U.S. Supplement/Issue 82/Text

[Page 1]

Trustworthiness As a Prime Requisite for Functioning of Local Spiritual Assemblies

A Spiritual Assembly is an institution and not merely nine believers who happen to hold office. The great obligations and duties laid upon that institution are superior to any rights assumed by some of its members. Within its sphere of jurisdiction, as the Guardian has said, a Spiritual Assembly has undivided authority.

The fact that a Spiritual Assembly is an institution independent of the will of the electoral body does not in any way sanction the spirit of aloofness and separation from the community. On the contrary, it means that the Assembly is left entirely free to seek divine guidance for all its deliberations and decisions, and has been given a truly Providential opportunity to serve the community as a whole.

A Spiritual Assembly, raised above personal emotion and touched with a vision of divine justice, becomes an indestructible link in the chain of peace, economic stability and progress which the Supreme Manifestation has forged for the protection of mankind. Much has been offered to, much will be required from, all who are elected to membership in such an institution.

Matters of a general nature coming before a Spiritual Assembly should be reported to the community at each Nineteen Day Feast. It should be readily possible for an Assembly to determine what matters are confidential, and of the nature of a trust, and what matters concern the Cause and are of interest and importance to the entire Bahá’í community.

When a matter is recorded as confidential each member should scrupulously preserve it as such. When a matter is recorded otherwise, it should be reported in the form recorded in the minutes and by whatever officer is designated to make the report. Frank discussion of these points, and full agreement as to the conditions under which Assembly business is to be reported outside the meeting, are obvious requisites to the proper functioning of the institution.

The difference between secrecy and trustworthiness is exemplified when we consider the important subject of conferences held by a Spiritual Assembly with individual members of the community. If the believers find by experience that they cannot bring personal matters to an Assembly without having rumor and gossip immediately circulate throughout the community, such a condition is a serious charge for which that Assembly cannot escape responsibility. As the Cause de velops, each Assembly will increasingly be called upon to deal with certain matters of a personal and confidential nature, and the time has surely come when a firm foundation of trustworthiness should be laid.

If members of Spiritual Assemblies will attain trustworthiness, and exhibit an individual and collective attitude showing forth both knowledge of the Teachings and scrupulous obedience to them, the long-awaited and long prayed-for renaissance of public teaching, and vital growth in the Cause, will surely follow, as day follows night.

World Religion Day January ‘I7. 1965

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

Theme: Oneness of Religion

Suggested Materials: Radio and TV releases, TV slide of WRD poster and WRD poster from Bahá’í Distribution and Service Department. The Lord Is One, Bahá’í Teachings for a World Faith, One Universal Faith and Bahá’í: World Faith for Modern Man from Bahá’í Publishing Trust.

Reports: Reports and good photographs of outstanding observances should be mailed at once to Bahá’í News Editorial Committee.

Purpose of World Religion Day

The friends are reminded that the essential purpose of World Religion Day is to promote the claim of Bahá’u’lláh that the Bahá’í Faith is the long promised Universal Religion. It is not to be considered as an opportunity to present representatives of other religions to discuss their faiths or the general subject of comparative religion. Such meetings can be arranged at any time but World Religion Day is reserved for the exposition of the station of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh. To promote this station and win the attention of a few waiting souls is far more important than trying to

[Page 2]secure publicity involving the sects, churches and synagogues of past eras.

World Religion Day has accumulated great influence since it was first initiated in January 1949, and the National Assembly does not wish to,see this impact weakened by an exposition of comparative religion. The speaker or speakers for this occasion should be those capable of expressing the significance of the Bahá’í Faith in the evolution of human society.

Posters and Invitations Offered at Special Rates by Bahá’í Distribution and

Service Department

Because they can still be very useful for publicity in connection with public meetings and other Bahá’í events, the Bahá’í Distribution and Service Department offers special prices on posters and invitations which were produced originally for use in connection with the 50th anniversary of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit to America. Those who are not familiar with the poster should refer to page 16, Bahá’í News, June 1962.

