U.S. Supplement/Issue 50/Text

[Page 1]

Inspiring Response of Believers Improves Status of National Fund

The National Spiritual Assembly has frequently expressed its confidence in the maturity of the American Bahá’í Community and in the ability of that Community to respond to a challenge once the need is fully grasped and understood.

At no time in recent Bahá’í history has that confidence been more fully justified than the present with respect to the National Bahá’í Fund. The Treasurer’s message to the state conventions in December, published in the January Bahá’í News, offered a bleak picture of the condition of the Fund, with an accumulated deficit of over $100,000, which had been growing monthly. The message of the Hands of the Cause to the Bahá’í World stressed the urgency of our financial requirements to achieve the unfulfilled goals of the World Crusade and called for an immediate and sacrificial outpouring of funds, from both income and capital, and from all Bahá’ís everywhere.

The response from the United States has been inspiring in the extreme. There has been a marked increase both in the size of the contributions and in the number of individuals, assemblies and groups from which they come. The increase has been broadly distributed geographically. Many moving letters expressing awareness of the financial need and acceptance of responsibility for correcting it have been received by the Treasurer’s office.

In January, 1962, regular contributions from assem blies, groups and individuals totalled $45,388—the first time in a long while that donations from these sources have practically equalled the monthly budget. For the short month of February it is estimated that regular contributions will come to at least $35,000. In addition, during these months there have been several non—recurring special gifts, some of which are quite substantial.

At the end of February, not counting receipts from bequests or one very large non-recurring gift, the deficit will have been reduced to about $77,000. Adding these items will bring it down to very manageable proportions.

There is every evidence that this financial improvement is but one manifestation of a general spiritual quickening that has occurred throughout the American Bahá’í Community as we approach the end of the World Crusade and face our last opportunity to complete the final tasks assigned to us by the beloved Guardian.

We are sure that this momentum will gain still greater force until all the goals are won. It is vital that there be no let-down, and that funds continue to flow at the newly established rates. If they can be maintained or even increased still further, the Treasurer’s report at the National Convention will be a pleasure both to deliver and to hear.

-—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

State Convention Recommendations Continued

Actions taken by the National Spiritual Assembly on the 1961 State Convention recommendations which have nation-wide interest or application are continued from the March issue.

IDAHO. 1. That we ask for prayers and guidance to reach the Negroes, Indians, and other minority peoples in our communities.

Action: All Bahá’ís should be aware of the value of prayer in their teaching efforts. The National Assembly encourages all communities and groups to make their own arrangements for special prayers for the success

of the various campaigns that are being conducted and for the success of the goals of the Crusade.

2. That the National Spiritual Assembly call for a list of names of believers in the communities who can speak the different languages and who could go to a goal country if they were replaced by believers unable to speak the language.

Action: The National Assembly will welcome applications from believers who are free to pioneer in goal cities on the home front where the use of a foreign language would be helpful in promoting the Faith. The same suggestion applies to circuit teachers who might be available for this purpose. It should be noted that all pioneer application forms carry questions concern [Page 2]ing the applicant's knowledge of a foreign language.

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS. That the National Spiritual Assembly indicate whether or not the state delegates as a group may or should take the initiative or even the responsibility of reporting on the National Convention to the believers in their state. (Apparently adequate arrangements have not always been -made to give all Bahá’ís opportunity to hear reports from the official delegates.)

Action: Although the area teaching committees are given the responsibility for making arrangements for the Convention delegates to give reports to the believers in their respective areas, there is no reason why the delegates themselves should not collaborate with the area teaching committees in making sure that this is done.

Iown. 1. That the Bahá’í Public Information Service prepare more newsworthy and appealing releases of various lengths to be offered to the newspapers, thereby eliminating the necessity of rewriting by inexperienced writers.

Action: Although the National Assembly is gratified with the increasing amount of publicity that is being obtained in newspapers throughout the country by Public Information Service, it is nevertheless aware of the need to improve this department and is in consultation with Public Information Service on this matter.

