++
Contents

Universal House of Justice
     Election of the Universal House of Justice
     Sad passing of Mrs Florence Mayberry
National Spiritual Assembly
     Understanding Conversion - part two, What can we do about it?
     Jubilee 2000
Baha'i COUNCILS & TRAINING INSTITUTES
     Baha'i Council for Wales, Narberth Spring School success
     Baha'i Council for Scotland, Primary school pack 
     Baha'i Council for Northern Ireland
COMMITTEES & DEPARTMENTS
     Baha'i Information Office, Do you get "green papers"?
     Association of Baha'i Women, Women in Wychavon
     Year of Service Desk, China - a different planet?
Articles
     Prayer, virtues and acts, Stanley whiteford
     Stories About Huququ'llah - The Value of Educating Children,
     (From a report by a Representative of Huququ'llah)
     Baha'is prejudiced? ... Never!, Edward Ashton
     Be happy, be happy, be happy..., Juliet Grainger
     The Light of Self, Marcus Bach, PhD, DD,
     Let there be Light, from "He Loved and Served" 
UK Community News
     Discovering the Resting Place of Sara Louisa, Lady Blomfield
     Another chapter in Olya's story
     Tree planting for International Tree Foundation
     A two-fold celebration at East Anglian School
     Agenda 21 - meeting social challenge
     Prayer Link
     Paradise at the Parkside Hotel, Bristol
Letters to the Journal
     Letter to a friend - from R£h¡yyih Khanum
     The unexpected pilgrimage, Carole Huxtable,
     Hackney twinned with Haifa, John Flackett 

++
UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

+
Election of the Universal House of Justice
The results of the election were as follows:
ELECTED MEMBERS UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE  ALI NAKHJAVANI, PETER
KHAN, ADIB TAHERZADEH, GLENFORD MITCHELL, IAN SEMPLE, HOOPER DUNBAR,
FARZAM ARBAB, DOUGLAS MARTIN, HUSHMAND FATHEAZAM.

+
Sad passing of Mrs Florence Mayberry

Deeply saddened loss outstanding staunch promoter Faith Florence Mayberry.
Her tireless inspired services, local, National, and International, in both
teaching and administrative fields, spanning over forty years, crowned by
unforgettable decade as Counsellor member international teaching centre.
Valiant defense covenant, unflagging efforts blazon name cause, intrepid far-
flung travels distinguished her splendid record achievements. Assure fervent
prayers progress her luminous spirit. Confident bountiful rewards Abha
Kingdom.

++
NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

+
Understanding Conversion - part two
What can we do about it?

After the perhaps dispiriting examination of hindrances in the last issue, we
look now at those things that will help us in our work and should indicate
roughly where we stand in relation to all these
processes.

Baha'u'llah states that He has endowed every soul with the capacity to
recognise (1) the truth of His revelation.  So great is the glory of the Cause
of God that even the blind can perceive it, how much more they whose sight
is sharp, whose vision is pure. (2) Theoretically this would mean that any one
person is equally likely to accept the Baha'i Faith as any other. And yet, in
practice, it is found that certain groups are much more receptive to the Baha'i
Faith than others. Both `Abdu'l-Baha and Shoghi Effendi directed the Baha'is
to particular groups that they considered were more receptive to the Baha'i
Faith.

We tend to think that the religious experiences of our maturity come to us as
freely choosing adults from outside us. This is not strictly true. They are also
strongly influenced by our upbringing and cultural background as we have
seen already. All human beings are restricted in the range of their possible
experiences by the culture and society in which they live and were brought
up. We may think that we are free to choose whatever religious style of life
we like: in fact we are very unlikely to choose certain ways and very likely
to choose others because of our background. In fact,  the most powerful social
background predictor of a person's religious involvement appears to be the
religious involvement of his or her parents (page 43). (3) Perhaps not
surprisingly, the influence of the parents  religion has been found to be
stronger the more important religion is for the parents, when both parents
share the same religious beliefs and the more the child likes, identifies with,
and has a close relationship with the parent.

The following social factors have been found to have a strong influence on
our religious experience and have some implications for the way that we teach
the Baha'i Faith, the sort of people that we approach and the way that we
approach them: (4)

Individuals from cultures and societies that are in crisis are more likely to
convert than people in more stable circumstances. A cultural crisis is one
where the established world-view of a people is significantly threatened.
Political and economic domination has undermined native cultures throughout
world history, at worst by quasi-genocide, at best by exploitation.

A social crisis is one that affects the traditional order within a society. The
perceived breakdown of law and order in our cities may, for example, be
contributing to the modern quest for new forms of spirituality. Such crises
test cultures or societies to breaking point, thus stimulating the search for
alternatives.

 Those who do convert in a hostile setting are marginal members of the
society for example the deprived, the distressed, the stigmatised, and the
immigrant. The more marginal, the more likely they are to convert. Marginal
persons are important in the study of conversion because they are often the
earliest converts to a new movement. This point links back to our middle-class
mode of approach sometimes. Marginal people will not by and large respond
well to the mainstream methods and manners of the dominant group.

In one study that looked at Baha'i converts,(5) and converts to other faiths,
a past history of problematic, disrupted or distorted relationships was the
most significant factor in the background of those converting.

Those predisposing factors are not the whole picture. Just as social and
cultural crisis serves to highlight the breakdown of the old order and lead
to a search for a new basis for society, so an individual crisis may destroy
the old framework of a person s life and open up the possibility of a new
world-view. Not every personal crisis finds its seeds in childhood. My health
may fail or your finances suddenly collapse. There may be a death in the
family. You may lose your job or learn that your daughter is on drugs. A
mystical experience may burst into your mind. My faith may be tested by
doubts about the leadership of my present religion. A simple vague
dissatisfaction with life alone may lead to individual crises that leave a person
open to conversion. Anything that turns my life upside down fracturing my
old certainties may at the same time turn me towards a different view of God.

Of course, both with individual crisis and social and cultural crises, the new
religion must be seen to offer some new vision or means of interpreting the
current situation that offers a better resolution of its problems than the
existing religion. At present, in the United Kingdom, our teaching efforts and
literature are not really oriented towards the social, cultural and individual
crises that people in our society are experiencing.

Religious conversion is much more likely to occur within networks of families
and friends. To see your mother or your brother, if you respect and love
them, step onto a different path is a strong incentive to do likewise. If a
friend, to whom you have become very close over a long period of time, is
supremely fulfilled following a different star from yours, you will almost
certainly be tempted to follow in his or her footsteps. The formation or
existence of a strong bond between the believer and the potential convert is
an important factor in the conversion process.

We mustn't forget, however, that kinship and
friendship networks may also be a constraint upon conversion. If the family
and friends of a potential convert are strongly against the potential
conversion, this may be a decisive factor in his or her withdrawal from the
conversion process.

If a new religion matches in crucial ways my old
beliefs I will be more likely to consider throwing in my lot with it. If it is too
different I might well shy away. When core values and symbols fit well
together conversion will follow more easily. We must learn to present the
Baha'i Faith in a way that is in line with the culture and values of the people
we are trying to convert. We must learn to talk their talk, not cynically, but
as a way for our heart to reach theirs without undue strain and distortion.
This is particularly important when dealing with minorities and immigrant
groups.

Converts choose a new religion on the basis of what they think they will get
out of it. Converts take what they lack from the new religion and trim it to
meet their needs. We can obtain five basic kinds of benefit:

 a way of making sense of our world;
 a way of meeting our emotional needs;
 techniques for living;
 having a leader to look up to or a leadership role to play;
 power

 Hundreds of converts have been interviewed. Researchers found that a major
appeal of religious change is a conviction that the new option provides the
person with new methods and techniques for religious life and often for life
in general. In short, they get a prescription for living. A religious option that
offers such tools, along with careful and credible instructions for their use,
will win over people by the score, maybe by the hundreds. Since many
spiritual techniques have been lost to the people of this country, this may
mean, for example, praying or meditating with people to show them how this
is done.

 In the UK we have to interpret the phrase "entry by troops" in a cautious
fashion.  Europe does not need to follow the same patterns of teaching that
have led to entry by troops in other countries... The same could be achieved
in Europe through hundreds of small projects, each bringing a few believers
into the Faith. (6) Very small increments in membership in Europe constitute
significant progress.

