U.S. Supplement/Issue 116/Text

[Page 1]

U. S. SUPPLEMENT

2 Baha i

BAHA'I YEAR 124

No. 116

“News

OCTOBER 1967

CONTRIBUTE FINANCIALLY TO THE CAUSE

PIONEERING OUR FIRST MILLION = 4.4%

“THE FACT THAT ONLY WE, THE BAHA'IS, CAN

/ al abe ia

oe? ’

STNG

Kare

$1,060,000

BOTH OUR HONOR AND OUR CHALLENGE.” a from Ridvan 1967 Message "aS om Universal of Justice Ca $083,333.30

’ “4

$529,999.98

A Gift to Baha'u'llah

“cc

... To give and to be generous are attributes of Mine; well is it with him that adorneth himself with My virtues.’’!

Earlier this year the National Spiritual Assembly appealed to all Baha’is to increase their sacrificial contributions to achieve a goal of total receipts of

™) $662,497 by November 12 of this year, thus honoring in a

very special way the Birthday of Baha’u’llah 150 years ago.?

A total of $301,917 had been received by the end of

“ocr™

$618 , 333.31

= = ee em ol's PAY for our FIRST $1 MILLION budget

W DEC NW

$794,999.97

W/NowNu

$706,666.64

Help pull our MILLION-DOLLAR WAGON out of the quicksand of

partial participation

August. With two and one-half months still to be accounted for, we are far short of the target. Total receipts must amount to $144,232 monthly to achieve the intermediate goal set for November 12 or $108,298 monthly to reach the final goal of $1,060,000 by March 31.

Baha’is are privileged to contribute to the International Baha’i Fund, the Continental Baha’i Fund, the National Baha’i Fund and the International Deputization Fund.? To facilitate a contribution to the National Fund the National Spiritual Assembly has approved the [Page 2]2

enclosure of an envelope so addressed with this issue of BawA’i News. You are urged to give prayerful consideration to the use of this envelope for a special contribution at this particular time to help wipe out the accumulated deficit and permit the National Program of proclamation to proceed unhindered in any material way.

The Treasurer’s Office has been receiving many heart-warming letters but it is possible to share only a few brief extracts. From a local spiritual assembly, “‘We are happy to be able to double our minimum goal this month... ’’ From an individual ‘‘.. . I am giving the entire sum to the fund. I only wish it were larger but it does represent many hours of hard work over a long period of time.’’ A couple far from home, in making their regular contribution, added ‘‘If the friends could only realize as a whole (many individuals do, of course), what Baha’u’llah, ‘Abdu’l-Baha, and the Beloved Guardian have all told us in various ways must be done in these days.”’

Many Baha’is have unquestionably been making a great sacrifice to attend the Intercontinental Conference. With the inspiration being gained by those so greatly privileged to be present and by the many others who are sharing indirectly but have had to remain at home, we are capable of making a still greater sacrifice to pioneer our first million dollar budget. Only in this way will we be able to carry out all of the programs budgeted for this year including that of proclaiming our beloved Faith as called for by the Universal House of Justice and now to be carried forth by our national and local institutions. The essential principle of sacrifice must be matched by that of universal participation. The amount we give is important to us personally as a measure of our sacrifice. Equally important to our ultimate success is the necessity for each of us to give something, no matter how little it may seem in terms of the total required, and for each of us to give regularly, whether at each 19-day Feast or whether once in each 30-day month on which many personal budgets are based.

As our beloved Guardian has said,

“We must be like the fountain or spring that is continually 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 fear of poverty and reliant on the unfailing bounty of all good — this is the secret of right living.’’+

1. The Hidden Words of Baha'u'llah, p. 39

2. BanA’i News SUPPLEMENT, July, 1967, p. 2

3. See The Annual Budget Message, Insert BaHA’i NEws, June 1967.

4. BauAé’i News, No. 194, p. 6, April, 1947

State Conventions

November 5, 1967

Place and other details will be announced in the Convention Call to be mailed to each believer

