U.S. Supplement/Issue 113/Text

[Page 1]

Very Great Things Expected from Us

During the past two years diligent efforts have been made to understand and to put into effect the call of the Universal House of Justice for universal participation by the believers in all those activities of our beloved Faith essential to the establishment of the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh. In the beautiful and sou1—stirring Riḍván 1967 Message from the Universal House of Justice the meaning of universal participation is made very clear. First of all, it is addressed to the Bahá’ís of the world, as in the past, but now the Bahá’í world has suddenly become very large, for this year there were 81 National Conventions at which this very Message was read and discussed in many languages, an increase of eleven in one year.

Secondly, as a result of the great increase in the number of local Spiritual Assemblies reported in the Message more than 54,000 Bahá’ís are now involved in administrative responsibilities with 60,000 more to be trained and prepared and actually serving as Assembly members within six more years.

Thirdly, the Faith has made a great forward thrust in prestige through the recognition of Bahá’í marriages and Bahá’í Holy Days and the incorporation of national and local Assemblies on all continents.

These and other visible achievements, the Message says, are the result of increased activity in both teaching and administrative functions, an organic vitality that makes itself felt even at the World Center.

Fourthly, the needs and tasks enumerated and emphasized in the Riḍván Message are truly universal in application and appeal. The building of the Panama Temple—the beautification and development of the World Center which itself will further enhance the prestige and influence of the Faith, these require the outpouring of contributions from even larger and larger numbers of believers through their local and national Assemblies.

Fifthly, there will be held in October six great InterContinental Conferences for the gathering of the believers in all continents for consultation on the launching of a campaign aimed at proclaiming the Message of Bahá’u’lláh to every stratum of human society, a campaign that “may well become the spearhead of other plans to be launched continually until humanity has recognized and gratefully acclaimed its Redeemer and its Lord.”

With this campaign, the Message says, there must be undertaken and sustained a strong homefront teaching program that will vastly increase the number of localities where there are Bahá’ís prepared to teach those

receptive souls who become attracted by the publicity and other proclamation activities, for, as the Message so movingly states: . . . “Nothing will be more disheartening than for thousands to hear of the Faith and have nowhere to turn for further information.”

It also points out that as the proclamation campaign becomes effective more and more attention will be directed to the claims of Bahá’u’lláh, and opposition must be expected. Therefore, the believers must not only understand, but must be able to clearly explain the purpose of God for the human race as revealed and directed by Bahá’u’lláh. Thus the Message directs “the friends to a new realization of the very great things which are expected from us in this Day.”

As we ponder on this Message, it would be well to review the Message addressed directly to the Bahá’ís of the United States on the occasion of the launching of the Nine Year Plan in Riḍván 1964. In enumerating at that time the world wide goals and the ones for which we were to be specifically responsible, the Universal House of Justice urged the American Bahá’í Community to assume the lion’s share—“to set its face towards leadership of the world community with all that that leadership entails of sacrifice at home and sustaining less fortunate communities abroad.” It called for the mobilization of all resources, “both human and financial.” It said our responsibilities were prodigious and our efforts must be prodigious to match them.

That Message also promised that by the achievement of our goals, we would fulfill the often expressed hope of the beloved Master that “all the peoples of the world (may) witness that this community is spiritually illumined and divinely guided. Then will the whole world resound with the praise of its majesty and greatness.”

The Secret of Right Living

In the budget message already received by each believer, the specific needs of the National Fund are clearly stated. In that same message, each believer was asked to conscientiously relate himself or herself to these needs, and in a spirit of sacrifice play his individual part in meeting them. Ours is a community spiritually and materially blessed by the loving God of all, singled out by the Central Figures of our Faith for a great destiny. The attainment of that destiny depends upon our own efforts. We must arise and demonstrate our appreciation of our blessings and bounties by responding without a moment’s hesitation to the call of that Supreme and Infallible Institution, the Universal House of Justice, for the material means essential to

[Page 2]achieve that destiny. In the words of the beloved Guardian, in his last message to the American Bahá’ís, “a golden opportunity, a glorious challenge, an inescapable duty, a staggering responsibility” confronts us at this turning point in the history of the Cause.

