Ministry of the Custodians:
An Account of the Stewardship of the Hands of the Cause 1957-1963
by / on behalf of Universal House of Justice and Ruhiyyih (Mary Maxwell) Khanum
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chapter 4 | start page | single page | chapter 6 |  |
Chapter 5
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MINISTRY OF THE CUSTODIANS
1961
1961
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THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY BLANK
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To the National and Regional Spiritual Assemblies of the Bahá'í World
January 1, 1961
Dear Co-workers:
In a communication dated
November 13, 1960, we informed all National and Regional Assemblies
that we were sending them nine ballot papers for the election of
the International Bahá'í Council, one for each Assembly member.
In
order to ensure that all existing National Assemblies participate
fully in this supremely important election, we request that the
Secretary of each Assembly inform us immediately whether these
ballots have been received and distributed to the individual
members. As indicated previously, the Secretaries are responsible
for collecting the sealed ballots and mailing them in ample time
to reach the World Centre before April 21, 1961.
With warm Bahá'í
love,
In the service of the beloved Guardian,
HANDS OF THE CAUSE
IN THE HOLY LAND
To All National Spiritual Assemblies
January 4, 1961
Dear Bahá'í Friends:
On the occasion of the historic
dedication for Bahá'í and public worship of the first
Mashriqu'l-Adhkar of the African continent, we suggest that you
either write or cable the National Spiritual Assembly of Central
and East Africa, congratulating them on the completion at so early
a date of this Mother House of Worship, so dear to our beloved
Guardian's heart.
We feel sure your messages will encourage and
inspire the African believers throughout the continent, and bring
to them a sense of the great solidarity of the believers all over
the world and the degree to which they share each others' joys and
victories.
We send you all our loving greetings,
In the service of the beloved Guardian,
HANDS OF THE CAUSE
IN THE HOLY LAND
BAHA'I WILMETTE
JANUARY 12,1961
ANNOUNCE JOYOUS NEWS CORNERSTONE MOTHER TEMPLE EUROPE LAID
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IMPRESSIVE CEREMONY ATTENDED NEARLY ONE THOUSAND BAHA'I GUESTS SACRED DUST SHRINE Bahá'u'lláh, PLACED FOUNDATION BY BELOVED HAND AMELIA COLLINS STOP EXCAVATIONS FOUNDATIONS WALLS BEING RAPIDLY COMPLETED PLANS LAID EARLY CONSTRUCTION SUPERSTRUCTURE BUT ACTUAL BEGINNING THIS WORK DEPENDENT AVAILABILITY SUFFICIENT FUNDS STOP HEAVY INCREASE BUILDING COSTS DURING UNAVOIDABLE SEVEN YEAR DELAY OVERCOMING SERIOUS OBSTACLES NOW REQUIRES STEADY UNINTERRUPTED FLOW CONTRIBUTIONS STOP COMPLETION THIS HISTORIC STRUCTURE DURING CRUSADE NOW NECESSITATES FULFILMENT BELOVED GUARDIAN'S STIRRING CALL FOR GREAT OUTPOURING TREASURE BY BELIEVERS THROUGHOUT WORLD STOP REQUEST ALL NATIONAL ASSEMBLIES IMMEDIATELY INAUGURATE SPECIAL FUND CONSTRUCTION MOTHER TEMPLE EUROPE URGE ALL FRIENDS SUPPORT THIS FUND LIBERALLY CONTINUOUSLY STOP ATTAINMENT THIS VITAL GOAL TEN YEAR PLAN WILL RELEASE UNTOLD SPIRITUAL POWER ADD PRESTIGE FAITH DEMONSTRATE VITALITY EVER VICTORIOUS WORLD BAHA'I COMMUNITY ATTRACT DIVINE CONFIRMATIONS BLESSINGS PROMISED BY 'Abdu'l-Bahá, TO ALL THOSE WHO SACRIFICE FOR HOUSE OF THE LORD STOP AIRMAIL MESSAGE ALL NATIONAL ASSEMBLIES.
| [CABLE] | HANDSFAITH |
DEDICATION OF
THE MOTHER TEMPLE OF AFRICA
Kampala, Uganda
January 14, 1961
To the Hands of the Cause, Auxiliary Board Members, Members of National Assemblies, and believers attending the Dedication of the Mother Temple of Africa and the Africa Teaching Conference.
Beloved Friends:
On the historic occasion of the opening for public worship
of the Mother Temple of Africa and the gathering together for the
third time in a period of seven years, of so many African believers
and Bahá'í guests from other countries, our hearts turn in
thanksgiving to our beloved Guardian who made this great victory
possible.
At the inception of the Ten Year Plan, coincident with
the Centenary celebration of the birth of Bahá'u'lláh's Revelation,
it was Africa which was chosen by Shoghi Effendi as the scene of
the first of the four mighty Intercontinental Conferences which
constituted part of the inauguration of that long-anticipated
intercontinental stage in the administrative evolution
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of the Faith. On the occasion of that Conference he gave to Africa no less than 77 specific goals, almost all of which have already been achieved, and some far exceeded. It was Africa which was once again given the honour of holding the first of the second series of Intercontinental Conferences called by Shoghi Effendi in celebration of the midway point of the World Crusade.
It was Africa
whose Temple was first ready to have its comer-stone laid, and
receive the Sacred Dust from the holy Shrine of Bahá'u'lláh as his
last loving gift.
As the Bahá'í Dispensation unfolds, the deep
spiritual significance of this African Temple, the first Temple to
be completed during the World Crusade, will be increasingly
revealed. We should ponder the fact that the people of Africa have
attracted the grace of Bahá'u'lláh to such a marked degree that
after the construction in Asia-the continent which has been the
Cradle of the Manifestations of God-of the first Bahá'í Temple to
be erected, and the completion in America, the Cradle of the
Administrative Order, of the second Bahá'í House of Worship, it was
Africa which was singled out for the unique honour of completing
the third Mother Temple to be raised in the name and to the glory
of the Supreme Manifestation of God for this Day.
All the friends,
particularly those who have come from Persia to attend the
dedication of this blessed Mashriqu'l-Adhkar, should recall that
in addition to its significance as the Mother Temple of Africa and
the third of the Bahá'í world, it has a special, precious and most
tender association with the long-suffering followers of Bahá'u'lláh
in His native land. Our beloved Guardian, at a time when what he
characterized as the worst crisis since the inception of the
Formative Age of the Bahá'í Dispensation, was sweeping Persia,
particularly stated that this Temple was to constitute a "supreme
consolation" to our oppressed and valiant brethren in the Cradle
of the Faith. How befitting that the majority of Bahá'ís present
on this occasion should be of African and Persian extraction. How
mysterious the link binding these two important branches of the
Bahá'í family to each other-on the one hand, the Community that
gave over 20,000 martyrs to this glorious Cause, on the other the
representatives of those spiritually fertile peoples, over 15,000
of whom have, in the brief space of nine years, flocked to the
Standard of Bahá'u'lláh, arisen to teach His Faith in their own
countries, and gone forth as pioneers in His Name throughout their
vast continent.
In conjunction with the opening of the
Mashriqu'l-Adhkar to public worship, a teaching conference
affording unique opportunities for consultation between
(Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih Khanum, representing the Hands at the World
Centre, the African Hands of the Cause, Board members, Regional
Assembly members, pioneers, teachers and believers, is being
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held. We feel particular attention should be given to the supreme task of mass conversion, and ways and means of extending this work, so dear to our Guardian's heart, as well as better methods of consolidating the communities being so rapidly formed, and deepening the new believers in knowledge and understanding of the teachings.
Shoghi Effendi's vision, his determination, his
overwhelming confidence in the wonderful qualities of the African
people have brought us to the present hour of consummation. Who can
doubt that this fulfilment of his fondest hope, this fruition of
his cherished plan for Africa -- the completion of this Mother
Temple -- will now cast over the entire continent a mighty blessing,
and release a new and powerful wave of spiritual vitality. To the
great "silent teacher" in the heart of the American continent, as
'Abdu'l-Bahá called the first Temple of the Western World, standing
on the shores of Lake Michigan and attracting more notice to the
Faith each year, has now been added a sister edifice in the heart
of Africa. Her message of Oneness will increasingly flow out over
that continent and affect its people, consciously and
unconsciously.
The African believers, as well as those pioneers
from abroad who have settled among them and been so largely
instrumental in propagating the Faith there, must seize upon this
opportunity, when they are together in the shadow of this
newly-completed House of Worship, and discuss their problems and
plans exhaustively. They must ponder the spirit as well as the
letter of the many precious instructions and words of encouragement
they received from Shoghi Effendi and devise ways of carrying out
the great tasks that lie ahead of them. They must remember this is
only the beginning of the work in Africa; surveying what has been
accomplished in seven years. With what joy and enthusiasm must they
look forward to the future, with its new victories, its fresh
conquests of men's hearts, which will widen the bases on which many
independent African national bodies must rest-national bodies to
be established in the course of plans which must be undertaken
during the years following the termination of the Ten Year Crusade.
These future, glorious campaigns, will form a part, in the words
of our beloved Guardian, of that "laborious and tremendously long
process of establishing in the course of subsequent crusades in all
the newly opened sovereign states, dependencies and islands of the
planet, as well as in all the remaining territories of the globe,
the framework of the Administrative Order of the Faith, with all
its attendant agencies, and of eventually erecting in these
territories still more pillars to share in sustaining the weight
and in broadening the foundation of the Universal House of
Justice."
How vast the scope for service which lies before the
African believers, labouring in a continent comprising over fifty
nations and territories, how
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great the part they must play in ushering in that blissful consummation described by him as "the long-awaited advent of the Christ-promised Kingdom of God on earth --the Kingdom of Bahá'u'lláh --mirroring however faintly upon this humble handful of dust the glories of the Abha Kingdom."
HANDS OF THE CAUSE IN THE
HOLY LAND
BAHA'I WILMETTE
JANUARY 24, 1961
JOYOUSLY SHARE BAHA'I WORLD NEWS COMPLETION DEDICATION MOTHER TEMPLE AFRICA MARKING SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTIONS FAITH THAT RICHLY BLESSED CONTINENT STOP MEMORABLE DEDICATION CEREMONY ATTENDED AMATU'l-BAHA RUHIYYIH KHANUM AND NEARLY FIVE HUNDRED BELIEVERS REPRESENTING NINETEEN COUNTRIES STOP PRESENCE MORE THAN THOUSAND VISITORS INAUGURAL SERVICE PUBLIC WORSHIP WIDE PUBLICITY PRESS RADIO ATTEST GROWING RECOGNITION IMPORTANCE AFRICAN BAHA'I COMMUNITY STOP URGE FRIENDS EVERYWHERE JOIN PRAYERS THANKSGIVING ATTAINMENT THIS CHERISHED GOAL BELOVED GUARDIAN'S PLAN AIRMAIL MESSAGE ALL NATIONAL AS SEMBLIES.
| [CABLE] | HANDSFAITH |
To All National and Regional Spiritual Assemblies
February 12, 1961
Dear Bahá'í Friends:
The Hands of the Faith, from their Conclave in
Bahji last October, made the joyous announcement to the Bahá'í
world that the many obstacles in the way of actual construction
work on the Mother Temple of Europe, in Frankfurt, Germany, had
been overcome, and the seven-yearlong delay at last ended.
On
November 20, 1960 the corner-stone was laid at an impressive
ceremony, attended by nearly one thousand Bahá'ís and their guests,
at which the Sacred Dust from the Shrine of Bahá'u'lláh, entrusted
to the German National Assembly for this purpose by Shoghi Effendi
himself, was placed in the foundation by the beloved Hand of the
Cause Amelia Collins.
Since that day, work at the site has gone
forward on the foundations, and weather permitting, this phase will
soon be completed. Contracts have been signed for the erection of
the superstructure, work on which is to
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start in early Spring, with completion scheduled in the late Fall of 1961.
The problem now is one of a steady and uninterrupted
flow of funds. The beloved Guardian stated that the attainment of
this goal will require "a great outpouring of treasure" on the part
of the world-wide Bahá'í Community. The friends everywhere should
realize that while this Temple is being constructed in Frankfurt,
it is not a German Temple; and while it is the Mother Temple of
Europe, its construction is the responsibility of the entire Bahá'í
world, as it was given as one of the major goals of the Ten Year
Crusade.
The Hands of the Faith are fully aware of the degree to
which the friends everywhere are already sacrificing for the
attainment of the goals of the Ten Year Plan. However, all of us
are now called upon for a far greater degree of sacrifice than
heretofore throughout the fast-fleeting twenty-seven months
remaining for the successful completion of the World's Greatest
Spiritual Crusade.
Funds are needed, and amply, at once, for the
continuance of the work on the Temple in Frankfurt.
We call on the
friends to contribute freely and liberally to this noble
undertaking, from which such great spiritual bounties are promised,
not only for the Bahá'ís but for all the peoples of the world.
To
a continent twice baptized in the fire of the world's most terrible
wars, this Temple will be the dawning place of the praises of God,
and a focal point for the radiation of the spirit of peace and
unity.
As the friends contribute to the fund you have established
for the Mother Temple of Europe, we request that you send each
month to the National Spiritual Assembly of Germany, all monies
received.
A steady flow of funds is essential to ensure that the
work will go forward without interruption. Owing to the heavy
concentration of payments involved in the contract for the erection
of the superstructure, a minimum of $300,000 is needed in the
calendar year 1961. An additional $125,000 will be needed in 1962.
As we contemplate the unprecedented sacrifices which must still be
made before the divinely-conceived Plan of our beloved Guardian can
be crowned with total victory in 1963; and as we arise to
participate in that "great outpouring" called for by our Beloved,
which alone will make possible the completion of this blessed
edifice in the heart of the European continent, let us bear in mind
the stirring promises of 'Abdu'l-Bahá Himself, describing the
spiritual blessings which these Temples, "Dawning-places of the
praises of God", release to the world.
Temples are the symbols of the divine uniting force ...
This is the spiritual foundation, for that reason it is the most
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important of all foundations; from that spiritual foundation will come forth all manner of advancement and progress in the world of humanity.... Not only does the building of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar have an effect upon those who build it, but upon the whole world. ... The friends of God must endeavour with all their hearts and souls that this structure may be raised and completed.
With warm
Bahá'í love,
In the service of the beloved Guardian,
HANDS OF THE
CAUSE IN THE HOLY LAND
To All National and Regional Spiritual Assemblies
March 6, 1961
Dear Bahá'í Friends:
As you know, one of
the great victories of the Ten Year Plan of our beloved Guardian
will be achieved this coming Ridvan with the simultaneous formation
of 21 new National Spiritual Assemblies in Latin America. This
historic event offers an unparalleled opportunity for publicity and
effective proclamation activities, based on the news value of what
is taking place in 21 countries in the Western Hemisphere.
Not only
should it be possible to obtain publicity in the press, but
doubtless in some countries and cities opportunities can be
developed for radio and possibly television coverage, in connection
with general Bahá'í-sponsored programs.
We are asking the National
Assembly of the United States to undertake the task of furnishing
the other National and Regional Assemblies with factual publicity
material, which can then be adapted by each Assembly for
appropriate use within its own territory. Obviously there will be
certain countries and regions, such as Arabia, 'Iraq and Iran,
where it will not be possible to give any publicity to these
events. Each National Assembly will of course know what is possible
and appropriate in its own territory.
It has been the practice in
the past for each existing national body to send a message of
greeting to new National Assemblies at the time of their formation.
These messages give the newly-established Assembly and the friends
present at the Conventions during which they are elected, a feeling
of oneness with their sister National Assemblies as an integral
part of the world-wide Bahá'í Community. We suggest that you send
such messages of greeting to the new Assembly of each of the 21
countries. They should be sent immediately in each case in care of
the appropriate
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present Regional Assembly. In the event that you do not have the necessary information, the attached sheet indicates the address of the four existing Regional Assemblies, and the countries where the National Assemblies are to be formed under their sponsorship.
We
send you loving greetings and the assurance of our ardent prayers
for the success of your efforts to proclaim this important
milestone in the unfoldment of the World Order of Bahá'u'lláh.
In
the service of the beloved Guardian,
HANDS OF THE CAUSE IN THE HOLY
LAND
Central America, Mexico and Panama
| Costa Rica | Mexico |
| El Salvador | Nicaragua |
| Guatemala | Panama |
| Honduras |
Greater Antilles
| Cuba | Haiti |
| Dominican Republic | Jamaica |
Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay
| Argentina | Paraguay |
| Bolivia | Uruguay |
| Chile |
Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela
| Brazil | Ecuador |
| Peru | Venezuela |
| Colombia |
BAHA'I WILMETTE
MARCH 13,1961
WITH HUMBLE HEARTS TURN BAHA'U'LLAH IN THANKSGIVING BOUNTIFUL BLESSINGS BESTOWED HIS FAITHFUL FOLLOWERS THROUGHOUT WORLD DURING PAST YEAR ENABLING THEM WIN UNPRECEDENTED VICTORIES ALL FRONTS STOP MOTHER TEMPLE AFRICA BEFITTINGLY DEDICATED MOTHER TEMPLE AUSTRALIA NEARING COMPLETION CONSTRUCTION WORK MOTHER TEMPLE EUROPE RAPIDLY PROGRESSING STOP MASS CONVERSION SO ARDENTLY CALLED FOR BY BELOVED GUARDIAN CONTINUING AFRICAN CONTINENT EXPANDING SOUTH AMERICA INDONESIA MALAYA NOW BEGINNING
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INDIA STOP IN SENDING LOVING NAWRUZ GREETINGS URGE FRIENDS JOIN IN FERVENT PRAYERS BAHA`U'LLAH SUPPLICATE FURTHER OUTPOURING HIS BOUNTIES ASSURING IN COMING YEAR EVEN GREATER VICTORIES RAISING HIGHER BANNER HIS GLORIOUS FAITH IN EVERY LAND AS BEACON AND SOLE HOPE PEACE UNITY DISTRACTED WORLD STOP AIRMAIL MESSAGE ALL NATIONAL ASSEMBLIES.
| [CABLE] | HANDSFAITH |
BAHA'I WILMETTE
APRIL 4,1961
GRIEVED LOSS DISTINGUISHED DISCIPLE 'Abdu'l-Bahá, HAND CAUSE CORINNE TRUE HER LONG ASSOCIATION EARLY HISTORY FAITH AMERICA RAISING MOTHER TEMPLE WEST STAUNCH UNFAILING CHAMPIONSHIP COVENANT STEADFAST SUPPORT BELOVED GUARDIAN EVERY STAGE UNFOLDMENT WORLD ORDER UNFORGETTABLE ENRICH ANNALS FAITH WESTERN WORLD STOP URGE HOLD BEFITTING MEMORIAL GATHERING MASHRIQU'LADHKAR.
| [CABLE] | HANDSFAITH |
BAHA'I WILMETTE
APRIL 6,1961
OUR CABLE PASSING MOTHER TRUE ADD FOLLOWING QUOTE AIRMAIL MESSAGE HANDS NATIONAL ASSEMBLIES UNQUOTE ...
| [CABLE] | HANDSFAITH |
To the Representatives of the Sponsoring Regional Assemblies at each Convention of Latin America
April 10, 1961
Dear Bahá'í Friends:
Enclosed is the Ridvan Message
of the Hands of the Cause in the Holy Land to the Annual
Conventions of the Bahá'í world. The special message to the Latin
American Conventions has already been sent to you. Both of these
messages should be presented by the Hand of the Cause attending
each Convention, though not necessarily read by him because of the
language problem.
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We wish to inform the Conventions and the new National Assemblies
that the Hands of the Cause are making a contribution of one
thousand dollars to each of these twenty-one new administrative
bodies, to inaugurate their National Funds. The announcement of
this gift should be made by the Hand present at the Convention.
The
Hand of the Cause Amelia Collins also wishes to inform the new
Assemblies that she is making a separate contribution of one
thousand dollars to each of the new National Funds, in loving
appreciation of the great spiritual victory which has been won.
To
facilitate transfer of these gifts, and in order to establish
contact with the World Centre as quickly as possible, we request
each new National Assembly to forward to Haifa the name and postal
address of its Secretary and Treasurer, as well as the cable
address of its National Office.
With warm Bahá'í love,
In the
service of the beloved Guardian,
HANDS OF THE CAUSE IN THE HOLY
LAND
RIDVAN MESSAGE
1961
1961
To Annual Bahá'í Conventions
Dearly beloved Friends:
"Every nation in the Western Hemisphere is
Illumined by the rays and woven into the fabric of Bahá'u'lláh's
triumphant Administrative Order." Such, in the beloved Guardian's
own words, is the nature of the unique victory the entire Bahá'í
world is celebrating during this blessed Ridvan period, when
twenty-one new and independent National Spiritual Assemblies are
being elected throughout the length and breadth of Latin America.
An enterprise officially inaugurated twenty-four years ago, through
the launching of the first Seven Year Plan, has been gloriously
consummated. The "onward marching legions of the army of
Bahá'u'lláh" pause in wonder and survey with grateful hearts their
majestic conquests. "That pioneer movement for which" Shoghi
Effendi stated "the entire machinery" of the Administrative Order
had "been primarily designed and erected" has yielded a mighty
harvest. No less than twenty-four independent National Spiritual
Assemblies now comprise the links in the mighty chain of Bahá'í
solidarity, stretching from the Arctic Circle to the Strait of
Magallanes. Humbly, and with infinite gratitude, the followers of
the Blessed Beauty lay before His throne this blazing crown in the
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name and in the memory of their Guardian, for it is essentially his victory, the witness of his faithful and superhuman efforts to implement that Divine Plan for the spiritual conquest of the entire planet which 'Abdu'l-Bahá entrusted to his care, to him who was the Sign of God on earth.