OCTOBER 1967

Our Ever-Advancing Civilization The Work of the United Nations in Human Rights

The influence of the Universal. Declaration of Human Rights can be seen to operate in at least three ways. First, conventions 0 lecle ‘ations, covering specific kinds of human rights-t ‘been drafted and adopted. Since the signin: yf the Declaration, eighteen years ago, fifteen such: iwentions have been drafted by the United Nations and“ten of these are now in effect and binding on those States which are parties to the conventions. The International Labor Organization, a specialized agency related to the United Nations, has adopted no less than 124 conventions in the field of labor. And two similar conventions have been drafted by UNESCO. These are signs of aitwo-fold growth, being the result of the increasing complexity of our society and showing also our growing conscious awareness of rights to which all people are entitled. Worldwide industrial development makes obvious the right of each person to be free from forced labor and to have just pay for his work.

In the second place, the thatboneal Declaration of Human Rights can be found in various national constitutions and documents. Many countries as they gained independence have incorporated! the standards of this Declaration in their own Constitutions. The principles are palse

African Unity, established. in 1963 by thirty he Afriean States;- ‘refers directly to “these..standa

The third way this influence is felt is of greatest interest to Baha’is. With 1968 the twentieth anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the United Nations is focusing attention on endeavors in this field. In the period of Proclamation of the Baha’i Faith we become aware of the results of such efforts to emphasize the truly Baha’i principles expressed in the Declaration.

We alone can understand the coincidence of these events. As we proclaim the mission of Baha’u’llah to the world, the United Nations is calling the attention of all nations to the recognition of the rights of man as the foundation of world order. Can we imagine the impact of these twin efforts?

—U.S. BaHA’i CommirrEE ror UNITED NaTIONS

United Nations Day October 24, 1967

A Special Event for Proclaiming the Baha’i Faith to the Public

Theme: A United World — Emerging Reality

Suggested Materials: Material suggested by United Nations Committee; Poster kit from Baha’ji Distribution and Service Department. A Pattern for Future Society; One Universal Faith; Bahd’i Peace Program from Baha’i Publishing Trust.

Reports: Good photographs and reports of outstanding meetings should be mailed immediately to the Public Information Department.

eflected-. yin many. judicial and legislative ~~ [Page 3]U.S. SUPPLEMENT Purchases of Properties Abroad: A Report of the Fund

In its Ridvan message of 1964 the Universal House of Justice assigned to the American Community a large number of property goals, asking that it ‘‘arise at once to grasp the lion’s share of the new tasks, (and to) set its face toward leadership of the world community ... sustaining less fortunate communities abroad... .’’ In 1966 it pressed us, in the second phase of the Nine Year Plan toward the urgent ‘‘acquisition of the remaining national Haziratu’l-Quds, Temple sites, national endowments and teaching institutes called for in the Plan, before the developing inflation now affecting nearly the whole world adds too greatly to the financial burden of acquiring these properties.”’

Each year the American national community has assigned $25,000 of its budget to make possible the purchase of the physical property goals of the Plan at some fifteen sites abroad. The original assignments called for assistance in the purchase of four Temple sites, six Haziratu’l-Quds, and five teaching institutes; several other goals have been added, and it will not be surprising if a few more properties are added as further goals before 1973. Surely one of our most solid satisfactions can derive from gifts to secure these permanent objectives of land and buildings, gifts made in support of our fellow national communities whenever the times of purchase arrive. It should be borne in mind that the levels of Baha’i income are very low in many countries, and our financial aid is essential, although the local Baha’is give as generously as they can.

Temple sites seem hard to discover. We are awaiting to assist in the first one, probably the National Spiritual Assembly of Chile, with a site outside of Santiago at upwards of $10,000; already we have given $4,500 to make necessary down payments.

The national community of Tanzania has bought two handsome lots, and is building on them a newly designed and beautiful Hazira; our share is $13,500, a lifetime investment in the Baha’i administrative activities for that emerging nation in Dar-es-Salaam. The Haziratu’l-Quds of Taiwan in Taipei has been newly built and dedicated; our contribution of $6,000 towards its purchase can be expected to facilitate every Baha’i effort on that populous island.

In West Africa at Bomi Hills, Liberia, the Baha’is have, with their labor and our most recent contribution of $4,000, vastly improved their existing small school property. In the expansion to a year-round summerwinter school a first dormitory has already been put to use; a central hall with facilities, plus a second dormitory, will soon be completed.