2. That the Bahá’í Public Information Service use the nation's news services to publicize our Bahá’í special events.

Action: It is the view of the National Assembly that the Bahá’í special events can best be publicized at the local level. The results that have been achieved in this regard are generally very gratifying. The national news services will seldom accept an article on a Bahá’í special event for circulation to newspapers which are members of the service throughout the country; nevertheless, the NSA will refer this recommendation to the Bahá’í Public Information Service for their further consideration.

LOUISIANA. That a handbook be prepared for local spiritual assemblies setting forth procedures for such matters as enrollment of individuals outside the city limits, how to contact area teaching committees, etc.

Action: This information can be found in The Bahá’í Community and in the reference material which is supplied to all area teaching committees. Local assemblies preparing for membership individuals who reside outside their jurisdictional limits should immediately notify the area teaching committee concerned.

Mxssoum. That the National Spiritual Assembly consider printing in Bahá’í News each month all necessary information which will assist the believers to make contributions to all of the existing funds in the Bahá’í world community.

Action: The National Spiritual Assembly approves this recommendation.

MONTANA. 1. That the National Spiritual Assembly publish study outlines in Bahá’í News such as were distributed a few years ago.

Action: The National Assembly is presently prepar APRIL 1962

ing a study outline which will be issued at an early date and others will follow from time to time.

2. That the National Spiritual Assembly contact the United Service Organization for the Military Services in an effort to secure permission to make Bahá’í literature available to service men in the USO centers.

Action: The National Assembly has done this from time to time in the past and will continue its efforts to carry out this recommendation.

NEVADA. 1. That the National Spiritual Assembly consider an earlier date than December for the State Conventions.

Action: The National Spiritual Assembly has given a great deal of careful consideration to this matter over a period of several years and has found that it is not practicable to hold the State Conventions earlier. The November Bahá’í calendar is one of the most crowded of the year, and the date set is the earliest that it is possible to arrange.

2. That the National Spiritual Assembly clarify the reason why only males will be elected to the Universal House of Justice and to point out the statement in Bahá’í Scriptures in order to ease the doubts of the friends.

Action: On page 90 of the Tablets of ‘Abclu’l-Bahd, a paragraph dealing with the spiritual equality of women and men is followed by this statement by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá: “The House of Justice, however, according to the positive commandments of the Doctrines of God, has been specialized to the men, for a (specific) reason or exercise of wisdom on the part of God, and this reason will presently appear, even as the sun at midday.”

New JERSEY. That literature be printed and made available immediately for the Spanish-speaking minority in this country.

Action: The Bahá’í Publishing Trust carries a considerable amount of literature in Spanish. Spanish literature is now being published in Latin America and will soon be available in this country, also through our Bahá’í Publishing Trust. Lists of such literature may be obtained by writing the Bahá’í Publishing Trust.

WESTERN NEW Yonx. 1. That the National Spiritual Assembly again survey the advisability of extending the State Conventions to one-and-a-half or two-day sessions, for the reason that a considerable portion of a oneday convention is consumed in routine, thus reducing the time necessary to good consultation.

Action: Any State Convention is free to decide to extend the time of its session beyond the scheduled period. However, it would not be practicable to have it extend into a second day.

2. That identification cards be issued to qualified Bahá’ís automatically on an annual basis rather than depend upon requests being made for them by the individual believers.

Action: In order for the National Spiritual Assembly to maintain proper control over the status of believers, it is essential that each isolated Bahá’í be responsible for requesting the renewal of his own identification card. Because local assemblies have a more intimate knowledge of the status of the members of their community they are permitted to make their own plans for issuing new identification cards as they expire. Some

[Page 3]U.S. SUPPLEMENT

assemblies do this automatically at the beginning of each Bahá’í year.

OREGON. That the National Spiritual Assembly consider means of getting books about the Faith more widely distributed through local book stores, book racks, and book stands.

