U.S. Supplement/Issue 58/Text

America's Spiritual Primacy

‘Abdu’l-Bahá told us that the American continent had been singled out, especially favored and equipped to play the preponderating part in promoting the Bahá’í Faith throughout the world. He said: “The continent of America is in the eyes of the One True God, the land wherein the splendors of His light shall be revealed, where the mysteries of His Faith shall be unveiled, where the righteous will abide and the free assemble.”

He also expressed the hope that America might become the distributing center of spiritual enlightenment. He asserted: “America has developed power and capacities greater and more wonderful than other nations . . .”

Do we not need then to take time to better understand our station, our preponderating influence and responsibility in the Bahá’í world? Our Guardian spared no time or words in keeping this fact constantly before us. The theme of America’s spiritual primacy runs through his cables, letters and pamphlets. On one occasion he wrote: “No effort is too great for the community belonging to the continent whose rulers Bahá’u’lláh addressed in the Most Holy Book, whose members were invested with ‘Spiritual Primacy’ by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and named by Him apostles of His Father . . .”

As outer conditions reflect the inner, and material conditions reflect the spiritual, the “powers and capacities” of the American people are well expressed in their inventive genius, their ability to organize and execute colossal undertakings. Nowhere are these capacities better demonstrated than in the field of production. The distressed of the world look to the United States to come to their assistance in the hour of need, in famine, catastrophe, and war devastation. This call for help and assistance has been generously and freely answered.

But what has been accomplished has simply been the relief of suffering, and not the cure. And at this point and for this purpose, the American Bahá’í community has its destined opportunity. Bahá’u’lláh comes with the skill of the Divine Physician, diagnosing the causes of the ills of a stricken world, seeking to remove once and for all the sources of the many grave and chronic diseases which afflict the human race. The giving of this fundamental healing is the task of the followers of Bahá’u’lláh. For this we have been called; for this we have been equipped; for this Bahá’u’lláh stands ready to bless and assist us.

All our teaching and all our effort is to create God’s ark of shelter and safety for the human race. The Guardian reminded us of our primacy: “In this supreme, this sacred matter and international undertaking in which the followers of Bahá’u’lláh, in all the

continents of the globe, are summoned to show forth the noblest spirit of sacrifice, the members of the American Bahá’í community must by virtue of the abilities they have already demonstrated and of the primacy conferred upon them as the chosen trustees of a Divine Plan, play a preponderating role, and, together with their brethren residing in the Cradle of their Faith, who are linked by such unique ties with its Herald, set an example of self-abnegation worthy to be emulated by their fellow workers in every land." In gratitude, let us re-examine our attitude toward all our teaching and all our sacrifice. The bounties of God will reinforce our daily actions in service to this Faith. Thus through action we may become aware of our capacities and achieve our destiny in service.

NSA Plans Conferences

for Reports on Jubilee

Since not all Bahá’ís will be able to attend the Bahá’í World Congress in London in April, and also because there will be no National Convention next spring where those who have remained at home can receive first-hand reports of the Jubilee and related events, the National Spiritual Assembly has tentatively scheduled a nation-wide series of conferences for Sunday, May 26, 1963, at which believers who will be selected for the purpose will share with the Bahá’ís in the areas surrounding the conference cities as much as possible of the spirit and program of the Jubilee.

In effect, these conferences will take the place of the 1963 National Convention which, under other circumstances, would be held during the period suggested by the Hands of the Faith in their message to the 1962 Convention. Hopefully these gatherings will be marked by the kind of jubilant mood which such an occasion would indicate.

The location of the conference cities and other details will be announced following the meeting of the National Spiritual Assembly December 29 —— January 1. Wherever possible a public meeting will be arranged for the preceding evening, Saturday, May 25, at which both Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís will be welcome. The Sunday conference will also be open to non-Bahá’ís who may be interested to hear about the Congress.

Payment of Jubilee Plane Fares due December 31

[Page 2]Newly Enrolled Bahá’ís May Attend World Congress

All believers, including those recently enrolled, may attend the World Congress in London in April, the only restriction being that in order to use_ the charter or group flights, one must have been a Bahá’í in good standing at least six months prior to departure. A Bahá’í enrolled after October 15, 1962, cannot be included in charter flights unless he is a member of the immediate family of a Bahá’í who is eligible and is going to London via one of the charter arrangements.

