PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAH-'' tS OF THE UNITED STATES FOR BAHA•fs ONLY

112 tlnden Av., Wilmette, Ill. 60091 S~mk l ass postage pafd at Wilmette, Illinois

No. 515 BAHA'I YEAR 130 FEBRUARY, 1974

On Lady Blomfield by 0. Z. Whitehead

A Pioneering Context

The Cost of Constancy by Ugo and Angeline Giachery page seven page fourteen page eighteen CONTENTS Messages from The Universal House of Justice ...... 1 Around the World ...... 2 Lady Blomfield: an aristocrat of the spirit ...... 7 In Memoriam ...... 13 A Pioneering Context: Bluefields, Nicaragua ...... 14 The Cost of Constancy: impressions of Lydia Zamenhof . . .. 18 COVER PHOTO Bluefields Bay. Most transportation is limited to boats, such as the ones on the cover. Bluefields is six hours by bus from Managua, the capital of Nicaragua . Air travel is possible, but expensive, and the schedules are extremely limited. CORRECTIONS Baha'i News regrets the unfortunate misplacement offour paragraphs in the article b Ugo Giachery, Birth and Development of the World Centre, printed in the December, 1973 issue. On page 3, column 3, the paragraph beginning, " l could then fully share . . ., " through the paragraph beginning, "The golden threads . . ., "were inadvertently shifted from their true position at the end of the article. On page 1, Baha'i News, January 1974, in the title to an article by A .Q. Faizi, Toward the Unity of East and West, the name of the Shdh was misspelled. The accepted spelling is Muz,affari' d-Din Shdh. POSTAL INFORMATION

Baha' {News is published for circulation among Bah6.' fs only by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha' {s of the United States, as a news organ reporting current activities of the Baha' {world community. Bahii'{ News is edited by an annually appointed Editorial Committee. Material must be received by the twenty-fifth of the second month preceding date ofissue. Address: Baha" { News Editorial Office, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091 , U.S.A . Change of address should be reported directly to Membership and Records, National Baha' (Center. 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette , Jllinois. U.S.A . 60091. Cablegrams

Design for building accepted

JOYFULLY ANNOUNCE ACCEPTANCE EXQUISITE DESIGN CONCEIVED BY HUSA YN AMANAT FOR BUILDING TO SERVE AS PERMANENT SEAT UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE MOUNT CARMEL DECISION MADE TO PROCEED NEGOTIATE CONTRACT CONSTRUCTION THIS NOBLE EDIFICE SECOND THOSE BUILDINGS DESTINED ARISE AROUND ARC CONSTITUTE ADMINISTRA­ TIVE CENTER BAHA'f WORLD. FEBRUARY 8, 1974 UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

Passing Karen Bare announced

DEEPLY GRIEVED UNTIMELY DEATH VALIANT DEDICATED MUCH LOVE MAID SERVANT BAHA'U'LLAH KAREN BARE. HER DEVOTED SERVICE PIONEER FIELD SPLENDID EXAMPLE OTHER YOUTHFUL BELIEVERSj ADVISE HOLD MEMORIAL SERVICES. PRAYING SACRED THRESHOLD RICH REWARD BLESSING ABHA KINGDOM. UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

Passing Philip Marangella marked

DEEPLY GRIEVED LEARN PASSING PHILIP MARANGELLA DEVOTED SERVANT BAHA'U'LLAH STEADFAST SUPPORTER COVENANT HIS PIONEER SERVICES TIRELESS WORLDWIDE TRAVELS BEHALF FAITH MOST PRAISEWORTHY PRAYING SHRINES PROGRESS HIS SOUL ABHA KINGDOM ADVISE HOLD BEFITTING MEMORIAL SERVICE . UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

Passing Anna Kunz announced

DEEPLY GRIEVED PASSING ANNA KUNZ STEADFAST DISTINGUISHED HANDMAID BAHA'U'LLAH HER ASSOCIATIONS BELOVED MASTER DEVOTED PIONEERING SERVICES EUROPE OVER EXTENDED PERIOD UNFORGETTABLE ADVISING GERMAN NATIONAL ASSEMBLY HOLD MEMORIAL GATHERING MOTHER TEMPLE EUROPE PRAYING SHRINES PROGRESS HER SOUL ABHA KINDOM. UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE.

February, 1974 I BAHA'I NEWS Around the World Jamaica:

H AVAl'l ~· . - --.. ' ';·- .-.- -. . .£Jn-· " Island-wide ti--'/ ~ " 0- .HISPANIOLA ~~ , proclamation JAMA!Cll.

More than 150 prominent citizens of C AR IB BEA N Kingston, Jamaica, attended the inau­ gural meeting of the second annual Tell the News Campaign , at the National Baha' i Center, on 3 November. The 22-day campaign, which ended 24 Nov. was coordinated by the Na­ tional Youth and Child Education Committee of Jamaica. Its purpose was to stimulate Baha' i youth activities on the island, and to teach the Baha'i as libraries, store windows, banks, etc. Argentina: Faith. Forty information kits on the Baha'i Among th e dignitaries attending the Faith , offering a Baha' i speaker, were Kingston meeting was Senator Paul sent to secondary schools, colleges and Television Miller, Parliamentary Secretary for the the University in Jamaica. Seven in­ Ministry of Youth and Community stitutions requested Baha' i speakers as broadcast Development, who seemed very in­ a consequence of this mailing. At terested in the proceedings, according Meadowbrook High School in Kings­ An estimateu 20 mil11011 people in to the National Assembly. Auxiliary ton, for example, 250 students were Argentina recentl y learned something Board member Hopeton Fitz-Henley assembled for a talk on the Baha' i of the Baha'i Faith from a popular was th,~ public speaker. Faith. national television program, " Lunch­ Displays were developed by the The Youth and Child Education ing With Mirtha Legrand." Kingston Youth Club and distributed to Committee estimates that more than Miss Legrand, whose 90-minute eight communities with the request that 1,000 persons were directly contacted show is broadcast from Buenos Aires , they be exhibited in public places such during the three-week campaign. invited a representative of the National Spiritual Assembly to explain the be­ liefs of Baha' ls to her viewers. The Legrand show , featuring a round-table conversation with five important and unusual people, is aired each week­ day. The show is pleasantl y staged, and the questions are in excellent taste, according to the Argentine Proclama­ tion Committee. Miss Legrand twice read the quote, "The earth is but one country and mankind its citi zens," on the air. She placed the Baha'i representative at the head of the table, and asked him the first questions. At the end of the program she spon­ taneously embraced her Baha' i guest, International Youth Conference and remarked that the Faith would now Baha' is attending an international youth conference near Alajuela, Costa Rica, be known throughout Argentina. More sponsored by the Continental Board of Counsellors in Central America. Approxi­ than 30 telepone calls and telegrams on mately 120 people attended, including Counsellors Artemus lamb and Alfred the Baha'i Faith were received at the Osborne, and Auxiliary Board member Rodrigo Tomas of Costa Rica. Participants studio while the show was still in at the 26-30 December conference were from El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, progress. Panama, Costa Rica, and the U. S .