The poster is 14 by 20 inches, printed in black and gold on white. It can be made useful by simply cutting off the top strip which reads: “Hear ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Message,” and the narrow bottom strip which reads: “50th Anniversary of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s American Visit.” Originally selling at 50 cents each, these posters can now be had at five for $1.00 (minimum order) postpaid.

The invitations with the same design of the Temple, 41/2 x 6 inches in size, and carrying the words “You are Invited . . .” are available at 200 for $1.00 (envelopes included) when ordered in minimum lots of 200. These, too, can be‘ used for many purposes by simply cutting them in half, thus eliminating the reference to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit fifty years ago.

All orders should be accompanied by cash and should be mailed to: Bahá’í Distribution and Service Department, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois.

Geyserville School to Hold 8-Day Winter Session

Geyserville l,3aha’i School will again hold a winter session, for eight days, December 26 to January 3. The program committee announces that the teachers will be “the Bahá’í books, and the students YOU.” The subjects will be as many and varied as the students desire and each day will be a complete entity in itself. Essentially the session will be a series of small, intensive deepening classes with everyone participating.

The cost for the session will be $24.00, or $3.00 per day. There will be overnight accommodations at $1.00 per person with summer session rates for meals. All are urged to bring warm clothing and bedding.

For reservations, write to: Bahá’í School, Geyserville, California.

DECEMBER ‘1964

Pioneers Needed for International Goals

The International Goals Committee is seeking pioneers to help achieve the goals set by the Universal House of Justice for the Nine Year Plan. Many pioneers are needed to fill these goals where teaching and consolidation are so urgently required.

The countries assigned to the International Goals Committee are:

Consolidation Re-opening and Consolidation Opening and Consolidation

French Somaliland (Africa) Ifni — (Spanish) Gabon (Central Africa)

Burundi (Central Africa) Consolidation

Senegal — (French) Consolidation (Independent Country)

Cape Verde Islands Consolidation (Portuguese)

Togo — (French) Consolidation (Independent Country)

Marshall Islands (American) Consolidation

Caroline Islands (American) Consolidation

Marianna Islands (American) Consolidation

Formosa (China) (Taiwan) Consolidation

Mexico (Central America) Teaching Mayan Indians in Campeche, Yucatan, Chiapas and Quintana Roo. Consolidation.

Bolivia (South America) Consolidation

Financially independent people, retired persons, exchange students and professional personnel such as teachers, nurses and doctors can secure employment in many of these areas. Bahá’í News will publish information in a later issue about employment opportunities in some of these areas. These opportunities for service and pioneering offer untold spiritual bounties. Interested Bahá’ís should write to this Committee, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois. All possible help and information will be gladly supplied.

-—INTERNA'1‘IONAL GOALS COMMITTEE

U.S. United Nations Committee Calls for Important Statistics

Please mail immediately a report on your Human Rights Day celebration to the United Nations Committee, c/0 Mr. Lionel Gonzalez, 156 East Church Street, Bergenfield, New Jersey. Kindly include the following information:

Type of meeting

Topics covered

Size of audience

Radio and/or TV coverage Publicity

Pictures, if you have them.

Also, if you have not already done so, please send a similar report on your United Nations Day meeting.

This information is urgently needed for a statistical report for the United Nations and has no connection with the reports to be sent to Bahá’í News.

[Page 3]U.S. SUPPLEMENT

Cataloguing of Bahá’í Books by Public Libraries

From time to time believers have complained that Bahá’í books in public libraries are incorrectly classified in their library catalogues under “Islam” and/or “Bahaism” and suggest that the National Spiritual Assembly make an attempt to secure a new or separate classification from the Library of Congress which devised the present Dewey Decimal Classification used by most public libraries in the United States.

This matter has been taken up with the Library of Congress on several occasions in recent years. Although it appears to the friends that there are certain “open” numbers in the system (like 298, for example) to which no category has yet been assigned, the Library of Congress has explained that these numbers are reserved for certain purposes. A recent letter states that there are not enough numbers between 292 and 299 to provide one for each specific religion but that the separate entity of “Bahaism” is clearly shown by the coordinate indention and larger type.