Action: The Bahá’í Publishing Trust is constantly endeavoring to obtain wider knowledge as well as circulation of Bahá’í books among distributors and other outlets. Recently the Bahá’í Publishing Trust in collaboration with the Bahá’í College Bureau sent catalogs and other information about Bahá’í literature to more than 1,200 college book stores.

VIRGINIA. That the National Spiritual Assembly consider greater flexibility in designating the sites for future State Conventions in order to insure fuller attendance and participation and thus have a greater exchange of ideas.

Action: The National Assembly welcomes any suggestion that would carry out this recommendation. The same applies to other states where change of site of the convention would result in greater attendance.

EASTERN WASHINGTON. 1. That each community be requested to consider separate and specific monthly monetary goals to be contributed to the National and International Bahá’í Funds.

Action: The National Spiritual Assembly approves this recommendation and encourages all communities to carry it out to the extent possible.

2. That the National Spiritual Assembly make it possible for newly enrolled believers to vote at State Conventions by mail if necessary even though they have not had time to receive an official ballot and voting list.

Action: The National Spiritual Assembly agrees that every newly enrolled believer should have the opportunity to participate in the State Convention and to the extent that is mechanically possible it will continue to provide the facilities necessary to enable them to cast their ballots in the state elections.

WYOMING. That the National Spiritual Assembly make available through the Bahá’í Publishing Trust the four messages from the Guardian: Heights Never Before Attained, The Mysterious Dispensation of Providence, American Bahá’ís in Time of World Peril, and mesh’mable Prizes Within Our Reach.

Action: The National Assembly has this recommendation under consideration at the present time, and hopes to be able to make available soon all the messages from Shoghi Effendi since 1946 in an up-dated volume of Messages to America.

Believers Cautioned Regarding

Two Visitors from Abroad

The believers of the United States are warned that Dr. Yar Shatir and his wife, Latifih Alviyeh, may attempt to Contact them, claiming to be Bahá’ís. They have both been removed from membership by the National Spiritual Assembly of Iran, which has notified the U.S. National Assembly of their temporary residence in this country.

National Convention Information

On Saturday evening, April 28, at 8:00 p.m., the Riḍván devotional service will take place in the auditorium of the House of Worship. Immediately afterward in Foundation Hall there will be a commemoration of the laying of the Temple Cornerstone by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in 1912, with Hand of the Cause William B. Sears as speaker. This event, the first in a series of U.S. gatherings marking the fiftieth anniversary of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s memorable visit to America, is open to the public.

As in recent years, the lower floor of the Temple will be open during the afternoon and evening of Wednesday, April 25, preceding the Annual Convention, for registration, viewing the exhibits and informal visiting. Foundation Hall, however, has been reserved for special committee meetings and will not be open to others.

During Wednesday evening the Convention Arrangements Committee, assisted by the Bahá’ís resident in the Temple area, will hold an informal reception for delegates and visitors. If it is possible for the National Spiritual Assembly to adjourn its meeting in time, the members will join the friends during the latter part of the evening.

All sessions of the convention are open to believers. In view of the disturbing effect upon the consultation, the National Assembly makes an urgent plea that visitors assembling in the area outside the convention hall refrain from loud conversation while the convention is in session. During the election of the incoming Assembly the visitors will be asked to assemble in the auditorium for silent prayer on behalf of the delegates and the incoming National Spiritual Assembly, or to leave the building.

The friends are reminded that no individual over fifteen years of age who is not a registered Bahá’í will be permitted to attend the convention except on Saturday evening. All those attending must present a current identification card.

The attention of parents is called to the fact that supervision will be provided during daytime sessions only for those children old enough to take care of themselves. It is urgently requested that such children be provided with work aprons to protect clothing from clay. paints, etc.

College Activities

In Greensboro, North Carolina, a tea given for foreign students was a great success. Seventeen students from Ghana, Sierra Leone, Virgin Islands, Finland and China attended, in addition to others from Texas, Maine and North Carolina. Greensboro will also be the site for a college week-end retreat, for which believers in the area will provide overnight accommodations.

