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Hands of the Cause in the Western Hemisphere Call Us To Become “Apostles of Bahá’u’lláh" Through Teaching
“To the believers of God . . . in the United States of America and Canada.” “O ye apostles of Bahá’u’lláh
These are the words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to the Bahá’ís of this country. He called us “apostles of Bahá’u’lláh.” Can there be a greater station than this? Imagine if we were living in the days of His Holiness Christ, and we were called by Him “apostles,” the Peters, Pauls, and Timothys of that day. What joy we would feel in our hearts!
‘Abdu’l-Bahá has promised us that each one of us can eclipse the feats of Peter in this day. Each one of the believers in the United States and Canada, He said, “is holding in his hand a trumpet, blowing the breath of life over all the regions. Like unto the apostles of Christ who were filled with Him, these souls also have become filled with His Holiness Bahá’u’lláh . . . these souls are the armies of God and the conquerors of the East and the West.”
Each single one of you can be an “apostle” of Bahá’u’lláh. It is promised to you in the Tablets of the Divine Plan, which is the Charter of our beloved Guardian’s Ten-Year, great global Crusade. Listen with all your heart to this astonishing, inspiring promise which ‘Abdu’l-Bahá directs to every one of you:
“Should one of them (these ‘apostles’) turn his face toward some direction and summon the people to the Kingdom of God, all the ideal forces and lordly confirmations will rush to his support and reinforcement. He will behold all the doors open and all the strong fortifications and impregnable castles razed to the ground. Singly and alone he will attack the armies of the world, defeat the right and left wings of the hosts of all the countries, break through the lines of the legions of all the nations and carry his attack to the very center of the powers of the earth.”
“Any soul,” the Master, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá tells us, “from among the believers of Bahá’u’lláh who attains this station will become known as the Apostle of Bahá’u’lláh. Therefore strive ye with heart and soul so that ye may reach this lofty and exalted position . . . what a high and exalted station He has destined for you, and what bounties He has .prepared for you! ”
‘Abdu’l-Bahá promises each of us that we can attain this glorious station if we fulfill three conditions:
1. “The first condition is firmness in the Covenant of God. Today no power can conserve the oneness of the Bahá’í world save the Covenant of God; otherwise differences like unto a most great tempest will encompass the Bahá’í world.”
2. “The second condition: Fellowship and love amongst the believers . . . O ye friends! Fellowship, fellowship! Love, love! Unity, unity! — So that the power of the Bahá’í Cause may appear and become manifest in the world of existence . . . unquestionably you would obtain such a degree of joy and fragrance that you would all become enamored with each other!”
3. “The third condition: Teachers must continually travel to all parts of the continent, nay, rather, to all parts of the world. . . . The intention of the teacher must be pure, his heart independent, his spirit attracted, his thought at peace, his resolution firm, his magnanimity exalted and in the love of God a shining torch. Should he become as such, his sanctified breath will even affect the rock.”
Thus, dear friends and fellow laborers in this ripe and waiting vineyard of God, we see in these words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá the pattern of our life, our own charter during these precious, fast-fleeting months of the World Crusade—now less than thirty-eight months! Our life revolves on this axis:
1. Be firm in the Covenant 2. Be filled with love, fellowship, and unity 3. Travel and teach
The Divine Plan of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was unveiled to the believers of the United States and Canada. He called them to their potential station (for every believer young or old, new or veteran, rich or poor, black, red, or white) as “Apostles” of Bahá’u’lláh.
The beloved Guardian has echoed these words and promises. He has given us exact “steps” we can take to fulfill this hope during these rapidly closing, “golden” hours of the Crusade. He has told us how we can win the “dazzling” victory. We have but to carry out his instructions to assure an overwhelming triumph on all fronts, for the Master made us another promise in His Will and Testament:
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“The mighty stronghold (of the Cause) shall remain impregnable and safe through obedience to him
who is the Guardian of the Cause of God.”
Our beloved Guardian in his first Message to a western convention said that the most important thing was “teaching.” In his last Message to the United States and Canadian conventions he said the most important thing was “teaching.” In the Will and Testament ‘Abdu’l-Bahá Himself declares: “Teaching the Cause is of utmost importance for it is the head-cornerstone itself. . . . This is the secret of faithfulness, this is the requirement of servitude to the Threshold of Baha!”