Edition 17 of The Library of Congress catalogue is due to go to press soon and it makes it possible for libraries specializing in any religion other than Christianity to class it (for Bahaism) in 2B0-2B9 or 29B (preceding 292) using B as an eleventh digit.

Efforts have been made to have the Faith classified as “Bahá’í Faith” instead of “Bahaism” but the incredible amount of detail involved in changing the entire system makes that impossible for the Library of Congress for the present. It should be remembered that public libraries are under staffed and can very well be years behind in bringing up-to-date changes and new listings as published in the Library of Congress catalogues.

The important point for the friends to keep in mind is to see that there is a representative collection of basic up-to-date Bahá’í books in their libraries, that they refer their contacts to them and that they themselves draw them out from time to time to keep them on the library shelves. Where and how the books are listed is not nearly so important as having them available to the public.

Bahá’ís Should Keep Public

Library Books in Circulation

Frequently requests for information and books about the Bahá’í Faith are received by the National Spiritual Assembly from individuals who live in cities having relatively large Bahá’í communities and presumably a good collection of Bahá’í books in the public library. It is seldom known whether the inquirer has already sought information from the local library.

It is essential that all communities place Bahá’í books in the public library and see to it that they are kept in circulation by the Bahá’ís borrowing them periodically even though they own all the titles personally. In many cities librarians will remove Bahá’í books from their shelves if not taken out for a certain period of time.

Rocky Mountain Youth Rededicate lives to the Faith

At a youth conference in Denver, Colorado in late September, the Rocky Mountain Bahá’í youth rededicated their lives in service to the Faith. In a letter to the Editorial Office of Bahá’í News these youth wrote:

“We appeal to the youth to lend their support to the efforts of the Nine Year Plan. We only hope that we (Bahá’í youth) will live up to the standards set forth by our beloved Guardian: ‘. . . No greater demonstration can be given to the peoples of both continents of the youthful vitality and the vibrant power animating the life, and the institutions of the nascent Faith of Bahá’u’lláh than an intelligent, persistent and effective participation of the Bahá’í youth, of every race, nationality, and class in both the teaching and administrative spheres of Bahá’í activity . . .’ ”

(Advent of Divine Justice, 1:). 58)

Bahá’í Youth and the Bahá’í Fund

The following article in the ROCKY MOUNTAIN Bahá’í YOUTH NEWS for October 1964 was written originally by Karen Jensen as her answer to the question so often asked: “Why doesn’t somebody tell them?”

None of us can ever fully realize the significance of the Bahá’í Faith or our roles in the future of the world. Perhaps we have this future in our hands. The existence of this race of men may depend on whether or not the hearts of men are changed by the word of God. With this great responsibility on our shoulders, we neglect the lifeblood, the Fund, of the cause which will save the world.

It takes only a small sum to support a pioneer for a month, yet we have to bring them home because of lack of funds. America, the richest country in the world, can’t fulfill its duties because of lack of funds. A man in Africa will work a month to earn a few dollars — so few that we would not even think them important. He gives half of his money to the Bahá’í Faith. He misses a few of his already inadequate meals so that he can give to the Faith. Do you think that you, with all of your great material comforts are happier than that man sitting on the floor of his mud hut with a pain in his stomach from hunger? Who will receive the greatest bounties in the Abhá Kingdom?

Youth, you ask what you can do to help this glorious cause while you are still in school. Consider extreme generosity to the Bahá’í Fund as an answer. Give every extra dime to the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh. Maybe even give up that coke with your friends or that movie you have been wanting to see so that the Bahá’í Faith may progress. If it hurts a little and is a true sacrifice, so much the happier you should feel because you could do something to help His most glorious Cause!

Do a little soul searching. Remember, Bahá’u’lláh has said: “Be generous in prosperity, and thankful in adversity. Be worthy of the trust of thy neighbor, and look upon him with a bright and friendly face. Be a treasure to the poor, an admonisher to the rich, an answerer to the cry of the needy, a preserver of the sanctity of thy pledge . . .”

