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U.S. Bahá’í Directory, Part I
With this issue of Bahá’í Naws each American Bahá’í will receive a copy of the United States Bahá’í Directory, Part I, for 1958-1959. This is a list of the local spiritual assemblies elected or formed on April 21, 1958, with the names and addresses of the secretaries. Any changes in secretaries and addresses will be announced in the U.S. SUPPLEMENT under “Directory Changes."
The friends are requested to file this directory for reference and to make changes as they are announced.
Part II of the directory will follow next month and will list the committees and their functions for the current year.
Local Assemblies in Continental United States Now Number 197
The total number of local spiritual assemblies elected or formed by joint declaration in the continental United States on April 21, 1958, was 197. This figure represents the establishment of fourteen new assemblies and the restoration of four that had once existed but had reverted to group status; unfortunately, this good gain was offset by seventeen communities failing to retain assembly status because of loss of membership or lack of sufficient members able or willing to serve on the assembly.
Thus, our gain in local assemblies this year is only one, and we still have to increase the number by more than fifty per cent to achieve the World Crusade goal of 300 assemblies.
The National Spiritual Assembly appeals to every local assembly that
fell to group status this year or in any previous year and to all existing Bahá’í groups to multiply and expand its efforts as never before so that next year’s Bahá’í directory will list well over 200 assemblies.
—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
National Assembly Acts on
Convention Recommendations
The National Spiritual Assembly has taken action on the recommendations made by the delegates at the Fiftieth Annual Convention as follows:
1. That closer rapport be established for a period of two years between the National Spiritual Assembly and the newly formed or restored local assemblies—something more than the usual administrative communications.
Action: The National Assembly is preparing material and developing certain plans designed to serve this purpose.
2. That the National Spiritual Assembly appoint a committee to investigate the reasons for our loss of membership as well as reasons why we have made so little gain the past year.
Action: The National Assembly is already aware of the conditions within the American Bahá’í community that result in loss of membership and will do everything possible to correct them by calling for assistance upon the various committees that may be helpful in this respect.
3. That consideration be given to compiling in pamphlet form the Declaration of Trust and By-laws of the National Spiritual Assembly and Local Spiritual Assemblies, and a statement of the functions of the Ameri can National Teaching Committee and of the area teaching committees, with a note about the importance and use of the area bulletins.
Action: This material is already available in published form and the National Assembly recommends that all local assemblies, groups, and individuals compile their own book of reference, possibly in loose leaf form so that it will be at hand whenever required.
4. That prior to April 21 each year the National Spiritual Assembly encourage all communities to undertake the study of the principle of Bahá’í elections and the functioning of the local assembly.
Action: The National Assembly will act on this recommendation and will publish in BAHA'I News prior to the
date of the annual elections a state ment that will help the friends to understand their responsibilities in connection with the elections to be held on April 21.
5. That the National Spiritual Assembly, in consultation with the American National Teaching Committee, set up conferences to be held simultaneously throughout the country in smaller cities, these conferences to deal with the administrative functions of the local assembly, including those described in the Declaration of Trust and By-laws, as well as the functions of the American National Teaching Committee and the area teaching committees.
Action: The National Assembly will make every effort to carry out this recommendation at an appropriate time prior to the annual elections. The Bahá’í summer school program committees have been requested to hold two or three special workshops during their sessions on these subjects.
6. That the remarks of Mr. Holley
JULY ‘1958
at the Convention on the subject of strengthening the institutions of the Faith be made available in mimeographed form.
Action: The National Assembly will arrange to have Mr. Holley’s comments published at an early date in the UNITED STATES SUPPLEMENT to Bahá’í'. NEWS.
7. That the National Assembly consider the advisability of requesting all newly formed and restored local assemblies to hold seminars on administration, plus workshops on the techniques of consultation, about six months after Riḍván, and that the National Spiritual Assembly ask the area teaching committees to provide supervision.
Action: The National Assembly heartily approves this recommendation and urges all new and restored local assemblies to hold such seminars based upon material to be supplied by the National Assembly at the beginning of this year. The assemblies holding such seminars are urged to call upon the area teaching committees for assistance in conducting such seminars and workshops.
8. That the National Assembly inquire about the intestate laws of Israel and make the information available to the believers. Inquiry should also be made as to how an estate should be left so that it will be used at the World Center of the Faith, regardless of whether the Custodians or the International House of Justice are functioning.