An occasion for such rejoicing cannot be
allowed to pass without reviewing the antecedents of this
overwhelming victory in the Western Hemisphere, which comprises
half of the globe, which embraces the entire New World, and which
the Guardian said was "the first region in the Western World to be
warmed and Illumined by the rays of God's infant Faith." He stated
that in a sense the original impetus of the world teaching plan of
the Master was given when the Bab. in the opening years of the
first Bahá'í century, directed the "'peoples of the West' to issue
forth 'from your cities and aid His Cause.'" Many times he pointed
out that ever since "the momentous and stiffing summons" was
"issued by the Author of the Revelation in His Most Holy Book,
addressed to the rulers of all the Republics of the Western
Hemisphere," the uninterrupted blessings of God had been poured
upon the American continent. Bahá'u'lláh Himself testified that "In
the East the Light of His Revelation hath broken; in the West the
signs of His dominion have appeared", whilst 'Abdu'l-Bahá in 1917,
in one of the Tablets of the Divine Plan, made the extraordinary
pronouncement that "the continent of America is, in the eyes of the
one True God, the land wherein the splendours of His light shall
be revealed, where the mysteries of His Faith shall be unveiled.
. . " "The American continent", He affirmed, "gives signs and
evidences of very great advancement. Its future is even more
promising. . . It will lead all nations spiritually."
Within the
northern confines of a continent upon which had already been
conferred such a remarkable station, the American Bahá'í Community
was singled out for unique honours; it was "a community", Shoghi
Effendi wrote, "invested with spiritual primacy by the Author of
the immortal Tablets constituting the Charter of the Master Plan
of the appointed Centre of Bahá'u'lláh's Covenant." In majestic and
ringing words the Guardian himself gave the rank and titles of this
favoured community, whose mission is so unbelievably great, whose
responsibilities are so staggering. Its members were, he said: "the
spiritual descendants of the Dawn-breakers of the Heroic Age of the
Bahá'í Faith, the chief repository of the immortal Tablets of
'Abdu'l-Bahá's Divine Plan, the foremost executors of the Mandate
issued by the Centre of Bahá'u'lláh's Covenant, the
champion-builders of a divinely conceived Administrative Order, the
standard-bearers of the all-conquering army of the Lord of Hosts,
the torchbearers of a future divinely inspired world civilization
. . ."
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A community, called by 'Abdu'l-Bahá "Apostles of Bahá'u'lláh" and
specifically instructed by Him in the Tablets of the Divine Plan
to carry the Message of His Father to all the Republics of Latin
America and the islands fringing them in both the Atlantic and
Pacific Oceans, was launched officially in 1937 on its mission of
spiritual conquest when the Guardian set in motion the first Seven
Year Plan. The precursor of this historic event was a letter from
him written in May, 1936, to the National Spiritual Assembly of the
Bahá'ís of the United States and Canada in which he said a
"systematic, carefully conceived . . . plan should be devised"
whose "supreme ... objective should be the permanent establishment
of at least one centre in every State of the American Republic and
in every Republic of the American continent. . . " The significance
of this first Plan was increasingly revealed to the Bahá'í world.
When two years had elapsed Shoghi Effendi wrote: "The five
remaining years should essentially be consecrated to the
imperative, the spiritual needs of the remaining Republics of both
Central and South America, for whose entry into the fellowship of
Bahá'u'lláh the Plan was primarily formulated." As the "carrying
of the sacred Fire to all the Republics of the Western Hemisphere"
went forward, the tone of jubilation in the Guardian's Messages
mounted. "From Alaska to Chile," he wrote in 1942, "the Americas
are astir with the leavening influences of the rising Order of the
new-born Revelation." He said the "first fruits of the Divine Plan"
had been garnered there in abundance and that the first Seven Year
Plan, commenced on the eve of the greatest war the human race had
ever experienced, had, "despite six years of chaos and tribulation,
been crowned with a success far exceeding the most sanguine hopes
of its ardent promoters. Within so short a period, during such
troublous years, such exploits were achieved as will forever
illuminate the pages of Bahá'í history." On the eve of the holding
of the first All-America Convention in 1944, celebrating the
Centenary of the "first, most shining century of the Bahá'í Era",
in that "great turning point in the history of our Faith" when "a
spiritual front extending the entire length of the Western
Hemisphere" had been established, when "the crowning act of an
entire century" had been accomplished, when the administrative
structure of the Faith was already "raising its triumphant head in
the Central and South American Republics", when his heart was
"filled with joy, love, pride and gratitude", when "the greatest
collective enterprise ever launched in the course of the history
of the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh" had been successfully concluded,
Shoghi Effendi wrote: "A victory of undying fame has marked the
culmination of the fifty-year-long labours of the American Bahá'í
community in the service of Bahá'u'lláh and has shed imperishable
lustre on the immortal records of His Faith during the first
hundred
+261
years of its existence." In words such as these he sang the praises of the Community of the Most Great Name in the North American continent and indicated to the Bahá'í world the nature of the victories won during the first Seven Year Plan, not the least of which were the brilliant achievements in the southern part of the Western Hemisphere.
Two years later the American Bahá'í community
was called upon to launch the second Seven Year Plan --a plan which
the Guardian said surpassed every enterprise undertaken during the
first Bahá'í century. 'Abdu'l-Bahá's Divine Plan was steadily
gathering momentum. Whereas at the end of the first Seven Year Plan
fourteen of the Latin American republics had established Local
Assemblies, the remainder possessing groups only, whilst the total
number of localities had risen to a little over fifty, by June 1947
there were thirty-seven Spiritual Assemblies and believers were to
be found in over a hundred localities. To this extraordinary
progress the beloved Guardian at that time paid a unique tribute:
"No community", he wrote, "since the inception of the
hundred-year-old Faith of Bahá'u'lláh, not even the community of
the Most Great Name in the North American continent, can boast of
an evolution as rapid, a consolidation as sound, a multiplication
of centres as swift, as those that have marked the birth and rise
of the community of His followers in Latin America" whose
motherlands had "been chosen as the scene of the earliest victories
won by the prosecutors of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's Divine Plan". He called
upon them to "bestir themselves for the collective, the historic
and gigantic tasks that await them". He said the constitution of
their National Spiritual Assemblies for the northern and southern
zones was "one of the most vital objectives of the Second Seven
Year Plan". He said these two National Assemblies were the
"precursors of the institutions which must participate in the
election, and contribute to the support, of the Universal House of
Justice", and that they must lead, "gradually and
uninterruptedly.... to the constitution in each of the republics
of Central and South America, of a properly elected, fully
representative National Assembly, constituting thereby the last
stage in the administrative evolution" of the Faith in Latin
America.
Slowly the magnitude of Latin America's destiny unfolded.
Upon the occasion of the formation in 1951 of the two first
Regional Assemblies in that part of the world, he wrote them that
"these communities may be said to have been invested with rights
and duties which no community in any continent of the Eastern
Hemisphere can claim to possess." He pointed out that these
"newly-fledged, spiritually alert communities in Central and South
America ... are expected by their brethren, in both the East and
the West, to worthily play their part as associates of the chief
executors of the Plan bequeathed by 'Abdu'l-Bahá, With the
launching of the
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World Crusade in 1953 new honours and responsibilities fell to the lot of these communities and the national bodies that represented them; in addition to the truly staggering plans made for them in their homelands, no less than nineteen new and previously opened territories were apportioned them as their share in this new globe-encircling phase of the Divine Plan-territories so far afield that some of them were situated in the very heart of the Pacific Ocean. Yet after the lapse of eight years nearly every major task at home and abroad set for them by their beloved Guardian has been fully and nobly achieved and the few remaining tasks required to perfect their labours are now well within their reach.
Such,
briefly, is the history leading up to the formation of these
twenty-one supreme administrative bodies. The mysterious impetus
imparted by the Bab. in the Qayyumu'l-Asma, the singular,
significant and dynamic statements of Bahá'u'lláh, the innumerable
references of the beloved Master culminating in His Plan for the
spiritual conquest of the entire globe, the detailed, brilliant and
inspiring strategy worked out by Shoghi Effendi during his
thirty-six-years Guardianship, the "daring exploits" of so many
valiant Bahá'í pioneers, teachers and administrators all have
contributed to bring the Bahá'í world to this magnificent
consummation, this unique event.
Though this is the end of a long
journey, it is only the beginning of a glorious future for these
new national bodies, and the communities they represent. They must
remember that they share with the North American Bahá'í Community,
as its appointed "associates", a special responsibility in the
prosecution of every phase in the successive unfoldment of the
plans which form stages in the evolution of what the Guardian
called the "Grand Design delineated in 'Abdu'l-Bahá's immortal
Tablets"; the members of these new communities share in what Shoghi
Effendi characterized as "the phenomenal destiny which the
followers of the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh in the New World are to
fulfil." They are, now, he wrote, "launched on their crusade for
the spiritual conquest of the whole planet".
Before passing on to
survey the victories won in other fields during the past year, we
should recognize that aside from the fact that twenty nations and
one dependency are electing their supreme Bahá'í administrative
bodies, an additional event of far-reaching significance is taking
place. "The islands of the West Indies", 'Abdu'l-Bahá wrote in the
Tablets of the Divine Plan, ". . . have great importance;
especially the two black republics, Haiti and Santo Domingo . . ."
It is these republics which are now rearing up two of those
autonomous pillars so soon to bear the weight of the Universal
House of Justice. Who can doubt that these two new national
communities, seconded by their sister community in Jamaica, and
representative of that race which Bahá'u'lláh Himself likened
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to the "pupil of the eye" through which He claimed "the light of the spirit shineth forth", will greatly enrich the supra-national world-wide fellowship of His Faith and herald the day when innumerable other black nations of the continent of Africa elect their own independent National Assemblies.
The remarkable record
of victories achieved since last Ridvan in the prosecution of the
World Crusade of our beloved Guardian-the completion of which he
indicated would mark the end of the first epoch in the unfoldment
of the Divine Plan of 'Abdu'l-Bahá --bears eloquent testimony to
the devotion and sacrifice with which the friends in every part of
the globe have striven to fulfil his cherished hopes and high
expectations. As the eighth year of the Ten Year Plan draws to a
close, the believers everywhere may gain fresh inspiration and
encouragement from the imposing list of achievements recorded
during the past year.
The light of the Faith, now radiating from
two hundred and fifty-seven countries, islands and dependencies,
now covers the face of the globe, bringing to fulfilment the many
prophecies foreshadowing the worldwide spread of the Message of
Bahá'u'lláh ere the close of the first century following the
declaration of His Mission, referred to by 'Abdu'l-Bahá as "the
dawn of the Sun of Truth".
In his last Ridvan Message the beloved
Guardian called upon the friends in all continents to exert
strenuous efforts to assure the "early attainment of the goal of
five thousand Bahá'í centres in the Eastern and Western
Hemispheres." By Ridvan two years later, less than eighteen months
after his passing, this goal was not only attained but exceeded,
when the number of localities where Bahá'ís reside reached a total
of over five thousand two hundred. This Ridvan, as a result of the
continuing dispersion of pioneers and the winning of fresh recruits
to the ranks of the Faith, the total has risen to the truly
impressive level of nearly six thousand five hundred, a gain of no
less than four thousand centres since the inception of the World
Crusade in 1953.
This rapid process of multiplication of centres
has brought the number of localities in Germany and Austria to a
hundred and fifty; in the British Isles to a hundred and
fifty-three; in Australasia to nearly a hundred and sixty; in
Canada to a hundred and seventy-one; in the goal countries of
Europe to nearly a hundred and seventy-five; in the fast-awakening
Indian sub-continent to nearly two hundred and thirty; in Latin
America to nearly three hundred and sixty; in the entire Pacific
area to nearly six hundred; in Persia to more than one thousand and
eighty; in the rapidly developing African continent to over fifteen
hundred; and in the United States of America to nearly one thousand
six hundred.
Particularly noteworthy is the rate of increase which
has occurred in
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the four widely dispersed areas of the Indian sub-continent, Latin America, the Pacific area, and the continent of Africa. Since the announcement made by the Guardian in his Ridvan Message of 1957, the number of centres in the Indian sub-continent has almost doubled. In Latin America, the gain has been even more striking, from approximately a hundred and thirty to almost three hundred and sixty, a truly remarkable achievement in so short a space of time, and one contributing significantly to the fulfilment of the goal of a National Assembly in every republic of Central and South America. Throughout the Pacific region there has been an increase of more than three hundred centres in a four-year period, testifying to those spiritual potentialities mentioned in Shoghi Effendi's frequent references to the establishment and spread of the Faith in the countries of the Asiatic mainland and the islands of the Pacific. The total of more than fifteen hundred centres in Africa reflects the addition of nearly one thousand localities since 1957 when he so proudly announced in his last Ridvan Message that the total had reached a level of more than five hundred and fifty.
After the formation during the current Ridvan period of
twenty-one National Spiritual Assemblies in Latin America, a total
of forty-eight National and Regional Assemblies will be functioning
throughout the Bahá'í world as the supreme, divinely-ordained
administrative institutions of their respective countries and
areas.
The total number of Local Spiritual Assemblies, the
foundation upon which the entire Bahá'í administrative structure
rests, is now nearly one thousand eight hundred and fifty, an
increase of three hundred and eighty-five over the number reported
in last year's Convention Message, and a further substantial
increase will occur this year, as the fruit of the stupendous
efforts exerted in all the continents of the globe to fulfil both
the original and the supplementary goals of the Ten Year Plan. Two
hundred and sixty-five of these local bodies are now incorporated,
an objective to which the beloved Guardian attached great
importance. Nearly twenty new registrations were secured during the
past year, chiefly in the Western Hemisphere, in regions as
widespread as Alaska, Canada, the United States, Brazil, Peru, and
Chile. The incorporation of the four Brazilian Assemblies of
Curitiba, Sdo Caetano, Campinas and Niteroi in one year, bringing
the total in that country to eight, as well as the registration of
the Local Assembly of Chiclayo, Peru, represent particularly
significant victories, as both Brazil and Peru now have the unique
distinction of being the first sovereign countries in the Bahá'í
world to attain the goal of incorporation of every one of the Local
Spiritual Assemblies within their borders. Another notable
achievement of the past year was the incorporation of the Local
Spiritual Assembly of Victoria,
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British Cameroons, the first in this region of West Africa, and one which undoubtedly will open the way for legal recognition of the Faith in other countries and dependencies of that important area.
The goal of translating the literature of the Faith into the
indigenous languages of the territories included in the Ten Year
Plan has, in most cases, been accomplished, and the supplemental
achievements in this important field have exceeded all
expectations. Since the inauguration of the Crusade translations
have been completed in no less than one hundred and eighty-four
different languages, eighty-one of which represent original or
revised objectives, and the remaining one hundred and three
supplementary achievements. All of the goals for translation have
been fulfilled in the languages specified for Europe and the
Americas, and nearly all of those for Africa; only ten in Asia
remain to be completed. Including those already in existence before
the opening of the Crusade, Bahá'í literature has now been
translated into two hundred and seventy-three different languages,
one hundred and twenty-five of these since the passing of the
beloved Guardian.
The Ten Year Plan called for the acquisition of
eleven sites for future Bahá'í Houses of Worship. Most of these
were purchased in the early years of the Crusade, the last one
having been added in 1958. Acquisition of Temple sites was also an
objective of many of the supplementary plans given to various
National and Regional Assemblies. Including the original eleven,
no less than forty such sites have now been acquired, among these
plots in all but two of the twenty republics of Latin America,
foreshadowing the day when peoples in all the continents and major
areas of the world can assemble for worship under the dome of
future Mashriqu'l-Adkars.
Recognition of the independent character
of the Faith by civil authorities, an objective constantly urged
upon the friends by the beloved Guardian, has been further advanced
during the past year through the action of school officials in
twelve additional cities of the United States giving recognition
to the Bahá'í Holy Days. Over ninety jurisdictions throughout the
world now grant the Faith this form of recognition. During the past
year the Bahá'í Marriage Certificate has been legalized in
Louisiana in the United States, bringing to twenty-nine the number
of states and federal districts in that country which recognize the
right of Bahá'í Assemblies to conduct legal marriage ceremonies.
The extraordinary increase in the number of Bahá'í summer schools,
winter schools, week-end schools, teaching conferences and
congresses throughout the Bahá'í world, in both the East and the
West, precludes detailed enumeration at this time, but bears
witness to the greatly increased community activity of the
believers and the range of that phase of
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their teaching efforts, aimed at deepening the followers of Bahá'u'lláh in their knowledge and understanding of His Faith. Also of significance has been the increase of endowments, a number of which have been contributed by devoted, newly-enrolled African believers who have, out of their meagre holdings, insisted on donating land for local Haziratu'l-Quds and schools.
In reviewing
the extraordinary progress which has been made in achieving so many
objectives of the Ten Year Plan, sufficient tribute could never be
paid to the services rendered by the followers of the Faith in
Bahá'u'lláh's native land. This oldest community in the Balid'i
world, from whose ranks its early saints, heroes and martyrs were
drawn, has poured forth its substance, and an army of pioneers, in
a steadily mounting stream for the support of every undertaking
embarked upon in every continent of the globe.
The eighth year of
the world-embracing Crusade now drawing to a close has witnessed
an unprecedented movement of pioneers from both Persia and America
into the goal cities of Europe, paralleling and indeed surpassing
that which occurred in Latin America in the months preceding the
great victory won in that region last Ridvan. This stupendous
effort, the first of its kind to join the two foremost communities
of the Balid'i world in an international undertaking of such
transcendent importance has, through the operation of the Joint
Deputization Fund and the settlement of pioneers, assured the
formation of the requisite number of Local Assemblies specified by
the beloved Guardian as objectives of the homefront campaigns in
the goal countries of the European continent, aimed at quadrupling
the number of Local Assemblies existing at the beginning of the
Crusade-the highest objective set by him for any home front in the
Balid'i World Community.
This glorious victory represents a
significant milestone in that "fate laden" process set in motion
by
the beloved Guardian in 1946 when he made "the initiation of
systematic teaching activity in war-torn, spiritually famished
European continent" a primary objective of the second Seven Year
Plan launched in that year, and which constituted the second stage
in the unfoldment of the world mission given by 'Abdu'l-Bahá to the
American believers. In calling for a vanguard of pioneers to
inaugurate the "spiritual conquest of the old world", he looked
forward to the time when, "in the years to come", a host of
Bahá'u'lláh's standard-bearers would "spiritually raise up the
sorely ravaged continent of Europe." This confident hope of our
beloved Guardian will become a reality this Ridvan when, as the
fruit of the labours of this host of pioneers, the foundations for
eleven future pillars of the Universal House of Justice will be
laid, paving the way for the establishment of these
divinely ordained institutions in the Ridvan period of 1962.
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The evolution of the World Centre of the Faith so often alluded to
by the beloved Guardian in his references to the rise and
development of the institutions functioning in the Holy Land, will
enter another stage this Ridvan when the International Bahá'í
Council, the forerunner of the Universal House of Justice, will be
transformed into a duly elected body. This highly significant
event, the first international election in Bahá'í history, has
placed upon the members of the National and Regional Assemblies
formed last Ridvan the obligation of participating in the election
of a body to whose membership believers in every part of the world
are eligible.
The process of erecting a Bahá'í House of Worship in
each of the five continents of the globe, a task of far-reaching
spiritual significance and one to which the beloved Guardian
attached immense importance, may be said to have entered its final
stage with the opening in Kampala, Uganda, of the completed Mother
Temple of Africa last January, the contemplated dedication of the
Mother Temple of the Antipodes in Sydney, Australia next September,
and the laying of the corner-stone of the Mother Temple of Europe
in Frankfurt, Germany last November. No one could have foreseen,
when the vast panorama of the World Crusade was spread before our
eyes in 1953, that in the eighth year of its prosecution Africa
would snatch the palm of victory in yet another field.
The
beautiful and dignified African Temple, enthroned like a queen on
Kikaya Hill, overlooking the City of Kampala and the rolling green
countryside, seems to emanate a warm and personal welcome to all
who behold it, and is already demonstrating the truth of
'Abdu'l-Bahá's words that these Temples are great silent teachers
of the Faith. On the day of its dedication the words of
Bahá'u'lláh, recited in Persian, Arabic, many African languages and
English, flowed over the assembled believers from East Africa,
Abyssinia, Eritrea, Rhodesia, Ruanda-Urundi, South Africa, the
Sudan, Arabia, Persia, England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, the
United States and other places, in mighty waves of benediction,
lifting all hearts in praise of Him, and filling the souls of the
friends with awe at the contemplation of the bounties of God poured
forth in this Day of Days in such supreme abundance. On the day
following this profound experience of Bahá'í fellowship, the Temple
was formally opened to the public for worship; the crowds,
representative of not only tile African peoples, but of European,
Indian, Sikh, and other elements in the population, filled the
Temple to its open doors and overflowed onto its surrounding
terrace, an attentive, colourful and reverent throng united, for
perhaps the first time, in a service of worship dedicated to the
oneness of mankind, to the establishment of world peace and the
creation of a society founded on the brotherhood of all men and the
fatherhood of their common Creator.
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The blessings which this Mashriqu'l-Adhkar is now releasing in the
heart of what once was termed the "dark continent" but which now
may be truly said to have become the "bright continent" are indeed
incalculable. Already similar blessings are beginning to flow out
from the first Bahá'í House of Worship to be erected in the
Southern Hemisphere, where thousands of people, in, anticipation
of its forthcoming dedication, are visiting the Sydney Temple,
receiving literature, asking questions and broadcasting news of the
progress of Bahá'í activities throughout Australia.
There remains
the construction, in the centre of that continent which is the
cradle of western civilization, amongst peoples highly gifted but
sorely disillusioned, often hopeless and cynical through direct
experience of two cataclysmic wars, of the third great House of
Worship which Shoghi Effendi called upon us to erect during this
period of unparalleled expansion in all fields of Bahá'í activity.
