Baha'i Year 140 No. 630 ISSN 0195·9212 USPS 040·140

Agnes Alexander, Part 3: The completion of a life of service to the Faith .. 1 Baha'i teachers establish firm foothold for Cause in Oaxaca, Mexico. . . . 8 A warm, loving tribute to the late Joy Munson, Baha'i pioneer to India. . 1O Around the world: News from Baha'i communities all over the globe. . . 12

Bahli'i News is published monthly by the ational Spiritual Assembly of the BahA'is of the United States as a news organ reporting current activities of the BahA'i world community. Manuscripts submitted should be typewritten and double spaced throughout; any footnotes should appear at the end . The contriburnr should keep a carbon copy. Send materials 10 the Periodicals Office, Baha'i National Center, Wilmene, IL 60091 , U.S.A. Changes of address should be reported to the Ornce of Membership and Records, Baha'i National Center. Please attach mailing label. Subscription rates: one year, Sl2 U.S.; two years, S20 U.S. Second class postage paid at Wilmene, IL 60091. Co pyri ght~ 1983, National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'fs of the United States. World rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A. Biography: Agnes Alexander

Golden years of service to the Cause

Last of three parts In 1937 Agnes Alexander received the following message: "I would be pleased to meet you face to face at this Holy Spot. Your true brother, Shoghi." 1 Her dream had finally come true. As far back as 1914 'Abdu'l-Bahci had given her permission to visit the Holy Land, but world war had prevented it. 2 Shortly after the invitation arrived, Agnes received another cable from the Guardian asking her to "extend assis­ tance" to Saichiro Fujita's mother who was ill. Although she had no address, Agnes was confident she would be as­ sisted to find the woman. And of course, she was: "I know this is always true when we arise in His service and respond to His call." 3 Mrs. Fujita's hearty laughter explained much to Agnes about the joyous nature of her son. En route to Haifa, Agnes' ship stop­ ped at Port Said, Egypt, where two ex­ cited Baha'is came aboard with sur­ Agnes Alexander (right) in Haifa, Is­ the Cause of God William Sutherland prising news: "The Guardian is mar­ rael in April/May 1957 with Saichiro Maxwell, husband of Agnes' 'spiritual ried, and you'll never guess to whom." Fujita and Miss Adelaide Sharp. The mother,' May Maxwell. Without hesitating Agnes answered, photograph was taken by the Hand of "Mary Maxwell," which was exactly right. 4 Her answer is all the more extra­ ordinary when one considers that no Saichiro Fujita met Agnes at the mediate future in Japan is very dark. one had the slightest intimation that train station in Haifa and drove her to Japan is going to suffer.6 The time is the Guardian was planning to marry at the Western Pilgrim House where she not now for great headway. The Pa­ all. was greeted by her "spiritual mother," cific will become a great storm center May Maxwell, now a member of the in the coming war-great suffering. The last of a three-part series on the Holy Family through her daughter's What we require in Japan is the recog­ life of the Hand of the Cause of God marriage to Shoghi Effendi. nition of the Revelation of Bahci'u'llah 7 Agnes Baldwin Alexander was written Agnes was a favored pilgrim. The and of His station." by Duane Troxel, an assistant profes­ Japanese scroll she brought as a gift On the first night of her pilgrimage sor of educational technology at Lou­ was graciously accepted by the Guar­ the Guardian asked Agnes to record isiana State University, Baton Rouge. dian and hung in a place of honor at her Baha'i experiences. As a result, Dr. Troxel, who has a PhD. in educa­ Bahji. She was able to listen to his "Forty Years of the Baha'i Cause in tion from Temple University in Phila­ melodic chanting in the Shrine of the Hawaii: 1902-1942" and "History of delphia, served from 1979-83 as a Bab. "In his voice there was a power the Baha'i Faith in Japan: 1914-1938" member of the National Spiritual As­ which was different from all others," were completed during World War II sembly of the Bahd'fs of the Hawaiian she said. 5 and copies were gratefully received by Islands. The Guardian told her, "The im- Shoghi Effendi. (These manuscripts

Baha'i News/December 1983 1 Left: A passport photo of Martha L. Root's resting place in Honolulu, Root (1872-1939). Above: Martha Hawaii. were not published until the 1970s.) she wrote: of Baha'is mourn her!" 10 Agnes was away from Hawaii when "I am so near the shore of eter­ On March 1, 1940, Agnes' spiritual Martha Root arrived in Honolulu in nity ... I do not speak, so late tonight mother, May Maxwell, cabled her hus­ June 1939. For 20 years the Faith's of the glorious side of life after band from Buenos Aires, Argentina: "leading ambassadress" had taught at death . . . I am glad to go through this "SEVERE NEURITIS. BEG PRAY­ a pitch exceeded only by the Master terrible agony, for if it came it must ERS." 11 A few hours later she was Himself during His journey to the have come for a purpose ... If our dead. It was scarcely more than a West. Cancer had all but eaten the life love for each other has been deepened, month after she had arrived at her pio­ out of her wasted frame, but her spirit if this servant has been able to witness neering post. was indomitable. From her deathbed for her Lord, if the ties between India, Australia, New Zealand and the Ha­ 'Kindled with divine flame' waiian Islands are strengthened, then I May, whose tender love had been "a have not come in vain." 8 In her final guiding star" to Agnes; 12 whom Keith delirium she repeated often over and Ransom-Kehler called "a gift and evi­ over, "Shoghi Effendi, Shoghi Ef­ dence lent me by the Master''; 13 whom fendi." 9 'Abdu'l-Baha described as "pure in Martha Root is buried in Honolulu heart and attracted in soul,'' was now where she died-a symbolic spot where "gathered into the glory of the Abha East meets West, and an appropriate Kingdom." 14 resting place for one who devoted her Agnes penned a tribute to May Max­ life to the cause of world unity. well which is at once luminous and When Agnes learned of Martha soul-stirring. These are some lines Root's passing she wrote the friends in from it: Hawaii: "From the time May met her Lord in "She (Martha) was near and dear to 'Akka in 1899, and 'beheld the King in me ever since 1915 when she first came His Beauty,' her whole being was to Japan and we met there .... Sho­ kindled with the divine flame .... ghi Effendi said to me when I left Countless are the souls who have been Haifa, 'Keep in touch with Martha', so ignited through her divine love. In eternally I pray we may all be in touch every land which had the blessing of and helped by her spirit. her presence they are to be found .... "I long, though, from the human A precious gift from God to May was Agnes Alexander (left) and May point, to once more speak with her. It exquisite speech. One was always con­ (Bolles) Maxwell in a photograph is eight years now since we parted, or at scious that what ever she said was the taken in 1934. (Courtesy National Ba­ least it will be the last of December. truth. She had true spiritual humility hd'{ Archives of Japan) "Blessed Martha, the whole world and reverence which increased as she

