NO. 306 BAHA'I YEAR 113 AUGUST, 1956

GUARDIAN'S SUPPLEMENTARY MESSAGE TO THE FOUR AFRICA CONVENTIONS, APRIL 1956

At this historic hour, marking the opening of the third National Administrative Headquarters has been estab­ phase of the global Spiritual Crusade so courageously lished in each one of its four pivotal centers, while three undertaken by the followers of the Faith of Baha'u'llah, Temple sites situated within its confines have been re­ I hail the convocation of the four epoch-making Baha'i cently purchased, on one of which the Mother Temple Conventions now being held in the African Continent. of Africa is soon to be erected. My heart brims with joy and my soul is uplifted with The Concourse on high cannot but laud such remark­ thankfulness as I contemplate on this auspicious occa­ able, soul-stirring exploits. The Captain, guiding from sion, the magnificent feats which have been accom­ His throne of glory in the Abha Kingdom the march of plished in recent years over the entire length and breadth the army of Baha'u'llah's Crusaders, undoubtedly ap­ of a rapidly quickening continent, feats which, in their plauds the fidelity, the valour, the zeal and the perse­ range, number, quality and swiftness, have eclipsed verance of the executors of His Design, while the Found­ the signal victories which have distinguished the cam­ er of the Faith Himself, the wellspring of the energizing paigns successively launched in the Continent of Europe influences nourishing the lives, and sustaining the ac­ and in Latin America. tivities, of these Crus aders, confers His benediction upon, and lays up treasures for, those who have so con­ C ontinent Boasts Many Supporters spicuously contributed to the glory and honor of His Name. This vast, highly receptive, spiritually famished and long down-trodden continent-the nest of the Negro race. I feel impelled, on so memorable an occasion, to pay a constituting so large a proportion of the world's popula­ warm and heartfelt tribute to the Hand of the Cause ap­ pointed for the African Continent ; to the members of tion-which was first opened, in an hour of trial and adversity, in the lifetime of Baha'u 'llah; whose south­ the British, the American, the Persian. the Indian, the Egyptian and the Iraqi National Spiritual Assemblies; to ern fringes were, during the last epoch of the Heroic the members of the African Auxiliary Board; to the nu­ Age of the Faith, illuminated by the rays of a divinely merous a ssemblies, committees and pioneers who have, established Covenant ; on whose northern shores the singly and collectiv ely, contributed in such a large meas­ standard of Baha'i emancipation has been hoisted and ure to the expansion of so colossal an enterprise, and the struggle for the recognition of the independent char­ who have had so decisive a share in directing its course, acter of the Revelation of Baha'u 'llah has commenced-­ in stimulating its unfoldment, and in consolidating its such a continent now boasts, by virtue of the dynamic foundations. influence exerted by a rising divinely conceived Order, and the propelling forces generated by a world-embrac­ Assemblies W ill Lend Impetus ing, three-year-old Spiritual Crusade, over three thou­ I cannot but feel confident that the emergence of four sand avowed supporters, five-sixths of whom belong to regional National Spiritual Assemblies, as a result of the Negro race, scattered throughout more than fifty the deliberations of the delegates attending these four territories and islands, and residing in over four hun­ Baha'i Conventions-Assemblies designed to pave the dred localities . Representatives of no less than one hun­ way for the erection of the pillars which must support dred and forty of its tribes have, moreover, enlisted un­ the future Universal House of Justice - will, by en­ der the banner of the Faith. Over a hundred and twenty abling the activities of the Faith to be directed and co­ Baha'i local assemblies are already functioning through­ ordinated from within the Continent itself, lend a tre­ out its territories. Into more than fifty of its indigenous mendous impetus to the progress and eventual fruition languages Baha'i literature has been and is being trans­ of the stupendous undertaking launched from coast to lated. The process of incorporating the newly formed coast through the concerted and systematic efforts of local assemblies has furthermore been inaugurated. A the followers of the Faith of Baha'u 'llah. 2 AUGUST, 1956

I call upon these Regional.National Spiritual Assemblies to celebrate ''Fervently Praying Great Victories" their birth, and signalize the open­ ing of the third phase of this World Dear Baha'i Friends : Spiritual Crusade, through the for­ mulation of four subsidiary Seven­ The beloved Guardian on June 22 cabled the NSA: "Fervently praying Year Plans, designed to multiply the great victories (on) home front. Appeal (to) entire community (to) arise, number of the avowed supporters of participate (and) insure attainment (of) goals." the Faith and of the isolated centers, His prayer for great victories, and his appeal, are not directed primari­ groups and local Assemblies; to con­ ly to Assemblies and Committees but to every individual Baha'i. Shoghi solidate the work already achieved Effendi has brought all of us within the realm of his spiritual influence, in the newly opened virgin territo­ and made each one of us responsible for participation and assuring suc­ ries within the confines of that Conti­ cess in winning the goals set for the home front. nent and in its neighboring islands; to initiate the institution of the Na­ Baha'i institutions have their essential and important functions to carry tional Baha'i Fund; to stimulate the out, for example in defining particular goals for a particular period, co­ twin processes of establishing Baha'i ordinating the efforts of individual Baha'is, of communities and of groups, endowments and of incorporating and supplying both information and material; but it is the resolution of local spiritual assemblies; to hasten individual Baha'is which endows the institutions with power to act. the construction of the first Ma@­ riqu'l-A

1. Local and National Baha'i Properties Orders were issued some months ago by the Prime Minister and the Minister of the Interior that the Baha'i administrative centers throughout the provinces were to be l//11111111 restored to their Baha'i caretakers, 11111111111 but this action was made contingent on assurance from the Baha'i care­ takers that these properties would not be used for Baha'i meetings. Moreover, of the eighty properties seized by the government last year only thirteen have been turned back to the Baha'i owners. The reason for non-action in the case of the remain­ FERRINI , VINCENZA ing sixty-seven Baha'i properties is Photograph of the recently completed tympanum of the east facade of the Inter­ that civil officials disapproving the national Baha'i Archives Building, Haifa. The central part, shown open in the order have so far failed to carry it photograph, will contain the monogram of the Greatest Name, from which golden out. rays depart in all directions. There are three acroteria over one meter high, one placed in the middle and two at the extremes, and forty antefixes. The rear tym- In this connection the Baha'i In­ panum is identical, minus the Greatest Name. ternational Community emphasizes the fact that the severe conditions joint corporation under government from their teachers and school su­ imposed upon the custodians of the supervision. Their employees are perintendents that Muslim children thirteen local properties continue now obliged to fill out a form which are instigated to join the persecu­ the policy of deliberate effort to ex­ provides a blank for their religious tors of the franian Baha'is? For re­ tirpate the Baha'i Faith in fran. affiliation. Here, likewise, the ligious prejudice is not innate in the As for the large and imposing na­ Baha'is are being dismissed from soul of man-it is always the result tional Baha'i Center in '.j:'ihran, their jobs. of indoctrination. whose beautiful dome was destroyed C. While franian Baha'is are de­ in 1955, this building is still occupied nied freedom of speech and access 3. Economic Penalties , by the Military as their official head­ to the press, their fanatical enemies quarters. Our information discloses an intol­ are allowed complete liberty to pub­ erable condition for Baha'is in their lish false accusations, calumnies and business affairs, a condition ap­ 2. Harsh Penalties Imposed on insults concerning the Baha'i Faith proaching the appalling crime of Individual Baha'is and the Baha'i community. There is genocide. That it is still illegal to accept and no tribunal to which the Baha'is can For example, in a village not far practice the tenets of the Baha'i appeal and submit their evidence and from Isfahan where there are some F' aith in fran is demonstrated by proof. The franian Baha'is are actu­ two hundred or more Baha'i adults these specific instances: ally a "stateless people," "untouch­ and their children, the Islamic mul­ A. Baha'is employed in govern­ ables" as it were, in a country las prevent all other villagers from ment departments including the Min­ which has officially registered its conducting customary commercial istry of Roads, the Ministry of Post acceptance of the principles upheld transactions with Baha'is. The gov­ and Telegraph and the Ministry of by . ernment-operated oil stations will not Education are dismissed from serv­ D. The police have been ordered sell them oil for heat and light. ice or suspended. These employees by the Ministry of the Interior to Non-Baha'is collect debts from are compelled to fill out a Personnel prevent the Baha'is from observ­ Baha'is, but Baha'is cannot collect Card which calls for their religious ing their Holy Days. In some locali­ debts from others. affiliation, and those who name ties Baha'i shopkeepers are not per­ Baha'i farms and orchards are not Baha'i as their religion are severely mitted to close their shops on these safe from depredation. The police penalized. days, an unprecedented restriction. collaborate with those who instigate B. In '.j:'ihran alone several score E. Tragic to state, Baha'i children mob:;; to overrun Baha'i farms and Baha'is work as bus drivers, con­ attending schools in some parts of orchards. The local bank gives no ductors or ticket collectors. The pri­ fran are subjected to ridicule and credit to Baha'i firms. vate bus companies are uniting as a contempt by their classmates. Is it ·- NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY 4 AUGUST, 1956

