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The Relationship of Bahá’ís to Civil Defense
International strife and tension cannot but excite some of the friends to speculate about the imminence of the oft-referred-to “calamity,” thus raising the question as to the relationship of members of the Bahá’í community to current civil defense programs. Several fundamental Bahá’í principles are involved.
The first consideration is that no one has given us any authoritative and infallible information or forecast as to the time or nature of the physical “calamity,” if any.
Secondly, the real calamity is the failure of the generality of mankind to recognize Him Who is the DayStar of divine guidance in this day.
Third, there is no refuge for us save in obedience to the laws of God and service to His sacred threshold.
The Pre-eminent Obligation of Every Bahá’í
While there is no question about the principle that we should be obedient to and cooperate with the civil government, the greater obligation of every Bahá’í is to teach the Cause. “O people of God! Be not occupied with yourselves. Be intent on the betterment of the world and the training of nations. The betterment of the world can be accomplished through pure and excellent deeds and well—approVed and agreeable conduct.” (B.W.F. page 174.)
It would be tragic indeed if, in their anxiety about the physical calamity, the Bahá’ís of America should prefer building bomb shelters to accomplishing America’s spiritual mission.
In commenting on the Titanic disaster, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said: “We are living in a day of reliance upon material conditions. Men imagine that the great size and strength of a ship . . . will ensure safety, but these disasters sometimes take place that men may know that God is the real protector. If it be the will of God to protect man, a little ship may escape destruction. . . . The purpose is that the people of the world may turn to God, the one Protector; that human souls may rely upon His preservation and know that He is the real safety.” (P.U.P. pages 45-46.)
A Reminder from the Words of the Guardian Through his secretary the Guardian wrote to the National Spiritual Assembly on June 29, 1954 as follows:
“He has been told that some of the friends are disturbed over reports brought back by the pilgrims con cerning the dangers facing America in the future whenever another world conflagration breaks out.
“He does not feel that the Bahá’ís should waste time dwelling on the dark side of things. Any intelligent person can understand from the experiences of the last world war, and keeping abreast of what modern science has developed in the way of weapons for any fut.ure war, that big cities all over the world are going to be in tremendous danger. This is what the Guardian has said to the pilgrims.
“Entirely aside from this, he has urged the Bahá’ís, for the sake of serving the Faith, to go out from these centers of materialism. . . . He strongly believes that the field outside the big cities is more fertile, that the Bahá’ís in the end will be happier. . . .”
Thus if the friends are concerned about obedience to civil government, how much more should they be concerned about obedience to the laws revealed by Bahá’u’lláh and the directions of the beloved Guardian. “Armed with the power of Thy name nothing can ever hurt me and with Thy love in my heart all the world’s affiictions can in no wise alarm me.” (P. &M. page 208.)
World Religion Day January 21. ‘1962
A Special Even!‘ for Proclaiming fhe Bahá’í Faifh fo Hie Public
Sponsored by the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly
Theme: Faith for an Evolving World
Suggested Publicity Materials:
Press, radio, TV releases, WRD poster, and TV slide of WRD poster from Bahá’í Public Information Service
Bahá’í: World Faith for Modern Man from Bahá’í Publishing Trust
Reports:
Newspaper clippings from U.S. communities are to be sent immediately to Bahá’í Public Information 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.
NSA Explains Stages Leading to Enrollment and Offers an Excellent New Aid
The enrollment of a new believer in the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh progresses through three general stages. The time required varies according to the capacity of the individual, the time he devotes to study and the amount and kind of assistance he needs and receives from his teacher or teachers. Many ready souls traverse the path quickly, while others require a long period to attain that inner conviction upon which depends their whole future relationship to Bahá’u’lláh and His divinely ordained institutions.
The Three General Stages
The initial stage, that of attraction, begins when the individual heart or mind is stirred by the Message of Bahá’u’lláh, whether it be through meeting a Bahá’í, by finding a Bahá’í book, or reading some publicity or casual reference about the Faith. This usually gives rise to questions, and the ideal medium through which to find answers is for the inquirer to attend small, informal Bahá’í firesides, or to discuss the questions with a well-grounded believer.