This summary of the psycho social perspective on conversion, we feel,
vindicates the spiritual insights captured in the Writings. For example, we find
empirical proof of the value of a close personal friendship,(7) we see
demonstrated the power of cultural crisis,(8) and the receptivity of the
disadvantaged(9) on the margins of our society is revealed in study after
study. What we also find spelt out clearly are the peculiar difficulties we
encounter here in the UK, difficulties that slow down the conversion process.
So, we cannot entertain sentimental expectations about the rapid results that
will accrue from our efforts: on the other hand we cannot pretend that what
we are so patiently and laboriously doing is having no effect just because the
fruits are unconscionably long in coming.

 Perhaps we should also pay careful heed to another buzz phrase:
"sustainable development". We need to remember that one way of killing plants
is to encourage them to grow too fast. Also, to appear to offer more than can
be sustainably delivered burns out the "deliverers" and disillusions (or
inoculates?) the recipients. We have to pay attention to what has been learnt
about the conversion process if we are not to cast our seeds forever on stony
ground in a blind and careless way or give up before harvest-time!

Given the emphasis placed on it in the Writings as well as the weight given
to it in the conversion literature, it may well be that the most important key
to the future of our Faith lies in the education of our children. None the less,
we need also to pay great attention to the following points in our strategies
for teaching:

We need to present the Baha'i teachings in a way that addresses the
perceived problems and crises in society and in the lives of individuals. 

We need to reach out in love to the friendless and despised on the margins
of society.

We need to present the teachings in a way that matches the culture of those
whom we are teaching.

We need to try to teach within the network
of friends and family of those who are already Baha'is.

 We need to form close personal relationships with those whom we are
teaching. 

We need to focus on demonstrating the practical techniques of the Baha'i way
of life.

For the reasons we covered at the start of this article, we should not assume
that following these suggestions will invariably and immediately produce a
flood of new enrolments. We have to apply these ideas with perseverance and
patience over long periods of time. To sustain such activity for so long we
must love what we do. To choose a teaching activity that sets our teeth on
edge among people we can't wait to get away from will doom us to early
failure. We will quit even if we succeed   perhaps especially if we succeed!
If we will do something we enjoy with people we can like, we are likely to
continue longer.

Those who can rise to more arduous paths and sustain them have probably
already done so. Even they will benefit, we feel, from a clearer understanding
of the underlying processes of conversion. The majority of us struggle to
keep going in the face of a disappointing absence of success and might need
to take the easier road - at least at the beginning -informed by the best
available understanding of what makes people tick. At least if we do so we will
be more likely to keep going long enough and skilfully enough to give our
efforts a real chance of producing results.

If we can sustain the exact focus of our actions for long periods in the light
of the considerations outlined in this article, we are all more likely to be even
more effective than we have ever been before. Then the idea of unity in
diversity of action will come to bear its full and proper fruit.  A unity in
diversity of actions is called for, a condition in which different individuals
will concentrate on different activities, appreciating the salutary effect of the
aggregate on the growth and development of the Faith, because each person
cannot do everything and all persons cannot do the same thing. (10)

Written on behalf of the National Spiritual Assembly by Dr Moojan Momen and
Mr Peter Hulme


References
1. Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, no 52, p105-6. 
2. Ibid.
3. Baston, Schoendrade and Ventis:  Religion and the Individual  
   Oxford university Press,  93.
4. Lewis Rambo:  Understanding Religious Conversion , Yale University 
   Press  93.
5. See, for example, the study of Chana Ullman ( Cognitive and 
   Emotional Antecedents of Religious Conversion ) who looked at 
   the importance of relationships to the conversion process. She 
               interviewed and performed psychological tests on 70 
   people: 40 converts to four different groups (the Baha'i Faith, 
   Judaism, Roman Catholicism, and Hare Krishna), and 30 people from 
   Judaism and Catholicism who were active lifelong members of 
   those religions. One major finding was that conversion was not 
   strongly correlated with a search for cognitive meaning but rather 
   with emotional issues involving problematic realities with the faith, 
   an unhappy childhood, or a past history of disrupted and 
   distorted relationships.
5. Letter from the International Teaching Centre, 28 Nov,  88:
6. Keenness of Vision, p43.
7. In the words of the beloved Master: "In this day every believer 
   must concentrate his thoughts on teaching the Faith... O loved ones of 
   God! Each one of the friends must teach at least one soul each year. 
   This is everlasting glory. This is eternal grace." (From a 
   Tablet - translated from the Persian).
8.  The Impact of Social Decline  in "Promoting Entry by Troops" p5.
9. See, for example the first part of the first goal of the Six year 
   Plan (1986-1992) for the importance of these groups to our teaching 
   work.
10. Message to the Baha'is of the World from the Universal House of Justice: 
  Ridvan 147 BE.

+
Jubilee 2000

We have been asked by many of the friends what action, if any, should be
taken by individual Baha'is or by Baha'i institutions in relation to Jubilee
2000. We felt it advisable to ask the Universal House of Justice for their
guidance in this matter. Here is the crux of their reply, which the National
Assembly feels is clear in its implications.

 The goals of this organisation are indeed ambitious and highly commendable,
but your expressed reservations are also well grounded. Third World debt
remission is an immensely complex political and economic issue to which the
Baha'is, under present circumstances, are not in a position to make any
worthwhile contribution.

++
Baha'i COUNCILS & TRAINING INSTITUTES

+
Baha'i Council for Wales
Narberth Spring School success

The Narberth Spring School was a huge success again this year, with 153
adults, youth and children co-mingling in the warm, delightfully informal
atmosphere that is the essence of Narberth.

With a carefully-structured programme combining dynamic speakers who
covered a whole range of family and society-oriented problems with a series
of three or four workshops running concurrently at any given time, there was
masses to do, something for everyone, and never a dull moment. Everyone
learnt a lot: not least of which was why family matters.

Heavy snow produced near-blizzard conditions
on two days, but the children in particular saw this as an added bonus and
there were snowball fights on several occasions. The talent show once more
demonstrated the wide scope of talent within the community and the selection
of musical items was even more diverse than usual, with a concertina, several
guitars, piano, a saxophone, a trombone and a didgeridoo!

It now remains to be seen as to where the school goes from here, since
numbers wishing to attend far exceed the capacity of the Bloomfield Centre,
which is now bursting at the seams. The committee will consider all the
recommendations made at the plenary session and consult before reporting
back to you all, but rest assured that if larger premises are to be the
solution, the format of the school as it has evolved over the past 13 years will
be the same: the "essence" of Narberth will go on, for we hope that the most
important factor in its continued success will still be present ... yourselves.

+
Baha'i Council for Scotland
Primary school pack from the Baha'i Council for Scotland

A pack for primary school children is now available from the Council for
Scotland. It consists of over 40 sheets of information, work and assessment
which can be used by primary school teachers who wish to teach the Baha'i
Faith in class. The pack is completely self-contained and can be used by a
teacher with no prior knowledge of the Baha'i Faith.

The material has been developed by Carole Fothergill and evaluated and tested
on her own pupils. It follows the Scottish curriculum but is suitable for use
all over the UK. The material is also suitable for use with Baha'i children.

Copies can be obtained for œ5 incl p&p from:
The Baha'i Council for
Scotland, Secretary, Parvin Morrissey, 4 Simpson Court, Tillicoultry, Clacks.
FK13 6QQ

Please make cheques payable to: NSA of the Baha'is of the
UK.

+
Baha'i Council for Northern Ireland

Dear Friends we are now in the centrally important Ridvan period, a time of
change in our community, a time of election, plans assessment and re-
evaluation. Perhaps it is no coincidence this year that the people of the
Province are also being asked to consider change on a scale that they only
a few months ago could not have imagined. There are certainly many excellent
examples for us to cite regarding how quickly things can change. On your
behalf the Council sent the following message to the Peace negotiators on the
5th of April:

Baha'i Council for Northern Ireland

Dear Senator Mitchell, would you please consider sharing this short statement
with all those in attendance on our behalf. We wish you all the best in your
weighty endeavours.

To all those in attendance at the Northern Ireland Peace talks:

The Baha'i Council for Northern Ireland extends its thoughts and prayers to
you on behalf of our whole community, for the successful completion of your
difficult deliberations and consultations during these final critical hours. We
wish to share with you these thoughts from the holy writings of the Baha'i
Faith, written by the prophet founder, Baha'u'llah, over a century ago.

