I I BAHA'I NEWS PUBLISHED BY THE NATIONAL OF THE BAHA'is OF THE UNITED STATES

NO. 258 BAHA'I YEAR 109 AUGUST, 1952

Progress at the World Center A Letter from the International Baha'i Council

National Spiritual Assembly of the Eighteen . It is vious units already built, it consti­ Baha'is of the United States, upon this intermediary unit, 11 met­ tutes a knotty construction problem Wilmette, Illinois, U.S.A. ers (33 feet) high, that the dome of because it must be a perfect circle, the Shrine must rest. In spite of the and because it has two walls, an out­ Dear Baha'i Friends: fact that this drum is much smaller er stone wall and an inner thin re­ The International Baha'i Council in circumference than the two pre- inforced concrete one, which must wishes to share with the friends news of the progress of the Faith at its World Center, and to inform them of what has been done during the past year, under the guidance of the beloved Guardian .

The Shrine of the Bab With the steady progress in the construction of the Shrine of the Bab on Mt. Carmel, the eyes, not only of the Baha'is, are becoming increas­ ingly fixed upon it, but also of the people of . As the friends ar e already awar e, the octagon of the Shrine is now complete. The eight minaret-like pinnacles, as well as the wrought iron panels of the balus­ trade are now erected, and constitute, as so beautifully said, the second crown of the building, the first crown being the carved marble parapet of the arcade with its green mosaic panels. This balustrade has now been painted a deep green, and the motif brought out through the application of gold leaf. The effect is truly exquisite, so much so that many local people seem to be under the misapprehension that the build­ ing is now completed. Evidently what exists is to them sufficiently charming to constitute the end of the enterprise. On April 8th, the preliminary work commenced on the third unit, which consists of the drum section of the Shrine, containing eighteen lancet v:indows, symbolic in number of the Model of the Shrine of the Bab. 2 AUGUST, 1952 be built simultaneously. The fact that spreading, and on e hears more and of Mazra'ih, have been greatly beau­ we are gaining in height constantly, more comments upon it. The people tified during the past year, in prepa­ also increases the difficulty of the not only of , but from many ration for the coming of the pilgrims. operation. parts of Israel, take pride in it, and The Mansion of Baha 'u'llah From the unveiling of the Shrine when they learn something of the model in 1944, on the occasion of the teachings of the Faith, greatly ad­ For six months, the Cause at its first Centenary of the Declaration of mire what we stand for and what International Center went through a the Bab, the question of what ma­ we are doing here in their country. most irritating crisis and one which, terial to use for the dome was really The friends are no doubt aware had not the divine protection been so the main problem which faced Mr. that ever since the passing of clearly vouchsafed to the Guardian Sutherland Maxwell, its architect. 'Abdu'l Baba, Shoghi Effendi has and the friends serving him h ere, He had an original and very beauti­ been extending not only the terraces might have led to serious repercus­ ful idea: The dome of the Shrine of between the Shrine and the Templar sions. the Bab was to be covered with a Colony at the foot of Mt. Carmel, Ever since the Ascension of fish-scale pattern of tiles, in dimin­ but has been widening, eastward and Baha'u 'llah, as the friends are aware, ishing sizes. His concept had been of westward, the terrace upon which the party of Mul).ammad-'Ali, his either a green or a gold dome ; but the Shrine itself rests. One section children, his relatives and a few sup­ the Guardian considered that a gold­ has remained to be extended for a porters, have clustered around the en dome was much more suitable for number of years, but the engineering Sacred Tomb. Upon the death of this Second Holiest Structure in problem involved was complicated, their Father, the sons of Baha'u'llah the Bah a 'i World; the of the and the expense very great. This inherited shares in the Mansion Faith, the Tomb of Baha'u'llah, be­ year, however, the Guardian has felt where He passed away. In the course ing naturally the Most Sacred. The that the longer the delay in building of many years, this building, so full problem of discovering a means of this extension, the more hopelessly of sacred associations, has witnessed materializing this design faced the expensive such a construction would the evidences of the violent animos­ builders. Italian gold mosaic was be, and he has consequently com .. considered a possibility, but discard­ ity of the Covenant-breakers toward menced work which will when com­ the Center of the Covenant. ed by the Guardian because of the pleted add approximately 350 square uniform effect which the multitude meters to the terrace of the Shrine The friends will remember from of small facets would create at a towards the east. This addition ne­ their perusal of Baha'i history that distance, the original and highly dec­ cessitates the construction of a nine already, while Baha'u'llah's body orative concept of tiles being entirely meter high wall of more than 350 was being p repared for the grave, lost by such a treatment. Copper was cubic meter content of stone. It is Mul).ammad-'Ali was concentrating out of the question because of the interesting to note that the stones on his opposition to the Master. After weight and the oxide staining which for the work are being carried up always occurs when this metal is the Ascension, and indeed until 1932, from the ruins of the old city of Mul).a mmad-'Ali and his relatives re­ u sed. That left only some form of Haifa, which are being removed in sided in the Mansion of Baha'u 'llah, porcelain or clay tile, or possibly a order to make way for a new de­ plastic material. The investigations velopment. When this portion of the in spite of the fact that the majority of Dr. Ugo Giachery showed that terrace is completed, people visiting of the shares in this building were plastic material was a risk, as no the Shrine will get the most wonder­ owned by 'Abdu'I-Baha. Badi'u 'Ilah one can predict at present how it ful view from this spot of the entire himself, in order to raise funds for will react to years of exposure in building, with the rays of the rising his seditious activities, sold his share this climate. There remained there­ sun bringing out the Greatest Name of the house of his Father to thP fore only tile as a feasible solution. in brilliant gold relief, in the north­ Inspector of Police of 'Akka. While attending the 1951 European eastern corner of the arcade. It is After the death of this man, and Teaching Conference in Holland, Dr. anticipated that in about a month with tremendous inconvenience and Giachery located an enterprising and and a half, this extension will be legal complications, the Guardian long-established firm of tile makers completed. The cost of the work will succeeded in arranging to purchase in Utrecht. After a great deal of in­ be about $12,600. back Badi'u'llah's original one-third quiry and experimentation on the Bahji, comprising the Shrine of share of the property. At this time, part of this firm, a suitable solution Baha'u'llah and His Mansion, re­ his son Musa Baha'i was the Regis­ to the problem of the dome seems to ceives an even greater flow of visi­ trar of Lands in 'Akka, and catching have been reached, and one which tors than the Gardens here in Haifa ; wind of the transaction, succeeded will realize the architect's design. An owing to the fact that because of at the last moment in bringing pres­ under-glaze gold tile has now been construction, the immediate sur­ sure to bear on the Police Inspec­ developed and an order will shortly roundings of the Shrine on Mt. Car­ tor's heirs, and instead of the Cause be placed for over 27,000 tiles, rang­ mel are closed to the public. During coming into possession of the re­ ing in height from eight centimeters the recent Passover celebrations, maining one-third of the title d eed, to twenty centimeters. The cost of more than 1,500 people visited Bahji, the Guardian succeeded in getting these tiles will be approximately 500 of these in one day. The interiors only one-sixth, and the other one­ $11,000. of the Shrine of Baha'u'llah and the sixth fell into the hands of the Cove­ Hand in hand with the work on Mansion, as well as the House of nant-breakers and was r egistered in the Shrine, the fame of the Shrine is Baha'u 'llah in 'Akka and the Mansion their names. BAHA'I NEWS 3