[Page 4]Spiritual Obligation of Every Bahá’í to the Bahá’í Funds

“Be generous in prosperity, and thankful in adversity. Be worthy of the trust of thy neighbor, and look upon him with a bright and friendly face. Be a treasure to the poor, an admonisher to the rich, an answerer of the cry of the needy, a preserver of the sanctity of thy pledge.” (Bahá’u’lláh: Gleanings, p. 285)

“Beware lest ye encroach upon the substance of your neighbor. Prove yourselves worthy of his trust and confidence in you, and withhold not from the poor the gifts which the grace of God hath bestowed upon you. He, verily, shall recompense the charitable, and doubly repay them for what they have bestowed.” (Bahá’u’lláh: Gleanings, p. 278)

“As the activities of the American Bahá’í community expand, and its world-wide prestige correspondingly increases, the institution of the National Fund, the bedrock on which all other institutions must necessarily rest and be established, acquires added importance, and should be increasingly supported by the entire body of the believers, both in their individual capacities, and through their collective efforts, whether organized as groups or as local Assemblies. The supply of funds, in support of the National Treasury, constitutes, at the present time, the lifeblood of those nascent institutions which you are laboring to erect. Its importance cannot, surely, be over-estimated. Untold blessings shall no doubt crown every effort directed to that end.” (Shoghi Effendi: Messages to America, p. 5)

“Each and every believer, undaunted by the uncertainties, the perils and the financial stringency afflicting the nation, must arise and insure, to the full measure of his or her capacity, that continuous and abundant flow of funds into the National Treasury, on which the successful prosecution of the Plan must chiefly depend.” (Shoghi Effendi: Messages to America, p. 11)

“It is therefore imperative for the individual American believer, and particularly for the affluent, the independent, the comfort-loving and those obsessed with material pursuits, 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. . . . Let us resolve instantly and unhesitatingly, to place, each according to his circumstances, his share on the altar of Bahá’í sacrifice, lest, on a sudden, unforeseen calamities rob them of a considerable portion of the earthly things they have amassed.” (Shoghi Effendi: America in Time of World Peril) '

“The continual expansion of the Faith and the diversification of the activities of Bahá’í communities make it more and more necessary for every believer to ponder carefully his responsibilities and contribute as much and as regularly as he or she can. Contributing to the Fund is a service that every believer can render, be he poor or wealthy; for this is a spiritual responsibility in which the amount given is not important. It is the degree of the sacrifice of the giver, the love with which he makes his gift, and the unity of all the friends in this service which bring spiritual confirmations. As the be DECEMBER ‘1964

loved Guardian wrote in August 1957: ‘All, no matter how modest their resources, must participate. Upon the degree of self-sacrifice involved in these individual contributions will directly depend the efficacy and the spiritual influence which these nascent administrative institutions, called into being through the power of Bahá’u’lláh, and by virtue of the Design conceived by the Center of His Covenant, will exert.’ ” (Universal House of Justice: Bahá’í News, February 1964)

“Let us try to enlarge our realization of the great work that the Cause is doing for humanity. We are trying to save mankind from destruction, and the means and agencies for so doing to bring about this result have been revealed to us, and we have been given the privilege of establishing them and maintaining them. So the budget, from first to last, is a spiritual rather than a material obligation.” (Horace Holley: Bahá’í News, October 1956)

Current Books Mark Changes

in Religious Thought

At the request of the National Spiritual Assembly, Mr. Winston G. Evans has suggested a number of books that might be helpful to the friends to understand the changes in the thinking of students and scholars of religion. Among them are the following:

The Sun and the Umbrella by Nels F. S. Ferré, which shows how many people today worship the Sun (God) under all kinds of “umbrellas.” The author writes that man’s interpretation of the Bible and the church have become such umbrellas.

The Death of God by Gabriel Vahanian describes “the culture of our post-Christian era.” In the preface to this book, Paul Ramsey, professor of religion at Princeton University, writes: “Ours is the first attempt in recorded history to build a culture on the premise that God is dead.”