2 December 1983/Baha'i News kindness." 17 From Germany came thanks for some Baha'i books: "O dearest, I know you can duly appreciate what this now means to me ... It is like entering a garden in spring and breathe (sic) the fragrance of the most exquisite flowers and feel the cool and refreshing waters watering that garden directly from the Source of Life itself." 18 Enforced absence After an enforced absence of 13 years, Agnes returned to Japan in May 1950. Incredibly, her entire Baha'i li­ brary, which "included hundreds of copies in Japanese of Dr. Esslemont's book, was found intact in a ruined part of Tokyo." 19 She transferred her resi­ dence from Tokyo to Kyoto, which abounds in magnificent temples and quaint gardens. In the midst of this splendor Agnes continued her habit of living simply. In her tiny apartment "she cooked and served ·meals to her guests in a kitchen no larger than a closet, and often on trips to Tokyo would astonish visitors by opening up a large suitcase filled with pots, pans, dishes and a hotplate" and proceed "to cook them a meal." 20 Another Baha'i recalls how Agnes once wore two suits of clothing aboard an airplane flight to avoid paying an ex­ cess baggage fee. Though moderate and thrifty in all that pertained to her personal life, she was quite generous where the Faith was concerned. Agnes Alexander in a photograph taken around 1945. In 1950 she was 75 ... old chrono­ logically, but not spiritually or men­ tally. She wrote to a friend at that time, became a member of the Holy House­ with you at the time of the raid on "You will see that I must take time off 16 hold .... Hawaii." to learn to use my (new) typewriter. ''A thousand loving hearts are now An indication of the Guardian's The trouble is I am always in a turning toward South America, and close contact with and love for Agnes is hurry!" 21 Buenos Aires, in longing to attain the revealed in a letter she received from The Guardian instructed Agnes to spot (at) which our precious mother is the Archives and History Committee lay special emphasis on the Covenant laid to rest and there to supplicate her of the U.S. and Canada in 1944, ack­ 22 15 in her teaching. Instantly she directed intercession for us all." nowledging receipt of 69 of Shoghi Ef­ the friends to focus on its living em­ Agnes returned to Honolulu in June fendi's letters. bodiment, Shoghi Effendi: " ... We 1941. That same year, on the anniver­ When the guns of war were finally have to strive to make them (every be­ sary of the Birth of the Bab, she took silenced in the fall of 1945, pleas for liever) understand and come closer to part in the dedication of the first Ba­ help were heard-and Agnes answered. our beloved Guardian, as he is 'the ark ha'i-owned Center in the Pacific. From Japan, Mr. Torii wrote: "Dear of safety for every believer'." 23 Forty-eight days later, on December spiritual mother! Thank God, your At Riqvan 1954 the Guardian in­ 7, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. heavenly presents reached me safe­ structed the 15 Hands of the Cause re­ Fortunately, neither Agnes, the ly ... Opening the sugar sack Mrs. siding outside the Holy Land to ap­ friends, or the Center was hurt in the Torii doubted her eyes; at first what point Auxiliary Boards. Agnes was one suprise attack. "Shoghi Effendi's the white thing is and she tasted it, how of seven appointments for Asia. 24 thoughts, and mine too," wrote Ama­ sweet it was! Thank you, thank you, Three years later, in a cable announc­ tu'l-Bahci Rul).iyyih Khanum, "were thank you so much for your hearty ing the passing of the Hand of the

Baha'i News/December 1983 3 Agnes Alexander in December 1957, Above: Agnes Alexander with the Zen­ grandchildren.' Below: With Governor the year she was named a Hand of the imoto baby, May 1960. Another John Burns on the eve of the election Cause of God. photo, showing the Zenimoto f amity, of Hawaii's first National Spiritual As­ is signed by Agnes: 'My children and sembly, April 24, 1964. Cause of God George Townshend, the Guardian added this: ''Agnes Alexander, distinguished pioneer (of the) Faith, elevated (to) rank (of) Hand (of) Cause. Confident (her) appointment will spiritually rein­ force teaching campaign simultaneous­ ly conducted (in) North, South (and) heart (of) Pacific Ocean. "Haifa, March 27, 1957 Shoghi" 25 She wrote of her appointment to a close friend, Auntie May Fantom, the first of Hawaiian blood to embrace the Cause: "Probably you have heard by now that a great new spiritual life has come to me, that is, to be a Hand of the Cause. It is something I could not have dreamed of, but God works in mys­ terious ways, and this is His Plan, or it could not come, so I leave all and turn to our beloved Guardian; knowing that he will guide me, and if I keep in the right direction, I cannot fail with his prayers. It makes the beloved Guar­ 26 dian seem so much nearer now.'' "How all the hearts of his lovers fly to on November 4, 1957, and some days Just eight months after Agnes' ap­ Haifa in prayers for our glorious and after he was buried in London's Great pointment as a Hand of the Cause 'sacred' Guardian! whom God in His Northern Cemetery, Agnes joined 25 came the shocking news that Shoghi mercy ... has bestowed on us!" 27 other Hands of the Cause in the Holy Effendi was seriously ill. Agnes wrote, The beloved Guardian passed away Land for a conference. The Guardian's