2 BAHA'I NEWS I February, 1974 Canada: Teaching conferences

The Continental Board of Counsel­ lors for North America has initiated a novel project to help to strengthen Canada's Local Spiritual Assemblies. The elements of this project are a pledge and a challenge. The pledge: to commit their entire personnel and re­ sources to the task of helping to develop vigorous local teaching plans through­ out Canada. The challenge: a call to every local institution to commit itself to matching the effort invested in this project by the Counsellors themselves. This project was formulated by a committee of Hands of the Cause , Historic meeting in Wilmette Continental Counsellors, and Auxiliary A series of historic meetings between the Canadian National Assembly and the Board members at their annual meeting National Assembly of the United States took place in Wilmette, Illinois, between in Chicago last September, after hear­ Feb. 15-18 . Th e Canadian National Assembly is shown above with the members of ing a representative of the Canadian the Continental Board of Counsellors. National Assembly describe hi s country's interim year plan to stimulate involve every one of Canada's 200 single project undertaken by the Cana­ more local initiative in teaching the Local Assemblies," the report added. dian community to date," according to Faith. Virtually every National Baha' i ad­ the treasurer' s report. To carry the plan into effect the ministrative agency in Canada, as well Counsellors have been conducting a as the Local Spiritual Assemblies, are series of weekend teaching conferences intensively participating in this ex­ United States: throughout Canada, to inspire the perimental project. friends to be more active teachers. By The initial conference of the series Conference Riqvan they will have participated in 70 was held in Saul St. Marie, Ontario, on such conferences. October 20. The National Assembly planned The first day of these two-day meet­ representative there said of the confer­ ings is devoted to a consultation on ence: "The most significant impression More than 6,000 people are expected teaching with the entire Baha'i Com­ I received from participating in this to attend a conference in St. Louis, munity from the two or three localities conference is that there is a new Missouri, next 29 August to 2 Sep­ invited to attend. The second day is strength building, a deeper in sight and tember, planned by the National As­ spent in intensive, action-oriented con­ a much broader scope of the Local sembly of the United States to launch sultation with the Local Assemblies Spiritual Assembly's potentialities." the forthcoming five-year international from these communities, to work out a teaching plan. The St. Louis confer­ specific teaching plan the Assemblies ence may become one of the largest will commit themselves to follow. The gatherings in Baha' I history. Counsellors, the Local Assembl y Bulk sales A 10,000 seat auditorium in down­ members, and representatives of the • • town St. Louis has been reserved for National Assembly take part in thi s 1ncreas1ng the occasion, and preparations for the session. four-day program are now well under­ "This is the first time, to our know­ A dramatic indication of growth in way. ledge, that a Continental Board of the Canadian Baha'i community was The St. Louis conference will afford Counsellors and the National Spiritual given in a recent report from the Na­ an opportunity for the National Assem­ Assembly have decided to collaborate tional Treasurer showing that sales of bly to share with the friends the goals of on such an ambitious and closely integ­ Baha'i literature jumped from $7 ,500 the new plan to be won by the United rated nationwide consolidation prog­ in 1964, to $68,400 in 1973. States. ram," a report in the Canadian Baha' i The Canadian National Assembly A special program for children will News commented. "The program is has also established a construction fund be a feature of the conference, as will a also unique in the effort it is making to for a new Hazfratu'l-Quds; "the largest major exhibit of Baha' i art.

February, 1974 I BAHA'I NEWS 3 Michigan, and Maine. " They are part of our mandate," he Dr. Rexford Parmelee, secretary of said. "Improvements in the social and the National Baha'i Properties Commit­ economic fields cannot be achieved in tee, said the new energy program circumstances of war and tension. Se­ "should in no way reduce school and vere social and economic imbalance institute sessions, or the volume of are, in themselves, a threat to interna­ teaching activities." tional stability." He said a policy of economy is not He said the UN's International De­ foreign to Baha' i administration. "Na­ velopment Strategy, a cooperative un­ tional committees have consistently dertaking with developing nations to striven for moderation and economy," improve the living standards of their he said. peoples is "the most comprehensive While only three or four dollars a day attempt yet made to see development is saved by keeping the outside lights not as a ' problem' of the developing off, the measure serves to pointedly countries, nor as the subject of a new demonstrate the high sense of public appeal to the generosity of the indus­ responsibility felt by the National As­ trialized nations, but as a condition of sembly, Dr. Parmelee sa id. fundamental world imbalance which The Baha'i Home for the Aged, also can be, must be , and can only be in Wilmette, has not been included in righted, by the international commu­ the conservation program, because of nity acting in concert. " the special health needs of its elderly The Secretary-General ended his residents. The use of fuel and other presentation by restating the essential energy there remains at approximately goal of the world organization: "The the same level as before. principal purpose of the United Nations is the restoration and maintenance of peace," he said. U.N. Day "We cannot achieve a lasting peace in a world of glaring economic, social Energy observance and human imbalances," he continued. "To correct this imbalance is therefore conservation The Baha'ls in the United States have an urgent challenge confronting the observed United Nations Day, and UN world community. It can be met. It An energy conservation plan for Week, since 1947 , when the National cannot wait." Baha'i properties in the United States Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'ls of the Following Mr. Waldheim's remarks, has been developed by the National United States and Canada first estab­ 111 of the Non-Governmental Organi­ Spiritual Assembly, to cooperate with lished an official relationship with the zations, among them the Baha' i Inter­ government efforts to conserve criti­ United Nations Office of Public Infor­ national Community, presented to him cally short fuel supplies. mation. a statement of support for the goals of The most striking feature of this plan To observe the anniversary of the national and world development. The has been to eliminate the nighttime use inauguration of these observances, the document was presented at a ceremony of floodlights around the Temple. The UN invited political leaders and press attended by ministers of planning and House of Worship's dramatic lighting representatives from 30 nations to a government officials from developing system has not been used since one-day symposium on the pressing nations, international press representa­ November 26. This action has been economic problems of developing na­ tives, and educators. noted in press reports around Wilmette, tions. Non-governmental organizations " As organizations devoted to where the House of Worship is consid­ were also invited to attend. Representa­ humanitarian causes, we recognize that ered a local landmark. tives of the Baha' I International Com­ on this increasingly interdependent An exception to the new policy will munity and the National Assembly of planet, societies can no longer remain be made by the National Assembly on the United States were present for the isolated-the rich from the poor, the Baha'i Holy Days, when the lights will observance. advantaged from the disadvantaged," be turned on during the evening hours. In an opening address, UN the statement said in part. "Too many Some of the walkways circumscribing Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim problems are common to all the building also remain lighted at night said the purposes of the UN mankind-pollution of the air and wa­ as a safety and security precaution. Charter-"to save succeeding genera­ ters, epidemics, drug abuse, the threat Other energy conservation measures tions from the scourge of war," and " to of over-population, dwindling mineral have included the lowering of room promote social progress and better and food resources, to name but a few. temperatures in National Center standards of life in larger Unless the nations of the world unite to offices, and at Baha'i properties in freedom" --cannot be regarded separ­ overcome these problems, the nations South Carolina, New Jersey , ately. themselves will surely be overcome."

4 BAHA'I NEWS I February, 1974 of 13 shows the National Assembly of Hawaii has scheduled for broadcast. It is hoped they will begin to aired in time to inaugurate the new global teaching plan at Riqvan. The half-hour, color program, was telecast during prime viewing time by the American Broadcasting Corpora­ tion in Hawaii.