"The All Knowing Physician hath His finger on the pulse of mankind. He
perceiveth the disease, and prescribeth, in His unerring wisdom, the remedy.
Every age hath its own problem, and every soul its particular aspiration. The
remedy the world needeth in its present-day afflictions can never be the same
as that which a subsequent age may require. Be anxiously concerned with the
needs of the age ye live in, and centre your deliberations on its exigencies
and requirements."

Taken from ComuNIque, Issue no26 May 1998 /  Azamat 155

++
COMMITTEES & DEPARTMENTS

+
Baha'i Information Office
Do you get "green papers"?

The government, and statutory bodies, regularly put out consultation
documents ("green papers") on matters of public discussion where changes in
the law or practices are being considered. The National Spiritual Assembly is
on the mailing list for some of these, and by submitting Baha'i responses is
helping to establish the Faith as a body whose ideas should be sought.
However the process has a long way to go.

The number of these consultation documents is surprising, and they cover a
wide variety of subjects. The Assembly has asked BIO to try to make sure
that chances to put across the Baha'i viewpoint are not being missed. You can
help.

If you see or receive any such consultation documents in the course of your
work or in connection with a voluntary organisation, we would very much like
you to send them on to us as soon as possible. They can be studied and
response drafted and reviewed by the National Spiritual Assembly. This can
take time, and the papers often have a closing date quite soon after they are
issued, hence the need for forwarding them quickly. Please do not worry if
the subject seems out-of-the-way or specialist, it is often possible to find
guidance relating to the most unusual of themes!

Send your copies to the Baha'i information Office at the address above.

Going on pilgrimage?

A Baha'i pilgrimage is a wonderful experience - why not share it with others?
A draft press release is available to help you prepare something for your local
papers - please do take this chance to let the people in your area hear more
about the Faith and its activities.

To obtain a copy write to the National Spiritual Assembly at 27 Rutland Gate,
London SW7 1PD.

YOUTH CAN MOVE THE WORLD - 98!

This is the national youth camp of Wales! A record 100 participants are
expected. This will be an excellent opportunity to introduce friends of Baha'is
to Baha'i youth. The camp theme is  Baha'u'llah . There will be sessions, camp-
fire discussions, canoeing, games and plenty of fun. The camp will take place
over the August Bank Holiday on the banks of the River Wye at the Biblins
Camp Site near Monmouth, South East Wales.

Youth Can Move The World is open to youth aged 13+ and costs about œ50 per
person with a reduction if you bring your own tent! For further details
contact: Tim and Azar Melville, 12 Bank Buildings, Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire,
SA19 6BU. Tel: 01558 822184, e-mail: TIMelville@aol.com

+
Association of Baha'i Women
Women in Wychavon

On 8th of March, International Women s Day, the women of Wychavon
Community inaugurated their local branch of the Association of Baha'i Women
by sponsoring and hosting an afternoon event.

The Unitarian Church Hall was hired and filled with spring flowers while the
men of the community showed their support by preparing the room with rugs
and easy chairs.

About thirty women gathered to hear an introductory talk ably given by Koje
Freemantle, and take part in an empowerment workshop facilitated by Avril
Jacques. This was followed by tea and home-made cakes after which Farahnaz
Mahony gave a talk on Aromatherapy and showed the women how to massage
each others hands with fragrant oils; a relaxing and intimate experience.

In the words of a non-Baha'i woman who had travelled about twenty miles to
be there - "It was a beautiful and nourishing afternoon and the atmosphere
of love was amazing!"

Weekend in the Cotswolds

Fourteen women gathered at Stanton Guildhouse in the beautiful Cotswold hills
for a weekend of love, laughter, learning, praying, and sharing together. It
was part of the series of women's "Courage to Action" weekends instigated by
the European Task Force for Women. The theme for this weekend was
"Encouragement".

In the idyllic setting of the Guildhouse, in front of
a huge open log fire, we held our devotionals, explored our personal visions,
and learned how to facilitate women's groups. We also walked, sang, ate
delicious food and shared an evening on the theme "Women Who Have Broken
the Mould" which began with a dramatic presentation of Ethel Rosenberg
performed by Lindsay Thorne.

Two non-Baha'i women attended as well as two who had very recently
declared. Ongoing working partnerships were formed and so precious was this
time spent together that the unanimous request was for the next weekend in
the series - "Transformation" to be brought forward to July 10th-11th this
year. Call Avril Jacques: 01386 421924 for details.

This is a call to all women to come and be with us in
our preparation for reaching out to women and women s groups in your own
localities, in order to share with them the glorious message we carry.
Handmaidens arise!

Belfast  ABW

The Association of Baha'i Women, Belfast reports on the launch of the
document "Making women seen and heard" held at Grosvenor House on 9th
March: Mo Mowlam was the guest speaker and the humorous repartee between
the Chair, Beatrix Campbell and Mo Mowlam added a lively, warm atmosphere
to the launch. The document reports on six fora held between May and
December 1997 in Northern Ireland and the border counties of the Republic.
The purpose of the fora was to find out what issues concerned women and
whether they knew about the European special support programme for peace
and reconciliation, as well as other policies which could be useful in tackling
their concerns.

Copies of the report are available by telephone request
to: 01232 236923 or 01232 770813.

Kay Hughes in Belfast

Kay Hughes, Baha'i and clinical psychologist, visited Belfast recently. Kay had
a very full weekend during which she led a youth session on sex and
spirituality, spoke on women shaping the world and making relationships work
and dealing with anger.

Quest to find "Ballymena Woman of the Year"

The Association of Baha'i Women in Ballymena are behind an initiative to find
the town's  Woman of the Year . The competition is running for six weeks, at
the end of which six finalists will attend a special awards ceremony where TV
journalist Anne Hailes will announce the winner. The ABW are not looking for
the businesswoman of the year or the top professional, rather thinking of an
ordinary woman whose caring has really made an impression on those around
them.

Centenary and "International Women's Day" - two-in-one

Epping Forest community held it's Centenary Celebration on Saturday 7th
March to coincide with International Women's Day (8th March). Mr Rob
Weinberg gave an excellent talk on the life of Ethel Rosenberg and other
distinguished ladies who played important roles in the establishment of the
Baha'i Faith in the United Kingdom. He was also interviewed by Rev Chris
Bard, the producer of BBC Essex s Religious programme.

An exhibition on the UK's early believers has been on display at Loughton
library and it will tour the area, visiting five other libraries during 155 BE.

Shahla Farzaneh-Far

+
Year of Service Desk
China - a different planet?

I had never taken a gap year due to financial and career constraints, however
September  95 presented me with both savings and a few rungs up the career
ladder - definitely a good time to go!

I had no specific destination in mind. Somewhere poor and needy proved a
challenge as I was leading a fairly comfortable life. I deliberated over various
locations but soon I heard that China needed English teachers - no formal
teaching qualifications were necessary. This seemed ideal and so I applied for
a variety of posts. Eventually a medical university confirmed my position from
Sept  95 - July  96. They would provide me with my own living rooms, salary
and an allowance for travelling within China.

I was clueless about the problems I might encounter once there, although I
assumed most would be related to teaching as I had not had any previous
experience.

By the time I was due to leave I felt very apprehensive and negative about
the trip because I was so unprepared. All my fears were confirmed on arrival
- no one could understand me or talk to me (except for "hello") and no
westerners to cling to for communal support. The shock was terrifying.

On the way to the University my Foreign Affairs Liaison Officer told me I was
the only foreign teacher present. I felt very appreciative of the company I
had brought with me -  Lights of Guidance  and a short wave radio.

Teaching English was the least of my concerns. I was asked to work twelve
hours a week for a salary worth more than four times the Chinese wage for
the same work, (about œ150 per month). I taught classes of post-graduates,
nurses preparing to work in the Middle East, faculty staff and local medics.
At first the classes were full (about 50 students) with a full spectrum of
English speaking abilities. Fortunately for me the classes soon dwindled to a
manageable fifteen - nothing to do with my exceptional teaching skills, I
promise!

