The Bahá’í Centenary 1844-1944/Teaching Activity Serving Race Unity
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TEACHING ACTIVITY SERVING RACE UNITY
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HEN the Lights of the Splendor of the King of Oneness are seated upon the throne of the heart and soul, His Light becomes manifest in all the parts and members."—Bahá’u’lláh.
Race unity as a title suggests the new treatment of an old disease. Old theories, however popular, are now largely discredited by their evident ineffectiveness to resolve the most difficult of human problems. If the right talisman is discovered it will work a mighty transformation on earth. It will call into action the hidden springs and motives of life. It will oil the machinery of civilization. It will elevate mankind to the highest plane and aid every one's quest for God. What is needed is to widen the circle of our thoughts so as to consider world as well as local conditions. What will make people truly friendly to those of all races? As all men have the ills of maladjustment vividly and increasingly forced upon their attention, what is now needed is not Qliagnosis, but the remedy for existing ills caused by. prejudices. The only answer is that of Guidance from the Supreme World. The more man knows about his Maker the more he realizes his own being and his duty to be God-like in striving for the well-being of all his fellow men.
The Bahá’í Teachings are a reservoir of inspiration and power freely supplied to all who would put into action new ideals for the New Day. The Holy Books of the past record the Promise of God to remove the veils and clouds that cover mankind in the latter days. The creational days of Moses. Jesus and Muhammad were progressive steps to the Great Day of God which has now appeared. In this Day of Days, God has vowed to remove the superstition, prejudices, oppressions and idol worship which obscure the reality of man. Wisdom testifies that His promises do not fail.
Bahá’u’lláh, the mighty Speaker of the
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Word, has revealed universal ideals for world betterment and among these there is none more important than that which directs the unity of mankind. In no uncertain terms He directs His followers to work for that exalted aim. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá during the years of His ministry, held before His American friends the great service they could render the nation, and the nation in turn the world, by proclaiming and acting upon the principle of the oneness of humanity as the foundation for universal peace. He often mentioned this to His visitors; among these were two colored Americans to whom he was especially gracious and kind, perhaps in view of their state of oppression. Tablets to His friends in various forms conveyed the same significances. During His visit to America which covered a period of nine months in 1912, this absorbing theme reached many audiences with overpowering eloquence. As exemplar of the Teachings, He put these ideals into visible action at every opportunity.
Following the former world war, He gave instructions for the first convention for race unity to be held. This was undertaken and carried through with great success in Washington, D. C.. in 1921. He was well pleased with this historic gathering and to it sent the following message through Mountfort Mills:
"Say to this convention that never since the beginning of time has one more important been held. This convention stands for the oneness of humanity; it will become the cause of the enlightenment of America. It will, if wisely managed and continued, check the deadly struggle between these races which otherwise will inevitably break out."
The effect of this effort upon the atmosphere of the national capital was truly wonderful. It lifted the gloom of a bloody riot of races about a year before. It restored hope and confidence to hearts inflamed by hatred.
TEACHING ACTIVITY
It unfolded a vision of reality, the high possibilities of humanity when aided and guided by Divine Favor. It brought a wave of spirituality which was life to many. It had wide publicity and assembled great audiences in which could be seen a number of the most eminent and influential people. as well as the rank and file, whose need may be greater.
The following is a partial list of its workers and helpers: Mrs. Agnes 5. Parsons. the noble Bahá’í lady whose sacrifices financed it and who in consultation directed it; Dr. Jason Noble Pierce, pastor of the First Congregational Church in which all the meetings were held; Hon. Moses E. Clapp, former Senator from Minnesota; Senator Samuel Shortridge of California; C. Lee Cook, famous southern business man and philanthropist; Dr. Alain L. Locke. professor of philosophy, Howard University; Hon. Martin B. Madden, Congressman from Illinois; Alfred W. Martin. leader of the Ethical Culture Society of New York; Dean and Mrs. George W. Cook of Howard University; Lieut. Gen. Nelson A. Miles, commanding the American Army. Prominent among the Bahá’ís who rendered whole-hearted aid were Howard MacNutt; Albert Vail; Mountfort Mills; Martha L. Root; Ray C. Wilhelm; Mariam Haney; Louise D. Boyle; William H. Randall and Janab-i-Fáḍil-i-Mazandarani of Iran.
