From Bahaitext
| ←Issue 18 | Baha'i News Letter Issue 19 - August, 1927 |
Issue 20→ |
We are working hard to have proofread and nicely formatted text for you to read. Here is our progress on this issue:
|
BAH!-WI NEWS LETTER THE BULLETIN OF THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OE THE BAHA’IS OF THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA of the Secretary 48 WEST 10th STREET, NEW YORK CITY Bio. 19 PREPARING FOR THE TRUE BAI-IA’I COMMUNITY Editorial At two widely separated points in the United States, a concentration of Bahéfi effort is taking place this summer the results of which will hasten the coming of the true Bahifi community of the future. The activities of Green Acre have for many years -been thoroughly established in the affection and respect of the friends. Nevertheless, Green Acre is stiil far from being a finished and perfected model, -but responds _ever more sensitively to the spirit of the age. At Geyserville, California, a Bahifi center will -be established this summer very like Green Acre in many respects, and -lil-cewise representing a significant concentration of spiritual power, but with the essential clifference that the ‘Western summer Baliifi community begins as a new activity inspired -by the force of enthusiasnx and vision but lacking the power of long experience. These two centers stand as the most interesting and significant experiments being carried on at present by the collective effort of the A-merican believers. To succeed, each requires not only a program v-italizccl by spiritual wisdom but the solution of many material problenls involving relations of people one with another and amid the conditions of practical daily life. It may be that the solution nf these apparently -miner problems in the -material realm will further tl1e Cause as much as brilliance in the conduct Of the progranu. The attention of all the friends will be given these two summer communi-ties, and their activities and results followed closely by all who how the spirit’ of the age is molding daily life into new and better forms. It is to be helped -that those concerned will appreciate the importance of joining inseparahly the spiritual and material elements, and reckoning as the highest type of success a season in which different characters and temperaments have learned how to associate together in full fellowship and cooperatc in work as well as study and prayer. The world does not yet contain one community reflecting the new spirit in all the activities and interests of daily life. When such a community comes into existence, it will manifest the strongest proof that religion has indeed renewed the human soul in this age. Center on Pacific Coast The site selected by the Committee is in Geyserville, Califurimia, about 75 miles north of San Francisco on the Northwestern Pacific Railway, and on the great Redwood Highway, which runs from Vancouver, B. C., to San Diego, Calif. This propcrt}-' extends over an area of 40 acres. fronting on the Highway for about 600 feet, and extending up t11e slightly rolling hills. giving continual and new beautiful panoramas of the exquisite Russian River valley, with -mountains in the elistance. Luther Burbank has stated that the climate of this territory is equal to any in the world. The Feast, of Asma, SunJuly 31st, to which the Geyservilie Bahifi Assembly has invited all the believers, will be the beginning of the activities of the Summer School, which will continue through the month of August. The course of study will -be cundutted from the Wrritings by wellknown teachers on the Coast, as well as visiting Bah-i’is from other parts of America. There is room on the property, without cost, for all -interested in becoming Baha'i teachers, -but they must create their own comforts either by camping, ur by improving the plain accommodations available. Rooms, or rooms with board, at moderate rates can he secured in adjacent farm houses. Simple meals at reasonable rates can be secured in the restaurant at GeyserFor full details, write to Box 101, Geyserville, Caiif. From the reservations, it appears the first Summer School on the Pacific Coast will be very successful and great good be accomplished for the Blessed Cause. D. Boscn, C-eyservilie, Calif. GEORGE 0- LATIMER, Portland, Ore. L220! Ions, San Francisco, Calif,