At first I was able to teach from the issued text books and as I became more
familiar I started writing my own handouts. The main problem I encountered
was buying food as I had difficulty understanding the idea of bargaining and
my mental arithmetic was too slow. Both factors contributed to my reduced
inclination to purchase food! Happily the situation soon resolved (through
need!) as I started to grasp the language and in no time I was bargaining for
my live fish and chickens in Chinese and obtaining a Chinese price!

As a foreigner I was invited out for breakfast, lunch and supper on numerous
occasions. These outings allowed me to meet a complete range of people in
business and academia and health. We always exchanged viewpoints on life in
the West and in the East, hopefully dispelling our preconceived ideas.

My students were very interested in Western life. I think as foreign teachers
we provided windows through which they might see the West, without the
trappings of propaganda. In the classroom the more fluent students were keen
to have discussion sessions preferably in connection with the hand-over of
Hong Kong and repatriation of Taiwan. Although tempting to have an
enthusiastic and lively discussion, it was absolutely necessary to steer well
clear of these or risk a ticking off.

One weekend I was invited to the countryside. This was a rare opportunity.
My foreign affairs department were perturbed at the thought of my leaving
as they worried for my safety, but did not present any barrier to my going.
To be truthful I was not so keen myself. The trip was about eight hours by
bus to the southern part of the province. I was to stay with my friend's
immediate family who are peasant farmers. Their farm was built around a
quadrangle with their rooms adjoining the Soya beans store and where farm
animals are kept. I was given the best room which was next to the pigsty.
During my stay I was introduced to wonderful people who, while aspiring to
obtain my lifestyle, could not understand how I envied the simplicity of theirs.

Apart from that visit to the countryside I did very little travelling by myself.
I learnt about China through my Chinese friends which I felt was more 
genuine compared to that which may be seen in a museum or on a tour.

I finished my trip with a train to Canton followed by a boat to Hong Kong.
There I was reunited with other teachers who had been resident in China. It
was a fantastic relief to share tales with the others and each had something
different to say depending on which area they had lived in.

On re-reading this account I feel I have poorly described the atmosphere and
unique qualities of China. The best way is to see for oneself. I have made
some great friends there who seemed to look after me so effortlessly. One or
two of these found they shared the same beliefs and ideas as I do. It felt
good to encounter like-minded individuals on what initially appears to be a
different planet.

Yasmin Delpak

++
ARTICLES

+
Prayer, virtues and acts

Saint Teresa of Avila (1515-82) was one of the great Christian mystics and
founder of convents, according to the reformed Carmelite rule. She wrote of
four stages of prayer, comparing the state of the soul to a garden.

Even if weeds have been eliminated and replaced by good plants, the plants
have need of water; that water is prayer. At first the water is drawn manually
from a well, an arduous task, but the next stage involves the use of a
mechanical aid, such as a winch, to make the work easier; though a strong
effort is still needed. These two stages mean a degree of self-discipline and,
especially in the case of the obligatory prayers, may need a sense of duty.
when circumstances and feelings make it difficult to pray The third stage may
be compared to watering the garden through irrigation channels, which
requires only the initial effort for diverting the water. The groundwork has
been laid by preliminary efforts and prayer.

Finally the garden may be watered by rain, through the bounty of God and
not by our own efforts. We may recognise something of this in our own
experiences., With the immense bounty of the prayers revealed by Baha'u'llah
and `Abdu'l-Baha, we can also see how a new Dispensation has brought
changes in the aid obtainable and the spiritual efforts needed.

Saint Teresa uses the word "virtues" in referring to the perfume of the
flowers that may come from the developed plant. It is not clear in context
whether she means to refer to definite virtues such as patience, courage and
kindness which may be manifested when the plant has grown, but the
quotations below suggest that this is an interpretation consistent with the
reality.

The virtues of the seed are revealed in the tree; it puts forth branches,
leaves, blossoms and produces fruits. All these virtues were hidden and
potential in the seed. Through the blessing and bounty of cultivation these
virtues become apparent. (1)

What is the purpose of our lives?  To acquire virtues .(2)

The virtues and attributes pertaining unto God are all evident and manifest
... Among them are trustworthiness, truthfulness, purity of heart while
communing with God, forbearance, ... these rank, according to the estimate of
God, among the highest and most laudable of all acts. All other acts are, and
will ever remain, secondary and subordinate unto them. (3)

It is clear that virtues can manifest in acts; courage may be shown in a life-
threatening situation, patience can be exhibited when faced with a difficult
task, but Baha'u'llah refers to these qualities themselves as acts.

In the Tablets of Tar z t and Ishr q t, we
have the account of Baha'u'llah's encounter with Trustworthiness in the
Garden of Na mayn, named by Him as the Ridvan Garden, near Akka.

Turning then to the left We gazed on one of the beauties of the Most sublime
Paradise, standing on a pillar of light, and calling aloud saying: "O inmates
of earth and heaven! Behold ye My beauty, and my radiance, and My
revelation and My effulgence. By God, the True One! I am Trustworthiness and
the revelation thereof, and the beauty thereof ... I am the supreme instrument
for the prosperity of the world, and the horizon of assurance unto all beings"
(4)

The depiction of Trustworthiness as a living being is clearly more than poetic
fancy.

We may, in certain situations, exhibit the appearance of a virtue without
possessing it; a degree of self-control may appear as patience, when within
we are far from patient. So, too, with other virtues. We may appear generous
in order to buy the good opinions of others or courageous because we fear
to appear cowardly. In the spiritual realm to have these qualities is to have
the living spiritual energy which embodies them. It may be that we are not
called on to exhibit them in the material world, but, if we are then we are
ready for the appropriate test.

Virtues, although the seeds of them are implanted in the soul, may grow in
two ways. They may develop through tests - and if we fail to pass a test it
may be that we have to experience it again and again in different forms. If
we are burdened like this it might be helpful to see the world, relative to
man, as a machine for manufacturing virtues. This is too simplistic but it may
give meaning to apparently meaningless situations. The second way to develop
virtues is through immersion in the Writings and by prayer; as suggested
above. This is not necessarily easy. True prayer and real immersion in the
Words of Baha'u'llah require efforts every bit as great as dealing with
external situations. To some extent this may be a gloss on the fact that
sometimes it is right to welcome tests and sometimes desirable to avoid them.
Nor, of course are the two ways really separate. Prayer and meditation are
intertwined with action in this world.


The virtues are the bounties of God. They are living realities, not abstracts,
and they are the much misunderstood houris (5) of Paradise. That is, they are
vital energies that are in the service of the true believer, his companions in
the spiritual kingdoms. If we can find them within ourselves we are truly
blessed.

Stanley Whiteford 

+
Stories About Huququ'llah
The Value of Educating Children

A workshop on the Right of God was attended by three adults, and seven
children who had come in the hope of playing with their friends. Seeing the
low turnout of adults, it was suggested that the workshop be transformed into
a special session for the children.

Although initially reluctant to leave their play, the children paid close
attention to the information and stories shared and posed many penetrating
questions concerning all aspects of the nature and application of the law. One
child with a wrinkled brow asked: "What would happen if a Deputy Trustee
just kept the money. How would anyone ever find out?" This provided an
opportunity to discuss the quality of trustworthiness and the sense of
responsibility to God that everyone must feel when dealing with the Right of
God.

The children became so enthused and had obviously learned so much that it
was suggested that the Spiritual Assembly might call upon the children to
make a presentation on Huququ'llah at the next Feast, thus reinforcing their
learning, providing an opportunity for them to be of service and, no doubt,
encouraging the adults to attend the next workshop.

The following week, one of the mothers called. "When I put my child to bed
the night of the workshop," she said, "he asked me, "Mummy, why didn't you
tell me about the law of Huququ'llah. It's such an important law and you
never told me about it. I need to know about the laws."" They left the next
day to visit the child's Baha'i grandparents. "My son packed the small
compilation on the Right of God which you had given to all of the children in
his suitcase. When I asked him why he wanted to bring it with him, he
replied: "I want to be sure that my grandparents know about this very
important law, Mummy, maybe nobody told them either."" The mother was
deeply moved by her child's joy at the discovery of a new law and his instant
desire to obey.

(From a report by a Representative of Huququ'llah)

+
Baha'is prejudiced? ... Never!