In Cochabamba, Bolivia, the National Teaching Institute of that country has been constructed partly with our material aid of $2,750 but with principal assistance from the Universal House of Justice. A functional building for the teachers and students (see illustration) is designed to prepare the believers for their vital national teaching and consolidation efforts in this country of such great promise for the growth of the Faith.

As a partial contribution to a Teaching Institute for South and West Africa, we have given $2,000 for a building in Johannesburg, confident that Baha’i en

deavors toward expansion of the Faith will transform Africa into the ‘‘Bright Continent.”

A generous bequest of the late pioneer Mrs. Etta Woodlen will make possible a local Baha’i Center in Barbados, West Indies. With the great generosity of Mr. Richard Washington, a large endowment property is now held in Liberia by the National Spiritual Assembly of West Africa. A gift from an individual will help the acquisition of an Haziratu’l-Quds in Monrovia.

Property acquisitions are everywhere afflicted with grave difficulties of proper place and easy access, and of mounting inflation. There are numberless obstacles to each purchase, not the least of which is money. With our national aid, so far totalling only $32,750, but augmented by three generous private gifts, we have been able to assist in the achievement of one Temple site, two Haziras, three teaching institutes, one local center and one endowment.

What are the world-wide property goals that remain to be financially assisted by the America Baha’i Community during the balance of the Nine Year Plan? There are temple sites to be acquired in the Netherlands, Portugal and Venezuela. Four more Haziratu’lQuds must be acquired in Reunion, Congo, Liberia and Ghana. In addition, teaching institutes in Mauritius, and Ghana have yet to be acquired. We are a long way from achieving all of the goals assigned to us, but they shall be realized before 1973. Your contributions to the National Fund will help to ensure continued American ‘leadership of the world community”. . . sustaining less fortunate communities abroad.

Birthday of Baha'ullah November 12, 1967

A Special Event for Proclaiming the Baha'i Faith to the Public

Theme: Baha’u’llah — His Call to the Nations

Suggested Materials: Public Information Kit, from the Department of Public Information; Poster Kit from Baha’i Distribution and Service Department. The Faith of Bahd’u’llah; Bahd’t Teachings for a World Faith; Basic Facts of the Bahd’t Faith; Baha’i Answers from Baha’i Publishing Trust.

Reports: Good photographs and reports of outstanding meetings should be mailed immediately to the Public Information Department.

[Page 4]4

How You Can Help to Reduce Expenses

Here are two practical ways in which you, the individual Baha’i, can help to reduce expense to the National Baha’i Fund:

1. If there is more than one Baha’i in the family and one copy of BaHA’i News is sufficient, please notify the National Baha’i Center, listing the members of the family and indicating the member to whom BauA’f News is to be mailed. It cannot be addressed to ‘‘Mr. and Mrs.’’ as the addressing system is used for other purposes besides mailing BaHA’fi News. This will save the National Fund approximately $3.00 per year for each person currently on the mailing list and willing to read some other Baha’i’s copy. It must be realized, however, that back issues will not be available at a future date to those individuals willing to share the copy of another Baha’i.

2. Notify the secretary of your local spiritual assembly or the National Baha’i Center before you move, as soon as you know your new mailing address. Under the new electronic data-processing system, if a change of address reaches the national offices prior to the 15th of any given month, an address change will be made in time for the next mailing of BaHA’I News on the first of the following month. The number of copies of BaHA’f News being returned to the National Baha’i Center by the Post Office is still large. Eight cents for each copy returned is the charge to us.

Every effort will continue to be made to maintain a correct address list of the total Baha’i Community. But the National Spiritual Assembly must safeguard its funds and its staff facilities for every efficiency, especially in this critical year. A little thoughtfulness on the part of the individual can be a great help and a great saving.

NATIONAL BAHA'I FUND

‘Bhovgand Monthly Income: 1967-1968

140-}

Monthly_| 4788.3) Budget

80.

fl Regular contributions Special contributions & Miscellaneous

a Other income

OCTOBER 1967

New Bahai Literature Catalog Available

By the time this issue of BaHA’i News arrives, each local assembly secretary, each local librarian as well as State Goals committees should have received a copy of the new literature catalog just published. This catalog incorporates all new titles, price changes and deletions to October 1, 1967, as well as a few projected titles.