NATIO NAL SPIRITUAL A-SSEMBLY of the.Bahé.’is of the United States and Canada Allen McDaniel . . . Clmirmail Ray C. Wiihelm . . Vice-C11airman Horace Holley . . . Secretary Car1Scheffler . . . . Treasurer Cable iddress: Ba.hi’i, New York “The NEWS LETTER which you have lately initiated fulfills a very vital function and has been started admirably well. I would urge you fro enlarge its scope, as much as your resources permit, that in time it may devote a special section to every phase of your activities, administrative, devotional. hurmnit:-lrian, financial, educational and otherwise. That it may attain its object it must combine the essential qualities of accu racy, reliability, thoroughHESS, dignity and Wisdom. It shouid ‘become a great factor in promoting understanding, providing information on Bahéfi activity, both local and foreign, in srimulating interest, in combating evil influences, and in upholding and safeguarding the institutions of the Cause. It should be made as representative as possible, should be replete with news. up-to-date in its int'or111ation__ and should arouse the keenest interest among believers and admirers alike in every corner of the globe. I cherish great hopes for its immediate future, and I trust you will devote your special attention to its development, and by devising well-conceived and world-wide measures transform this Nsws LETTER into what I hope will become the foremost Bahifi Iournal of the Snocm EFFENDI. 'rium of the Playhouse. BAHA‘I NEWS LETTER Inter-Racial Amity Committee Holds Convention in Washington, D. C. The first of a new series of interracial conventions under Bal1:l'i auspices was held in Whshingron, D. C., on April 3, 9 and 10. Two sessiolls were given in Mt. Pleasant Congregational Church and one in the audito A detailed report of these meetings has already been in the 1Iagazi11e_, and this report is to all who realize the urgent importance of the racial problem in this The next wili be held at Green Acre 011 22 and 23. The Guardian's hopes that Green Acre will contribute greatly to expressions of racial and justice among the believers themselves have already been published in the Naws LETTER. It is expected that the speciai cummittee appointed to prepare a compilation on this Louis Gregory and Mrs. Mariam will finish their labor this summer so that the friends may have a. full and authorized text of the teachings referring to inter-racial accord. Publishing Committee Issues New Catalog A revised catalog of all literature in print at the present time 11:15 been the Bahéfi Publishing Conlmittee, P. O. Box 348. Grand Central Station, New York City. Mrs. Marie Moore, nlanager, will -be happy to send copigs to any local Bahii librarian or individual inquirer on request. Local Assemblies having 0ccasi011 to reprint any portion of the texts, and teachers quoting publicity from the writings, are urged to use only such works as are -listed in the latest catalog or are positively known to be authent-ic. Certain pamphlets published many years ago cont-ain inac~ curacies it would be unfortunate to repeat. Among the new ]Jub1i<:ations to the notice of the friends are: Divine Art of Living, paper-bound, SDJO. Compilation on Education 50,35, T116 Spirit Of “FQOFILI ((3311pilatiun), $0.10. Bonk, volume one, Igter-Assembly Correspondence -Letters have been received from the following American Assemblies, issued to all Assemblies on the rm-ailing list: Los Angeles, Geyserx-ille, San Francisco and Kenosha. Lc:-ca] secretaries are reminded of the fact that inter-Assembly correspondcnce is one of the important services inclicated for Spiritual Assemblies by The Nationa Assembly assists -by supplying an annual Bahéfi Directory from addresses furnished in the Assembly Rolls. The delay in returning the Assembly Roll after the elections on April 21 on the part of some Asserlllflies makes it impossible to issue an accurate Directory until after months. This delay is an inustice to those have made a prompt and aisu makes it for the National Asscnlbly to rnaintain the distribution of the Nsws LETTER and other general. crrrmspondence. Celebrate Feast of Nawriz Three American Assemblies celebrated this Feast on March 21 under conclitions of unusual interest. In San Francisco, the locai Assembly combined with the believers of Berkeley and Oakland in a meeting held at the Stewart Hotel attended by about one hundred friends. Guests of honor included Dr. Susan -I. Moody and Mirza Ali-Kuli Khan, D. The New ‘fear was observed by the I>eIie1-ers of St. Augustine at the Fiorida N0r:11a1 and Industrial College, where the friends received the cordi,-1-1 cuoperation of Prof. Coilier, presidem, and Miss Sarah Blocker, vice-;-,resZd::11t. We are informed that this was blessed by a nwst beautiful spirit of amity. The growth and vitalily of this Colnmunity are (Int: to the unsparing Of Dr. and Mrs. Walter B. Guy through a period of many years. At Ithaca, the ~belicve1's held their first celebration of the Feast since the election of a Spiritual Assembly following the successful efforts of Mr. and Mrs. Howard Ives, who also established the c0n1n1unity of Geneva. A party of Geneva friends attended the Feast. Yisalia Assembly Publishes Souvenir Prayer Book Copies of a beautifully printed booklet containing Bahéfi prayers were recentl}-' by the Visalia friends as a souvenir conveying their loving devotion to the Cause. Many appreciative have been received on this unusual service, made possible by the artistic skill of one of the Visalia believers, Miss Alice Rouleau.
National Spiritual Assembly.