The Dilemma of Modern Belief by Dean Samuel H. Miller of the Harvard Divinity School, deals with the perplexity of modern man. The following quotation from this book can be used to advantage by believers: “The key we are seeking is likely to be found in a place unilluminated by academic lights.”

Honest to God by J. A. T. Boshop of Woolwich, England, is among the most controversial books ever to appear in the religious field. It gives some idea of the revolution taking place in theological circles. It is available in the United States in the Westminster paperback edition.

From Utopia to Nightmare by Claud Walsh maintains that the most sensitive writers today have abandoned all Utopian dreams and see only nightmares ahead.

Since Bahá’í contact has already been established with several of these authors, the believers are cautioned not to take issue with them by means of communication or by sending literature without first seeking the permission of the National Spiritual Assembly.

[Page 5]U.S. SUPPLEMENT

We Must Reorient Ourselves

to Our Bahá’í Work

In this connection it might be well to point out that a great restless forward surge is taking place among the believers the world over. There was a time, not so many years ago, when almost everything new being done in the Bahá’í world was being done by the North American Bahá’ís. Those days have gone forever. On their horizon there now looms keen competition. As the Americans are by nature stimulated by competition, he hopes the American Bahá’ís will be stimulated by this very real competition coming from their fellowbelievers, not only in Britain, Australasia and Germany, but from the weak and down-trodden, under—privileged Bahá’í Communities in the East!

Although the Divine Plan was conferred on the North American Community, that does not mean other nations cannot work for its aims, and they are now waking up and doing so with a fiery enthusiasm that should make the Americans open their eyes, and, redouble their efforts: otherwise they risk suddenly discovering that the empty places on the Bahá’í map which they planned, when they got around to it, to colonize, are speckled with determined and self-satisfied Bahá’ís from other countries who got their first!

NATIONAL BAHA'l FUND

Thousand Monthly Income: 1964-1965 80 L 64.5 Monthly 60 Budget

Ed o

MAY JUNE JULY

AUG

SEPT

NOV

DEC

J AN

FEB MAR

APR

- Regular contributions

Special contributions & Miscellaneous

From Estates 8: Trusts

The Guardian is well aware that the American believers are heavily committed, that they have been doing for years the lion’s share of Bahá’í work, that they have achieved brilliant victories for the Faith. However, he sometimes feels that due to the very characteristics so praiseworthy in them, their openness, their sincerity and a certain credulity in their nature. they are more prone to being disturbed by the currents abroad in the world than are older and maturer races. He feels the very disturbing political conditions all around us are troubling them more than they should. He feels they should think about this and reorient themselves on their Bahá’í work. For, after all, the very essence of the reason a person has accepted Bahá’u’lláh is that he has decided this Way alone is the solution to the absolutely hopeless problems facing humanity. A Bahá’í must be wholly a Bahá’í, concentrate on the work of the Cause, and put aside from his mind the distracting influences that scream at him from every newspaper these days. Naturally, this does not mean he must be insular, it means he must concentrate more consciously on doing the work of the Cause.

(Extract from letter from the Guardian, through his secretary, November 23, 1951)

Local Assemblies Contributing Each Month

E0.

300

250

E

E

MAY JUNE IU LY

AUG SEPT

OCT. NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR

[Page 6]6 DECEMBER ‘1964 BAHA-I DIREC1-ogy cHAN¢:,E5 NSA-STATE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES ASSEMBLY SECRETARIES mlil/‘lilsisalgatherine Schlichter (correct spelling of name) Arizona Northern California

Glendale: Mr. John F. Cook, 6627 W. Montebello

Pine Springs: Mrs. Ruby Nelson, Pine Springs Trading Post, Hauck (incorrectly listed under Arkansas in November Supplement)

Northern California San Jose: Mrs. Vivian R. Mankervis, 3216 Lorna Verde D11. Apt. D-1, zip code 95117 Southern J. D. San Mateo County: Mrs. Fannie West. 235 Daphne Way, East Palo Alto

Southern California Dist. No. 1

Culver City: Mrs. Lois Schneider, 3816 Prospect Ave., Apt. 7

Glendale: Mrs. Garnette Whitefield. P.O. Box 1294 (to correct spelling of name)

Hermosa Beach: Miss Sandra Jacob. P.0. Box 362

Monrovia: Mrs. Helen S. Pinkerton, 520A Diamond (to correct name to “Mrs.”)