We have witnessed how far-reaching has been the effect of the
completion in the heart of America of that most holy Temple
dedicated by the Centre of the Covenant Himself; we now see before
our eyes the new and powerful teaching influence which the African
and Australian Temples are releasing. We cannot for a moment
contemplate depriving the European continent and its spiritually
famished multitudes of a similar blessing. A supreme effort is
required, however, if we are to accomplish this purpose. The
fanatical and calculated opposition of certain ecclesiastical
elements in Germany has delayed, until the eighth year of the World
Crusade, purchase of a site for and permission to build a Bahá'í
House of Worship there. At long last the work has commenced, and
there are bright prospects for the speedy erection of this
building, whose design was approved by the beloved Guardian himself
and for the support of which he urged the entire Bahá'í world to
rally its forces. Unfortunately, the steady rise in prices in
Europe, and particularly in Germany, since the passing of the
Guardian, will now entail a tremendous increase in cost. This, as
well as the maintenance abroad of that precious corps of pioneers
in Latin America and Europe, whose steadfast and devoted services
are the buttress of the newly elected Local Assemblies upon which
the future pillars of the Universal House of Justice must rest, as
well as the support of the various activities which are the
mainstay of the mass conversion beginning at long last to take
place will, if we are to meet our obligations and achieve our
goals, require on the part of every single believer, whatever his
or her personal circumstances, whether in the East or the West, a
tremendous and unprecedented degree of self-sacrifice in the
support of the various funds, the bedrock upon which all Bahá'í
activity inevitably rests. Face to face with the gravity of our
present obligations, we must never for a moment lose heart. We have
never failed. Our record is unblemished. Miraculously, at the
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last hour, battles greater and more critical in the fortunes of our Faith have been won.
That the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh, the "priceless
gem of Divine Revelation enshrining", as the Guardian wrote, "the
Spirit of God and incarnating His Purpose for mankind in this age",
"feeds itself upon . . . hidden springs of celestial strength" and
"propagates itself by ways mysterious and utterly at variance with
the standards accepted by the generality of mankind" is, in every
field of Bahá'í activity, being constantly demonstrated, but
perhaps in no field as clearly as that of the teaching work. The
vast process of mass conversion, in fulfilment of Shoghi Effendi's
expressed wish that during this fourth phase of the Ten Year Plan
"an unprecedented increase in the number of avowed supporters of
the Faith, in all the continents of the globe, of every race,
clime, creed and colour, should take place, is beginning to yield
its first fruits.
Little wonder that these fruits are, for the most
part, being garnered in lands and amongst peoples who have
retained, he said, their "primitive simplicity and remained
uncontaminated by the evils of a gross, a rampant and cancerous
materialism undermining the fabric of human society alike in the
East and in the West, eating into the vitals of the conflicting
peoples and races inhabiting the American, the European and the
Asiatic continents, and alas threatening to engulf in one common
catastrophic convulsion the generality of mankind."
In a little
over a decade the ranks of the followers of Bahá'u'lláh in the
African continent-now representing no less than two hundred and
eighty-six tribes-have swelled to twenty thousand, ten thousand
alone having been added since the passing of the beloved Guardian
in 1957. "The pure-hearted and the spiritually receptive Negro
race" which, he testified, was "so dearly loved by 'Abdu'l-Bahá,
for whose conversion to His Father's Faith He so deeply yearned",
is now beginning to take its rightful place in the Bahá'í world;
already seven national and regional bodies are representative of
areas where the majority of the electorate belong to this
distinguished race. The possibilities for an unprecedented
enrolment of new believers in these areas are practically
limitless, particularly in the African continent, and may be said
to be solely dependent on a wider dispersal of Bahá'í pioneers and
teachers and the provision of the necessary financial assistance
in support of plans that are already formulated and only held in
abeyance through lack of sufficient manpower and means.
Concomitant
with the remarkable advances made in Africa, the Pacific region,
upon which the Guardian lavished so much praise and encouragement
during the last years of his life, and of whose newly-won victories
he was so immensely proud, is witnessing a comparable expansion
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amongst the many peoples scattered throughout its islands and peninsulas who are as yet unspoiled by the blighting winds of Western materialism. In the Island of Mentawai alone there are now over five thousand Bahá'ís whilst in the entire Southeast Asian area the number of the adherents of the Faith has swelled to well over eight thousand. Throughout the islands of the Pacific Ocean the far-flung Bahá'í communities are rapidly expanding and steadily increasing numbers of their varied races are being enrolled under the banner of the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh. In the Indian sub-continent, one of the earliest regions to receive His Message during His Own lifetime, a wave of conversion is spreading amongst some of its more primitive people in the Madhya Pradesh area, over five hundred of whom have embraced the Cause during the last few months.
In conjunction with the extraordinary progress which has
taken place in the spread and consolidation of the Faith throughout
the Western Hemisphere during the last few years, a less
conspicuous but equally important advance can be seen in a field
to which both the Master and the Guardian attached the highest
significance. Almost half a century ago 'Abdu'l-Bahá instructed the
believers in the United States and Canada to "attach great
importance to the . . . original inhabitants of America", promising
that the Indians, like the original inhabitants of Arabia who
accepted and supported Muhammad would, when educated and guided,
"become so enlightened that the whole earth will be Illumined." The
nineteenth objective of that portion of the World Crusade entrusted
in 1953 to the American Bahá'í Community by its Guardian was the
"conversion to the Faith of members of the leading Indian tribes."
At a steadily accelerating pace this immensely significant process
of conversion has gone on until at the present time we are
witnesses of an event of extraordinary historic importance, the
election in Bolivia of a National Bahá'í Assembly representative
of a community the vast majority of whom belong to the Aymara race.
No less than thirteen hundred of these Indians, in over one hundred
localities have, with enthusiasm and conviction, embraced the Faith
and are responsible for the formation during this present Ridvan
of over twenty Local Assemblies, thus directly fulfilling the
expressed wish of the Guardian that the Indians be elected to the
councils of the Faith and lend their support to its administrative
activities.
The establishment of Indian Assemblies in Ecuador,
Guatemala and Mexico-areas which were the scene of such mighty
pre-Colombian civilizations as those of the Incas, the Mayas, and
the Aztecs; the formation of no less than four Assemblies
representative of Canadian Indians in the Yukon, Alberta and
Saskatchewan; the fact that there are now over forty Indian and
Eskimo tribes represented in the Bahá'í Community throughout the
Western Hemisphere-more than double the number in
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1957-all testify that the devoted followers of Bahá'u'lláh, in both the East and the West, are mindful of the tremendously significant words of their beloved Guardian at the inception of the World Crusade, and are devoting special attention to the teaching work in these infinitely fertile fields.
At the moment when such
great victories have been won, when such significant events are
taking place, when the Ten Year Plan, the detailed, unique and
precious Plan of Shoghi Effendi embodying his fondest hopes, and
setting forth so clearly those tasks the accomplishment of which
in their entirety must constitute the rock foundation of the work
to come for generations, is drawing to a close--at such a moment
we should pause and weigh once again the implications of those
words he addressed to the first Intercontinental Teaching
Conference held in Africa at the opening of the World Crusade: "I
welcome", he said, "with open arms the unexpectedly large number
of the representatives of the pure-hearted and the spiritually
receptive Negro race ... I acclaim the preponderance of the members
of this same race at so significant a Conference ... auguring well
for a corresponding multiplication in the number of the
representatives of the yellow, the red and brown races of mankind
dwelling respectively in the Far East, in the Far West and in the
islands of the South Pacific Ocean, a multiplication designed
ultimately to bring to a proper equipoise the divers ethnic
elements comprised within the highly diversified world-embracing
Bahá'í fellowship."
There can be no doubt that one of the deepest
sources of satisfaction to the heart of our beloved Guardian during
the closing years of his life was the remarkable progress being
made in carrying the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh to the members of these
races. Their enrolment as Bahá'ís however, was far from being his
ultimate goal. He desired their "active participation in the
administration of the affairs of Bahá'í communities." This desire
of his is now being rapidly fulfilled all over the world.
Significant as these other plans and considerations may be, there
was a dream of the future in Shoghi Effendi's mind, a vision of
things to come. This Crusade, he pointed out at its very inception,
has been launched "for the systematic propagation of the Cause of
Bahá'u'lláh over the surface of the entire planet. . . ." "It must,
as it approaches its climax, carry the torch of the Faith to
regions so remote, so backward, so inhospitable that neither the
light of Christianity or Islam has, after the revolution of
centuries, as yet penetrated." Already in Africa, in the Pacific,
and in the Americas, the first attacks on these remote outposts of
paganism have been made and members of tribes as yet unconverted
to any of the great living religions of the world have accepted,
with steadfast and Illumined hearts, the regenerating truths
enshrined in the Revelation of God for this
+272
Day. But beyond all this there were still heights and depths of service not yet attained, shining prizes within our reach, which Shoghi Effendi longed for us to seize, to which his eyes travelled with yearning and hope as he gazed upon the vision of our future. To all his "dearly loved ... onward marching legions of the army of Bahá'u'lláh-whether they laboured beyond the Arctic Circle, in the torrid zones of the Eastern and Western Hemispheres, on the borders or in the heart of the jungles of Burma, Malaya, India or the Amazon, on the fringes of the African and Arabian deserts, in the lonely islands dotting the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans or the North Sea, whether they scaled the mountains of Tibet, penetrated the interior of China, Mongolia and Japan, sat with the leper, consorted with the outcast, traversed the steppes of Russia or the wastes of Siberia --"I direct", he wrote, "my impassioned appeal to obey, as befits His warriors, the summons of the Lord of Hosts, and prepare for that Day of Days when His victorious battalions will, to the accompaniment of hosannas from the invisible angels in the Abha Kingdom, celebrate the hour of final victory."
The brilliant plans, the daring campaigns, initiated by
the Guardian during the thirty-six years of his ministry to the
Faith of Bahá'u'lláh have borne fruit, during the eighth year of
his World Crusade, in a manner and to a degree the staunchest
believer would never have dreamed possible during that dark and
fateful period associated with his passing. Great, however, as our
present victories are, we must never for a moment lose sight of the
fact that the crown of so much labour, and sacrifice will elude our
grasp if the remaining objectives of the Ten Year Plan are not
achieved and the prizes already won are not safeguarded during the
two years that lie ahead of us.
The consolidation of the various
home fronts, a task of such fundamental importance that
'Abdu'l-Bahá, Himself repeatedly stressed it as early as 1916 in
His Tablets of the Divine Plan, must receive the special attention
of all national bodies, whether presently or previously formed,
throughout the entire Bahá'í world, for the home fronts, and
primarily the formation of the number of Local Spiritual Assemblies
specified by the Guardian himself for each one of them, are the
bedrock upon which rest those pillars which must, at the end of the
Crusade, sustain the weight of the Universal House of Justice
itself. The Crusade "must," he wrote, "as it approaches its
conclusion, pave the way for the laying, on an unassailable
foundation, of the structural basis of an Administrative Order
whose fabric must, in the course of successive Crusades, be
laboriously erected throughout the entire globe. . ."
The process
of carrying the Message of Bahá'u'lláh to all the peoples of the
world must be accelerated, for He Himself ordained teaching as
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one of the primary duties of every single one of His followers. When broken in strength and advanced in years 'Abdu'l-Bahá, in those Tablets which constitute the Charter of teaching activities for centuries to come, recalled in most touching terms His own labours to spread the Faith of His Father and warned the believers against the vanity of all other preoccupations. "You have observed," He wrote, "that while 'Abdu'l-Bahá was in the utmost bodily weakness and feebleness, while He was indisposed, and had not the power to move ... He travelled through many countries . . ." "What result", He asked, "is forthcoming from material rest, tranquillity, luxury and attachment to this corporeal world! It is evident that the man who pursues these things will in the end become afflicted with regret and loss."
Shoghi Effendi pointed out
to us, at the very inception of the Crusade, that the prosecution
of all the other vital tasks he had enumerated as objectives of his
world-embracing Plan, would "fail to achieve their supreme purpose
if not supplemented by the equally vital task ... of winning to the
Faith fresh recruits to the slowly yet steadily advancing army of
the Lord of Hosts, Whose reinforcing strength is so essential to
the safeguarding of the victories which the band of heroic Bahá'í
conquerors are winning in the course of their several campaigns in
all continents of the globe."
No words could better direct the
attention of the friends to the significance of the immediate
three-fold task that confronts the entire Bahá'í world-the
consolidation of the home fronts, the process of mass conversion
and the rearing of the Mother Temple of Europe-than these written
by our beloved Guardian himself long ago, on another occasion, but
in words so pregnant with meaning for this hour in which we find
ourselves that they seem to have been written yesterday: "Ours is
the duty to fix our gaze with undeviating attention on the duties
and responsibilities confronting us at this present hour, to
concentrate our resources, both material and spiritual, on the
tasks that lie immediately ahead, to ensure that no time is wasted,
that no opportunity is missed, that no obligation is evaded, that
no task is hAli-heartedly performed, that no decision is
procrastinated. The task summoning us to a challenge, unprecedented
in its gravity and force, is too vast and sacred, the time too
short, the hour too perilous, the workers too few, the call too
insistent, the resources too inadequate, for us to allow these
precious and fleeting hours to slip from our grasp, and to suffer
the prizes within our reach to be endangered or forfeited. So much
depends upon us, so pregnant with possibilities is the present
stage in the evolution of the Plan, that great and small,
individuals, groups and Assemblies, white and coloured, young and
old, neophytes and veterans, settlers, pioneers, itinerant teachers
and administrators, as isolated believers, as organizers of groups,
and as contributors to the formation of Local or National
Assemblies, as builders of the Temple ...
+274
all, without exception and in every sphere of activity, however modest, restricted, or inconspicuous, must participate and labour, assiduously and continually, until every ounce of our energy is spent, until, tired but blissful, our promised harvest is brought in, and our pledge to our Beloved fully redeemed."
HANDS OF THE
CAUSE IN THE HOLY LAND
ELECTION OF THE 21 INDEPENDENT LATIN
AMERICAN
NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES
RIDVAN 1961
NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES
RIDVAN 1961
To the Hands of the Cause, Auxiliary Board Members, Representatives of National Assemblies, Delegates and Believers Gathered During Ridvan 118, at the Historic Conventions for the Election of Independent National Spiritual Assemblies in the Following Countries:
| Argentina | Dominican Republic | Mexico |
| Bolivia | Ecuador | Nicaragua |
| Brazil | El Salvador | Panama |
| Chile | Guatemala | Paraguay |
| Colombia | Haiti | Peru |
| Costa Rica | Honduras | Uruguay |
| Cuba | Jamaica | Venezuela |
Beloved Friends:
On
the glorious and historic occasion of the formation of no less than
21 independent National Spiritual Assemblies throughout Latin
America let us lift up our hearts in praise to Bahá'u'lláh for the
blessings He has poured forth so abundantly on the labours of His
servants and for the fruition of yet another cherished plan of our
beloved Guardian.
It is now almost ninety years since Bahá'u'lláh
in the Mother Book of His Revelation, raised His "clarion call",
addressed collectively to the rulers of the Republics of the
Western Hemisphere, and summoned them to take "advantage of the Day
of God". From the moment when the Supreme Manifestation poured
forth His bounties upon the Western Hemisphere until this
auspicious day when no less than 24 independent national Bahá'í
bodies, stretching from Alaska to Chile, have been constituted, the
New World has received a never-ending stream of blessings from on
High.
Before we look to the future of the work in Latin America we
would do well to cast a glance over die past and remember the
exploits that have
+275
led up to this present hour of consummation. 'Abdu'l-Bahá, in the Tablets of the Divine Plan, planted the seed of victory when He called upon the believers to make every effort "so that those Republics may become so Illumined with the splendours and the effulgences of the Sun of Reality that they may become the objects of the praise and commendation of all other countries". Already, during His Own lifetime, a few consecrated souls, among them she whom the Guardian characterized as "that star servant of the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh, the incomparable Martha Root" had visited some of the Latin American republics and begun to teach there. However, it was not until the inauguration by the beloved Guardian in 1937 of the first "Seven Year Plan", the object of which, as he wrote, was "the establishment of a minimum of one Bahá'í centre in each of the Republics of Middle and South America". . . "for whose entry into the fellowship of Bahá'u'lláh the Plan was primarily formulated", that the few isolated Bahá'ís scattered throughout that vast area were reinforced in their labours by an official and systematic campaign conducted by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States and Canada under the direct guidance of Shoghi Effendi himself. In 1938 he called upon the friends to "launch an offensive against the powers of darkness, of corruption, and of ignorance, an offensive that must extend to the uttermost end of the Southern continent, and embrace within its scope each of the twenty nations that compose it". By 1944, the end of the first Seven Year Plan, which coincided with the glorious first centenary of the inception of the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh, the devoted band of North American pioneers now reinforced by many new native Bahá'ís had succeeded in establishing no less than fifteen Spiritual Assemblies in the Republics of Central and South America, and in forming groups in the remaining five.
These early victories
so stiffed the heart of the beloved Guardian that he said the
opening of Latin America would "come to be regarded as one of the
most glorious chapters in the international history of their
Faith". By 1947, soon after the second Seven Year Plan was launched
at his instruction, the Centres in Latin America had grown to over
a hundred and the Assemblies had reached thirty-seven, an increase
of twenty-two in a three-year period. One of the most "vital
objectives", to use his own words, of this second Seven Year Plan,
was the formation of two Latin American National Assemblies, one
to be representative of the believers of Central and the other of
South America. Fourteen years ago the beloved Guardian heralded
those two bodies as "precursors of the institutions which must
participate in the election, and contribute to the support, of the
Universal House of Justice", and stated their function was to lead
to the constitution of a "properly elected, fully representative
National
+276
Assembly" in each republic of Central and South America. This, he said, would constitute the last stage in the administrative evolution of the Faith in Latin America.
The victories achieved
during the first Seven Year Plan, the remarkable progress made
during the interim before the second Seven Year Plan was launched,
so rejoiced the heart of the beloved Guardian that he lifted up his
voice and testified-in words that must forever be a crown upon the
heads of the Bahá'ís of all Latin America-to the greatness of their
achievements. "No Community", he wrote, "since the inception of the
hundred-year-old Faith of Bahá'u'lláh, not even the community of
the Most Great Name in the North American continent, can boast of
an evolution as rapid, a consolidation as sound, a multiplication
of centres as swift, as those that have marked the birth and rise
of the community of His followers in Latin America", a Community
he called "this privileged, this youngest, this dynamic and highly
promising member of the organic Bahá'í World Community". His love
flowed out to them in a mighty wave, in glowing words he welcomed
that Community into full partnership in the affairs of the Faith
of Bahá'u'lláh, and asserted that ". . . the eager, the
warm-hearted, the spiritually minded and staunch members of these
Latin American Bahá'í communities . . ." were now "launched on
their crusade for the spiritual conquest of the whole planet. . ."
With the release of the stupendous program of the World Crusade in
Ridvan 1953, the destiny of the Latin American Republics became
clear. Magnificent, staggering-a youthful Community gazed in awe
at the tasks allotted it! Fourteen virgin territories became its
responsibility to open to the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh in a ten-year
period, territories most of the Bahá'ís of the world had never
heard of and whose location was a mystery to them! Twenty national
Bahá'í headquarters were to be established in the twenty capital
cities of Latin America and two sites for future Bahá'í Temples
were to be purchased. The two recently formed National Assemblies
responsible for the work in these twenty countries must have asked
themselves how such feats could ever be accomplished by the new
Assemblies, the struggling groups, the scattered isolated believers
under their jurisdiction. Other projects were added to these,
either in the original Crusade Plan or at a later date. The
worthiness of the new Latin American Community, which had now taken
its rightful place in the Bahá'í world, was soon demonstrated. With
the never-failing help of its devoted and loving Mother Community
in North America, it shouldered its sacred burdens, clung
tenaciously to the precious work entrusted to it by its Guardian,
and forged ahead from victory to victory. He had called upon it in
1947 to "rise to the heights of the glorious opportunity which
destiny is unfolding before its members". It arose, and so nobly
did the Latin American
+277
Bahá'ís fulfil their trust that in 1955 the Guardian announced to the Bahá'í world that in 1957 he would increase the number of National Assemblies responsible for the work throughout that area to four, dividing Central and South America, respectively, into two Regions, thus facilitating the administration of the rapidly expanding work in each area. Fresh bounties and new evidences of the high regard in which the Guardian held these believers in the Latin countries of the New World were steadily forthcoming up until the very end of his life. He urged them, as supplementary goals, to secure a Bahá'í endowment in each Republic and a Bahá'í Temple site in the eighteen countries without one. He indicated that Jamaica would form a National Assembly of its own by including her in the roll call of delegates to one of the last Conventions held before his passing. In numerous Messages to the Bahá'í world, to Assemblies and individuals, he praised the devotion of the believers, extolled their services, listed their victories, and painted a glowing picture of their future.
In less than a quarter
of a century the seeds so widely sown have yielded the harvest
being reaped today in the name of Shoghi Effendi according to the
provisions of the Divine Plan of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, and through the
mighty spiritual impetus imparted by Bahá'u'lláh. The event the
entire Bahá'í world, in this blessed Ridvan period, is celebrating,
is of a nature unequalled in the annals of our Faith. Twenty-one
countries are at one and the same time reaching the last stage of
their administrative evolution through the election of their
independent National Assemblies. That vast area, "an area", as
Shoghi Effendi was wont to say, "extending from the southern
confines of the Great Republic of the West to the extremity of
Chile", has now come of age in the conduct of its affairs. The
pillars which must assist in bearing the weight of the Universal
House of Justice so soon to be constituted, have been safely
erected.