If and when seriously attracted, the seeker should be guided through the second stage, that of orderly investigation, which should be aimed, as stated by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to “make him understand the reality of the Cause of God in such a way” as to “know in what manner the religion of God hath been founded and what its object is.” (Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá; p. 390.)
This orderly investigation can best be accomplished in a study class, or by individual reading and discussion of one of the basic books dealing with the fundamentals of the Faith, including the history and mission of the Central Figures, Bahá’í standards of individual and social conduct, and the present-day form of administration.
By this time the student should have made his decision as to whether or not he wishes to become a Bahá’í. If he does wish to do so, then preparation for actual enrollment begins. The requirements to be met are those stated by Shoghi Effendi: “Full recognition of the station of the Forerunner (the Báb), the Author (Bahá’u’lláh), and the True Exemplar (‘Abdu’l-Bahá) of the Bahá’í Cause, as set forth in ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Testament; unreserved acceptance of, and submission to, whatsoever has been revealed by their Pen; loyal and steadfast adherence to every clause of our Beloved’s sacred Will; and close association with the spirit as well as the form of the present-day Bahá’í administration throughout the world.”
Guardian Emphasized Need for Keen Judgment Regarding Applicants
In calling the attention of the friends to these requirements, we wish to quote the following letter written to an American Bahá’í on behalf of the Guardian by his secretary on November 22, 1941, as published in Bahá’í News No. 241, March 1951:
DECEMBER ‘1961
“The believers must discriminate between the two extremes of bringing people into the Cause before they have fully grasped its fundamentals and making it too hard for them, expecting too much of them, before they accept them. This requires keen judgment, as it is unfair to people to allow them to embrace a movement the true meaning of which they have not fully grasped. It is equally unfair to expect them to be perfect Bahá’ís before they can enter the Faith. Many teaching problems arise out of these two extremes. . .
A Valuable New Study Aid
The National Spiritual Assembly is pleased to announce that there is now available an excellent outline entitled Invitation to Learning—The Bahá’í Faith, for use in study classes, for personal deepening, and for preparing students for enrollment. It deals briefly with the essential fundamentals of the spiritual and administrative teachings of the Faith, giving references from current Bahá’í literature, and providing space on each page in which the teacher and/or student can write brief answers to the questions or add further references. This outline, which consists of approximately forty pages, 81/2x11 inches, has a very attractive cover. It should be ordered from the Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 110 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois. The price is $.75 per copy. We heartily recommend it for the use of every member and student of the Faith.
Mrs. Velma Sherrill Elected to NSA
At a by-election held on September 29, to fill the vacancy on the National Spiritual Assembly created by the resignation of Charles Wolcott, the delegates to the 1961 National Convention elected Mrs. Velma Sherrill. Mr. Wolcott has moved to Haifa to take up his responsibilities as secretary-general of the International Bahá’í Council.
NSA Issues Warning
The National Spiritual Assembly has been advised that Thomas Meighan, who carries an identification card from Guatemala, is in the United States under a scholarship grant to study English, and may attempt to borrow money from the American Bahá’ís. The friends are warned not to advance any funds to him. Should he appeal for such assistance, this fact, together with Mr. Meighan’s address, should be reported directly to the National Assembly.
Information has also been received that Ricardo Cavazos, who became a Bahá’í in Oregon, has become involved in financial difficulties in Mexico but may now be in the United States or Alaska.
As the believers have been repeatedly warned, they should not lend money simply because the prospective borrowers are Bahá’ís.