The New World

Gina Garcia We barely had time to weed our vegetable patch after returning from New Zealand before we received a call from the Hawaiian National Assembly. Hand of the Cause William Sears was going to Hawaii to work on some television programs and the National Assembly wanted us to assist in their India: ing teams on one occasion went to a production. college cafeteria to take a short break. The series is entitled "The New Within ten minutes a crowd gathered at World." It consists of thirteen informal Proclamation three seperate tables near them to learn half-hour programs that feature brief about the Faith. talks, songs by the chorus and beautiful weeks In Sholapur, in Western India, the slides. We completely filmed and re­ teaching team took its meals, and corded two shows in color and enough Roberta Barrar shared the evening entertainment with Proclamation weeks are a time of the village deepening conference being great joy in India. Well ahead of time held there simultaneously. One villager permission is secured for the placement told the story about a band of gypsies of banners throughout the towns; lists that had come near his village. His of offices and banks to be visited are neighbors were terrified. They closed compiled and maps are drawn; prayer their shops and went home. But he went sessions are held and invitations to to investigate for himself, and disco­ neighboring communities to participa­ vered that they were a group of harm­ Rand McNally & Company R.L. 74-S-9 tion are mailed. less families , nomadic because of music for the remaining 11 shows has In Poona, during my recent visit famine. He brought them home to meet been taped. Future programs will fea ­ there, the Baha'ls arranged for an ex­ the townspeople. He suggested that ture Baha'i entertainers such as Vic hibition at one college of a series of independent investigation was one Damone, Seals and Crofts, and Dizzy posters describing the Faith. The com­ method that could be applied world­ Gillespie, as well as outstanding munity set up a table and gave out flyers wide to help bring about understanding Baha' ls in other fields such as education and information. In the afternoon there and peace. or law . There was a great spirit of was singing and a talk by Narulla, cooperation among the friends working formerly a Sikh, who's entire family is Hawaii: on the project. We recorded over 70 now Baha' i. A singing group visited a Baha' i songs. We .rehearsed during the number of elementary schools to sing day and the shows were filmed between songs and give the Message. Hundreds Television midnight and 5 a.m. at the only time the of children sat patiently on the floor • television studio was available. ABC listening, then they sang songs to return series (Channel 4) in Hawaii has already the favor. Teaching teams visited the previewed the first program featuring hostels of several colleges and gave the A television program on the Bah~ ; i Hand of the Cause Sears and has agreed Message. Faith, featuring the Hand of the Cause to show the entire series, one program In the south, Bangalore-Mysore, the William Sears, Mr. and Mrs. Russell each Sunday. lndi vi dual shows or the friends have about 600 people on a Garcia, and the new Baha'i Chorus, entire series will be available for purch­ mailing list for a correspondence was broadcasted throughout the ase through the National Spiritual As­ course on the Baha'i Faith. During a Hawaiian Islands December 24. sembly of Hawaii. An announcement week of proclamation there the teach- The program was the first of a series will be made when they are available.

February, 1974 I BAHA'I NEWS 5 ing: Ci-!Gau; !'ea, treasurer; Titi, the Baha' fs to return to share their chairman; Siolo, secretary; Kaka. teachings with the rest of the school From left to right, seated: Matshipa; population of 60,000 students. N!!g" ae-!Nobo; Baberi; Mpalo. Th e Local Assembly of Tshasane was first for med in 1972. N!!g " ae-!Nobo, seated secondfrom left , died in childbirth since this photo­ graph was taken. Realizing that a Baha' f burial was necessary, the Bushman Baha' fs complied. Th ey read the " Remover of Difficulties" prayer which they had memorized in their own language, Hoii, and interred the body Togo: with the head facing north, to ward the Shrine of B ah6' u' llah in the Holy Land.

r------1 I PHILIPPINES I Youth project I ' I I I I Great Britain: I I' On Sunday, November 25 , the ,______J: Baha' i youth of Tome, Togo, in West ' .. Africa, set out on a project to the "~· ·' Gillespie tour 1•1J/J.tt·1·1\:,- nei ghboring community of Agoueve. • ..:., l'1l0'- The trip was intended to promote fel­ lowship and to enable the youth to serve Mr. John " Dizzy" Gillespie, the .~· in another community. celebrated American jazz trumpeter, Joined by Agoueve Baha' is, the .. _.,...;., .. pl ayed a succesful three-week engage­ •~.I• ,, ... ~~-• youth visited the homes of believers ment in Great Britain recently. He not and talked to passers- by. only attracted the Jazz fans and music Following lunch two youth gave critics there, but considerable publicity talks on the covenant and various other for the Baha' i Faith as well. Baha' i topics. There was singing One of Britain's leading newspapers, the Manchester Guardian, printed a throughout the day. The atmosphere of i fellowship and unity made the young i long feature article on Mr. Gillespie...... I Thames Television, broadcast a late­ believers reluctant to gather their be­ ____ .-;.. __ .'l_ ____ J longings and leave for home at the end ni ght interview on his Baha' i beliefs of the day. Philippines: and their effect on his music. Many of the friends attended per­ Quezon City formances by Gillespie's quintet. One of their compositions is called, Assembly "Olinga," in honor of the Hand of the Cause Enoch Olinga. For the first time in the hi story of the Faith in the Philippines, Quezon City, Operation the national capital, elected a Local Spiritual Assembly last Riqvan. Hap­ HAMPER pily this has resulted in the holding of regular meetings and the development Operation HAMPER, based in Lon­ of teaching plans. The Hand of the don, has been in volved in three mi s­ Cause of God Collis Featherstone vis­ sions to date, and has already netted Botswana: ited the community in August, 1973, almost $200 from its activities. and met with about 50 Baha' fs and HAMPER is a catering service. It got visitors. Mr. Featherstone and hi s wife its name by combining the initials of its also visited the cities of Bagui o and four founders-Hazel, Ann , Mahnaz, Bushman Assembly Naga, where he addressed hundreds of and Pamela. Its business is to prepare students and fac ulty members at differ­ and serve food and refreshments to Th e all-Bushman Local Spiritual As­ ent colleges in each city. The President Baha'i gatherings, at prices that are at sembly of Tshasane, in the Kalahari of the Uni versity of the East, in Baguio, once modest, but still high enough to Desert of Botswana, was elected at was so impressed with what he heard in provide a moderate profit. The profit Rief.van, 1973. From left to right, stand- Mr. Featherstone's talk, that he invited goes to the National Baha' i Fund.

6 BAHA'I NEWS I February, 1974 Lady Blomfield: an aristocrat of the spirit

by O.Z. Whitehead n a stimulating introduction to I her inspiring, richly informative book The Chosen Highway, Lady Sara Louisa Blomfield (designated Sitarf Khanum by 'Abdu'I-Baha), has given an account of the first time that she and her daughter Mary (called Parvine by the Master), ·heard the Baha'i Faith mentioned. It was at a reception given by Madame Lucien Monad at her house in Paris, early in the twentieth century. An attractive young guest, Miss Bertha Herbert, after seating herself between them, said to the Blomfields, "We have been taught to believe that a great Messenger would again be sent to the world. He would set forth to gather together all the people of good will in every race, nation and religion on the earth. Now is the appointed time! He has come! He has come!" 1 Lady Blomfield was im­ pressed. "These amazing words," she has affirmed, "struck a chord to which my inner consciousness instantly re­ sponded, and I folt convinced that the portentous announcement they con­ veyed was indeed the truth. Great awe and intense exaltation possessed me with an overpowering force as I listened." 2 Assured by Lady Blomfield that she and Mary were deeply interested, Miss Herbert soon made an appointment for them to meet Miss Ethel Rosenberg, a­ distinguished painter and second woman of the British Isles to enter the Cause, and Hippolyte Dreyfus, the first Lord Balfour ordered Allenby to protect 'Abdu' l-Baha once Haifa was taken by the French believer. These two remarkable British army. people gave the Blomfields much in­ formation about the Faith. Mary Blomfield has described her Every day the famous, the obscure, On their return to London they be- mother as she was at that time: "She the talented, the ordinary, the rich, and came acquainted with Mrs. had the beauty of a mature soul. The the poor came there to meet the Master. Thornburgh-Cropper, the first Baha'i moulding of her face was lovely. Her With much charm and consideration · of the British Isles. She and Ethel facial expressions ever changing, re­ Hippolyte Dreyfus-Barney and his Rosenberg met with the Blomfields to flected the spiritual harmony within. wife, Laura, both of whom knew Per­ make plans for spreading the Message. She wore garments with long flowing sian, translated what the Master said From the time Lady Blomfield fir .~t lines which made her seem taller than into English for everyone to hear. Lady heard of the Revelation of Baha'u'llah, her natural height. " 4 Blomfield has recounted touching her foremost aim was to serve His Lady Blomfield has written that stories of His deeply compassionate Cause. Late in August 1911, when when' Abdu'l-Baha entered her house, treatment of individuals in great dis­ 'Abdu'l-Baha was still in Egypt, but "a silence as of love and a we overcame tress, and stories that demonstrated His preparing to leave for Europe, she sent us, as we looked at Him. One saw as in delightful sense of humor. On one Him an invitation to stay at her home at a clear vision that He had so wrought all occasion He was asked whether the 97 Cadogan Gardens, in London. A good and mercy that the inner grace of misery-laden world would ever attain few days later, she received the follow­ Him had grown greater than all outer happiness: "It is nearly two thousand ing telegram in reply: sign, and the radiance of this inner years since His Holiness, the Lord 'Abdu' l-Bahd arriving in London 8th glory shone in every. glance and word Christ taught this prayer to His people: September. Can Lady Blomfield re­ and movement as He came with hands 'Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done ceive Him?3 outstretched." 5 on earth as it is in Heaven,"' the Master