At this breath-taking moment of fulfilment, before
plunging into the great work that lies ahead of them, it is
essential that these Communities, and above all the members of
their newly-elected National Assemblies, take stock of their
present position and survey the tasks still to be accomplished,
tasks clearly set forth by the Guardian himself. As these new
national Bahá'í communities face the future they should, we feel,
above all else, remember, cherish and foster the unity of purpose
and spirit which has consistently characterized their growth and
which was so carefully inculcated in them by Shoghi Effendi
himself. We cannot urge upon the believers too strongly the
necessity of maintaining this supranational quality of Bahá'í life
regardless of the new-found independence of their national
communities. The close and loving cooperation which has existed
between different Latin American Communities in the field of
teaching and publications should continue in order to consolidate
the work already
+278
initiated and economize the very limited funds of the Faith available for Bahá'í literature, as well as to avoid unnecessary duplication of effort and ensure a uniform and high standard in the matter of translations.
Our beloved Guardian, on various occasions,
set many specific goals for Latin America, particularly in the
subsidiary Six Year Plans given to the four Regional Assemblies
formed in 1957. The believers and their newly elected national
representatives must now keep these goals constantly before them,
and exert the utmost effort to assure their accomplishment.
The
Local Spiritual Assemblies, groups and isolated centres which have,
at the cost of so much self-sacrifice and devotion on the part of
both native and foreign pioneers, been raised to, and in some cases
have even surpassed, the number specified by the beloved Guardian,
must be safeguarded at any price during the coming years and,
indeed, multiplied. The consolidation of the home fronts, and the
preservation of the precious goals so laboriously won, must be
regarded as a paramount duty at this critical period which
inevitably follows the birth of any new national community. Each
National Assembly must bear in mind that the foundation of Local
Assemblies upon which it rests constitutes, however indirectly, the
foundation of the Universal House of Justice itself, and that the
pillars of this mighty institution must under no circumstances be
weakened at the very moment when the dome is about to be placed
upon them.
The separate incorporation of each new National
Assembly, as well as all firmly grounded Local Assemblies, is
likewise an important phase of the work to be undertaken in each
of the Republics, and in Jamaica, and constitutes one of the most
fundamental ways of consolidating the tasks already carried forward
during twenty-four years in such a remarkable manner. Likewise,
every effort should be made to win recognition for the Bahá'í Holy
Days on which work is suspended and to secure permission to perform
Bahá'í marriages legally.
The beloved Guardian, in a momentous
communication addressed jointly to the National Assemblies of
Central and South America in 1951, listed "the consolidation of the
recently inaugurated national and local Funds" as one of the
foremost responsibilities of these newly-formed regional
administrative bodies. During the remaining months of the World
Crusade when the financial requirements for attaining total victory
are so great, the friends must be made aware of the need for a
steady and continuous flow of contributions to their National
Funds, an outpouring which the beloved Guardian characterized as
"the life-blood of those nascent institutions" The spiritual
significance and blessing of voluntary giving in support of Bahá'í
activities should be strongly emphasized by the new National
Assemblies as they acquaint the members of their communities with
the obligations which they must now discharge.
+279
The emphasis placed by Shoghi Effendi on the importance of ensuring
the wide dissemination of properly translated books on the Faith,
as well as on the holding of an increasing number of regular summer
schools and regional conferences, must never be forgotten and every
effort should be made to implement his instructions given as long
ago as 1947. "Other agencies," he wrote, "such as publicity and
advertising in the press, the multiplication of accurate and
improved radio scripts, the extension of teaching projects through
regional teaching committees, visual education and the organization
of public meetings, should be fully utilized to capture the
attention, win the sympathy, and secure the active and unreserved
support of a steadily increasing proportion of the population of
the various Latin American republics".
Of the precious new
territories given at the beginning of the Ten Year Plan to the two
National Spiritual Assemblies of Central and South America, two of
which were subdivided by the Guardian himself at a later date,
those still assigned to the Latin American regional bodies, as well
as the consolidation areas allotted to these same Assemblies, must
continue to be the responsibility of the believers and their
elected representatives, at least until the globe-encircling
Crusade ends in 1963. After carefully considering the geographical
relationship of these territories, now numbering twenty, as well
as other factors, we have reapportioned them among the new national
bodies as follows:
To Chile, the three goals of chiloe, Juan
Fernandez, and Easter Islands; to Brazil, the six goals of British
and French Guiana, Surinam, and the Islands of Trinidad, Barbados
and Grenada; whilst Venezuela has been allocated the two goals of
Curacao and Margarita. Panama, Guatemala, Ecuador, Haiti and the
Dominican Republic have each been apportioned one goal,
respectively, as follows: Tuamotu Archipelago, British Honduras,
Galapagos, Martinique, and the Virgin Islands. Jamaica, the only
territory outside the twenty Latin American countries to achieve
the status of an independent national community at this time, will
be responsible for the four goals of the Bahamas, Bermuda, Antigua
and St. Lucia.
Last but not least of the great responsibilities now
laid squarely upon the shoulders of not only the elected
representatives of these new national Bahá'í communities but upon
the rank and file of the believers of all twenty-one countries, is
the teaching work in that area, where as the Guardian wrote, "the
first fruits of the Divine Plan ... have already been garnered in
such abundance", and which he characterized as "the vital process
of individual conversion". Bahá'u'lláh has, in numerous Tablets,
made teaching the paramount spiritual obligation of every single
believer. The whole purpose of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's Divine Plan is to
teach the Faith of His Father to all the peoples of the world. As
long ago as the time when
+280
the first Seven Year Plan was given to the Bahá'ís of North America by the beloved Guardian, he pointed out to them that the purpose for which they had so laboriously erected the administrative machinery of their Faith was to teach, and that now they must arise and use this instrument for this supreme purpose-the propagation of their Faith. On the occasion of the hAli-way point of the World Crusade, in the last Message the Bahá'í world was ever to receive from him, he associated the coming five years with mass conversion.
Now is the auspicious moment for the members of these new national
communities "whose motherlands have been chosen", as Shoghi Effendi
wrote, "as the scene of the earliest victories won by the
prosecutors of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's Divine Plan" --to arise and teach as
never before. Let them recall the wonderful appeal the Guardian
addressed to them: "Theirs is the opportunity, if they but seize
it, to adorn the opening pages of the annals of the second Bahá'í
century with a tale of deeds approaching in valour those with which
their Persian brethren have illuminated the opening years of the
first, and comparable with the exploits more recently achieved by
their North American fellow-believers, and which have shed such
lustre on the closing decade of that same century." These
communities have now entered the period of "strenuous and organized
labours" the Guardian spoke of, "by which future generations of
believers in the Latin countries must distinguish themselves" in
that period when, as he said, "native Latin American travelling
teachers" will arise "who, as the mighty task progresses, must
increasingly bear the brunt of responsibility for the propagation
of the Faith in their homelands."
A bright picture stretches before
the eyes of the believers in the New World and the harvest, in many
places, stands ready for the garner's hand. The greatest
possibilities for mass conversion at the present time are
undoubtedly amongst the Indian tribes. As long ago as 1947 the
Guardian wrote that particular attention should be directed to the
"various Indian tribes, the aboriginal inhabitants of the Latin
republics, whom the Author of the Tablets of the Divine Plan has
compared to the 'ancient inhabitants of the Arabian Peninsula"'.
He then quoted the wonderful words of 'Abdu'l-Bahá regarding them:
"Attach great importance to the indigenous population of America.
For these souls may be likened unto the ancient inhabitants of the
Arabian Peninsula, who, prior to the Mission of Muhammad, were like
unto savages. When the light of Muhammad shone forth in their
midst, however, they became so radiant as to illumine the world.
Likewise, these Indians, should they be educated and guided, there
can be no doubt that they will become so Illumined as to enlighten
the whole world."
How grateful all those believers must be who were
in any way responsible
+281
for the beginning of this process of mass conversion among the Indians, which had already started during the lifetime of the beloved Guardian. What joy it brought him, with what enthusiasm he hailed the formation of the first all-Indian Local Assembly, how dear to his heart was the first Indian Institute at Chichicastenango, how frequently he spoke to pilgrims from East and West of the importance of this work and the progress it was making, and how carefully he noted in his records the names of the tribes enrolled in the Faith and the native languages into which Bahá'í literature had been translated. In his own words he clearly indicated for the believers of Latin America the manner in which he wished them to proceed in this all-important teaching field and clearly set forth the role he wished the new Indian Bahá'ís to play in both the administrative and teaching work of the Faith. "A special effort should be exerted to secure the unqualified adherence of members of some of these tribes to the Faith, their subsequent election to its councils, and their unreserved support of the organized attempts that will have to be made in the future by the projected National Assemblies for the large-scale conversion of Indian races to the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh."
The duties devolving
upon the newly elected National Assemblies and the communities they
represent are manifold and arduous. The possibilities which lie
before them are infinitely promising. Within this area, which has
now come of age in the administration of its own affairs, there are
black republics and white republics. Within at least one of these
the majority of the believers are descended from the original
inhabitants of the Americas. What a glorious demonstration of the
oneness of mankind! What an opportunity these favoured new national
communities have of exemplifying the reality of that brotherhood
of man Bahá'u'lláh has asserted as the cardinal principle of His
Faith!
No words could breathe more hope and confidence into the
hearts of the believers in that favoured portion of the globe than
those addressed to them by the beloved Guardian himself during the
last year of his life: "May these communities, now standing on the
threshold of unprecedented achievements, which have already,
through their collective endeavours, ennobled the record of Bahá'í
accomplishments during the last twenty years of the Formative Age
of the Bahá'í Dispensation, who are so notably contributing,
through their divers national characteristics, to the enrichment
of the life of the International Bahá'í Community, be vouchsafed
a still fuller measure of celestial strength, that will enable them
to fulfil their high destiny in the years to come, and play their
part in hastening the world-wide triumph of the Faith of
Bahá'u'lláh and the firm establishment of its embryonic World
Order."
HANDS OF THE CAUSE IN THE HOLY LAND
+282
Form Letter to All National Spiritual Assemblies
[Various dates, following receipt of ballots, 1961]
Dear Bahá'í Friends:
This will
inform you that the nine sealed ballots for the election of the
International Bahá'í Council, forwarded to Haifa by the Secretary
of your Assembly, have been received.
These ballots will be opened
and tabulated on the first day of Ridvan and the result of the
election announced to the Bahá'í world during the Ridvan period.
With warm Bahá'í love,
In the service of the beloved Guardian,
HANDS OF THE CAUSE IN THE HOLY LAND
BAHA'I WILMETTE
APRIL 25,1961
DEEPEST GRATITUDE BAHA'U'LLAH'S UNFAILING BLESSINGS ENABLING BAHA'I WORLD EIGHTH YEAR CRUSADE ELECT INTERNATIONAL BAHA'I COUNCIL SUCCEEDING FIRST HISTORIC BODY APPOINTED BY GUARDIAN JOYFULLY ANNOUNCE MEMBERSHIP JESSIE REVELL ALI NAKHJAVANI LOTFULLAH HAKIM ETHEL REVELL CHARLES WOLCOTT SYLVIA Ioas, MILDRED MOTTAHEDEH IAN SEMPLE BORRAH KAVELIN STOP INVITE BELIEVERS JOIN US ARDENT PRAYERS HISTORIC STEP MAY RELEASE SPIRITUAL IMPETUS ASSIST ATTAINMENT GOALS SACRED PLAN SO DEAR HEART BELOVED GUARDIAN.
| [CABLE] | HANDSFAITH |
BAHA'I WILMETTE
APRIL 26,1961
SHARE MESSAGE COUNCIL ELECTION ALL HANDS NATIONAL ASSEMBLIES.
| [CABLE] | HANDSFAITH |
CONVENTION CARE BAHAI WILMETTE
MAY 1, 1961
DEEPLY TOUCHED DETERMINATION AMERICAN BELIEVERS LOYALLY PROSECUTE BELOVED GUARDIAN'S CRUSADE ALL FIELDS UNTIL EVERY GOAL
+283
WON HIS NAME SUPPLICATING HOLY SHRINES STILL GREATER VICTORIES HOMEFRONT OVERSEAS MAY VINDICATE TRUST LOVE HONOUR HE SHOW ERED UPON MUCH LOVED COMMUNITY
| [CABLE] | HANDSFAITH |
To the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of...
[Sent to newly elected National Spiritual Assemblies]
May 23, 1961
Dearly beloved Friends:
With the passing of the beloved Guardian and the assumption of the
direction of the affairs of the Cause by the Hands as Chief
Stewards of the Faith, the bonds of unity amongst the friends and
particularly the institutions of the Faith were greatly
strengthened by action taken by the National Assemblies throughout
the world in accepting the action of the Chief Stewards, and
particularly their appointment of the body of nine Hands in the
Holy Land, known legally as the "Custodians" of the Faith.
Resolutions were passed by all National Spiritual Assemblies
expressing their approval of this action, their recognition of the
Custodians as the supreme body of the Bahá'í world, and pledging
full support to the Custodians.
All National Assemblies formed
since that time have passed similar resolutions, and sent us signed
copies.
We attach herewith a copy of a Resolution made by one of
the National Assemblies which is a good example. Will you kindly
arrange for the passing of such a resolution by your body, sending
us a copy for our records signed in a form that makes it legally
valid in your own country.
With warm Bahá'í love,
In the service
of the beloved Guardian,
HANDS OF THE CAUSE IN THE HOLY LAND
Enclosure
Whereas this National Spiritual Assembly was duly elected
and constituted as instructed by the Guardian of the Bahá'í World
Faith, Shoghi Effendi Rabbani, and in accordance with the
administrative principles thereof, on the ( ) day of ( ) of ( ), and
Whereas by these same principles this National Spiritual Assembly
constitutes the supreme administrative body of the Baha's of ( and
in consequence thereof is empowered to act for and on behalf of all
of the Bahá'ís of ( ), and
+284
Whereas all nine of the duly elected members of this National
Spiritual Assembly have been consulted and their approval of that
which is set forth herein below obtained, therefore
BE IT KNOWN BY ALL MEN PRESENT
That the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís
of does hereby approve and endorse the election by the Hands of
the Cause of nine of their members to constitute the body of the
Custodians of the Bahá'í World Faith, and that
We recognize this
body of the Custodians of the Bahá'í World Faith to be the supreme
body in the Cause of Bahá'u'lláh, and that
We pledge our full
support, faith and allegiance to the body of the Custodians of the
Bahá'í World Faith elected by the Hands of the Cause.
BAHA'I WILMETTE
MAY 28,1961
IMPELLED SHARE RECENT EVIDENCE VITALITY RAPID EXPANSION CONSOLIDATION BELOVED FAITH STOP TWENTY-ONE LATIN AMERICAN NATIONAL BODIES SUCCESSFULLY FORMED RAISING TOTAL NUMBER FORTY-EIGHT THROUGHOUT BAHA'I WORLD STOP FORMATION ALL EUROPEAN GOAL ASSEMBLIES INCLUDING ONE EXTRA HOLLAND DENMARK SPAIN EIGHT NEW ASSEMBLIES CEYLON NOW CONSTITUTES FIRM FOUNDATION ELECTION NEXT RIDVAN TWELVE INDEPENDENT NATIONAL BODIES FUTURE PILLARS UNIVERSAL HOUSE JUSTICE STOP MASS CONVERSION STIPULATED LAST MESSAGE BELOVED GUARDIAN ESSENTIAL FEATURE SECOND HALF CRUSADE STEADILY GAINING MOMENTUM AFRICA INDIA SOUTH AMERICA STOP CENTRAL EAST AFRICA MEMBERSHIP INCREASED THREE THOUSAND SINCE MARCH STOP PAST FOUR MONTHS SEVENTEEN HUNDRED NEW BELIEVERS ENROLLED UJAIN DISTRICT INDIA STOP BOLIVIAN COMMUNITY NOW BOASTS FIFTEEN HUNDRED INDIAN BAHAIS TWENTY-FIVE LOCAL ASSEMBLIES LARGELY INDIAN MEMBERSHIP STOP CHAD RECENTLY OPENED FAITH RAISING COUNTRIES Illumined REVELATION Bahá'u'lláh, TWO HUNDRED FIFTY-EIGHT STOP CONSTANT EVIDENCES GRACE BLESSED PERFECTION REALIZATION DIVINE PLAN CENTRE COVENANT SUSTAINING INSPIRATION BELOVED GUARDIAN UPLIFT ALL HEARTS INSPIRE EVERY BELIEVER RENEWED EFFORT DETERMINATION WIN ALL GOALS STOP INVITE FRIENDS JOIN PRAYERS THANKSGIVING SUPPLICATION STILL GREATER VICTORIES STOP AIRMAIL COPY HANDS NATIONAL ASSEMBLIES.
| [CABLE] | HANDSFAITH |
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To the Members of the International Bahá'í Council
June 25, 1961
Dear Bahá'í Friends:
We extend to you a most loving welcome on the
auspicious occasion of your entering upon your historic services
to the Cause of God at the World Centre of the Faith. We hope it
will be richly rewarding to you and a source of joy to our beloved
Guardian.
The evolution of the appointed International Council into
one elected by the members of the National Assemblies of the Bahá'í
world marks yet another step in the efflorescence of the Council
into the Universal House of Justice. That you have been chosen by
the friends at large to shoulder this responsibility of great
importance makes your task indeed a grave one. We will be happy to
assist you in every way in our power in the prosecution of your
arduous duties.
Preliminary plans for our joint gatherings, and the
meetings of your body have been arranged, as outlined in the
attached memorandum.
With deepest love,
In the service of the
beloved Guardian,
HANDS OF THE CAUSE IN THE HOLY LAND
Program
THE INTERNATIONAL BAHA'I COUNCIL
June 25 -26, 1961
THE INTERNATIONAL BAHA'I COUNCIL
June 25 -26, 1961
June 25th:
June 26th:
10:00 A.M. Hands and Council Members will meet in the Home of 'Abdu'l-Bahá
Proceed to the Shrine of Bahá'u'lláh for prayers.
Joint meeting in the Mansion of Bahá'u'lláh.
Luncheon at Bahji
Continue meetings in the Mansion of Bahá'u'lláh.
9:00 A.M. Meet in the Home of 'Abdu'l-Bahá
Proceed to the Shrine of the Bab. and 'Abdu'l-Bahá for prayers.
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The Council will convene in the sitting room placed at their disposal for this purpose at No. 10 Persian Street. (This room was the one in which the beloved Guardian had his meals with the pilgrims, and the members of the appointed International Bahá'í Council.)
Meetings of the International Council will be held in the
sitting room of No. 10 Persian Street.
The office of the
International Bahá'í Council adjoins this room.
Further joint
meetings of the Hands and International Bahá'í Council can be
arranged as desired.
Assignments of the International Bahá'í
Council
June 25, 1961
1 . Forge link with authorities of newly emerged State.
2. Conduct negotiations related to matters of personal status with civil authorities.
3. Legal protection of the international endowments of the Faith at the World Centre and completion, circumstances permitting, of plans made by the beloved Guardian for their extension.
4. Supervision of income-producing properties at the World Centre.
5. Assist the Hands in preparing for the World Congress to be held in Baghdad in 1963.
6. Assist the Hands in arrangements for the election of the Universal House of Justice.
7. Issue News Letter from the World Centre of the Faith.
8. Financial responsibility for work at the World Centre exclusive of affairs of the Hands of the Faith.
9. Handle guiding at Shrines.
BAHA'I WILMETTE
JUNE 25, 1961
REJOICE ANNOUNCE FIRST MOMENTOUS MEETING HANDS HOLY LAND ALL MEMBERS NEWLY ELECTED INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL HELD PRECINCTS HOLY
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SHRINE BAHA'U'LLAH CONSULTED MEASURES NECESSARY DISCHARGE HISTORIC DUTIES DESTINED FULFIL HIGH HOPES BELOVED GUARDIAN PAVE WAY ELECTION SUPREME HOUSE JUSTICE OCCASION MOST GREAT JUBILEE STOP SHARE MESSAGE HANDS NATIONAL ASSEMBLIES.
| [CABLE] | HANDSFAITH |
INTERNATIONAL BAHA'I COUNCIL
EXCERPTS FROM MINUTES OF FIRST FULL MEETING.
25th June -5th July 1961
EXCERPTS FROM MINUTES OF FIRST FULL MEETING.
25th June -5th July 1961
| Present: | Miss Jessie Revell, Mr. 'Ali Nakhjavani, Dr. Lutfu'llah Hakim, Miss Ethel Revell, Mr. Charles Wolcott, Mrs. Sylvia Ioas Mrs. Mildred Mottahedeh, Mr. Ian Semple, Mr. Borrah Kavelin. |
1. The Council assembled in the House of 'Abdu'l-Bahá at 10 a.m. and drove with the Hands of the Cause of God to Bahji where a joint meeting was held following prayers in the Shrine of Bahá'u'lláh. The Hands explained the functions to be assigned to the Council and expressed their wish for all members of the Council to reside in Haifa. The problems this raised for members of the Council were discussed at some length, and details of the Terms of Reference were discussed. After prayers in the Room of Bahá'u'lláh the entire company returned to Haifa at about 6 p.m.
3. In the evening the Council met in the room assigned to it on the lower floor of the Western Pilgrim House. Jessie Revell was asked to act as temporary chairman and Ethel Revell as temporary secretary. The personal situation of each of the members not at present resident in Haifa was discussed and the following points were decided:
a) Ian Semple can remain in Haifa without more ado.
b) 'Ali Nakhjavani can come to reside in Haifa at a time subject to the solution of problems concerning the work of the African Hands and his own family.
c) Charles Wolcott can come to reside in Haifa at a time dependent upon the handing over of the work of the United States National Spiritual Assembly secretariat, and the working out of his own removal.
d) Mildred Mottahedeh can reside for alternating periods of two months in Haifa and two elsewhere.