In its Riḍván Message of 1964 the Universal House of Justice reiterates the Guardian’s plea to the American believers for “a fresh consecration to their God-given Mission, coupled with an instantaneous plan of action, at once so dynamic and decisive, as to wipe out, . . . with one stroke, the deficiencies which have, to no small extent, bogged down the operations of the Crusade on the homefront. . . .”

In one of his very early letters to the American Bahá’í community regarding the Fund, the Guardian wrote:

“It is the sacred obligation of every conscientious and faithful servant of Bahá’u’lláh who desires to see His Cause advance, to contribute freely and generously for the increase of that (Bahá’í) Fund. . . . I cherish the hope that all the friends, realizing the necessity of this measure, will bestir themselves and contribute, however modestly at first, towards the speedy establishment and increase of that Fund.”

JULY ‘1967

“Each and every believer, undaunted by the uncertainties, the perils and the financial stringency afflicting the nation, must arise and insure, to the full measure of his or her capacity, that continuous and abundant flow of funds into the national Treasury, on which the successful prosecution of the Plan must chiefly depend. . . .

“He wishes you particularly to impress the believers with . . . the importance of the institution of the National Bahá’í Fund which, in these early days of the administrative development of the Faith, is the indispensable medium for the growth and expansion of the Movement. Contributions to this fund constitute, in addition, a practical and effective way whereby every believer can test the measure and character of his faith, and to prove in deeds the intensity of his devotion and attachment to the Cause. . . .

“We must be like the fountain or spring that is continuafly emptying itself of all that it has and is continually being refilled from an invisible source. To be continually giving out for the good of our fellows undeterred by the fear of poverty and reliant on the unfailing bounty of the Source of all wealth and all good—this is the secret of right living.”

Report of Treasurer to the National Bahá’í Community

Because our new fiscal year begins on April 1, a full month passes by before the results for the previous year and the budget for the new year are first presented to the American Bahá’í community at the National Convention. A second month passes before this information filters down to the friends throughout the country via Convention reports and the general distribution of the annual budget message. Therefore, the full impact of the implications of our million-dollar budget cannot be considered as being reffected in the income figures for the first two months. Nevertheless, we wish you to have the figures for those months:

April May Total

Regular

Contributions $38,427.28 $48,808.60 $87,235.88 Special

Contributions 1,000.00 17,069.32 18,069.32 Other Income — 2,657.08 2,657.08 Estate Bequests 11,585.79 3,886.29 15,472.08 Total 51,013.07 72,421.29 123,434.36 Pro-Rata Budget 88,333.00 88,333.00 176,666.00 Deficit ($37,319.93) ($15,911.71) ($53,231.64)

Thus, in two months we accumulated a deficit greater than the total deficit for the last fiscal year. In the first two weeks of June, the contributions were $28,343.56. With the vastly increased amount called for by the monthly budget, this makes even more urgent an immediate response to the challenge of our enlarged financial needs, as outlined in the recent budget message. More than ever, its implications must be prayerfully and thoughtfully considered and consulted upon by each community and individual.

It is essential that contributions be phased so that we do not fall hopelessly behind. Therefore, the National Spiritual Assembly proposes a target, and asks for the enthusiastic cooperation of every individual Bahá’í and every institution. We -appeal for an all out effort to have all receipts total $662,497.50 by the Birthday of Bahá’u’lláh, November 12. This means contributions totalling $510,719.58 in the period from June 15 to November 12, or $102,143.00 in each of these months, so that we can meet our pro-rated budget. Only by accomplishing this will we be in a sound position for the balance of the year. Anything less will place us in a situation of real pressure.

A great deal is being asked of the American Bahá’í community. It will be easy, however, if the right spirit is generated in the hearts of all of the Bahá’ís. Occasionally the Treasurer’s Office receives a letter which exemplifies this spirit in a particularly graphic manner. Such a letter is the following, received last month:

“Dear friends, Allah’u’Abhá

Today I won.$5.00 at Purity Store. Even though I am only .10 years 6 months 7 days old I am giving it to you for two reasons. The first is Mr. Dahl said to me'this last summer at Gyersville Bahá’í School, that even if you are not 15 years of age you can give to the Bahá’í fund, if one of your parents is a Bahá’í. The second reason is that last night I heard about the det we owe. I hope this will help and even if I don’t win any more money I’1l still try to send some more. Remember, Bahá’u’lláh knows what is best for us.”