One of the first things that attracted me to the Baha'i Faith was the
principles, which appealed not only as common sense, but as a necessary
remedy for the sickness of mankind.

One of the greatest barriers to either an individual or a collective group of
people's progress in life is prejudice. To read that the Baha'i principles
included the eradication of all forms of prejudice was to me, a great leap
forward and showed me how far advanced the Baha'i Faith is. Prejudice is not
only confined to sex, or colour of skin - but class. Are we as Baha'is, free of
prejudice? I fear not. As we come into the Baha'i world we bring a certain
amount of baggage with us from the old world. Some of us come with more
than others - I had a couple of suitcases to unpack in the presence of
Baha'u'llah. I didn't like what I d kept stored up for so long.

We have all been conditioned by our families, peers and environment and
sometimes it takes a lifetime to change views and perceptions. I now readily
admit that I have been prejudiced and can still be, if I let myself. It is a
constant daily battle to overcome my sometimes "persistent self". They say God
loves a trier.

But what of the victims? I have and still can be a victim of prejudice. I am
incidentally a white, self-employed person, born in England, so where, you
may ask does the discrimination come from? Well for a start I come from the
north of England. I am working class and I have an accent, not an Oxford or
Cambridge educated accent, an accent that as soon as my lips part and my
vocal chords operate identifies me. My accent is not regional, it is from a city
- Liverpool. The city and its inhabitants share a chequered history, but the
British media see to it that the vast majority of people, especially in the
South, see only the black parts of this chequered history. Industrial disputes,
riots, violent crime, poor housing, militant politics - these are the negative
points focused on.

`Abdu'l-Baha came to Liverpool in 1912 on His way to America. He stayed at
the Adelphi Hotel, then the finest in the City. Liverpool was then a vibrant
sea port, full of Victorian splendour. It was the second city, next to London,
in regards to wealth, power and prestige.  To study the history of Liverpool
is to discover the stems of some of today s problems - the splendour,
happiness, grandeur of the  haves  and the misery, hopelessness and
bitterness of the  have-nots .

We live in dramatic days. The total breakdown of society is going on all
around us. We have been told in the Writings that this will happen and the
stage is drawing nearer and nearer when a totally confused and bewildered
society will embrace Baha'u'llah's Faith. People will come in droves and what
then? A selection board? Will a predominantly white community hesitate when
a large black influx comes into being? Will we ask, "what about him -he s
been in prison? She was once a "good time girl", and this other person lives
in the wrong part of town, he's got red hair, she is eccentric", etc ... The
Baha'i Faith is not a cosy little club, for a special clique, who are well read,
far travelled and quite comfortable, thank you very much! The Baha'i Faith is
for everyone. Black, white, rich, poor, man, woman, child - even, dare I say
it,  Scowsers .

In Liverpool we have the Ernest Miller Centre. Many of you reading this have
visited us, and enjoyed yourselves and still got home in one piece! I urge
those who haven't yet done so, to put prejudices aside, pack your Thermos
and come to Liverpool. There is life North of Watford. I promise you will be
both surprised and taken aback by the hospitality. If you get the time to go
sight-seeing it is really worth it, but watch your wallets!

Do not allow differences of opinion, or diversity of thought separate you from
your fellow man, or to be the cause of dispute, hatred and strife in your
hearts. Rather, search diligently for the Truth and make all men your friends.

Every edifice is made of many different stones, yet each depends on the other
to such an extent that if one were to be displaced the whole building would
suffer, if one is faulty the structure is imperfect. ( Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks).

Edward Ashton

+
Be happy, be happy, be happy...

Rejoice, for the heavenly table is prepared for you. Rejoice, for the angels of
heaven are your assistants and helpers. Rejoice, for the glance of the Blessed
Beauty Baha'u'llah is directed upon you. Rejoice for Baha'u'llah is your
protector. Rejoice, for the glory everlasting is destined for you. Rejoice, for
the life eternal is awaiting you. (1)

Recently, at our fireside, a faithful friend of the Baha'is, who has attended
meetings here for sixteen months, said that he could not help feeling that
Baha'is seemed to be great believers in suffering instead of joy. He even felt
that some actually enjoyed suffering.  Surely , he said,  happiness is a
choice; we can decide whether we look at things in a positive way or a
negative way. Surely we have the choice!  This gentleman works as a
volunteer in a hospice. He had been working with a girl stricken with motor-
neurone disease. She was incapacitated, but even with these handicaps she
was filled with a sense of joy and purpose which she brought to everyone
around her. In a corner sat another patient, far less ill, so depressed and
defeated he would communicate with no one.

Our friend went on to say that if people can spread joy when experiencing
such hardship, surely the rest of us who know health and freedom can radiate
happiness and positivity. Chris (my husband) and I were forcibly struck by
this comment. Perhaps we are one of a number of tired and stretched
communities struggling to balance a busy working and parenting life with a
lot of Baha'i commitments. This made me begin to look at a few ideas that we
could perhaps use to lift us all up, and bring a smile to our faces.

Jewish writings in the Talmud state:  In the world to come each of us will be
called to account for all the good things God put on this earth which we
refused to enjoy.

We certainly do not need wealth to enjoy the abundance
of beauty that nature gives us: nature is just bursting with life and growth
surrounds us. We always celebrate the springtime by taking our young son
to watch lambs being born at a nearby farm. It really is a time of birth.
Perhaps we can use nature to practise "mindfulness". This means really
absorbing the wonder, and truly focusing with complete attention on the
things before us. It is very easy, caught up in the stresses of life, to rush
through missing the "now" and not seeing or feeling what is there in front
of us. I notice that even with children as young as five or six we have to
point out the flowers and the buds. Already they are caught up in the rush
of "having more" and very occupied with being the same as their peers.

It is true that our joy and happiness depends on what we pay attention to.
If we focus on our lack of anything, or the faults of others, and if we think
of life as arduous and depressing, soon that is just how we feel.  `Abdu'l-
Baha teaches us that "Joy gives us wings! In times of joy our strength is
more vital, our intellect keener". (2) He asks us to "Turn all our thoughts
towards bringing joy to hearts." (3)

We cannot bring joy to the hearts of others without bringing joy to our own.
Two exercises we can try practising in our own life and as a family are those
of daily gratitude and counting our blessings while we have them. We can all
be "victims", and today's society is very good at educating us to think in this
way,  but we can be "gratitude and abundance" lovers too. Each day we could
write down what we have to be thankful for, starting with the important
things like the fact that we know Baha'u'llah and ending with things like the
sun is shining, or if it isn't, that the rain is good for the plants, and the
fridge is not totally empty!

Elizabeth Kubler Ross, a psychiatrist working with death, dying and grief,
teaches that we should live every day as if it is our last. That way we would
never part on a quarrel without making up.
Those who know the horrors of prisons and concentration camps dream of
simple things like going to the shop or even doing the housework. It might
be good to look at what we would most value if we were taken hostage, or
found ourselves with a serious illness.

At one time, working with Mother Teresa in India, I had to clean toilets for
the homeless. Under her teaching, of caring for these people as if we were
caring for Christ, I managed to change that experience of one where I wanted
to vomit, to one where I concentrated on trying to make those toilets and
washrooms as clean and fresh as possible. It even gave me a sense of
achievement. It has certainly put other jobs into perspective since.

"Be a lamp unto them that walk in darkness, a joy to the sorrowful..." (4)

Dr Keki Sidhwa, in a lecture to the American Natural Hygiene Society in 1996
said "Be positive. Positive people attract, negative people repel. A smile costs
nothing and pays big dividends. Not only does it make you feel good, but
makes everyone else feel better."

We plan to experiment with another gift in our community - making music
together. Even without actual music we could sing as a group, the word "joy"
or "peace" or "unity" or "love", letting the sound of that word come from our
hearts. Children and adults too, once they have overcome initial shyness, love
this and the very sound uplifts the atmosphere and changes negativity into
positivity.

I am in no way denying the sorrows that come to us all and the sadness
which is part of this life. I am talking about the tests we bring on ourselves
by forgetting to be positive in our everyday lives when there are no
outstanding trials around. ` Abdu'l-Baha asks of us: "May everyone point to
you and ask "Why are these people so happy?"  I want you to be happy... to
laugh, smile and rejoice in order that others may be made happy by you." 
(5)

I would have felt much happier if our non Baha'i friend had said this about
his experience of meeting us Baha'is.