O

In Logan, Utah, the Bahá’í Club of Utah State University recently played an important part in Religious Emphasis Days on the campus. Homayoun and Homa Mahmoudi, chairman and secretary, respectively, of the Club, and members of the Inter-religious Council, contributed a number of valuable ideas to the planning for the conference. Through the Club's guest speakers,

[Page 4]John W. Conkling and Mrs. Clair Schneider, a total audience of well over 1,000 persons heard the Bahá’í message. These guest Bahá’ís also spoke before classes, special gatherings in fraternities, sororities and dormitories, and to a student-body assembly. In addition, members of the Club attracted much attention to the Faith with an excellent book exhibit in the Union Building. Q

When the University of Oregon at Eugene held a week-long Parliament of Religions in January, Dr. Nosratallah Rassekh, who is assistant professor of history at Lewis and Clark College, represented the Faith at a cof’fee—hour forum. As a result of interest generated during the week, the Bahá’í Club found itself with more requests for speakers at sororities and fraternities than it could handle.

0

Several week-end retreats are said to have been organized in various parts of the country. The retreat sponsored by the College Bureau was scheduled to be held at Asilomar on the Monterey Peninsula of California on the week end of April 6-8. Dr. Robert Wolff of the College Bureau will be the director of this retreat.

O

The Bahá’í Club of the University of California is experimenting with an idea which might prove of interest to other college clubs. It is announcing to men’s and women’s campus residences and clubs the existence of a “Bahá’í Speakers Bureau.” This idea has grown out of an increased curiosity among students there concerning the Faith.

Tennessee Youth Conference Studies Wide Range of the Writings

Among the winter activities of the American youth was a conference held at Nashville, Tennessee, on the last week end in January. It was sponsored by the Area Teaching Committee of the Tennessee Valley States and had as its far-reaching purpose a deepening of the conferees’ knowledge of the writings of Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi.

The conference procedure embodied brief histories of the twenty-two works under consideration, followed by more detailed reports by various youth on the individual books. Each report was supplemented by a discussion period. On Saturday evening a public meeting was held.

Quite understandably the conference was able to cover only part of the books, and further meetings were contemplated to complete a worthy project well begun.

National Convention Bahá’ís of the United States April 26-29, 1962

APRIL 1962

Declaration of the Báb May 23. ‘1962

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

Sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly

Theme: Age of Fulfillment

Suggested Publicity Materials: Press Release from Bahá’í Public Information Service Prophecy Fulfilled 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 by June 20 to the Bahá’í News Editorial Committee.

The Symbology of "Nine"

‘. . . We must avoid giving the impression of being all tied up with peculiar religious theories; on the other hand, the nine sides of the Temple, and the ninepointed star require an explanation, and he feels the best one is this:

“Nine is the highest digit, hence symbolizes comprehensiveness, culmination; also, the reason it is used in the Temple’s form is because nine has the exact numerical value of ‘Baha’ (in the numerology connected with the Arabic alphabet) and ‘Baha’ is the name of the Revealer of our Faith, Bahá’u’lláh. The nine-pointed star is not a part of the teachings of our Faith, but only used as an emblem representing ‘nine.’ In telling people of the nine religions of the world, that is existing religions, we should not give this as the reason the Temple has nine sides. This may have been an idea of the architect, and a very pleasing idea which can be mentioned in passing, but the Temple has nine sides because of the association of nine with perfection, unity and ‘Baha.’

“The Guardian feels that with intellectuals and students of religion the question of exactly which are the nine existing religions is controversial, and it would be better to avoid it. He does not want the friends to be rigid in these matters, but use their judgment and tact; sometimes one statement is exactly the right thing for one type of mind and the wrong thing for another.

“Strictly speaking the five-pointed star is the symbol of our Faith, as used by the Báb and explained by Him. But the Guardian does not feel it is wise or necessary to complicate our explanations of the Temple by adding this. . . . "

i

From a letter written by Shoghi Effendi, through his secretary, to an American believer.