The National Spiritual Assembly awaits your response with hope and confidence.

[Page 3]U.S. SUPPLEMENT

Indiscriminate Kissing is Discouraged

The Universal House of Justice has granted permission for publication of the following extract from a letter to the National Spiritual Assembly of Switzerland:

“We have your letter . . . in which you ask about the current practice of kissing and embracing among the friends both in Europe and America.

“As you know, in the Advent of Divine Justice the beloved Guardian has stated the principles of Bahá’í conduct which apply and he has condemned easy familiarity and frivolous conduct. Certainly the practice of indiscriminate kissing and embracing involving unrelated people of opposite sexes is not desirable and is discouraged. Particularly in these days when restraints are being abolished one by one, the Bahá’ís should make great efforts to uphold, in their personal lives and in their relationships to each other, the standards of conduct set forth in the teachings.”

THE HOUSE OF WORSHIP A Shelter for Many Activities

The Ushers

The primary duty of the ushers at the Most Holy House of Worship is, of course, to greet and escort visitors to seats in the Auditorium or Foundation Hall for all programs of devotion or public meetings. But behind the scenes are ushers who control and adjust the audio volume in the Auditorium and lead ushers who are busy coordinating the services of all who volunteer to serve in this way.

The Committee has prepared an Usher's Manual in which these duties are described, including location and proper use of fire extinguishers throughout the building, and location of first aid equipment for emergencies. Many ushers have taken courses in First Aid to be better qualified to meet this type of emergency.

Believers living in the Temple area volunteer for regular service but because many more ushers are

3

needed during the summer months when all activities at the House of Worship reach an accelerated pitch. those who plan to be in the area during their vacations are encouraged to volunteer for a few hours on Sunday afternoons. A truly rewarding experience can be gained through such an act of service. Please write to: MISS LYNDA SOMERHALDER, SECRETARY, TEMPLE USHERS COMMITTEE, 112 LINDEN AVENUE, WILMETTE, ILLINOIS 60091, informing her of time and date when you wish to usher at the Mother Temple.

National Assembly Announces Appointment

of National Teaching Committee

The National Spiritual Assembly is pleased to announce the appointment of the National Teaching Committee which held its first meeting on the same dates as the meeting of the National Spiritual Assembly, thus providing early opportunity for consultation on the major objectives and teaching plans for the Bahá’í year. The members and Committee officers are:

Mr. Glenford Mitchell, Chairman

Mr. Howard Tangier, Vice Chairman

Mr. Kenneth Kalantar, Secretary

Miss D. Thelma Jackson, Recording Secretary

Mr. Richard Betts

Mr. Franklin Kahn

Mrs. Margaret Jensen

Mrs. Nancy Phillips

Mr. Fred Sudhop

The major objectives, devolving from the 1967 Riḍván Message from the Universal House of Justice, have been adapted for this and the succeeding years of the Nine-Year Plan:

1. The spiritual deepening of the American Bahá’í community.

2. The development of a phased program for the achievement of all home front objectives by Riḍván 1972 assigned to the American Bahá’í community at Riḍván 1964.

3. The stimulation of home front pioneering to raise the number of localities where Bahá’ís reside to 3,000 and to increase the number of local Assemblies to 600 as called for in the Plan.

4. The development of proclamation strategies for the balance of the 1\Iine-Year Plan.

5. Maximum effort to stimulate contributions to the

Bahá’í Fund by Assemblies, Groups and individual believers.

The strengthening of all local Spiritual Assemblies. Prosecution of a well-defined plan for teaching among the Indians and other minorities.

The Departments of National Teaching, Community

Development, and Youth and College Activities will be

directly responsible to the National Teaching Commit tee as will also the State Goals Committees who will be the executive arms of the National Teaching Committee on the local level.