It has been found necessary to increase prices on a few items to a small degree, notably Bahd’u’llah and the New Era. This is the first price increase of any amount on this title in over sixteen years. The paper edition has increased 15 cents to $.90 per copy; the clothbound has increased $.25, to $1.50 per copy. All catalog prices are in effect as of October 1, 1967.

Five free copies of the catalog will be sent: upon request with the next order from each community librarian. These are to be distributed to the local Teaching Committee, Publicity representative, Community Development or Deepening Committee and any other local committees. Please request these with the order. Any additional number of catalogs may be had for distribution within the community at 20 cents per copy. It is hoped that all Baha’is will be encouraged to secure a copy of the catalog to deepen and expand their knowledge of Baha’i literature and purposes.

Shoghi Effendi once stated: ‘“‘. those who do

embrace the Faith should be constantly urged to study.

the literature of the Cause. It is not sufficient that our numbers should increase, we want people whose faith stands on a rock no trial can move. We want people who in turn arise and carry the message to other people and guide other souls.’’ (Baha’i News, July, 1932)

Local Assemblies Contributing Each Month

375

350

250-3

200-|

150 100

ee Be GF HH PU Zw < 248 & § & 8 2] 22 PRB 2H ORAS E

a, [Page 5]U.S. SUPPLEMENT

What About Foreign Goals?

The half way point of our Baha’i year approaches and many of the foreign goals assigned at Ridvan are still waiting for United States Baha’is to volunteer to fill them. It is encouraging to report that plans are well under way for the settlement of half the number of pioneers required of the American community. If these plans carry through successfully twenty-eight pioneers will have settled the posts which are the grave responsibility of the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States. Twenty-eight pioneers are still needed for Africa and the Americas. In Africa the countries desperately needing assistance are Botswana, South Africa and Central African Republic, requiring in all the settlement of nine pioneers. In the Americas nineteen pioneers are needed to settle the countries of Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay and Peru as well as St. Pierre-Miquelon, an island off Newfoundland.

It is our hope that every Baha’i will carefully weigh the privilege and responsibility of fulfilling a foreign goal. If you have plans for this wonderful and meritorious service please use the administrative channels and write at once to the:

ForeIGN GoaLs COMMITTEE 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Il]. 60091

A Renewal Memo to WORLD ORDER Subscribers

Has your subscription to World Order magazine expired? If you were one of the original subscribers, your subscription may well have lapsed with the publication of the Summer 1967 issue, the last number of Volume 1. You may wish to know that the Fall 1967 issue has been sent to you anyway and should be in your mailbox by mid-October. The purpose is to make sure that you do receive the first number of Volume 2, if your intention is to renew your subscription.

A renewal form was inserted in the summer issue for your convenience. Please complete and send it immediately accompanied with a check or money order for $3.50 (Foreign $4.00). This should be mailed to the new subscription address: World Order, National Baha’i Center, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091. You may wish also to renew gift subscriptions for another year, unless you believe the donee is planning to subscribe. In that event, you may want to consider others whom you think may appreciate receiving the magazine.

Baha'i House of Worship

Daily Visiting Hours 10:00 a.m. to 9 p.m. (through October 15) 10:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. (after October 15) Sunday Devotions 3 to 3:30 p.m.

Sunday Public Meetings 3:45 p.m.

Calendar of Events

FEASTS October 16 — ‘Ilm (Knowledge) November 4 — Qudrat (Power) November 23 — Qawl (Speech)

HOLY DAYS October 20 — Birth of the Bab November 12 — Birth of Baha’u’llah November 26 — Day of the Covenant November 28 — Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Baha (1:00 a.m.)

PROCLAMATION EVENTS October 24 — United Nations Day November 12 — Birth of Baha’u’llah

BAHA'I INTERCONTINENTAL CONFERENCE October 5-8 — Wilmette and Chicago, Illinois

U.S. STATE CONVENTIONS

November 5

U.S. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY MEETINGS October 4 November 10-12 December 15-17

They must encourage and stimulate by every means at their command, through subscription, reports and articles, the development of the various Bahda’i magazimes. ...