BAI-IA’I NEWS LETTER Special Notice Occasional inquiries are received asking for iniormation about circular letters and pamphlets issued by a certain Stenstrand of Chicago, purporting to quote passages from the writings of the Bab and others which disprove the stations of and Bahzi. This situation is thorciughly understood by the older believers, and the friends are urged to cast such communications in the waste -basket without response. It should also be known to the friends that the current issue of Reality Magazine has published without the slightest authority 0r.right a. notice of Bahéfi activities presumably written for Reality by a member of the Such incidents shuw how difficult was the attempt made several years ago by the Nationai Assembly to find some basis of cooperation with this non-Ba.h:3.'i activity. The friends are reminded of the fact that the whole situation was brought to the attention of the Guardian some time ago, who stated that cooperation might be extended if the publication would agree to publish nothing not approved by the National Assembly, and that otherwise the matter “be left to. God.” The National Assembly has no intention of instruct-‘ ing or requesting any person not to subscribe to this periodical, but the believers should understand that its activities have nothing to do with the administration of the Cause. Unique Annual Gatherings The Annual Souwenir of Bahia at ‘West Englewood, New _Tersey, has been duly observed since 1912, when the Master gathered all the believers in and around New York for a unity feast of whicl1 He was 11051:. Year by year this event has grown in power, until at present it is known and noti-;ecl throughout a large portion of the State. Ruhi Afnan was the principal speaker this year At Geneva, York, the community have instituted a “Blossom Picnic" attended by friends from nearby cities, who find it an occasion of delightful fellowship. Such local traditions can become powerful forces in cementing the hearts of the friends. Mrs. Louise Gregory Returns From Eastern Europe During the past eight months Mrs. Louise Gregory has served most eifectively in the teaching field. Her route included the cities of Liverpool "I trust and pray that the ef; forts of the newly elected National Assembly will be concen {rated this year on the Plan of Unified Action, and that the believers in every locality will whole-heartedly and unitedly arise to insure its success by every means at their disposal. What we require is unity of purpose, sn1glenc~ss of mind and concerted and .susta1ne-:l eftort. Every endeavor to achieve this purpose will 'be assisted from on high and will receive the full measure of the Be10ved's and York, England; Bruss<:ls, Belgium; Vienna, Austria; Buda-Pes_t, Hungary; and Sophia, Bulgaria. Mrs. Gregory, who -is now at Green Acre, reports that conditions in Sophia are exceedingly favorable for the spread of the Message among people of capaciiy, and expresses the earnest hope that some American believer can in the near future arrange to spend from three to six months in that city. Consideration of the significance of the work accomplished by such devoted followers of as Miss Martha Root, Mr. Mountfort Mills, Miss Leonora Holzapple, Mrs. Gregor]; and Mrs. Schopflocher indicates how Anmrica. is e11deav0ring to obey the far-reaching program of teaching activity laid by in His series of Teaching Tabletq revealed for the five regional divisim1s and also the assembly of the friends in this country. Bahéfi Service Easter Sunday at St. Mark’s Church Dr. W. N. Guthrie of St. Mark's, New York City, has arranged a special Bahéfi service which he each Easter Sunday at the afternooii meeting. This service C0nsiStS of responsive teadings, in which the congregation joizts, selected by the rector from the literature of the Cause and published by him in a booklet entitled “The Glory of God.” These readings are followed by addresses delivered by representatives of the Cause in— vited Dr. Guthrie. Jinabi Fadil spoke at this service some‘ years Mr. It-Iountfort Mil-ls and La member of _the National Assembly spoke this Mr. Kinney directed the choir and rendered organ music consisting of itnproviszutinns on orien tal themes. This annual uccasion is greatly appreciated hy the believers of New York. Committees of the National Spiritual Assembly 1927-1928 The following comnuittees appointed by the National Assembly as subn as possible after the Conventiun in Montreal. In announcing these appointments, we wish tn point out that ic is most desirable that each tee take steps to organize by the election of chairman, secretary and any other it rnay require, and following this hold frequent meetings for active consideration of a program of constructive service- The observation has been justly made that frequent in the members of a co:11mit~ tee, and doubt as to the appropriation which can he placed at their disposal, tend to produce a condition of passive inaction. . this fact, which circumstances have made inevitable in the past, there is nothing to prevent any committee from studying its opportunities and laying out a program to be adopted if necessary later on. The drift of executive detai-1 toward the National Assembly represents a tranSiti0I1a1 state which it is hoped has come to an end. The active direction of so many phases of service prevents the National Assembly from developing other aspects of i-ts responsibility, while at the same -time denies the Cause the benefits which would resuit from the spreading out of the executive function. Maxwell, Mrs. Elizabeth .Green1eaf, Mr. Siegfried Schopflocher. Temple-—Mr. Carl Scheffler, Mr. Alien McDaniel, Mr. Siegfried SchopMr. Alfred E. Lunt, Mrs. Amelia Col-lins, Mrs- E1 Fleda Spankiing, Mt‘. Albert VVindu9t, Mr. Munroe 10:15, Mr. A. ]. 1\-iattieson. C. Mr. Siegfried Schopflocher, Mr. Horace Holley, Mr. Al-bert ‘Nindust. Stanwood Cobb, Mrs. Mariam Haney, Mr. Allen McDaniel. , Albert Windust, Mrs. S-hellejr N. Parker, Mrs. H. A. Harding. Arch£ve.r——Miss Gertrude Buikema, Mr. Charles Mason Rerney, Mr. A1be-rt W'indL1st. Librarg,-—Miss Elizabeth Hopper, Mr. Charles Masorl Alfred E. Lunt, Mr. Louis Gregory, Mr. Allen McDaniel.