About 1932, the Mansion of aha'u'llah, which had been occupied ,y Mu}fammad-'Ali and his family ever since 1892, had fallen into such a state of disrepair that the roof was caving in. Shoghi Effendi con­ sidered this not only a disgrace to the memory of the Blessed P erfec­ tion, but also a responsibility which devolved upon the Baha'is, and he therefore represented to Mu}fammad­ ' Ali, the necessity of repairing the building. Mu}fammad-'Ali, claiming he had no funds for such a purpose refused, but accepted the Guardian's proposal that he should evacuate the building, and allow the Baha'is to restore it; he moved into the adja­ cent building, where his son still lives. After the Mansion had been restor­ The beautiful Mansion of Bahji. ed to its original glory (and such a term is not an exaggeration, for it is a beautiful oriental palace built by a wealthy resident of 'Akka dur­ ing the last century), the Guardian invited the British District Commis­ sioner to inspect it with him-fur­ ter, it had been in Baha'i possession, Baha'i, the daughter of Badi'u'llah, nished, its walls lined with book- its title deed was part of the Man­ their hatred and their perennial de­ ases and pictures of interest to the sion itself, of which the Covenant­ sire to create mischief, again surged ...saha'i world, its cabinets containing breakers own one-sixth. to the surface . Writings of Baha'u'llah in the origi­ Last December, the Guardian, in At the express request of the Cove­ nal, the Room of Baha'u'llah itself view of the fact that the roofs of nant-breakers, a meeting was ar­ restored, and original relics of His three of the rooms had caved in and ranged at which two of them were placed in it. It made such an im­ the walls were crumbling, and the present with their lawyer, the law­ pression that he agreed to ask the building becoming daily a more com­ yer of the Guardian and two repre­ High Commissioner to include it as sentatives of the Guardian, in an a Baha'i Holy Place along with the plete and dangerous ruin, instructed Shrines and the House in 'Akka, and the caretaker of the Holy Shrine to effort to settle the question peace­ exempt it from taxation. This was demolish it. While h e was doing this, fully out of court. However, the in­ done. The status of the building the police arrived with an Order of terview proved fruitless, because changed from the personal residence Stay from the Haifa Court, to which they continually raised the same old of a son of Baha'u'llah to a Museum the Covenant-breakers had appeal­ issues of sixty years ago which arose and Pilgrim House for the Baha'is; ed, in view of the fact that without when Mu}fammad-'Ali challenged the Mu}fammad-'Ali could no longer re­ their permission, property in which authority of the Master. They did, turn, and was forced to remain they had a share was being des­ however, make a few requests which where he had taken up his residence troyed. As the Covenant-breakers the Guardian considered were jus­ nearby. had been left in their portion of the tified, such as being allowed to pray Mansion property, in other words, alone in the Tomb, and that they A ruined blacksmith's shop which part of the building towards the north would be permitted to enter during had existed, owned and worked by and some rooms toward the east, certain hours, etc. In spite of this one of the Covenant-breakers, right unmolested and uninterfered with by concession on his part, they decided next to the wall of the Holy Tomb the Guardian, he naturally supposed to go to the Court and place the mat­ towards the east, the Guardian had that after the Center of the Faith ter before the Judge informally, likewise destroyed. He had removed had been in undisputed possession of rather than in the form of a trial. the old stables, and the unsightli­ the building in question since 1892, Twice the respective lawyers and ness and disorder had been cleared he was at liberty, as Custodian of parties concerned met in the Judge's away, and a quiet inner court creat­ the Baha'i Holy Places, to tear it presence, but at both meetings the ed between the block of buildings down. The bitterness, however, of the unreasoning animosity of the daugh­ in which the Tomb is situated, and Covenant-breakers still motivated by ter of Badi'u'llah in particular, made e wall of the Mansion Garden. the evil genius of Majdi'd-Din, who any agreement impossible. Indeed, Towards the south, however, a although only a few years short of it became evident that working small one-story building with five 100, and paralyzed, is still living in through her advocate, one of the rooms, remained, and although since the building adjacent to the Man­ sharpest in the country, and one the days of Baha'u 'llah and the Mas- sion, and led by the widow of Musa whom she had carefully filled with 4 AUGUST, 1952

all kinds of misrepresenations as to Guardian but against the Govern­ or brought before the Judge and the true situation which arose after ment itself! speedily dismissed, or the demolitio the ascension of Baha'u'llah, she had Again interviews were had with Stay removed pending a hearing, c no other intention than to prolong the higher authorities in Jerusalem that the ruins would be torn down the existing condition, which was and Hakirya, and the Guardian's because the proper Civil authority that the Guardian had been prevent­ own appeal to the Prime Minister had issued a demolition order, at the ed legally from tearing down the was transmitted to him. This pro­ last moment, everything would go building, and, in the meantime the duced an immediate reaction. The awry and the case would continue, case was neither being decided out legal adviser of the Prime Minister growing and growing in importance, of Court nor being brought up in met with the Vice-Minister of Reli­ and going to ever higher official Court. Every reasonable solution gions, the advocate of the Guardian having been consistently set aside and the advocate of the Covenant­ levels until it reached the Prime by the Covenant-breakers, the first breakers, and brought pressure to Minister himself. In fact, it gathered hearing of the Case was set. bear. The three , itself up like a big summer thunder cloud, and when it burst, crashed The Guardian, in spite of his de­ representing Shoghi Effendi, were in with full force on the heads of those sire to remove the unsightly rubble one room in the Ministry of Reli­ who have disputed Baha'u'llah's in­ that the ruined house had become gions, and the Covenant-breakers structions, the Successorship of His after its semi-demolition, was willing in another, as the Baha'is had re­ that the case should as expeditiously fused to meet with them any more. beloved Son, the Will and Testament. as possible be tried, knowing full A stiff tussle ensued in which the and the Guardianship, for sixty years. well that any verdict could not but lawyer of the Covenant-breakers re­ be in his favor, not only on religious peatedly brought back more claims When the three members of the grounds, but because the building from Badi'u'llah's daughter, and the International Baha'i Council left the had been in his possession for over lawyer of the Guardian as consistent­ Ministry of Religions in Jerusalem, twenty years, which, according to ly brought back from the members they had in their possession a paper the laws of this land, give a person of the Council refusals to accept giving them full authority to tear certain well-defined rights. them. Finally the representative of down the ruins at once. the Prime Minister informed them Within forty-eight hours of their It was not until the Covenant­ that any further fight they wished to return, a flat surface of rubble was breakers had the temerity to sum­ carry on would be with the Govern­ all that remained. Servants, Arab mon the Head of the Faith himself ment and if they wanted to do that, laborers and Baha'i pilgrims ha as a witness, that he decided to ap­ they could. The result was accept­ peal to the Government to. lif~ t?e scattered the stones of the buildin ance on their part to drop the case in a blast of joy. matter entirely out of the 1unsd1c­ and the appeal. tion of the Civil Court. From December until the end of New Garden at Ba hjl The three members of the Inter­ May, they had succeeded in prevent­ One week later, the Guardian of national Baha'i Council, Mr. Remey, ing the Guardian from doing what he the Cause who went over to Bahji Dr. Giachery and Mr. Ioas, conse­ wished to in the precincts of the himself to supervise the work, had quently had interviews wit~ high­ Holy Tomb. They had, from giving ranking officials of the Foreign Of­ the impression of being poor people created, in time for the night of the Ascension of Baha'u'llah a beautiful fice and the Prime Minister's office, whose rights were being denied and entrance, into what is now called the a s well as with the Attorney-General who objected to the demolition of a Holy Court leading to the Shrine. In and the Vice-Minister of Religions. building in which they had a slight It was evident immediately that the interest, gradually revealed them­ front of the Mansion, and in the very spot where the ruined house had Government was quite aware of the selves as being vindictive, revenge­ fact that the Baha'i Faith is united ful, and pursuing with great determ:­ stood, a wide expanse of garden sprung from the dust, marble vases, under the leadership of its legiti­ nation and skill, a definite object, carved white Carrara marble orna­ mate Guardian, and that he is the which had nothing whatsoever to do ments, lamp posts, cypress trees, true Custodian of the Baha'i Holy with the building in question, or borders, pebbled walks-lo! like a Places. In view of this, the Attorney­ whether it was torn down or rebuilt; dream they spread before the eyes General in pursuance with instruc­ but which revealed itself as being a of the Baha'is. Indeed the Arab lab­ tions fr;m the Minister of Religior:s, plan to either get a key for them­ orers would quote to each other an informed the President of the Haifa selves to the Holy Shrine, which old saying: "The ring of Solomon Court that according to a law exist­ would give them the position of joint has been found!'', which stems from ing in the Statutes since 1924, !he Custodian with the Guardian, or of a tradition that the king lost his case in question should not be. t~1ed securing rooms in the Mansion itself ring, and that whoever found it and by a Civil Court as it was a rellg10us for their own " Baha'i Archives." matter. turned it on his finger-whatever he It would be no exaggeration to say wished for would materialize in­ that the entire course of the case To the astonishment of all con­ stantly. cerned, the lawyer of the Covenant­ was providential; and indeed all breakers decided to challenge the those here had the feeling that from Without the innocent remark authority of this order of the Attor­ beginning to end, it was pursuing a thrown out by the Guardian one da ney-General on a technicality and to plan which no one could check or ~n­ as he left Bahji after visiting th appeal the case to the Supreme terfere with. Over and over agam, Holy Tomb to the keeper: "Bring Court. This in fact meant that the when it seemed that the case would laborers and destroy these ruins," case would no longer be against th e be dropped or settled out of Court and which he made because he could BAHA'I NEWS 5

