREGON

Location: Silver Creek School (Youth Program); Silver Creek Falls State Park (60 miles south of Portland)

Badasht School (for the family); Apserkaha Camp, Howard County, Southern Oregon

Session: Silver Creek School: August 16-22, 1975; Badasht School: August 24-29, 1975

Cost: Silver Creek School (Youth): $25.00 (15 years and over); Badasht School (Family): $25.00 (6 years and over) per week; $10.00 (5 and under); only $1.00 per person for more than three persons; $8.00 (adults) per day; $3.50 (child) per day

Registrar: Mrs. Ethlyn Lindstrom; 4874 Cedar; Astoria, OR 97103; (505) 325-2986

WASHINGTON EAST

Location: Camp Dudley YMCA near White Pass

Session: August 10-August 16, 1975

Cost: Adults 15 years and over: $40.00; 9-14 years: $26.00; 4-8 years: $12.50; 1-3 years: $5.00. No camping facilities available

Registrar: Mr. Mel Daniels; 1508 Oberlin Road; Spokane, WA 99206

Highlights: Activities centers for all children’s classes. All participants in summer will spend part of each day helping or supervising in another classroom.

WASHINGTON WEST

Location: Seabeck Christian Conference Center

Session: June 21-27, 1975

Cost: Contact registrar for rates

Registrar: Mr. John Martig; 409 Oak Street; Shelton, WA 98584

Theme: Active Participation of Children in Bahá’í Community Life

Note: Rates listed include cost of meals unless otherwise noted.