4 December 1983/Baha'i News widow, Amatu'l-Bahci RuQ.iyyih Baha'i. What feelings must have surg­ the Infinite. Khanum, told the Hands of his last ed within her heart that day! The "It's God's Plan," was her confi­ days. On November 19, they went to photographs taken at the Convention dent response to all the vagaries of life. the Mansion of Baha'u'llah at Bahjf. portray a supremely happy, confident A young Baha'i in Honolulu who tried They were in the abyss of despair. The and radiant soul. to help her cross a street was told, Guardian had not left a will, nor had After the Convention, Agnes re­ "Dearie, do you think my Lord does he appointed a successor. Agnes was turned to Japan. In late July 1965, as not guide my step?" 30 And when His one of those who realized that Shoghi she was preparing to attend the World inscrutable Will snatched "the beloved Effendi could have no will, "as there Congress of Esperantists in Tokyo, she of all hearts" from this plane, she said, was no one the beloved Guardian could fell and broke her hip. For the next two "Our beloved Guardian is now freed appoint in his place as Guardian of the 28 years she was confined to a hospital from his cares and is very near to us Faith." bed in Tokyo; but even in this calamity all . .. As for myself, I know that I In April 1957 she was elected to the first National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of North East Asia, and served as a member for six years, dur­ ing which time she shuttled back and forth between Japan and meetings of the Hands in the Holy Land. Prophecy fulfilled In 1963, at the culmination of the Ten Year Crusade, Agnes participated in the long-awaited election of the Uni­ versal House of Justice, which was held on Mount Carmel in Haifa, Israel. The nine members of that body were introduced to 7 ,000 jubilant Baha'is who were gathered at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Agnes was present for that event, which gloriously fulfilled Daniel's aTlcient prophecy of the "1335 days." The following year, at the age of 88, she represented the new Universal House of Justice at the formation of the first National Spiritual Assembly of Hawaii. On the eve of that election, · Hawaii's governor paid tribute to the Agnes Alexander (seated third from Alexander's right is Velma Sherrill, Baha'is and presented Agnes with the left) with the first National Spiritual now a Counsellor in the Americas, who traditional flower lei and a kiss. Assembly of the Bahd'(s of the Ha­ represented the U.S. National Spiritual It was indeed a blessing for Baha­ waiian Islands, April 1964. To Miss Assembly at the election. 'u'llah's "herald of the Pacific" to see her spiritual progeny grow from iso­ lated Groups to Local Assemblies, and she perceived His providence: "Dearie, am here because it is God's Plan. And now to form the first National Spiri­ nothing happens by chance,'' she when He so wills, then the next step tual Assembly of the Baha'is of the wrote to a friend. "It is my great hope will be shown, so I have no care but to Hawaiian Islands. and prayer that through this accident 'turn' and do my best to serve." 31 From each of the six major islands in the hearts of all the Baha'is in all Japan On September 10, 1967, Agnes was the archipelago the 19 delegates shall be so united and love each other brought back to Hawaii by her nephew came-Hawaiians, Chinese, Japanese, with such deep love, it will be felt by all and was housed in an apartment in the Samoans, Filipinos, Portuguese, and those around us. Then will the words Arcadia Retirement Residence. Ironi­ Haole (white)-all united by Baha­ of the Master be fulfilled, that Japan cally, from her window she could look 'u'llah through the efforts of His will turn ablaze." 29 down on the site of her birth. herald, Agnes Alexander, the Spiritual God's Will was not a metaphysical Living in a retirement home did not Mother of the Pacific. abstraction to which Agnes paid lip stifle her sense of humor. On the oc­ During the Convention she looked service. It was to her as real and bank­ casion of her 93rd birthday a young backward some 63 years to reminisce able as gold coins. What for others Baha'i couple visiting from Africa about that day in 1901 when, as a timid were frustrating and unexpected turns presented her with a hand-carved 26-year-old, she had returned home to of events were to her opportunities to ebony cane. She took the cane and the Paradise of the Pacific-as its first bring oneself into closer harmony with eyed them sharply. "Who is this for?"

Baha'i News/December 1983 5 she asked. Faith and described the esteem in 1975, the "Agnes Baldwin Alexander "W-why, it's for y-you," one of which she was held all over the world. Award for Service to Humanity." To them stammered. This approach proved successful, and date, six outstanding citizens of the Agnes threw back her head and dear Agnes was laid to rest only a few state have received this prestigious laughed. "Hah! As soon as I'm well," miles from her beloved spiritual sister, award at a banquet held annually on she said, "I'll be running up and down Martha Root. December 26, the anniversary of her the hall!" From the Holy Land, the Universal arrival in Hawaii as a Baha'i. Somewhat later the young man in­ House of Justice cabled: The Baha'is of Hawaii and the Pa­ quired as to whether she ever had any "Profoundly grieve passing illumin­ cific, of Korea, Japan and China, and dreams of 'Abdu'l-Baha. ed soul Hand Cause Agnes Alexander all others whose spiritual inheritance Preoccupied with teaching longstanding pillar Cause Far East first derives from the services of Agnes bring Faith Hawaiian Islands. Her long Alexander are the denizens of that "No," said Agnes, "I am not a dedicated exemplary life service devo­ "spiritual empire" spoken of by 'Ab­ dreamer." And she smiled sweetly. 33 tion Cause God anticipated by Centre du'l-Baha: "Had this respected daugh­ Most nonagerians are preoccupied Covenant selecting her share May ter founded an empire, that empire with medicine and hot water bottles, Maxwell imperishable honor mention would not have been so great! For this with rocking chairs and reminiscences. Tablets Divine Plan. Her unrestrained sovereignty is eternal sovereignty and Not so Agnes Alexander. Teaching was unceasing pursuit teaching obedience this glory everlasting glory." her preoccupation. And deepening. At command Baha'u'llah exhortations the age of 94 she told a visitor that she Master guidance beloved Guardian tried to read the Tablets of the Divine shining example all followers Faith. NOTES Plan as often as she could because Her passing severs one more link 1. Agnes Alexander, History of the Bahd'l 34 "they are full of spiritual food." Heroic Age. Assure family friends ar­ Faith in Japan: 1914-1938, Baha'i Publish­ Shoghi Effendi once told her, "Your dent prayers holiest Shrine progress ra­ ing Trust, Japan, 1977, p. 96. reward is indeed great and glorious in diant soul request all National Spiritual 2. Star of the West, Vol. 7, No. 5, p. 35. the world to come for all your en­ Assemblies hold memorial meetings 3. Alexander, Japan, p. 96. deavors and exemplary services to the and those responsible hold services 4. Ibid., p. 99. sacred Threshold." 35 At 1 p.m. on Mother Temples." 37 5. Ibid., p. 101. January 1, 1971, the "cage" was Agnes Alexander's 70 years of certi­ 6. In 1911 'Abdu'l-Baha met Japan's Am­ broken, and the spirit of dear Agnes bassador to France in Paris. The Master tude to the Threshold of Baha'u'llah told him, "There is in existence a stupen­ Alexander winged its long-awaited are almost without parallel in the West. dous force, as yet, happily, undiscovered by flight to the Abha Kingdom. She was In her memory, the National Spiritual man. Let us supplicate God, the Beloved, 95. Assembly of Hawaii inaugurated, in that this force be not discovered by science But the story does not end there. It was the desire of Miss Alexander's family to have her interred in the graveyard of Kawaiahao Church, Ha­ waii's Westminster Abbey. Many of the most distinguished missionaries in­ cluding Agnes' grandparents are buried there. Unfortunately, space was at a premium, and the officials decreed that her remains could not be buried in the family plot unless they were cre­ mated-a condition unacceptable for a Baha'i burial. Faced with this dilemma, Hawaii's National Spiritual Assembly cabled the Universal House of Justice to ask for guidance. Meanwhile, Assembly mem­ bers invited the friends to join them in an all-night prayer vigil at the grave of Martha Root. Clustered beneath um­ brellas, the friends prayed at the unlit grave throughout a dark and rainy night. Early the next morning a long-dis­ tance call from the House of Justice . advised a direct appeal to the executors 'Who's the cane for?' Miss Alexander olulu retirement home when she was 93 of Miss Alexander's estate. The appeal says, laughing, in a photograph taken years old. outlined her exemplary services to the August 15, 1968, in her room at a Hon-