PRAY FOR OUR SUFFERING BRETHREN EXPLAIN PROVISIONS IN IRAN, NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ASKS FOR TAX DEDUCTIONS . Actin g on the recommendation of The National Spiritual Assembly, nation-wide prayer, the National the Forty-Eighth Annual Convention, deeply moved by the oppressive Spiritual Assembly designates the the National Spiritual Assembly has conditions still suffered by the Ba­ Nineteen Day Feast of August 20, prepared the following summary of ha'is in fran, invites the believers celebrated between sunset on August income tax considerations related to throughout the United States to unite 19 and sunset on August 20. As to contributions and bequests to the in prayers to Baha'u'llah for the re­ the prayer or prayers, the Tablet of Baha'i Faith. moval of their burdens and the AJ:i.mad is suggested, but th e selec­ Under the federal income tax pro­ achievement of their spiritual free­ tion is left to the discretion of the visions, a citizen can deduct from dom and rights. friends in each community or group. his income the amount he has do­ May our hearts be imbued with -NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY nated to religious and other recog­ loving concern for these fellow­ nized humanitarian bodies up to a believers residing in the land where total of 30 per cent of his income the Faith of God was first pro­ 28 ST ATES RECOGNIZE for th e year. Thus, donations to the claimed, the Bab was cruelly slain, BAHA'I MARRIAGES National Baha'i Fund or to the treas­ Baha'u'llah was imprisoned and the Up to April 21, 1956, a total of 28 urer of a local Assembly give the blood of the martyrs was poured States (including Territories of benefit of this deduction to the forth in sacrifice to consecrate th eir Alaska and Hawaii, and the District Baha'i taxpayer. Donations to a re­ souls to God. of Columbia) have recognized the ligious body located outside the That the land of Persia, and the authority of one or more local As­ United States are not deductible. city of '.j.'ihran, have a special des­ semblies to conduct a legal Baha'i While state statutes differ in re­ tiny to fulfill in this Promised D ay marriage. All incorporated Assem­ gard to bequests, and an attorney was attested by Baha'u'llah in blies which have not received this should be consulted in preparation of Gleanings, pages 196, 219, 305, 104, authority ar~ expected to apply for a will and testament by a Baha'i, 110, 120, 121 and 228. it so that Baha'is in the vicinity may federal estate taxes exempt religious In order to set a definite time and h ave a Baha'i ceremony. bequests, and most if not all states an appropriate occasion for this -NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY also exempt them from inheritance taxes up to a certain proportion of the estate. It is very important in providing for a Baha'i bequest to designate very accurately the reli­ gious character of the body receiv­ ing the bequest. For example: "National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States, the na­ tional administrative body of the Baha'i religion in the United States, whose principal office is located at Wilmette, County of Cook, Illinois." - NATIONAL SPIRlTUAL ASSEMBLY

UNITED NATIONS DAY All local Assemblies wishing to join in the nation-wide ob­ servance of United Nations Day on October 24, 1956, are requested to appoint a membei,­ of the Assembly or community to serve as U.N. Day Corre­ spondent so that information and materials prepared by this Committee may be forwarded without delay. Please send the name and address of the Cor­ respondent to the following ad- dress before August 20, 1956: Mrs. Lee Blackwell 30 Grace Avenue Newly acquired Haziratu'l-Quds of the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada at Great Neck, L.I., N.Y Toronto, purchased on May 10, 1956. The dedication ceremonies will be held on -NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY September 30. l BAHA'I NEWS 5

the Cause of God, Dr. Herman of others are taken naturally, but Grossmann, who had so graciously the public expects Baha'is to be per­ accepted the invitation to speak on fect. This gives a tremendous respon­ this special occasion. sibility to every believer. In this same way, even ~a?iratu ' l-Quds are The recorded music of a Bach different from other buildings!" Europe Brandenburg Concerto filled the CEREMONIES DEDICATE room, while the singing of the birds Center Is First Step through the open windows mingled HAZiRATU'L-QUDS with the melodic beauty of the He spoke of the fact that " This Concerto. building was the beginning of the AT THE HAGUE realization of the establishment of The dedication of the ~a?iratu'l­ Special prayers and readings from our own national body, and that it Quds in The Hague, Holland, took the Baha'i Writings were read in would depend upon our own efforts place on May 20, 1956, at 9:30 A.M., French, German, and Dutch. as to how long it would take. The preceding the opening of the Benelux Then Dr. Grossmann arose, and acquisition of the ~a ?irat'l-Quds is Conference. About 70 Baha'is at­ with his face beaming with love, the first step. Baha'is know this, but tended, representing nine countries. spoke of the great significance of to the public it is our National Cen­ When they entered the rooms, all this building. He said that these ter. So at present we must not think were deeply moved by the beauty ~a?iratu ' l-Quds are buildings made it is only a small building in The which met their gaze. The sun of brick, made by man, but never­ Hague. It is different. The non­ streamed through the windows, and theless they are different. Baha'i world expects the Baha'is to great branches of Japanese cherry make it a real Baha'i Center. blossoms overhung the scene, giving Significance of Center " There are many many people in the atmosphere the breathless qual­ " They are institutions given by the world who expect Baha'is to save ity of Spring. God through the mouth of the Man­ humanity. We shall enter this house Huge bowls of tulips, every species ifestation. That is why they are dif­ in the proper spirit and dedicate our imaginable, were placed on tables, ferent from other buildings. But the knowledge and love for the sake of the floor, and the mantel. At the Spirit can only come into this build­ humanity, because God wishes this." speaker's table a low, wide-spread ing if we are ready to accept the Dr. Grossmann related in detail floral arrangement of sweet peas fact that these ~a?iratu'l-Qud s are the many interesting stories in con­ filled the air with fragrance. different from other buildings . . . nection with the purchase of the and it is our responsibility to see temple site in Germany. One of the Opening Greetings that they are different. clergy had said, "Christianity is in The dedication services opened " There are few Baha'is in the danger because 600 Baha'is are with a greeting from Mr. Beets, ex­ world compared to other groups. But building a temple!" pressing gratitude for the presence these few are known throughout the Professor Zeine-Zeine followed Dr. of so many who had come so far, world to be different. If Baha'is do Grossmann to the speaker's table. and for the lovely gifts and flowers. something, it is different than if He apologized in his charming way He greeted especially the Hand of others do . . . for the shortcomings for presuming to add "his footnote