SHocut Errenpi (Bahd’i Administration p. 38)

The Child's Way

A contributors’ magazine covering activities, reports, ideas from around the world for guidance of children that they may see with their own eyes, know of their own knowledge. ‘‘This little magazine gets better all the time and is one I am proud to give to my nonBaha’i Friends.’’ — a letter from a subscriber.

Subscriptions: The Child’s Way; Box 245 Wilmette, Illinois. 60091

Rates: per year (six issues) $2.00 in United States; $2.50 outside U.S.

Information Needed on Geyserville

Geyserville Baha’i School, Department of Educational Programs, is currently compiling information on the School for possible publication in book form. The friends are urged to contribute any and all information on the School, its history and personal or collective spiritual influence throughout the years. A request is hereby made that contributors refrain from prejudging the worth of any item for possible inclusion in such a compilation.

Please communicate your contribution to: Mrs. Linda Hendricsen, 14470 Victoria Court, San Jose, California, 95127. [Page 6]BAHA'! DIRECTORY CHANGES ASSEMBLY SECRETARIES

Northern California Sacramento Municipal Court District: Mrs. Frances McCune, 3343 Cottage Way No. 61, Sacramento 95825

Central California Dist. #1 Hayward: Mrs. Lydia Kress, 25709 Lander Ave. 94544

San Carlos: Mrs. Lois O. Lissner, 1660 Hull Dr. 94070

Southern California Dist. #1 Beverly Hills: Mrs. Margaret Naismith, 336 N. Palm Dr., Apt. A. 90212

Southern California Dist. #3 San Luis Obispo: Mrs. Frances Snow, P.O. Box 105, 93401

Santa Barbara-Goleta J.D.: Gary Morrison, Chr., 717 Gayley Walk, #201, Goleta 93017

Florida Lee County: Mrs. Doris M. Corbin, P.O. Box 2797, Fort Myers 33931

St. Petersburg: Mrs. Dorothy Stortz, P.O. Box 10251, 33733

Iowa Cedar Rapids: Mrs. Marguerite Ashlock, Chr., 1268 — 33rd St., S.E. 52403

Michigan Royal Oak: Mrs. Marjorie Johnson, 323 East 13 Mile Rd. 48073 Ypsilanti Township: Dr. Eskander Moayad, 2461 Canyon Dr., Ypsilanti 48197

Minnesota St. Paul: Mrs. Dahela Hick now permanent Secretary

Nebraska Lincoln: Mr. Jeff England, Chr., 333 N. 24th 68503

New Mexico Gallup: Mrs. Roan O. Stone, 504 N. 5th St. 87301 (add “North’’ to address)

Eastern New York New York: Mrs. Myrtle McLellan, 25 W. 15th St., 4th FL, New York 10011

Western New York Geneva: Gregory Wooster, Jr., Chr., 1 Garden Apts., South Pultney St. 14456

South Carolina Greenville: Mrs. Katherine Faily, 5 Overbrook Circle 29607

Eastern Washington Yakima: Mrs. Emily Day, 607 S. 9th St. 98902

Western Washington Everett: Mrs. Sylvia Strandell, pro-tem, 1015 Maple 98201

Wisconsin Wauwatosa: Mrs. Romance Christensen, 2651 N. 63rd St. 53213

Baha'i Marriages

Wilmette, Ill.: Miss Susan Kaye to Gary Lee Enlow on July 15, 1967

Ann Arbor, Mich.: Miss Iralynn M. Collins to Andrew J. Allison, Jr. on July 6, 1967

Detroit, Mich.: Miss Darlene Morris to Robert Lee Gross on July 1, 1967

Webster Groves, Mo.: Miss Peggy Wattles to Dennis Chapis on June 10, 1967

Lincoln, Neb.: Miss Janet Irene Chamberlin to Paul A. Lepard on June 17, 1967

OCTOBER 1967

Lima, Ohio: Mrs. Opal Mae Ivey to Richard E. Ivey on May 26, 1967

Rapid City, S.D.: Mrs. Ina Mae Brown to Joe McNeil on May 20, 1967

Salt Lake City, Utah: Miss Phyllis Stephenson to Paul Arnold Meade on June 1, 1967