6 December 1983/Baha'I News until spiritual civilization shall dominate the human mind. In the hands of men of lower material nature, this power would be able to destroy the whole earth." (World Order magazine, June 1946, p. 68). And in 1920 He said, "In Japan the divine proclamation will be heard as a formidable explosion, so that those who are ready will become up­ lifted and illumined by the light of the Sun of Truth." (Ibid., p. 67). 7. Pilgrim notes of Agnes Alexander, May 1, 1937, National Baha'i Archives, Hono­ lulu, Hawaii. 8. Bahd'( News, No. 209, July 1948, pp. 6-8. 9. Letter from Kathrine Baldwin, October 8, 1939, National Baha'i Archives, Hono­ lulu. 10. Letter from Agnes Alexander, October 8, 1939, National Baha'i Archives, Hono­ lulu. JI 11•t1t 11. Letter from William Sutherland Max­ well, March 7, 1940, National Baha'i Arch­ ives, Honolulu. :;;;, 12. Agnes Alexander, Forty Years of the Bahd'f Cause in Hawaii: 1902-1942, Na­ tional Spiritual Assembly of the Hawaiian Islands, rev. ed., June 1974, p. 32. mother JOO years earlier. Below: Miss 13 . Marion Holley, "In Memoriam: May Above: Agnes Alexander in her room Ellis Maxwell," The Bahd'( World, Vol. 8 at the Arcadia Retirement Residence in Alexander is buried in the family plot (1938-40), p. 638. Honolulu, March 31, 1969. From her behind Honolulu's historic Kawaiahao 14. Shoghi Effendi, Messages to America: window she could see her birthplace Church, which was built in 1820. She 1932-1946, Baha'i Publishing Committee, and a mango tree planted by her died January 1, 1971, at the age of 95. Wilmette, Ill., 1947, p. 38. 15. Papers of Agnes Alexander, "Tribute to May Maxwell," undated, p. 6, National ber 1, 1957, National Baha'i Archives, Baha'i Archives, Honolulu. Honolulu. 16. Letter from Amatu'l-Baha Rlil:llyyih 29. Elena Marsella, "In Memoriam," The Khanum, February 12, 1942, National Ba­ Bahd'f World, Vol. 15, p. 429. ha'i Archives, Honolulu. 30. Roger White, The Witness of Pebbles, 17. Letter from Tokujiro Torii, August 5, George Ronald, London, 1981, p. 9. 1947, National Baha'i Archives, Honolulu. 31. Letter from Agnes Alexander, January 18. Letter from Elsa Grossmann, January 31, 1958, National Baha'i Archives, Hono­ 17, 1948, National Baha'i Archives, Hono­ lulu. lulu. 32. Light of the Pacific, Hawaii Baha'i 19. Eunice Braun, From Strength to News, No. 29, September 1957, p. I. Strength, Baha'i Publishing Trust, Wil­ 33. Personal notes of Dr. Duane K. Troxel, mette, 1978, p. 31. August 15, 1968. 20. Elena Maria Marsella, "In Memoriam: 34. Beth McKenty, Bahd'( News, July 1974, Agnes Baldwin Alexander," The Bahd'( p. 5. World, Vol. 15 (1968-73), p. 428. 35. Agnes Alexander, Japan, p. 70 . 21. Letter from Agnes Alexander, May 12, 36. Personal notes of Mr. Tracy Hamilton, 1952, National Baha'i Archives, Honolulu. March 1980. 22. Japan Will Turn Ablaze!, Baha'i Pub­ 37. Light of the Pacific, Hawaii Baha'i lishing Trust, Japan, 1974, p. 54. News, No. 61, January 1971, p. 2. 23. Letter from Agnes Alexander, January 3, 1951, National Baha'i Archives, Hono­ lulu. 24. The Bahd'( World, Vol. 12 (1950-54), p. 40. 25. Bahd'( News, No. 315, May 1957 , p. !. 26. Letter from Agnes Alexander, April 16, 1957, National Baha'i Archives, Honolulu. 27. Letter from Agnes Alexander, Novem­ ber 6, 1957, private collection of Mr. Wil­ liam Smits, Makakilo, Hawaii. 28. Letter from Agnes Alexander, Decem-

Baha'i News/December 1983 7 Mexico

Teaching campaign reaches village areas

Baha'is from Oaxaca, San Lorenzo Cacaotepec, Vera Cruz and Mexico City, Mexico, participated last July 5-August 14 with three traveling teach­ ers from the United States in a teaching campaign in the state of Oaxaca that was carried out under the auspices of the National Teaching Committee of Mexico. The purpose was to deepen Baha'is in that area of Mexico and to reach their friends and family members with the Message of Baha'u'llah. Training session The campaign's organizational phase included a training session con­ ducted by members of the National Teaching Committee which provided an opportunity for pioneers and travel­ ing teachers to improve their Spanish­ language skills. A part of the session was spent practicing the use of the Spanish version of the orange teaching booklet. The team's first stop was the village of San Pedro, nestled in the high Sier­ A group of Bahd'f and non-Bahd'f Elwin Howard, a traveling teacher. ras, a two and one-half hour walk from children in Tehuantepec, Mexico, with from the United States. the road. The friends stayed in the home of an indigenous family, many of whose members are Baha'is. During their five-day stay in San for two five-day periods. While there, held there with Baha'i youth whose Pedro, team members helped in teach­ they presented a slide program and questions were challenging and re­ ing and by organizing an observance of held deepening sessions for local be­ flected deep thought. Children's the Nineteen Day Feast. lievers. classes in San Lorenzo Cacaotepec "Baha'is and non-Baha'is alike were "The visual presentation was a real were well-received; the youngsters en­ impressed by the fact that we didn't attraction because most of the pueblo joyed singing and guitar playing. dwellers have radios, but hardly any of just come and go, but lived and ate The Baha'i teachers visited several with these indigenous people, most of them have television," said Donald other villages in the Oaxaca valle;' in­ whom are of the Zapotec tribe," said Boone-Wallis, a traveling teacher from cluding San Pablo Etla, Guejovela, one traveling teacher who was a mem­ Euless, Texas. Guelatao, Laion Zapata, and La ber of the team. Before the team left San Pedro Nes­ Union. In Ishtepece, about an hour's icho, villagers were asking them how to "The diversity of our team aroused walk from San Pedro Nesicho, they curiosity," he added, "and many con­ conduct their own Feasts and how to met with the village president and re­ hold children's classes. versations about the Faith were opened ceived his permission to return to offer by our being asked what we were doing The village of Santo Domingo To­ residents a slide program. there." maltepec was visited each Sunday for In Tehuantepec, slides and books in The team visited San Pedro Nesicho several weeks. Deepening sessions were Spanish were used in children's classes