no longer tolerate this dilapidation ship th e Mayor of Haifa, Mr. Aba Liaison between the Guardian and o near the Holy Shrine, and because Khoushy, that th e Cause was able to the Council ne desired to build a befitting en­ secure this land at this price, the Charles Mason Remey, P resident trance at the end of the Garden ad­ original price having been very much Amelia Collins, Vice-President jacent to the Shrine, which had higher. The assurance it would be Ugo Giachery, Member at Large never had, for sixty years, any en­ kept as a private open space induced Leroy Ioas, Secretary-General His Worship to urge the Government Jessie Revell, Treasurer .. trance, befitting or otherwise, the to make a concession to the Baha'is Ethel Revell, Western Assistant Covenant-breakers would not have in this matter. Secretary once again been routed, suffered de­ Lotfullah Hakim, Eastern Assist­ feat and lost many of the privileges ant Secretary they enjoyed for sixty years in re­ Embryo of the Universal House There are now four Hands of the spect to visiting the Holy Shrine. Cause serving the Faith permanent­ Indeed, it has been extraordinary the of Worship ly at its International Center, as way this case has brought to the at­ The International Baha'i Council members of this Body. Dr. Giachery tention of almost ever y important has been, during the past year, not has paid two visits to Israel during Government Department in Israel, only enlarged but strengthened the past three months, in order to the true stature of the Faith, what it through the addition to its member­ assist with the work being undertak­ is doing here, who is its Head, what ship of Mr. Leroy Ioas, who fulfills en here and this has m eant that its plans are for the future, wh at it the function of Secretary-General; five Hands of the Cause were in the has already accomplished. One could and Dr. Ugo Giachery, Member at Holy Land. In addition to this, Mr. almost say that the International Council were strangers to the Gov­ ernment in December, but, thanks to the good offices of our enemies, they became warm acquaintances!

The Purchase of Eighteen Additional Plots on Mount Carmel

One of the most important events l during this past year has been the purchase at long last of eighteen ad­ ditional plots on Mt. Carmel, in the vicinity of the resting-places of th e Sister, the Mother and the Brother of 'Abdu'l-Baha. Upon the formation of the State of Israel in 1948, all enemy property was seized and placed under the Controller of Ab­ sentee Property. Within the last The Monument Gardens, the Resting Place of the Family of 'Abdu'l-Baha, in the vicinity of which the additional eighteen plots have been purchased. eighteen months the Government established, after the passing of suit­ able legislation in the Knesset (Par­ liament), a body known as the " De­ velopment Authority'', empowered Large. On more than· one occasion, Zikrullah Khadem, Mr. Shu'a'ullah to dispose of lands, subject to the ap­ the Guardian has pointed out to the Alai, Mr. Siegfried Schopflocher and proval of the Cabinet, either by lease members of the Council that the Mr. Moussa B anani, Hands of the or outright sale for dollars. After Charter upon which the Spiritual and Cause, have recently been in Haifa over a year's negotiations with the Administrative activities of the as pilgrims; in fact, two of them Government, the eighteen plots were Faith in Israel rest is the Tablet of had the inestimable privilege of purchased for the sum of $118,000 , Carmel, revealed by Baha'u'llah on hearing from the Guardian's own and in April, 1952, transferred to the Mt. Carmel. The " City of God" men­ lips that he had appointed them as name of the Palestine Branch of the tioned in this Tablet, is the Shrine part of the second contingent of National Spiritual Assembly of the of the Bab, and the " Ark" means the Hands of the Cause. Baha'is of the United States and Laws of God, and refers to the Uni­ Canada. In addition to these eighteen versal House of Justice, the embryo plots, totaling about six acr es in of which is the present International Plans Completed for Mashriqu'l-Adhkar area, the Guardian was able to pur­ Baha'i Council, which through suc­ on Mount Carmel chase at the same time the rem ain­ cessive stages will develop into the The President of the Council, Mr. ing half of an empty plot facing both Universal House of Justice to be es­ Ch arles Mason Remey, has now the Western Baha'i Pilgrim House tablished and function on this Holy completed his design for the and the House of 'Abdu 'l-Baha, for Mountain. Its membership now con­ Ma@riqu'l-Adhkar, which will be the sum of $16,000. It was largely sists of: erected at a future date, somewhere due to the intervention of His Wor- Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih Khanum, on Mt. Carmel. During the past win- 6 AUGUST, 1952 ter, he has had the opportunity of formed part of a delegation from the Hautz of Milwaukee. His eagerness consulting with the Guardian about American National Spiritual Assem­ to render any assistance within hi the final details, and having received bly received by him, contact has power to the work here attracte, his suggestions and approval, is now been made by various members of the eye of Shoghi Effendi, who is ready to order the model of his Tem­ the Council and by Mr. Lawrence ever ready to embark on new activi­ ple in Italy, so that it can be exhi­ Hautz, with the following high-rank­ ties when he finds willing hands! bited in the Mother Temple of the ing officials of the State: Dr. Chaim It was in no small measure due to West in Wilmette during the historic ·weizmann, President, at a reception the enthusiasm and eagerness of this Convention of 1953. This building is at Rehovot ; Miss Golda Myerson, very monumental in character. Minister of Labor; Dr. David Z. Pin­ western Baha'i friend that the pur­ While not resembling synagogue, kas, Minister of Communications ; chase of the additional plots here in church, mosque or any of the tem­ Mr. Eliezer Kaplan, Minister of Fi­ Haifa was so speedily and success­ ples of former religions, it will have nance; as well as Dr. W. Walter Ey­ fully concluded. He made many con­ a distinctive religious character and tan, Director General of the Foreign tacts with the Government and im­ dignity of its own. When constructed, Ministry; Dr. Kurt Mendelsohn, Di­ pressed upon them the importance it will greatly enhance the institu­ rector of Customs and Excise; Dr. of the International Center of the tions of the Faith at the World Cen­ Zerah Warhaftig, Minister of Relig­ Faith here to the Baha'is the world ter and fulfill yet another of 'Abdu'l­ ions ; Mr. Ahoud Avril, Director Gen­ over, assuring them that Israel has Baha's cherished hopes. How soon eral to the Prime Minister, Mr. Shi­ no better friends than the people work on it could be undertaken is mon Eynat, Legal Adviser to the who believe that what Baha'u'llah not known at present; but the de­ Prime Minister and the Attorney promised will be fulfilled, and that sign carried out by the architect General, Mr. Kalman Cohen. It is His promises about Israel will like­ chosen for this purpose by the Mas­ both significant and interesting to ter Himself, has now been safeguard­ note that the higher one goes in gov­ wise be fulfilled. ed for posterity, and is ready for ernment circles, the greater is the During four months, more than a execution when the appointed time courtesy shown and the wider the hundred friends have been the guests comes. knowledge of the Faith possessed by of the Guardian, and carried back its officials. Likewise at high levels from his presence inspiration, gui­ we meet with ready understanding, dance, love and boundless zeal to and ·when assistance is necessary, their fellow Baha'is, upon their re­ we get it. Recognit ion of the Faith by the turn to their own countries. The pilgrimage, due to lack of adequat Israe li Governme nt accommodation h ere, for large num­ The relations of the State of Israel bers of people, has been limited to with our beloved Guardian and the Pilgrims to Haifa - From the Ea st nine days, in order to enable more International Baha'i Council have and from t he W est of the believers to come, and there been friendly and cordial. We are is now so much to see that the happy to report that steady progress No report of Baha'i activities dur­ friends are indeed kept very busy is being made in obtaining suitable ing the past year could convey any during their stay. They visit the two legal recognition of the Faith here, sense of the stirring progress being Holy Shrines, spending at least one from the Government. During the made here that did not mention the night at Bahji, in the Mansion of past few months, the exemption al­ arrival of the pilgrims. The first Baha'u'llah. They likewise visit the ready given by both the Mandate believer from the east to reach the Room in the Most Great Prison once Authorities and the Jewish State to Holy Land after more than ten years, occupied by Baha'u'llah, and pray material gifts received for the Shrine during which the pilgrimage had there. This room is now in the hands of Baha'u'llah, the Shrine of the Bab, been perforce suspended by the be­ of the Baha'is, delivered officially Mazra'ih, the House of Baha'u'llah in loved Guardian, was Mr. Sarni Dok­ by the authorities to them. They also 'Akka and the Gardens on Mt. Car­ toroglu, of Istanbul. After years of visit the House in 'Akka occupied by mel, has been extended to cover all p ersecution, quiesence and obs­ Baha'u'llah for many years, and in things received for the Western and curity, the Turkish believers have which He revealed the Aqdas, the Eastern Pilgrim Houses and the at last found themselves in a position Garden of the Ric;l.van , Mazra'ih, the Home of the Head of the Faith. In to go ahead with their work in the two International Baha'i Archives, addition to this, the Government has service of Baha'u'llah. Thanks to the and other local sites of historic in­ been both understanding and cooper­ instructions carried back to them by terest. Their hearts are full of joy ative as i:egards the reduction of the this Baha'i brother from the pres­ when they arrive, and their eyes full heavy charges made in the port on ence of the Guardian, they have or­ of tears when they depart. They material sent for the Shrine of the ganized their first three Spiritual constitute, as the Guardian has often Bab, and gifts received for the Assemblies in the historic city of pointed out, the stream of life-blood Holy Places. Istanbul, in Aintab and in Adana, flowing in and out of the great heart Aside from the very pleasant in­ and have recently purchased a por­ of the Faith here. The members of terview two of the present members tion of the land which is the site of the International Baha'i Council look of the International Baha'i Council, the building once occupied by forward to the day when it will b Mrs. Collins and Mr. Ioas, had with Baha'u'llah during his sojourn there feasible for ever-increasing number!> the Israeli Prime Minister, Mr. in Constantinople. of the believers to have the inesti­ David Ben-Gurion, during his trip to The first Baha'i pilgrim to arrive mable privilege of meeting their America last summer, when they from the west was Mr. Lawrence Guardian face to face, imbibing from BAHA'I NEWS 7

