U.S. Supplement/Issue 118/Text

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[Page 1]

THE WORLD CENTER

Any account of the World Center can give only a glimmering of the spiritual potencies of that sanctified spot and only an inkling of the power of the nerve center of the divinely ordained Administrative Order. But, mercifully for us, the Bahá’í World Center is a place with quite definite characteristics of natural environment, and with buildings to be experienced, gardens to be enjoyed, history to be learned, and people to be known. It is through these human experiences that we can sense something of the great spiritual and administrative forces that are at once an unfathomable mystery and a bounty, joy and satisfaction in this troubled world.

The World Center lies in the Holy Land, on the shore of the Mediterranean. Its shrines and endowments are within two cities. One is the ancient and medieval stronghold of ‘Akká, to which Bahá’u’lláh came when its buildings were decayed, its air putrid, and its streets dank. Haifa was then an Arab village nestled at the foot of Mount Carmel, across the crescent-shaped bay from ‘Akká.

Today ‘Akká is no longer a penal colony of untold misery, but a picturesque town whose medieval character is being preserved to a considerable degree by the government of Israel. Haifa has become a bustling, growing metropolis, climbing up the slopes of Mount Carmel. It is the chief seaport of Israel and the center of its heavy industry. Factories and refineries have been built on the arc of white sands that connects the twin cities, so that ‘Akká and Haifa are growing together as one megalopolis.

In ‘Akká, the cell in the Most Great Prison where Bahá’u’lláh spent the first two years, two months and five days of his imprisonment in the Holy Land has been set aside by the government as a Bahá’í Holy Place. Of the four houses within the city walls to which Bahá’u’lláh was successively moved, only the House of ‘Abbúd is now Bahá’í property. The Book of Aqdas was revealed here in 1873, where Bahá’u’lláh spent approximately seven years. It was lovingly furnished by the Guardian and is now maintained and offered as one of the rich experiences given to the pilgrims.

Outside the city walls to the west lies the Ridván Garden, a small island in a river that is now, temporarily at least, dried up because of changes in the drainage system of the area. It was named by the Blessed Beauty in memory of the Riḍván Garden in Baghdad and referred to by Him as "Our Verdant Isle". The caretakers and gardeners who serve the Universal House of Justice there present fruits from the Garden, blessed as it was by the presence of the Manifestation, to the pilgrims who now visit this Bahá’í Holy Place.

Mazra‘ih is the house to which Bahá’u’lláh first went in response to the entreaties of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá when the rigid confinement within the city walls was relaxed. It stands in the open country, and its grounds are still to be restored or developed.

We know Bahjí so well from photographs or from the visits as pilgrims, and we know of the peace, the anguish and the ultimate triumph woven into its Bahá’í history. The beautiful gardens, designed and built by the beloved Guardian, are only the fore-runner of the [Page 2]environment of the Qiblih of the Bahá’í world. Shoghi Effendi contemplated an adequate structure to be built perhaps around or above that delightful and fragrant little apartment where the remains of the Manifestation rest. The architectural development of this most sacred spot lies in the future, whether near or distant, and in whatever form we shall learn from the Universal House of Justice in due time. At this time we must continue to provide the means for the maintenance and development of the gardens and of the Mansion and Shrine. Recently the Mansion needed a new roof and this, among many other necessary repairs, was made possible by the flow of funds from the only possible source of those funds, individual Bahá’ís, whether directly or through their National Assemblies.

Bahá’u’lláh Himself set foot on Mount Carmel four times, once for a period of about three months, and here He revealed the Tablet of Carmel, setting in motion the forces of which the Bahá’í World Center is the visible, spiritual and administrative expression. The Master built the Shrine of the Báb while He was a prisoner of the Turks. The Guardian acquired the land up the mountain, virtually alone, with funds, we can assume, from the then tiny group of Bahá’ís scattered over the planet. His statesmanlike wisdom in making these acquisitions at a time when only rare foresight could envision their importance is apparent as one now sees the city crowding up around them. He executed the delicate design and intricate structure of the mausoleum over the Shrine of the Báb, in a then technically primitive country, and carried on construction in the midst of civil war. He built the nine terraces leading up to the Shrine of the Báb. They will obviously have to be extended, embellished, and landscaped. The nine terraces above the Shrine are still to be built, along with the development of that considerable area of now stony and thorny land.