8 December 1983/Baha'i News and deepenings for older Baha'is. One deepening session included a simulated Spiritual Assembly meeting. A popular activity among the local Baha'is was a trip to the beach with their visitors. At least one village was opened to the Faith during the nearly six-week­ long teaching campaign, and it is hoped that two Local Spiritual Assem­ blies that had not been functioning will be doing so by Ritj.van as a result of the efforts put forth in this campaign.

A group ofyoung men in Tehuantepec, Mexico, is shown perusing a Bahd'( teaching booklet. Tehuantepec was one of several villages that were visited by Bahd'(s last July and August during a six-week teaching campaign in Oaxaca state. Panama

A delegation of Bahd'(s paid a courtesy right) Bonijacia Fuentes, a member of and Rachell Constante, a member of call last August 10 on Ricardo de la Es­ the National Spiritual Assembly of Pa- the National Spiritual Assembly of priella (second from left), the president nama; Counsellor Mas'Lid Khams{, Panama. of Panama. The Bahd'(s are (left to

Baha'i News/December 1983 9 Tribute: Joy Munson

A shining example of steadfastness

HEARTS SADDENED PASSING FAITHFUL STEADFAST MAIDSERVANT ularly. Joy was named an assistant to CAUSE JOY MUNSON WHO THOUGH ADV AN CED IN YEARS RE­ Auxiliary Board member M. Jawn­ MAINED AT POST IN DEDICATED SERVICE BLESSED BEAUTY. SUP­ mardi, and in April 1983 was elected PLICATING HOLY SHRINES PROGRESS HER RADIANT SOUL. chairman of the Spiritual Assembly of UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE Sangli. JUNE 12, 1983 Joy's only real concerns during her stay in India were an inability to com­ municate as well as she would have lik­ Joy Munson was 73 years old when vise her. Panchgani was a six-hour ed (she communicated with love), and she arrived in India in 1976 as a Baha'i journey by bus from Sangli. a desire to be buried in a Baha'i ceme­ pioneer from the United States. From the time of that first meeting it tery. She often spoke of this, to which I She was, as she said, beginning "one was evident that Joy viewed the Panch­ would say jokingly, "Joy, if you ever of the most exciting adventures" of her gani Assembly as her "parent" and feel you are going soon to the next life. made no decision without first inform­ world, just get on a bus and come to At first glance one might think, what ing the Assembly or consulting with it. Panchgani. We have a lovely cemetery could this tiny woman do in a country She always did her utmost to carry out here for you." She would laugh and such as India? At home, she could be the wishes of the Assembly and was ab­ reply, "That's a fine idea." close to her family and children, well ,,- solutely obedient in every way. Joy Munson was a living example of cared for and comfortable in her old What a shining example Joy became the fact that love and steadfastness can age. But alone, and in a strange coun­ to all-young and old alike. She was a alone win souls to this Faith. That is try ... radiant spirit, always smiling, happy precisely what happened to her, and What a surprise was in store for the and uncomplaining. Joy was truly a the waiting souls did indeed come Baha'is as this strong-willed and deter­ "joy" to everyone. knocking on her door. She would lov­ mined woman settled in and estab­ She visited our family on many oc­ ingly invite them to the Center, prepare lished herself in the goal town of casions, and became like a family a cup of tea for them, and give them Sangli, Maharashtra State. member and "grandmother" to our literature about the Faith in their own Her first stop was the Baha'i Na­ three children. She had a wonderful language. She was the essence of a true tional Center in Delhi where she walk­ sense of humor that everyone loved. loving spirit in that whatever hap­ ed straight into the office of the sec­ Many times, especially at the dinner pened, and with whomsoever she came retary, R.N. Shah, introduced herself table, she would have everyone laugh­ in contact, she always saw the beauty (they had been expecting her), and ing. She was so well-read that she could and the good qualities and overlooked said, "I've come to pioneer, and will converse on almost any topic. Her poverty, disease, and flaws in char­ settle any place that the NSA wants me mind was unbelievably sharp, and she acter. to-and here's my will." She made no read almost constantly, sometimes as mention of living accommodations, As the years passed Joy came to love many as five Baha'i books at a time, language, climate, and so forth. the New Era Baha'i School in Panch­ taking notes from each one. While gani, its staff and its students. One The National Assembly suggested reading those books she was also either Sangli or Miraj, also in Maha­ day, as we strolled across the campus, studying Persian and Marathi, and rashtra State. Joy was then asked to she said to me, "Oh, I love this school almost always had those books with travel to Panchgani to meet with its and the children so much! I wish I her too. She loved trees, flowers and could do something for them." Assembly which would act as a birds, and at times would sit on our "mother" Assembly to guide and ad- As it happened, a second floor dor­ patio for long periods drinking in the mitory was to be built, but funds were This tribute to Joy Munson, who beauty of nature. not available. That evening, we dis­ pioneered to India at the age of 73 and Largely through Joy's efforts a new cussed the matter with my husband, passed away recently at her post, was Baha'i Center was purchased in Sangli, Ray, who was principal of the school. written by a former pioneer to that a Spiritual Assembly was established, Joy became quite excited, and left early country, LaNelma Johnson of Har­ and children's classes with more than the next morning for Sangli, saying she desty, Oklahoma. 100 youngsters attending were held reg- would return in a few days. Checking

10 December 1983/Baha'i News Joy Munson, who pioneered to India in 1976 at the age of 73, with the Hand of the Cause of God Abu'l-Qdsim Faiz( at the New Era Bahd'( School, Panch­ gani.