him the essence of their Faith, lay­ world-wide significance and will the word "civilization" insert the ing their foreheads on the Thresh­ mark the beginning of a World Cru­ word "(and)," to read " civilization olds of their Holiest Shrines, and sade for our beloved Faith. Ours will (and the) ultimate attainment," etc. gazing with wonder at the Sepulchre be a preponderating role, but only Eighth line, "(of the)" should be of the Bab, as we often see it at if we have proudly fulfilled the tasks "(of a)." night, illumined, shining like a we have so eagerly assumed. -NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY glorious white queen on the slope of "God does not ask from any soul the dark mountain, under a sky except according to his ability. Who­ CREDENTIALS FOR TRAVEL studded by brilliant stars, and the soever comes with one good act, God The National Spiritual Assembly deep purple of the Mediterranean will give him tenfold. There is no stretching like a velvety carpet be­ has provided two forms of Baha'i doubt that the living Lord shall as­ identification card, one to be signed fore it. sist and confirm the generous soul. Faithfully yours in El Baha, and issued by local Assemblies to 0 ye lovers of the Beauty of the community members traveling - I NTERNATIONAL BAHA'I COUNCIL Tr ue One ! Become ye self-sacrific­ Charles Mason Remey, within the United States, the other ing; become ye self-sacrificing." signed and issued by the National President -NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY Leroy C. Ioas , Spiritual Assembly to American be­ Secretary-General lievers traveling abroad, and to iso­ Haifa, Israel CORRECTIONS lated believers who travel in the United States. July 1, 1952 The National Assembly wishes to correct the punctuation in the cable All traveling believers are ex­ dated April 5, 1952, published on page pected to carry proper credentials. +·----- ·----+- 2 of Baha'i News for June. - NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY The sentence reading " Inform Na­ tional Assemblies (that) God's NATIONAL avenging wrath having afflicted (in) SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY rapid succession (during) recent years two sons, brother (and) sister­ The Remedy of Every Ailment in-law (of) Archbreaker (of) O thou yearner after the Kingdom! Baha'u 'llah 's Covenant, (had) now THE NATIONAL BUDGET Each Manifestation is the heart of struck down second son, Siyyid 'Ali the world and the proficient Physi­ Dearly beloved friends: Nayer Afnan" should read " (has) cian of every patient. The world of When this statement appears in now struck down second son (of) humanity is sick, but that skilled Baha'i News, one-third of our Baha'i Siyyid 'Ali, Nayer Afnan," etc. Physician hath the healing remedy year will have passed. It would be and He bestoweth divine teachings, very gratifying to be able to report Convention Cable exhortations and advices which are that one-third of our Budget for this The Guardian has sent a list of the remedy of every ailment and the year, namely $160,000, will have been corrections to be made in the text dressing for every wound. Undoubt­ received by the Treasurer's office edly, the wise physician discovereth during that period. However, re­ of his Message to the National Con­ vention as published in the May is­ the needs of the patient at every sea­ ceipts have fallen far short of the sue of Baha'i News. son and prescribeth medicine. monthly average of approximately (Tablets of ' Abdu'l-Baha) $40,000 required to fulfill our require­ Page 2, third paragraph, fifth line, ments. after the words " Civil Service" in­ Consecration is an entity which sert the words '' (end of the) ''. manifests itself in every phase of our Seventh line, after the word "Indi­ National Baha'i Addresses anapolis" insert a semicolon and in­ Baha'i life, and must be applied with National Baha'i Administrative terpolate the words "(by the)". the same enthusiasm and vigor to Headquarters: the Fund as well as to our intensive Fourth paragraph, second line, aft­ 536 Sheridan Road, Wilmette, teaching efforts. A Canadian Baha'i, er the word " Bahrayn" insert the Illinois. in a recent letter to his National wcrd "Ahsa." Treasurer, wrote: " I realize, of Second column, first line, "(the) Nati on al Treasurer: course, that in giving money to the world community" should be " (a) 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, cause of Baha'u'llah I shower a world community." End of first and Illinois . blessing upon myself. I'm only sorry beginning of second line, " (of the) Make checks Payable to: I couldn't do it sooner. I pray that divinely appointed" should be "(of National Baha'i Fund the total needed, here and around the a) divinely appointed." Fourth line, world, will be reached. If each does " (of) world crisis" should be " (of Baha'i Publishing Committee: his part, no doubt it will." a) world crisis." Same line, "(in) 110 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, A joyous spirit pervades the execution" should be "(for the) exe­ Illinois. American Baha'i Community as cution." Fifth line, "(and) subse­ preparations begin to assume form quent unfoldment" should be " (the) Baha'i News Editorial Office: for the Jubilee celebrations in the subsequent unfoldment." Same line, 110 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Holy Year whose threshold we ap­ " unfoldment (of) " should be " un­ Illinois. proach. These celebrations will have foldm ent (of a). " Sixth line, after 8 AUGUST, 1952

The Ba,ha!is of Mandalay, Burma send their greeting·s to us by way of this photo cf the members of their community . This is our first communication from Mandalay in many years.