During the year ahead, let us be filled with loving obedience to the specific entreaties of our beloved Guardian. Let us make these the daily conduct of our lives. Then, surely, next Riḍván, the news can be flashed to the entire Bahá’í World, news that will, our Guardian said, “galvanize” them, and will inspire them to a like effort.
The Guardian has given us these clear tasks to fulfill:
1. Dis.perse from the big cities 2. Teach the Negroes in the South on an unprecedented scale
3. Teach the Indians
4. Arise and pioneer at home or abroad
5. Sacrifice our resources
If we study his messages and letters, we will find that this is the heart of them. These victories, he tells us, can be won only by the “individual believer” arising.
If we faithfully responded to his call to disperse from the big cities, every “goal” on the homefront could be won immediately.
In his very last letter to the United States, through his secretary, “he urges the friends to concentrate on teaching the Negroes.” He calls upon us to “be courageous in their racial stand.” He points out that because the Oneness of Mankind is the very pivot of our Faith, we have an obligation “far surpassing the obligation which Christian charity and brotherly love places upon the Christians. They should demonstrate this spirit of oneness constantly and courageously in the South.”
He called to our attention another astonishing promise of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in the Divine Plan that, if we would energetically and continuously pursue our teaching work among the Indians, it would engender a whole new vitality in this part of the world. In His Message directed to the United States and Canada ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said plainly:
“You must give great importance to teaching the Indians, that is, the aborigines of America. For these souls are like the ancient inhabitants of Peninsular Arabia, who previous to the Manifestation of His Holiness Muhammad were treated as savages. But when the Muhammadic light shone forth in their midst, they became so illumined that they brightened the world. Likewise, should these Indians and aborigines be educated and obtain guidance, there is no doubt that through divine teachings, they will become so enlightened as in turn to shed light to all regions.”
How can we hesitate with such a promise easily within our grasp?
AUGUST ‘1960
“It is therefore imperative for the individual believer,” our beloved Guardian told us, “and particularly for the affluent, the independent, the comfortloving . . . to step forward, and dedicate their resources, their time, their very lives to a Cause of such transcendence that no human eye can even dimly perceive its glory.” He urges each individual Bahá’í “of either sex and of every age, of whatever background, however limited in experience, capacity, and knowledge” to arise as one body throughout the United States and Canada, and to “seize with both hands the God-given opportunities” which these historic, neverto-return days present to us.
Therefore, as never before, let us (1) be firm in the Covenant, (2) be filled with loving unity, (3) travel and teach constantly, (4) disperse from the large cities, (5) intensify our teaching the Negroes in the South, (6) exert every effort to reach the Indians, (7) pour out our resources on an unprecedented scale.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá said, “I am waiting, I am patiently waiting” to behold these signs of love and teaching. In His Tablets He urged each individual believer by kindness and love to attract another new believer each year. “If by this method,” He said, “one of the friends were to try and lead one soul to the right path, the number of believers would be doubled every yearfi’
In that same Tablet He wrote: “It is known and clear today that the unseen divine assistance encompasseth those who deliver the Message. And if the work of delivering the Message be neglected, the assistance shall be entirely cut off, for it is impossible that the friends of God could receive assistance unless they be engaged in delivering the Message.”
In these words of the Master each Bahá’í in the United States and Canada has an individual goal for the year. In addition to a far more dedicated and loving cooperation with the national assemblies, national committees, and administrative bodies charged with winning the “goals” of the Crusade, each individual believer has been given his own “goal” for each year by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá: Win one new believer. If we were faithful to this command alone, every “goal” in the United States and Canada would be won by next Riḍván.
Then we would indeed be His “heavenly heralds” as He called us, and the “apostles” of Bahá’u’lláh, as He said we could be. He wrote to us saying, “O ye real Bahá’ís of America . . . how I long that it could be made possible for me to travel through these parts, even if necessary on foot and with the utmost poverty.
. . But now this is not feasible for me; therefore I live in great regret; perchance, God willing, ye may become assisted therein.”
What more can be said? We know exactly what we must do; we need only to be obedient to these instructions to win every victory. The destiny of our lives, both collectively and individually, now lies in the palm of our own hand. Our deeds in the days ahead will determine whether we are “heavenly heralds” of Bahá’u’lláh’s Christ-promised Kingdom and “Apostles” of the Promise of All Ages, or whether He will change us for another people.