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e) H. B. Kavelin cannot come to Haifa again during this Gregorian year but would come for 30 days early in 1962 and could then say what further time would be possible. He is eager to help with any work of the Council which can be assigned to him in the U.S.A.June 26th:
f) Charles Wolcott, 'Ali Nakhjavani and Ian Semple would all J require financial support if resident in Haifa.
g) Mr. Kavelin's offer to resign if this would help the work of the Council was not accepted, and it was resolved that no member of the Council should resign at this time.
h) It was decided to convey the gist of the above points to the Hands of the Cause for their comment and decision.
4. The Council assembled at the Master's House at 9 a.m. and proceeded in company with the Hands to the Shrines of the Bab and 'Abdu'l-Bahá for prayers. A joint meeting was then held in the Master's House for the elucidation of a number of the points conveyed to the Hands from the previous night's meeting.
5. The Council then adjourned to its meeting room in the Western Pilgrim House and had a preliminary discussion of the Terms of Reference given to them by the Hands, which are as follows:
1) Forge links with authorities of newly emerged State.6. The following daily timetable of meetings was accepted: 9 a.m. -12 noon, 4 -7 p.m., 8:30 -10:30 p.m.
2) Conduct negotiations related to matters of personal status with civil authorities.
3) Legal protection of the international endowments of the Faith at the World Centre and completion, circumstances permit-ting, of plans made by the beloved Guardian for their extension.
4) Supervision of income-producing properties at the World Centre.
5) Assist the Hands in preparing for the World Congress to be held in Baghdad in 1963.
6) Assist the Hands in arrangements for the election of the Universal House of Justice.
7) Issue News Letter from the World Centre of the Faith.
8) Financial responsibility for work at the World Centre exclusive of affairs of the Hands of the Faith.
9) Handle guiding at the Shrines.
7. Just before lunch the Council was called again to the Master's House to be informed by the Hands of their acceptance of the Council's recommendations on the service of their members in the
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Holy Land. The Hands further specified that the officers of the Council should be elected from among the members resident in the Holy Land, and that the Council was free to designate one of its members "Member at Large".
9. Upon assembling for its afternoon session the Council elected its officers, who are:
10. Mr. H. B. Kavelin was designated Member at Large.
President : Mr. 'Ali Nakhjavani Vice-President : Mrs. Sylvia Ioas Secretary-general : Mr. Charles Wolcott Treasurer : Miss Jessie Revell Assistant Secretary : Mr. Ian Semple
11. The Council then considered further the Terms of Reference and asked:
a) The Treasurer and Mr. Kavelin to prepare an estimated budget for the operating expenses of the Council.12. In place of the evening session the Council dined in the Master's House in the company of the Hands and other friends at the invitation of Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih Khanum.
b) The President, Secretary-General and Assistant Secretary to prepare an agenda on the basis of the Terms of Reference and the suggestions proposed during the preliminary consultations.
June 27th:
13. The Council, with the exception of Dr. Lutfu'llah Hakim, spent the morning viewing the income-producing properties.
15. The Secretariat was instructed to acknowledge the messages of greeting received by the Council.
16. The Council considered the steps to be taken to acquaint the Israeli Authorities and the world at large with the election and officers of the new Council, and the following steps were recommended:
a) That we send messages of greeting to the President and Prime Minister of Israel and the Minister of Religions; these messages to be drafted by the Secretary-General and Mr. Kavelin.
b) That we seek audience with the President and/or the Minister of Religions to present two of the above messages. We shall ask the Hands if all the members of the Council should go, or only representatives.
c) It was noted that the above messages must be delivered before any publicity is released.
d) We shall suggest to the Hands that they call a Press Conference during the current meeting of the Council to announce its
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election and its officers. We would prepare a press release to be handed out at this conference.17. The Council also decided to ask the Hands through Mr. Kavelin if they would request certain of their number to consult with us on matters affecting approaches to the Authorities, matters of personal status, protection of endowments and care of properties.
e) Mr. Kavelin was asked to convey these recommendations to the Hands.
June 28th:
33. The Council considered the problems raised by the question of including the World Congress, the election of the Universal House of Justice and the election of National Spiritual Assemblies all within the twelve days of Ridvan, 1963. It was decided to recommend to the Hands that, in accordance with the precedent set by the beloved Guardian in 1944, the elections of the National Spiritual Assemblies in 1963 be held on 23rd May, or some suitable subsequent date, leaving to the decision of each National Spiritual Assembly whether this election should be by postal ballot or at a Convention.
34, For the World Congress itself the Council decided to make the following recommendations to the Hands:
a) In his cablegram of 24th December 1951 the beloved Guardian spoke of "summoning assemblage representative communities all sovereign states, chief dependencies, islands, entire planet." In view of this the Council recommends that the attendance of at least one representative from each territory and ethnic group be ensured at the Congress, and that funds be made available to cover the expenses of any such representative who may be unable to afford to come.
b) The Council feels that about six days at the end of the Ridvan period would be a suitable duration for the Congress.
c) It is felt that there should be an actual moment of thanksgiving for the Declaration of Bahá'u'lláh, and that this could appropriately fall on the ninth day of Ridvan, which would come about hAli-way through the Congress. This could also be a suitable day for the election of the Universal House of Justice.
d) The Council considered the pro's and con's of holding a public meeting during or at the end of the Congress, and concluded that it would be valuable from a prestige and publicity point of view; it was therefore decided to recommend to the Hands that they consider the desirability of holding such a public meeting.
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e) For the general publicity of the Congress it is recommended that the use of Bahá'í experts in this field be considered, both to prepare the way and to promote the publicity itself.37. In preparation for the election of the Universal House of Justice the Council decided to recommend to the Hands that they send a letter to all the believers explaining and stressing the importance of these elections; also that they circulate to National Spiritual Assembly members a compilation of quotations from the Scriptures and the writings of Shoghi Effendi on the functions of the Universal House of Justice.
BAHA'I WILMETTE
JUNE 29, 1961
HEARTS GREATLY ENCOURAGED BY ENTHUSIASM ENERGY DETERMINATION ELECTED INTERNATIONAL BAHA'I COUNCIL DISCHARGE VITAL EVER INCREASing RESPONSIBILITIES STOP DELIGHTED SHARE NEWS ELECTION FOLLOWING OFFICERS ALI NAKHJAVANI SYLVIA IOAS CHARLES WOLCOTT IAN SEMPLE JESSIE REVELL PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT SECRETARY GENERAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY TREASURER RESPECTIVELY STOP OTHER MEMBERS ETHEL REVELL LOTFULLAH HAKIM MILDRED MOTTAHEDEH AND BORRAH KAVELIN MEMBER AT LARGE STOP SHARE MESSAGE HANDS NATIONAL ASSEMBLIES.
| [CABLE] | HANDSFAITH |
To the 21 National Spiritual Assemblies in Latin America
July 7, 1961
Dear Bahá'í Friends:
Over two months have passed since
that historic day when 21 new pillars of the Universal House of
Justice were brought into being in your important and productive
part of the Bahá'í world. The time remaining before us until the
completion of our beloved Guardian's Ten Year Plan is vanishing
with alarming rapidity. These precious days must be utilized to the
fullest extent in assuring an overwhelming triumph in every land.
The vigour and enthusiasm with which each of your new National
Assemblies has faced its work has pleased us very much, and
together we may win many new victories in the year ahead.
One of
the most important things for all of us to keep before us is the
need for the most rigid economy in all that we do. With the
astonishing and deeply rewarding progress of the Faith in all parts
of the planet, with the formation of 21 new Assemblies this past
year, and 12 more to be
+292
formed next Ridvan, the limited resources of the Faith must be carefully husbanded and used in the manner that will assure winning the most important goals. Therefore, we urge your body to practice the most strict economy possible, and to encourage the dear friends to make every sacrifice both individually and collectively of their time and resources so that this fourth phase of the World Crusade truly may be characterized by the great increase in believers envisioned by our beloved Guardian for these days. Only the most vital purchases needed to carry on your day-to-day work should be made. The great bulk of your resources should go directly into the teaching work. The efforts of the entire country must be focused more and more on this all-important task. This cardinal responsibility of each National Assembly cannot be over-emphasized. Our beloved Guardian wrote less than three months before his passing: "The purpose of the new National Assemblies ... and the purpose of any administrative body, is to carry the Message to the people and enlist the sincere under the banner of this Faith. Your Assembly must never lose sight of this for a moment, and must go on courageously expanding the membership of the communities under your jurisdiction. . ."
In his last Message to the Bahá'í world,
he urged us to realize that "The fourth phase (of the World
Crusade) ... must be immortalized ... by an unprecedented increase
in the number of avowed supporters of the Faith, in all the
continents of the globe, of every race, clime, creed and colour,
and from every stratum of present-day society, coupled with a
corresponding increase in the number of Bahá'í centres . . ." This
is the very charter of our teaching work for this fourth and final
phase of his glorious global Crusade. Its success depends upon each
individual believer in the country arising to become a teacher, and
under the loving, inspiring leadership of the National Assembly,
to launch a concentrated teaching plan of such intensity and
determination that it will, in the words of our beloved Guardian
in his last loving Message to us all, cause "an upsurge of
enthusiasm and consecration, before which every single as well as
collective exploit, associated with any of the three previous
phases, will pale."
We are confident that this spirit of sacrifice
and dedication, coupled with the energetic and courageous actions
you have already taken, will bring about a year of just such
"unprecedented victories" as would rejoice the heart of our beloved
Guardian and bring great numbers under the shadow of the Blessed
Beauty.
We shall pray at the holy Shrines that your every effort
will be blessed and will bring productive fruit.
With warm Bahá'í
love,
In the service of the beloved Guardian,
HANDS OF THE CAUSE
IN THE HOLY LAND
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To the Hands of the Cause of God
July 8, 1961
Beloved Co-workers:
Now that the thrilling days of Ridvan have passed, we would like
to share with you the news of some of the victories won for our
beloved Guardian, victories which the blessings of Bahá'u'lláh
alone have made possible.
As you know, all 21 Latin American
National Assemblies were successfully elected, including Ecuador
and Cuba. Shortly before the Convention was held in Ecuador, we
received very disturbing news indicating a number of the friends
had been influenced by Mason Remey; immediate action was taken
through the Western Hemisphere Hands, their Board members and the
Regional Assembly for that area, and we were fortunate enough to
avert the impending defection of these people. The National
Assembly was elected, and we are watching the situation carefully
to be sure the attitude of these believers is now sincere. In Cuba,
in spite of the revolution there, the difficulty of travel and
absence of communication, dear Enoch was able to attend the
Convention and assist the friends to successfully elect their new
National Spiritual Assembly.
All Local Assembly goals were won in
Europe, assuring the foundation for the election next year of 11
independent pillars of the Universal House of Justice. To our
surprise and joy, 8 new Assemblies were established in Ceylon,
thus laying a firm foundation for the election next Ridvan of the
National Assembly.
The process of mass conversion-so longed for by
our beloved Guardian-is moving forward at an ever-accelerated
pace: Approximately 2,000 new believers in India during the last
few months; the first steps of mass conversion have begun also in
Ceylon; 3,000 new believers in Central and East Africa, which now
has over 17,000 Bahá'ís, 1,140 centres and 470 Local Assemblies.
Many of the now believers in this area came from the trouble and
strife-torn Congo border. In Bolivia, they now have over 1,500
Indian Bahá'ís in over 153 centres with 25 Local Assemblies. For
the first time in the history of North America, Indians in Canada
are beginning to enter the Faith; 3 Spiritual Assemblies were
formed on Indian reserves there, and the chairmen of two of these
Assemblies at-tended the Canadian Convention and fired the friends
with enthusiasm for bringing the Message to their people.
Liechtenstein and Loyalty Islands have been reopened. There are now
10 islands in the Gilbert and Ellice group having Bahá'ís, a new
one recently having been added. A new Local Assembly has been
created in American Samoa. Morocco had 3 new Assemblies this year,
and the
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Yemen, one new one. In the heart of the Anglican stronghold in England, the Cathedral city of Canterbury, a Local Assembly has been established.
How many times our beloved Guardian assured us
the Supreme Concourse was waiting to assist us. We see ever
increasingly the fulfilment of this promise. The Hands must, we
feel strongly, seize this great opportunity, when there is such
an upsurge of enthusiasm on the part of the believers, and labour
as never before, in close collaboration with their Board members,
to promote the mass teaching work now opening up before us.
We know
you are eager to have news of what is going on in the Holy Land,
and what your co-workers are doing here and elsewhere: Ruhiyyih
Khanum will be going to dedicate the Australian Temple in
September, and hopes to be able to visit some of the Centres en
route. Our dear Milly was obliged to return in May to the United
States in order to take care of her health, which had been poor of
late. She is doing everything in her power to return to her home
here well before the beginning of the Conclave. Paul, after
attending the Mexican and American Conventions and making an
extended visit to different Centres in the United States, to
encourage the friends, has returned with many valuable suggestions,
which will help us to assist the American National Spiritual
Assembly to win the goals on the home front. Furutan and Bill have
recently arrived from Latin America, bringing us most encouraging
reports of the spirit of the believers and the success of the
Conventions they attended. Bill will now remain with us as one of
the Hands in the Holy Land, sharing with us the experience he has
gained in the Western Hemisphere. Leroy leaves in a few days for
Europe, where he plans to attend a number of summer schools,
visiting the friends in as many places as possible, including a
month's stay in Great Britain. Jalál will be leaving in August for
India, to visit the new areas of mass conversion there and discuss
with the Indian National Assembly some of the problems facing it
in connection with this great work. He will also visit as many
Indian Centres as possible.
Enoch has recently returned to Africa
after a very successful tour in Central America and the Greater
Antilles. Muhajir is on his way to the Philippines to assist them
in intensive teaching work in those islands, following a period of
great activity amongst the Indians in Bolivia and the Central
American area. Collis, after attending two Latin American
Conventions, has visited Hawaii and the South Sea Islands on his
way home to Australia; Ugo has returned to Europe after rendering
similar services in Haiti, Venezuela and Central America; 'Ala'i,
after attending the Colombia and Jamaica Conventions, has been
visiting France and other countries in Europe; Ijasan made an
extensive tour of Canada on his return from the two Latin American
Conventions he attended. Hermann is
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still actively travelling throughout South America, visiting each country and new National Assembly and keeping a watchful eye upon possible activities of Remey's supporters. His knowledge of the language and the people is of inestimable help to the Faith in that part of the world. ahikru'lhih is now back in the United States after attending the Latin American Conventions allotted to him, and we have recently heard he was able to visit the believers in Alaska and attend their summer school. Dear Agnes, Adelbert and Varqa have been continuing their services in their respective spheres, services which have been so vitally needed, while other Hands were away travelling for so many months in the Western Hemisphere. Banani and John (Robarts) have suffered setbacks in their health this year, but in spite of their difficulties, they have been carrying on with the work in Africa.
It will interest you to know
that five of the supporters of Mason Remey in Pakistan have
returned to the Faith. This of course does not mean that his
efforts and those of his supporters have ceased to be active. We
must all be very vigilant and encourage the friends as much as
possible.
We spent ten wonderful days with the International Bahá'í
Council. You have already received the news of the election of
their officers, and we were delighted with the energetic enthusiasm
and plans of this body.
It is evident to us, and perhaps even more
so to you, what a great influence the Hands can exert in the
teaching field. We know you will be happy to share with the friends
the news of these victories. Surely this is the hour for all of
them to arise as never before and lend a new momentum to the work
during these precious remaining months of our beloved Guardian's
Crusade. Total victory is now within our grasp. His words written
toward the end of the first Seven Year Plan might well be our
watchword now: "One final surge of that indomitable spirit", he
told us, . is all that is required ... to release the flow of those
blessings . . ."
With warmest Bahá'í love to you all,
In the service
of the beloved Guardian,
HANDS OF THE CAUSE IN THE HOLY LAND
To All National Spiritual Assemblies
July 16,1961
Beloved Friends:
As you
know, the beloved Guardian for a number of years before his
ascension permitted the various National Assemblies to apply the
extreme punishment of deprivation of voting rights in cases where
believers continued to disobey an important decision of a National
Assembly, or in cases where the conduct of an individual
continuously and flagrantly
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violated Bahá'í standards to a point where the good name of the Faith was placed in jeopardy.
At various times the beloved Guardian
sent communications to National Assemblies instructing them and
guiding them in the application of this authority, which he felt
should be invoked only as a last resort, and after repeated
warnings to the individual concerned.
In the belief that they will
be helpful to all National Assemblies in carrying out the spirit
as well as the letter of the beloved Guardian's instructions on
this important subject, and because they contain such a clear
exposition of the status of Bahá'ís deprived of their voting
rights, we are sharing with you the following paragraphs from a
communication sent by him to the National Spiritual Assembly of the
United States on May 18, 1948:
The Guardian considers there are three conditions, so to speak, in regard to Bahá'í status or lack of it: a member of the Bahá'í Faith, in good standing, possessed of all his administrative rights; a member of the Faith who is being severely punished-either because of flagrant disobedience of some very important injunction of the National Assembly, or because of conduct extremely detrimental to the good name of the Faith, which he has not rectified-through having his voting and administrative rights suspended; and a person who is excommunicated by the Guardian because of disloyalty and enmity to the Faith. "Deprivation of voting rights" and "deprivation of membership in the Bahá'í Community" are really the same thing.No contribution should be accepted from a person deprived of his voting rights. He is not eligible for election to Bahá'í bodies, cannot attend the administrative gatherings such as elections or Nineteen Day Feasts. However he can attend Bahá'í meetings as he is not excommunicated.In connection with the above two paragraphs the Guardian does not want them published in Bahá'í News or any statement whatsoever issued in connection with this matter. Your Assembly can take action as occasion demands. As he has already stated, he considers that National Assemblies must strongly guard against this marked tendency of laying down new rules and regulations all the time, which he considers unnecessary and injurious. In the end it will dampen the zeal and quench the spontaneity of the believers, and give the impression that the Bahá'í Faith is crystallizing into set forms. Principles there must be, but they must be applied with wisdom to each case that arises, not every case covered, before it arises, by a codified set of rules. This is the whole spirit of Bahá'u'lláh's system: rigid conformity to great essential laws, elasticity, and even a certain necessary element of diversity, in secondary matters.
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The deprivation of a person's voting rights should only be re-sorted to when absolutely necessary, and a National Spiritual Assembly should always feel reluctant to impose this very heavy sanction which is a severe punishment. Of course sometimes, to protect the Cause, it must be done, but he feels that if the believer so deprived makes an effort to mend his ways, rectifies his mistake, or sincerely seeks forgiveness, every effort should be made to help him and enable him to re-establish himself in the Community as a member in good standing.
Please note carefully the
Guardian's words indicating that he did not wish to have this
material published in Bahá'í News, and his further instruction that
no statement whatsoever should be made by the National Assembly in
connection with this question. In other words, his wish was that
each case be considered individually in the light of the general
principles which he gave to the National Assembly for its guidance.
With warm Bahá'í love,
In the service of the beloved Guardian,
HANDS OF THE CAUSE IN THE HOLY LAND
To the Hands of the Cause of God
July 17, 1961
Beloved Co-workers:
In accordance with the
responsibility placed upon the Hands in the Holy Land of calling
and setting the dates for the annual Conclave, and pursuant to the
suggestions made at our last meeting in Bahji, we are scheduling
this year's gathering for a nineteen-day period beginning Sun-day,
October 15, 1961.
A somewhat longer period than usual has been set
aside for this forth-coming meeting in order to carry out the
suggestion that the Conclave might wish to hold a recess once or
twice during the period, and also in view of the fact that we have
such a heavy agenda.
We have drawn up the attached tentative list
of subjects, and are sending it to you for study and for your
suggestions well in advance of the meeting. If you have any
thoughts as to any other major items which you think should be
included in this outline, please let us have your suggestions as
soon as possible.
With warmest and deepest love,
In the service of the beloved Guardian,
HANDS OF THE CAUSE IN THE HOLY LAND
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AGENDA -1961 CONCLAVE
|
SUBJECTS PRESENTED BY THE HANDS COMPLETION OF THE WORLD CRUSADE Mass ConversionTHE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE ElectionTHE WORLD CONGRESS LocationACTIVITIES OF HANDS Hands in the Holy LandFINANCIAL SITUATION World Centre ReportINTERNATIONAL BAHA'I COUNCIL |
Commentary by Hands in the Holy Land
July 31, 1961
This is the first News Letter from the
Holy Land issued by the recently elected International Bahá'í
Council. The issuance of the News Letter
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from the World Centre is one of the functions assigned to the Council, which plans to send such a letter to the National Assemblies approximately every two months.
We are confident that
this publication will be a source of inspiration to the friends,
giving them news of the progress of the Faith, and bringing them
close to the Holy Land, referred to by our beloved Guardian as "the
heart and the nerve centre" of the Bahá'í World Community.
Please
share this bulletin with the believers in your area through your
own News Letter, or in any other way you deem advisable.
With warm
Bahá'í love,
In the service of
the beloved Guardian,
HANDS OF THE
CAUSE IN THE HOLY LAND
[The News Letter is not included here.]
To All 21 Latin American National Spiritual Assemblies
August 3, 1961
Dear Bahá'í Friends:
We have been delighted to hear the news of the
increasing success of the work among the dear Indian believers in
so many parts of Latin America, and in other areas where beginning
efforts are being made toward mass conversion.
This fourth and
final phase of our beloved Guardian's great global Crusade should
indeed be "immortalized . . . by an unprecedented in-crease in the
number of avowed supporters of the Faith, in all the continents
of the globe, of every race, clime, creed and colour, and from
every stratum of present-day society, coupled with a corresponding
increase in the number of Bahá'í centres . . ." These are the words
of our beloved Guardian in his last Message to the Bahá'í world.
This final phase of the Crusade, he told us, must "witness . . .
an upsurge of enthusiasm and consecration, before which every
single as well as collective exploit, associated with any of the
three previous phases, will pale."