Anyone, including both old and new Bahá’ís and those traveling with them, may make arrangements for preand post-Congress tours which are being arranged for us by Overseas Travel Co.

All Bahá’ís planning to attend the Congress, regardless of whether they are traveling by plane or ship, should notify the National Congress Arrangements Committee of their plans to attend by filling out the form in Bulletin No. 4 so that hotel arrangements can be made and so that the National Assembly can issue proper credentials at the proper time. Special credentials will be issued for the Congress, and no one will be admitted without them.

Possible Cancellation ot Flights

If there are insufficient reservations for specific flights, it may be necessary to cancel certain planes. In this event, the friends will be offered alternative procedures for travel to London.

Payments of Plane Fares

ALL PAYMENTS ON PLANE FARES MUST BE MADE TO OVERSEAS TRAVEL COMPANY ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 1962. There will be no separate billing on this. Each one is responsible to see that his fare is paid on time. A grace period until January 5, 1963, will be extended to those whose money is in savings accounts which draw interest to January 1. Reservations will be cancelled if the fare has not been paid when due.

NO CANCELLATIONS CAN BE ACCEPTED AFTER DECEMBER 31, 1962, unless the seat can be sold to another qualified Bahá’í.

NSA Explains Double Reason

for Announcing Its Meetings

The National Spiritual Assembly is deeply grateful to all the friends who take time from their busy schedules to petition Bahá’u’lláh for guidance and assistance to the Assembly in its deliberations during its regular meetings. The meeting dates are announced in Bahá’í News not only in the hope that the believers will join the assembly in its prayers while it is in session, but also as a reminder that any matters requiring the attention of the National Assembly at its meetings must be received at least one week in advance of the dates indicated.

Any correspondence or reports received during the meetings, unless they deal with real emergencies, will be held over until the next meeting.

DECEMBER ‘1962

Marriage Laws Called to the

Attention of All Believers

In spite of the fact that the Bahá’í laws governing the marriage of Bahá’ís were clearly defined many years ago and restated in the January 1959 Bahá’í News, enrolled Bahá’ís continue to ignore or disregard them without realizing the effect of this action on their Bahá’í status. The National Spiritual Assembly is once more setting forth these instructions for all believers, youth and adult, with the warning that any Bahá’í who disregards them places his membership in jeopardy.

Consent of Parents

In a letter through his secretary on June 26, 1956, the beloved Guardian stated:

“Regarding the question of applying the sanction of suspension of voting rights to people who marry without the consent of parents, this should be done from now on. The laws of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas are explicit and not open to any ambiguity at all. As long as the parents are alive, the consent mustlbe obtained; it is not conditioned -on their relationship'to their children. If the whereabouts of the parents -is not known legally, in other words, if they are legally dead, then it is not necessary for the children to obtain their consent, obviously. It is not a question of the child not knowing the present whereabouts of its parents, it is a question of a legal thing— if the parents are alive, they must be asked.”

It is important that all Bahd’2's understand that the consent of the parents of both partners is to be obtained even if one of the couple is not a Bahá’í. The Guardian made this matter clear in the following letter through his secretary written August 12, 1941:

“Regarding the question whether it is necessary to obtain the consent of the parents of a non-Bahá’í participant in a marriage with a Bahá’í, as Bahá’u’lláh has stated that the consent of the parents of both parties is required in order to promote unity and avoid friction, and as the Aqdas does not specify any exceptions to this rule, the Guardian feels that under all circumstances the consent of the parents of both parties is required.”

All Bahá’ís Must Have a Bahá’í Marriage Ceremony

In a letter dated April 25, 1958, the Hands of the Faith reminded the Bahá’ís:

“All believers must have the Bahá’í ceremony, regardless of whether it is legally recognized or not. If the Bahá’í is marrying a non-Bahá’í, there would be a Bahá’í ceremony in all cases, even though the non-Bahá’í also wished to have another ceremony, either civil or religious . . . Where there is more than one ceremony, the Bahá’í service and the other civil or religious ceremony must both be performed on the same day.”