Baha'is attending the Italo-Swiss Convention held in Bern, Switzerland, April 28-30, 1956. 6 AUGUST, 1956 talk to the so-inspiring one of Dr. Grossmann." Meaning of Hazlratu'l-Quds He also spoke of the fact that these Haziratu'l-Quds are buildings dif­ ier~nt from other buildings. He said, "l:Ia?-ira in Arabic would mean an enclosure to keep sheep, or to pro­ tect them from wolves. El-Quds means sanctified, a spiritual for­ tress. That is the spirit in which we should enter these buildings, and we should give thanks to all those who have made it possible." He quoted 'Abdu'l-Baha : "Lift up your heads above the present; look with eyes of faith into the future. Rejoice and be glad that this day is First Local Spiritual Assembly of Monterrey, Mexico, formed on here. Try to realize its power. God April 21, 1956. has crowned you with honor. Verily, the light thereof shall brighten the whole world." The dedication services closed with found on page 13 of this issue of tion of the New Era. They were able prayers. The last note of beauty BAJ-IA'f NEWS. to comprehend what they read, and came when the sweet strains of a In the area under the jurisdiction hated for dusk to come when the prayer chanted by a young Persian of the National Spiritual Assembly of reading had to be discontinued so girl filled the air with its melody. Central America, including the An­ that we could return home. tilles, the following cities elected - ELEA-""fOR HOLLIBAUGH "A lowly servant, who can neither new local Assemblies on April 21, read or write, finally confesses to Western Hemisphere 1956: David, Panama; Puntarenas, you that she loves 'Abdu'l-Baha's pic­ Costa Rica; La Lima, Honduras; ture, stands before him when she is EVERY GOAL OPENED, Santa Ana, El Salvador; El Quiche, depressed, and prays to him to help WHTC ANNOUNCES Guatemala; Monterrey, Mexico; St. her (before she has even been told Marc and Cap Haitien, Haiti; and who he is). She recognizes his Another victory of the World Cru­ Hamilton, Bermuda. strength and greatness, and she asks sade has been achieved with the re­ you about him. It is then you realize cent announcement of the Western There are now 30 local Spiritual why you were sent to your particular Hemisphere Teaching Committee Assemblies and 13 groups in Central goal city. You are able to sort out that every virgin goal in the Western America and the Antilles. your few Spanish words, and with Hemisphere has been opened to the Pioneer Letters pantomime you are able to tell this Baha'i Faith. The Crusader has published a se­ daughter about 'Abdu'l-Baha, the Ex­ "The army of pioneers has helped lection of letters from these pio­ emplar. The unquestioned love and to make these new conquests for neers that reflects the dedication acceptance of these beautiful truths Baha'u'llah," the Committee's pub­ and faith of these servants of Baha'­ by the illiterate servant and daugh­ lication, The Crusader, states. " To­ u'llah, excerpted as follows: ter makes you 'sit on a cloud' when day, the army in the Western Hem­ you realize that you were granted isphere stands at 140 pioneers and The Neffs, Guatemala the privilege of telling in a foreign 3 youths. " It is difficult to put into wor<'l s language the Message of Baha­ "With each passing month, the our deep thankfulness to Baha'u'llah 'u'llah." army grows . .The prayers of the for being allowed this blessed privi­ Guardian and the new victories are le.i:e of serving in this way. We felt Emma Lawrence, Costa Rica releasing a new sense of dedication, extremely useless at first, but then "The Baha'i Center in this town new ideas, and new actions." Baha'u'llah gave us the opportunity is at last a r eality, and Brotherhood Other World Crusade achieve­ every Saturday afternoon to teach Week was observed there. It is amaz­ ments include an increase of 150% English for one hour to a new be­ ing how seat s, benches, a table, and in the number of local Spiritual liever and his family, and then the an oil lamp have materialized out of Assemblies in Alaska, and a total of Baha'i Faith for one hour. How did thin air. Our contacts are still with 15 newly formed local Assemblies we do it, knowing only a half dozen us at the new place, and I have a throughout the Western Hemisphere, Spanish words? Simple, when God feeling that the Faith is on the point as follows: Key West, Florida, 1; shows you how. of breaking out all over town. There Alaska, 2; Antilles, 2; South Amer­ "They wanted to teach us Spanish seems to be new contacts at every ica, 3; and Central America, 7. for the English lessons, so - an in­ meeting . . . sometimes they do not Statistics on the growth of the spiration on high together we attend the next, but soon they show Faith in South America will be would read aloud the Spanish edi- up again." BAHA'I NEWS 7

Rezsi Sunshine, Bolivia Pacific Islands under their super­ HONG KONG PIONEERS "I am happy . .. the doors to the vision. REPORT ACTIVITIES teaching are open: radio stations, In the Gilbert and Ellice Islands, newspapers, etc. I am busy almost opened by the arrival of Mr. and Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Y. Seto, every moment. There are officially Mrs. Roy Fernie in March 1954, 123 American pioneers in Hong Kong, two public meetings at my house a native believers have enrolled. Four have sent a very interesting report week, all advertised in newspapers local Spiritual Assemblies were of their activities during the first and on the radio. Besides this, I give elected on April 21 this year, and six months of this year, which is private lessons in homes, for those five groups have been formed. The summarized as follows: who cannot come to the meetings. local Spiritual Assembly of Tuarabu As a result of a series of infor­ And there are the Indians. I am to is officially registered and recog­ mal meetings, firesides and study visit four villages of Indians once nized by the British Colonial Gov­ classes, four new Baha'is were en­ every week, give English lessons ernment. rolled, bringing the community mem­ free, and teach the Faith. Mrs. Fernie and the first Gilbert­ bership to twelve, two of whom "Let me assure you of this: I ese believer, Mr. Peter Kanere, have were under the age of twenty-one would not exchange one hour of my almost completed translating a col­ pioneering in Bolivia for a year of lection of the Baha'i prayers, Hidden years. Thus, it was possible to form all that the Queen of England's pomp Words, and excerpts from the Writ­ the first local Spiritual Assembly and glory can offer." ings of 'Abdu'l-Bahci. Additional pi­ of Hong Kong this year. oneers are urgently needed to help Mrs. Seto has made many fine con­ Ruth Yancey, Honduras with the teaching work. tacts for the Faith through her ac­ "Any doubts which I may have en­ The Marshall Islands, vacated for tivities with the United Nations As­ tertained before my arrival have several months when it became nec­ sociation. She was chairman of one been completely erased. This is the essary for Mrs. Marcia Stewart At­ of their public meetings during UN most wonderful experience in my water to leave, now have another Week in October, and was asked to life, and I can't thank Baha'u'llah Baha'i pioneer in the person of Mrs. serve as chairman of its social com­ enough for granting me the privilege Betty Klaas, a believer from mittee. A tea given by Mr. and Mrs. of contributing some infinitesmal Honolulu. Seto in January for a number of the part to this Great Spiritual Drama." The Tuamotu Archipelago, where Association members turned into a the famous raft "Kon Tiki" ended Asia its adventurous voyage on the coral complete Baha'i meeting at which reefs of the Island of Raroia, now Mrs. Seto spoke of the Faith and pre­ ENROLL MANY BELIEVERS claims three native believers. They, sented pamphlets to all of the guests. IN PACIFIC ISLANDS together with the Baha'i pioneer, Mr. She was later requested to record Through the Asian Teaching Com­ Jean Sevin, are actively teaching in this talk for possible broadcast over mittee of Central America we have some one hundred of four hundred the local radio. received interesting news of the islands in this South Pacific group. On April 7 the Setos were guests at progress of the teaching work in the -AsIA TEACHING CoMMITl'EE another tea given by one of the mem­ bers of the United Nations Associa­ tion who is very prominent in musi­ cal circles, and on April 24 were among the thirty guests at a dinner given by the Treasurer of the Asso­ ciation in his home. Among them were prominent business men, a professor of Hong Kong University, the Commissioner for India, and sev­ eral women prominent in the cul­ tural life of Hong Kong. Mrs. Seto is also a member of the Hong Kong Council of Women, a non­ political organization consisting of women of different nationalities, all very interested in world affairs. The report concludes with the statement that Baha'i literature has been presented to the head of the Department of Oriental Studies of Hong Kong University, who received it with warm appreciation and the assurance that it would be read with great interest. First Local Spiritual Assembly of Cochabamba, Bolivia, formed on April 21, 1956. -ASIA TEAClilNG COMMrrTEE a AUGUST, 1956