Mr. Albert Vail’s Teaching Journeys During the past winter Mr. Vail has traveled almost constantly on various teaching circuits, speaking in Illinois, ‘Wisconsin, Ohio, going as far east as Pittsburgh. In April and May he made a long journey through the eastern cities, giving addresses in ington, Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York. The later part of April he gave a lecture at the Hartford Theological Seminary. One of the instructors in that institution had seen a very remarl-zable sight in the Near—East—a Muhammadan Turk and an Armenian Christian sitting together on the floor, in a house, and discussing religion with the utmost love and amity. He was so amazed he asked how could this be. They declared that they were both Baha’is. The instructor, himself an Armenian, was so impressed that he wished the Baha’i Cause presented to his class in the Theological Seminary in Hartford, Connecticut, and sent a request for a speaker the secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly. Whereupon Mr. Vail was asked to address this class. After traveling to Hal-tford Mr. Vail gave a series of addresses in Springfield, 'W0rcester and Boston, Massachusetts. After leaving Montreal Mr. Vail stopped in Geneva. New York, and Buffalo where he spoke; and gave a series of addresses in Cleveland. It was wonderful to see on this journey the joyous response of certain ministers and educators to the tfiachings of BAHA’i NEWS LETTER ANNUAL REPORT. of the The total amount received this year fronl every source and includlng every fund or division of the Natlonal Fund was $51,039.23. The balance on hand at the beginning of that year was $1,980.66, making a total for the year of - $53,019.94. The dis-bur:-e» ments for the year total $4?',28-8.33, which in this report I am accounting for under the following headi11gs:— Temple, Teaching, Green Acre, Star of the West, International, ‘World Unity Conferences, Archives, Library, General Publicity, A-d-Ininistration, Carmel or Special. Also under the heading Capital Expenditures, as foiBourgeois on contract, Plans for Temple, Studio appraisal, Green Acre legacies. These last named constitute investments that cannot really be accounted expenditures, since they enhance the value of the properties. Before entering upon the detail of the expenditure under each heading, 1 would like to state that in my books, as also those turned over to me by Mrs. Morton, the funds received are always placed in the particular division or to the pafticular purpose designated by the contributor. Cash Balance April 1, 1926 ~Worcester Bank & Trust Co. $1,965.12 Northern Trust Co. . . . . . . . 115.54 $1,980.66 CASH RECEIPTS For Temple 2,209.10 For Budget 34,909.11 For Teaching . . . . . . . . . . . . 14.80 For Green Acre . . . . . . . . . . . 3,937.28 For ‘World Unity Conferences 4,541.00 For Green Acre Institute of 2,000.00 For Carmel or Special . . . . . - 155.00 For Tarbiat School . . . . . . . . 151.00 For Pilgrim House . . . . . . . . 100.00 General Publicity . . . . . . 3,000.00 Interest Earned . . . . . . . . . . . 21.99 51,039.28 ,$53_.O19.94 DISBURSEMENTS Temple . . . .. . . . . $2,185.20 Teaching . . . . . . . . 5,064.98 Green Acre . . . . . . 7,182.93 Star of the ‘Nest. . 3,621.91 International . . . . . 2,265.09 World Unity Conf. 5,316.35 Archives . . . . . . . . Library . . . . . . . . . . 223.51 General Publicity. . 3,000.00 Administrative -. . . 10,062.41 Carmel or Special. 214.72 Publication . . . . . . 41,692.10 C 0-pita! Expenditures Louis Bourgeois on contract . . . . . . . 700.00 Plans for Temple. . 281.33 Caretakers 1-louse. 2,005.40 Studio Appraisal. . 100.00 Green Acre legacies paid ... . . . . . . . 1,410.00 4,496.73 Acre Mangers expense 1,100.00 47,2$.83 5,7 31.11 40.24 Add Old Balance transferred to Special Fund 1