8 BAHA'I NEWS I February, 1974 replied. "Thinkest thou that He would the Sacred Light, neglecting the Law of have commanded thee to pray for that God, for this reason has the darkness of "Have today which would never come? That prayer war and tumult, unrest and misery, is also a prophecy." 6 After a stay in desolated the earth. I pray that you will taken Palestine. London of almost four weeks, He left all strive to bring each child of God into on 3 October for Paris, to live in an the radiance of the Sun of Truth, that Notify the world attractive, comfortable apartment that the darkness may be dissipated by the the Dreyfus-Bameys had located at 4 penetrating rays of its glory and the that 'Abdu'l-Baha A venue de Camoens, near the Quai de winter's hardness and cold may be Passy, and the Trocadero Gardens. melted away by the merciful warmth of is safe." Every morning in His sitting-room, its shining.'' 7 'Abdu'l-Baha explained the Baha'i On 2 December 'Abdu'l-Baha left Teachings to the many people who Paris for Egypt. After spending the came to see Him. He gave special winter there, He sailed from Alexan­ attention to workers in humanitarian dria to New York City, where He societies who were attempting to re­ arrived on 11 April. At the end of His lieve the suffering of the poor. The historic journey throughout the United Dreyfus-Bameys now translated what States, lasting almost eight months, He He said into French. sailed for England on 5 December to Field Marshall Viscount Allenby. Lady Blomfield, her sister Elli nor, arrive at Liverpool on 13 December, named Nuri by the Master, her daugh­ ter Mary, and friend , Miss Bea trice Platt, called Verdiyeh by Him, took notes in English on 'Abdu'l-B aha's addresses. After the ladies carefully assembled their notes, they sent them to the Master for His consideration. Well pleased with their work, He asked for its immediate pub­ lication. As a result, during May of 1912, this collection of superlative lectures was released in England under the title Paris Talks, and somewhat later in the United States as The Wisdom of 'Abdu' l-Baha. Owing to the devotion and efficiency of the book's composers, who had the foresight to record the English transla­ tions of the talks, this volume will always serve as a priceless introduction to the Cause and as a source of illumina­ tion to the believers of the West. The Master gave lectures not only in His own apartment, but in many other places. On 22 October He concluded a most powerful address with these reas­ suring words: "God leaves not His children com­ fortless, but, when the darkness of winter overshadows them, then again He sends His Messengers, the Prophets, with a renewal of the blessed spring. The Sun of Truth appears again on the horizon of the world shining into the eyes of those who sleep, awaking them to behold the glory ofa new dawn. Then again will the tree of humanity blossom /; 3 0 and bring forth the fruit of righteous­ t ..c: ness for the healing of the nq,tions. •1 Cl. ·a.>< Because man has stopped his ears to E the Voice of Truth and shut his eyes to ~) u0

February, 1974 I BAHA'I NEWS 9 Any kind of suffering touched Mother profoundly, but the sight of young men maimed for life tortured her beyond words.

. 0 These three photographs at the right -g_ showHaifaaroundl929(left) , Haifain i3_ 1940 (center) and Haifa today (right). 8 u and in London three days later, on 25 purpose of His visit to London. She service, she never failed to support March 1912. .asked His permission to send this Baha'i meetings whenever it was pos­ Staying with Lady Blornfield as be­ statement to George V, to assist her in sible to hold them, and regardless of fore, 'Abdu'l-Baha again received a arranging a meeting between how many people attended. constant stream of visitors. Hand of the 'Abdu'l-Baha and the King. Although In the spring of 1918 , she received a Cause, Hasan Balyuzi, has reported the Master liked her statement and deeply disturbing telephone message this delightful incident that took place thought it well worth making, He ad­ from an au thori tati ve source: there: "When 'Abdu'l-Baha sat down vised her not to deliver it. He was afraid " 'Abdu'l-Baha in serious danger. Take to dinner on Christmas Eve, He said, that her sincere intention, if carried out, immediate action." 11 With6ut delay playfully, that He was not hungry, but might result in misunderstanding. That she went to Lord Larnington, a distin­ He had to come to the dinner table same day, at her home, the Master gave guished Scottish peer who admired because Lady Blom field was very insist­ an instructive talk, in which He said 'Abdu'l-Baha. She told him what she ent; two despotic monarchs of the East that the believers needed to develop had just learned. He promptly wrote a had not been able to command Hirn and wisdom, insight, and steadfastness, letter to the Foreign Office, stressing bend His will, but the ladies of America and should give their undivided atten­ the noble services that 'Abdu' l-Baha and Europe, because they were free, tion to the Cause in order to achieve its was performing, not only for the people gave Hirn orders." 8 advancement. On 21January1913, He of Palestine, but for all of humanity. He One evening, in the drawing-room of left London to visit Paris for a second delivered this letter to Lord Balfour, the her house, the Master asked Mrs . Gab­ time. Foreign Secretary. Lord Balfour rielle Enthoven, "What is your great When the First World War began, quickly sent a cablegram to General interest in life?" Lady Blornfield, Mary, and Elli nor Allenby, which said: "Extend every She replied: "The Drama." were living in Geneva, Switzerland. protection and consideration to 'Abdu'l-Baha said: "I will give you a Soon afterwards the trio moved to the 'Abdu'l-Baha, His family, and His play. It shall be called 'The Drama of Hotel d'Jena, in Paris, to work for the friends , when the British march on the Kingdorn'." 9 Without notes, and French Red Cross, at the Hospital Hotel Haifa." 1 2 As soon as General Allenby only pausing for the translator to speak, Majestic. May has written: "Any kind had taken Haifa, several days before he the Master gave her the outline of a of suffering touched my Mother pro­ was expected to do so, he wired Lon­ moving, elaborate pageant about the foundly, but the sight of young men don: "Have to-day taken--Vitlestine. corning of the Promised One. Some maimed for life, and the new and Notify the world that 'Abdu'l-Baha is years later, Mary Blornfield, by then horrible experience she had to endure safe." 13 married to Basil Hall, wrote a play during the dressing of their wounds, Lady Blornfield learned afterwards based on the Master's outline. In 1933 , tortured her beyond words." 10 that her old friend, Major Wellesley the Weardale Press in London pub­ The Blornfields continued to help Tudor-Pole, had sent the terrifying lished her play. with the wounded in Paris until their message which she received by tele­ Lady Blornfield's father-in-law , Dr. hospital unit was transferred to another phone. Upon learning that the Turkish Charles James Blornfield, Bishop of city in March 1915; at which time they High Command threatened to crucify London for twenty-eight years, was returned to London. For the remaining 'Abdu'l-Baha on Mount Carmel if the once a tutor to Queen Victoria. three years of the war Lady Blornfield Turkish army should have to evacuate Through him Lady Blornfield knew served on relief committees, gave regu­ Haifa, Major Tudor-Pole made every people at court. On 16 January, she lar assistance at numerous hospitals, effort to insure His safety. Although the gave the Master a statement which she and kept an open house for wounded influential men to whom he first ap­ had written about the Cause and the soldiers. Despite her vigorous wartime pealed for help knew nothing about