her bank account, she found to her dis­ with her children, grandchildren and deeply influenced by her example of may that she had only several thousand great-grandchildren, Joy boarded a total detachment, sacrifice and stead­ rupees there. The following day, how­ plane for Bombay, arrived there un­ fastness, and will miss her greatly. ever, a letter arrived from her son, Vic­ announced, and traveled eight hours tor, who was living in California. by bus to Panchgani to be with her "Mom," he wrote, "you have $12,000 friends there. just sitting here in the bank. Why don't My son, Kirk, and I were pleased to you put the money to good use some­ welcome Joy as a guest in our home for where?" 10 days until we left India to return to Again, Joy's prayers had been an­ the States on May 10. Two days after swered. She arrived in Panchgani the we left, she fractured her hip and un­ next day, her face beaming, and said, derwent surgery in Poona. The opera­ "Well, it's all set. Let's write to Victor tion was a success, but on May 26 Joy's right now and explain about the new heart failed and she passed away. She dorm." Within a few weeks $10,000 was 81 years old. was received and work was begun on a Joy spoke often of her death, and new girls' dormitory, Munson Hall, looked forward to that glorious jour­ which was opened in September 1983 ney. She passed away at her pioneer for 30 girls. post, had a lovely funeral, and was laid In February 1983 Joy returned to the to rest in the beautiful Baha'i cemetery U.S. to see her four children, and the at Poona. Munsons held a family reunion in Cal­ Those of us who were fortunate ifornia. After visiting for two months enough to know Joy Munson were

Baha'i News/December 1983 11 The world

Nearly 100 in Thailand camp declare

As a result of teaching initiated by Laotians in northeastern Thailand. In the new Baha'is themselves. Also, Mr. two Baha'is, the number of Baha'is in three months, the number of Baha'is Kana, a former pioneer to Laos from Thailand's Phanat Nikhom refugee there reached 80 in spite of the fact that Malaysia who is now an Auxiliary camp now stands at close to 100. there are no Baha'i workers at that Board member, visits the Baha'is in the The two Baha'is who work at the camp. camp and works with them. camp are employed by humanitarian The Faith is being taught instead by organizations. With their help, four other Baha'is were given permission to visit the camp last July 31 to observe the Feast of Kamal. The visitors found a surprising de­ gree of personal and community devel­ opment among the new Cambodian Baha'is in the camp. The first to become a Baha'i there, a Cambodian student who came to Thai­ land about eight years ago, was told by fellow refugees that his ideas resembled those of the Baha'i Faith. After a long search, he finally found the Faith through an English teacher at the camp. After enrolling he began to teach others, and, as he later learned, on the same day last June that the martyrs were hanged in Shiraz, Iran, 50 of those he was teaching suddenly decided to become Baha'is. The Cambodian Baha'is in the camp began visiting another camp across the Pictured are some of the 263 people Now, there are Nineteen Day Feasts, road, and by last August there were who were enrolled in the Faith between deepening classes, and daily classes on eight new Baha'is there, most of whom May and August 1983 at the Phanat two levels for children, while groups of are Laotians in the process of re­ Nikhom refugee processing center in Bahci'(s are working on the translation settlement to other countries. Chonburi, Thailand. The first to be­ and publication of Bahci'( writings. In Similar developments have been re­ come a Bahci '(in the camp was a Cam­ September, the National Spiritual ported in another refugee camp for bodian student who learned of the Assembly of Thailand authorized the Faith from Francis Mausley, an Amer­ election of a Local Spiritual Assembly ican who teaches English there. This at the camp. World Centre led to 263 enrollments in a few months. On June 27, the Universal House of Justice announced through its Secre­ Transkei tariat the appointment of four new On May 27, the Daily Dispatch of The article mentions the 174 local­ members of the Continental Boards of Umtata, Transkei, published a news re­ ities and 50 organized Baha'i com­ Counsellors. They are: lease from the International Conven­ munities in Transkei. The National As­ In Africa- Mr. Gila Michael Bahta, tion with a photograph of the eight sembly says that, to the best of its Mr. Kassimi Fofana. In the Amer­ members of the National Spiritual As­ knowledge, this is the first mention of icas-Mr. Shahpoor Monadjem. In sembly of Transkei who attended. the Faith in the Transkei newspaper. Australasia-Mrs. Joy Stevenson.

12 December 1983/Baha'I News Austria

Fifteen hundred Bahci'f youth from 40 God Amatu'l-Bahci Ru~(yyih Khcinum. ing the conference while 36 offered to countries gathered last July 23-26 in Other participants included seven travel to international pioneering Innsbruck, Austria, for a European members of the Continental Board of posts. The conference theme was 'Set­ Youth Conference whose special guest Counsellors in Europe. Ten youth de­ ting Aglow the Hearts. ' speaker was the Hand of the Cause of clared their belief in Bahci'u 'llcih dur- Ivory Coast Nicaragua Rouhaniyyih Tirandaz, a traveling tional Spiritual Assembly asked her to About 160 people attended an In­ teacher from France, visited Ivory visit the western area of the country for ternational Day of Peace program Sep­ Coast, Guinea and Mali last June and two weeks. tember 20 in Managua, Nicaragua. The July following a productive three-week In the village of Man, she conducted program was sponsored by the Na­ visit in May to Upper Volta. an institute attended by people who tional Spiritual Assembly of Nica­ In Mali, Mrs. Tirandaz and David were invited from nearby villages ragua. Rhody, a long-time pioneer from Ca­ where there are Spiritual Assemblies. Speakers included five men promi­ nada, visited Segoa where they held an She also visited the governor-general nent in the fields of education, law, institute for youth, a meeting for and his deputy, presenting them with a medicine and politics. The lone Baha'i women, and made individual contacts book about the Faith. panelist was Rodrigo Tomas, an Aux­ with non-Baha'is. In Bangolo, Mrs. Tirandaz spent a iliary Board member from Costa Rica. In Mali's capital city, Bamako, Mrs. week visiting villages where there are Two unsolicited newspaper articles Tirandaz conducted deepening classes Spiritual Assemblies and conducting announced the event along with a paid each afternoon for 10 days. evening classes. ad placed in a leading newspaper by the There were deepening sessions for She stayed three days in Daloa, National Spiritual Assembly. new Baha'is each afternoon during a meeting with Baha'is and seekers. An Following the meeting, another arti­ week-long stay in Guinea, and a one­ important element of her visit to Daloa cle appeared in a leading newspaper. day institute was presented for all of was a meeting with members of its All articles mentioned that the Peace the friends. Spiritual Assembly. Day program was sponsored by the While Mrs. Tirandaz was in Abid­ National Spiritual Assembly of Nica­ jan, Ivory Coast, that country's Na- ragua.