BAI-IA’I NEWS LETTER Cash. Balance, March 31, Northern Trust Co.. . . . . . .. 5.3F1.3S Northern Trust Co. Savingsa,-"c................ 350.00 Liberty Bonds . . . . . . . . . . . . 50.00 5,77l.35 Bafrmrc Sin‘-vt, March :71, 193? 50.00 5,171.35 REAL EST."\TE AND TEMPLE BUILDING Land $51,500.00 Improvements to Land. . . . . 6,473.?-1 Temple Building Construction . . .205,330-04 Model Cost . . . . 8,832.50 Plans for Temple 9,109.43 Louis Bourgeois, on contract... 40,400.00 263,671.91 Contents of Magazine preciation, -by Hooper Harris; Why I‘ Believe, by Doris H. McKay; O11 the Borders of Lake Lemzm, by Florence E. Pinchorl, and Vk-'hat Danzig Has, by Martha L. Root. The May number included: Equality of Man and ‘Woman, a compilation from ‘Words of The 'World-‘Nide Influence of Qurra.tu’1by Stanwood Cobb; Humanity Unfolding a Limitless Self, by Dr. Orrol L. Harper; Vnfurnanz In Allegory an-cl Fable; In Tradition and History; In the Present Day and Age, by Howard R. I-Iurlbut, and Glimpses of a Great Gathering, an interpretation 01' the In-’ter-Racial Conference held in ‘Washington, C-, ‘during April, by Coralie Franklin Cook. Geneva Assembly Holds Series of Public Meetings A series of meetings under the general title “Six Discussions of Present Day Problems” has been conducted lay the Geneva, N. Y., believers in a public hall Friday evenings from 13-day 20 to june 24. These meetings came as the first public teaching on the part of the Geneva friends, and were carefully thought out in relation to local conditions and needs. The stabjects were: The 0E the New Age; The Appreaching Convergence of Science and Religion; The Great Pyramid and Its Message to the Worlcl; From Chaos to ‘World Peace; Physical and Spiritu:-11 Evolution, and A New Spirit in the ‘-Vorld. Dr. Albert Heist, Mr. and Mrs. W. Hrs. Howard Ives. and Mr. and Mrs..R. C. Coihson were among those who spoke on these suh— ject;-1. ot the least important result of the meetings was the extensive reports of each address published in the local press, showing what preparations had been made on the part of the local rkssembly. These meetings, cunczeived and carried out by one of the newest communities in America, have made the Message synon}-n1ous with universality of spirit and knowledge throughout the city, and are models of stlccessful teaching which can weli be imitated in other Assemblies. Orcella Rexford Continues Remarkable Campaign comnumications from Seattle, Portland and Oakland give evidence of continued success in the unusual teaching method developed by Mrs. Orcella Rexford and employed with such remarka-ble results in several cities. Mrs. Rexford builds up a large audience by her personal lectures and a: the end gives them an opportunity to make contact with teachers. Only the lack of suitable teachers prevents Mrs. from bringing in large numbers of believers wherever she carries on her lecture work. Honolulu, Oakland and New York City are all grateful to Mrs. Re:-cford for her ardent efforts. Iapanese Gathering in Berkeley Miss Agnes Alexander delivered an address before a large group of anese in the hall of the Buddhist Ternple at Berkeley, California, early in March, following a talk given by her some days previously at a luncheon of Japanese students in Styles Hall the Y. M. C. A. Mrs.-'Fr-ankland also spoke at the Temple, her remarka-ble work with Oriental chiidren being well known by the friends. Rubi Ainan at Green Acre As mentionecl in the last NEWS Ruhi Afnan is spending July and at Green Acre, after which he will visit as many local communities as possible before returning to Haifa in The privilege -of meeting this profound student of -the tes.c11ings and devoted worker will not be overlooked by the friencls in planning their stay at Green Acre this season. Capable Teachers Speak for Urbana Assembly Reports from the Spiritual Assembly of Urbana indicate how great plegsure has been felt by the friends in visits frorn four Bahéfi teachers during recent months. Miss Fanny Knobloch, Mr. Albert R. Vail, Mrs. Corinne and Mr. Louis Gregory all found unusual opportunities for pub