10 BAHA'I NEWS I February, 1974 He gave special attention to those who attempted to relieve the suffering of the poor.

The center photograph of Haifa shows the city shorty/ after it was bombed by Italian war planes on July 15 , 1940. One person was killed and several injured during the air assualt.

'Abdu'l-Baha and saw no urgent reason arrived in England from Haifa to attend of an account of the tragic event, and to assist Hirn, the Major finally found Balliol College, Oxford. He brought reflections on this agonizing develop­ one officer with important connections with him Tablets from the Master to ment. who showed some interest in the mat­ Lady Blornfield, Lord Larnington and In one most eloquent passage they ter. With his help the Major was able to Major Tudor-Pole; the three of whom. have written: " The eyes that had al­ send a message to the British Foreign arranged for Shoghi Effendi to meet ways looked out with loving-kindness Office. distinguished professors and Oriental upon humanity, whether friends or At the end of the war, domestic scholars, from both Oxford and Lon­ foes, were now closed. The hands that affairs at home kept the Blornfields don Universities. During his sixteen had ever been stretched forth to give from making their intended pilgrimage. months' stay in England, the future alms to the poor and the needy, the halt Around 1920 Lady Blornfield made Guardian became close to Lady Blorn­ and the maimed, the blind, the orphan the decision to spend part of each year field, among others. and the widow, had now finished their in Geneva, Switzerland. While in On 29 November 1921, at midday, labor. The feet that, with untiring zeal, Geneva that year she became a close in the office of Major Tudor-Pole in had gone upon the ceaseless errands of friend of Eglantine Jebb, founder of the London, Shoghi Effendi read in an the Lord of Compassion, were now at "Save the Children Fund." Miss Jebb open telegram the heart-breaking news rest. The lips that had so eloquently established the fund with her sister's that 'Abdu'l-Baha had passed away. championed the cause of the suffering help after witnessing the tragic situa­ When, a moment later, the Major en­ sons of men, were now hushed in tion of great numbers of children in tered the room, he found Shoghi Ef­ silence. The heart that had so power­ Central and Eastern Europe at the end fendi in a state of collapse. Miss Grand, fully throbbed with wondrous love for of the war. It was intended to provide a believer, took him to her home nearby the children of God was now stilled. relief and assistance to starving and and put him to bed for several days, His glorious spirit had passed from the refugee children from all over the where she, Lady Blomfield, the life of earth, from the persecutions of world. Deeply interested in this noble Guardian's sister, Rouhangeze, and the enemies of righteousness, from the work, Lady Blornfield established a sO'fii'e""Oihers-:cITd what they could to storm and stress of well-neigh eighty parallel "Blom field Fund," in Geneva, comfort him. years of indefatigable toil for the good " ... to finance workrooms for children After a delay of some days because of others." 16 or for other relief work of a constructive of passport difficulties, Shoghi Ef­ In March 1922, Shoghi Effendi character, which will increasingly con­ fendi, Rouhangeze, and Lady Blorn­ called together a group of Baha' fs from stitute a more and more important part field sailed from England for Egypt on various countries, including Lady of the activities of the 'Save the Chil­ 16 December. From Egypt they went Blom field, to consult with them on vital dren Movement,' " 14 A Tablet which by train to Haifa, arriving on 29 De­ matters concerning the development of Lady Blornfield received from cember. Mary Basil Hall felt sure that the Cause, particularyly about the pos­ 'Abdu'l-Baha on July 23, 1921, served her mother's companionship on this sibility of electing The Universal as a perfect foreword to her pamphlet. journey was of great help to the grief­ House of Justice at that time. He He said in part, ''To contribute towards stricken Shoghi Effendi. decided that The Hous of Justice could the cause of these pitiful children and to During her first weeks in the Holy not possibly be established until the protect and care for them is the highest Land, Lady Blomfield had the great Local and National Assemblies were expression of altruism and worship, privilege of collaborating with Shoghi functioning in those countries where and is well-pleasing to the Most High, Effendi, now Guardian of the Baha'i Baha'f communities existed. the Almighty, the Divine Provider.'' 15 Faith, on a pamphlet entitled "The For the first three years of his minis­ In early July 1920 Shoghi Effendi Passing of 'Abdu'l-Baha,'' composed try Shoghi Effendi carried out with- no February, 1974 I BAHA'I NEWS 11 Lady Blomfield worked constantly on her book, overcoming great difficulties to do so.

The house at 4 Rue Camoens, in Paris, where 'Abdu' 1-Baha stayed during his visit there.

interruptions his manifold and over­ now definitely planned to write. At the (I) The Chosen Highway by Lady whelming tasks, despite his almost end of this visit she returned to Eng­ B Iomfield (Sitarih Khan um), unbearable griefover the passing of the land, where for the rest of her life she Baha' f Publishing Trust, Wil­ Master, ancrtile" strain and suffering shared a house in Hampstead, a district mette, Illinois. 1967. Page I. caused by the plotting of the Faith's of London, with the Basil Halls. For (2) Ibid. enemies. On 5 April )~ however , he several years , Lady Blomfield worked (3) Ibid. Page 149 . leftihe"lioly Land for Europe, where he constantly on her book, overcoming ( 4) Bahti' i World. In Memoriam would remain until he could regain great difficulties in doing so. She Sitarih Khanum (Sara, Lady sufficient physical strength and finished it a few weeks before her death Blomfield) by Mary Basil Hall. spiritual energy to resume his work of on the last day of 1939. Page 149. the service. Before departing, he stipu­ The Hand of the Cause, Hasan (5) The Chosen Highway . Pages lated that Bahfyyih Khanum, the Balyuzi, who at her request wrote the 149-150. Greatest Holy Leef. was to "a~ ter preface, has declared: " 'The Chosen (6) Ibid . Pages 171-172. in consultation with the ~ ly of Highway' will forever remain the (7 ) Paris Talks. Baha'f Publishing 'Abdu' l- Baha, and a chosen assembly, greatest monument to the achievements Trust, 27 Rutland Gate, London all Baha' f affairs during his of its author. . . and to generations S.W.7. Pages 32-33. absence." 1 7 yet unborn it will hand a message rich (8) 'A bdu' 1-Bahti, The Centre of the Lady Blomfield remained in the in enlightenment." Covenant of Baha' u' llah, by Holy Land for several months after While going through her papers H.M. Balyuzi. George Ronald, Shoghi Effendi's departure. She heard Mary was surprised to find how much London. Page 350. thrilling stories about the Heroic Age of she had written. With no apparent (9) The Chosen Highway, Page 155 . the Faith from The Greatest Holy Leaf, thought of publication, in diaries and in (I 0) Bahti' f W arid, Page 652. Munfrih Khanum, 'Abdu'l-Baha' s engagement books, Lady Blomfield (11) Th e ChosenHighway, Page 219. widow, Tuba Khanum, His daughter, had described her dreams and visions. (12) Ibid. Page 219. and several other survivors of those Mary felt-that a prayer, written faintly (13) Ibid. Page 221. early years. Lady Blomfield took com­ in pencil on an old piece of paper, ( 14) 'Abdu' 1-Bahti Page 436. prehensive notes during thTse°meet­ expressed well the theme of her be­ (15 Ibid. Page 436. ings, hoping to include these stories in loved mother's beautiful and saintly (16) " The Passing of 'Abdu' l-Baha," an intended book. life: published privately in 1922 by Munfrih Khanum wrote to Basil 0 God! My Beloved! Lady Blomfield with Shoghi Hall during this period: "We are al l All my 'affairs are in Thy hands. Effendi's approval. very glad to have the honorable lady, Be Thou the mover of my actions, ( 17) The Priceless Pearl by Ruhfyyih Sitarih Khanum, Lady Blomfield, in The Lodestar of my soul, Rabbani. Baha' i Publishing Trust our midst. Her presence gives us much The voice that crieth in my inmost 27 Rutland Gate, London S. W. 7. joy. We look upon her, not only as a being , Page 57. friend , but as one of our dear The obje<.:t of my heart's adoration! (18) Bahti' i World Page 653. famil y." 1 8 I praise Thee that Thou hast enabled me (19) Ibid. In 1930 Lady Blomfield made a To turn my face unto Thee, (20) The Chosen Highway Preface second journey to the Holy Land to That Thou hast set my soul ablaze Page V. gather more material for the book she With remembrance! 2 1 D (21) Baha'i World, Page656.