The Guardian built the Monuments to the members of the Holy Family and set them in gardens of mysterious loveliness. He laid out, built, and commenced the landscaping of the Arc in the environs of the Shrine of the Báb, facing Bahjí across the bay. He established the physical as well as the spiritual direction of the World Administrative Center, with its buildings to be erected about the Arc. Of this extensive plan he brought only the Archives Building into being during his life-time.

The development of the area above the Shrine of the Báb and the Arc remains to be done, with landscaping and buildings as determined by the Universal House of Justice. Our responsibility and opportunity as Bahá’ís is to show now, through contributions for the maintenance and the necessary development of existing endowments that the means are available.

Parenthetically, a person coming from a temperate zone is impressed by the stringent climatic conditions prevailing at the World Center. Almost all rain falls in a few months of the year. Plants and weeds then grow rank and have to be worked over, while buildings are subject to excessive moisture and need to be constantly repaired. During the rest of the year the hot sun and winds beat down, and plants and trees must be copiously watered and encouraged, and the high relative humidity takes its toll of structures.

In giving us the Nine Year Plan, the Universal House of Justice established as tasks to be accomplished at the World Center: "The preparation of a plan for the befitting development and beautification of the entire area of Bahá’í property surrounding the Holy Shrines" (and) "extension of the existing gardens on Mount Carmel".

These notes, written by an architect, have naturally tended to deal with the buildings and gardens, the marvelously beautiful expressions of the Center of our Faith. But beyond and behind this, every Bahá’í is aware of the sensitivity and power of the spiritual and administrative heart that is the World Center in its essence. All of us who have been in the presence of the Universal House of Justice, as pilgrims or in service, are aware of much that we cannot convey adequately. But it is utterly apparent how vital and central to the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh is that Supreme Body, designated by Bahá’u’lláh Himself as the "Men of Justice", the "Deputies of God". Theirs is the ultimate awareness of the Faith in all its glorious plans and unfoldments, and theirs is the knowledge of where the needs lie over the entire planet. No pilgrim could forget the wonderful happiness of these men when at Riḍván they shared with their pilgrims the messages of victories won in the Nine Year Plan. Everyone was aware that this divinely created Body knows where the greatest and most crucial needs lie and where resources can be most adequately used, for the progress of the Cause of God in every part of the world.

A specific goal given the American Bahá’ís in the April 1964 Message is to: "Sharply increase the annual allocation to the International Fund, thereby enabling the Universal House of Justice to meet the expanding needs of the Cause throughout the world, accelerate the embellishment of endowments in the Holy Land, and develop institutions at the World Center".

Robert McLaughlin

Maintaining the World Center is but one of the myriad activities supported by the World Center Fund, the first item in our National Budget. This item was sharply increased from $100,000 last year to $225,000 in the present year. Under our Million Dollar Budget over 21 cents of every dollar contributed is allocated to the World Center Fund. Since this is a firm commitment, it must be met before any other items in our National Budget.

Gifts for Bahá’u’lláh’s Birthday

A flood of contributions has reached the Treasurer’s Office in the weeks before the Commemoration of Bahá’u’lláh’s Birthday. This was an inspiring demonstration of our love for the Founder of our Faith 150 years after His birth. The great increase in the number of contributions has shown that we are coming closer to the goal of Universal Participation. The generous giving of $40,800 in the first half of November brought the total to $475,500. This still falls short by $187,000 of the goal of $662,500 needed by mid-November to meet our $1,060,000 budget by March 31. In the remaining months of the year we must now average $129,900 to reach our overall goal. [Page 3]

U.S. SUPPLEMENT

PIONEERING OUR FIRST MILLION

"THE FACT THAT ONLY WE, THE BAHÁ’ÍS, CAN CONTRIBUTE FINANCIALLY TO THE CAUSE IS BOTH OUR HONOR AND OUR CHALLENGE." from Ridván 1967 Message Universal of Justice

$1,060,0 MARCH $1,060,000 FEB. $971,667 JAN. $883,333

TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS THROUGH NOV. 15: $475,500

DEFICIT $187,000

$1,000,000 U.S. BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITY

SEPT. $530,000 OCT. $618,333

WE SHOULD BE HERE NOV. $706,667 DEC. $795,000

We need YOU in PARTICIPATION!!

NOTE: Figures shown above are for last day of month.