[Page 3]
U. S. SUPPLEMENT
WORLD CRUSADE BUDGET Ninth Year: l96l-62
Annual Budget . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..$550,000.00 llllll|l|||ll||l|l||I|||ll|||IIIllIllllIIllIlllIllIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIllllllIlllllllllIIIllIIIIIIIIIIIIllIIIllllllIIllIIllllIllIIIIll|||||l|||||lI||l|l|||ll Total Requirements: May 1 to Oct. 31 . . . . . . .. 275,000.00 IIllllIIllIIIlIIIIIIIIllIIIIllllIIllIIIIIllIIIlllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
Total Contributions: May 1 to Oct. 31 . . . . . . .. 155,390.00 ||l|||||||l|llllll|||l|ll||l||l||||l|ll|l|l||
Requirements for October 1961 . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 45,834.00
IIIIIIllllllllllllllllIIIIlllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllIIIllllllllllllllllllllllllllllIIIIIIIIllllllllIIlllIllIllllIIIIlIIllllllllllllllllllllllllll
Received for October 1961 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 29,660.00
l||||l|||||l||||lllllllllllllllllllllllIIIIIllIIIllIillIIl||l|llII|||||l|l|l|||l|Illlltllllvlllll
Special non-recurring gifts received during present Bahá’í year (not included above) .. 28,047.00
3
to exciting consideration of the very purpose of creation, the vital mission of the Bahá’ís——par-ticularly American Bahá’ís—the nature of the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh and the Administrative Order, science and religion, and so forth.
The final agenda will be prepared in prayerful consultation by the National Spiritual Assembly, the American National Teaching Committee and the College Bureau. The retreats will open on a Friday evening for registration and orientation, and continue through Sunday noon. Further details will be published later.
Davison School Schedules Winter Session
Dates for the winter session at Davison Bahá’í School are December 26-31, inclusive. The program is planned to include four courses of study.
Requests for reservations should be addressed to Davison Bahá’í School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, Michigan.
Series of Retreats Being Organized to Promote Teaching in Colleges
A series of retreats for Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í students throughout the United States is being organized by the Bahá’í College Bureau to promote added interest and give special emphasis to teaching’ the Faith in colleges. The theme for study and consultation will be “Religion for Modern Man.”
The series will begin in February, and will be held in off-season resort-type locations or Bahá’í schools. The nominal cost will be borne by the participants. Local arrangements will be made by College Bureau representatives assisted by the College Bureau itself, neighboring communities and college clubs. Present at each retreat will be a discussion coordinator, assisted by two resource persons who may double as chaperons.
In line with the general theme, and to avoid the possibility of having the consultation become too intellectual, humanistic, mystical or pretentious, it is planned to use The Advent of Divine Justice as the primary reference. This book summarizes clearly the complex problems that face the world today, pinpoints the tasks of Bahá’ís and of youth, exemplifies how the Faith is applied to daily living, and explains Bahá’í rules for conduct and why we have them.
Thus it is felt that discussion of this work of the be loved Guardian will lead thoughtful conversation beyond progressive revelation and the twelve principles
Needed: Physician-Pioneer for Liberia
Pioneers returning from Liberia indicate an urgent and challenging need for a medical physician specializing in orthopedics to settle and practice in that country, preferably in Monrovia, the capital city. Qualified believers are requested to correspond with the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly or the U.S. Africa Teaching Committee. The address of the latter is: 4700-47th St., N.W., Washington 16, D.C.
In Memoriam
Mrs. Maye Harvey Gift Peoria. Illinois Sept. 2, 1961
Max Greeven Carmel, Calif. October 14, 1961 E. Walter Hall Toledo, Oregon January 19, 1961
George Jacobs, Sr. West Allis, Wisconsin August 21, 1961
Louis C. Jacobson Portland, Oregon June 1'7, 1961
Andrew F. Matthisen Fort Meyers, Florida October 14, 1961
Dr. Fazly A. Melany Washington, D.C. September 12, 1961
Mrs. Adelheid Mett Milwaukee, Wisconsin September 19, 1961
Mrs. Irene Miniutti Eliot, Maine October 19, 1961
David 0. Penn Philadelphia, Pa. September 14, 1961
Irving W. Stevens Winston-Salem, N.C. Sept. 15, 1961
Miss Gertrude Sweet Portland, Maine August 27, 1961
Clarence E. Thompson Gulfport, Miss. October 4, 1961
Mrs. Rose Tichy San Diego, Calif. September 13, 1961
Miss Martha J. Woodsum Harrison, New York
Sept. 16, 1961
Indian Teaching Conference Held in_ New Mexico
The first New Mexico Indian Teaching Conference, under the auspices of the American Indian Service Committee, took place in Santa Fe on October 21. Present were thirty-one believers from nine towns and villages, in addition to members of the American Indian Service Committee and representatives of the Area Teaching Committee for the Rocky Mountain States.