Action: The National Assembly will secure from the Hands of the Faith in the Holy Land information concerning these matters which will be published for the advice of the friends.
9. That all Bahá’í summer schools subscribe for at least one copy of Child’s Way and that local assemblies be encouraged to take subscriptions to this publication.
Action: The National Assembly will request the local assemblies and the summer schools to urge all believers to subscribe for this worthy publication.
10. That the statement read at the Convention by Albert Segen concerning the education of children be made available to all the friends.
Action: When this material is received by the National Spiritual Assembly it will be referred to the Bahá’í Child Education Committee for study and recommendation.
11. That the National Spiritual Assembly devise a way to encourage every group and local assembly to hold children’s classes as part of their teaching effort, whether or not they have children in their own Bahá’í community.
Action: The National Spiritual Assembly approves this recommendation and urges every group and local assembly to carry it out to the extent possible in their community.
12. That some of the frénian believers living in this country be requested to translate their literature on the education of Bahá’í children for use in this country.
Action: The National Assembly took action on this recommendation some years ago and found that because of the difference in educational methods between Persia and the United States, much of the frénian child education material is not applicable in this country.
13. That the National Assembly invite the Bahá’ís who knew ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in this country to write down or record on tape their recollections of their visits with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and that they be made available to the friends.
Action: The Audio-Visual Education Committee has been requested to prepare a statement for Bahá’í News inviting believers who met ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, or who know of those who did, to send their material or to arrange for tape recordings on their recollections or their written statements that can be recorded on tape.
—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
Reveal Details of Application
To Home For Aged in Wilmette
The National Spiritual Assembly is happy to announce that the Bahá’í Home for the Aged, the first dependency of the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette, will be open to receive its first guests about September 1. The Bahá’ís interested in availing themselves of the facilities of the Home, now or in the future, will be interested in the following general information.
The Bahá’í Home is designed to provide comfortable and friendly living for twenty individuals of 65 years and over, both men and women, of all creeds, classes, and races.
Since there is no hospital or nursing facilities in the Home, other than an infirmary for minor illnesses, the applicants at the time of admission must be in reasonably good health: that is, able to walk, able to attend meals in the dining room, and able to take care of all personal needs. Should a resident become ill, he or his family must make appropriate arrangements for the care of this individual outside the Home. The Home cannot be responsible for the expenses incurred in connection with such illness.
In addition to meeting the health requirements, the applicant for admission to the Home must be of good character as testified to by at least three persons, and must be able to integrate happily into the group living in the Home.
As for the financial arrangement, each applicant will be considered on an individual basis, and the cost will be worked out in consultation with the applicant, the applicant’s family and the Board of Admissions for the Home.
There will be a probationary period of six months after admission to the Home during which the new resident has an opportunity to learn about and experience group living. The Home also needs this time in which to determine whether he or she can become happily integrated into life in the Home. The applicant will be required to pay a certain sum for this six-month probation period.
In order to be considered for admission to the Bahá’í Home, the applicant must write for a preliminary application form. This form is a “get acquainted” method for the Board of Admissions to obtain general information in writing about the applicant. It will also indicate his probable eligibility for admisson.
The next step is a more detailed application, including the requested medical report upon which the Home‘s appointed authorities will make the decision as to the actual eligibility for admission to the Home. Whenever possible a personal conference between the authorities of the Home and the applicant and the applicant’s family will be arranged. The applicant has the privilege at any time of informing the Home in writing that he or she wishes his application postponed or withdrawn.
Further general information and preliminary application forms for admission to the Bahá’í Home will
[Page 3]
U.S. SUPPLEMENT
be furnished by writing to: The Bahá’í Home c/o The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States, 536 Sheridan Road, Wilmette, Illinois.
First Bahá’í Summer Schools In South Announced by NSA
Acting on the instructions of the beloved Guardian received more than a year ago, the National Spiritual Assembly has authorized the
holding of two Bahá’í summer schools this summer in the Southern States.
One will be at the location in North Carolina where the Blue Ridge Conference has taken place for the past several years. The dates will be from noon on August 23 to noon on August 28. An excellent program has been prepared.