This concentrated teaching
effort should be the focus of every National Spiritual Assembly.
However, with the election of the Universal House of Justice less
than two years away, we feel confident that your National Assembly
will recognize the vital and absolute need for maintaining the
existing Local Spiritual Assemblies with a strong nucleus, and not
jeopardize these prizes which have been won at such cost by
removing the pioneers who were sent there to assure the winning
of these goals, even to conquer the new Indian areas or other areas
of mass conversion.
+300
Expansion and consolidation go hand in hand, and the preservation
of strong, vigorously functioning Local Assemblies is one of our
most vital obligations at this time; for upon this solid
foundation, firm national pillars must rest-those pillars which
will support that Supreme Administrative Body of the Bahá'í world,
the Universal House of Justice.
In a letter to the National
Spiritual Assembly of Central and East Africa on August 8th, 1957,
our beloved Guardian wrote: "The purpose of the new National
Assemblies in Africa, and the purpose of any administrative body,
is to carry the Message to the people and enlist the sincere under
the banner of this Faith. Your Assembly must never lose sight of
this for a moment, and must go on courageously expanding the
member-ship of the communities under your jurisdiction, and
gradually educating the friends in both the Teachings and the
Administration. Nothing could be more tragic than if the
establishment of these great administrative bodies should stifle
or bog down the teaching work." The beloved Guardian, in that same
letter in which he urged the dear friends on to greater effort in
mass conversion, also wrote: "Nor must the pressing obligation to
consolidate the firmly grounded local institutions of the Faith
through their incorporation be, for a moment, neglected. The
historic work, so laboriously initiated in the newly opened
territories, and particularly in those where the Faith has not yet
driven deep its roots, must, likewise, be rapidly and
systematically reinforced."
Our beloved Guardian's Convention
Message of that same year said: "The pre-eminent task of teaching
the Faith to the multitudes who consciously or unconsciously
thirst after the healing Word of God in this day ... must, in the
course of this year, be accorded priority over every other Bahá'í
activity." In that same Message, our beloved Guardian also said:
"Simultaneous with the acceleration in the process of individual
conversion, the equally pressing need of safeguarding Local
Spiritual Assemblies from dissolution and of increasing rapidly
their number, must continually be borne in mind, as the most
effectual means for the strengthening of the structural basis of
the Administrative Order of the Faith."
Thus the twin processes of
rapidly expanding and firmly consolidating go hand in hand. With
this basic principle in mind, and with the spirit of enthusiasm and
devotion which are reflected in your letters, we feel confident
that you will maintain vital, strong Local Assemblies and still
continue the wonderful work that has been launched, and will be
launched, in the areas of mass conversion.
We shall pray at the
holy Shrines for your success in the field of mass teaching, so
highly prized by our beloved Guardian, a task which he said
challenged every single individual believer, a task which was "so
dear to
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the heart of 'Abdu'l-Bahá", a task which was "so sacred, so fundamental, and so urgent".
With warmest Bahá'í love,
In the
service of the beloved Guardian,
HANDS OF THE CAUSE IN THE HOLY
LAND
To All National Spiritual Assemblies
August 8, 1961
Dear Bahá'í Friends,
You have received a communication from the National
Spiritual Assembly of Australia (dated May 19, 1961) announcing
that the dedication of the Mashriqu'l-Adkar in Sydney will take
place during the period September 14-17, this year.
In view of the
great spiritual significance of this event, constituting one of the
most important victories of the beloved Guardian's Ten Year Plan,
we suggest that each National and Regional Assembly send an
appropriate greeting to the National Spiritual Assembly of
Australia on this historic occasion. These messages should be sent
to the address of the National Secretariat, 2 Lang Road,
Paddington, New South Wales, Australia, in time to reach the
Secretary if possible not later than the tenth of next month.
With
warm Bahá'í greetings and the assurance of our ardent prayers for
the attainment of all your goals.
In the service of the beloved
Guardian,
HANDS OF THE CAUSE IN THE HOLY LAND
To the Hands of the Cause of God
August 12, 1961
Beloved Colleagues:
This is another
letter to keep you abreast of events that are taking place as this
year approaches the hAli-way mark. We have had the sad news of the
illness of dear Mr. Samandari who is in Teheran where he has been
in the hospital. His reply to our cable indicates that his health
is now improving and we hope that we shall have the joy of seeing
him here with us at the Annual Gathering. His services throughout
the year have been a great example to us all, as he has travelled
constantly, visiting the friends and encouraging them to greater
efforts. The news of his improved health is a great blessing for
which we are all deeply grateful.
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Milly is still feeling far from well herself, but her work
continues, and she has recently helped to make possible the
purchase of a future Haziratu'l-Quds in Jamaica and the launching
of a greater teaching effort in South Africa.
Hasan has arrived from
London to serve for a time as one of the Hands in the Holy Land.
He is helping Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih Khanum with the work of the
Archives, as are many of the other friends here. We have every hope
that the new Archives building, with all of the precious relics and
treasures, may be ready for the pilgrims who come to visit this
coming year.
Soon additional members of the International Council
will be coming to make their residence in the Holy Land. 'Ali
Nakhjavani,
the President of the Council, is expected in a few weeks,
and the Secretary-General, Charles Wolcott, arrives on the 21st of
September. In addition to the elected members who have resided here
in the past, Ian Semple, the Assistant Secretary, has already
transferred his residence to Haifa and has remained here since the
first meeting.
Because of their activities which were undermining
the Faith, the following have been declared Covenant-breakers: (1)
Guillermo Soto-mayor of Quito, Ecuador, who visited Cuba and
attacked the Institutions of the Faith; (2) Eduardo Gonzalez of
Guayaquil, Ecuador, who has been in close touch with Mason Remey
and supports his baseless claim; (3) Mr. and Mrs. Chester Davison
of Monrovia, California, who have accepted Mason Remey; and (4)
Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Davison of Monterrey, Mexico, who likewise have
supported this false claim.
We have heard that Mason Remey is in
Italy, but this has not as yet been verified.
However, the general
news that reaches us from the various parts of the world is most
encouraging. The letters of the new National Spiritual Assemblies
show their eagerness and determination to win unprecedented
victories for our beloved Guardian.
One of the Peruvian friends
plans to carry the Faith to the primitive people of Peru in the
jungle area beyond the Andes.
The National Spiritual Assembly of
Nicaragua has informed us of the acceptance of the Faith by three
villages in the Indian area of that country. We are awaiting more
details.
Bolivia reports 350 new believers since Ridvan, bringing
their total to 2,000.
India sends a further report of their growing
teaching activities, saying that there are now 3,200 new believers
in the primitive areas where they have been working so devotedly.
Classes are being held to train teachers to carry the work forward
on an even increased scale. The beginning
+303
stages of mass conversion (or mass teaching as they ask that we refer to it in all letters to India) are apparent in several areas, and we must do everything we can to hasten the process.
It is now
only two months until we shall be meeting for the Annual Gathering,
and once again we urge you all to take every step necessary to
assure your being present at this all-important meeting. The
problems that lie before us, and the golden opportunities that
depend upon their resolution, require the presence of every single
Hand of the Cause. If there are any obstacles in your way which we
might help remove, please call upon us for any help you may need.
With warmest and deepest Bahá'í love,
In the service of the beloved
Guardian,
HANDS OF THE CAUSE IN THE HOLY LAND
To All National and Regional Spiritual Assemblies
August 30, 1961
Beloved Friends:
The
enclosed message was sent to the Hands of the Cause and the
Regional Spiritual Assemblies in Europe. We felt that it could be
of use to you, and therefore we are sending you a copy.
With
warmest loving greetings,
In the service of
the beloved Guardian,
HANDS OF THE CAUSE IN THE HOLY LAND
Enclosure
To the Hands of the Cause in Europe and the Regional National Spiritual Assemblies of the Bahá'ís of the Iberian Peninsula, Italy and Switzerland, the Benelux Countries, Scandinavia and Finland.
August 22, 1961
Beloved Friends:
By the unfailing grace of Bahá'u'lláh, this year the
necessary foundation was laid in the goal countries of Europe for
the erection of indepen-dent National Assemblies, and the requisite
number of Local Spiritual Assemblies were formed. A dedicated army
of pioneers came forth to occupy their posts. The services of these
valiant souls are truly unforget-table and historic. The debt that
we owe them is great.
The beloved Guardian encouraged the pioneers
whenever possible to throw down deep roots into the soil of the
country of their adoption. He
+304
told them to learn the language of the people amongst whom they laboured to propagate the Cause of God. They were to stay at their posts, persevere at all costs, and not consider their work completed until there were a sufficient number of avowed supporters of the Faith drawn from the peoples of these countries themselves to take up the torch and carry on the task. He, the beloved Guardian, stressed the supreme importance of teaching in the goal countries, and underlined the fact that the end is not the maintenance of Assemblies chiefly composed of pioneers, but the emergence of Assemblies formed in the main or in totality by native believers.
We feel that it is essential that the pioneers who gave
us such a resounding victory last Ridvan should at this juncture
be lovingly and kindly reminded of the standard set by our beloved
Guardian. We ask you to bring these matters to their notice in the
way you consider best, and impress upon them that unless there is
a great influx of native believers before next Ridvan, their task
will not be completed with the formation of independent National
Assemblies, and that they should stay at their posts even beyond
Ridvin, 1963.
Assuring you of our ardent prayers on your behalf at
the sacred Thresholds, and with warmest loving greetings,
In the
service of the beloved Guardian,
HANDS OF THE CAUSE IN THE HOLY
LAND
To the Hands of the Cause of God
September 5, 1961
Beloved Co-workers:
In just a few weeks we shall be together for our Annual
Gathering, and once again we shall share the news of the victories
of our Faith in person. Therefore, this will be our last general
letter until after this all-important event.
Amatu'l-Baha Rúhíyyih
Khanum is now in Australia to attend the epoch-making dedication
of the Mother Temple of the Antipodes, having already visited the
friends in Bangkok, Rangoon and Singapore. She will also visit many
centres in Australia and New Zealand prior to her return.
Dear
Milly has suffered from an accident in which she injured her arm,
but is progressing well and hopes to be with us soon. Dear
TarAzu'llAh Samandarf, although greatly improved, has not yet quite
recovered from his recent illness. We know you will remember these
wonderful servants of Bahá'u'lláh in your prayers.
+305
Dear Agnes has just completed an exciting and fruitful teaching
trip to Korea. There in Seoul, the capital-city, on July 9th, the
Anniversary of the Martyrdom of the Bab (according to the solar
calendar), she addressed a meeting. Her translator was Mr. Oh San
Sun, the same faithful soul who translated for her when she made
her historic first pioneering visit to Korea's capital in 1921.
News of soul-stirring victories continues to pour in as the valiant
army of Bahá'u'lláh forges ahead on all fronts, and assiduously
builds upon the wide and the firm foundation which our beloved
Guardian has laid down over the entire planet. One hundred Pygmies
have entered the fellowship of our Faith in Bukavu in the Congo
region. The first native believers have been enrolled in the Mare
Island of the Loyalty group, a husband and wife who accepted the
Faith in Noumea, New Caledonia, but whose home is in Mare Island.
South-East Asia continues to "vie" with Africa as urged by our
beloved Guardian, and the Regional Spiritual Assembly reports that
there are now 9,000 believers in Indonesia including Mentawai, and
over 11,000 in the National Assembly region. Twenty souls from the
Carib tribe have embraced the Faith in Honduras.
Ecuador has risen
above the threat of the enemies of the Faith and presents a "new
face" of victory. The National Assembly reports loving, dedicated
meetings of their body directed to the primary task of the
spiritual conquest of the country. In Carabuela we have four new
Indian believers. This is the third Indian village with new
believers, and the second village to be conquered for our Faith
since the Convention. Al-ready they have surpassed the total number
who accepted the Faith in Ecuador during the whole of the past
year.
Kenya increased its Local Assemblies by 23 this year, to 134,
and now has approximately 4,000 believers. The Honolulu Community
in the Pa-cific Ocean has doubled its numbers in a single year.
Cuba not only held a triumphant National Convention and raised up
a dedicated National Assembly, but has now organized its first
historic summer school.
A notable event in Canada, in addition to
the remarkable increase in the number of her believers, has been
the acceptance of the Faith by a minister of the United Cburch, Mr.
Ronald Parsons. This courageous soul has written an eloquent and
moving testimony of his faith addressed to the church from the
ministry of which he has resigned. In that letter he says: "To many
of my brethren it may seem that I am turning away from Jesus by
such an action, whereas for me it comes as the only way in which
I can maintain my obedience to Him. Because I believe BahA-'u'llah
to be what He claims to be, the Return of Christ, the Promised
Spirit of Truth, not to become His follower would be a betrayal of
Jesus's teaching and a denial of God's Will in this Age".
+306
The Bahá'ís of the British Isles are celebrating the fiftieth
anniversary of the beloved Master's momentous visit to their
country, when He chose London as the scene of His first appearance
before a Western audience. Apart from special meetings held in all
the centres on September 4th, the actual day of the Master's
arrival at the shores of Britain, a large, well-advertised public
meeting is arranged for September 8th in London. Le-roy and Hasan
are to be present at this meeting and speak from the platform.
Lutfu'llffi Hakim has gone to London for a vacation, but prima-rily
to fulfil his long-desired wish to visit the resting-place of our
beloved Guardian. His journey to London happily coincides with the
celebrations, and is particularly thrilling for the believers in
Britain, because Luffu'llah was there when the Master arrived in
London fifty years ago. He will be the only Bahá'í present at the
celebrations who has witnessed that great day in the history of the
West.
There is still more news to gladden every faithful heart.
Mass conver-sion continues in India, goes steadily on in Africa,
leaps forward in Bolivia, and each day brings fresh numbers of
North and South American Indians into the advancing ranks of our
blessed Faith.
It is the cherished hope of each one of us, we know,
that in the wake of this vital Annual Gathering of ours which has
far-reaching implications and consequences, there will come
flooding into every corner of the planet, over continents and
islands of the seas, a magnetic, all-sufficing power that shall
bring into the realm of fulfilment the highest and bright-est hopes
of our most beloved Guardian for reaching in numbers
ever-increasing the masses "who consciously or unconsciously
thirst" for the healing water of our Faith.
We eagerly await your
arrival. With warmest and deepest love to each one of you,
In the
service of the beloved Guardian,
HANDS OF THE CAUSE IN THE HOLY
LAND
To the National Spiritual Assemblies of the Bahá'ís of the United States, Canada, the British Isles, Germany, Italy and Switzerland
September 14, 1961
Dear Bahá'í Friends:
As you know,
for the last two years the Faith has been under attack in Turkey,
starting with the arrest of a number of believers in Ankara during
Naw-R& of 1959, when the police imprisoned members of the Local
Spiritual Assembly. This incident received wide publicity in the
press. Subsequently the friends were released from prison, but a
court case was
+307
brought against the Bahá'ís by the public prosecutor, who claimed that the Faith was a "Tarighat", one of those sects of Isldrn whose rituals, practices and forms of worship are forbidden by the law of the country.
Since then this matter has been the subject of
lengthy litigation, with the Bahá'ís endeavouring to prove and
establish the status of the Faith as an independent world religion,
and the prosecuting authorities endeavouring to classify it as a
forbidden sect of lslám.
The case is now to go to the high court
on appeal, and the National Spiritual Assembly of Turkey has
informed us that they believe that representations to the Turkish
Ambassador in your respective countries' would be helpful, as these
diplomatic representatives will then inform their government of
these visits and the proofs which representatives of your Assembly
will present showing the completely independent charac-ter of the
Faith, as well as its world-wide acceptance as a universal religion
completely dissociated from Islám or any other revealed religion.
In order that you may thoroughly understand the background of this
situation, we share with you the following summary of the
development of the case against the Faith in Turkey.
Following the
Turkish revolution in the 1920's, church and state were separated,
but the major world religions, including the four recognized
schools of thought of Sunni lsldm-Malcki, Hanbali, Shafei and
Hanafi-were left free to follow their beliefs and practices.
However, according to Article 163 of the Turkish Criminal Code, the
practice of every form of "Tarighat" was forbidden, and those who
indulged in the forbidden rituals and practices of these Muslim
sects were subject to severe punishment. Among these "Tarighat" are
included the Naghsh-bandi, Molvai, Jalali and Refai sects. The
Government of modem Turkey felt that the rituals and practices of
these sects of Islam were out of place in modern life and harmful
to the people; therefore they were forbidden.
It is clear that
identification of the Faith with these forbidden sects would be a
very bad blow for the Cause and conversely, if a high court of
appeal in a Muslim country were to recognize the independent
character of the Faith, it would be a very significant victory for
the Cause, not only in Turkey, but throughout the East.
The
original arrest of the members of the Local Spiritual Assembly in
Ankara and the court case which followed resulted in wide publicity
for the Cause, and most of the leading newspapers in the country
opposed the
1 It is specifically requested that in the case of the Italo-Swiss National Assembly, the contact be made with the Turkish Ambassador in Switzerland. We do not believe that a visit to the Ambassador in Italy would be advisable at this time.
+308
action of the public prosecutor, and declared that the Faith was an inde-pendent religion. At that time many documents were sent to Turkey from the World Centre and from various National Assemblies to establish and prove the independent character of the Cause. The court requested three experts in comparative religion to study the matter and give their opinion. Two of the three experts appointed expressed the view that the Bahá'í Faith was an independent religion, and one claimed that it was a sect of Islam. After receiving this report, the court then appointed three outstanding religious scholars to review all aspects of the question and advise the court of their views. All three of these scholars agreed in a finding that the Faith was an independent religion, and sent a documented statement containing authenticated proofs to the court on January 17, 1961. In this historic document the panel of experts proved that the Cause has nothing to do with "Tarighat" or forbidden sects of Islam, and that it is an inde-pendent religion comparable to Islam and Christianity.
After this document was
submitted to the court, everyone was certain that the Court would
issue its decree in accordance with the findings of these experts.
However, the judges chose to disregard these findings entirely, and
suddenly on July 15, 1961, declared that the Bahá'í Faith was a
"Tarighat". Following this unexpected decision, the Bahá'ís of
Ankara were forgiven, on the grounds that their gathering
constituted a criminal case and under the general amnesty
provisions of the law they could be released, that is, the case
against them dropped. The court did say, however, that its decision
could be appealed.
The National Spiritual Assembly of Turkey has
decided to make a strong appeal to the higher court, and as
indicated previously, this National Assembly believes that proper
representations by your bodies to the Turkish Ambassadors in your
respective countries will be helpful.
Therefore we request that you
appoint without delay a well-qualified delegation composed of
Western friends (the effect will be greater if the delegations do
not include any of the Persian believers who may be residing in
your respective countries) to call upon the Turkish Ambassa-dor,
explain your position as national representatives of the Bahá'í
Community in your respective countries, indicate your great
interest in a proper and just outcome of the pending case in
Turkey, and give explanations and appropriate proofs of the
independent character of the Faith and its world-wide scope as a
separate revealed religion. In view of the highly nationalistic
feelings of the Turkish people, particularly Turkish officials, we
suggest that the representations to be made by your representatives
do not in any way take the form of a protest. In other words, the
approach should be a mild and friendly one, emphasizing the great
interest which the Bahá'ís in your countries have in this matter.
+309
We shall be very much interested in receiving in due course a
report on the steps taken to carry out this request from the
National Assembly of Turkey. We shall offer ardent prayers in the
holy Shrines that all of these efforts will be divinely guided and
assisted and that another great victory for the Faith may be won.
With warm Bahá'í love,
In the service of the beloved Guardian,
HANDS OF THE CAUSE IN THE HOLY LAND
DEDICATION OF THE MOTHER TEMPLE
OF THE ANTIPODES
Sydney, Australia
September 15, 1961
To the Hands of the Cause, Members of the National Assemblies, Auxiliary Board Members, and believers attending the Teaching Conference on the historic occasion of the Dedication of the Mother Temple of the Antipodes.
Beloved Friends:
On this unique occasion in the life of
the Antipodes, this joyous, soul-stirring occasion, the crowning
glory of four decades of devoted labour in that great area of the
globe, when the doors of the Mother Temple will open to pour in
abundance the light of God's nascent Faith upon the expanse of the
Pacific, our thoughts and our hearts turn to the architect of our
world-redeeming victories. We turn to him, our most beloved
Guard-ian, in humble gratitude, in wonderment, in eager
anticipation of yet mightier things to come.
The harvest is
mounting high. Goal after goal of the Beloved's Plan is reached
all the world over. What faithful Bahá'í heart can fail to be
thrilled and to rejoice at this latest evidence of Bahá'u'lláh's
all-pervading power and sustaining grace. And the more will the
faithful rejoice when the goal attained is the completion and the
dedication of the Mother Temple of the Antipodes. But even yet more
shall the faithful heart rejoice when the import of the majestic
utterance of Bahá'u'lláh is seen in its full glory. He, the Supreme
Manifestation of God, wrote that should He be eclipsed on the land,
His light would break upon the world from the midmost heart of the
ocean.
Our edifice of light was denied to our brethren in the
Cradle of our Faith. The beloved redressed the wrong and decreed
the erection of the Mother Temples of Africa and the Antipodes. The
voice of our Faith was
+310
muted in the land of its birth. Its silent teacher arose clad in splendour in the heart of Africa and in the midst of the Pacific Ocean.
From the World Centre of our Faith, we greet you one and all
in utmost joy on this wonderful day. And our prayers offered at the
sacred Thresh-olds are with you.
To each one of you comes also the
deepest love of the Hands of the Faith who wish to express their
profound and grateful thanks to every believer who has helped to
win the victories which during the past years have fulfilled so
many of the cherished hopes of our beloved Guardian.