NATIONAL BAHÁ’Í FUND

Monthly Income: 1967-1968

(In Thousands) $ 140 120 100 80 60 40 20

375 350 300 250 200 150 100 50

Monthly Budget: 88.3

Regular Contributions Special Contributions Estates Other Income Intercontinental Conference [Page 4]

Temple Teaching Aids Committee

The Temple Teaching Aids Committee, one of the newest of the Temple Service Committees, has worked diligently to create and present new teaching aids at the House of Worship. Some of the changes already completed were seen by many of the believers attending the recent Intercontinental Conference. Others, including "The Bahá’í Story" will be added to existing exhibits, all designed to present the teachings of the Faith in words and pictures to the thousands of visitors who come to the Temple.

A new slide program is presently being developed for the countless tours of children, while other programs are in the planning stage for the varied special-interest groups which visit the Temple. Any of the friends who have slide programs, preferably with narration, which might be usable in the House of Worship, are encouraged to submit them to the Committee for consideration.

For the past two years, the Teaching Aids Committee has recorded on tape all sessions of the National Convention, later reviewing and editing for condensation and ultimate duplication and distribution to the American Bahá’í community. The weekly public meetings held in Foundation Hall are also taped and later reviewed and edited for distribution as aids to fireside teaching.

Temple Teaching Aids Committee meets.

These activities, combined with those of the other Temple Service Committees reported in earlier issues of the U.S. SUPPLEMENT, contribute to the smooth functioning of the many activities at our precious Mother Temple of the West.

Pennsylvania Bahá’í Winter Institute

The second annual Pennsylvania Bahá’í Winter Institute will be held this year at the beautiful YMCA camp near Downington, Pennsylvania.

Among the faculty are Auxiliary Board members Dr. William Tucker and Mrs. Jane McCants; Miss Sally Sanor and James Keene. There will be a full schedule of classes and activities for four groups of children and youth as well as the program for adults. A class entitled "An Introduction to the Bahá’í Faith", designed for inquirers and new Bahá’ís desiring a comprehensive survey of the fundamentals of the Faith, will run concurrently with the more specialized classes.

Last year's attendance of 170 will probably be exceeded this year, and those planning to attend are encouraged to make reservations as early as possible.

Dates: December 28 (2 p.m.) through January 1 (noon). Registration fee: $4.00 per person Reservations and further information: JEAN HADDEN, P.O. Box 95, GLENMOORE, PENNSYLVANIA 19343.

New Braille Publications Announced

Bahá’í Service for the Blind announces prices of two new Braille publications: Bahá’í Prayers at $1.35; Bahá’í Occasional Prayers at $1.35. The pamphlet, Bahá’í Teachings for a World Faith is again in stock at $1.10.

Order from: MRS. MARY FRANCIS BARAL, SECRETARY, 3110 E. LESTER ST., TUCSON, ARIZONA 95716.

World Religion Day

January 21, 1968

A Special Event for Proclaiming the Bahá’í Faith to the Public

Theme: Many Paths One God.

Suggested Materials: World Religion Day Public Information Kit, from Public Information Department. Poster Kit from Bahá’í Distribution and Service Department. The God Who Walks With Men; Bahá’í: World Faith for Modern Man; One Universal Faith; The Future of Mankind from Bahá’í Publishing Trust.

Reports: Reports and good photographs of outstanding observances should be mailed immediately to the Public Information Department, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091.

Attention: Persian Bahá’ís

The Universal House of Justice has appointed Mr. Kázim Kázimzádih, 1044 Euclid Street, Santa Monica, California 90403, as representative of Trustee of Huqúqu’lláh, Hand of the Cause of God ‘Alí-Muḥammad Varqá. All Persian believers understand their obligation to Huqúqu’lláh. They are requested to inform Mr. Kázimzádih of their whereabouts. Local Assemblies are asked to call this notice to the attention of the Persians in their communities. [Page 5]

Schedule for Hand of the Cause of God Tarázu’lláh Samandarí Announced by National Spiritual Assembly

Following is a list of dates for meetings in the localities where Hand of the Cause of God Mr. Tarázu’lláh Samandarí will present special messages for the believers only. Host communities are making arrangements and will supply the friends with further details.

