iii DAWN OF A NEW DAY SHOGHI EFFENDI "...the dawn of a New Day shall break upon that land and the Rays of this Divine Revelation shall make of India a spiritually-quickened, peaceful and united country."--Shoghi Effendi, Jan. 9, 1923 BAHA'I PUBLISHING TRUST POST BOX 19 NEW DELHI (India) iv Note: The passages marked with a * are in Guardian's own handwriting. (C) BAHA'I PUBLISHING TRUST, INDIA Reprinted by K.L. Sachdeva - for Skylark Printers, 479, Matia Mahal, Jama Masjid, Delhi-6 v P R E F A C E The sub-continent of India, favoured by special mention in the Qayyumu'l-Asma, on the Day of the Declaration of the Bab, is a land of the greatest spiritual potentialities. During the life time of `Abdu'l-Baha a steady stream of teachers from East and West arrived to establish the Faith, and at the time of His passing, there was a sizeable community of Baha'is in India. This was the community that grew into spiritual maturity, expanded and developed under the unerring guidance of our beloved Guardian who fostered its growth, ever beckoning it forward. The Guardian summoned the believers to achieve great victories, local movements and limited projects would not be commensurate with the greatness of the Revelation of Baha'u'llah; he led them to self-sacrifice, to big undertakings, and to bold ventures. Gradually, he brought to light the vastness of the realm of service, pointing out the many races and tribes that inhabited this land of ancient civilization and cradle of important world religions. He gave instructions and plans to this Community to take the healing Message of God to all these peoples and tribes. Step by step, Shoghi Effendi guided the Community on how to plan and organize a comprehensive teaching plan. As far back as 1933, the beloved Guardian summoned the Baha'is of India to teach among the masses, and to reach persons of capacity in every strata of society. He guided us in every accomplishment, pointing out the objectives, counselling and urging the completion of goals set for the Community. The reader will find for himself what great victories still remain to be won and what great potentialities still remain hidden in India--"a vast country and an excellent field of service". This book is for those, anywhere in the world, who wish to arise individually and collectively to establish the World Order of Baha'u'llah and the Kingdom of God on earth. New Delhi, Dr. R. Muhajir March 9, 1970 vi vii TABLE OF CONTENTS Facsimile of Guardian's letter Preface Letter to believers in India [&and] Burmah 1 Excellent Field of Service 3 Position of Baha'i Women 3 The Baha'i News 4 An era of unprecedented activity 5 Nothing Must Dampen Our Zeal 7 Unite in promoting the work of the Cause 7 Consolidation of the Foundations of the N.S.A. 8 The House of Baha'u'llah in Baghdad 10 Inaugurate a fresh campaign of teaching 10 Increasing Activities 11 Bring Together the Hindus and Mohammedans 12 Cause will ultimately conquer 13 Publication of Kaukab 15 The Baha'i News 16 Widen the scope of activities 17 Conduct of the Work of N.S.A. 19 Extend the scope of activities 20 Present the teachings at various conventions and gatherings 22 The Faith publicized in Turkey 23 Assemblies must endeavour to inspire confidence 24 Maintain and strengthen the unity of the National Assembly 24 "Baha'i World"--Foremost Baha'i publication 27 "Huquq" 27 Syed Jenab Ali--Distinguished Baha'i leader 27 Martha Root Visits India 28 Baha'i Representation at the All-Asia Women's Conference 30 Publication of the "Dawn-Breakers" 31 Advertisements in Baha'i periodicals 32 Mrs. Ransom-Kehler visits India 32 viii Translation of Baha'u'llah [&and] the New Era 33 Mrs. Kehler Visits Calcutta 34 Translation of Baha'u'llah and the New Era 35 Need of Baha'i teachers all over the world 36 Baha'u'llah and the New Era to be translated into Urdu and Hindi 36 Passing away of the Greatest Holy Leaf 38 Publication of Baha'u'llah [&and] the New Era 39 Baha'i Center in Calcutta 40 Translation of Baha'u'llah [&and] the New Era into Burmese 41 Teaching among the masses in India 42 Baha'i Magazine 43 Publication of Baha'u'llah [&and] the New Era 44 Passing away of brilliant teacher--Mrs. Kehler 45 Twentyfive printed versions of Baha'u'llah [&and] the New Era 46 Registration of Bombay Assembly 46 Bedrock of Baha'i Administrative Order 47 Accept justified resignation 49 Revival of the spirit of fellowship 49 Changes in membership of Baha'i Assemblies 49 Intensify teaching throughout India 50 "Kitab-i-Íqán" translated in many languages 51 Persecution of the Baha'is in Iran 51 Training of Baha'i teachers 53 Registration of L.S.A. of Karachi 53 Formation of an Assembly in Lahore 54 Historic step in development of Administrative Order 54 Circulation of `Abdu'l-Baha's photographs 55 Splendid initiative 55 Baha'i holidays must be observed 56 Effective publicity throughout India 57 Correspondence with the Guardian 58 "New Era" in Sindhi [&and] Bengali printed 58 Union with loved ones in the next world 58 Effort in the field of teaching urgently required 58 Voting is sacred obligation 59 It is but a beginning 59 Daidanaw Baha'i School 60 Two main principles to follow 60 ix Visit of Mr. Schopflocher to India 61 Systematized and nation-wide teaching campaign 62 Inflexible determination required 63 Welcome extended to