iic speaking in this college c0n1mu11ity where Mr. Vail occupied an ilnportant pulpit some years ago. Miss talks to the believers themselves on how to presc11t thc Message were particularly appreciated. Numerous inquirers also came to her public meetings held at the home of Mrs. Busey and other friends, and her presentation, including an accltmnt of her experiences at South Africa, was exceedirrgly effective. Two addresses were delivered by Mr. Gregory art the university, in addition to 1ne-etings with classes in the Sociological Department. 1-I-is explanations of the Book of Assura11ce (Ighan) brought new light to the believers of Urbana. Mr. has :been the priucip-al speaker at public meetings in Urbana .for many years. During the past year he has conducted a series of lectures on the theme of Science and the Bible, which -produced splendid results. The final speaker of the season was Mrs. Corinne True of Evanston, who gave-two addresses at Lincoln Hall: “Two Kinds of Education,” and “The Changing Spirit of the The Urhana believers feel -that they have been richly -blessed in these opportunities, and hope that it will be possihle for other Bahéfi communities to receive sim-ilar visits ERRATUM The sentence, “Slmghi Effendi, said that he hoped that ‘this wouid be done in this assembly even if there was but one drop of colored blood,” reported by the last News LETTER as being a .pa.rt of the address of Mrs. Oglesby at the Bahzifi convention, is withdrawn as being inaccurate and not a quotation from Shoghi Effenrli. The article as repurtecl, utlierwise than this, expressed the substance of her remarks. This correction is made with Mrs. Ogapproval Another correction to be made is that the word “Koa," used by Dr. Bagdadi, refers to the first Muslim mosque, not to the first Mashriqu’]Aclhkar. Lows G. Reporter. NEWS OF THE CAUSE IN OTHER LANDS Foreign Magazines The believer who feels the neerl of making direct contact with the progress of communities outside the United States and Canada will sub scribe to the periodicals published in other lands. The presence of these Bahéfi publications will be e&'cctivc also when 11oticed by inqL1irers calling at local Bahifi centers and reading rooms. -scription, six shiilings six pence. Ad dress “Ciunie,” 3 Cowie Road, Parnell, Auckiand, New Zealand. The Dawn. (Printed in English, Persian and Burmese). $2.00. rlress Mirza. Zabiullah Zarquani, 21, 45th Street, Rangoon, Burma. . Sonne Def W'a]1rheit. (Primed in Gernlan with an English sectionj.‘ Two gold marks per year. Atlclress Bah:'1'i-Bundes, -Ale:-:a11d-at-strasse 3, Stuttgart, Germany. In Germany also is published a NEWS LETTER under the su]2ervis.i0n of the National Spiritual Assembly, free distribution to believers in Gennany and National Asse1nblies a-broad. Le Messager (Printed i11 French, German and English). The organ of Internati01_1al Bahéfi Bumin, 19 Boulevard Georges-Favon, Geneva, Switzerland. Copies sent without charge to Anmrican iocal communities through the National Foreign Assembly Letters Circular Jetters have been received from the. following centers outside the United States and Canada: Haifa, Palestine; Tihran, Persia; Stuttgart, Gerrnany; Essli:1gen_, Germany; Moscow, Russia; Beirut, Syria; C011stantinople, T1u-key; Paris, France; Pretoria, South Africa; Bagdad, Iraq; Resht, Persia (in Esperanto); Port Said. Egypt; Manchesater, England; Berlin, Gemmany; Bushir, Persia; Tokyo, japan {in Esperanto); Ishkabad, Russia. New Local Assembly in England A letter from the Spirituai Assembly of Manchester, England, informs us that a new Spiritual Assembly has been elected by the believers residing in Altrincham, ten miles from Man cheater. The Ik-'Ianchester Assembly desires correspondence from the friends in other countries. Address: Mrs. Lucy Sugar, secretary, 16 Lily Street, C1-umpsall, Manchester, England. First Bahé'i Funeral Service in the East From Miss EH34: Baker, at the .-Xmericat; Pilgri-m House, Haifa, we {earn the significant fact that the services held to observe the passing of Miss Martha Root in Northern Europe 1'1 lpttcr dated February 20, 192?, f rom Martha L. Root staies that shE. has visited and given public lectures in sixteen cities in Germany, Shoghi Effendi had told her if she could visit all the Bahéfi centres in Germany it would be very good. Mr. and Mrs. [-Iarrj; Rorncr of New York were living in Berlin during her visit to that city in january and -both did a great deal to help. Mr. Wil1ian1 Hen-ige] came to Berlin for three public lectures; two during M-iss Re-0t"s visit. She spoke twice on the same program with Mr. Herrigel and gave seven other pubiic lectures. Berlin is one of the great Esperanto centers of the world and Berlin Esperantists arranged four lectures for Miss Root. She was one of the speakers at a Peace Socict}-' meeting when five hundred people were present. “The Promulgation of L'niversa1 Peace” was presented to President von Hindenburg of the German Republic. The following letter of thanks was received: “The President of the German Republic tenders his best thanks for the book The Prqmulgation of Universal Peace, which was presented to him. The President has had the book forwarded to the library of the Foreign Other books were presented to Dr. Gustav S*tre.