Our love and gratitude flows out to each one of you, and especially to those heroes and heroines who in this
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U.S. SUPPLEMENT
very moment are filling their very souls with these counsels of our beloved Guardian:
“Each individual Bahá’í must . . . feel that it is his personal duty to the Cause at this time and his greatest privilege, and must ask himself what he can do, beginning now, to hasten the attainment of the goals of the World Crusade. The Bahá’ís are the leaven of God, which must leaven the lump of their nation. In direct ratio to their success will be the protection vouchsafed, not only to them, but to their country. These are the immutable laws of God, from which there is no escape: ‘For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required.’ ”
With warmest and deepest love,
In the service of the beloved Guardian, CORRINNE TRUE
HERMANN GROSSMANN
Ql_11KRU’LLAH IQMDEM
WILLIAM SEARS
August 1960
I70 Needed to Complete Crusade Goals in Europe
At its June meeting the National Spiritual Assembly and the European Teaching Committee made a country by country survey of the local assemblies still to be established to win the World Crusade goal in Western Europe in Riḍván 1961. It was found that as of that date twenty-seven assemblies are still needed. Thus far only Belgium and Spain have the required number. Sweden, Norway, and Denmark each need one more. Portugal, Luxembourg, Finland, and Italy need from two to three each, while The Netherlands needs six and Switzerland seven.
While most of the goal cities have been chosen and opened, it will require 170 additional believers in these localities to complete the task. Some of the pioneers and settlers will come from within or from nearby European countries. Hopefully, there will be many new believers, but a large number of pioneers must come from the Bahá’í community of the United States which is ultimately responsible for the formation of these eleven independent national spiritual assemblies during Riḍván 1962.
The countries needing fifteen or more additional Bahá’ís in the goal cities are: Finland, Holland, Luxembourg, Portugal, Italy, and Switzerland. Already arrangements have been completed for a number of American believers to leave for their posts within the next two months, but many more must volunteer and, if accepted, be prepared to depart promptly.
Thus, pioneering under the World Crusade is virtually in its last stage and no time can be lost. The requisite number of local spiritual assemblies in each European country must be formed next Riḍván, otherwise its national assembly cannot be elected during Riḍván 1962.
Any believers who feel they may qualify as pioneers for Europe should send their offers immediately to Miss Edna True, Chairman, European Teaching Committee, 418 Forest Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois.
-—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
National Assembly Calls for Decisive Action to Attain 80 New Assemblies in l96l
A very careful study made jointly by the National Spiritual Assembly, the American National Teaching Committee, and the area teaching committees concerning attainable goals for additional new local spiritual assemblies by Riḍván 1961 has resulted in the selection of the Bahá’í groups listed below as those which could achieve this status if a well-planned, concentrated teaching effort is undertaken immediately, and carried through with devotion, confidence, and determination.
From the facts at hand at the time, it appeared that most of these preferred goals had a minimum of five active believers functioning in a spirit of love and unity, and having an earnest desire to make their contribution to the successful achievement of the World Crusade homefront goal of 300 local assemblies by 1962.
It was recognized that there are also a number of very active Bahá’í groups of only three or four members who also could become assemblies this year, and it is hoped that they may be added to the list when the National Spiritual Assembly reviews the situation in January. Therefore, the comments that follow apply quite as much to the smaller groups as to those that are presently listed as the “preferred goal groups.”
Since approximately eighty additional assemblies are needed to reach the goal and all current assemblies must be maintained, every possible effort must be exerted by the entire American Bahá’í community to bring them all to assembly member status well before Riḍván. This is not a task for the members of these particular groups alone. Besides the aid that will be given by the American National Teaching Committee and the area teaching committees, the National Spiritual Assembly will count heavily upon nearby local assemblies to cooperate by offering regular extension teaching assistance, occasional public and fireside speakers, and by sending in settlers. We appeal also to the members of the groups themselves to take advantage of all the assistance that is offered, and above all not to move from their present locations unless absolutely necessary for health, employment, or similar valid reasons.
Isolated Bahá’ís and members of the larger communities who find it necessary or even possible to move, are again urged to consider the needs of these preferred goals and to investigate the opportunities they offer.
Although making this appeal for settlement, the National Spiritual Assembly wishes to make it clear that with the number of pioneers needed to complete the World Crusade goals in Europe and to maintain the status of the new assemblies in Latin America, the reservoir of possible settlers for the homefront is now very low; hence we must look to the enrollment of new believers as the source from which to raise up most of the additional eighty new assemblies.