Dar -es-Salaam: with the teaching work in Ethiopia. INTERNATIONAL Jalal Nakhjawani, Chairman Books and pamphlets in English, Mrs. Isobel Sabri, French and Italian for use in study NEWS Vice-Chairman classes, will be welcomed by Dr. V. Hassan Sabri, Secretary Ries, P. 0. Box 102, Addis Ababa, Darakshandeh Khanum Nakhja- Ethiopia. AFR ICA wani, Treasurer The newly-elected officers of the Progress of the Administrative Order L eslie Matola Addis Ababa Spiritual Assembly in East Africa Denis Dudley-Smith Kutendele are: Frahang Naimi Gila M. Bahta, Chairman The British for June Africa News Gopalkrishnan Nayer David Talbot, Vice-Chairman reports the election of officers of the Eustace Mwalimu Dr. V. Ries, Secretary two newly-formed Baha'i Assem­ L eslie Matola represents the Yao Sabri Elias, Treasurer blies, in Kampala and Dar-es­ tribe. He is a retired official inter­ Mrs. Gila Salaam, as follows: preter of the High Court of Tangan­ Mrs. Elias Kampala: yika. Eustace Mwalimu represent s Alfred Shafi Aliyullah Nakhjawani, the Mbondei tribe and is a social Mr. Birch Chairman welfare officer for the Tanganyik a Sayed Mansour Government. Enoch Olinga, Vice-Chairman More joyful news comes from Philip Hainsworth, Secretary Kampala, reporting the purchase of Samiheh Khanum Banani, the H a?:iratu'l-Quds, on the instruc­ Treasurer tions of the Guardian. This is the Violet Khanum Nakhj awani second Hazira on the African Con­ AUSTRALIA AND Moussa Banani tinent (the first was in Cairo) and NEW ZEALAND will serve as the focal administra­ Frederick Bigabwa tive point for all of the Baha'i Com­ Power of Attraction Crispian Kajubi munities of East and Central Africa. (From Australia and Peter Musoke New Zealand News Bulletin) Peter Musoke represents the Bug­ Baha'i Literature Needed "First there must be in the mind anda Tribe, and Enoch Olinga rep­ for Addis Ababa the radiant conviction and knowledge resents the Teso Tribe, of Uganda. The friends everywhere can help of an essential teaching factor before BAHA'I NEWS 9

it can be brought into the physical :world. In other words, we build first in the spiritual world, secondly in the physical world. The development of that knowledge in oneself will be the magnet which will attract those who need just that knowledge. The power of attraction, which we need so much, is inherent in spiritual truth and knowledge. So let us avail ourselves of the advice given in the teachings and set th e power of at­ traction at work."

Convention Gives Impetus to Pioneering A letter from a pioneering YOljlth in Leeton, N. S. Wales states: "Our teaching work seems to have re­ ceived a tremendous impetus; must have been the effect the Convention First Baha'i "Benelux" Conference. Some of th e forty-seven Baha'is from Holland, had on us. Pamphlets were dropped Luxembourg and Belgium who gathered at the Brussels Baha'i Center, in letter-boxes, booklets sent to pro­ April 12-14, 1952. minent people and quotations placed in the weekly paper, resulting in many inquiries." Leeton, N . S. Wales Herald of New Plymouth, New Zea­ consolidation might be furthered, is learning rapidly of the Baha'i land on May 17, 1952. The article recommending that each community Faith! gives an interesting account of Ger­ set itself a goal, and proposing spe­ man-born Mrs. Waldman's education cial meetings to inaugurate such a in London, Paris, Berlin ; her career program. The British Baha'i Com­ Pioneering in Victoria as interior decorator in New Yor k munity managed to maintain all Pioneer, Violet Hoehnke, a sister City and her intense interest in the their Assemblies through the valiant on the staff of the Base Hospital at poor there, which led her into wel­ efforts of pioneers who came for­ Ballarat, is busily engaged in teach­ fare work and public health nursing, ward just in time. Consolidation has ing efforts in Ballarat, Bendigo, and and her world travels. The article not yet been achieved, but we enter Echuca. She makes regular visits to states: "She decided to come to New the second year of our Two Year contacts, and is placing advertising Zealand to see American friends in Plan with the same number of As­ in the local press to find inquirers. Auckland and interest people in the semblies as we finished the Six Year Dominion in the Baha'i World Faith, Plan. which seeks a universal religion, lan­ Intern ational Cooperation in Teaching guage and police force. Near Chi­ cago on Lake Michigan the Baha'i Youth Conference in Nottingham Mrs. Shirin Fozdar of India will followers are building, with their own A Youth Conference was held m spend two and a half months, from funds, a beautiful temple with nine August to October, speaking in goal Nottingham at the end of March. entrances symbolizing the major re­ towns and capital cities of New Zea­ The enthusiasm among the partici­ ligions. When it is finished in 1953 pants bore fruit in valuable sugges­ land and Australia. Her prominence people of all faiths will be able to as one of the outstanding workers in tions for youth work in the immedi­ worship in it." ate future. The program included a the emancipation of women in India In June Mrs. Waldman flew to the will insure ready access for her as Baha'i drama, music, dancing, talks, Fiji Islands where she has taken up discussion and a quiz. a speaker on platforms of variou s a nursing post with the New Zealand women's organizations in these Departm ent of Health. She writes en­ lands. The National Spiritual Assem­ thu siastically of her first Feast with Persian Pilgrims in Britain bly, assisted by National Committees the friends that included seven In­ The British Baha'i Community has and Local Assemblies, and in coop­ dians and one Samoan. eration with the National Spiritual been fortunate recently in receiving Assembly of India is preparing a a number of visits from Persian program for this teaching campaign. Baha'is who have made the pilgrim­ age to Haifa on their way to Bri­ tain. They have brought inspiring ac­ Interview with American Baha'i BRITISH ISLES counts of the World Center which made everyone yearn to go there. An interview with an American British National Convention Baha'i, Mrs. Else Norden Waldman, The highlight of the Convention made front-page news in the Taranki was a long detailed resolution on how 10 AUGUST, 1952