Registrations for the Blue Ridge Bahá’í School will start July 15, and are to be sent to: Mrs. Corrine Bowman, 4512 Riverdale Road, Riverdale, Md. The cost for adults is $42.25 (room with twin beds and bath) or $28.75 (room without bath). The cost for children under ten years of age is $21.50 (room with twin beds) or $16.00 (room without bath). This covers both rooms and meals for the entire period. The remittance must accompany the request for reservations.
The second and entirely new Bahá’í Summer School is designed to serve the friends in the Southwestern States. It will be held at Bachman’s
Lake near Dallas, Texas, August 23 to 30 inclusive. The rates are $4.00 per day for adults and youths of 13 years of age or over, and $2.50 per day for children under 12, or a total of $31.00 for adults for the entire 8-day session and $19.00 for children. Reservations should be sent to: Mrs. Allene Squires, 6941 Lakeshore Drive, Dallas 14, Texas.
List National Assembly Members, Dates of Meetings For Year
The officers and members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States for 19581959 are: H. Borrah Kavelin, chairman; Charles Wolcott, vice-chairman; Horace Holley, secretary; Charlotte Linfoot, assistant secretary; Edna M. True, recording secretary; Arthur L. Dahl, treasurer; Dr. Katherine K. True, Mrs. Margery McCormick, Ellsworth Blackwell.
The schedule of meetings for the year is as follows: June 13-15; July 18-20; August 29-September 1; October 10-12; November 21-23; January 1-4; February 13-15; March 20-22, and April 22.
Local assemblies and national committees wishing to present matters for consultation by the National Assembly are requested to have it in the office of the Secretary at least ten days prior to the date of the meetmg.
—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
we _9noliuicJua/ on fée flomeflont
In March Bahá’í News published several stories in the article “Magnify My Cause” on the successful attempts of individual Bahá’ís to bring the Faith to the attention of their communities, and to fulfill the beloved Guardian’s last, most fervent plea for every individual believer to accept the challenge of the Homefront. Back of such successful achievements in making the Faith known through some public program are many small, day-by-day efforts in personal, fireside teaching that gradually build toward a larger success.
“To be confident, full of vitality and enthusiasm is the basic requirement for teaching, and these qualities come from the believer’s own understanding of the essential verities of the Faith and from his full recognition and acceptance of the Divine Manifestation and His Teachings.”
This comment was made by the National Spiritual Assembly of the U.S. in a special statement on fireside teaching issued last year. Explaining the fireside technique, the statement says that it is a simple occasion planned by an individual
3
Bahá’í for the purpose of attracting acquaintances to the Faith.
From Takoma Park, a Bahá’í of less than a year writes with both confidence and enthusiasm of her efforts to develop friends for the Faith. First she did voluntary children's work for the W.C.T.U., which enabled her to acquaint a number of adults with the Bahá’í teachings. Then, one day a Seventh-Day Adventist Elder came to her door soliciting interest in a Sunday television program. Learning of the Bahá’í Faith, he came back many times, bringing another Elder with him, and taking away Bahá’í books. This led to viewing the television program with Adventist neighbors and to a considerable discussion of Bahá’í principles relating to subjects on their program.
Recently these many small efforts developed into a larger fireside, showing slides on the Holy Land, to which friends from Adventist, Rosicrucian, Catholic, Lutheran, and Baptist backgrounds came.
Of these experiences over a period of a few months, Mrs. Louise Spaulding writes: “Frankly, I suspect this community to be fertile ground for pioneering. From my experience, I believe there are many lonely people in the world. Even if their activities are extensive, they have little chance for a true meeting of minds: a chance to talk of the belief they hold in God, which is their true reality in life. Through these gatherings these people have experienced a unity in spite of their varied approaches to God, and in the process have been able to build bridges over the previous impossible gaps towards understanding and oneness.”
Wisconsin Group’: Experience
“It seems that many doors have begun to open here all at once.” So wrote a member of a small Bahá’í group in Wisconsin, when recounting the opportunities, all of them unsolicited, that had suddenly materialized for public proclamation of the Faith in her community.
Similar reports are coming in to Bahá’í News from all parts of the country, indicating that there are forces at work creating a spiritual receptivity of the Faith that can and must be met with alacrity, enthusiasm, and audacity.
During Brotherhood Week the adult Bible class of the Methodist Church
[Page 4]
4 JULY 1958
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in order, Islam, the Bahá’í Faith, Judaism, and Methodism, our writer being asked to discuss the Bahá’í Faith.