Prayers and earnest consultation were brought to bear on the vital matter of bringing Bahá’u’lláh’s Message to the Indian people of the Rio Grande Valley. Points covered included: opportunities in Santa Fe and other cities for making Indian friends in the.» market place, extending hospitality to Indian families and to students in nearby government schools, the need for heart-to-heart teaching, and the use of Spanish in contacting many of the Pueblo Indians. Other topics were possible use of “A Bahá’í Story,” taped in Spanish, by radio stations and for fireside teaching, plans for more widespread and concentrated teaching in the pueblos (villages) by an Indian and non-Indian believer working together, the problem of alcohol, and finding a way into a pueblo by developing friendship with an Indian family and then carrying on teaching through approaching the governor of the pueblo.
Indian friends joined the group for dinner and fellowship. The loving unity that prevailed throughout the day was epitomized in its closing moments in the sharing of a prayer by one of the Bahá’ís in his native Taos language and the chanting of the Greatest Name.
Listing of Bahá’í Marriages in Bahá’í News Explained
Attention is directed to the fact that the U.S. SUPPLEMENT reports only those marriages that have been performed by local spiritual assemblies legally authorized to do so.
This is in accordance with Shoghi Effendi‘s instructions that this publishing of marriage notices should be for the purpose of giving recognition to the legal status of such assemblies, and not to the marriages as such.
Bahá’í Marriages San Francisco, Calif; Mrs. Diane Downing to Nasrollah Maghzi on September 30, 1961
Santa Monica, Calif.: Miss Jane Jorgensen to John Curtis Russell on September 28, 1961
Chicago, Illinois: Miss Mary June Gold to Samuel H. Goodrum III on September 24, 1961
Portland, Oregon: Miss Janice Whitney to Firuz Labib on September 9, 1961
DECEMBER 1961
Pioneers Needed for Important Post
The American Indian Service Committee would like to correspond immediately with a Bahá’í couple or family interested in pioneering on the Omaha Indian reservation at Macy, Nebraska. A Bahá’í-owned residence in the town serves also as the Center. Macy has an elementary school; nearby Winnebago has a high school and health and welfare facilities. Sioux City, Iowa, some twenty miles away, offers good employment possibilities. Most important of all, Macy is the former site of an all-Indian local spiritual assembly and was the recipient of many expressions of Shoghi Effendi’s loving concern. Address letters to: American Indian Service Committee, Mrs. Nancy Phillips, secretary, 736 Encanto Drive, S.E., Phoenix 7, Arizona.
BAHA'| DIRECTORY CHANGES ASSEMBLY SECRETARIES
Northern California Santa Cruz J. D.: William McCutchan. PO. Box 236, Ben Lomond Sonoma J.D.: Mrs. Nell G. Wilson, Box 683, Kenwood Sunnyvale: (new secretary to be reported) Southern California West Hollywood: Mrs. Karen Woodead, 1015 Orange Grove Delaware Wilmington: Mrs. Sara Taylor, 1411 West St. New Jersey East Orange: Mrs. Amie Wright, 105 Leslie St. New Mexico Bernalillo County: Mrs. Pearl Weidenhofer, Rt. 4, Box 442, Albuquerque Wisconsin Racine: Miss Lola Peterson, 1537 Grange Ave.
COMMITTEE SECRETARIES
National Library Service Mrs. Margaret Chance, 536 Sheridan Rd., Wilmette, Ill. Area Teaching CommitteeNorthern New England States Mr. Douglas Struven, chairman, Fryeburg, Maine (new secretary to be reported)
ADDITION TO COMMITTEE
Western Hemisphere Teaching Committee Mrs. Barbara Caban
RESIGNATIONS FROM COMMITTEES
Western Hemisphere Teaching Committee Mrs. Emmalu McCandless Mrs. Katherine McLaughlin Area Teaching CommitteeNorthern New England States Mrs. Sara Ellen Fultz Area Teaching Committee—South Atlantic States
Mrs. Mary Allen Mr. J. Kenton Allen