Juliet Grainger

References
(1) Promulgation of Universal Peace , p209
(2) The Divine Art of Living , p55
(3) Ibid
(4) Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah  p285
(5) Promulgation of Universal Peace , p167

+
The Light of Self

...  Man, therefore, on the plane of the contingent world is the most perfect
being. By man is meant the perfect individual, who is like unto a mirror in
which the divine perfections are manifested and reflected. But the sun doth
not descend from the height of its sanctity to enter into the mirror, but when
the latter is purified and turned towards the Sun of Truth, the perfections
of this Sun, consisting of light and heat, are reflected and manifested in that
mirror. These souls are the Divine Manifestations of God.  (`Abdu'l-Baha,
Selections From The Writings of  Abdu'l-Baha, p. 62)

One of life's greatest discoveries is that you carry
a light and that this light is seen by those who see you. This light is the
true you. How you dress, what make-up you use, what you say, the life-style
you develop may be reflections of the light, but the true light is deeper than
all these. It is innate. You really can't see it the way you see yourself in a
mirror. It is best seen by others. It is that which betrays and reveals the
real you. Call it an aura, an emanation, an energy, radiance, spirit, charisma
or what you will - you carry a light. The way you feel, think, believe, the
mood you are in, the thoughts you harbour, the way you treat your physical
body, the reach of your mind, the consciousness of your spiritual awareness,
all reflect themselves in this light of self.

The light is not only seen by others, it is felt. It is
caught by an inner eye, recognized by something intuitive, triggered by
something psychic,  responds to something spiritual. Whatever it is, the more
you walk in the light of honesty, truth, health and well-being, the greater is
the reflection. The Gallilean said,  You are the light of the world  and those
who understood Him knew that here was a man who saw the commonly unseen
and who knew that the deep things of life are never obvious. The outer self
is often the make-believe, a masquerade. The real self is the light and the
challenge is to live so that you show forth the Light, not righteously, but
naturally...as naturally as the sun lights the world.....

Seen through the eyes of religion or science, you carry a light and this light
is seen by those who see you. Baha'u'llah made a statement worthy of an
atomic physicist. He said,  Split an atom and you will find the universe. 
Baha'i literally means: a follower of the Light.

In this connection I had an unforgettable experience several years ago in
Australia when I attended a Baha'i meeting one Sunday afternoon. The speaker
was a black man from Nigeria, an official in the Baha'i movement named Enoch
Olinga (Hand of the Cause of God). I was sitting in the auditorium among
Baha'i followers. He was on the platform speaking when I gradually saw his
aura, a golden-white emanation encircling his body. I am not an auric reader
and there are only rare occasions I can attest to seeing these luminous
manifestations. This one was so vivid and real that I moved from one part of
the auditorium to another in order to assure myself it was not a matter of
lights and shadows in the room or merely a reflection of some kind.
Apparently it was real. Very real, and the luminosity ebbed and flowed with
the passion of his speech.

After the meeting I hesitated speaking to him because he was continually
surrounded by his friends. At one point, however, our eyes met and we were
involuntarily drawn to each other. As we shook hands, I said to him,  May I
tell you that I saw your aura this afternoon?  He put his arms around me and
I instinctively put my arms around him as he whispered, "I know, I know."

What does it mean to me? What does it mean to you? Simply this: we are living
in a highly sensitised age in which we are being forced to add new
dimensions and new perspectives to life. We are being compelled to live the
life that we profess. The gap is closing between profession and practice,
between faith and work, between science and religion. The real you eventually
comes to light because it is the Light! The integrated, orderly life cannot be
staged for long. It must be lived in order to endure. One thing good about
science and religion is that both eventually come face to face with God s love
and eventually bring everything to light.

Let us learn to work from the centre of that Light. Let us fix our mind on
that Light. When things are dark in the world or in our mind, let us turn on
that inner Light. Let us follow the Light and learn that we will not walk in
darkness.

Marcus Bach, PhD, DD,
from "Today's Chiropractic", March-April 1975, p 26.
This article was taken from "Healing through Unity Newsletter", April 1998, Vol
1, Issue 9

+
Let there be Light

In "He Loved and Served"  The Story of Curtis Kelsey by Nathan Rutstein, it
is written that Roy Wilhelm persuaded Curtis to go to Haifa and only after he
had agreed to go did Roy explain the reason behind the visit. It came about
after Roy read the following words of the Bab in which He bemoans the fact
that while incarcerated in the fortress of Maku He didn't even have a lamp in
His cell:

" How veiled are ye, O My creatures... who, without any
right have consigned Him (the Bab) unto a mountain (Maku), not one of whose
inhabitants is worthy of mention... With Him, which is with Me, there is no one
except him who is one of the Letters of the Living of My Book. In His
presence, which is My Presence, there is not at night even a lighted lamp!
And yet, in places (of worship) which in varying degrees reach out unto Him,
unnumbered lamps are shining! All that is on earth hath been created for Him,
and all partake with delight of His benefits, and yet they are so veiled from
Him as to refuse even a lamp."

Roy was so moved by the above that he immediately wrote to the Master
asking for permission to send a lighting plant to Haifa to light the Shrine of
the Bab.  `Abdu'l-Baha replied that three plants were necessary (it was His
vision to have the Shrine of The Bab illumined and also to be able to look
across the bay from the Shrine to see Bahji illumined). It was the task of
Curtis Kelsey, together with Husayn-i-Kahrubayi a young Persian man from
India, to install the plants.

 Unfortunately `Abdu'l-Baha passed away before the project was finished, but
as The Master had envisaged, the lights were completed and switched on
simultaneously. Because electricity wasn't widespread in the Haifa-Akka area
at the time, the two brilliant lights excited the populace who had never seen
anything like it before. Although 12 miles apart, the light emanating from each
place seemed to be reaching out to the other.

From "He Loved and Served", The Story of Curtis Kelsey by Nathan Rutstein
taken from an e-mail posting on Bahai-Exchange-UK@BCCA.Org

++
UK COMMUNITY NEWS

+
Discovering the Resting Place of Sara Louisa, Lady Blomfield

On the twelfth day of Ridvan a small group of Baha'is from Camden community
gathered at the recently re-discovered grave of Sara Louisa, Lady Blomfield.
Sunlight rippled through the leafy canopy of trees surrounding us, while the
soft spring breeze stirred to serve the spiritual blessings of the occasion.

Lady Blomfield embraced the Baha'i Faith in 1907, in her
early thirties, following a lifelong spiritual quest for truth. She is remembered
in the Baha'i World for offering her London home to the Master between 1911
and 1913 on His two visits to Britain, and for her book "The Chosen Highway"
(1) which details her account of those early days of the Faith. She spent
much time in the company of  `Abdu'l-Baha, both in the UK and abroad and
was the recipient of several well-documented letters from Him. Her thorough
notes of His talks and conversations provided the substance of the book Paris
Talks. (2)  Grateful acknowledgment was made to Lady Blomfield, by Shoghi
Effendi, for her valuable suggestions in the translating of The Dawnbreakers
from Nabil's original Persian text. (3)

At the suggestion of the Master, Lady Blomfield moved to Switzerland in 1912
to establish a Baha'i centre on the shores of Lake Geneva. During the First
World War she moved to Paris with her daughters to assist the French Red
Cross, working directly with the injured in hospital wards. Throughout her
long life she was involved deeply in many social causes, motivated  by her
dedication to alleviating the suffering of those whom she acknowledged as
victims of injustice. With clear support and encouragement from the Master,
Lady Blomfield was instrumental in the founding of the Save the Children
Fund, which she actively supported until shortly before her death on the last
day of 1939. She was buried,  by all accounts, in a moving service, on 4th
January, 1940, a little over 58 years ago. One of her daughters, Mary Esther
Hall, also a committed Baha'i, was laid to rest with her, ten years later, on
22nd May, 1950.

As we recited prayers and called to remembrance the distinguished services
of this cherished maidservant of `Abdu'l-Baha, we also contemplated the steps
we might take to beautify her resting place, thereby creating during this
centenary year, a fitting memorial to her life. We called to mind the unique
experience of recovering her grave.