Dec. 16: Boston, Massachusetts Dec. 17: Teaneck, New Jersey at Cabin Dec. 19: New York, New York — meeting with only Persian believers Dec. 23: Fort Lauderdale, Florida Dec. 24-28: Manatee County, Florida Dec. 29-30: Southeastern Bahá’í Winter School, Fort Valley, Georgia Dec. 31-Jan. 4: Nashville, Tenn. — primarily for visiting relatives. One date will be designated for meeting. Jan. 6-7: Ft. Worth, Texas Jan. 10: Phoenix, Arizona Jan. 13-14: Denver, Colorado — Auxiliary Board Team Conference Jan. 17: Los Angeles, California Jan. 20: San Francisco, California

Calendar of Events

Feasts

December 12 — Masá’il (Questions) December 31 — Sharaf (Honor) January 19 — Sultán (Sovereignty)

Proclamation Events

December 10 — Human Rights Day January 21 — World Religion Day

Auxiliary Board Team Conferences

December 2-3 — San Francisco, California December 9-10 — Wilmette, Illinois January 13-14 — Denver, Colorado January 27-28 — Springfield, Illinois

U.S. National Spiritual Assembly Meetings

December 15-17 January 19-21

Bahá’í House of Worship

Daily Visiting Hours 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Sunday Devotions: 3 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday Public Meetings: 3:45 p.m. Sunday Evening Firesides: 4:45 p.m.

Bahá’í Distribution and Service Department

New Music Tape: "Sing to the Glory of God"

A fifteen-minute 46 second tape of selections by the Bahá’í Ensemble, an a cappella group located in the vicinity of the Wilmette House of Worship is now available. The choir, under the direction of Mrs. Margaret Jensen and Mrs. Frances Hannen, frequently sings for special events at the House of Worship.

The following selections are on the tape: Alláh-u-Abhá (children's song) . . . . .55 sec. Blessed Is The Spot . . . . .1 min. 17 sec. O Dwellers of My Paradise . . . . .1 min. 11 sec. Kum Ba Ya . . . . .2 min. 28 sec. Yá Bahá’u’l-Abhá . . . . .1 min. 26 sec. Sing His Praises (children's song) . . . . .1 min. 34 sec. Is There Any Remover of Difficulties . . . . .1 min. 17 sec. O Thou By Whose Name . . . . .1 min. 19 sec. Alláh-u-Abhá . . . . .1 min. 45 sec. O Son of Being! . . . . .43 sec. Benediction . . . . .1 min. 1 sec.

This tape will help to fill a long-standing need for music which can be used at Feasts, firesides, informal public meetings and other appropriate gatherings. It is not to be used for radio or television productions.

Tape Speed 3¾ ips on 4" reel . . . . . $2.00 Tape Speed 7½ ips on 5" reel . . . . . $2.50

New Color Poster of Four Houses of Worship

A new large size display poster of all four Bahá’í Houses of Worship has been prepared by the Public Information Department and is now available. The poster is 38" x 50" and is printed in color on white Texolite, an extremely durable plastic paper. It can be used effectively as a bulletin board display in libraries, schools, store windows, etc., and as part of exhibits at fairs, state conventions, public meetings and other proclamation activities.

Headline lettering is in different shades of blue. The poster is captioned, "BAHÁ’Í FAITH" (top line), "AN INDEPENDENT WORLD RELIGION" (next two lines), "HOUSES OF WORSHIP" (next two lines).

There is a 10" x 10" color reproduction of each of the Houses of Worship with text explaining that their construction was inspired by the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh, Prophet-Founder of the Bahá’í Faith. In addition, there are quotations from the pamphlet, "The Meaning of Worship," by Horace Holley, and a quotation from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. On the right hand side of the poster there is a light blue panel featuring a miniature "fact sheet" on the Bahá’í Faith. This panel may be cut off and displayed separately, if desired.

We request that orders be placed through your Community Librarian in order to take advantage of the "Library Postal Rates".