[Page 5]U.S. SUPPLEMENT

Valuable New Subject Index

New Available

The National Reference Library Committee has ready for distribution a limited edition of a new Subject Index covering Bahá’u’lláh’s .Writings in two books: Gleanings and Bahá’í'. World Faith.

The plan used in preparing this index was as follows: Each paragraph was summarized, the summary being expressed as an idea about one or more subjects. What the idea told about each subject was then condensed into a short reference. These were arranged alphabetically under their subject headings (a total of sixty), with subheadings as needed. For instance, ideas about attributes of a certain subject are listed under that subject, with the word of each reference naming the attributes.

The result is a 75-page mimeographed booklet, plastic-bound, containing over 4,000 references. Although not every verity is listed, it is expected that the most important references to the most important subjects discussed, paragraph by paragraph, in the two books can be found easily by one who becomes familiar with the subjects.

The subjects or classifications have been chosen as defined and established in the Writings themselves, so that becoming familiar with them is educational in itself. Also, the references under each subject form a valuable condensed compilation on that subject.

Much time and effort have gone into the preparation of this index, and the committee hopes that it will be found useful. The delivered price is $2.00 per copy.

Still available are similar indexes for Seven Valleys and Four Valleys (nine pages, 30c) and Hidden Words (ten pages, 35c). Send order with check or money order to Edward G. Lippitt, 1556A Quarrier St., Charleston 1, W.Va.

Believers Urged to Combine Literature Orders

for Prompt and Economical Service

The Bahá’í Publishing Trust is receiving many small orders from individuals who live in a community where a regular literature distribution exists, or should exist. These individual orders are costly and time—consuming to handle. Many do not include payment and therefore involve extra correspondence, since the Trust cannot set up individual charge accounts on a personal basis, although special arrangements can be made for an isolated believer using large quantities of literature for teaching programs.

The Trust certainly does not want to deprive anyone of receiving needed materials and will therefore fill any request that encloses payment for an order of at least $1.00 or more; however, if you live in a community, no matter what its size, please consult your local librarian (literature representative) and ask that your requests be included in the regular com munity orders coming to the Trust. Many librarians keep a stock of basic books and pamphlets on hand sufficient to fill most needs. It is for this purpose that the Trust gives a small discount on orders from the communities, enabling the latter to build up a surplus of inventory for the convenience of members.

Consultation on this matter in the local assembly as well as at a Feast would no doubt result in cooperation among the believers to the benefit of the Faith as a whole.

No believer’s efforts should be hampered by a lack of the literature so vital to teaching and deepening work. Every attempt should be made to see that the Creative Word, as well as the many books and brochures that lead to it, are readily available to all.

Please ask your local librarian how often orders are placed with the Trust, and try to anticipate your personal needs in accordance with his or her scheduling.

—Bahá’í PUBLISHING TRUST

FREEDOM

As national committees, communities and groups carry out their plans to proclaim the Faith to the masses, it would be well for the believers to consider how to make the utmost use of the freedom which we, as Bahá’ís, possess.

Our freedom to serve the Faith is our most precious treasure, something to guard with infinite care lest it be seized from us by a world of distraction without, or a world of distraction within. This freedom to serve is as great as our will and our intention. Its renewal is as close to us as the words of the nearest open Bahá’í book. Faith in Bahá’u’lláh takes us into His world, where we are safe and secure, where no one can deprive us of power to serve except ourselves.

Ours not to yield to the forces of confusion which restrain others from effective action. Ours not the responsibility to conduct a nation along its dark and dangerous path, nor maintain an empire’s economy, nor re-apply a worn-out creed to present world conditions. But we are held responsible for preserving the integrity of our faith, keeping it potent from day to day; and we are held responsible for contributing to the unity and activity of our local Bahá’í community, large or small.

Therefore, from every local Bahá’í community there should come evidences of great undertakings and continuous spiritual achievement. Others are enchained by fears, oppressed by problems and burdened by cares. As Bahá’ís may we demonstrate what freedom God has given us—freedom to abandon a dead past, freedom to live and act in the new Dispensation! The greater our faith the more clearly we can see that societies perish because they come to deal with imaginary forces, immersed in shadows that obscure the Light.