Thus our great challenge this year is to increase our national Bahá’í community membership. “Each one win one” is a personal goal that every believer
can and must set for himself without further delay. “If every one of the friends were to establish relations of friendship and right dealings with one of the negligent souls, associate and live with him with perfect kindliness, and meanwhile through good conduct and moral behaviour lead him to divine instruction, to heavenly advice and teachings, surely he would gradually arouse that negligent person and would change his ignorance into knowledge.”
This is the advice of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in one of His Tablets, wherein he continues: “If by this method every one of the friends of God were to try to lead one soul to the right path, the number of believers would be doubled every year. But this method should be carried out with perfect wisdom and in such manner that no harm would ever result therefrom."
“To act, and act promptly and decisively, is the need of the present hour and their inescapable duty,” wrote Shoghi Effendi to the American Bahá’í community in July 1956, adding that the prayer he will never cease to utter is “that the American Bahá’í community may . . cover itself with a glory that will outshine the splendor of its past exploits . . .”
Arkansas Montana. Little Rock Butte California Missoula Burlingame New Hampshire Hayward Hinsdale Hermosa Beach New Jersey La Mesa Ridgewood Norwalk Springfield Oxnard New Mexico Redondo Beach Roswell San Rafael New York Santa Rosa Hamburg Village Saratoga Geneva Sonoma Judicial District Lakewood Connecticut North Carolina Hartford Charlotte Delaware North Dakota Brandywine Hundred Fargo Florida Ohio Coral Gables Toledo Dunedin Pennsylvania Fort Myers Lancaster
South Carolina North Augusta
Manatee County South Dade County
Idaho Texas Lewiston Orchards Odessa Pocatello Utah Illinois Ogden Danville Vermont Elmhurst Burlington Oak Park Virginia Indiana Augusta County Kokomo Washington Kansas Olympia Wichita Pasco Maryland Snohomish County
Baltimore County District #1 Massachusetts Wisconsin Attleboro Fond du Lac Brookline Glendale Falmouth Green Bay Michigan Greenfield Highland Park Manitowoc Marysville New Berlin Missouri Waukesha Webb City Wyoming Laramie
—U.S. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
AUGUST 1960
Radio Scripts Suggested for World Peace Day
The Radio Service Committee recommends the following scripts for use on World Peace Day, September 18: No. 8, “New Hope for the World” (25 cents); No. 14, “Two Roads We Face” (25 cents); No. 19, “A World United Through World Faith” (25 cents); and No. 30, “God’s Plan for a United World” (35 cents).
Script No. 14 and No. 19 are also available on tape at $2.00 rental charge or $3.50 purchase price. All are suitable for radio programs, public meetings, or firesides.
The committee’s catalogue of complete stock may be purchased at 20 cents each. Order through Mrs. Charlotte Keefrey, secretary; 2416 Waunona Way; Madison 5, Wis.
World Peace Day September 18
A Special Event for Procluiming i-he Bahd'r' Faith to the Public
Sponsored by the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly
Theme:
America’s Spiritual Mission Suggested Publicity Materials:
Press release from Bahá’í Press Service
Bahá’í Peace Program and Destiny of America from Bahá’í Publishing Trust Reports:
Newspaper clippings from U.S. communities are to be sent immediately to Bahá’í Press Service.
Written reports and photographs for publication in Bahá’í NEWS are to be sent as soon as possible to the Bahá’í News Editorial Committee.
BAHA'| DIRECTORY CHANGES ASSEMBLY SECRETARIES
Arizona Tempe: Miss Edith Goranson, pro-tem, 42 Hudson Lane Southern California Escondido J. D.: New Secretary to be reported Colorado Denver: Miss Anita Schmidt, 1515 S. Josephine (new address) Connecticut Stamford: Mrs. Patricia Tomarelli, 205 Weed Ave.. (new address) Florida Sarasota: Mrs. Vera Moorhead, 602 -46th St., (new address) Michigan Battle Creek: Mrs. Melba D. Nunnally, 17 S. Kendall St., (new address) Oregon Multnomah County: add Portland 33 to Secretary's address Utah Provo: New Secretary to be reported Virginia Alexandria: to correct Secretary's address—38l6 Old Dominion Blvd.