CANADA Fifth National Baha'i Convention The Brunswick Hotel, Moncton, New Brunswick, was the scene of this fifth National Convention. Six­ teen delegates and twenty-five visi­ tors were in attendance. Our tremendous future develop­ ment on the international plane was borne out by the discussion of the plans already laid down by the Guardian for the Jubilee Year. A delegate from each Province will at­ tend the Wilmette Conference and a delegate from Canada will be sent to the Conference in New Delhi, In­ dia. Our beloved Hand of the Cause, Freddy Schopflocher, gave a warm and vivid picture of his visit to Haifa which drew all present closer to the Guardian. The Ha'.?iratu'l-Quds for Canada is to be an administrative center and secretariat. Convention consultation bore out the great necessity of completing our Five Year P lan; not as an end in itself but as an essential step in the evolution of the Faith into the international plane and as a vital part of the Divine Plan. The whole tone of this Convention was one of enthusiasm; not the light, frivolous type of enthusiasm that passes with the moment but a ma­ ture, serious and sound enthusiasm based on a deep understanding of the importance of the sacred task and privilege of assisting in the exe­ cution of the Divine Plan. The words The recently completed Hazira of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha.'is of of 'Abdu'l-Baha as spoken to Howard Germany a nd Austria, located in Fran kfurt am Main, Westendstrasse 24, where the Colby Ives might well express the National Convention was held, Ap ril 25-27. The Baha'i Secretariat is housed in this feeling of all who attended, "This is 1:,uilding; there is a large a n d beautiful room for meetings, with adjacent kitchen the day for very great things." and modern equipment. The National Baha'i Library and Archives will soon be transferr ed to the Hazira. Canadian National Spirit ual Assembly Lloyd Gardener Laura Davis John Robarts Freddy Schopflocher Emeric Sala Rosemary Sala Ontario Summer School members of Ottawa University on Station CKOY. The Faith was again Rowland Estall Winnifred Harvey The Ontario Summer School will mentioned on a weekly news round­ Ross Woodman be held at Blue Mountain Lodge from August 2 to 9, with Curtis Kelsey of up over the same station. New Jersey and Rowland Estall as Teach ing in Ontario teachers. The Ontario Teaching Committee GERMANY held a regional conference May 11, in Hamilton with 60 Baha'is attend­ On the Air in Ottawa Administrative Cooperation ing. Delegates from the National Recently a member of the Ottawa Baha'i Nachrichten (the Germa Convention reported on the Moncton Baha'i community was invited to " Baha'i News") has been issued dur­ Convention. Mrs. Margery McCor­ comment on the Baha'i Faith, shar­ ing the past year as a real example mick of Evanston, Illinois, gave the ing a panel discussion with a Carle­ of Baha'i administrative coopera­ friends a most inspir ing message. ton College professor and two staff tion. The contents are prepared in BAHA'I NEWS 11 the Secretariat according to decis­ ions of the National Spiritual As­ sembly. The paper has been donated by a Baha'i, the mimeographing ap­ paratus and materials were paid for from the National Baha'i Fund. The assembling, final typing and mimeo­ graphing of the issues and their mailing is taken care of by mem­ bers of the Karlsruhe Community in a joint project, and the cost of mail­ ing for the entire year was borne by the Heidelberg Community. Thus the Baha'i Nachrichten is a model of purposeful, intelligent and self-sac­ rificing cooperation, which has con­ tributed to the strengthening and deepening of the understanding of the Baha'i administrative order.

National Spiritual Assembly of Germany The newly elected National Spirit­ ual Assembly of the Baha'is of Ger ~· many and Austria consists of the fol­ lowing members: Dr. Eugen Schmidt, Chairman Dr. Adelbert Muhlschlegel, Vice- Chairman Members of the National Spiritual Assembly of South America. Standing, left to right: Ruprecht G. Kruger, Secretary Bolivar Plaza of Ecuador; Rangvald Taetz of Montevide(), Uruguay; Edmund Mies­ Otto Hafner, Treasurer sler of Sao Paulo, Brazil; Manuel Vera of Lima, Peru; Guillermo Aguilar of Lima, Mrs. Anna Grossmann Peru. Seated, left to right: Gayle Woolson of Bucaramanga, Colombia; Eve Nicklin of - Werner Hartwig Lima, Peru; Mercedes .Sanchez of Lima, Peru; and Margot Worley of Bahia, Brazil. Dr. Heide Jager Julius Henseler Mrs. Johanna von Werthern

SOUTH AMERICA "Send Forth Throughout Thy Countries" Because of changing conditions throughout Latin America, almost all of the North American pioneers have been sent to different coun­ tries. Eve Nicklin and Margot Miessler are now located in Monte­ video, Uruguay, to h elp consolidate and stimulate the Baha'i Community there. Gayle Woolson, Corresponding Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly, is living in Bucara­ manga, Colombia, in order to help with the teaching and consolidation work in that community. Sheila Rice-Wray, who had been servng in Sucre, Bolivia, was returned to Central America at the request of their National Spiritual Assembly to work with the Baha'i Community in the Dominican Republic. Dorothy Campbell, formerly Secretary of the Publishing Committee in La Paz, Bolivia, has taken over the duties A view of the service dedicated to the Ezeiza International Baha'i School at the of Secretary of the National Teach- opening of the Convention School Session, 1S52. 12 AUGUST, 1952 ing Committee and Editor of th e Noticias Baha'is of South Ameri­ ca, in the National Office in Lima, Peru. Larry Kramer remains at his post in Quito, Ecuador; E lise Schreiber in Medellin, Colombia; Louise Gro­ ger in Punta Arenas, Chile; and Katherine Meyer in Caracas, Vene­ zuela. Toni Fillon, from Chile, is now helping with the teaching work in Caracas. Inspired by the stirring words of Dorothy Baker, Hand of the Cause of God, during the Convention in Buenos Aires, Mr. and Mrs. Juan Manuel Cacavelos of Cordoba, Ar­ Baha'i delegates and friends, with Dorothy Baker, Hand of the Cause, at the South gentina, volunteered to go anywhere American Convention in Buenos Aires, 1952. on the Continent as self-supporting pioneers. The National Spiritual As­ sembly has asked them to go to Ro­ sario, Argentina, to help the group itual Assembly sent the following earth (Stop) We recall gratefully of six believers attain Assembly telegram, to Dr. Chworowsky: opportunity given 'Abdu'l-Baha status by next April. This couple, by your 1912 Convention Chicago past middle-age, are cheerfully "To you and to your congrega­ tion the members of the National to expound divine summons to abandoning their home and business unity of race." in a climate favorable to their health Baha'i Assembly desire to ex­ in order to become members of that press grateful appreciation of the G LEANED FRO M BULLETINS AND great army of God and conquer new spiritual hospitality and fellow­ REPO RTS hearts in the service of Baha'u'llah. ship offered the Baha'is in your The following items tell us Truly they have responded to the service commemorating the for­ what is being done by some of our call, "Oh, heroes of God, mount your tieth anniversary of 'Abdu 'l-Ba­ Baha'i Communities and Commit­ steeds !" ha's address in Flatbush Uni­ tees, and are presented here to il­ tarian Church (Stop) Baha'is lustrate the various ways in which throughout America esteem and the Faith can be publicized. '------·+-- cherish your church for provid­ Anchorage and Anchorage Record­ ing a gracious occasion for 'Ab­ ing District, Alaska have cooperated du'l-Baha to promulgate the in the presentation of a series of teachings of Universal Peace" classes on Comparative Religion for NATIO NAL NEWS youth of Junior High and High School MESSAGE OF GREETING SENT age. Edgar Russell had the op­ TO NAACP CONVENTION portunity of giving a talk on brother­ hood at the Java Club of the YMCA COMMEMORATION OF Recalls Visit of 'Abd u'l-Baha in 1912 in Anchorage. 'ABDU 'L-BAHA'S VISIT The Annual Convention of th e Long Island friends have a very NAACP was held in Okl ahoma City full summer program. In addition to Flatbu sh Unitarian Church Holds in 1952 (June 24-28). The National numerous Fireside Meetings, and a Special Service Spritual Assembly was reminded of Conference Institute, they are mak­ Dr. Karl Chworowsky, Pastor of the occasion, forty years ago, when ing plans for the booth they will con­ the Flatbush Unitarian Church, is that organization held its Annual duct at the Mineola Fair (Mineola, known and loved by his many Baha'i Convention in Chicago. At that Con­ New York, Sept. 9-13). friends. On June 15 he presented a vention, 'Abdu'l-Baha spoke, sum­ Cathedral of the Pines (Located special memorial service honoring moning the delegates to strive for near Rindge, New Hampshire) the fortieth anniversary of the visit true racial unity. (P.U.P., Vol. I, p. Baha'i Service will be at 2:30 p.m. of the beloved Master to that church. 66). The following telegram was sent on August 9. The speakers will be Many Bahaa'is assembled with the by the National Spiritual Assembly, Mr. William de Forge and Mrs. Dud­ congregation to hear Mrs. Mildred to the 1952 NAACP Convention: ley Blakely. You are urged to be Mottahedeh speak on ''The Rise of "On behalf American Baha'is we there and to bring your friends as the Baha'i Faith" and Mr. William extend cordial greetings and sin­ this is a real teaching opportunity. de Forge speak on "The Personality cere wishes successful confer­ Topeka, Kansas Baha'i Center is of 'Abdu'l-Baha." There were read­ ence (Stop) Now in this perilous listed in the official bulletin issued ings from The and time, every human being worthy by the Chamber of Commerce of that Baha'i Scriptures. Mr. Charles Beh­ his divine creation, must acclaim city, in which points of interest are rens was soloist. oneness of mankind and strive included. As soon as they had been informed for nothing less than establish­ ~------"'<-- of this meeting, the National Spir- ment promised Kingdom on BAHA'I NEWS 13