Price per poster . . . . . $4.00

Order from: BAHÁ’Í DISTRIBUTION & SERVICE DEPARTMENT, 112 LINDEN AVENUE, WILMETTE, ILLINOIS 60091 [Page 6]

BAHÁ’Í DIRECTORY CHANGES

ASSEMBLY SECRETARIES

Arizona Tempe: Miss Alice G. Tyler, pro-tem, P. O. Box 504, 85281

Northern California San Rafael: Mrs. Renee Ketcham, 177 San Marino Dr., 94901

Central California Dist. #1 Richmond: Mrs. Gwendolyn M. Cansler, 5239 Creeley Ave., 94804

Southern California Dist. #1 Manhattan Beach: Miss Linda Jane Baird, P. O. Box 242, 90266 Santa Monica: Mrs. Sheila Banani, 704 - 24th St., 90402 South Gate: Mrs. Doris Goodrick, 2763-A Laurel Pl., 90280

Connecticut Meriden: Mrs. Emilie M. Kalantar, P. O. Box 79, 06450

Georgia DeKalb County: Mrs. Estelle Lindsey, 1730 Highland Pl., Decatur 30032

Southern Illinois Peoria: Mr. Farhang Alai, Chr., P. O. Box 3057, 61614

New Mexico Bernalillo County: Mrs. Rosemarie Garcia, 8801 Edith, N.E., Albuquerque 87114

Eastern Texas San Antonio: Mrs. Margaret Londos, 202 Vanderheck, Apt. 3, 78209

Eastern Washington Spokane: Mrs. Donna M. Brown, W. 1609 14th St., 99203 (to correct address)

COMMITTEES

National Teaching Committee Mr. Fred Sudhop (to correct listing from "Mrs." to "Mr.")

Service For The Blind Mrs. Mary Francis Baral, Executive Secty., 3110 E. Lester St., Tucson, Ariz. 85716 Mrs. Amédée Gibson, Director Mrs. Melba M. King, Proofreader (to correct listing of officers in the Committee Directory).

Oklahoma STATE GOALS COMMITTEES Mrs. Eileen Norman, Secty., 9218 E. 38th St., S., Tulsa 74165 (to correct address)

West Virginia Mr. Boyer T. Brown, Secty., Box 5384, Huntington 25703

In Memoriam

Mrs. Frida Beck Milwaukee, Wisconsin October 27, 1967

Roscoe F. Bennett Waterloo, Iowa October 19, 1967

Mrs. Viola Everly Monrovia, Calif. October 9, 1967

Mrs. Maud Gaudreaux Wyckoff, New Jersey October 1, 1967

Seaf Parker Gimlin Glendora, Calif. September 20, 1967

Mrs. Fae L. Hoovler Mansfield, Ohio October 13, 1967

Mrs. Mae Jordan Auburn, Calif. September 23, 1967

Arthur H. Phelps West Greenwich, R.I. September 27, 1967

Mrs. Leola Sticht Tonawanda, N.Y. September 17, 1967

Mrs. Ruby Lee Williamson Greensboro, N.C. October 14, 1967

A Tribute to an Early Believer

Mrs. Viola Everly, Bahá’í of Monrovia, California, whose death on October 9 is mentioned in this issue of the U.S. SUPPLEMENT, has been a believer for the past fifty-seven years, having heard of the message first in Washington, D.C. in 1910. She arranged public meetings in her home town in nearby Virginia where, every Sunday for a number of months, audiences of about one hundred came to hear Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Hannen tell the wonderful message. Later Mrs. Everly moved to Bisbee, Arizona where she taught the Faith from 1915 until her move to California in 1922. This devoted believer who lived to be 102 was active in teaching until the last and surely many have come to the Bahá’í Faith through her efforts.

Bahá’í Marriages

Flagstaff, Ariz.: Miss Gesine H. McCormick to Daniel Skaggs on September 15, 1967

Alameda, Calif.: Mrs. Dale Wellmaker Heiman to Ronald Isaacson on October 23, 1967

Los Angeles, Calif.: Miss Gloria Calomee to Paul D. Slaughter on September 24, 1967

Los Angeles, Calif.: Mrs. Sara R. Lipp to Eddie Lee Ledbetter on October 21, 1967

San Francisco, Calif.: Miss Elaine Mann to John R. Williams on September 26, 1967

San Jose, Calif.: Mrs. Wilma Ellis Henderson to Thomas J. Brady on September 10, 1967

Winnetka, Ill.: Miss Joyce Teresa Schmitz to Hushmand Aftahi on September 30, 1967