12 BAHA'I NEWS I February, 197.4 learned to type to better serve the Faith. After her husband died, she went pioneering back to Switzerland. She In Memoriam lived there for 23 years, served on the NSA for 16 of those years and as ersal House of Justice, they will feel secretary for 10. When she passed some comfort for their sorrowing away, the Universal House of Justice hearts. We hope that the youth will be cabled their sorrow at the passing of a Karen Bare inspired by' her devoted service (in the) "steadfast, di stinguished handmaid of pioneer field (and) splendid example' Baha'u'llah." both here in Cameroon and in her My mother was a strong personality. Mrs. Karen Bare was in Hawaii in mother land. " She demanded the highest standards of 1969 waiting for news of her husband, performance of herself and of those an officer in the Air Force serving in around her. She was family-oriented; Vietnam, who had been reported mis­ the integrity and warmth of the family sing in action. When an urgent call Anna Kunz circle were important to her. All her life came from Haifa for pioneers to travel she remained close to her daughters and to the Republic of Cameroon, in Af­ their families , adored her five grand­ rica, she volunteered immediately. Mrs. Anna Kunz, a pioneer in Swit­ children and was proud of her disting­ Within a few weeks she was at that zerland for over twenty years, passed uished sons-in-law, one a lawyer with post, arriving June 20, 1969, and settl­ away in Berne on JO August 1973 after the United Nations, and the other a ing in a part of the country that had the a brief illness. Her daughter, Mrs. doctor serving on the Universal House greatest need for pioneers. Her acti vites Margaret Ruhe recalls events tnitze life of Justice. as a pioneer were steadfast and varied, of this "distinguished handmaid of Our home was a haven of peace, rest including serving as Secretart for that Baha' u' llah. '' and hospitality for all who came there. National Assembly, travelling and Mother was born in Switzerland, the Scientist and poets, among them teaching, offering friendship and hospi­ eldest of ten children of the Reverend Radindranath Tagore, visited us. Louis tality to believers and visitors. Adolph Bolliger of the Reformed Gregory, Dorothy Baker, Dr. Zia Bag­ Mrs. Bare was killed in an automo­ Church. Her father was a professor of dadi, Corinne True, Allen McDaniel, ble crash, while on a visit to her family theology at the University of Basel and and Madame Orlova, were our guests in the United States, in early January. a pastor of the New Meunster Church of on many occasions. In commenting on her life and services Zurich. Mother was respected for her know­ the National Spiritual Assembly of the As a young girl, Anna enrolled in a ledge of the teachings, her wisdom and Bah a' is of the Cameroon Republic said: Home Economics school in Berne and, sound judgement. She was thoughtful "The tragic news of the death of our after graduation, taught there for a and always knew how to bestow special dearly-loved young Baha'i sister, year. At the age of 24 she married Dr. love on her family and friends , by being member of our National Spiritual As­ Jakob Kunz, professor of physics at the perceptive of their needs and wishes . sembly and of a number of National University of Illinois. She moved to At 43 she learned to drive and often Committees and ardent promoter and Urbana, Illinois with him where she went from house to house to pick up protector of the Baha' i Faith, came as a lived for 36 years. My sister and I were friends for the meetings. great blow to our Baha'i Community. born there. In the personal and intimate details The friends in Cameroon are grief Almost the first year of their mar­ of her life she was a Baha'i. Cleanli ­ striken and even before receiving the riage my parents began attending ness, neatness, frugality and meticul­ inspiring cable from our Supreme Baha'i meetings. Mother recognized ousness were her hallmarks. She knew Body, memorial meetings have been Baha'u'llah as the Manifestation of the power of prayer and her prayer book held in a number of places. God for this day at once. She became a was always at her side. " Karen Bare was especially loved by Baha'i about 1914 and remained loyal Mother served the Faith with dis ti nc­ the Cameroonian women and children, and steadfast throughout her life. tion, dedication and dignity for almost on whom she poured her love. She In 1921 my parents sail ed to Egypt 60 years. Up to her last day, she forgot ease and comfort and even dur­ and then on to Haifa for pilgrimage at maintained a deep interest in every ing the Fast, in the heat of the day the Holy Shrines. They first met detail of the growth and development of would walk several miles to visit vil­ 'Abdu'l-Baha at Tiberias in March, the Faith. Her love and encouragement lages around Victoria for teaching and 1921 , and later again 10-Haifa. That of the friends were shining beacons to deepening. experience was the spiritu al pinnacle of all who knew her. I think she truly " Her home was the home of all my mother's life. She adored "lived the life" that we all aspire for. visitors and pioneers who came to 'Abdu'l-B aha and His Teachings. "Grant then, 0 my God, that Thy Victoria. The Persians are famous for In Urbana Anna Kunz served for servant may consort with Thy chosen their hospitality but several remarked many years on the local Assembly, ones, Thy saints and Thy Messengers that they had seen none to equal hers. much of that time as chairman . She in heavenly places that the pen cannot "When the Baha'is of Cameroon enjoyed administrative work and was a tell nor the tongue recount." read the cable message from The Univ- good executi ve. At the age of 50 she Baha' u'Il ah