Program plans and projects approved by the National Spiritual Assembly will be announced from time to time both by the National Teaching Committee and the National Spiritual Assembly. With the full and universal cooperation of all believers, the teaching activities will surely gain a high momentum in the years immediately ahead.

_*1CD

[Page 4]JULY 1967

Actions Taken on Convention Recommendations

In reporting the actions taken on the recommendations adopted by the National Convention, the National Spiritual Assembly wishes to comment briefly on the Convention itself. It feels that, on the whole, the quality of the consultation was substantive and good. The spirit was high and the motions adopted were, for the most part, clear and precise in their intent to direct the attention of the National Spiritual Assembly to specific needs as understood by the delegates.

Some few recommendations for the next Convention have been carefully noted and filed for consideration when planning for the Convention for 1968.

Certain motions that called for immediate implementation were acted on during the Convention and therefore are not recorded in this report. These include adoption of the budget of $1,060,000 as proposed by the National Spiritual Assembly for the fiscal year, 19671968. Actions taken on the other recommendations are reported as follows:

The recommendations adopted by the delegates at the National Convention and the actions taken by the National Spiritual Assembly are recorded hereunder.

1. Recommendation: That, as part of the Proclamation Campaign, the NSA send to every leader in every state a message that will appeal not only to the “head” but also to the “heart,” and that the Bahá’í communities be asked to furnish a list of such leaders.

Action: Approved. It will be carried out as part of the many Centenary plans under way. The Bahá’í communities will be asked to provide lists.

2. Recommendation: That the NSA explore means for developing our human resources and to develop a plan of action within the community for proclaiming the Faith by living, by migrating, and for achieving the possible objectives of that community.

Action: This recommendation is endorsed by the NSA and has been referred to the National Teaching Committee for action.

3. Recommendation: That the Bahá’í School Councils

consider the possibility of developing extension courses or sessions in their wide areas between the fall and summer sessions. Action: The NSA approves the nature of the recommendation. Whatever action is taken will be reported in connection with the overall plans for developing the Bahá’í schools.

4. Recommendation: That the NSA consider the establishment of a Summer Youth Project at the House of Worship and that those who take part be selected from among the population of the United States. Action: This project is already under way.

5. Recommendation: That every new Bahá’í receive from the National Spiritual Assembly a copy of the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

Action: This will be done temporarily, pending the

10.

ll.

12.

13.

development of a full-scale plan of deepening for newly enrolled Bahá’ís.

Recommendation: That the excellent paper on Bahá’í morality given by Dr. Peter Khan at the Convention be prepared for distribution among all youth, and that the remarks by Dr. Daniel Jordan be incorporated as an introduction or preface. Action: Approved. Dr. Khan and Dr. Jordan have been asked to undertake the necessary editing and preparation of the article.

Recommendation: That the NSA appoint a committee such as the National Teaching Committee to edit and prepare the papers given at the Convention for service to the entire Bahá’í community. Action: Approved. Action has been taken to implement this recommendation.

Recommendation: That all State Goals Committees be asked to hold institutes on the materials included in the papers presented during the Convention. Action: The papers have been provided to the National Teaching Committee with the recommendation that it consider the possibility of incorporating the substance of these papers in institutes. Recommendation: That the NSA consider the publication of a pamphlet entitled “The Divine Physician” for distribution to hospitals, nursing homes, homes for the aged, and similar institutions, and that it include the Words of Bahá’u’lláh, the Báb, and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá on healing for the nations and peoples, prayers, The Hidden Words, etc.

Action: This recommendation has been referred to the newly established Editorial Board for Bahá’í Publications for its study.

Recommendation: That the NSA direct the appropriate agency to investigate and establish procedures for involving Bahá’í college students in the proclamation of the Faith on college campuses. Action: The substance of this recommendation is approved and has been referred with the endorsement of the NSA to the Department of Youth and College Activities for implementation. Recommendation: That the NSA adopt some workable plan for providing Assemblies with a good outline on what to do when presented with personal problems, and that this information include the consultation procedure when a situation at hand involves one or more Assembly members. Action: Approved.