Northern Illinois Elmhurst: (new secretary to be announced) Mrs. Vera Overeem, pro-tem, 379 Maple Ave.

Iowa Waterloo: Mrs. Grace Kough, 733 Johnson St., zip code 50702

Michigan Ypsilanti Township: Miss Judith Russell, 1311 Gault, Ypsilanti

Missouri Kansas City: Mrs. Elizabeth Campbell, pro-tem, 4425 N. Virginia New Mexico Clovis: Mr. John Houser, 716 E. 4th St.

Western New York Geneva: Mrs. Mary W. Dumbleton, J. J. Chartres Home. Apt. 76—G, zip code 14456 Ohio Euclid: Mrs. Dolores A. Haghighi, 27390 Forestview Ave., zip code 41132

Rhode Island Providence: Mrs. Beth Newport, 14 E. Manning St., zip code 02906

Texas Austin: Mrs. Henrietta Trutza, 1607 Woodlawn Blvd., zip code 78703 El Paso: Mrs. Catherine Arenas, 425 Sunset Rd. W.

Utah Salt Lake City: Mr. Arthur Krummell, 1535 E. 3350 South, Salt Lake City 84106 Salt Lake County: Mr. Edward C. Parker, Chairman, 7385 W. 3500 South, Magna 84044

RESIGNATIONS FROM COMMITTEES

U. S. NGO Representatives to the United Nations Mrs. O. H. Blackwell

U. S. United Nations Mrs. O. H. Blackwell

ADDITIONS TO COMMITTEES

U. S. NGO Representatives to the United Nations Mrs. Annamarie Honnold

U. S. United Nations Mrs. Annamarie Honnold

Mrs. Dorothy Hansen. 37 Midway. Salinas 93905

Southern Caiifornia Dist. No. 2 Mr. E. Blair Fuller, 2915 E. 11th St., National City (to correct address)

Montana Mr. William Musler, 311 4th Ave.. N., Great Falls

Voting Rights Removed

The National Spiritual Assembly has removed the voting rights of Mrs. Lois Scott, Kansas City, Missouri. Bahá’ís will be cautious in communication of any kind with Mrs. Scott until her status is reviewed in the future.

In Memoriam

Mrs. Margaret L. Coleman Newark, Ohio September 30, 1964

Mrs. Gladys Bishop Curry Staunton, Virginia September 22, 1964

Mrs. Winifred M. Grote Santa Rosa, Calif. September 19, 1964

Miss Luise H. Rathmann Arlington, Virginia July 22. 1964

George Frederick Dr. Louis Speno El Paso, Texas Sandpoint, Idaho

September 1964 August 9, 1964

Mrs. Catherine M. Vorkink Los Angeles, Calif. September 19, 1964

Bahá’í Marriages

San Francisco, Calif.: Miss Jeanette Kraemer to Charles F. Beachner on August 22, 1964

Atlanta, Georgia: Miss Jeanne Stiner to Jeffrey Brian McGurk on September 19, 1964

Wilmette, Illinois: Miss Ellen J. Cluberton to Isadore Knox on September 18, 1964

Winnetka, Illinois: Miss Jan Winters to John R. Williams on August 8, 1964

Davenport, Iowa: Miss Rita Jean Sourdiff to Wayne William Landers on January 31, 1964

Beverly, Mass.: Mrs. Bettina E. Edwards to Charles W. Roberts on September 21, 1964

Las Vegas, Nevada: Miss Suzanne J. Murdock to Lewis M. Duncan on September 19, 1964

Columbus, Ohio: Miss Rashel Nikravesh to Norman C. Rosen on August 22, 1964

Pierce Co., 3rd C. D., Wash.: Mrs. Barbara Ives Reich to Joseph McK. Noyes on August 9, 1964