On June 20, 1954, the Guardian explained that where the Bahá’í is marrying a non-Bahá’í who wishes to have a ceremony of his own religion carried out, it must be quite clear that, first, “the Bahá’í partner is understood to be a Bahá’í by religion, and not to accept the religion of the other party to the marriage by having his or her religious ceremony; and second, the ceremony must be of a nature which does not commit the

[Page 3]U.S. SUPPLEMENT

Bahá’í to any declaration of faith in a religion other than his own."

Local spiritual assemblies are again reminded that these matters must be called to the attention of the members of their community at frequent intervals.

World Religion Day January 20. 1963

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

Theme: Discovering Unity in Religion

Suggested Materials: Radio and TV releases, WRD poster, TV slide of WRD poster, prestige folder from National Bahá’í Headquarters. Bahá’í Teachings for a World Faith, One Um’versal Faith, Bahá’í: World Faith for Modern Man from Bahá’í Publishing Trust.

Reports: Newspaper clippings are to be sent immediately to National Bahá’í Headqviarters. Reports and good photographs of outstanding observances should be mailed at once to Bahá’í News Editorial Committee.

Nation-Wide Institute Series Scheduled for February

At the direction of the National Spiritual Assembly, the American National Teaching Committee will schedule a second series of Institutes throughout the United States on February 2-3 and 9-10.

These will be one-day workshop-type institutes. There will be sessions where the friends are together for general discussion and presentation of basic material, and workshop sessions where there are groups of nine people dealing with sets of problems as a “mock” assembly, including the election of an assembly, its organization, appointment of committees, as well as typical problems often facing assemblies.

The National Teaching Committee feels these will be real “fun” conferences, as well as occasions for gaining knowledge of the functioning of Bahá’í community life through practical application of basic Bahá’í principles and procedures.

It is suggested that area committees, assemblies, groups and the friends at large hold these dates open (February 2-3 and February 9-10), until the schedule is completed, and plan to attend one of the Institutes possibly the last we will share together before meeting in London to celebrate the Most Great Jubilee.

More detailed information on these Institutes will be furnished at a later date.

—AMERIcAN NATIONAL TEACHING COMMITTEE

Pioneering Opportunities in Negro Schools

The Bahá’í Interracial Service Committee wishes to call the attention of the friends, especially the Caucasian believers, to a rich and challenging pioneering opportunity for reaching the Negro population and demonstrating the oneness of mankind.

There are more than sixty schools, located mainly in the southern part of the United States, which are attended primarily or entirely by Negroes but which are open to white students and faculty who apply. By enrolling or teaching in such schools Bahá’ís can demonstrate their belief in the singleness of the human race and find untapped sources for teaching the Faith. The few pioneers already connected with such schools report remarkable opportunities in this field.

The Bahá’í Interracial Service Committee has prepared a list of these schools which will be furnished on request to Bahá’í teachers who wish to apply for jobs or to student Bahá’ís who wish to apply for admission. Catalogs and further information should be obtained by writing to the particular schools in which the individual Bahá’í may be interested. The committee itself will also be pleased to assist anyone with suggestions and advice. Write to Dr. Sarah Pereira, Secretary, 2725 13th Street, N.E., Washington 17, D.C.

Pioneers Needed for Indian Reservation

A couple or family to pioneer and teach on an Indian Reservation is being sought. by the American Indian Service Committee. Detailed information is available to believers who can leave their present location without jeopardy to an existing assembly. Write to: American Indian Service Committee, Mrs. Nancy Phillips, Secretary, 736 Encanto Drive, S.E., Phoenix 7, Arizona.

In Memoriam

Mrs. Frances Allyn Tullahoma, Tennessee April 2, 1962

Mrs. Mabelle L. Davis Highland Park, Michigan September 27. 1962

Dr. Louise Irani Washington, D.C. September 29, 1962

Mrs. Ida Kozie Milwaukee, Wisconsin August 16, 1962

James F. Fletcher Washington, D.C. September 18, 1962

Alvin Lowe Detroit, Michigan October 8. 1962

Albert J. Mark Sarasota, Florida October 1, 1962

Mrs. Inez E. Gray Euclid, Ohio October 18, 1962

Gustav A. Haupt Union City, New Jersey September 23, 1962

Edward Ward Atlanta. Georgia August 1962

Miss Roushan Wilkinson North Attleboro, Mass. August 7, 1962

[Page 4]New Printing of "The Bahá’í Story"

Copies of a new printing of The Bahá’í Story are available without charge to Indian believers, all Bahá’ís teaching among the Indians and pioneers on or adjacent to Indian reservations. To other interested believers the price is $1.00 a copy.