Recommendation: That a policy of teaching be developed to reach particular types of people and that pamphlets for this selective approach be produced.

Action: Referred to the Editorial Board for Bahá’í Publications for consideration.

Recommendation: That youth be appointed to State Goals Committees.

Action: Approved. This has been done in instances where qualified youth are known to be available. In

[Page 5]U.S. SUPPLEMENT

other instances, the State Goals Committees have been asked to make recommendations.

14. Recommendation: That the NSA consider the possibility of youth projects where the youth would live in a community, work during the day and devote evenings and other free time to teaching activities. Action: Approved in principle and passed on to the Department of Youth and College Activities.

l5. Recommendation: That next year’s Convention

grant the privilege of the floor to certain youth appointed by the NSA to present various topics during the sessions. Action: The Guardian instructed that the Convention is for the elected delegates, but they may vote to grant the privilege of the floor to non-delegates in specific instances.

16. Recommendation: That a greater number of youth teachers be used in the summer schools for both adult and youth classes.

Action: Voted to request the school committees to do this.

17. Recommendation: That the NSA specifically request local assemblies and State Goals Committees, and perhaps groups and isolated Bahá’ís, to get together to consult on how to map the “uncharted sea” of pro.clamation into which we are moving. Action: Approved in principle, and referred to the Proclamation Committee for its consideration.

18. Recommendation: That the recommendations contained in the paper presented by Mr. Salvatore Pelle be accepted and turned over to the NSA for action.

Action: Voted to request the Proclamation Committee to consider these recommendations when planning a strategy for the Proclamation Campaign.

19. Recommendation: That an invitation be sent to

President Lyndon Johnson to attend the banquet at the Inter-Continental Conference. Action: Disapproved. The whole matter of involving dignitaries in the Inter-Continental Conference is under consideration by the Centenary Committee and the National Spiritual Assembly.

The National Spiritual Assembly wishes to express its appreciation to the friends who prepared the papers that were presented either in full or in summary at the Convention. The recommendations contained in these papers have been extracted for consideration of the National Spiritual Assembly and its committees as we go forward with the program of teaching, consolidation, and proclamation.

Who Will Be the Pioneers of 1967?

The Riḍván Message from the Universal House of Justice calls for 209 pioneers to fill the few remaining posts under the Nine Year Plan. The list of posts was included as an appendix. Of these posts twenty-one are goals of the American Bahá’í Community, each requiring from one to six pioneers with eight of the posts needing two pioneers each. The total number of Americans called for was only 56, including three needed to complete goals still unfilled from" 1965.

It is gratifying to be able to report that since receipt of the message fifteen American Bahá’ís have arisen to

pioneer and are already at their posts or will be very soon. The following goals are thus filled: Barbuda, Mexico and Luxembourg with one pioneer each; Peru, Philippines and Thailand with two pioneers each; Nigeria with six (two were required for Nigeria).

Thus at this writing the number of pioneers required for the remaining posts assigned to us is forty-five. They are needed in the following places:

Pioneers

The Americas Needed

St. Pierre & Miquelon Island Bolivia

Brazil

Dominican Republic Ecuador Guatemala Honduras

Mexico

Panama

Paraguay

Peru

Venezuela

Africa Botswana Cameroon Republic Central African Republic South Africa

G'>l\JM|-4 O)V\3il>i§l\3rl>l\D>l=-I\Dl\3l-‘H

While the foregoing summarizes the goals assigned to the United States, they by no means represent the only places where American Bahá’ís are needed. Anyone is free to go to any of the other countries listed in the Riḍván Message from the Universal House of Justice provided he can do so without assistance from the National Bahá’í Fund. In addition to the countries listed above, a number of American settlers are needed to replace pioneers in settled goals who must return home for one reason or another. France is one example.

Potential pioneers not already in communication with the Foreign Goals Committee are urged to write immediately for information as to the areas of their choice and details that must be considered in choosing them. For example, in certain countries knowledge of a language other than English is essential.