ages been scattered in misery and For Christian Contacts degradation among the nations of the earth . Then, Moses continued, the Lord would regather His ancient by George Townshend people in compassion, as soon as they had learned to believe in the one true God, would establish them in peace, prosperity and honour in The following article, taken from send peace on earth: I came not to the home of their forefathers for the Baha'i JournaL, published by the send peace, but a sword'. He denied ever. But when Jesus Christ ap­ National Spiritual Assembly of the that 'the government shall be upon peared in Palestine the Jews were Baha'is of the British Isles presents His shoulder . . . to order it, and to still settled securely in the country. a point of view of interest to establish it with judgment and with Their scattering did not begin till Christians as well as Baha'is. justice, from henceforth even for after the fall of Jerusalem in the ever' (Isaiah ix, 6-7) when He said year A.D. 70. No Christian objection to the (John xviii, 36) 'My kingdom is not claims of Baha'u 'llah is made more of this world' . He disclaimed that He It is in the Baha'i Era, not the commonly or more confidently than was the 'everlasting Father' when Christian, that Moses' prophecy of the statement that the Revelation of He said 'my Father is greater than the restoration of the Jews is being Jesus Christ is final and absolute, I' (John xiv, 28) or that He was 'the fulfilled. The year 1844 is an impor­ that the Spirit of Truth came at mighty God' when He affirmed that tant date in the progress of the Pentecost or that Christ is the 'God so loved the world that He gave emancipation of the Jews and their 'Promised One of All Ages', 'the His only begotten Son' (John iii, 16). regathering into Palestine. It is the Lord of Hosts', and the object of all Yet again, Moses' great prophecy in date of the great 'Declaration of In­ the great titles, 'the mighty God', Deuteronomy xxviii, 63-68; xxx, 1-5 dependence'. The Jews ever since 'the everlasting Father', 'the Prince makes it plain that Jesus Christ is have been in the process of their of Peace', and the rest in Isaiah ix, not to be identified with him whom restoration, which will be complet­ 6, and that therefore there is no need Isaiah described in ix, 6-7, for when ed, as Moses furetold, when they or room for a further revelation or the Restorer of the Jews came to have learned to accept Baha'u'llah a new prophet, whether Baha'u'llah earth Moses predicted He would find as their true Messiah. or any other. that the kingdom of the Jews had All these commonly made objec­ But no objection is more easily been utterly destroyed in Palestine, tions to the Faith of Baha'u'llah are refuted from the pages of the Bible that it had been plucked out of the merely human traditions which it is itself than is this. The followers of land, and that the Jewish people for impious to accept when they contra­ every world religion (except that of their sins and crimes had for long dict the word of God itself. Baha'u'llah) claim finality: without being able to give any proof of it. Christ, however, says positively, 'Other things I have to say unto you , but ye cannot bear them now,' thus revealing in one breath that His teaching is neither final nor abso­ lute, but is measured to the capacity of the hearer, and that more is to follow. There is nothing in history to indicate either that the Spirit of Truth spoke to the disciples at Pen­ tecost or that the Christian Church­ es have since then been guided unto all truth. Christ Himself never made the assertion that He was the 'Promised One of All Ages' or 'the Lord of Hosts' ; nor did any of the apostles, nor indeed is it to be found in the Bible. Peter's mighty declaration of faith on which the Christian Church is built (Matthew xvi, 16) is simply that 'Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God' . Furthermore, Jes us expressly denied that He was the 'Prince of Peace' when he said (Matthew x , 34), 'Think not that I am come to Group of the Baha'is of Tuarabu Village, Gilbert Islands. 9 BAHA'I NEWS live according to the Covenant. The fear of God has disappeared as a de­ terrent from wrong action. The his­ torians of Christendom write on the same basis as d id those of Greece and Rome; as Herodotus or Livy or Tacitus, Edward Gibbon or Macau­ lay, Grote and Lecky and the rest, with the world historians and the na­ tional historians and continental his­ torians-all treat history as a merely secular affair. None of them is able to see any meaning or plot or prog­ ress in the pattern of human hap­ penings. Some of them confess and comment on this inability. " I can see", says one of the most learned of CINEPHOTO-N ICE them all, H . A. L Fisher, in his His­ Local Spiritual Assembly of Nice, France, elected on April 21, 1956. tory of Europe, "only one emergency following upon another as wave fol­ lows upon wave, only one great fact with respect to which there can be no generalizations, only one safe note for the historians ; that he should rec­ ognize in the development of human From this fantastic delusion that but which has not taken form on destinies the play of the contingent Christ Jesus is not only the Son of earth yet. A Bible Prophecy (of, say, and the unforeseen''. God but also the Father in heaven Isaiah's) is not merely a prediction; And religious history and church it is a true vision of something quite has flowed another consequence, not history-are they not from the Cove­ real which th e prophet's seership en­ the less mortal, perhaps, because it nant point of view, secularized too? is often overlooked altogether by ables him to oversee. both pew and pulpit. The broad result has been that not When Jesus, the Son of God, is only the Covenant but the role of God identified with the Father the Cove­ It has secularized human history himself has disappeared from mod­ nant is fulfilled. The Great One for centuries past, and has materi­ ern history. For all who read in promised is come. The Covenant has alized and demoralized the whole at­ schools and college the works of his­ no longer a place in the progress of mosphere of Western action. torians, life is secularized. mankind. History begins to follow a The way in which such a result has new principle. In the time of Moses Meantime the Covenant of God pro­ come about is as follows: and of Christ there was among all true ceeds upon it course as declared by The Old Testament reveals human monotheists only one kind of history. the Bible. Mankind moves upon his history as being concerned not only God through His Covenant designed appointed road towards the King­ with Man but with Man and God too; and carried out the destinies of man. dom. Unseen by the secular his­ and with God as no secondary figure. Now in this Christian era there ap­ torian, and by every reader who ac­ God is the creator, man his creature ; pears another kind of history. The cepts his point of view, Jesus Christ God is master and man his servant; dictionary distinguishes "sacred his­ is succeeded by Mul).ammad, Mul).am­ God is all dominant, man has to tory'', which deals with the events mad by the Bab, the Bab by the Lord learn to obey and submit. in the Bible narrative, from "secular of Hosts, the Everlasting Father him­ history", which deals with events self; and Christendom at last has These two figures are bound to­ since Bible times. In "secular his­ come to a dead end and finds itself gether by the terms of an inescap­ tory" the Covenant is dropped. God lost. No secular historian can explain able covenant which really consti­ is no longer dominant, acting the the crisis or bring comfort. Sacred tutes the shaping, directing, driving major part of the story as all-power­ history alone can solve the enigma. force of all history. It enshrines a ful, the judge and arbiter of men and The Bible holds the key. But the only promise that God will one day give kings and nations. God is no longer people who can trace the real course to mankind the supreme blessedness the omniscient, the omnipotent de­ Jf the Covenant are those who (as the of a redeemer who shall be the ever­ signer of events and of their out­ Baha'is) have not misidentified lasting Father, the mighty God, come; He is no longer the jealous, Christ with the Father, but in simple watchful overlord, the King of kings on the performance of certain Faith have regarded all history as who rewards or punishes his vassals, conditions. sacred history, as ruled by the ever­ condemns them or acquits, deposes We are shown through the prophets or exalts according to His own will lasting covenant, as designed, di­ of Israel definite glimpses of what and determination. On the contrary, rected and controlled by the change­ the Kingdom will be like-glimpses events are estimated on a purely hu­ less will of the one omniscient and of something which has really al­ man basis. Kings, governments and omnipotent God who is the creator of ready happened in th e eternal world, statesmen no longer seek to act and all and the Master of all. 10 AUGUST, 1956