Tacoma, Wash.: Miss Cynthia K. Nolen to Charles Phillip Lucas on August 23, 1966

Montgomery, Ala.: Miss Donna Lisle Brook to David Gordon on July 15, 1967

Phoenix, Ariz.: Miss K. Ariel Mangan to James Ainslie on August 8, 1967

Davis, Calif.: Miss Mary Ann Wohlers to Jack B. Fisher on June 17, 1967

Los Angeles, Calif: Miss Laurel Lynne Jacoby to Warren Thomas Dress on July 15, 1967

Los Angeles, Calif.: Miss Mary M. Strong to Noel Edward King on August 6, 1967

Palo Alto, Calif.: Miss Judith E. Walker to Thomas W. Schreck on June 26, 1966

Riverside, Calif.: Miss Jeanette Rae Frizzell to Lee Schelin on August 13, 1967

In Memoriam

Charles H. Bearman Astoria, Oregon July 2, 1967 Gilbert L. Flood North Rose, N.Y. July 12, 1967 Mrs. Jean Gasse Redwood City, Calif. June 6, 1967 Mrs. Ruth B. Hansen Tacoma, Wash. June 23, 1967 Dr. Edward L. Jenkins Los Angeles, Calif. August 24, 1966 Mrs. Filomena Ricchiuti Chicago, Illinois June 11, 1967 Walter Scarborough Pasco, Wash. July 21, 1967 Earl D. Shetterly Tarpon Springs, Florida June 20, 1967 Bill Spurgeon North Syracuse, N.Y. July 3, 1967 Mrs. Lois Torok Tampa, Florida June 30, 1967

Mrs. Betty Lou Watts Northglen, Colorado October 16, 1966 Francis H. Bent Deland, Florida August 28, 1967

Mrs. Barbara B. Grimm Jeddo, Michigan August 17, 1967

Mrs. Dorothy R. Hanley Miami, Florida August 19, 1967 Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Hazlett Everett, Wash. July 27, 1967 Mrs. Florence Markham Clayton, Missouri August 1, 1967 Mrs. Caroline Riemland Fresno, Calif. July 20, 1967 Mrs. Mildred Vanlandingham Indianapolis, Indiana July 30, 1967 Mrs. Ruth Wales Indianapolis, Indiana August 2, 1967 Joseph H. Walthier Cummington, Mass. July 29, 1967

Books needed in Alaska

The National Spiritual Assembly of Alaska reported August 23 that so far as could be determined all the Baha’is in the flood stricken areas were evacuated from their homes and were safe. The Alaska Baha’is will assist in the replacement of clothing, household goods, etc., and will provide homes for the friends as long as needed. Since all Baha’i libraries were destroyed the three communities would deeply appreciate an assortment of Baha’i books and pamphlets. These should be sent to the Assembly secretaries whose names and addresses are: Mrs. Gloria Guffey, 1112 Cushman St., Fairbanks; Mrs. Bonnie Reed, Box 354, Nenana; Mrs. Natalie Baumgartner, Box 116, College. [Page 7]U.S. SUPPLEMENT

TEACHING BULLETIN

Of The Nine Year Plan

NATIONAL TEACHING COMMITTEE

DEPARTMENT OF TEACHING

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

DEPARTMENT OF YOUTH AND COLLEGE ACTIVITIES

No. 31 OCTOBER 1967

Securing the Undoubted Triumph of This Sacred Cause

The Department of Community Development shares the following excerpts from a letter written by a belever in one of the small communities of the U.S.

It should be apparent to all the friends by now that the year 1967 signals a major milestone and turning point in the fortunes of the Baha’{ Faith all over the world. The recent message from the Universal House of Justice, the subsequent adoption of the first million dollar budget, the exciting plans for proclamation in Chicago, the Intercontinental Conferences—all these and many more events culminating in the centenary celebration of the revelation of the Most Holy Book of Laws, the Kitab-i-Aqdas, in 1973 cannot help but result in the infusion of the love of Baha’u’ullah into every walk of life, into every human endeavor.