Mr. Schopflocher 64 Theosophists 64 Baha'i Holidays 65 Baha'i Administration 65 Obligatory Prayers 66 Progress of teaching most gratifying 67 National Fund 67 Martha Root's teaching trip 69 Resting place of Holy Mother 70 LSA [&and] Summer School in Simla 70 Six-Year Plan 70 First Indian Baha'i Summer School 71 Task immense--Time short 72 Splendid work accomplished by Miss Root 72 Baha'i Youth Groups 74 Six-Year Plan--Spontaneous undertaking of Indian Baha'i Community 75 Summer School 76 David 76 Inheritance 77 Reason of severe laws revealed by the Bab 77 Teaching--the paramount task 78 Membership in Baha'i Assembly or Committee is a sacred obligation 79 Meaning of resurrection 79 Teaching--the paramount task 80 Martha Root's arrival in Bombay 80 Paramount task facing the believers 81 Passing away of dearest Martha 82 Sacred task 83 Steady extension of the teaching campaign 83 Financial assistance to Baha'i teachers 84 Great Message can redeem bewildered humanity 84 Translation of Baha'u'llah's Writings 85 Training of children 86 Membership of the International House of Justice 86 x Appearance of two Davids 86 Importance of the Teaching Campaign 87 Greatest need of the hour 88 Priceless days 88 Refrain from imposing new rules 89 Prosecute Six-Year Plan with unremitting energy 90 Every obstacle should be surmounted 91 Persecution of Baha'is of Kadwai 93 Use of A'rabs (Vowel points) 93 Two Davids 93 He Whom God Will Make Manifest 94 The Holy Book--The Aqdas 94 Use of A'rabs (Vowel points) 94 Writings of the Bab 95 The Universal House of Justice 95 Surmount every obstacle 95 Remarkable evidence of activity 96 Future is blessed and glorious 97 New Assemblies of Hyderabad [&and] Kotah 98 Prizes to be won 99 Passing of Abdul-Jalil Beg Sa'ad 100 Painstaking and fruitful efforts 100 Placing of burial stone 101 Ensure the triumphant conclusion 101 Proper administrative headquarters 102 Passing away of Mr. Vakil 103 Secretary of the N.S.A. 103 Election of LSA's 103 National administrative headquarters 104 Baha'is can undertake philanthropic work 104 Centenary celebrations 104 Friends should unite 106 The Six-Year Plan has progressed magnificently 107 Centenary celebrations 108 Historic achievements 108 Baha'u'llah and the New Era in Kanarese 109 Achieved mighty victories 109 Re-instate Assemblies in Burma 111 Depriving of voting rights--Function of N.S.A. 111 Teach a wider range of Indians 111 xi Passing away of Siyyid Mustafa 112 Baha'i marriage 112 Task urgent, vast and sacred 113 Shoulder heavy responsibilities 113 Threefold task 115 Baha'is can accept grants-in-aid from the government 116 Baha'i Holy Days 116 Voting Rights 116 Responsibilities immense 117 Answer to various matters 118 Unstinted devotion displayed 119 More pioneers to go forth 120 Esslemont Book in Karen language 122 Rules [&and] regulations should not be multiplied 123 Added responsibility 123 Threshold of a new epoch 124 Set the highest example of tolerance 125 Greater dedication to service 126 Opportunity which may never occur again 127 Excommunication is a spiritual matter 128 Unite to serve Him 129 Seeking to purify the world 129 Stormy yet glorious path of service 130 Old and tried Community 132 Arcade of the Shrine of the Bab 133 Grave challenge 133 Superstructure of the Shrine of the Bab 136 Keep in close touch with pioneers 137 End of Six-Year Plan approaches 137 Arcade of the Shrine 139 Baha'is may join non-partisan organisations 140 A Baha'i cannot be a Theosophist 140 Killing of a believer in Kamarhatti 140 Convention Delegates 141 No effort is too great 142 Photos of the Arcade of the Shrine 143 Inter-Assembly Conferences 144 Assembly in Moulmein, Burma 144 Centenary pamphlet excellent 144 Increase the number of delegates to 95 144 xii Pioneering to Siam 145 Registration of Assemblies 145 Contribution for the Shrine of the Bab 145 Baha'is cannot become Freemasons 145 Reviewing of Baha'i books 145 Pioneers for Indonesia and Siam 146 Great Historic enterprise 146 Increase of believers in Benares 148 Teaching in South-East Asia 149 The 19-Month Plan 149 Pioneers to settle in Africa 149 19-Month Plan--third of its kind 150 First pilgrims from India 152 Inter-Continental Conference 152 No harm in taking part in dramas 153 Encouraging the Hindu Baha'is 153 The work is still formidable 154 No age limit for serving the Cause 156 Contributions not accepted from those whose voting rights are suspended 156 Answer to various questions 157 Consolidation of the manifold institutions 157 The most important thing is to serve 160 Youth [&and] the Ten-Year Crusade 161 Translation of literature 161 Keynote of the Crusade 162 Message to the Inter-Continental Conference, New Delhi 165 Consultation of delegates 172 Concentrate on home-front 172 Increase number of Assemblies 172 Translation of Baha'i books into Russian 173 Many victories won 173 Pioneering to Ceram 174 Baha'i literature in native tongues 175 Pioneers in Sikkim 175 Pioneers to be sent to Maldive Islands 176 Historic and heart-stirring 176 Letters addressed to the Baha'i Youth of India 177-184 Letters addressed to individual Baha'is in India 185-202 Letters addressed to Burmese Baha'is 203-206 Cablegrams 207-228 xiii LETTERS ADDRESSED TO THE N.S.A. OF INDIA xiv DAWN OF A NEW DAY (India, date unknown) FILENAME: DND FILEDATE: 1-1-95