mir alty, Loyalty, and Cocos Islands ; and in the following consolidation goals: New Caledonia, Bismark Archipelago, Papua, and Fiji Islands. Translations have been made into the following languages: Kusaie (two prayers and the pamphlet produced by the American Indian Service Committee), Lifu (Principles of the Faith) , Marquesas (the French pamphlet L'Appel Mondial de Baha'­ u'll

on various objectives called for in NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY the Guardian's letter. On the second day a message was cabled to the OF NORTH WEST AFRIC.A FORMED Guardian pledging the resolve of the delegates to "exert utmost (effort) AT CONVENTION IN TUNIS (to) execute (th e) sacred wishes," expressed in the Guardian's conven­ The first convention of the Baha'is of subsidiary Seven-Year Plans tion message. To this came the of North West Africa, held in the whose nine objectives he clearly de­ prompt reply: "Deeply appreciate city of Tunis April 3 to May 1, 1956, fined, and on which the delegates resolve delegates. Supplicating brought together seventy delegates were to concentrate their delibera­ abundant blessings discharge befit­ and visitors from twenty-five terri­ tions. tingly responsibilities attain goals tories in North and West Africa to In his speech, the Hand of the plan. Deepest love." elect the first National Spiritual As­ Cause, Mr. Banani, urged all the The election of the National Spirit­ sembly of North West Africa and to delegates to ponder carefully the ual Assembly, the thrilling and ex­ establish yet another pillar for the message of the Guardian "and to citing purpose of the convention, re­ erection of the future Universal translate all their gratitude to him sulted in the election of the follow­ House of Justice. in action", by the rededication of ing members: Mr. , Mr. Enoch Olinga, Convention Sec­ themselves and the sacrifice of their Miss Elsie Austin, Mr. S. Ghadimi, retary, has prepared a very full re­ comforts ' 'for the further spiritual Mr. William Foster, Mr. Mustapha port from which the following high­ attainments which had placed the Bouchoucha, Mr. S. Riad Ruhani, lights have been gleaned. blessed continent in the forefront of Miss Valerie Wilson, Mr. Rowshan Mr. 'Abdul-Rahim Yazdi, chair­ the teaching work from the very Mustapha, and Mr. Khamiri. At the man of the National Spiritual Assem­ start of the world-girdling spiritual first meeting of this newly formed bly of Egypt and Sudan (now in­ drama launched by the entire Baha'i institution, the following officers cluded in the National Spiritual As­ World Community." Later in the were elected: Chairman, Miss Elsie sembly of North East Africa) wel­ convention, each of the friends were Austin; Vice-Chairman, Mr. Mus­ comed the delegates and the revered anointed by Mr. Banani with attar of tapha Bouchoucha; Secretary, Mr. Hand of the Cause in Africa, Mr. rose sent to him by the Guardian for Rowshan Mustapha; Treasurer, Mr. Musa Banani, who was present as the this special purpose. S. Ghadimi. Guardian's special representative. Progress of Faith The opening prayers were read in Recommendations of Committees Persian, English, and Ateso, and Messages of greetings and best Each of the six committees ap­ throughout the entire convention the wishes came from many countries, pointed to report and make recom­ business was conducted in Arabic local Spiritual Assemblies, commit­ mendations to the delegates for con­ French, Persian, English, and tees and individuals. The delegates Span~ sultation addressed itself to one or ish. Miss Elsie Austin served as con­ gave stirring accounts of the prog­ more of the nine objectives set vention chairman and Mr. Enoch ress of, and the difficulties confront­ forth in the Guardian's convention Olinga as convention secretary. ing, the Faith in their respective lo­ calities, and "fact-finding" commit­ message to the four African con­ ventions. These included considera­ Message From G uardian tees were appointed to furnish infor­ mation and to open the consultation tion of the manner in which to in- As in all Baha'i conventions, the high point was the message from the Guardian. ''While still swimming in the sea of joy, of delight and happi­ ness there came what appeared to be a thunderbolt which ... produced a splendor of light and showed the assembled delegates what lay in' their path." This was the Guardian's special supplementary message ad­ dressed to all four of the African conventions, published on page 1 of this issue of BAHA.'f NEws. After ex­ pressing his joy and thankfulness for "the magnificent feats which have been accomplished in recent years . . . over this highly receptive, spir­ itually famished and long down-trod­ den continent-the nest of the Negro race," the Guardian called upon the new-born Regional National Spiritual Assemblies to "signalize the opening of the third phase of the World Cru­ Delegates and v isitors attending the First National Convention of the Baha'is of sade" through the formulation North West Africa at Tunis. 12 AUGUST, 1956 corporate the newly formed National Assembly, opening the remaining vir­ gin territories, translations, teaching, pioneering, means for reaching the most difficult areas, and the inaugur­ ation of a National Fund. The last­ named subject was introduced by a committee that reported that "prob­ ably the only news they had to tell the convention" was their own contri­ butions to the Fund. This shining example of devotion and sacrifice "produced such a tremendously re­ verberating effect" that "tears streamed as donations rained on the table,'' including precious jewelry and pieces of rich cloth. Among the special recommenda­ tions made by the delegates was, that of the amount contributed, one­ fourth be earmarked for the erec­ tion of the Temple in Kampala and one-tenth for the African Continental Fund. The problem of literature received much consultation and it was recom­ First Regional National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of North mended that a special committee be West Africa. appointed to study the need~ of the different communities and to prepare literature suited to the particular needs of the various localities. cherished for the spread of the Faith The outstanding events of the Con­ Methods of Teaching on the continent." As they parted vention included the following: for their homes they carried in their 1. Reading of the Guardian's Con­ The committee on teaching recom­ hearts the Guardian's assurance vention Message. mended that Baha'i literature be that the "combined efforts of the 2. Report of the National Assem­ translated immediately into all five faithful" would be aided by " the bly stating the activities carried major languages of that part of the manifold blessings of Baha'u'llah" out during 1955-1956, of which the fol­ continent, with priority being given to produce " in the years to come, a lowing are cited: (a) The purchase to Spanish; that the new National harvest which will infinitely ennoble of eight Ija ~ iratu'l - Quds and nine Na­ Assembly help new believers to the record of unforgettable achieve­ tional Endowments in these coun­ overcome their fears of persecution ment associated with the rise of the tries: Panama, Costa Rica, Nica­ by supplying them with information Faith of Baha'u'llah and the estab­ ragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Gua­ about the persecutions of the early lishment of His Word in the African temala, Cuba, and the Dominican supporters of the Faith and of other Continent." Republic. (b) Establishment of nine religions, as well as with current new local Spiritual Assemblies. (c) news of persecutions of Baha'is in The announcement that nine new pio­ other territories. Itinerant teaching, Central America neers have arisen during the year. special study classes for prospective (d) Establishment of four Assemblies pioneers, and the establishment of so­ HAVANA CONVENTION and five groups in the Gilbert and cial and cultural activities as well TERMED GREAT SUCCESS Ellice Islands. as classes in sewing, reading, and writing were recommended as ways The Sixth Annual Convention of the 3. Election of the new National of increasing teaching opportunities Baha'is of Central America, Mexico, Spiritual Assembly. and activities. and the Antilles was held in the 4. Commemoration of the Feast of In consultation on the problems Hotel Plaza at Havana, Cuba, from RiQ.van, when the new Haziratu'l­ encountered by some of the pioneers April 22 to 26, 1956, and was very Quds of H avana was offici~lly inaug­ a number of very practical ideas successful. urated. This report is contained in Baha'i evolved as to how they might achieve 5. Public conference. permanent settlement on a self-sup­ News of Central America, published porting basis. by the National Spiritual Assem­ 6. Special publicity in Cien Fuegos, Throughout the entire convention bly of Central America. Cuba, including visits to the offices the delegates concentrated their ev­ A total of 33 Baha'is were present, of the two daily newspapers, the city ery thought on "ways and means including delegates and visitors, as authorities, the Chamber of Com­ through which they could fulfill the well as m embers of the Havana com­ merce, and the site of the National wishes which the beloved Guardian munity. Endowment there. BAHA'I NEWS 13