Indianapolis, Ind.: Mrs. Doris E. Graff to Louis A. Hoffman on October 26, 1967

Cedar Rapids, Iowa: Miss Edna Mackinson to Asa E. Wilson on October 1, 1967

Detroit, Mich.: Miss Mary Louise Thomas to Edward Reynolds on August 26, 1967

Rochester, Minn.: Miss Charlotte Schimek to Steve Ceder on October 28, 1967

St. Paul, Minn.: Miss Marsha Bell to John Holter on November 24, 1966

Reno, Nevada: Miss Paula V. Sneed to Chandler A. Johnson on October 14, 1967

Peterborough, N.H.: Miss Mary Jane Perry to Manmohan S. Gill on July 1, 1967

Dayton, Ohio: Miss Norma Jean Yike to Paul Minton on September 15, 1967

Youngstown, Ohio: Miss Lateefah Marie Perry to Harvey Dennis Brown on August 26, 1967

Oklahoma City, Okla.: Miss Billie Gonzales to Russel F. Farmer on August 28, 1967

Fairfax Co., Va.: Mrs. Catherine G. Laughlin to Joseph Killeen on October 18, 1967

Tacoma, Wash.: Miss Cassandra Mae Van de Mark to Jerry LeRoy Lown on September 30, 1967

Casper, Wyo.: Mrs. Janet L. Jones to John Teal on September 3, 1967

World Order Reprints No. 1

A limited reprint of volume I, number 1 of World Order, the first issue, is now available at $1.00 each. Please order copies from: WORLD ORDER, 112 Linden Ave., Wilmette, Ill. 60091. [Page 7]

Youth Conference in Michigan

Youth attending a conference at Bostwick Lake, Michigan, August 4-6. "The Purpose of God for Man", Bible prophecies, and the role which the individual can fill in building the world of the future were subjects studied. Leaders were: Mrs. Edward Rivers of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Mr. and Mrs. Walker Jensen of Winnetka, Illinois. At this, the first such conference held in the Grand Rapids area, three youths declared themselves.

Bahá’í Hostess - Teacher Needed in American Indian Teaching Area

A wonderful teaching opportunity is available to a Bahá’í woman with a small income who can serve as hostess and teacher at the Makah Indian Reservation in Neah Bay, Washington. This is one of the national goals for consolidation in the American Indian teaching work. It has become difficult for the Bahá’í residing at the center to work away from home, serve as hostess and take care of two school age children. Therefore, the Makah Spiritual Assembly seeks a woman who can help with center activities including feasts, children's classes, Holy Day observances, and study classes as well as hosting visiting Bahá’ís and welcoming seekers. Anyone interested should contact the National Teaching Committee with a copy to Mrs. Rita A. Barbre, secretary pro tem, P.O. Box 306, Neah Bay, Washington.

Department of Teaching Summarizes Types of Home Front Pioneering

There are several types of home front pioneering:

1) Opening a new locality to the Faith by moving into a place where there are no Bahá’ís at all. This new isolated center then becomes one of the 3,000 centers required by the Universal House of Justice in the United States by 1973, as part of the goals of the Nine Year Plan. It also becomes the seed bed for a future local spiritual assembly.

2) Bringing a group to local spiritual assembly status by moving into a locality where there are already several Bahá’ís, helping in the teaching work, and by Riḍván having 9 or more adult believers.

3) Strengthening an existing Local Spiritual Assembly which may have become jeopardized by falling below 9 in number or which may be in need of some believers who are better able to carry forward some aspects of the teaching work.

4) Becoming a member of a specific group of from 3 to 5 Bahá’ís to open some locality to the Faith as a unit with the idea of forming a local spiritual assembly by teaching and bringing in new believers in the area. Ideally these pioneers would commit a period of at least 2 years specifically for the work of the Faith in that locality and hopefully would disperse to other areas when the local assembly was firmly established. To a group such as this is given the name Victory Corps.

Those who feel moved to consider any of these types of pioneering should contact the National Teaching Committee, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091, for an application form and further details.

What One Week Can Do

Although particular follower of Bahá’u’lláh had only one week of free time during the summer, the Minnesota believer nevertheless undertook an extensive and important tour of the state, placing books and pamphlets in the libraries of those towns which were marked for concentrated teaching during the remainder of the Nine Year Plan. He distributed literature to 21 cities and 6 colleges, including one city which was without any Bahá’í books but already had plenty of interest, for the librarian had several requests for literature. Only four of the cities had a Bahá’í book. In all, this free soul distributed 52 books during that one "free" week. [Page 8]

Travelling Exhibits Now Available

Two travelling exhibits showing pictures of Bahá’í buildings and activities and printed material of the basic teachings can now be obtained through the National Teaching Committee, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091. Both were on display at the Intercontinental Conference in Chicago. One exhibit, shaped like a four-sided, pyramid-like structure, has reversible side panels featuring the Writings and cork display boards. Shelves for showing books and pamphlets extend from each side.