Dedicated Service of speak and to show her excellent col­ NATIONAL Pioneers to Africa or slides. Before she leaves the Gold C OM M ITTE ES Coast she will have appeared before The foregoing letter, from our Be­ the important secondary schools loved Guardian to the U. S. Africa and colleges in three different cities. Committee has added deep inspira­ As this news goes to press, the Com­ THE GUARDI AN DELIGHTED TO tion and momentum to the Commit­ mittee has learned that one of the HEAR LIBERI AN NEWS tee's efforts. • waiting Baha'i pioneers has received Mrs. Marie Rice, S-ecretary an opportunity to work in the Gold Africa Teaching Committee. Coast. Plans are underway to speed Liberia up his departure, so that when Mrs. Dear Baha'i Sister: The Committee also received by Stephens leaves another Baha'i will Your letter of February 13 , 1952 cable from William Foster, our be present to carry on the work. has been received by' the beloved pioneer in Liberia, the joyful news No news from the Collisons for this Guardian, and he has instructed me that there are eight more declara­ issue. However, we know that these to write you on his behalf. He has tions in from Monrovia, bringing dear friends are at work for the also in hand the enclosures which the total number of Baha'is there to Faith they love so devotedly. you sent him. eleven! Thus the dedicated service He was delighted to hear of the of pioneer Foster and the newly de­ news in Liberia. Mr. Foster's dedica­ Committee Urges Cooperation clared Baha'is in Monrovia will as­ of the Friend z at Home tion and consecration are certainly sure the first Liberian Baha'i Assem­ beginning to bear fruit, and he feels The U. S. Africa Committee for the sure that there will be great results bly for the coming Holy Year. Lov­ ing greetings to our new Baha'is and current Baha'i year has been greatly achieved there in the future. enlarged to assure better distribution He urges your Committee to try appreciation were cabled to pioneer of the Committee functions and an to get out to Africa as many new Foster by the Committee. acceleration of the work. Regu­ pioneers during the coming year as From letters received since the lar and more frequent communica­ possible, in order to bolster the work, cable we learn that the new Liberian tions to our African Baha'is will be preparatory to the holding of the Baha'is are able and capable men assured through the activity of Mrs. Africa Conference next February. who are in Monrovia. Some of them Marie Rice, one of the Committee's In view of the fact that there come from other countries, such as secretaries. L aurence Hautz, Helena seems to be the possibility of diffi­ the Gold Coast, Sierra Leone, Ni­ Robinson, Marguerite Sears and culties arising about holding the In­ geria and Italy. Interesting reports Alassin Wurie, and Bessie Barham tercontinental Teaching Conference were given of their teaching activi­ will generate ideas and contacts for in Kampala, he urges you to keep ties. With only a limited supply of the acceleration of teaching and con­ in closest touch with the British Baha'i literature, they have planned tact work among the Africans in the Africa Committee, and to do all you meetings which reflect enthusiasm United States. Albert James, Mar­ can to cooperate with them in solv­ and good programming. Two meet­ guerite Sears, Ethel Closson and Hel­ ing any problems, as of course ings are held each week, one on ena Robinson will collaborate on get­ they are the convenors of the Con­ Wednesdays by invitation and a pub­ ting out a regular U . S. Africa Bul­ ference. lic meeting on Sundays. At a recent letin. Hazel Langrall, Marie Rice, When you write to the Collisons public meeting the Liberian friends Laurence Hautz and Ethel Closson and to Mr. Foster and to the new presented a round table and discus­ will keep the summer schools Baha'i in Liberia, please convey to sion on "The Mystery of Sacrifice" abreast of the Africa teaching work. them the Guardian's loving greet­ · as presented by 'Abdu'l Baba in one Rex Parmelee, Elsie Austin and Lud­ ings, and assure them of how delight­ milla Var.. Sombeek will work on job ed he is with the services they are of his talks printed in " the Reality of Man." Participating in this pro­ opportunities for the waiting pio­ rendering, and that he remembers gram were Messrs. Kporhanu, neers. them in his prayers. The Committee would greatly ap­ He is most happy over the work Brewe, Lattersighi, Amartey, Chap­ preciate the cooperation of the your Committee is accomplishing, man and Foster. Members of the friends in getting photographs of and feels that still more will un­ Round table were Messrs. Amagashi, Baha'i activities to share with the doubtedly be done during this com­ O'Connor and 0-Cloo. American pioneers in Africa. If you ing year. have good snapshots of activities at With Baha'i love, The Gold Coast the Temple, at the summer schools, (Signed) R. Rabbani News from the Gold Coast has in­ or other Baha'i events, won't you "May the Almighty bless you and formed us that Ethel Stephens is please let the Committee borrow your dear co-workers to aid you to missing no opportunity to present the your film or send us copies for our extend continually the range of your teachings, though she plans to be­ American pioneers? These pictures activities, and enable you to win gin her return journey to the United will help transmit the love and in­ great and memorable victories in the States in July. Mrs. Stephens writes terest to the friends far away from days to come. that she has a fireside class, and home. They will also constitute valu­ Your true brother, that one of her pupils was permit­ able teaching material and aids. If --8HOGHI ted to use a Baha'i prayer in the you h ave such things to share, please Haifa, Israel chapel of his school. Mrs. Stephens write Mrs. Marie Rice, 5925 - 14th June 5, 1952 has received many invitations to Street, North , Arlington, Virginia. 14 AUGUST, 1952