February, 1974 I BAHA'I NEWS 13 pi neering context: Bluefields, Nicaragua

compiled by Roberta Smith from letters to the U.S. International Goals Committee from Richard and Kristine Wilson e arrived in Bluefields, Nicara­ Birrninghatn 0 EI Paso Fort Worth0 Dallas W gua, in April 1969, during the dry 0 season. Bluefields is a town of 17,000 people, and a major Nicaraguan port on the Caribbean. It is situated at the mouth of the Bluefields River, poised on the edge of a vast swamp, and surrounded by beautiful but sti fiing tropical forests. + Tampico The town was settled in the 18th century by the British, who intended to establish plantations to grow and export S f A bananas. It got its name from the Dutch pirate Bleuwfeldt. The banana business flourished for awhile, until the trees became diseased, and buyers went elsewhere for their fruit. Today rela­ tively few bananas are exported from this region. Instead, the people on this coast are engaged in cultivating cocoa, lumbering certain hardwoods, and pro­ cessing shell fish, all for export. About 80 percent of the people are Creoles; the remainder, Chinese, and Indians. The National Assembly of Below: A native of Bluefields and a boat builder, Lloyd Forbes was secretary of the Nicaragua had asked us to assist in Local Spiritual Assembly. consolidating and forming assemblies in coastal areas, where the majority of Baha' is live. We soon learned that the people were very friendly, but they had many problems. Large numbers were unemployed and were very poor. They sought escape through liquor and gambling; the crime rate was high. Carnivals and week-long rum parties were a major form of entertainment. There were only two factories in the vicinity of Bluefields, both owned jointly by Americans and the Nicaraguan government. When job openings did occur, lines of people would form, all clamoring for the dollar-a-day positions. Even children were employed to clean the shrimp vats and carry the endless tonnage of waste. •. My wife, Kristine, and I had to create our own work since there was none to be had in Bluefields. With the financial assistance we received from Baha' fs in the U.S., we were able to stay. Everything in Bluefields was ex pen· sive. All food, except rice , beans, and fruit, was imported from the United States. A teabag cost a nickel and soda pop fifteen cents; prices that were out of the reach of the local inhabitants. Consequently infant mortality was Opposite: On the main street in Bluefields, the most prominent building is the Moravian Church.

February, 1974 I BAHA'I NEWS 15 high, and few people lived to old age. They were taught that modern concepts of medicine and health were evil, and so turned to the " bush doctor" for temporary relief from suffering. The river water was undrinkable and the rainwater, though fairly clean, often had worms in it. Malaria, carried by the ever-present mosquitoes, was a constant problem. I was sick with it three times in ten months. When we arrived in Bluefields there seemed to be no housing available. After some searching we found a large frame house available for $75 a month rent. Iri the States it would have been considered substandard, but in Bluefields it was quite nice. We had a private outdoor toilet, a tank to collect rainwater, a yard with fruit trees, and an attic for guests to sleep in . Often Indian friends visited, once they be­ came accustomed to our presence there. The large house was our only luxury, and we were fortunate to have it, as it served as a location for feasts and firesides. Tile major means of transportation was waterborne: small riverboats packed with bananas, cocoanuts, and pigs, in temperatures that reached I 00 degrees. In certain seasons one could Top Left: A bluefields boy in a also walk along the miles of white "barrel offun." beaches, with feet ·covered to protect Left: Typical wooden frame house them from the sand flies and other insects. with tin roofs. Rain water which is highly saline and contaminated Continental Counsellor Artemus with bacteria, is gathered on the Lamb once gave us the idea of having a roofs for drinking. radio program. Each week I wrote a Below: Bluefields at dusk photo­ fifteen-minute script which was broad­ graphed from Bluefields Bay . cast on Sunday afternoon. The program ...... ,. __ _ reached far into the interior of the country, possibly into Honduras and Costa Rica as well. As we traveled to the remote villages afterwards it was as if someone had gone before us . Many families in Bluefields were also reached in this way. We learned some of the local Indian language and attempted to translate songs and some prayers for broadcasts. In the native language the word "Baha " means "that". The term "Baha'u'llah " means, "that which is coming." And the word " Baha'i" means "that's it." Therefore, when we say, "Baha'u'llah has come," we are saying, in the native language " that which is coming has come."

16 BAHA'I NEWS I February, 1974 Opposition to the Baha' i Faith in Nicaragua was widespread, because of the many missionaries, an­ thropologists, and strong Catholic and Anglican organizations active in the country. Yet in time they began to respect the Baha'fs because of the earnest efforts that were made to exp­ lain the aims and beliefs of the Baha'i Faith to all people. Although the problems in Bluefields were great, the rewards of pioneering overshadowed the grief. Some of the indigenous Baha'fs rose above the crip­ pling influences of local conditions, and held fast to the teachings of Baha' u'llah. They went on their own to vii I ages throughout the region, and told the people of the advent of the Prom­ ised One. Many accepted the Faith, and many wished to learn more. On one occasion we set off to visit an Indian village near Rama, an inland journey of 60 miles along the Bluefields river. It had been visited by Baha' fs eight years before. We paddled up the river in a boat made from a hollowed log, and reached our destina­ tion in six hours. The two Baha' is who lived there were still dedicated believ­ ers. They, and every other villager Top Right: Main dock in came to greet us. Their home is so Bluefields. Most transportation isolated that one of the Baha'is had to and from Bluefields is by never heard of the United States; and water. The city is a major yet they gave us their house and four Nicaraguan port on the Carib­ eggs, to make our stay more comforta­ bean. ble. The eggs were the only ones in the Bottom Right: A young girl pon­ village. ders whether to get back into the The Faith of Baha'u'llah can no Bluefields swimming hole. longer be ignored in Bluefields. Our weekly radio program, the unceasing labors of Cecilia King from Panama, and the "shot in the arm" visits from Baha' is of other countries, taught everyone on the coast that the Faith exists, and that it is moving forward. It was respected by the people and often criticized by the churches. Even though the membership was numerically small, ever~,r one was aware of the Faith, and watchful of its progress. Of course the work has only begun. Bluefields needs more pioneers; it needs an institute , and a ss.;hool for training local teachers. The thallenges of this climate and country create unique problems for the pioneers. The rewards here are yet to Be reaped.

February, 1974 I BAHA'I NEWS 17 The Cost of Constancy: impressions of Lydia Zamenhof

by Ugo and Angeline Giachery ad she lived a normal life, Lydia H Zamenhof might have reached her seventieth birthday on 29 January 1974. We met her in New York , in the autumn of 1937, and were captivated by her charm, culture, and consecration to the Teachings of Baha'u'llah. The latter was a rare quality in an Esperan­ tist; of all those we had met before, only a handful had shown any interest in the Baha'i Faith. From our first meeting we were impressed with Lydia Zamenhofs de­ termination to foster the unity of man­ kind. She was armed with faith in Baha' u'llah, and the universal language invented by her renowned father ,1 Ludwig Zamenhof. The youngest of three children, Lydia Zamenhof was born in Warsaw, 2 Poland , in 1904. Her parents were of Jewish ancestry and they gave their children a sound education. Lydia's brother Adam, became a prominent ophthaemologist; her sister Zofia be­ Ludwig Zamenhof, creator of Esperento. came a physician; and Lydia herself obtained a degree in law from Warsaw University. 3 Lydia Zamenhof was born an idealist. In her parents' home, love for humanity and a spirit of unity were permanent themes in the education of the three children. When Lydia received her law degree in 1925 , she decided not to pursue a legal career, but rather to promulgate the knowledge of Esperanto. She had received certification to teach from the Czech International Institute of Es­ peranto at the Hague. In 1913, at the age of nine, Lydia took part in the universal Esperantist Congress in Berne, Switzerland. Her father, interviewed at the congress by a representative of the ' Christia n Commonwealth,' 4 said, " I have deep interest in the Baha' i Movement, be­ cause it is one of the great world movements which, similar to ours, educates men to brotherhood and in­ vites them to know each other better and learn to love one another." He later added, " I highly esteem the personality of 'Abdu' l-Baha and his work. In him I see one of the greatest benefactors that humanity has produced." It was the unforgettable Hand of the Cause of God Martha Root who lead Lydia Zamenhof to the Baha'i Faith. Miss Root seized every opportunity to contact the Zamenhof family . In April ,

February, 1974 I BAHA'I NEWS 19 Her family accused her of betraying the Jewish Faith and for a time she was persecuted by them.