In assigning to us our pioneer tasks for this year, the Universal House of Justice wrote that while fully conscious of the manifold and sacred responsibilities we are being called upon to shoulder “we are, however, calling upon you at this decisive point in the unfoldment of the Nine Year Plan to demonstrate once again the spiritual vitality of the members of your national community, and extend your helping hand to those that are now in need of your generous and immediate support.”

Write to: FOREIGN GOALS COMMITTEE, 112 LINDEN AVE., WILMETTE, ILLINOIS 60091

World Peace Day

September I7

l|||||l|||ll|||Il|lIll||I|l|II|||llllllllllllll"

Next Special Event

[Page 6]New, Restored and Lost Assemblies of Riḍván 1967

The number of local Spiritual Assemblies at Riḍván 1967 reached a new high of 376, a net gain of 25 over 1966. A comparison of the record for the past two years follows:

Number of Local Spiritual Assemblies

Year Ending at Riḍván 1966 1967 Beginning of Year 327 351 New 24 26 Restored 23 19 Total, New and Restored 217- 45 Lost 23 20‘ Net Gain 24 25 End of Year 351 376

1 Includes one lost by the merger of Healdsburg J. D. and C10verdale J.D. into one Assembly now known as Northern Sonoma County J. D. This was due to changes in civil areas.

Although the net increase in the total number for 1967 is only slightly greater than for 1966, it is believed that the present assemblies are more soundly established than in previous years and the National Bahá’í Community is better prepared to accomplish the future increases needed to reach and exceed the goal of 600 assemblies called for by the Nine Year Plan.

Local Spirilual Assemblies

JULY 1967

States New or Restored* Lost Central States Illinois . . . . . . . , . , , .

Indiana , _ _ , _ , _ _ _ _ , _

Iowa . . . . . . , , _ _ , .

Kansas . . . . . . . . . . . .

Michigan *Battle Creek , _ , , _ , East Lansing Ypsilanti

Missouri *Clayton _ _ _ _ _ _

Minnesota _ _ _ , _ , _ _ _ . _ _

Nebraska , _ , _ , _ _ _ _ _ , _

North Dakota _ _ _ _ . , _ . _ , _ _

Ohio ‘Akron . . . . . . "Kettering

• Mansfield
• North Olmsted

South Dakota ‘Rapid City . . . . . . Wisconsin Oshkosh West Allis Western States Arizona . . . . . . North Maricopa County California Albany Corona J. D. Fullerton Laguna BeachHuntington Beach San Clemente J. D. Jurupa J. D. Redding Oakley J. D. Santa Cruz J. D. Pismo Beach Santa Paula Santa Maria Stockton ‘South Bay J. D. Walnut Creek Colorado Littleton . . . . . . Idaho . . . . . . Ada County Montana . . . . . . . . . . . . Nevada Reno-Sparks Indian

Colony . . . . . .

New Mexico Oregon

Clatsop County ‘Corvallis

Utah Washington

Springfield

Bellevue

States New or Restored* Lost Northeastern States

Connecticut Westbrook . . . . . .

Maine . . . . . . . . . . . .

Massachusetts . . . . . . Greenfield Worcester

New Hampshire . . . . . . . . . . . .

New Jersey . . . . . . Springfield

New York ‘Binghamton Jamestown

Brookhaven Syracuse

• Islip Twp

‘Town of Tonowanda Pennsylvania Central Chester Co. . . . . . . Rhode Island *East Providence . . . . . . Southern States

Alabama Montgomery Birmingham Mobile

Arkansas . . . . . . . . . . . .

Delaware *Wilmington . . . . . .

Florida “Hollywood Sarasota Co.

Lee County

Georgia . . . . . . Savannah

Kentucky . . . . . . . . . . . .

Louisiana . . . . . . Alexandria

Maryland . . . . . . . . . . . .

Mississippi . . . . . . . . . . . .

North Carolina . . . . . . . . . . . .

Oklahoma Norman . . . . . .

South Carolina . . . . . . . . . . . .

Tennessee . . . . . . . . . . . .

Texas ‘El Paso . . . . . . La Porte Lubbock ‘University Park Virginia . . . . . . . . . . . .