Great events are upon us—let us be great of soul so that the events can be made to reflect the Bahá’í Faith to the masses who lose hope and direction.

[Page 6]CORRECTION

The U.S. SUPPLEMENT for January erroneously listed the Bahá’í marriage of Mrs. Esther Chapin to Walter Peacock as having taken place in Reno, Nevada. The marriage was solemnized under the direction of the Spiritual Assembly of Flint, Michigan.

Bahá’í Marriages

Los Angeles, Calif.: Miss Rosalie Haney to Alvin J. Lewis on January 21, 1962

Los Angeles, Calif.: Miss Anna M. Slaughter (Ann Mason» to Robert Dix on January 14. 1962

Pasadena, Calif.: Mrs. Bertha Whitmore to Paul Stirneman on December 26. 1961

San Jose, CaIif.: Miss Carol Zamzow to Barry Matteson on January 27, 1962

Washington, D.C.: Miss Lois Marie Gawen to Sherwood Thompson on December 27, 1961

Washington, D.C.: Miss Susan Melany to Dr. William Gentry on December 28, 1961

Teaneck, N.J.: Miss Violet Dutov to Le Grand (Lee) Tichenor on January 27, 1962

Houston, Texas: Miss Judith Elaine Koehler to Shad Farokh Afsahi on January 28, 1962

APRIL ‘1962

Teaching Among Indians Discussed by Gallup Conference

Plans for further teaching and proclamation among the Indians of nearby areas were discussed at a conference held February 10-11 in the Gallup, New Mexico, Bahá’í Center. Present were believers from localities on and around the Navajo Reservation. Amoz Gibson, Auxiliary Board and National Assembly member, presided.

To promote close communication and to benefit by each other’s experiences, the conference agreed that the eight Arizona and New Mexico communities and groups represented should exchange reports of their activities. These resumés are to be read at the Nineteen—Day Feasts. To further foster the exchange of successful techniques, two more conferences were reported to be in the planning stage.

In Memoriam

Mrs. Belle DeLand Lakewood, Ohio No date

Mrs. Lina Kraemer Peoria, Illinois January 22, 1962

Elmer Guffey Fairbanks, Alaska June 1961

Mrs. Anne E. Pendell Whittier, Calif. January 8. 1962

Albert J. Pollard Ipswich, Mass. February 1, 1962

BAHA'l DIRECTORY CHANGES

ASSEMBLY SECRETARIES

Northern California San Jose: Mrs. Joan Gavin, 4077 Hastings Ave., Z. 24 Santa Cruz J.D.: Mrs. Amelia Pease, 3714 Old San Jose Rd.. Santa Cruz

Louisiana Baton Rouge: Mrs. Carolyn Galinkin, 109 E. Garfield St.. Z. 3

Michigan Adrian: Mrs. Elizabeth Martin (chm), 224 E. Henry St.

Montana Billings: Mrs. Mary Cottrill, 2413 Broadwater Ave.

Nebraska Lincoln: Mrs. Delia Lucas, 2110 P St.

Nevada Las Vegas: Mrs. Dorothy Stewart. 504 Minnesota

New Mexico Gallup: Mrs. Roan 0. Stone. 504 N. Fifth St.

COMMITTEE SECRETARIES

Bahá’í Interracial Service Mr. George Galinkin, Secty., 109 E. Garfield St, Z. 3. Baton Rouge, La.

Davison Bahá’í School Program Committee Mr. Fred Sudhop, Chairman Mrs. Shirley Baldwin, Secty., 1615 Woodland St.. Royal Oak, Mich.

ADDITION TO COMMITTEE

Area Teaching Committee—South Plains States Mrs. Louise B. Matthias

RESIGNATIONS FROM COMMITTEES

Bahá’í College Bureau Miss Sally Sanor

Green Acre Bahá’í Institute Program Committee Mrs. Pamela Webster

Area Teaching Committee—South New England States Mrs. Pamela Webster