Also thanks to the contribution of $1000 for each of the ten countries in the Continent by Mrs. Amelia Collins, it was possible to buy land which will serve as the endowment for the future National Spiritual As­ semblies in Bolivia, Paraguay, Uru­ guay, Venezuela, Colombia, and land for the endowment in Chile was do­ nated by Fabienne Guillan in Lon­ coche, and for the endowment in Brazil land was donated by Leonora Armstrong.

New Assemblies, Groups It gives us great joy to announce the formation of three new Local Spiritual Assemblies in South Amer­ Baha'i community of Key West, Fla., which reached Assembly ica in April, 1956: in Huancayo, status on April 21, 1956. Two members were not present for this Peru; in Cochabamba, Bolivia; and photograph. in Ezeiza, Argentina, making a total of 25 Local Spiritual Assemblies on · the Continent. Since the Fifth Annual Convention South America Kilab-i-iqan and Norms of Baha'i Ad­ of 1955, eight new groups were ministration are being translated in­ formed in South America, in the fol­ NATIONAL ASS EMBLY to Portuguese. lowing cities: Zarate and Burzaco, LISTS YEAR'S ACTIVITIES Argentina; Santo Andre and Sao Translations Caetano, Brazil; Loncoche and The Annual Report of the National Puerto Varas, Chile; and Arequipa Spiritual Assembly of South Amer­ The pamphlet The Coming of the and Trujillo, Peru, making a total ica, summarizing the accomplish­ Messengers of God was translated of 25 groups in South America. ments of the past year, includes and published in Quechua; another many items of international interest. pamphlet, The Baha'i Faith, has been Indian Teaching Excerpts from the Report follow: translated into Quechua and will be The work done by the members of ·published soon. The Coming of the There are now Baha'is in a total the Auxiliary Board to the Ameri­ Messengers of God has been trans· of 31 isolated centers in the conti­ can Hands of the Cause is gain­ lated into Aymara and will be pub­ nent. ing importance, and the fruits of lished soon. Basic Facts About The The first fruit of the Indian teach­ their visits to the Baha'i communi­ Baha'i Faith was translated and pub­ ing work, begun this year, was ties and groups of the South Ameri­ lished in Maori in the Cook Islands, the entrance of a civilized Indian as can continent may be seen in in­ and a prayer book is being trans­ a member of the Baha'i community creased enthusiasm and dedication lated into that language. of Bahia, Brazil. A Baha'i recently to the teaching work. Margot Wor­ went to live among the Indians in ley, Gayle Woolson, Katherine Mc­ Hazfratu'l-Quds Chuquisaca, Bolivia, to give the mes­ Laughlin, and William deForge vis­ In accordance with the goals set sage, and a new Baha'i of Arequipa, ited a total of 44 localities under the by the Guardian, houses were bought Peru, has secured a teaching job in jurisdiction of this National Assem­ in the capital cities of Santiago, Puna, a region of the Peruvian high­ bly. Chile ; Asuncion, Paraguay; La Paz, lands where there are so many In­ Pu bli cations Bolivia; Buenos Aires, Argentina ; dians. Quito, Ecuador; Bogota, Colombia ; It makes us sad to think that this The following publications were Montevideo, Uruguay; and Rio de Convention (1956) is the last one in made during the year: In Spanish, Janeiro, Brazil, which will serve as which all of the Baha'is of the Conti­ The Baha'i Faith, Baha'i-A World the }:Ia?-iratu'l-Quds of the future Na­ nent will be united, but knowing that Faith, Prophecies FulfiUed, What Is tional Spiritual Assemblies of those it is a necessary step in the progress The Bahci'i Faith, Spiritual Resolu­ countries. The purchase of these of the Cause, we are looking for­ tion of Social and Economic Prob­ houses was made possible by our be­ ward with much anticipation and en­ lems, Kitcib-i-iqcin, Nor.ms of Baha'i loved Guardian's contributions of thusiasm to the two conventions Administration, and Bahci'u'llcih and $1000 for each one, the contribution which will be held in the South and the New Era; In Portuguese, Renew.. of Mrs. Amelia Collins of $1000 for in the North of South America in al of Civilization. The following each one, and the generous help of 1957. books in Spanish are in the process the National Spiritual Assembly of of revision: Baha'i Prayers, Baha'i the United States, who furnished -DOROTHY CAMPBELL Proofs, and Gleanings. The books the rest of the amount spent. Secretary 14 AUGUST. 1956