The British Africa Committee has announced plans for the speedy de­ velopment of a Baha'i nucleus in SETTLERS AND PIONEERS NEEDED Kenya. The U.S. Committee is work­ IN THE UNITED STATES NOW ing on a project to help send Amer­ "The day of the settler and pioneer in America is not over. It is icans there too. This is the next as vital as previously, if not more so." area in which our Beloved Guardian (See Leroy Ioas' letter of March 25, 1952 from Haifa in Baha' i News, wishes an Assembly. May, 1952.) Plans are also going forward on the establishment of the first East Can You Volunteer to settle or pioneer in a goal ci ty? African l:'fafiratu'l-Quds in Kampala, In your Region? In writing, please include informa­ the heart of Africa. If so, write at once to the Secre­ tion about your Baha'i experience. Members of the new British Africa tary of your Regional Teaching particularly, in what phase of the Committee are Henry Backwell, Committee. teaching work you have been most Dorothy Ferraby, John Ferraby, active. and whether you can be Constance Langdon-Davies, Rustom Outside of your Region? completely or partly self-support­ Sabit and Mehdi Samandari. If so, write at once to the secre­ ing. Members of the 1952-53 U.S. Africa tary of your Area Teaching - AMERICAN NATION AL TEAClllNG Committee are: E lsie Austin, Marie Committee. CoMMI'ITEE Rice, Bessie Barham, Mathew Bul­ lock, Laurence Bautz, Rex Parme­ lee, Rassim Wurrie, Ethel Stephens, hungry for the hospitality and fel­ Loulie Mathews, Marguerite Sears, ' lowship a Baha'i home can offer. Re­ ~· " W EL C OME TO Ludmilla Van Sombeek, Ethel Clos­ member that "one real genuine act t TH E KIN GDO M" son, Hazel Langrall, Helena Robin­ of live and kindness may confirm a son, Albert James and Amoz Gibson. soul, just as teaching or studying - -U . S. AFRICA TEACHING CoMMI'ITEE from a book.'' (Words of ' Abdu'I-Baha) A way to pioneer at home and help TIP'S FOR TEA CHING Welcome! Welcome! You are win goal IV: Establish contacts with very welcome! Why doesn't this unbelieving world American Indians who are attending come to its senses and em brace th e universities or trade schools or who . . . This is the day of Baha 'u'llah; u..TJ.ivers al Cause of Baha'u'llah? Why are living in your community. There the age of the Blessed Perfection ; don't the people enter the Faith in are about 400 ,000 Indians in the Unit­ the cycle of the Greatest Name. (PUP 205) troops? Is it just the world that is ed States and about 100,000 of them to blame or is something wrong with live off the reservations. Many young Be a living light! my methods or even with me? For people who are educated outside, re­ a splendid, stimulating dicussion of turn to the reservations to live. Praise be to God! that you have such questions, it is useful to turn Spreading the Teachings among this found eternal life from among the to Ru.Q.iyyih Khanum's "Teaching group could have far-reaching re­ dead; that is, you have heard the call Problems," an article that was first sults. of the divine Kingdom, are attracted to the Heavenly Countenance and published as an insert in Baha'i -AMERICAN NATIONAL T EAClllNG have turned your face toward the News, June 1949. This brilliant state­ COMMITTEE ment is helpful in the present teach­ Center of the Light of Truth. I hope ing crusade-EACH ONE WIN ONE. that you continue to be a living, eter­ (See Publishing announcement July, JUBILEE PUBLICITY nal light! Baha'i News) . In view of the importance of the A Heavenly Invit ation Did every one in your community Jubilee celebrations the National have an opportunity to attend one Spiritual Assembly has appointed a The Lord of the Kingdom hath in­ of the Summer Schools? If not, you Baha'i Centenary News Service com­ vited, chosen and guided you through can bring the Summer School home mittee which will prepare and dis­ His pure favor, feeding you from the by building a local teaching confer­ tribute all publicity releases con­ heavenly table of divine knowledge! ence for Baha'is around the experi­ cerning the Holy Year events. This is Know ye the value of this favor and ence of those in your community or the authentic publicity material bounty and loosen your tongues in a neighboring one who attended one which the friends are requested to praise; showing forth the power of of the sessions. This will give every use locally in every possible way. It knowledge and assurance and breath­ believer a chance to gain fresh in­ is important that all publicity re­ ing the spirit of guidance into the spiration from the suggestions and leases used throughout the country hearts of the seekers. methods of teaching given at the be based on the same information schools. and that the friends follow the sched­ A Temple of Te mples If you are a student yourself or ule suggested by the Baha'i News I ask God to make the heart of if you live in a college town you Service Committee. every one of you a temple of the Di­ can make a special effort to contact - -JUBILEE COMMITTEE vine Temples and to let the lamp of students from Hawaii, Al aska and the great guidance be lighted there- from the sparsely settled States. Stu­ in. dents away from hom e are often (Tabl ets of ' Abdu' I-Baha) BAHA'I NEW S 15

"Exert yourselves; your mission is unspeakably glorious .. "

"O ye aJJOstles of Baha'u'llah! May my life be sacrificed for you! . . . Behold the portals which Baha'u'llah hath opened before you! Consider how exalted and lofty is the station you are destined to attain; how unique the favors with which you have been endowed." . .. "The full measure of your success is as yet unrevealed, its significance still unapprehended. Erelong ye will, with your own eyes, witness how brilliantly every one of you, even as a shining star; will radiate in the firmament of your country the light of Divine Guidance, and will bestow upon its p eople the glory of an everlasting life." . . . "Exert yourselves; your mission is unspeakably glorious. Should success crown your enterprise, America will assuredly evolve into a center from which waves of spiritual power will ema nate, and the throne of the Kingdom of God will, in the plenitude of its majesty and glory, be firmly established." - 'Abdu 'l-Baha (quoted in "The Advent of Divine Justice," p . 52). r' 16 AUGUST, 1952 STUDENTS TOUR TEMPLE CALENDAR O F EV ENT S

Feasts: August 1-Kamal, Perfection 20-Asma', Names September 8-'Izzat, Might 27-Ma~iyyat, Will National Spiritual Assembly Meetings : August 29 , 30, 31, and Sept. 1. October 3, 4 and 5. Summer School Sessions: Geyserville-June 21-August 29, 1952 Louhelen--June 29-August 29, 1952 International School-July 5-Aug­ ust 15, 1952 Green Acre-July 7-August 29, 1952

·········1 MARRIAGES On Jµ.ne 18, 1952, fourteen buses brought 600 students and teachers to the Baha'i House of Worship. They were delegates and sponsors from the National Association of Student Councils who were holding their National Conference in Eva.nston. Glory be unto Thee, 0 my God! Verily, this thy servant and this Thy 48 states and Hawaii were represented in the Na.tional Association of Student Councils tour. An example of the interest and enthusiasm shown is expressed in the maid-servant have gathered under comment of a guest: "This trip to the Baha'i Temple has made my coming to this the shadow of Thy mercy and the Confot·ence outstandingly worthwhile!,. are 1.mited thrn1igh Thy favor and. generosity. 0 Lord! Assist them in Mrs. Maude Lacey, Madison, Wis. , this Thy world and Thy Kingdom IN MEMORIAM April 26, 1952 and destine for them every good Mrs. Mabel Kelsen, Albuquerque, through Thy bounty and grace . . . N. M., (Date not reported) - 'ABDU'L-BAHA Death proffereth unto every con­ Three Rivers, Mass., Miss Barbara fident believer the cup that is life Norman (non-Baha'i) to Mr. indeed. It bestoweth joy and is the NEW PUBLICATIONS Thomas Greenway, May 31, 1952 bearer of gladness. It conferreth the Los Angeles, Calif., Miss Devora Ann gift of everlasting life. Costanten to Mr. Leslie Dean -BAHA'u'LLAH The Hidden Words of Baha'u'llah Turner (non-Baha'i) June 19, 1952 Mrs. Mary Snider, Peoria, Ill., May has been reprinted with an Introduc­ Muskegon, Mich., Miss Kathleen 26, 1952 tion by George Townshend. (paper Duff to Mr. Ronald V. Versalle Mr. William Francis Haig, Bauxite, binding, .40; Maroon Fabrikoid, $1) (non-Baha'i) October 6, 1951 Arkansas, June 4, 1952 - BAHA'I PUBLISHING COMMITrEF. Muskegon, Mich., Miss Barbara Duff Mrs. Emilie Baxley, Oakland, Calif., 110 Linden Avenue to Cpl. Milton W. Voorhies (non­ April 29, 1952 Wilmette, Illinois Baha'i) November 11, 1950

BAHA'I NEWS is published by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States. Copies are sent without charge to Baha'is throughout the United States, and to Baha'i administrative bodies in other lands. Its purpose is to keep members of the Faith informed of international, national and local Baha'i developments, and serve as an organ for the distribu­ tion of messages written by the Guardian of the Faith, the International Baha'i Council, and the general announcements pre­ pared by the American National Spiritual Assembly. Reports, plans, news items and photographs of general interest are requested from national committees and local assemblies of the United States as well as from National Assemblies of other lands. Material is due in Wilmette on the first day of the month preceding the date of issue for which it is intended. BAHA' I NEWS is edited by an annually appointed Editorial Committee. The Committee for 1952-1953: Mrs. Eunice Braun Chairman, Mrs. Gaylord Christensen, Mr. William C. Henning, Miss Farrukh Ioas. Editorial Office: 110 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois, U.S.A. Change of Address should be reported directly to National Baha'i Administrative Headquarters, 536 Sheridan Road, Wilmette, Illinois, U.S.A.