In some instances, the precious gift we offer will be welcomed and accepted. In others, it will be misunderstood, rejected, and even opposed. Whatever the degree of acceptance or rejection, one fact stands out crystal clear and is of special significance to this American community to which the Master promised spiritual primacy and leadership in promulgating the Cause of God throughout the world.

That fact, it seems to me, is that the Baha’i Faith and the individual Baha’is are going to come under scrutiny as never before in the history of the Faith in this country. Our every word, our every act will be examined, analyzed, and in some cases perverted by vested interests and groups who would have a great deal to lose in terms of power, status, and authority should the teachings of Baha’u’llah gain the acceptance they so rightly deserve and must ultimately attain.

This should not be looked upon as something to fear, however. Rather, it represents a challenge to which every believer should welcome responding. The opportunities and rewards that will come from successfully and joyously arising in His service to aid in administering the healing balm of that ‘‘All Powerful Physician” stagger the imagination.

It is, therefore, incumbent upon every Baha’i, adult and youth, to prepare to take advantage of the wonderful teaching opportunities that will arise. This can best be done, in this writer’s opinion, by every believer having such a thorough grasp of the fundamental verities and teachings given by Baha’u’ll4h and how they relate to the individual and to the body politic, that no reasonably intelligent question which might be asked will go without an answer in kind. Further, we must be equally able to refute statements out of context

and perverted and misrepresented in efforts to discredit the Faith and distort our purpose. Inability to do so can only result in making the individual look ridiculous and bring discredit upon the Faith. Surely no one would want to bear the responsibility for such a thing.

In short, to employ the vernacular, the name of the game is Deepening. Personal experience of late has brought an appalling realization of the shallowness and lack of knowledge and understanding of the ‘‘whos’’ ‘“‘whys’’ and ‘‘hows’’ of the Faith among far too many youth and adults, present company not excepted. No one would attempt to build a house without studying the blueprints, or operate a piece of machinery without reading the instructions, very carefully. Certainly, then, we can do no less than apply the same reasoning in our Baha’i lives. We cannot build a new world order without a knowledge of the blueprint given to us by God through Baha’u’llah. We cannot forge the type of society we work toward without a knowledge of the administrative machinery necessary to make it work, given to us by Baha’u’llah, expounded by the Center of His Covenant, and brought into reality by the untiring efforts of the Beloved Guardian.

In addition, there is the necessity of understanding what is expected of us as individuals in terms of conduct and living the life. As the Guardian so beautifully stated, ‘‘One thing and only one thing will unfailingly and alone secure the undoubted triumph of this sacred Cause, namely, the extent to which our own inner life and private character mirror forth in their manifold aspects the splendor of those eternal principles proclaimed by Baha’u’ullah.”’ (B.A., p. 66) Therefore, with the above in mind, permit me to offer the following minimal suggestions, or reiterate those previously offered, to all the friends, whether isolated, groups or communities.

1. Each individual set aside a time each day, even if only a few minutes, for studying the Writings. There are many excellent study guides available from the Publishing Trust at very nominal cost.

2. If possible, designate one night a week for either formal study classes or informal discussion groups oriented to the teachings embodied in the Creative Writings of Baha’u’llah and ‘Abdu’l-Baha, as well as those of the Guardian, relating them to the requirements and obligations imposed on the individual.

3. Know your Baha’j literature. Know what books are available on what subject. Try, insofar as possible, to accumulate a personal library of the ‘‘basic’’ books [Page 8]which can be referred to or picked up during spare

moments.

The above represents, I submit, the least we can do considering the task confronting us in the remaining years of the Nine Year Plan. As the Master so succinctly put it, ‘‘Teaching and learning, according to the decisive texts of the Blessed Beauty, is a duty. Whosoever is indifferent therein depriveth himself of the great bounty.’’ We cannot teach others effectively until we have ourselves learned. He stated further in connection with this, ‘‘Beware! Beware! that ye fail not in this matter.’’ And, finally, ‘‘No excuse is acceptable in this matter.”’ (BWF, p. 399)

“Let the Divine Spirit Use Us”

That wonderful spirit which armed the early believers refreshingly shone forth again in a letter from a 92 year-old American Baha’i in her reply to the membership questionnaire. She declared in 1900 in France, when there were no ‘‘enrollment’’ procedures, assemblies or other administration. She received the message from some people who had gone to see ‘Abdu’lBaha while a prisoner in ‘Akka. Having only a few of the Holy Words, that small Paris group was held together with “only the instant belief in the Holy Manifestation of the Word of God, Baha’u’llah.”