0 0 ..c Polish Jews being marched away by 0. >< German soldiers after the occupation 0.. of Warsaw. E u0 1926, she was the official representa­ deeply rooted in the love of God, and was heard many times on radio, and she tive of the Baha' I Faith to the dedication met obstacles with a fortitude that lectured often in colleges, churches, of the monument erected upon the increased her fervor and dedication. and other gatherings. grave of Dr. Zamenhof in Warsaw. On She traveled widely, giving lectures Public appearances before large au­ that occasion Lydia told Miss Root, " It and talks, and her skill as a translator diences were always a sacrifice for seems to me that Esperanto is nothing was frequently invaluable. She trans­ Lydia Zamenhof, who was very re­ else than a school for future Baha' fs. lated the works of several Polish served and preferred privacy to such The Baha' i Faith is a step forward, it is novelists into Esperanto, and as she grand exposure. But when anyone men­ much deeper." became well versed in the Teachings of tioned Baha' u' ll3.h , or her father's lan­ Several months later, in Edinburgh, Baha' u'll3.h , devoted her varied talents guage, she would become electrified , Scotland, the 18th Universal Congress fully to the Baha' i Cause. She wrote and her personality, as if by magic, of Esperanto was held, in the same articles in Esperanto and English for would be totally transformed. Forget­ Freemason' s Hall where 'Abdu' l-Baha periodicals in many parts of the World. ting herself, her voice trembling, had spoken in 1913 to the Esperanto She translated into Esperanto the though convincing, she would tell of Society. 5 Miss Martha Root was again Kitdb-i-lqdn , the Wisdom of her life and her belief in Baha' u' ll3.h. the official Baha' i representative . She 'Abdu' l-Bahti, Some Answered Ques­ Her favorite subject was her pilgrimage opened the Congress with a talk enti­ tions, the Will and Testament of to the Holy Land. During that time she tled, "The Positive Power of Universal 'Abdu' l-Bahd, and Shoghi Effendi's enjoyed moments of deep communion The Goal of a New World Order, A 6 Religion ." with the Greatest Holy Leaf , con­ World Religion, and the Unfoldment of This congress was the first gathering versed extensivt;ly with the Guardian, World Civilization. In her eargemess to Lydia Zamenhof attended as a Baha' i. share the Faith with her countrymen, and spent sublime periods in prayer and Motivated by her belief in Baha' u' llah , she translated The Hidden Words, devotion at the Holy Shrines. sh~dertook the study of English, to Some Answered Questions, and On 28 November 1938 she returned better understand the Sacred Writings Esslemont's Bahd' u' lltih and the New to Poland. The political climate in being translated by Shoghi Effendi. Era, into Polish. Europe was rapidly deteriorating and From that time forward she devoted her In 1937 , at the suggestion of Shoghi the fear of another global conflict was life to two purposes: the propagation of Effendi, the National Spiritual Assem­ spreading. In view of the imminent the Baha' i Revelation, and the teaching bly of the United States and Canada, danger, Lydia Zamenhof wanted to be of Esperanto. invited Lydia Zamenhof to visit with her brother and sister, in Warsaw. Her new religious beliefs created America. Within a week of her arrival It was there that she completed the some difficulties for her. Members of in New York on 29 September, she translation into Polish of Bahd' u' lldh her family accused her of betraying the started a class on Esperanto. Later she and the New Era , confiding to friends Jewish Faith, and for a time she was taught courses in Philadelphia, Detroit, that Shoghi Effendi had urged her to persecuted by them. But she was Lima, Cleveland and Eliot. She hasten completion of the project.

20 BAHA'I NEWS I February, 1974 In the last letter she sent to the United later reported, Lydia Zamenhof was hath turned to the Dawning-Place of States, dated 18 August 1939 she concerned with the well-being and Thy Revelation and the Fountain-Head wrote: "There are now five Baha'fs in safety of others. When it became evi­ of Thine inspiration. Blessed is he that Poland. When I think of such a little dent that all the Jewish prisoners hath expended in Thy path what Thou number, I accept everyone with joy, confined in Warsaw would eventually didst bestow upon him through Thy knowing how important each one is." be put to death, the non-Jewish Es­ bounty and favor. Blessed is he who, in In that same letter she outlined her perantists of the city (among them some his sore longing after Thee, hast cast plans to attend the 19th Esperantist Baha'fs), contacted her to arrange her away all else except Thyself. Blessed is Congress in Lwow, in September, and escape from Poland. She refused, say­ he who hath enjoyed intimate commun­ then to go to Holland for a few weeks. ing she preferred to end her life with her ion with Thee, and rid himself of all 7 Neither of those trips was ever begun. family, and did not wish to endanger attachment to any one save Thee.' ' · D Two days after the letter reached its the lives of her faithful friends. destination, Poland was invaded by the We learned of this episode from the I . Dr. Ludwig L. Zamenhof, a Polish German army. Repeated efforts to ob­ late Hand of the Cause of God Hermann physician and the creator of Esperanto. tain news of Lydia were unsuccessful Grossmann. One of the very first be­ 2. At the time of Lydia Zamenhofs even through the International Red lievers in Germany, he too was impris­ birth, Poland was a Grand-duchy of Cross. Later we learned indirectly that oned and persecuted for his belief in czarist Russia. This condition ended in she and her' family had first been Baha'u'llah, and was able to gather 1918, after 87 years of Russian domina­ confined with other Jewish citizens to first-hand information on the death of tion. the Warsaw Ghetto. In 1942 , the Lydia Zamenhof. When he recounted 3. Equivalent to a Doctor of Laws Zamenhof family was shipped to a this heartbreaking story to us his body degree. concentration camp where professional shook with great emotion and tears ran 4. "The Christian Commonwealth," people were executed by firing squads. down his face . Sept. 3, 1913. Dr. Adam Zamenhof was among the When we rememberthe altruism, the 5. The Congress at Edinburgh, The very first to be shot. In August 1944, perseverance, and the love of Lydia Baha' i World, Vol. II, 1926-28, p. Dr. Zofia Zamenhof was executed in Zamenhof, despite all of her suffering, 265-68. (Also can be found in the same manner. Some days later we are reminded of the verses revealed 'Abdu' l-Bah

Lydia was armed with faith in Baha'u'llah and the universal language invented by her renowned father.

9 A shawled woman walks down a street 0 ..c: c. in Warsaw formerly lined by homes . ·c..>< This photograph was taken shortly ~ iiiH~~~~ after World War II.

February, 1974 I BAHA'I NEWS 21 In our world you can easily see the fore st for the trees.

If you have imagined that World Order magazine is outlook, the Muslim clergy, the world's search for only for Bahii'is in the United States, you have been peace-all, clearly, articles of international scope and mistaken. Our field of coverage is as broad as our name interest. We think you may be interested in World Order . implies. Our writers are from every corner of the globe. Overseas subscriptions to World Order are available at Our purpose is to explore the relationships between $5 for one year, $9 for two years. Payment must be in contemporary life and contemporary religious teachings, U.S. dollars by check, international money order, or by to give our readers a truer sense of the options and draft drawn on a New York bank , made to World Order, alternatives open to a society in the thrall of great 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois, 60091, U.S.A. historical forces, as it searches-for lasting solutions. In 60091 , U .S.A. short, we try to give you a glimpse of the forest of human endeavor, rather than of the single trees of its isolated developments. In recent issues we have published articles on such varied subjects as the generation gap, co llective security in a nuclear age, the rights of women, ocean resources and their proper use, the dilemma of intellectuals in this troubled age, Pablo Casals at 91, Paul Tillich and his l'fA BAHki f'l' MAGAZINE