The response to the presentation of the Bahá’í Faith was overwhelming. The chairman of the class was so pleased that she called personally on the speaker at her home, stating that there had been a “tremendous response among the congregation” and “all felt enriched from having had such a wonderful experience.” Before leaving she graciously accepted three Bahá’í books, including Christ and Bahá’u’lláh.
The next opportunity came from the local high school. The teacher of one of the compulsory classes for senior students asked the young people for suggestions of a class program on the subject of brotherhood, and they voted to have speakers on various religions. One of the students who works for the believer who submitted this report, suggested her as the speaker on the Bahá’í Faith, which pleased the teacher who had heard the presentation at the Methodist Church.
The time was set for the first period class in the morning, and because the speaker on Islam was unable to come, our Bahá’í was asked if she would add to her talk something about another faith. She offered to outline the foundation of Islam and the station of Muhammad, which worked in perfectly with her own plans for presenting the Bahá’í Faith.
“After the first class was over,” she wrote, “I was shown into a nice room and told by a teacher that she would come for me again. I didn’t know exactly what I was to do next or how long I was to stay and I was too happy to ask. I said a prayer in the silence of the little room and promised Bahá’u’lláh that if I were able to do it, the walls of this beautiful big school would ring with His Name. And they did, because I was there Imtil school was dismissed.
“One senior class after the other, and many teachers, filed in to hear this great Message, received with marked admiration. It was overwhelming.
“I took the opportunity to stress the principles of science, religion,
Total Requirements:
May 1 to May 30 . . . . .. 37,500.00 Total Contributions: May 1 to May 30 . . . . .. 19,230.00
—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
and education as contained in the Bahá’í teachings, and the following day, I was told, was devoted entirely by these classes to discussion of what had been heard.
“There was a little disturbance after the first class with a few students who thought there was an attempt being made to convert them. The teacher straightened that out and after that, at the beginning of each talk, I explained that I was there simply to tell them about my religion, that I had nothing to sell, and that the Bahá’ís offer the cup but ask no one to drink—that each must decide for himself. All I asked was that they lay aside all prejudices and listen with an open mind. After that there did not seem to be any more confusion.
“Among the questions asked were: how long had I been a Bahá’í; how had I heard of the Faith, and why was it not better known? I ventured to say that one of the reasons for the Faith not being better known was because so few people take time to read, study, and investigate, and this brought nods of agreement from the teachers.”
As a result of this day at the school, our Bahá’í was invited to speak on the Faith at a meeting of the Tri-Hi-Y which was also planning on speakers on various religions. The Bahá’í Faith was the first one listed. All others were Christian denominations, so she gave the group some information about Islam in addition to the Bahá’í Faith.
While it is not a unique experience, this story is given in detail in order to point out the importance of letting communities know when there are Bahá’í residents in their midst, and of being prepared to accept on a moment’s notice any requests that may come to present a simple, clear and convincing story of the Faith and its teachings.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Miss Carol Eggert to Mr. Albert Wolfgram on May 2, 1958.
In Memoriam
Mr. William Washington Seattle, Wash. February 18, 1958
Mr. George Clark Seattle, Wash. March 5, 1958
Mr. Louis Reehl Gardena, Calif. Date Unknown
Mrs. Etta G. Carlton Salem, Mass. October 1, 1957
Mr. George Van Sombeek Durham, N.C. April 13, 1958
Mrs. Madeline Trevor New York, N.Y. February 1958
Mr. Cecil M. Williamson Baldwin Park, Calif. Date unknown
Mr. Fred W. Roden Milwaukee, Wisconsin April 6, 1953
Mrs. Rhoda S. Rader South Miami, Florida Jan. 13, 1958
Mrs. Caroline Stangnow West Bend, Wisconsin March 3, 1958
Mrs. Maude Fisher Swaziland, Africa July 14, 1957
Mr. Raphael Lillywhite Evanston, Wyoming April 24, 1958
Mrs. Pearl Young Portland, Oregon April 13, 1958
Mrs. Helene Scott Syracuse, N.Y. February 22, 1958
Mr. Hilke DeBoer Chicago, Illinois May 5. 1958
Mr. Pierre Margaritis Fresno, Calif. April 28, 1958
Mrs. Emma Smith San Francisco, Calif. May 13, 1958
Mrs. Clara Sharp Tihran, Iran May 2, 1958
Mrs. Lida Suender Orlando, Florida May 4, 1958