Upon returning to New York she found only two other believers. They had no teacher or books. . . ‘‘nothing except the fire of the Cause in our hearts.’’ They wrote ‘Abdu’l-Baha, asking Him what they must do, how they must teach. He wrote them that they should teach by mouth to mouth, from heart to heart.

“The spirit of Baha’u’llah was powerful in us at the beginning,’’ she said, ‘‘which enabled us to speak to a few drawn together with love.”

In conclusion she reminds us that we are but empty channels used by the Power of Baha’u’llah, and are powerless unless we let the Divine Spirit use us.

Pioneer Families Needed in Mississippi

A family is being sought to settle in Meridian, Mississippi, a goal city where a local spiritual assembly must be established by Ridvan 1971. Inquirers living there have asked when a Baha’i family will be arriving. Meridian may also partially fulfill the goal of increasing teaching and enrollment among minority groups because there is already much fertile soil in the community. Local Spiritual Assemblies of Gulfport and Jackson, which have already held meetings in Meridian will assist the family which comes to live there.

Vicksburg is the State’s other goal city for a local assembly. Here there is a group of two and the State Goals Committee plans a proclamation program.

Those who can seriously consider moving to either of these goal cities should write to: Ethelyn Campbell, secretary, Mississippi State Goals Committee, 904 Lakeland Drive, Apt. A-1, Jackson, Mississippi 39216, sending a copy to the National Teaching Committee in Wilmette.

OCTOBER 1967

Hidden Teaching Opportunities Uncovered

Sad because everyone in your town is not yet a Baha’i? So is an isolated adult believer in Idaho who has ‘‘only’”’ arranged for four months of Baha’i tapes on the radio, obtained live radio interviews for all visiting Baha’is, offered property for a summer institute, and organized for a Baha’i talk to a local women’s club.

A traveling teacher to this locale reports of numerous, spontaneous teaching incidents during a brief period. Seizing every available teaching opportunity, and creating others, the Baha’is invited an interested waitress to a meeting not yet planned, had a fireside with a woman who helped a Baha’i rescue a boy from being terrorized by older youth, and had a live radio interview. They also decided to hold a meeting and, spotting an empty table in the lobby, covered it with Baha’i books and pamphlets. A traveler inquired immediately and the bellboy, recognizing the House of Worship, asked for more information. While he told another employee of the meeting, another new inquirer stayed all afternoon to help make posters. The book table had a lot of business, especially from the Idaho broadcasters who were at the motel attending a convention.

Teaching at a Fair Booth

The experience of those who manned the Baha’i booth at the recent Wisconsin Fair as well as the one in Illinois will be of interest to believers contemplating such projects elsewhere. It was noticed that visitors were more likely to stop and study the display if the Baha’is were not seated in the booth. Those visitors who showed serious interest or remained for any length of time were greeted by Baha’is from nearby who were ready to answer their questions.

Lake Forest College Activities

Students at Lake Forest College, Illinois, are ‘‘on the move”’ with the Faith of Baha’u’llah. The Baha’is secured eight broken bicycles, repaired them, and offered them on a rental-free basis. Painted with the sign ‘‘Courtesy Campus Baha’i Club”’ the bikes not only were a welcome campus Service but, more importantly, familiarized the students with the name ‘‘Baha’i’’, thus increasing fireside attendance. These radiant Baha’is also welcomed into the Faith seven new believers during the spring semester alone!

Baha'i Student Honored

Jeff Wartchow, member of the University of Minnesota Baha’i Club and acting president of the Council of Student Religious Organizations, was honored for his active participation and leadership in campus organizations. The honor consisted of a scholarship and the opportunity to deliver an address at the baccalaureate service. This was the first time a student was asked to speak at this service. Mr. Wartchow addressed the audience on the important theme of the oneness of mankind.