This activity led to the holding of thirtyfive similar conventions or conferences in Washington and other cities as follows: Springfield, Mass.; New York City; Philadelphia; Dayton, Ohio; Green Acre. Maine; Chicago; Montreal, Canada; Urbana. Ill.; Wilmette, Ill.; Geneva. N. Y.; Portsmouth, N. H.; Rochester, N. Y.; Boston, Mass.; Detroit, Mich.; Atlantic City. N. J.; Pittsburgh. I’a.; Cincinnati. Ohio. Besides these. racial amity dinners and meetings on a smaller scale have been held in many cities. those in New York, Los Angeles. Detroit. Peoria. Indianapolis. Milwaukee, Urbana. Chicago. Columbus and Cincinnati, being the most outstanding. Over a period of years a National Race Unity Committee has been an arm of service to the National Spiritual Assembly. It has stimulated this phase of service nationally and has cooperated with
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local Race Unity Committees in holding conferences. It has been especially successful in arranging circuits for Bahá’í lecturers to convey the Divine Plan of race relations to many colleges North and South. Such tours have brought cordial receptions and happy responses from many progressive souls, eagerly looking for a way out of the impending and deepening gloom. This activity is continuous. Press acceptances of Bahá’í editorials extend the teachings over a vast area.
Social sciences have sprung up in this new day, doubtless due to the creative Spirit of the Manifestation of God. Special courses have been arranged in Bahá’í schools in which the Bahá’í teachings have been correlated with facts and laws scientifically brought to light. Hearts and minds are thus trained. And thus we may discover that human beings, regardless of race, have the same essential human characteristics; that the soil of human minds and hearts is a most fertile field, with amazing possibilities of development through education, environment, better economics and spirituality; that cultural excellence has been limited to no race; that the savage is lacking in no basic trait found in civilized man; that the forefront of civilization has veered during the ages from one group to another; that progressive peoples learn from each other; that the amassing of wealth is not necessarily a proof of culture; that the civilized man can learn much from. as well as bestow much upon, his savage brother; that the mingling of races so increasingly apparent today, need not cause fear, since it has happened before during the ages without debasing mankind: that due to the overlapping of races. a universal condition, racial differences are fanciful rather than real; that "as humanity advances the idea of race recedes"; that in the past similar cultures have appeared on all the continents; that as God is one, Truth is one, humanity is also one.
The Bahá’í Teachings are an inexhaustible treasury of both scientific and spiritual knowledge. They establish divine justice and prove the oneness of humanity beyond all possible doubt. The majestic Utterances of Bahá’u’lláh are a veritable Sun of Truth. Other sources of knowledge are the Tablets, printed addresses in Paris and America of
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TEACHING ACTIVITY
‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and His Instructions to friends who find joy in the great work of reconciliation. Harmony in diversity is the noble, inspiring theme.
Shoghi Effendi, Guardian of the Faith, has vigorously yet with loving kindness, upheld the standards of the Great Ones Who preceded him; but as a wise approach to inquirers and a willingness to give everyone an opportunity, he has authorized separate study classes, in the South, for those investigating the Faith. But he maintains the highest standard of justice and freedom from prejudices on the part of those who accept the Faith. The wisdom of this is clear. It cannot be expected that the college entrant should have a college education; but
- when he gets knowledge he is guided to act
with wisdom. Those who are heart-attracted find themselves becoming free from the limitations of the old order.
The Guardian has summarized in his letter, "The Advent of Divine Justice,” the Teachings on -Race Unity. This summary, though brief, is most comprehensive, covering every aspect of race relations and stimulating the highest and noblest efforts on the part of mortals regardless of race. In his
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next great letter, "The Promised Day is Come,” he classifies racialism as one of three idols, all of which are being demolished by the greatest upheaval known to mankind. I The Bahá’í Publishing Committee has many books of the Faith. The Bahá’í Wmld, biennial publication, includes articles on this all important subject through all of its numbers. The World Order Magazine and the Ba/)a"t' News, the former contacting the general public and the latter the confirmed Bahá’ís. not infrequently carry articles on this subject and record activities.
The fiftieth year of the evolution of the Faith in America may well record pleasing gain within the Faith as well as much encouragement visible without, as the world develops through afflictions and trials, greater capacity to evaluate and execute the Divine Wiil, which today calls into being a limited world.
Bahá’u’lláh enjoins it upon His followers "not to fear in a day when all men fear." ‘Abdu’l-Bahá gives this assurance:
"If ye make an effort, this Light shall shine; this soul-refreshing Breeze shall waft; this sweet-scented nectar shall be diffused.”