The other exhibit forms a three-sided panel display with attractive color pictures of shrines and temples. This one also has space for literature. Interested persons should write the National Teaching Committee, giving three date choices. The exhibits are on a round-trip transportation-cost basis.

Bahá’í Plans Citizenship Day

Salt Lake City, Utah, Bahá’ís recently participated in the annual Citizenship Day ceremonies at the State Capital Rotunda. The program was planned and directed by a local Bahá’í who selected ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s "Prayer for America" as the opening reading. Nearly 400 persons attended the event, sponsored by the Parent-Teachers Association, the Japanese-American Citizens League and the Chamber of Commerce of Salt Lake. The U.S. Department of Justice Emigration and Naturalization Service encourages the holding of the annual event to honor naturalized citizens.

A Demonstration of Bahá’í Sisterhood

"Oh, I know all about those Bahá’ís — they demonstrate the love that we’re always talking about," exclaimed the Catholic Sister upon overhearing another nun request permission from their Mother Superior to telephone a Bahá’í. The nun and the Bahá’í whom she was to call had never met, but their brief conversation which followed brought the following expression of respect for the Faith from the nun: "I finally took the time out from a busy school schedule and called Mrs. —. Same thing all Bahá’ís are terrific!"

The Sister who wrote those words was one of several who had become strong spiritual friends with an isolated Bahá’í before the women were dispersed elsewhere to continue their Church's work. The Sisters had told the Bahá’í they wished to continue association with Bahá’ís at their new posts and so the channels were set up for continuance of the flow of the loving spirit between the Catholic Sisters and the Faith. At least one of the nuns has requested and received permission to attend Bahá’í activities at her new location. But the street is not a one-way avenue. Those Bahá’ís who are contacting (or being contacted by) these nuns are also gaining deeper insights into the meanings of Bahá’u’lláh’s messages to all the peoples of the world, and especially into those words to the lovers of Christ.

An Entire School Hears of the Faith

A Bahá’í panel of five presented the Faith to the entire student body of Simon's Rock, a private girls school in Massachusetts where one of the panelists teaches. Over 100 faculty members, students and visitors were introduced to the Bahá’í Faith through Bahá’ís Joany Millar, Sandra Bukowski, Louis Kaye, Mimi McClellan and Greg Dahl.

Bahá’í Holy Days Recognized

Assemblies, Groups and isolated believers continue in their efforts to secure recognition of the Bahá’í Holy Days in their local schools. During the past few months Cedar Falls, Iowa; Moore, Oklahoma; Harris County, Texas; Royal Oak Township, Michigan; Batavia, Illinois; Fond du Lac, Wisconsin; Keokuk, Iowa; Hillsborough County, Florida; Kensington, Connecticut and Urbana, Ohio have received permission for the Bahá’í children to be excused from attending classes on our Holy Days.

The Urbana, Ohio Spiritual Assembly recently uncovered an Ohio law which states that children of any religious affiliation may be excused from attending classes on their religious Holy Days. The believers in that state have been urged to contact their local school authorities to bring about the strengthening of this authorization on the local level.

Correspondence Unites the Hearts

Being bedfast has not prevented a 90-year-old California Bahá’í from feeling she continues to attend Bahá’í meetings because of the correspondence from assembly members after each meeting. She says she has been a spiritual member of the beautiful assembly for a number of years despite her having been bedridden most of the time.

The effect of correspondence upon her (it was "food" to her) spurred her to urgently request that other Bahá’ís write regularly to "the precious pioneers who have left their homes to live in far away places in every corner of the earth," and to the inactive.

She has been a Bahá’í since before 1900 and from her pen flows a lively, continuing correspondence relating to the early believers and martyrs of the Faith. She writes articles and letters to distant pioneers, the homebound, and the inactive, one whom she wrote to for over 25 years.

"Some inactive believers have been left by the roadside," she writes distressingly, "even with the love of Bahá’u’lláh in their hearts".

Having so personally been involved in the receiving and sending of letters about the Faith, she no doubt has a strong, deep understanding of how such correspondence can increase the fellowship and solidarity of the Faith. "Correspondence is a most valuable service in the Cause," she writes, "This can be done by even the very old if the flame in them is still bright enough."