~sen1am1, chief of the Foreign Dr. President of the Reichstag, and books were sent to Mr. Bronislaw Huberman, the great violinist. Mr. Huberrnan wrote Plat he would study them. Miss Root further wrote that she .felt there was no city in the world more i-mportant for teachers to visit than Berlin. If some very scholarly -teacher could go and live for one year in Berlin as Mirza Fazi came to the United States, it might mean that a thousand great teachers would go out from Berlin. Distant rumblings of Bols-hevist world up-heaval are distinctly heard
in Central Europe. ALI the teachers, assisted -by the Holy Spirit, can carry the Teachings which are to save the world destructinn. Berlin is a. most efiective center in which to work. The German people are very intelligent, their hearts are worn with suffering and they are must indefatiguable workers. They possess qualities which, linked with the power of the Holy Spirit, would be a great asset in the new civilizaticm. Dr. Friedritrh-Carl ‘Witte, a peace worker, and a very distinguished man of Rostock, Northern Germany, arranged a public lecture in Rostock and himself acted as interpreter. Fifteen professors and teachers iron-1 Rostock University and other schools were present.- All the Rostock Esperantists came, therefore Mr. Vkfitte suggested that a part of the lecture should be given in Esperanto. Bahifi friends in Rostock and an Esperantist went with Miss Root the next day to V\"amemi'1nde where Mr. Emil a faithful Bahéfi and a school-teacher, had arranged for a talk before the pupils. He gave a demonstration of his method of teaching the children and Miss told them stories of They sang Mrs. Louise Waite’s Hymns in German. and Rostuck friends had an informal meeting in Rostock that same evening for people intereszcd to come and ask questions about the Cause. The next city visited was Schwerin where an intensive program was carried through in four evenings. The evening Miss Root arrived a. lecture was given and _the hail was crowded. The public lecture the following night was in a much larger hall, and that also was crowded. Fifty people stood and others went away because there was not even standing room. The . next 1110:-ning visits were made to four burg State I)epa1"m1cnt for Religious and Ethical '-.\I0vements said he would read the books and write what he thinks of them. The editors of the two largest papers were visited and after an interview books were given to them. Mrs. gave a tea in Schwerin the same day and pictures were shown of Accil and Haifa. The same evening a lecture was given before the Peace Society of Sehwerin and at this lecture also a number of people stand. It was a wonderful meeting. The lecture was in E.~;p-eranto and as this was the first time :1 public Esperanto lecture had ever been given in Schwerin by a foreign Esperantist, Esperantzsts came from three cities seventy miles distant. The president in closing said: “It is not the generals and the princes and the militariets whose -pictures we see on these walls, who move the world. The important -men for the world have been men poor in exterior things, men Like Moses, Isaiah, Christ, Mohammed, Buddha. Confusius. Luther, and ’Abdu’1-Bahia. The military persons -are never the eternal ones, but the great prophets are.” After the meeting the president of the Peace Society gave a tea at his home at midnight, inviting the out-0ftown Esperantists, the (If the Peace Society and a few Bahéfis. This was almost a twenty-f0|.1r hour day! Miss Root was the guest of Mr. and Mrs. Klitzing in Schwerin. Ne:-ct -motuing she left on an earl],train for Hamburg. Everything- in Hamburg had also been splenrlidly arranged and well-advertised. T he first public lecture was in ‘Wandsbek. Dr. Hermann Grossmann was the zuble interpreter and he had printed Bahéfi booklets which he gave out afterwards. The programs, tun, contained