The holding
of the Teaching Conference in conjunction with the dedi-cation of
the Mashriqu'l-Adhkdr affords a timely opportunity for
consul-tation between Amatu'l-Baha RAVyyih Khanum, representing
the Hands at the World Centre, the Hand of the Cause in Australia,
members of Auxiliary Boards and National Spiritual Assemblies,
pioneers, teachers and believers in the Antipodes.
The words which
we wish to share with you during this vital teaching session upon
which such a bright future depends, are the words of our beloved
Guardian. If his blessed instructions become our watchword, every
obstacle will be overcome, and every goal will be accomplished.
This challenge of teaching, he told us, "so severe and insistent,
and yet so glorious, faces ... primarily the individual believer,
on whom, in the last resort, depends the fate of the entire
community. . . . Without his support, at once whole-hearted,
continuous and generous, every measure adopted, and every plan
formulated ... is foredoomed to failure.... The unseen legions,
standing rank upon rank, and eager to pour forth from the Kingdom
on High the full measure of their celestial strength on the
individual participants of this incomparably glorious Crusade, are
power-less unless and until each potential crusader decides for
himself ... to rush into the arena of service ready to sacrifice
his all for the Cause he is called upon to champion."
The beloved
Guardian wrote in that same year, emphasizing the vital importance
of the home fronts to the destiny of the entire Crusade. He said,
"The Ten Year Plan, if the friends will study it, comprises not
only glamourous goals far afield, but extremely important ones near
at hand. If these (home-front goals) are not achieved, the Plan
will have failed."
Upon the success of the home-front campaigns,
he warned us, would depend the mildness or the fierceness of the
"contest that must be waged, sooner or later.... between the rising
institutions of Bahá'u'lláh's em-bryonic divinely appointed Order,
and the exponents of obsolescent doc-trines and the defenders, both
secular and religious, of a corrupt and fast-declining society."
+311
The words in his final, loving, fate-laden Message to America, are
surely directed to each one of the vital home fronts: "Once
again and this time more fervently than ever before-I direct my
plea to every single member of this strenuously labouring,
clear-visioned, stout-hearted, spiritually endowed community, every
man and woman, on whose individual efforts, resolutions,
self-sacrifice and perseverance the immediate destinies of the
Faith of God . . . primarily depend, not to allow, through apathy,
timidity or complacency, this one remaining opportunity to be
irretrievably lost. I would rather entreat each and every one of
them to immortalize this approaching, fateful hour in the evolution
of a World Spiritual Crusade, by a fresh consecration to their
God-given mission, coupled with an instantaneous plan of action,
at once so dynamic and decisive, as to wipe out ... with one
stroke, the deficiencies which have ... bogged down the operations
of the Crusade on the home front. . This, he assured them, was "the
need of the present hour".
'Abdu'l-Bahá in His Tablets of the
Divine Plan appealed to us: "Let your exertions henceforth increase
a thousandfold." Then He promised us: "The wider its range, the
more striking will be the evidence of Divine assistance." "Exert
yourselves;" He called to us, "your mission is un-speakably
glorious."
"No reader of these words, so vibrant with promises",
our beloved Guardian assured us, will be content to "rest upon" his
"laurels". It would, he said, "be tantamount to a betrayal of the
trust placed" upon the followers of Baha'u'llAh. "To cut short the
chain of victories that must lead it on to that supreme triumph
when 'the whole earth may be stirred and shaken' by the results of
its achievements would shatter His (the Master's) hopes.
Therefore,
beloved friends, we urge each one of you to follow our beloved
Guardian's counsel and "act, and act promptly and decisively". From
this very moment on, let each individual believer arise, and, with
a measure of devotion and sacrifice never before attained,
volunteer to pioneer to the goal cities established by your
National Assembly. Those who are unable to go themselves, let them,
as Bahá'u'lláh Himself suggested, deputize with their resources
another to go in their place. Those who are unable to pioneer, let
them arise and volunteer through the proper administrative body to
become travelling teachers for a week-end, a week, a month, six
months or whatever time they have available from now until the end
of the Crusade. Those who cannot travel and teach, let them open
their homes so that every single believer in this richly blessed
land may become a teacher. Lot no Bahá'í month pass without the
bare minimum of at least one fireside devoted to reaching the
multitudes. This was our beloved Guardian's own instruction. Let
every single believer,
+312
however humble his circumstances, pour out his resources on an unprecedented scale of sacrifice so that the means to properly sustain and courageously expand the work on the Australian home front may be provided for, and the efforts of the National Assembly vigorously increased. Let every isolated believer strive to become a group. 1,et every group concentrate on becoming an Assembly. Let every Assembly consolidate its strength and numbers so that it can become legally incorporated; then let all of the believers over the number of fifteen, in these strong communities, who can possibly do so, disperse and open new centres, thus setting in motion that process so highly prized by our beloved Guardian, by which every isolated believer becomes a group, every group an Assembly, every Assembly a thriving Community, which again in turn disperses until we have generated a momentum which will lead to that mass conversion everywhere, and the land is filled with movement like the tributaries of a mighty river carrying the water of life to every comer of Australia.
Such a plan of action is
clearly envisioned by our beloved Guardian in his final Message to
the Bahá'í world. The fourth phase of this glorious Crusade, he
said, "must be immortalized ... by an unprecedented increase in
the number of avowed supporters of the Faith, in all the
continents of the globe, of every race, clime, creed and colour,
and from every stratum of present-day society, coupled with a
corresponding increase in the number of B ahd'i centres . . ." This
final phase of the Crusade, he told us, must "witness ... an
upsurge of enthusiasm and consecration, before which every single
as well as collective exploit, associated with any of the three
previous phases, will pale."
We have less than two years remaining
of the beloved Guardian's Crusade. During every one of the hours
remaining, let us keep before us, as our guide, these words of the
one who sacrificed his life that we might have such "golden"
victories:
The opportunity that presents itself at this crucial hour is precious beyond expression. The blessings destined to flow from a victory so near at hand are rich beyond example. One final surge of that indomitable spirit ... is all that is required ... to release the flow of those blessings.
May Bahá'u'lláh watch over
us, sustain us, guide us and make us worthy of so priceless and so
great a privilege.
With warmest Bahá'í love,
In the service of the
beloved Guardian,
HANDS OF THE CAUSE IN THE HOLY LAND
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BAHA'I WILMETTE
SEPTEMBER 18,1961
SHARE JOYOUS NEWS DEDICATION MOTHER TEMPLE ANTIPODES PRESENCE AMATU'L-BAHA RUHIYYIH KHANUM REPRESENTATIVES TWENTY COUNTRIES BAHAI WORLD COMMUNITY STOP HISTORIC OCCASION MARKS ATTAINMENT SECOND STAGE BELOVED GUARDIAN'S THREEFOLD ENTERPRISE DESIGNED ESTABLISH FIRST SACRED HOUSES WORSHIP AFRICAN CONTINENT AUSTRALAsia EUROPE STOP CALL UPON FRIENDS EVERYWHERE JOIN PRAYERS PRAISE THANKSGIVING BAHA'U'LLAH HIGHLY SIGNIFICANT VICTORY STOP AIRMAIL MESSAGE HANDS NATIONAL ASSEMBLIES.
| [CABLE] | HANDSFAITH |
To All National Spiritual Assemblies
November 5,1961
Beloved Friends:
Enclosed is a copy of the Message to the
Bahá'ís of East and West issued by the Hands of the Cause following
their fifth Annual Gathering in the Holy Land.
We ask that you
place this communication in the hands of the friends as quickly as
possible, through your News Letter, or by some other means.
We send
you loving best wishes and our ardent prayers for the success of
your devoted efforts to carry forward the Holy Crusade of our
beloved Guardian to complete and final victory in the coming
eighteen months.
With warm Bahá'í love,
In the service of the beloved Guardian,
HANDS OF THE CAUSE IN THE HOLY LAND
CONCLAVE
MESSAGE
1961
1961
From the Hands of the Cause to the Bahá'ís of East and West
Mansion of Bahá'u'lláh
Bahji, 'Akka, Israel
November 5, 1961
Dearly beloved Friends:
The Community of the Most Great Name, East
and West, North and South, can look back over the remarkable
achievements of the past twelve months with profound thankfulness
and from them draw fresh
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courage and determination to arise unitedly for one last supreme effort which will enable us to crown with victory the mighty Global Plan to be consummated in Ridvan, 1963 by the celebration of the Most Great Jubilee of our Faith-the hundredth anniversary of the Declaration of Bahá'u'lláh. The hearts and thoughts of all His followers now turn to the last eighteen months of our dearly beloved Guardian's World Crusade. What treasures will we proudly lay at his feet on that occasion. What rejoicing will be ours when we can say to him: See, we were faithful to our trust, as much as lay within our power, this did we perform according to the sacred Plan you gave us!
After the passage of the most fruitful and
stirring decade the Formative Age of our Faith has as yet
witnessed, the International Bahá'í Council has passed into the
final stage of its evolution and efflorescence into the Universal
House of Justice through its election by all the members of the
National and Regional Spiritual Assemblies of the Bahá'í world; the
Council is now regularly meeting in the Holy Land and discharging
those duties laid down for it by Shoghi Effendi himself. The vast
process of mass conversion, specified by him as one of the major
objectives of the second half of the World Crusade, is beginning
to take place on a large scale in Asia, South America, and the
Pacific area, and is rapidly increasing in momentum in Africa.
Last Ridvan, on the number of Local Assemblies specified by him
as Crusade goals, no less than twenty-one independent National
Spiritual Assemblies were successfully founded, an historic act
which will be followed next Ridvan by the establishment on an
equally firm foundation of eleven European national bodies and the
first National Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Ceylon. The Mother
Temples of both Africa and the Antipodes have been formally opened
for public worship and are already redounding to the fame of the
Cause of God throughout the entire world. The Mashriqu'l-Adhkár of
Europe is slowly rising in the heart of thatcontinent so sorely in
need of the regenerating grace of Bahá'u'lláh. The divine
assistance, so repeatedly promised to us in the teachings, has been
vouchsafed to us in a truly miraculous manner, plain for all to
see, since the Bahá'í world was shaken by the loss of its beloved
Guardian.
It is therefore with hopeful hearts that the Hands of the
Cause can point out to their fellow-believers those remaining
milestones we must race to pass ere our great and unique
opportunity for service in the Guardian's own Crusade is lost to
us forever. In the course of our lengthy consultations during this
fifth gathering of the Hands of the Cause held in Bahjf, in the
shadow of the Shrine of the Supreme Manifestation of God Himself,
it has been abundantly clear what our major duties still are, where
we must, one and all, concentrate our efforts and resources, which
are the battle fronts
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we must deploy our forces upon, if victory is to be won -- that victory must and shall be ours no loyal Bahá'í heart can doubt for a single instant.
Though multifarious tasks still remain to be accomplished
in various fields of Bahá'í activity, three supremely important
duties face us during the last eighteen months of the World
Crusade, duties which, should we fail in any one of them, may well
have repercussions on the evolution of not only the present
national Bahá'í communities, but indeed the spiritual and material
welfare of mankind itself for generations to come.
The first of
these is to bring the teachings of Bahá'u'lláh to the waiting
masses at this critical time, this unique juncture in human
history, when the hearts of so many of the less privileged peoples
of the world are ready to receive His Message, and to be enrolled
under His banner "in troops" as foretold by 'Abdu'l-Bahá. The
second is to win the remaining home-front goals in five of those
original twelve stalwart, long-established, much-loved national
communities which, at the inception of the Ten Year Plan, received
the unique and priceless honour of having the spiritual conquest
of no less than an entire planet entrusted to their care. Wherever
the army of Bahá'u'lláh was free to march, in their totality, and with
the greatest distinction, these global goals have been won. It is
inconceivable that the home-front goals, given to them at the same
time and forming an integral part of the World Crusade, should not
also be triumphantly achieved. The third is undoubtedly the pivotal
one at this point of the Crusade and comprises the heavy, pressing,
inescapable duty of every single believer to assist in providing
an uninterrupted and greatly amplified flow of that "life blood"
of material resources without which construction of the Mother
Temple of Europe and other vast undertakings now gaining momentum
all over the world, in old and new Bahá'í communities alike, will
either cease to go forward, come to a standstill or, in important
areas of mass conversion, stand in danger of losing the precious
ground won through so much heroic effort and sacrifice. There can
be no doubt that the discharge of these three paramount duties at
this time can alone provide a suitably strong and unshakeable
foundation for the future activities of that glorious and august
Institution, so soon to be elected, Bahá'u'lláh's long-anticipated
Universal House of Justice.
Last year the Hands of the Faith called
upon the believers to observe a year of austerity in order to
concentrate the resources of the followers of this infant but
infinitely strong and dynamic Faith upon attaining the remaining
objectives of the Ten Year Plan. It has become apparent that a far
greater effort must be made during the next eighteen months, and
that the austerity and self-sacrifice we voluntarily imposed upon
ourselves must continue and be intensified until every goal is won,
every prize
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protected, every achievement maintained. In the words of the beloved Guardian, "a pouring out of substance, not only by those of limited means, but by the richest and wealthiest, in a degree involving the truest sacrifice," is needed.
The financial
requirements of the. Cause at this critical hour call, not only for
the offering of a greater proportion of the income of every loyal
believer, but also for the sacrifice of capital in such a manner
that no Bahá'í will have cause for regret that he or she failed to
respond to the Guardian's plea "unhesitatingly, to place, each
according to his circumstances, his share on the altar of Bahá'í
sacrifice, lest, on a sudden, unforeseen calamities rob them of a
considerable portion of the earthly things they have amassed."
The
attention of the friends should be called at this time to the words
of Shoghi Effendi concerning the purpose and significance of the
International Fund, direct contributions to which he indicated
were a spiritual obligation of every Local and National Assembly
and every believer. Participation of individuals through
"contributions directly transmitted to the Holy Land" was, he said,
"imperative and beyond the scope of the jurisdiction of National
and Local Assemblies." Bearing in mind the increasing scale of the
world-wide activities which must be sustained from the
International Fund, we ask the friends to ponder these words and
each, in his own way, respond to this plea. Undoubtedly one penny,
freely and lovingly laid on the altar of sacrifice now, for the
successful conclusion of this divinely-conceived Plan, will be
equal to thousands in the future.
The paramount task of the present
hour is to teach the Cause of God. "In these days," wrote the
incomparable Master in His Will and Testament, "the most important
of all things is the guidance of the nations and peoples of the
world. Teaching the Cause is of utmost importancefor it is the head
corner-stone of the foundation itself." "O, that I could travel,"
He wrote, "even though on foot and in the utmost poverty, to these
regions, and, raising the call of Yá Baha'u'lAbhá in cities,
villages, mountains, deserts and oceans, promote the Divine
teachings! This, alas, I cannot do. How intensely I deplore it!
Please God, ye may achieve it."
The wings of time are beating at
our door as one of the most momentous epochs in the entire range
of Bahá'í history swiftly moves to its close. The impelling call
of our beloved Guardian, resounding in the very last message of his
life, is but partially answered. "An unprecedented increase in the
number of avowed supporters of the Faith, in all the continents of
the globe, of every race, clime, creed and colour, and from every
stratum of present-day society" is the goal inscribed by his
unerring pen.
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The effort now required of us is imperative and inescapable, and
must indeed be prodigious. Nothing less than complete, total
dedication will suffice. In this mighty, life-offering task every
Bahá'í, no matter who he is or where he dwells, has a share and a
worthy part to play. Now is the moment for all the administrative
agencies of our Faith to order their work in such fashion as to put
teaching at the forefront of all their activities, and to exclude
any plan which is not relevant to the purposes of our Crusade.
If
the world situation has so far prevented us from planting the
banner of Bahá'u'lláh in certain virgin territories, there can be
no possible excuse for failure on such vital home fronts as those
of the United States, Canada, Australia, Britain and Germany. These
five tried and tested national communities, each to a greater or
lesser degree, are still faced by the urgent necessity of
increasing the number of their Assemblies to that total set for
them by Shoghi Effendi, himself. Let every single believer, in
those countries where at present the status of these internal goals
is a cause of grave concern to the entire BahV world, recall the
words of the Guardian in one of his last letters to the American
Bahá'ís, dated September 21, 1957, words applicable not only to them
but to all other Bahá'ís whose home fronts constitute a threat to the
total success of the Crusade: "The fourth phase of the Ten Year
Plan", he wrote, ". . . must witness ... on every home front, and
particularly within the confines of the American homeland, this
same spiritual re-invigoration, administrative expansion, and
material replenishment, constituting the triple facets of a task
which can brook no further delay . . ." He urged the friends to
rescue "while there is yet time, their home front from the
precarious position in which it now finds itself ... not to allow,
through apathy, timidity or complacency, this one remaining
opportunity to be irretrievably lost." He said, "I would rather
entreat each and every one of them" through fresh consecration and
"dynamic and decisive" action "to wipe out.... with one stroke, the
deficiencies which have, to no small extent, bogged down the
operations of the Crusade on the home front. . ." In that same
message he warned that the Plan was suffering from these vital
deficiencies "which, if not speedily and fundamentally remedied,
will not only mutilate the Plan itself, but jeopardize the prizes
won so laboriously since its inauguration."
There can be no doubt
that if each individual believer in these national communities,
where the goals are not yet won, will place his whole trust in God,
if he will deeply search his heart and question whether he may not
be the one privileged, indeed needed, to make the sacrifice of
moving to one of those centres where a Local Assembly must be
established, if he will call to mind the admonition of Bahá'u'lláh
to deputize one in his stead if he is not himself able to go forth
and teach, if he will rise to
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higher levels of sacrifice in this hour of great need on the home fronts, the victory will be assured.
Not alone in the arena of
teaching, but also in the pioneering field, the opportunities and
high rewards that now beckon every Bahá'í are indeed priceless.
They who have gone forth in His Name to the goal towns on the home
fronts, or to distant lands where the banner of Bahá'u'lláh had to
be implanted or to be kept waving, have given such victories to the
Cause of God which down the corridors of time will reverberate to
His glory, and which succeeding generations shall remember with
pride and gratitude. They are now painstakingly and diligently
buttressing the pillars on which shall soon be laid the splendrous
dome of God's Universal House of Justice.
No consideration of needs
in the teaching field at the present time can leave out that
majestic theme of mass conversion which the Guardian introduced
into his Global Crusade upon the eve of his departure from this
world, and which he stated must immortalize the second half of this
Plan, which itself is but a stage in the unfoldment of that Divine
Plan which he characterized as'Abdu'l-Bahá's "Mandate", His
"world-encircling Plan", "the Master Plan of the appointed Centre
of Bahá'u'lláh's Covenant."
The pre-eminent task of teaching the
Faith to the multitudes is "a task", the Guardian wrote, "so dear
to the heart of 'Abdu'l-Bahá; at once so sacred, so fundamental,
and so urgent; primarily involving and challenging every single
individual"; it is, he said, "the bedrock on which the solidity and
the stability of the multiplying institutions of a rising Order
must rest."
In the last months of Shoghi Effendi's precious life
he encouraged the National Assemblies, and all those engaged in the
teaching work, to make a far greater effort to bring about this
portent ' ous process of converting the masses. He urged them to
simplify their methods of teaching and enrolling new believers, to
remove obstacles from the path of those hun-gering for the Word of
God. He said the fundamental thing was to plant in the heart of the
seeker the knowledge that the Promised One had come, that
Bahá'u'lláh was God's Divine Messenger for this Day, and to
en-courage him to accept His station and embrace His Faith. "The
essential thing", he wrote, "is that the candidate for enrolment
should believe in his heart in the truth of Bahá'u'lláh. Whether
he is literate or illiterate, informed of all the Teachings or not,
is beside the point entirely. When the spark of faith exists the
essential Message is there, and gradually everything else can be
added unto it." He pointed out that "those responsible for
accepting new enrolments must just be sure of one thing-that the
heart of the applicant has been touched with the spirit of the
Faith. Everything else can be built on this foundation gradually."
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He promised us that once this spirit of mass conversion is released
in the world, its momentum will increase mysteriously in every part
of the planet. "As the Cause spreads all over the world", he
assured us, "its rate of acceleration increases too, and new
centres in Africa, in some mysterious way, have spiritual
repercussions which aid in forming new centres every-where." May
not Africa have ignited Indonesia which fired Bolivia which in turn
set ablaze India? That the beloved Guardian's words have already
found fulfilment is evident in the astounding flood of teaching
victories achieved this year, particularly in India, where more
than eight thousand have entered the tabernacle of Bahá'u'lláh in
the past eight months.
If every National Assembly, every Local
Assembly and every individ-ual believer will arise at this hour,
and seize with both hands this God-given opportunity, we can hasten
that joyous day foretold in the words of our beloved Guardian when
he launched this glorious Global Crusade, a day when "the light of
God's triumphant Faith, shining in all its power and glory, will
have suffused and enveloped the entire planet."
"The purpose of the
new National Assemblies in Africa, and the pur-pose of any
administrative body," he wrote to one of these African Assemblies
on August 8, 1957, "is to carry the Message to the people and
enlist the sincere under the banner of this Faith. Your Assembly
must never lose sight of this for a moment, and must go on
courageously expanding the membership of the communities under your
jurisdiction, and gradually educating the friends in both the
Teachings and the Admin-istration. Nothing could be more tragic
than if the establishment of these great administrative bodies
should stifle or bog down the teaching work. The early believers
in both the East and the West, we must always remember, knew
practically nothing compared to what the average Bahá'í knows about
his Faith nowadays, yet they were the ones who shed their blood,
the ones who arose and said: 'I believe', requiring no proof, and
often never having read a single word of the Teachings."