In the first year of the Four Year Plan Camden community had named their
newly established Teaching and Training Foundation after Lady Blomfield, at
the suggestion of Auxiliary Board member Rob Weinberg. While researching for
a book on Lady Blomfield, Rob had discovered she was buried in Camden, at
our local Hampstead Cemetery. Mine was the task to locate her grave.
Following numerous telephone calls and computer searches I finally received
an exact location number; Q5, No 2.

Our community, excited to establish that her resting place lay in our midst,
arranged last summer to visit the Cemetery as part of a Holy Day service
project. Prior arrangements had been made for the Keeper of the Cemetery,
Mr Peter Wakefin, to guide us to the exact location when we arrived.  However
he phoned on the morning of our visit to advise me he would be in hospital
all day.  You'll be able to find it by yourselves,  he told me, confidently. He
assured me that the grave would not be overgrown, that we could bring
roses, and that he was  ..."sure the grave would house a befitting stone; after
all she was a Lady."  Above all, he said if we had any difficulty in finding
the grave, the number would be found  ..."on the back of the stone, half way
up."

Carefully armed with his instructions, members of the
community arrived as a troop in our finery, directly from our devotional
service, to pay our respects. We were soon to discover it would not be that
simple. We lost our way. In unsuitable clothing we searched the graveyard,
enlisting along the way the help of two young grave-diggers. They guided us
to the correct row. But where was the grave? We repeatedly checked the
stones to no avail. Finally the friends gathered together, a moving prayer was
chanted in Persian, and everyone parted company. But not the two young men
whose help we had enlisted. They were as determined lions in the Vineyard
of our Lord, gripped with the vision of fulfilling our search. I remained with
my daughter Romani, and Sepideh Taheri, to support their efforts. They
showed no sign, through their perspiration, in giving up the search. Some
time later,  down on bended knees, tearing away clumps of grass, suddenly
their excited calls rang through the ether.  "Here she is. We've found her,"
they delightedly exclaimed, clearing the grass away from the concrete border.

Such profoundly spiritual moments as these don't come often. We were drawn
to our knees, as if by a magnet as we approached her grave. No stone had
been erected to mark the sacred earth in which the remains of Lady Blomfield
lie. No visible inscription bears witness to the lofty soul of this remarkable
woman. At the foot of the grave, etched into a simple concrete border covered
with earth reads; "Sara Louisa, Lady Blomfield". At the head of her grave,
etched into the same simple  concrete border, reads the Baha'i name she used
and treasured, given to her by `Abdu'l-Baha - "Sitarih" meaning "Star".

Michele Wilburn

References
(1) The Chosen Highway ; BPT, UK; 1940
(2) Paris Talks ; BPT, UK; 1967
(3) The Dawnbreakers,1xii BPT, Wilmette, 1996

The article "The First Obligation; Lady Blomfield and the Save the Children
Fund" by Robert Weinberg,  is available from the Baha'i Information Office.

+
Another chapter in Olya's story

When Myra Davidson suggested (tentatively) during the Feast of Mashiyyat
that a possible way to reach out to diverse groups of people in the
communities of Stirling, Falkirk and Clackmannan would be to invite Olya
Roohizadegan, author of "Olya's Story", neither she, nor anyone else present,
had any idea of the consequences of her suggestion. What followed was one
of the most dynamic, challenging and confirming experiences undergone by the
believers in the area.

Each of the three communities is small; our resources limited and our
commitments many. What we had in our favour was that we took the decision
to invite Olya in a spirit of faith and unity and, as the English translation of
the Feast name implied,  left the outcome to the Will of God.

Once Olya agreed to the visit, two coordinators, Myra Davidson and Scott
Murray, undertook the task of organising a schedule which would make as
much use as possible of the special resources which Olya brings with her. The
three-day visit was arranged to coincide with a Human Rights Week which was
planned for local schools in February. A community fireside, a talk to the
Amnesty International Group at Stirling University, a meeting with the Provost
of Clackmannanshire, interviews with local press, meals with the friends in the
three groups and visits to five secondary schools comprised a hectic but well-
structured itinerary.

We had thought that transport was going to be a problem; however, when two
friends of the Faith who are not yet Baha'i, Peter Equi and eighty year old
Mrs Margery Smith, offered the use of their homes and cars respectively, it
became clear that the success of this visit was in other Hands.

The events which took place at the fireside on the first evening  can only be
described as astonishing, as Myra Davidson relates: "People who had been
invited were phoning to ask if they could bring friends so that many of the
faces were not familiar to us but altogether there were twenty four people
sitting on couches, chairs, cushions, and the carpet.  Several were in tears
as Olya described her experiences, and the sister of a Canadian Baha'i
declared on the spot.  I was in the kitchen and didn't witness the first
declaration of an adult in Dollar, having waited 24 years for it!"

Scott Murray, Principal Teacher of Religious and Moral Education at Alva
Academy, was the lynch pin in Olya's visits to local schools. At the first of
these on Tuesday in Denny, around fifty pupils attended her talk, and so
impressed was the Head of the School that he called that same evening to
express his gratitude at being given the opportunity to hear Olya speak,
saying that his pupils were "incredibly attentive".  Over the three day period
Olya spoke directly to the hearts of some seven hundred and fifty souls;
press coverage will ensure that many thousands more will read of her visit.

That afternoon Robert Elder, the Provost of Clackmananshire, met Olya as
arranged. A photographer from the Alloa Advertiser arrived early and joined
in the discussion.  The Provost approved of Olya's message but felt it would
never happen - the photographer retorted that it was happening now!
Photographs of Olya presenting her book to the Provost were taken.  Two
reporters from local press interviewed Olya during her stay. Her book "Olya's
Story" was given to the Dollar Library to commemorate the event.

 A very emotional meeting took place during which over sixty people heard 
the dramatic circumstances of her escape from Iran and subsequent travels
undertaken to fulfil her promise to the Ten Martyrs of Shiraz at a talk given
to Amnesty International in Stirling University.

She spoke to the friends of her gratitude  for enabling her to continue to
carry out her promise to the Martyrs of Shiraz, and praised them for having
the will to invite her. She had, she said, been asked by some people why she
should  "waste your time in such a small community?"  (Olya's next trip is to
meet the President of Portugal.) Her answer was that when she was
imprisoned, she was in a small community and from small beginnings great
things come.

Olya insisted that this report includes a challenge to any other "small
communities" who feel that they do not have the resources to invite someone
of her stature to "take the first step" and see what faith and unity can
produce. She also challenged those "wealthy Baha'is in the South" (Olya s own
words) to use their wealth to help those less fortunate to arrange programmes
that include people like her - who have the spirit, but not the means to
travel in the Master's footsteps.  Finally, for those who could not believe that
help would come from non-Baha'i sources: "It was my neighbours who were
Muslims that warned me that the Revolutionary Guards were coming to arrest
me," she said.

The reverberations of Olya's visit are still resounding through the very air. 
We feel much like those who received the first electronic morse message who
stood astonished and asked, "What hath God wrought?" 

+
Tree planting for International Tree Foundation

To mark the centenary of the founding of the Men of Trees (now known as
the International Tree Foundation), the Baha'i community in Chesterfield
purchased and planted a tree in Queen's Park near to the County Cricket
pavilion. The Mayor of Chesterfield, Councillor Margaret Higgins agreed to
plant the six-foot tulip tree (magnolia type) with the Baha'i friends on the Day
of the Covenant, 26th November, which was also the first day of the European
Week of the Tree.

Present were Lady Hilton (widow of the former Lord Lieutenant of Derbyshire).
Lady Hilton's father had owned and run the Scottish nurseries, where Richard
St Barbe Baker had purchased his trees, including most of the now mature
trees in Queen's Park. Baha'is from Sheffield, Amber Valley and High Peak also
attended the planting. The Borough Council supplied refreshments and will be
taking care of the tree in the future on behalf of the local Baha'i community.

+
A two-fold celebration at East Anglian School 

Even with the weather, sleet, hail, snow and rain did not stop a warm-hearted
band of sixty-four participants - including representatives of eight countries
across the world - from enjoying the 16th East Anglian Baha'i School during
the Easter break.