would have an Assembly by Ric;l.van or bust! We all recited the Tablet of Al)mad daily for this purpose. We stepped up the pace of our firesides, and invited Baha'is we knew ta set­ tle in Ketchikan." In March 1956 Leo Baldwin arrived from the Anchorage Recording Dis­ trict Community. A few weeks later Don Anderson, who has been com­ ing to firesides since shortly before Mrs. Mayberry's visit declared him­ self. A week later Rex King arrived from the Anchorage Recording Dis­ trict. The number of Baha'is stoad at seven, with Ric;l.van two weeks away. Several days later Mrs. Sarah "Granny" Roberts declared herself at the wonderful age of 87 years, and word came that Robin Fowler, the first per son to become a Baha'i in the Yukon Territory of Canada, planned to come tD Ketchikan to Navajo students attending the adult education class held each Saturday at the make the ninth Baha'i. The Assem­ Baha'i Indian Center in Gallup, N. Mex. Although none of these women ever at­ bly was assured. tended school, some are beginning to read English, using old school textbooks. On the night of April 20 Mrs. Joyce Combs declared herself, becoming the first Alaskan believer of the In­ In February 1954 the first pioneers, dian race, and representing two of NEW Georgine and Pat Moul, arrived in the three major tribes of Alaskan Ketchikan, attaining the first of the Indians. goals set for that year. With ten Baha'is on April 21, an A little more than twa years lat­ election was held. Afterward, one PRESS PUBLICIZES er, by Ric;l.vim 1956 , Ketchikan had of the first acts of the new Ketchikan BAHA'f INDIAN CENTER enough Baha'is to elect an Assem­ Local Spiritual Assembly was ta en­ bly . The story of the development of roll Miss Joyce Campbell as a new The Independent, a daily newspa­ this community to Assembly status believer. She is a Youth, and is not per in Gallup, N. Mex., published the in this brief period makes an excit­ only the first youth enrolled in photograph of Navajo women attend­ ing story of dedication, determina­ Ketchikan, but is a representative of ing the adult education classes at the tion and action. the third .Indian tribe of Alaska. Baha'i Indian Center there, which Ketchikan now turns to its neigh­ appears in this issue of BAHA. 'f NEws. The Mouls were joined by Mar­ bor, Juneau, hoping to assist them The picture appeared with an arti­ guerite Meyer in March 1954. She enlarge the nucleus of three Baha'is cle announcing the publication af the stayed for two months until trans­ there. In addition, several af the new Navajo booklet, A New Day Comes, ferring to Juneau. While in Ketchi­ Ketchikan believers are doing exten­ containing the translated selections kan she contacted Mrs. Vicki Jack­ tion teaching work at Metlakatla from the Baha'i Writings. A good ac­ son, and in July 1954 Mrs. Jackson Alaska, while residing there count of the purpose of the Baha'i became the first new believer en­ tempor~ arily, and local firesides hold prom­ Faith, its basic truths, and its appre­ rolled in Alaska since the start of ise of several more enrollments in ciation of the accomplishments of the World Crusade. In September the near future. various people were also included. 1954 Margaret Pirkey came to Mention was made of the English Ketchikan. The next important step in the CATHEDRAL OF THE PINES language classes, which attract Na­ MEETING HELD AT RINDGE vajos from the reservation. development of Ketchikan came in August 1955, with the visit of Flor­ The sixth annual public meeting at ence Mayberry, member of the Cathedral of the Pines Rindge KHCHIKAN ASS EMBLY Auxiliary Board of the American N. H., was held on July 14. The pro~ GAINED IN 2 YEARS Hands of the Cause. During her visit gram included organ music, read­ many peaple were contacted for the ings from the Baha'i Scriptures, an Ketchikan was designated a virgin first time, and the first newspaper address titled "One Universal goal city, along with five other Alas­ and radio publicity for the Faith Faith," and the " Prayer for all Na­ kan cities, by the Alaska Teaching was received. tians." Committee at the start of the World A letter from one of the pioneers These annual meetings are spon­ Crusade, who asked that three of the states, "About the first of the year sored by the Area Teaching Com­ six be settled before Ric;l.van 1954. 1956 our community decided we mittee for the New England States. BAHA'I NEWS 15