Shoghi
Effendi made it unmistakably clear that his words did not apply to
Africa alone, for in another letter, written at his behest by an
assistant secretary, we find it clearly stated that "What has been
achieved in Africa sets an example to be followed by Bahá'ís
everywhere.... The Guardian sees no reason why similar victories
should not be achieved in all parts of the world." As early as
1938, in a letter to the American National Assem-bly, in which he
stressed the "high privilege of Local Assemblies" in facilitating
the admission of new believers, he wrote: "To them I wish
particularly to appeal ... to desist from insisting too rigidly on
the minor observances and beliefs, which might prove a
stumbling-block in the way of any sincere applicant, whose eager
desire is to enlist under the banner of Bahá'u'lláh." He was still
making this same appeal towards the end of
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his life: the friends should be very careful not to place hindrances in the way of those who wish to accept the Faith. If we make the requirements too rigorous, we will cool off the initial enthusiasm, rebuff the hearts and cease to expand rapidly."
Keenly
aware of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's words that: "The Hands of the Cause of God
must spend all their time in teaching. Erelong will the assistance
of the Heavenly Kingdom be manifest beyond all expectations and the
words 'you will see people enter the Religion of God troop upon
troop' be realized', we have decided that all the Hands, including
those resident in the Holy Land, will devote as much of their time
as possible to accelerating the process of mass conversion on the
one hand, and on the other, in fulfilment of the Guardian's
instructions, to meeting frequently with vari-ous National
Assemblies in order to deliberate with them on ways and means of
winning the goals of the Crusade.
The tasks facing the institution
of the Hands and the members of its Teaching and Protection Boards
grow in weight as the Ten Year Plan advances. Once again we appeal
to the members of these Boards to be more mindful of the duties
given them by their beloved Guardian and to devote their hearts,
their energies and their time to the work he outlined for them. To
the degree to which each Hand and each Board member concentrates
on his own specific task will the work of our glorious Faith
speedily attain those victories which alone can bring the World
Crusade to a triumphal end.
On the occasion of the election of the
eleven new European National Spiritual Assemblies next Ridvan six
of the Hands of the Faith will be present as follows: Italy and
Switzerland, Ugo Giachery; Belgium and Luxembourg, Dr.
'Ali-Muhammad Varqd; Holland and Denmark, Hasan Balyuzi; Sweden and
Finland, Adelbert Miihlschlegel; Spain and Portu-gal, Paul Haney;
Norway, John Ferr aby, who will also attend the British Bahá'í
Convention. The election of the new National Spiritual Assembly of
Ceylon will be attended by Shu'á'u'lláh 'Alá'í.
In addition to
these activities, and after careful consideration of the over-all
needs of the teaching work at this time in various continents, it
has been decided that in view of the delicate state of health of
Músá Banání which prevents him from moving about, John Robarts will
remain a Hand of the Cause in Africa. William Sears will devote as
much time as possible to the work in the Western Hemisphere, to
which he will proceed in the near future. Rahmatu'llah Muhdjir, in
view of the presence of both John Robarts and Enoch Olinga in
Africa, will devote his time to the Asian and Pacific teaching
fields, proceeding shortly on a lengthy tour which will take him
as far as the islands of the South Pacific, later returning to the
South East Asian field which is now being swept by a
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mighty wave of enthusiasm for the teachings of Bahá'u'lláh and where die indigenous peoples are entering the Faith in great numbers.
Abu'l-Qásim Faizí will leave next spring to spend several
months in the most promising mass conversion areas of Latin
America, whilst Jaldl KhAzeh plans shortly a prolonged and
extensive trip to the new centres in India where the people are
truly entering the Faith in troops. 'Ali-Akbar Furdtan and Leroy
loas will both spend time assisting the European home fronts, the
former in the near future, the latter during the summer months. All
the Continental Hands have pledged themselves to travel as
extensively as possible to promote the teaching and consolidation
work in their areas.
With the erection in 1962 of twelve more
future pillars of that supreme legislative Body of the Bahá'í
world, a firm foundation will have been laid for the election of
"that Universal House of Justice which," Shoghi Effendi stated, "as
its title implies, is to be the exponent and guardian of that
Divine Justice which can alone ensure the security of, and
establish the reign of law and order in, a strangely disordered
world."
We are now able to envisage the steps that must still be
taken before that "Ark" referred to in Bahá'u'lláh's prophetic Tablet
of Carmel shall come into being, an ark whose dwellers, the
Guardian told us, "are the men of the Supreme House of Justice,
which, in conformity with the exact provisions of the Will and
Testament of the Centre of the Mighty Cov-enant, is the Body which
should legislate on laws not explicitly revealed in the Text. In
this Dispensation, these laws are destined to flow from this Holy
Mountain, even as in the Mosaic Dispensation the law of God was
promulgated from Zion."
The Chief Stewards of the Faith are
therefore calling a Convention in the Holy Land for the election
of the Universal House of Justice on the first, second and third
days of Ridvan, 1963. The members of all National and Regional
Spiritual Assemblies elected by the Bahá'ís in Ridvan, 1962 will,
in conformity with the teachings, constitute the electoral body
em-powered to vote for this crowning unit of the embryonic World
Order of Bahá'u'lláh, upon whose deliberations the unique bounty
of receiving divine inspiration has been bestowed, and whose
decisions are infallibly guided by both the Báb and Bahá'u'lláh.
After long and conscientious consideration of the needs of the
present hour and the writings of our dearly-loved Guardian, the
following deci-sion has been reached: All male voting members
throughout the Bahá'í world are eligible for election to the
Universal House of Justice. The Hands of the Cause do not limit the
freedom of the electors. However, as they have been given the
explicit duties of guarding over the security and ensuring the
propagation of the Faith, they ask the electors to leave them free
at this time to discharge their duties. When that supreme and
infallible
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Body has been elected it will decide on all matters concerning its own membership.
At a later date, and in ample time
for each qualified elector of the Universal House of Justice to
cast his or her vote, a detailed election call, as well as ballots
for those unable to attend the International Convention in the Holy
Land will be issued from the World Centre.
Owing to conditions
affecting the Cause which still prevail in the Middle East, it has
become evident that it is not possible to hold the World Congress
in BaZhddd in 1963, on the occasion of the world-wide celebrations
of the "Most Great Jubilee", the Centenary of the Declaration of
Bahá'u'lláh in the Garden of Ridvan. Prolonged investigations have
shown us that to make plans at this time for it to take place there
is out of the question. We have therefore decided that this first
World Congress, the last of the great gatherings of the Bahá'ís to
be summoned by Shoghi Effendi, which constitutes the joyous
consummation of ten years of unprecedented work and achievement,
shall be held in London, the city which enshrines his infinitely
precious remains, on the 28th, 29th and 30th of April and the lst
and 2nd of May, 1963, a period which includes the 9th and 12th days
of Ridvan. In taking this decision we have been comforted by the
knowledge that he himself, in view of the situation in this part
of the world, expressed towards the end of his life, serious doubts
as to whether it would be possible to hold the Congress in Baghdád.
It must be a consolation to every believer who plans to be present
on this unique occasion to know that he will be able to visit the
grave of Shoghi Effendi and offer his prayers there as the last,
majestic, glorious, globe-conquering Plan of his Guardian draws to
its close.
Because of the dates set for the election of the
Universal House of Justice and the World Congress-both events of
unique historic importance in this century, and which must
perforce take place during the Ridvan period-it has been decided
to hold the elections of all National Spiritual Assemblies for the
Bahá'í year 120 on the week-end beginning May 23rd, 1963. In making
this decision we have been guided by the fact that the beloved
Guardian himself permitted, in special rare circum-stances, the
Annual Conventions to be held outside the Ridvan period.
The
challenge confronting the standard-bearers of Bahá'u'lláh in ev-ery
continent of the globe, in every field of Bahá'í activity, in these
swiftly passing hours is unprecedented; the opportunities lying
within their reach are of such magnitude that only future
generations can comprehend their glory and their significance in
the majestic unfoldment of Bahá'u'lláh's World-Redeeming Order.
Not
many years have passed since the beloved Guardian addressed to the
Bahá'í world the following pregnant words, full of hope, full of
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longing, full of love and full of warning. We do well to recall them now when we face our last possible chance to consummate his Plan and to consolidate the foundations of the Universal House of Justice: "I appeal, as I close this review of the superb feats already accomplished, in the course of so many campaigns, by the heroic band of the warriors of Bahá'u'lláh, battling in His Name and by His aid for the purification, the unification and the spiritualization of a morally and spiritually bankrupt society, now hovering on the brink of self-destruction, for a renewed dedication, at this critical hour in the fortunes of mankind, on the part of the entire company of my spiritual brethren in every continent of the globe, to the high ideals of the Cause they have espoused, as well as to the immediate accomplishment of the goals of the Crusade on which they have embarked, be they in active service or not, of either sex, young as well as old, rich or poor, whether veteran or newly enrolled. . . "
He who was the Sign of God
on earth has assured us that "The invisible hosts of the abha
Kingdom are arrayed and ready to rush forth and ensure the triumph
of every stout-hearted and persevering herald of the Faith of
Bahá'u'lláh", and that "God's Own Plan has been set in motion. It
is gathering momentum with every passing day. The powers of heaven
and earth mysteriously assist in its execution. Such an opportunity
is irreplaceable. Let the doubter arise and himself verify the
truth of such assertions. To try, to persevere, is to ensure
ultimate and complete victory."
In the service of the beloved
Guardian,
[Signed as follows]BAHA'I WILMETTE
Ruhiyyih Enoch Olinga Amelia Collins Hasan M. Balyuzi Tardzu'llah Samandarí Paul E. Haney Leroy loas Ugo Giachery A. Q. Faizi William Sears Hermann Grossmann Adelbert Mühlschlegel Agnes B. Alexander John Robarts Zikrullah Khadem Mohajer H. Collis Featherstone John Ferraby Sh. Alai Jalal Khazeh A. Furutan
NOVEMBER 6,1961
MINDFUL BELOVED GUARDIAN'S EMPHASIS PREEMINENT SACRED TASK TEACHING FAITH MULTITUDES AND RECENT EVIDENCE MOUNTING WORLDWIDE
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FLOOD ENROLMENTS URGE BELIEVERS OCCASION FORTIETH ANNIVERSARY ASCENSION MASTER JOIN US ARDENT PRAYERS ACCELERATION PROCESS MASS CONVERSION RESOLVE DEDICATE INDIVIDUAL EFFORTS ASSURE RESOUNDING VICTORIES REMAINING MONTHS HOLY CRUSADE AIRMAIL MESSAGE ALL NATIONAL ASSEMBLIES.
| [CABLE] | HANDSFAITH |
To All National and Regional Spiritual Assemblies
December 10, 1961
Beloved Friends:
The season of pilgrimage to the holy Shrines at the World Centre
is once again under way, and believers from many parts of the
Bahá'í world are being welcomed for the usual nine days of
pilgrimage.
We have noted that some of the friends were not aware
of the policy of the beloved Guardian with respect to visits to
other Holy Places and points of interest in Israel. Shoghi Effendi
permitted such visits after completion of the nine-day pilgrimage
to the holiest Shrines of our Faith. The friends can remain in the
Holy Land for several days after their pilgrimage for this purpose.
Although no general announcement should be made, and no quotation
from this letter should be published in your News Letters, we feel
that each National and Regional Assembly should have this
information in order to answer any inquiries which may be made by
the friends who contemplate making the pilgrimage.
With warm Bahá'í love,
In the service of the beloved Guardian,
HANDS OF THE CAUSE IN THE HOLY LAND
To All National Spiritual Assemblies
December 10, 1961
Beloved Friends:
You have been informed, through the Message
from the recent Annual Gathering of the Hands of the Cause, that
the World Congress called by our beloved Guardian is to be held in
the city of London, beginning April 28, 1963. We now wish to inform
all the National and Regional Assem-blies of the action which has
been taken to coordinate the tremendous task of planning for this
unique and historic event.
+325
A Congress Arrangements Committee has been appointed to handle the
detailed arrangements for the Congress. The members and officers
are: Mildred Mottahedeh, Chairman; John Long, Vice-Chairman;
Dor-othy Ferr aby, Secretary; John Wade, Assistant Secretary; David
Hofman; Habib Nahai; and Edna True. This Committee will function
from London. The work of this Committee will be under the general
supervision of the Hands in the Holy Land, but the Committee will
report directly to the International Bahá'í Council. Correspondence
with National Assemblies concerning policy matters connected with
the Congress will be carried on by the Council from the Holy Land,
but correspondence about detailed arrangements will be with the
Congress Arrangements Committee. The Council will shortly be in
touch with the National and Regional Assemblies and will inform you
of the procedures to be followed and the information needed.
In
these fast-fleeting final months of the World Crusade every
be-liever, and particularly the members of the National and
Regional Assem-blies who carry such heavy burdens of
responsibility, surely will exert a supreme effort to ensure that
the Most Great Jubilee can be befittingly celebrated by the
attainment of all of the remaining goals of the beloved Guardian's
Plan.
With warm Bahá'í love,
In the service of the beloved Guardian,
HANDS OF THE CAUSE IN THE HOLY LAND
To National Spiritual Assemblies of Latin America
December 24, 1961
Dear Bahá'í Friends:
The establishment of 21 National Assemblies in Latin America, the
greater number having jurisdiction over people speaking Spanish,
has raised problems regarding the publication of Bahá'í literature
in that language. These problems provide the National Assemblies
concerned with an opportunity to demonstrate that they are worthy
of the status ordained for them in the Tablets of the Divine Plan
by developing a system of inter-Assembly cooperation in
publications in Spanish that will act as an example and an
inspiration to National Assemblies faced with similar problems
regarding publications in other languages.
The beloved Guardian has
indicated the proper basis for such co-operation by calling for the
formation in Buenos Aires of a Bahá'í Pub-lishing Trust, which
works under the auspices of the National Spiritual Assembly of the
Bahá'ís of Argentina. Although each National Assembly
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is free to publish minor literature (including vernacular literature) for its own use, the bulk of the publishing in Spanish, and particularly the publishing of important books, must be by the Bahá'í Publishing Trust of Buenos Aires. The National Assemblies of Latin America using Spanish literature should regard it as part of their responsibility under the Divine Plan to ensure the successful development of this Publishing Trust by facilitating the concentration in it of the publishing of Bahá'í literature in Spanish.
Any cooperative publishing ventures undertaken by
interested National Assemblies should be executed through this
Publishing Trust. Since the Argentinian National Assembly and its
Publishing Trust must act as the pivot for such cooperation, other
National Assemblies should refrain for the present from circulating
each other about matters relating to pub-lishing in Spanish. The
Argentinian National Assembly, on the other hand, should pay due
regard itself, and see that the Publishing Trust pays due regard,
to the facilities available in other countries and do its utmost
to ensure that publications fulfil the need of the other countries
both in regard to content and production.
The adoption of the above
scheme can be a milestone in the development of proper relations
between National Assemblies in Latin America, and not only provide
an instrument of great importance for the spread of the Faith in
that area, but demonstrate to the whole world the force for unity
that lies within the Bahá'í Administrative Order. We appeal to the
National Assemblies concerned to exert every effort to make
publishing of Bahá'í literature in Spanish a cooperative venture
that will redound to the credit of the Cause.
With warm Bahá'í love,
In the service of the beloved Guardian,
HANDS OF THE CAUSE IN THE HOLY LAND
To All National Spiritual Assemblies
December 25, 1961
Dear Bahá'í Friends:
We feel moved to bring to your attention
something which is not of major importance but nevertheless should
be mentioned.
In correspondence received here in the Holy Land, we
notice that the Hands are being increasingly referred to as the
"Revered" Hands. We know that it is the love of the Bahá'ís and
their respect for the members of this august institution that leads
the friends to so designate us. However, as our beloved Guardian
in referring to the Hands never used the adjective
+327
"revered", we would like the friends to please not use it. Whatever he called us is more than sufficient honour and bounty. He only mentioned us as Hands of the Cause of God. We feel that it is highly inappropriate that any adjective should be used in the way that "revered" is now being commonly used in referring to the Hands, and ask you to please share this request with the believers.
With loving greetings,
In the service of
the beloved Guardian,
HANDS OF THE CAUSE IN THE HOLY LAND
To the Hands of the Cause of God
December 27, 1961
Dearly-loved Co-workers:
Seven weeks have
passed since the time we were all together at Bahjf. Here in this
first general letter since our Annual Gathering we share with you
recent news of the Faith. Dear Milly's health is still the cause
of much concern. She is confined to her room in the Master's house,
has day and night nurses, and has not been able to attend any of
our meetings. That is why her signature does not appear on any
letter. Tarazu'llah Samandarf is in the Holy Land, engaged with the
valuable work on original Tablets which he began two years ago.
Bill left for the United States early in November, Khddem is back
there after a short visit to Persia, and Hermann plans to leave for
South America early in February. Jalál is now in India. Before
proceeding there he travelled in the northern parts of Persia and
met the believers in many centres. Muhdjir, after a visit to
Pakistan where he travelled in the interior of the country, is now
also in India. He and Jalál will be present at the large teaching
conference planned for the end of December in the mass conversion
area. Collis visited many Assemblies and centres en route to
Australia, was present at the inauguration of the Teaching
Institute in Madhya Pradesh in India, and also at the
re-institution of the Colombo Spiritual Assembly in Ceylon. Agnes
visited Hong Kong and the Philippines where she reported a
remarkable expansion in teaching activity and many declarations.
It is obvious that this area is now at the portals of mass
conversion. Fur6tan left for Italy at the beginning of December,
visited Cyprus en route, and is now in Switzerland. Hasan has been
in the Holy Land working with Amatu'l-Baha Rúhíyyih Khanum on the
Archives, but is leaving this week for London. He will be back here
in the weeks immediately preceding Ridvan. John Robarts has been
visiting communities in North Africa, and is attending a conference
in Nairobi toward the end of December. We
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have had our dear Músá Banání much in mind, as the state of his health is still precluding him from actual participation in the affairs of the Cause. Both Ugo and Adelbert have suffered from ill health, but in spite of that they have been travelling in various parts of Europe.
The response to the financial appeal in our
message has been very encouraging. Donations by individuals and
Assemblies have increased, and the National Spiritual Assembly of
the United States reports that substantial contributions intended
for the International Fund have reached it. A Local Assembly in
Panama (Canal Zone) has sent a contribution of five hundred
dollars, which is remarkable in relation to the size and the
circumstances of that community. However the need remains urgent
to constantly encourage the believers to keep up a continuous and
generous flow of funds, in the way envisaged by the beloved
Guardian.
Recently in Panama City nine declarations were accepted
at the same time, an event unprecedented there. The National
Spiritual Assembly of Panama reports further exciting victories.
It writes: "Due to the efforts of Alan and Ruth Pringle we now have
eighty adult Bahá'ís on the Island of Ustupo. This does not even
count the youth and children. The first Cuna has arisen to go to
another island to give the Message. His name is Henrique Alfare.
The Indian believers are now erecting a local Haziratu'l-Quds on
the land donated by one Bahá'í on Ustupo."
France has celebrated
the fiftieth anniversary of the Master's visit, has held a very
successful, well-attended Teaching Conference in Lyons at which Ugo
was present, and reports good press and radio publicity, and
general improvement in both teaching and consolidation. A
Conference of the European Hands, Board members and National
Spiritual Assem-blies will be held in Paris in mid-January.
In the
British Isles goal towns are being steadily filled, mostly by new
declarations. A report by Marion Hofman reads as follows: "We have
just returned from a week-end School in South Wales, fully arranged
by the new Pontypridd Spiritual Assembly. Nearly fifty attended,
and they were predominantly Welsh-real Welsh-both Bahá'ís and
contacts. One couple who only heard of the Faith last March, and
declared in time to make the Assembly, already have one spiritual
child, and the second should declare any moment. The Mayor of
Pontypridd opened the School, wearing his official chain of office,
read two Bahá'í prayers and stayed for two lectures and high tea.
He had intended rushing off after fifteen minutes. Another
councillor from Pontypfidd and his wife attended the whole school."
Governors of four States of the United States issued proclamations
to make Sunday, September 17th, 1961 "World Peace Day", because of
the fact that Bahá'ís were observing the occasion.
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Ecuador reports a very successful teaching conference with the
partici-pation of newly-declared Indian believers. Numbers have
steadily in-creased there. In Canada the acceleration in teaching
which began last year encouragingly continues. Centres and groups
have been established on more Indian reservations. The National
Spiritual Assembly of Canada writes that Bahá'í marriage is now
recognized by the Province of Ontario. It further writes that, "Our
new enrolments now number 192 on the home front and thirty-five in
the Yukon. Many of these are Indians coming mainly from Alberta and
Saskatchewan."
The Muslim Sharí'ah Court in Kuwait has officially
recognized and endorsed a Bahá'í marriage performed in Qatar by its
Local Spiritual Assembly. This is indeed a remarkable triumph for
the Faith.
The South-East Asian Regional Assembly reports that the
military government in Indonesia has issued instructions to local
authorities to ban all Bahá'í activity and confiscate all Bahá'í
property. No developments are as yet reported.
Because of the
increasing use on the part of the believers of the adjective
"Revered" whilst referring to the Hands of the Cause, we have asked
the National Assemblies to request the friends to refrain from its
use.
The season of pilgrimage is with us now. This year not many
of the Persian friends whose turn is reached can come due to travel
restrictions enforced in Iran. The presence of Tardzu'llah
Samandarf here during the pilgrimage season is a great boon and
tremendously appreciated. His experiences in the Faith which he
shares with the pilgrims are truly inspiring.
We have appointed the
following Committee to take over the arrangements in London for
the World Congress: Mildred Mottahedeh (Chair-man), John Long
(Vice-Chairman), Dorothy Ferraby (Secretary), John Wade (Assistant
Secretary), David Hofman, Habib Nahai, Edna True. This Committee
will explore possibilities for contracts with air lines, attend to
hotel reservations, and carry out the policies decided here at the
World Centre. The International Council is in correspondence with
National Spiritual Assemblies to obtain all the information
required.
With deepest love,
In the service of the beloved
Guardian,
HANDS OF THE CAUSE IN THE HOLY LAND
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