Celebration number one was that of the Centenary of the establishment of the
Baha'i Faith in the British Isles. Number two was a review of the deeds and
personalities of four of these "torch bearers" of a New World Order - Dr John
Esslemont, George Townshend, Thomas Breakwell and Ethel Rosenberg. The
story of Daniel Jenkyn, the first Cornish believer was brought to life by
printouts from Mrs Joan Smith.

Discussion dealt with the current practical steps being taken here in Suffolk,
as well as all over Europe, to hasten the implementation of this vision and to
bring to fruition the promise of Baha'u'llah, the Most Great Peace.

A Persian lunch was given at the School thanks to the loan of the premises
by the Headmaster. Distinguished guests including the Mayor of Stowmarket,
joined the friends and music from around the world was provided with the
satisfied diners joining in the choruses!

+
Agenda 21 - meeting social challenge

This intensive course is aimed at practitioners working with Agenda 21 issues. 
It will be held at Coventry University on 22nd - 24th July 1998 and is
organised by Coventry University and Coventry City Council Agenda 21 Group.
It can be academically accredited.

The central element of the course will comprise case studies of a number of
successful local Agenda 21 initiatives - both national and international -
bearing on social issues. It will enable practitioners of various backgrounds
who are dealing with Agenda 21 issues to carry out their tasks effectively at
the local level while understanding the global implications of their efforts.

While being based on an active participatory approach including group work
and workshops, the course will also feature interactive presentations by
highly qualified experts such as Chris Church, advisor to the UN Environment
and Development Committee for the UK and Peter Woodward, UK manager of
Shell Better Britain Campaign.

The course is coordinated by a Baha'i and an international case  study will
be presented by a Baha'i. More significantly, this will prove an excellent forum
for Baha'is to interact with other Agenda 21 practitioners within the UK.
Please inform your relevant contacts about the course.

For further information or registration, please contact Kami Namdar, tel: 01203
838101 (day) and 01203 619952 (eve).

+
Prayer Link


The Prayer Link was started in January this year with the idea of bringing
together a number of people willing and available to pray for any need at any
time.

It began with twelve volunteers living in different parts of the UK and the
link is formed in an imaginary circle so that any one of the friends can start
a prayer request by simply phoning the next number in a clockwise direction.
The member who is phoned then passes the message on to the next number
and so on until the link is complete. It has recently been enlarged to eighteen
members who are spread widely from Winchester to Northern Ireland. The
Prayer Link has been much used ever since it started, helping by prayer a
lot of people, both Baha'is and others.

It is emphasised that no-one should feel a prayer request is too trivial, as
what may seem a small matter to one person can be hugely important to
another. If there is a need for prayer that is enough reason to ask for it.
(Telephone: 01225 863859).

"Supplication and prayer on behalf of others will surely be effective. When
hearts are united, when faces are turned towards the Kingdom of  Abha,
surely enlightenment will be the result."(`Abdu'l-Baha,  Star of the West , vol
8, p47).

+
Paradise at the Parkside Hotel, Bristol

Over 300 people gathered together for the biggest Ridvan celebration ever in
Bristol on Sunday 26th April. Baha'is and non-Baha'is from all over the South
West of England and Wales came together to celebrate what Baha'u'llah named
"the King of Festivals".

The evening began with a devotional of readings, prayers and chanting
followed by the wonderful One World Rhythm choir who sang, danced and
entertained everyone, infusing a spirit of unity and joy amongst those who
were present.

A large banquet of mainly Persian
food was provided by the Baha'is of Bristol and a professional clown
entertained the children. Publicity was given to the event by an article in the
Bristol Observer two days beforehand and as a result many non-Baha'is
attended as well as personal contacts.

This was the second year that the Baha'i community of Bristol organised such
an event. Watch out for next year's - it's going to be even bigger and
better!!

++
LETTERS TO THE JOURNAL

+
Letter to a friend - from Ruhiyyih Khanum


This letter, written in November 1997, was sent to the Journal so that others
could benefit from Hand of the Cause of God Ruhiyyih Khanum's deep feelings
on the subject of teaching:

I was happy to learn of your activities and wish more of the Baha'is would
step forward and appreciate the fact that all of us can serve, and that as we
have no priesthood in our religion, a great deal of activity rests on our
shoulders and nobody else's, and we ought to be far more active. I seem to
recall a phrase in the writings: "forgetful of self, but ever mindful of what
is Thine", and I think the friends should be more constantly aware of these
words. After all, relatively, we are nothing, but from the standpoint of having
the privilege of being Baha'is and sharing the Message of Baha'u'llah with
others, we have become, shall I say, "emissaries". The power of reflecting
light is a very mysterious thing. After all, even a piece of broken glass by
the wayside can pick up the radiance of sunlight.

It is all very well to talk about "old Baha'is" and "new Baha'is", but it is a
rather artificial statement. I have known lots of "old Baha'is" that never woke
up and got active, and lots of "new Baha'is" that were fireballs. I think we
should remember those words of Baha'u'llah, "Seize thy chance for it shall
come to thee no more" and recognise the fact that this is the world in which
to serve and teach, because whatever the next life offers us - and we believe
that we have an eternally preserving personality - it won't be that in the
same sense. So we should really seize our opportunities and teach.

Personally, I do not want to sit around in eternity contemplating missed
opportunities. I want to be comfortable mentally and at least somewhat
justifiably pleased with my efforts on earth.

Ruhiyyih Khanum

+
The unexpected pilgrimage

Walking along the wide flagstone terrace in front of Royal York Crescent,
Clifton, Bristol, that wet October day, I little realised the impact that was
awaiting me. Here I was, not in Haifa or Akka, but still in the West Country,
and actually treading on the ground where `Abdu'l-Baha had walked!

 `Abdu'l-Baha had been invited by Wellesley Tudor-Pole to stay at his Clifton
Guest House, 16-17 Royal York Crescent, on 23rd-25th September 1911.

That morning, on my journey to Bristol, I had been looking at a photograph
of `Abdu'l-Baha with two companions, framed in that gracious doorway, now
here I was saying prayers before that threshold. What I had not realised was
that He had made a promise for this house!

In the "Star of the West" (16th October 1911), Wellesley Tudor-Pole describes 
Abdu'l-Baha s visit to Bristol and concludes: "After lunch the Master went all
over the Guest House blessing and dedicating each room to the service of
Baha'u'llah and promising that the house would become a centre of peace and
rest for pilgrims from East and West...

Dear friends, it is more than eighty years since this wonderful promise was
made. Today the Guest House is divided into nine privately owned apartments,
none of which are owned by Baha'is. Please can we start working for this
promise.

Royal York Crescent is the longest Georgian Crescent in Britain, and is
beautifully situated with far-reaching views. It is just a stone's throw from
I K Brunel s famous Clifton Suspension Bridge. Clifton is also the most
fashionable district in Bristol.

`Abdu'l-Baha's promise will become a
reality. Can this be started in the Four Year Plan and during the UK
Centenary? From time to time these apartments are available for purchase -
because of their location they would make a splendid investment. If you would
like more details there are local friends who are willing to help. Please call me
in the first instance.

Carole Huxtable,
Tel: 01803
690330.

+
Hackney twinned with Haifa

Last year I made the interesting discovery that the London borough of
Hackney is twinned with Haifa! As far as local Baha'is are aware this  twinning 
was arranged by the local authorities with no direct reference to Baha'i
Institutions.

East London has traditionally been the materially
poor part of London. Hackney, Newham and Tower Hamlets have figured as
three worst areas of the UK in terms of per capita incomes, educational
attainment, vandalism, unemployment, crime, drug addiction, alcohol abuse,
smoking, life expectancy, divorce, abortions, prostitution - on just about every
measure the areas have been identified as not pleasant places to live in. All
the more terrible when one considers that London as a whole is one of the
richest and most beautiful cities in the world. Of course even in the most
terrible times God never deserts us - and East London has displayed
resilience, comradeship, compassion, love and community spirit. The Blitz in the
Second World War never put the flame out, nor did the closure of the Docks
and the recession.

How Baha'u'llah must love East London! What tears of joy `Abdu'l-Baha would
shed to see how this area has taken in refugees from around the world.
Baha'u'llah has certainly rewarded Hackney with a great honour, to be linked
with the very city in which the World Centre of the Faith is located - a
reward to the Baha'is who over many years have worked there - and a reward
too for all the people who have lived and worked in Hackney.

John Flackett 

++
End of document