CHICAGO TV SHOWS NATIONAL NEWS BRIEFS FILMS OF TEMPLE WORLD CRUSADE BUDGET The Local Spiritual Assembly of Fourth Year - 1956 - 1957 Stamford, Conn., is sponsoring a se­ Residents within range of Televi­ ries of four "Connecticut Sundays for sion Station WBKB, Chicago, enjoyed Annual Budget ...... $500,000.00 Study and Sociability" during the a very unusual and interesting pro­ Total Requirements summer to which all the Connecticut gram on the Baha'i House of Wor­ May 1 to July 15 104,000.0(} Baha'is are invited. The first meet­ ship, Monday morning, June 25, dur­ Total Contributions ing was highlighted by talks during ing the regular " A.M. Show," when May 1 to July 15 82,300.00 the day by William and Marguerite Ronny Born spoke of the familiar -NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY Sears. Temple in Wilmette and presented a Baha'is of the Central Illinois area three-minute film of the interior of held their annual picnic on June 24 the auditorium. Besides excellent Thursday, June 14, 1956, ran a pho­ at Old Salem State Park. There were panoramic views of the interior of Baha'is from Quincy, Urbana, Cham­ the dome and the texts in the nine tograph of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Quigley taken in the Baha'i gardens paign, Glenwood, and Melrose Town­ alcoves, there were shots from in­ ship, Illinois, and from +ihran. Non­ side the dome and upward through at Haifa while on pilgrimage to the World Center. Baha'i guests included visitors from the ribs, views of the gardens and East Africa and Pakistan. fountains from the dome, and a con­ The Daily Journal - Gazette and cluding close-up of one of the foun­ Commercial-Star, Mattoon, Illinois, The Episcopal Church of Howard tains in operation. published on May 17, 1956, the text University, Washington, D.C., and The short commentary mentioned of the NSA statement on "The One­ the School of Religion at the Univer­ the basic teachings of the Baha'i ness of Mankind," brought to the edi­ sity of Virginia, Charlottesville, were Faith, the purpose of the Temple, tor's attention by Mr. L. Paul Harris given the principles of the Faith by its approximate cost, and the fact of that city. two Baha'is of Charlottesville, Va., that it was built by the Baha'is alone. Decatur Herald, Decatur, Illinois, recently. At the That this program was offered at in its June 6th issue reprinted the students represented the West Indies, no cost whatever to the Baha'is is Washington Post article on "Iran East Africa, Madagascar, Ethiopia, another evidence of the growing in­ Fanatics Attack Baha'is." and , as well as the terest on the part of the general The Proceedings of the Pennsyl­ United States. Both meetings brought public in the Temple and what it v ania Academy' of Science, to be pub­ forth many intelligent questions and stands for. ished in the autumn of 1956, will con­ favorable comment. tain references to Baha'i teachings The Maui, Hawaii, Baha'i commu­ on biologicaJ subjects. nity welcomed a visit from Mrs. BAHA'f IN THE NEWS Valdez Breeze, a mimeographed Bula Mott Stewart, pioneer on Molo­ newspaper published in Valdez, kai Island. At a public meeting she Wilmette Life for June 21 , 1956 Alaska, presented on May 26th, a spoke on "The Evolution of Re­ published a photograph of Mrs. Ame­ paragraph describing the Baha'i ligions," and illustrated her talk with lia Collins conducting some Baha'i teaching on a Universal Language; colored slides. Half of the audience visitors through the Baha'i gardens and on June 2nd included a state­ were non-Baha'is. in Haifa, Israel. "Mrs. Amelia E. ment by 'Abdu'l-Baha on an Interna­ San Francisco, Calif., Baha'is ob­ Collins, 121 Linden Avenue, Wil­ tional Tribunal. Ann Ashen is Busi­ mette, has returned from Haifa, Is­ served the Declaration of the Bab on ness Manager and Home Editor of May 22 with a restaurant dinner rael, where she spent the winter at Valdez Breeze. the Baha'i World Center. As vice­ followed by a talk on the significance At the meeting of Wilmette Rotary of the Day, and an Institute on president of the International Baha'i Club on June 20 , 1956 , the President Council, Mrs. Collins devotes the 'Abdu'l-Baha's Mission held at the read a letter received from the Rot­ Baha'i Center. larger part of each year to interna­ ary Club of Herzlia-Kfar Shmaria­ tional activities of the faith. Here her, Israel, containing these refer­ Eugene W. King, a Tlinget Indian she is shown ... taking some Baha'is ences to the Faith: Baha'i of Tacoma, Wash., spoke at a from New York and Karlsruhe, Ger­ " It is a great pleasure for me to public meeting there on June 6, on many, through the Baha'i gardens in inform y ou that at our meeting of "One Religion for Mankind." Mr. Haifa, Israel. The Baha'is were there May 30th the international toast was King, although blind, is regularly em­ as guests of Shoghi Effendi Rabbani, given in honour of your Club. Our ployed in the papermaking industry world head of the Baha'i faith. " guest speaker was Leroy Ioas, the and is active in Baha'i work at Ta­ Several selections from Gleanings General Secretary (Secretary-Gener­ coma Indian Hospital. have been sent to Mr. Wing Ander­ al) of the International Baha'i Faith The newly re-established Local son for use in a forthcoming book Association who delivered a very in­ Spiritual Assembly of Kansas City, containing prophecies Mr. Anderson teresting talk on the Baha'i Faith. Mo., was invited to present the prin­ has been collecting. From Baha'i Knowing that the biggest Baha'i ciples of the Faith at the home of a Writings he requested passages per­ Temple is in Wilmette we considered minister of a local Presbyterian taining to the "coming world it appropriate to raise our glasses to Church. A group of 20 young people changes." you." (signed) L. A. Bar-Gur, Chair­ were vitally interested in the discus­ Westport Town Crier & Herald, man, International Service Commit· sion, asked many questions, and re­ Westport, Conn., in its issue of tee. quested literature. Al,IGUST, 1956 16 r-·-.. ,.. -... ------....,.___.,..,.,_,,. .... ______r_. ______-, BAHA'T HOUSE OF WORSHIP AREA NEWS BU LLETINS ' CALENDAR· . Visiting Hours i The East Central States Bulletin lists 11 groups in that area that have Weekday s: ~ 0 F EVENTS . . . . ·l been adopted as . localities where 10:30 A.M.-4:30 P .M. ~-...... ·--~--·----····-- ~-----.... ----.) 7:00 P.M.-9:00 P.M. there is a good opportunity to FEASTS Sundays and Holidays: achieve Assembly status by April August 1 - Kamal (Perfection) 1957: Mishawaka and Kokomo, Ind.; 10:30 A.M.-9:00 P.M. Marysville and Pontiac, Mich.; and (Auditorium only will be open in August 20 - Asma' (Names) the evenings) Kettering, Cleveland Hts., East NATIONAL SPIRITUAL Cleveland, Hinckley Twp., Lake­ Service of Worship ASSEMBLY MEETING wood, East Olmstead, and Findlay, Sunday at 3:30 P.M., lasting until August 31 , September 1, 2, 3 Ohio. 4:15. "CHILD'S WAY" BULLETIN M EM' O RI AM. ADDRESSES LISTED IN '. Mrs. Betty Fiedler, 836 Cedar Ter­ race, Deerfield, Illinois, is the Sec­ "Death proffereth unto ever y confi· retary of Child's Way bulletin. Ad­ " Glory be unto Thee, 0 my God! dent believer the cup that is life indeed. It bestoweth joy, and is the bearer of dress all correspondence and mater­ Verily, this Thy servant and this Thy maid-servant have gathered under the gladness. It conferreth the gift of ever­ ials for Child's Way to Mrs. Fiedler. shadow of Thy mercy and they are lasting life." Mail requests for subscriptions to united through Thy favor and generosity. -BAHA'u'LLAH Miss Banu Hassan, 1244 Maple Ave­ 0 Lord! Assfat them in this Thy world Mrs. Lois Coe nue, Wilmette, Illinois. and Thy Kingdom and destine for them Quincy, Illinois every good through Thy bounty and April 9, 1956 I I . grace " BAHA ' I -BAHA'u'LLAH Mrs. Florence Bauer Muskegon, Michigan Maui, Hawaii: Miss Barbara Morione ,PUBLISHING T RU ST May 21 , 1956 Ellms to Mr. Edmund Dover on May 19, 1956. Mrs. Margaret Morris The Baha'i World, Vol. XII, 1950- Seattle, Washington 1954. Contains nearly 1,000 pages of Los Angeles, California: Mrs. Mona Dud­ ley to Mr. Howard Shelton on June 9, May 28, 1956 text and over 300 illustrations in­ 1956. cluding beautiful, four-color frontis­ Mrs. Ruth O'Brien Peoria, Illinois piece of the Shrine of Bab and six Chicago, Illinois: Miss Helen Cuellar to Mr. Michael T. Vaggalis on June 9, May 31 , 1956 large supplementary maps and 1956. charts, four in color. Covers the Mr. Charles Cumberbatch Baha'i Holy Year and Jubilee events, Peoria, Illinois: Miss Judith Summers New York, New York to Mr. Benjamin Abrams on June 10, June 7, 1956 dedication of the Baha'i Temple in 1956. Wilmette, completion of the Shrine Mr. Ira Hightower of the Bab, the Four Intercontinen­ Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Miss Ja­ Chicago, Illinois milih Yiganih to Mr. Khalil Alavi on June 12, 1956 tal Conferences, and many other of June 12, 1956. the most significant events in Baha'i Mr. Harry F einstein Wilmette, Illinois: Miss Barbara Hannen history. Bound in midnight blue. Los Angeles, California to Mr. Wayne G. Griffin on June 16, June 12, 1956 Per copy (mailed within the U.S. 1956. or territories) $15.00 Los Angeles, California: Mrs. Doris Ev­ Mrs. Maud Duttlinger elyn McClain to Mr. Charles Thomas Grand Rapids, Michigan Per copy (mailed to any point out­ Bewley on June 17, 1956. June 13, 1956 side the U.S.) $15.75 Los Angeles, California: Miss Arleen Mr. Christian Hofer Akron, Ohio Available from Gloria Crook to Mr. James Kenneth Wiley on June 22 , 1956. June 16, 1956 BAHA'I PUBLISIIlNG TRUST Peoria, Illinois: Miss Caroline Ann Zeig­ Mr. H . A. Keeler 110 Linden A venue ler to Mr. Willis Dean Delaney on June Chicago, Illinois Wilmette, Illinois 30, 1956. .Tune 29, 1956

BAHA' I NEWS is published by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States as a n ews organ r eporting current activities of the Baha'i World Community Reports, plans, news items and photographs of general inter est 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 1956-57: Mrs. Eunice Braun, Miss Charlotte Linfoot, Mr. Richard C. Thomas. Editorial Office: 110 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois, U.S.A. Change of address should be reported directly to National Baha'i Office, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois, U.S.A.