West Virginia

Franklin County Comm. District No. 3 ‘Makah Indian Reservation San Juan Island

Wyoming " Laramie

College Club Proclaims the Faith

The Bahá’í Club at University of Wisconsin, Madison, sponsored the campus’s first proclamation, “The 20th Century: A Beginning or An End?” in May. Three distinguished traveling teachers appeared — Mr. Salvatore Pelle addressed five seekers and 15 Bahá’ís on the Faith as the “Vanguard of the Space Age”; Mrs. Eulalia Bobo spoke to an audience of 36 (almost half seekers) about the evolution of a family called man; and Mr. Winston Evans spoke to 16 seekers and 18 Bahá’ís on “Religion Comes of Age”. The film, “And His Name Shall Be One” was shown to 30 believers and seekers. Far reaching publicity announced the Faith. Four and a half hours of free radio time was secured, hundreds of posters were placed throughout the campus, and the campus newspaper provided excellent coverage of the events. Many other methods were used such as pieces of literature, flyers, a Bahá’í booth and a television interview.

[Page 7]U5.SUPPLEMENT

Musical Compositions Requested

The Music Reviewing Committee is now collecting music for its next packet which will contain serious songs for solo voices. These songs must be original, and preferably set to texts by Bahá’u’lláh, the Báb, or ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (Hidden Words, prayers, meditations, etc.) or to poetic texts by Bahá’ís. The songs must have accompaniments, either for piano or any other instrument or combination of instruments which are appropriate to the songs.

Remember what ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said: “Singing and music are the spiritual food of the hearts and souls. In this dispensation, music is one of the arts that is highly approved and is considered to be the cause of the exaltation of sad and desponding hearts. Therefore . . . set to music the verses and divine words so that they may be sung with soul stirring melody in the assemblies and gatherings, and that the hearts of the listeners may become tumultuous and rise towards the Kingdom of Abhá in supplication and prayer.” (p. 378 BWF)

Please make your manuscripts as correct and legible as possible and send them to: MRS. MILDRED N. MCCLELLAN, secretary, 95 AvoN HILL ST., CAMBRIDGE, MAss. 02140.

Local Assemblies Contributing Each Month

375

350 300:

Zfll

2&0

150 100

JTJIJE JTJIJY {UT} SEIYP (DCIP BN3‘! IJEXZ JAKIJ FTEB hflkli

Calendar of Events

FEASTS July 13 — Kalimét (Words) August 1 -— Kamél (Perfection) August 20 ——Asmá’ (Names) September 8 — ‘Izzat (Might)

HOLY DAY July 9—Martyrdom of the Báb

PROCLAMATION EVENT September 17—World Peace Day

U.S. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY MEETINGS July 7 through 9 September 1 through 4 October 4

Bahá’í House of Worship

Visiting Hours

Daily

10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Devotions

Sunday:

3 to 3:30 p.m.

Public Meetings

Sundays

3:45 p.m.

Youth Contribute to the Fund

During the National Convention the youth invited the treasurer of the National Spiritual Assembly to present the financial requirements for the coming year, with particular reference to the responsibilities of youth to the Fund, and their opportunity for service through the Fund.

It was obvious that the youth were deeply interested in the subject, and that many had not really considered it in depth previously. They listened with intense concentration and asked intelligent questions afterwards.

Their immediate response in the form of a contribution of approximately $250 was a heartening indication of their grasp of the significance of the National Fund to the progress of the Faith in the United States, and of their willingness and capacity to support it. The National Spiritual Assembly appreciates this, and anticipates a continuation of the support by all youth on a regular basis throughout the year. With our fast growing membership of young people, the youth can make a major contribution to the achievement of our milliondollar budget.

— NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY ARTHUR DAHL, TREASURER

[Page 8]JULY 1967

Bahá’í Marriages

Phoenix, Ariz.: Mrs. Delight Elizabeth Petz to Thomas E. Courtwright on April 28, 1967

Broderick, Calif.: Miss Julie Renee Holmes to Logan Marquis Lockabey on April 30, 1967

Hayward, Calif; Miss Linda Marie Roath to Bernard Handford Paradise on April 22, 1967

San Francisco, Calif.: Miss Katherine Hoy to Peter M. Jorgensen on March 21, 1967

San Diego, Calif; Miss Linda Carvey to Douglas R. Welch on December 3, 1966

Fort Lauderdale, F1a.: Miss Toni L. Anderson to James Fred Webb on April 22, 1967

In Memoriam

Mrs. Joan J. Anderson San Diego, Calif. February 19, 1967

Mrs. Estelle Betts Maywood, Illinois May 1, 1967

Charles Carlson Kenosha, Wisconsin May 9, 1967

Mrs. Lynn DeWester Glendora, Calif. April 23, 1967

Raymond E. Doyle Oakland, Calif. May 3, 1967

Miss Zahra Heber Eliot, Maine May 7, 1967

August A. Hippchen Santa Barbara, Calif. April 21, 1967

Mrs. Anna Kincaid Portland, Oregon April 30, 1967

Devoe C. Linzy Clyde, N.Y. May 7, 1967

Mrs. Anna M. Marney Redding, Calif. April 26, 1967

Mrs. Catherine Slavik Edwardsville, Illinois April 17, 1967

J. B. Webb Boise, Idaho April 26, 1967

Membership Restored to Mrs. Mehranguiz Holmes

The Hands of the Cause in the Holy Land cabled on May 3 that Mrs. Mehranguiz Holmes, now living in Torrance, California, has been reinstated as a Bahá’í and that association between her and the believers is permissible. Mrs. Holmes has been informed that she may now attend Nineteen Day Feasts and participate freely in all Bahá’í activities.

A Reminder

It is not too late to register at a Bahá’í summer school, whether it be in Michigan, California, Maine, Minnesota, Oregon, North Carolina, Texas, Arizona, Washington or Wisconsin. See the March 1967 U.S. SUPPLEMENT to the Bahá’í NEWS for a list of schools and pertinent data.

Atlanta, Ga.: Miss Myra Diane Beavers to Dr. Raymond Hart on February 25, 1967

Minneapolis, Minn.: Miss Audrey Jane Maki to Harold Harrison on May 12, 1967

Santa Fe, N.M.: Miss Cynthia Von Riper to Christopher West on April 23, 1967 (non-Bahá’ís)

New York, N.Y.: Mrs. Rochelle Robb to Cecil E. Cook, Jr. on March 31, 1967

New York, N.Y.: Miss Gale March to Algot Stenbery on April 22, 1967

Dayton, Ohio: Mrs. Ruth H. Parks to Harbert J. Jones on April 15, 1967

LaPorte, Texas: Miss Carolyn Louise Kolarik to Bobby Len Tipton on May 6, 1967

New National Center Telephone

On or about July 15, a telephone switchboard will be installed at the National Bahá’í Center office. Along with this, will come a change in the telephone number. The new telephone number after July 15 is 256-4400 (area code 312). This number will be used to call all departments and committees at the National Center address. The Bahá’í Publishing Trust will have its own number which is AL 1-1854.

The 256-4400 will connect through the switchboard with the National Secretaries, Departments of: Community Development, Teaching, Youth and College Activities, Public Information; Foreign Goals Committee, the Coordinator of the House of Worship, and the Superintendent of the Bahá’í Buildings and Grounds.

Mail addressed to any of the above departments or agencies should be sent to 112 Linden Ave., Wilmette, 111., 60091. Mail for the Bahá’í Publishing Tru_st should be addressed to 110 Linden Ave., Wilmette, 111., 60091.

A Step Forward

The Faith has taken a significant step forward with the mailing of this issue of Bahá’í NEWS. The address labels have been prepared from punched cards and magnetic tape using an electronic computer of an ad.vanced design. The computer is amazingly fast and accurate, but a number of steps in the conversion process have involved humans and therefore some mistakes are inevitable. All Bahá’ís — adults as well as youth - will be receiving a brief questionnaire which will provide an opportunity to correct any mistakes that are noted in the address label. The questionnaire also calls for a limited but essential amount of information that will enable the National Spiritual Assembly and its committees to utilize better the talents and experience of each Bahá’í. Your cooperation in completing and returning the questionnaire promptly will be greatly appreciated.