Baha'i News/December 1983 13 New Zealand When the Baha'i community of meeting they had gone to in New Zea­ namese. Whangarei City, New Zealand, asked land that was conducted in their native Some Vietnamese families now at­ Han Hanh, a Vietnamese Baha'i who language. Each guest who wanted one tend Baha'i Holy Day observances, lives in Christchurch to visit their city was given a Baha'i prayer book. and some of their children are at­ to establish contact with the 50 Viet­ tending Baha'i classes. For three days, Mr. Hanh visited namese who are now living there, he Vietnamese and Polynesian families in In reporting the activity, the Whan­ took a leave of absence from his job to the area. At a potluck supper for Viet­ garei Baha'i community says, "Han's carry out the request. namese who wished to learn more warm personality, knowledge of Bud­ Invitations in Vietnamese to attend a about the Faith, a talk in English was dhist background and Vietnamese cul­ special fireside were sent to nine fam­ translated by Mr. Hanh. Local Baha'is ture, and his devotion to the Cause ig­ ilies in Whangarei. The 30 guests who then answered questions, with Mr. nited the spark of investigation in the attended said later it was the first Hanh translating the answers into Viet- local Vietnamese people ... '' Canada Hawaii The Tahirih Choir, composed of Iranian Baha'is now living in southern Ontario, Canada, is working to revive early songs inspired by the Faith. The choir has sung at several large Baha'i functions including the annual Conference of the Association for Ba­ ha'i Studies which was held in No­ vember 1983 in Chicago, Illinois. The choir hopes to be used as a ve­ hicle for teaching the Faith while serv­ ing its other purpose of preserving the classical Persian music that is now for­ bidden in Iran.

Baha'is participated last June in the annual convention of the Associated Countrywomen of the World in Van­ couver, British Columbia, Canada. Baha'is from Vancouver took part in an interfaith service during the con­ vention, while a Baha'i from Transkei served as a delegate. The organization works at promot­ ing rural living and creating opportu­ People of several ages and ethnic back­ ing the words 'Bahci'z' Faith ' on its nities for country women to become grounds ride the Bahci'f-sponsored front, was covered with more than better informed through women's in­ float in this year's Aloha Days parade 40, 000 flowers. stitutes that are operated in Canada in Honolulu, Hawaii. The float, bear- and 68 other countries.

The Hawaiian Baha'i community's Tower, and replicas of the Koolau Dominica float in the 1983 Aloha Week parade Mountains and a waterfall. Sixteen people who were attending a held September 24 in Honolulu re­ Fourteen people of various ethnic ceived the Mayor's Award designating week-long Baha'i Summer School last backgrounds, ranging in age from six August in Dominica declared their be­ first place in the non-commercial di­ to 80 years and dressed in colorful lief in Baha'u'llah. vision. costumes, rode on the float. One of the new Baha'is was the min­ Baha'is from many communities on ister of an important church on Do­ the island of Oahu, and some from This marked the 17th year in which minica. He is a dynamic young man other islands, worked throughout the the Baha'is of Hawaii have entered a who had studied the Faith for more night preceding the annual parade to float in the Aloha Week parade. So than two years. prepare the float, which was covered far, they have received 15 awards. Dominica is the site of a new Na­ with more than 40,000 flowers. Aloha Week is observed each year in .­ tional Spiritual Assembly in the Carib­ The Baha'i-sponsored float included Hawaii to recall the days when it was bean. a large model of the famous Aloha ruled by kings and queens.

14 December 1983/Baha'i News India Some 2,219 women in 187 localities in Uttar Pradesh, India, declared their f: 11· I J belief in Baha'u'llah last July during a I I I teaching campaign aimed especially to­ ward women. Most of the new believers are the wives, daughters or mothers of Ba­ hci'is. The Uttar Pradesh Teaching Com­ mittee, helped by Auxiliary Board members, has begun a deepening pro­ gram in which selected Baha'i women from the Kanpur, Farrukhabad and Etawah districts, where the enroll­ ments took place, receive instruction in conducting special deepening classes. That teaching committee also inten­ sified activities in five districts of the eastern zone with a three-week pro­ Women from villages near Indore, In­ through cottage industries and to give gram in which several new Spiritual dia, are seen attending a Bahd'( voca­ them hygiene training to help their Assemblies were established and 1,852 tional training class at the Faiz( In­ families and villages. It is hoped that new Baha'is were enrolled. stitute in Indore. Classes range from these women, who also learn Bahd'( Forty villages in Uttar Pradesh have mat weaving to soap-making and in­ concepts, teachings, prayers and songs been chosen as sites for establishing clude basic hygiene and health care. at the institute, will be able to train tutorial schools. They are designed to provide village village children as well. women with some economic assistance Vocational training for rural women . was begun last February at the Faizi In­ stitute in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, In­ were trained in candle and soap mak­ dia. two-week stay at the Institute. ing during the first two sessions. They From 10 to 20 village women at a Counsellor Zena Sorabjee, who was came from 12 villages, and some time are being trained in eight voca­ present at the February inauguration brought their children. tional areas during their approximately of the program, reports that 23 women Skills to be taught in future sessions will include sewing, shelling and pack­ ing ground nuts, poultry farming, and mat weaving. Basic health and child care informa­ tion is also a part of each training ses­ sion. Instruction for the first two groups was given by a local Baha'i who is a medical student. Baha'i community development is being served by the participants' in­ creased knowledge and sense of self­ worth. It is expected that women so trained can be a basis for the education of children in their villages. * * * The Illustrated Weekly, the most Pictured are members of a sewing class munity as an active one with daily popular English-language magazine in in the village of Nagalur, Tamil Nadu classes for 40 children, a women's India, published a two-page article in State, southern India. Karin Ferguson, deepening group, regular meetings of June on the Baha'is in Iran. a traveling teacher from Canada, is the Spiritual Assembly, Nineteen Day standing second from left. Miss Fer­ Feasts, and observances of Bahd'( Written by Counsellor Zena Sorab­ guson, who visited India last February, Holy Days. jee, the article refers to Baha'is as "the described the Nagalur Baha'i com- untouchables of Iran."