Orders should be sent to Lawrence Gimlin, Librarian, American Indian Service Committee, Box 175, Camp Verde, Arizona.

Youth Around Seattle Answer Sudden CalI_

When there was an unexpected call in September from a Unitarian Churchin Seattle 'for someone to address an audience of young people on the following evening, nearby youth responded nobly. Six young people plus an adult moderator put on a panel discussion of the Faith which stimulated an eager attitude of “How can we find out more about Bahá’í?”

In response a considerable number of ‘pamphlets were given out, the audience was told ‘of the newly acquired center in Seattle and promises were made that information about forthcoming classes and meetings would be conveyed to all those interested.

I

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

Los Angeles, Calif.: Miss Grace Ruth Schwartz to Norris Young on September 21. 1962

Pasadena, Calif.: Miss Elizabeth A. Ball to Hiram E. Webb on August 12, 1962

Atlanta, Georgia: Mrs. Ruth S. Wright to Jack Perrin on August ll, 1962

Davenport, Iowa: Miss Sharon M. Stevens to W. C. Edwards on May 26, 1962

Albuquerque, N.M.: Miss Genine Reed to Don Sullivan on June 7, 1962

Interracial Photos

And Slides Needed

The Bahá’í Interracial Service Committee is compiling a booklet to show, in words and photographs, the interracial character of the Faith, both in the past

DECEMBER ‘1962

and at present. The friends are requested to send in old and new photographs showing the friends in meetings, committees, social gatherings, etc., on an interracial basis. We would deeply appreciate pictures of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in interracial settings, of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Gregory and others, up to and including your current community activities. Please accompany each photo with the date, occasion and location being pictured.

The committee also wishes to compile a slide series showing interracial activities and would appreciate donation of color slides showing any aspect of Bahá’í interracial functions. ‘

While we would like to keep all photos for future as well as immediate use, they will be returned to the donors if requested.

Please act immediately on this request and send interracial photographs and slides to the Interracial Service Committee, Dr. Sarah M. Pereira, Secretary, 2725 Thirteenth St., N.E., Washington 17, D.C.

BAHA'I DIRECTORY CHANGES ASSEMBLY SECRETARIES

Northern California North Sacramento Jud. Dist: Mrs. June Holley, 2000 Vesta Way, Sacramento 25 (New Assembly Jormed 10/13/62)

San Jose: Mrs. Mary Ellen Zamzow, Chairman, 4599 Elmhurst Dr.

Southern California District #1

Manhattan Beach: Mr. William Smarsh, Box 1404

Pasadena: Mrs. Jean Villasenor, 372 E. California Blvd. Southern California District #2

Santa Ana: Mrs. Marilyn Greene, 723 N. English St. Hawaii

Kauai: Mrs. Dorothy Laranio, R.R. 1, Box 229, Kapaa Maine

Eliot: Mrs. Dorothy Cress, 40 Moses Farmer Rd. Montana

Great Falls: Mr. Len Bergstrom, 314 3rd St. N., Apt. 309 Eastern New York

North Hempstead Twp.: Mrs. Elizabeth Thomas, 103 Andrew

Road.

Ohio

Euclid: Mrs. Peggie Trauger, 20001 Hillcrest Rd., Z 17 Oregon

Corvallis: Mrs. Aletha Brown, Rt. 3, Box 362, Goodnight Rd.

Portland: Mrs. Esther Linear, pro-tem, 3917 N.E. 10th Ave..

Z 12

South Carolina

Florence: c/o Mrs. Betty Foxworth, 415 W. Palmetto St. Texas

Houston: Mrs. Mary Brown, 1708 Rosedale St., Z 4

ADDITION TO COMMITTEE

Bahá’í World Editorial Committee, Vol. XIV Mrs. Molly King, Pomona, Calif.

RESIGNATIONS FROM COMMITTEES

Temple Guides Mrs. E. A. Thayer Dr. E. A. Thayer

Area Teaching Committee——North Atlantic States Col. Eugene Keller, Jr. Mrs. Clara Keller