Baha'i News/December 1983 15 Alaska Brazil "Clari tea Coffeehouse," begun last Two hundred-thirty youth from 38 . tribute to Leonora Armstrong, the January by a group of young adult Ba­ communities in Brazil attended a Na­ "spiritual mother of South America," ha'is in Anchorage, Alaska, has be­ tional Youth Conference last July by visiting her resting place. come the most successful teaching ef­ 15-17 in Salvador. fort undertaken this year by the Baha'i A music festival presented 14 new community of Anchorage. Special guests at the conference were songs inspired by the Faith. The con­ Shahpoor Monadjem and Raul Pavon, ference was followed by a two-week in­ "Claritea" refers to clarity of mind members of the Continental Board of stitute for 30 teachers and pioneers and environment, and the coffeehouse Counsellors in the Americas. from many parts of Brazil. was begun as an alternative to night spots that serve alcoholic beverages. The youth and their guests paid Fourteen Baha'is and non-Baha'is attended the first evening at Claritea. Mexico Six months later, the typical audience ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ was better than 100, more than half of whom were not Baha'is. Nearly every well-known local musi­ cian has now performed or is scheduled to perform at the coffeehouse, and sev­ eral declarations have resulted from the activities at Claritea. Publicity includes monthly paid ads in the Anchorage Daily News and pub­ lic service announcements on local ra­ dio stations. Kenya At Kenyatta University College in Nairobi, Kenya, a Baha'i professor on the faculty of education has been in­ vited to give a course in the department of philosophy and religious studies to candidates for the M.A. degree who are training to be tutors in Kenya's teachers colleges. The course will run for a full year and consist of 52 lecture hours divided into 10 segments. After segments on eight earlier religious traditions, units 9 Five of Mexico's 60 tribal groups were shown here during a visit to Uxmal and 10 will deal with the Babi and Ba­ represented last June 16-19 at that (background), a famed site of the an­ ha'i Faiths. country'sfirst-ever Indigenous Council cient Mayan culture. The indigenous held at the Martha Root Institute in peoples represented were Cathimi, Muna, Yucatan. Participants are Kami, Mayan, Otomi and Zapateca. El Salvador One hundred twenty-five people in­ Malaysia cluding 80 non-Baha'is attended a special conference for prominent per­ Baha'is in Kuching, Borneo, Ma­ The blood drive served a second pur­ sons last May 23 in San Salvador, El laysia organized a "red crescent" pose. It commemorated, through a hu­ Salvador. The event was sponsored by blood donation drive for Baha'is all manitarian service, the anniversary the National Baha'i Public Relations over Malaysia during Ramadan, the July 9 of the martyrdom of the Bab. Committee. Muslim month of fasting. The conference and reception had as A photograph of a group of Baha'is Argentina a theme "The Door of Hope-The Ba­ with a banner that reads "Blood ha'i Faith on Mount Carmel." donors save lives" was published in the A new Local Spiritual Assembly that Its main purpose was to make the July 11 issue of The Borneo Post. was recently formed in Villa Angela, Faith known to distinguished citizens. The Baha'is were reported as saying Argentina, is composed entirely of Ba­ The program included prayers, talks, they hoped to compensate in some M'is from the Mocovi tribe whose music, and slides of the Holy Land. measure for the loss of blood to blood members first embraced the Faith dur- ,..---_ banks during the Ramadan period. ing the Seven Year Plan.

16 December 1983/Bah a'i News South Africa

Shown are many of the more than 100 ,...... __ international and homefront pioneers, Auxiliary Board members, and mem- United Kingdom Mariana Islands On June 26, The Observer of Lon­ tion for Baha'i principles, especially A national teaching conference Sep­ don published a six-column report that of the equality of men and tember 3-4 in the Mariana Islands in­ about the murder June 18 of 10 Baha'i women. cluded presentations by Ben Ayala and women in Iran under the headline: Richard Benson, both members of the " Baha'i Women Die for Their Faith." The other guest speaker, the chief in­ Continental Board of Counsellors in spector of Ealing police (Southall sta­ The moving account, accompanied Australasia, and Auxiliary Board tion), noted the similarities between his member Marian Johnson. by photographs of two of the young work and the aims of the Baha'i com­ martyrs, details other recent events in munity in the elimination of all forms The conference, sponsored by the Iran and presents a highly sympathetic of prejudice and in working toward ational Teaching Committee of the picture of the beleaguered community building a better society. Mariana Islands, featured presenta­ and the quality of their faith which tions on using the mass media and on enables them to withstand cruel tor­ youth involvement in mass teaching tures. Ghana campaigns. * * * The Timonde Tutorial School, es­ "Ealing Unity Day," sponsored last tablished two years ago by the Spiritual Spain June 2 by the Spiritual Assembly of Assembly of Timonde, Ghana, has Ealing, a borough of London, had been absorbed into the public school More than 200 Baha'is from 45 com­ good attendance including the deputy system of the area's educational dis­ munities in Spain attended a "spiritu­ mayor and chief inspector of police. trict. alization conference" April 6 in Liria. The event was sponsored by the a­ The name for the occasion, which "We have therefore the first Baha'i tional Teaching Committee. was the fifth of its kind, was inspired primary school in the country at Ti­ by the borough motto, " P rogress with monde in the Upper East," reports the A regional spiritualization confer­ National Spiritual Assembly of Ghana. ence in th-e Canary Islands was at­ ~ Unity." tended by 60 Baha'is from nine com­ Replying to a Baha'i speaker, the munities. deputy mayor expressed her admira-

Baha'i News/December 1983 17 Now available-a new "Champion Builder Book" about a great Baha'i teacher HA ROOT ~ab~~ byM. R. GARIS a highly readable biography of North Americas greatest teacher and the foremost Hand of the Cause of God

--- - 1 raised up by 54.bdu'l-Baluis will in the "" -~ first Baha'i century ------• In South America her mule slipped dangerously close to the edge of a precipice as she crossed the Andes in the dead of winter • In Shanghai she raced toward the harbor in a ricksha while fleeing from an aerial bomb attack on the city • In Manila she was nearly crushed by a stampeding crowd struggling to survive one of The Philippine's worst earthquakes • She spent weeks on the ocean in cramped staterooms, many hours on wooden seats in third-class railroad cars, myriad nights in uncomfortable hotel rooms Martha Roots motivation: a whole-hearted, almost literal response to 'Abdu'l-Baha~ Tablets of the Divine Plan. 1 ------<:::':_'t.,.,. Her goal: to devote her life and her considerable talents to bringing the message of Baha'u'llah to seekers around the world. In 1909 Martha Root, a respected Pittsburgh journalist, became a Baha'i and set her sights on the world. She traversed the globe five times • spoke to hundreds of audiences • reached millions through her newspaper articles and radio broadcasts • visited world leaders, scholars, kings, and maharajas • befriended a queen • tirelessly supported Esperanto and world peace conferences • arranged for translations of Baha'i writings into many languages. And she won the admiration of countless Baha'is and non-Baha'is alike. In 1939, when Martha Root died, Shoghi Effendi wrote that her death was the heaviest blow to the teaching work since ~bdu'l-Baha's passing. Today she still sets the pace for all who arise to teach.

xv + 496 pages, notes, index to places, general index, 70 + photographs M. R. Garis, the cu"ent writer of the Uncle Wiggily Hardcover Catalog No. 332-105 $2000* stories, is a long-time resident Softcover Catalog No. 332-106 $1100* of Amherst, Massachusetts.

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