the Principles and quotations from the One evening was spent with Dr. and Mrs. Grussn1:u111 and Mr. Friar}rich Gerstner. editor of "La Nova Tago.” These three young pa-nple and Dr. Grossmanrfs young sister. Miss Grossmann, publish three Tago” in peranto; a German magazine for ch11» dren. and a German n1ag-;azine for youth. Each one is published quarterly. They have printed several lovely little booklfits Cm1L'aining short stories for children Dr. Grossmuanh is :1 very eFficient executive and he has carried the same business efficiency into the Bahifi work. Everything is classified, filed and accurately kept from the very beginning nf the Bahi"i Cause in Hamburg. Mr. Gerstner has everything systmnatizecl in "La Nova Tagu" work. Miss Root has seen more than fifty articles on , the Bahffi Cause, written in many languages, where the one source of information has been the Esperanto “La Nova Tago." Editors had never' before heard of the zeaehings. The very evening of this visit a. Dutch magazine had just arrivccl, called magazine spreading international propaganda. It c0n‘tained- an annou11cem.ent that and His Message,” printed in Esperanto by editors of "La Nova. Tago,” had been translated into Dutch and printed by the editors of this magazine. The little booklet in Dutch is now on sale at their wl1ich is the “N. V. Ho-landa Esperanto Ofuzejo” in Eemnes, Holland. The booklet also appeared in the December, 1926, number of the manzme. A lecture on the “New versal Education" was given before the Esperanto Society of Han1hu:'g, and after the talk Miss Root asked the president and the vice-president to read in Esperanto some of the exact words of on education. The president's daughter also read in Esperanto what had said about the education of women. Dr. and Mrs. Grossnlanll a afternoon for the Children's Garden czullecl “The Garden of the Sun,” which meets regularly in zheir home. They have been successful in the work for children. The last evening of Miss R00t's visit Dr. and Mrs. Grossmann gave a large {east in their home for and many others who are interested in the teachings. A great artist played. Then Dr. Grossmann read from the Creative and Miss R00: spoke on the life at Acci and Haifa and of the progress of the Cause throughout the world. The feast closed with a charming little Bahfli play presented by children and written by Dr. Miitllsrzhlcgel, a fine poet of Stuttgart. They are training the chilclren so that they are prepared to take part in public Bahifi meetings. The whole spirit of the Hamburg friends is fragrant with Abha heaut)-' and love. Miss Martha Root spent nine days in Brussels. Belgium. She took two Bahifi books to the paiaee of Their Majesties, King A-lbert I. and Queen Elizabeth of Belgium. Two books were also placed in the Royal Library,
which is the greatest library in Belgium. Booklets were given to the Brussels Esperantists and two books for their libraries. Two books were given to the Brussels Theosoplflcal Society. It was a solemn moment when our Bahifi teacher took some flowers and prayed at the grave oi Edith Cavell in Brussels. Edith lies buried just in front of the Edith Cavel Nursing Hospital and School, which she herself founded. Two Bahéli books were placed in the library there. A visit was made to the great Socialist headquarters, Maison du Peuple, where one of the leading men had been attracted by Mrs. Stan11ard’s “Messagere Baha'1,” and had wntten to beneva agguic Ilterzlture. He, too, was gwen :1 0:. She gave booklets and one or two books to Mr. the socialist member of Parliament of Great ]3ritain,'also to a great general sent 'from China, a poet I'run1 Germany-(each one is-a powerful socialist leader in his own country)-— she spoke to them and told them of the Bahifi vicwpoint on world qltestiolls. important part of her work was 21 visit to the Palais Mnndial et ses The ‘World Palace and its Institutions). This is a great universal instinltinu which aims to build a_univcrsal city. found a universal university, and have a center where universal affairs can be systenaatircally studied. ‘I-Vhen Mr. Andrew Carnegie visited it in 1910. it was very much smaller than it is now, but he said even then: “I never enjoyed any visit so It is 21 very great opportunity for Bahi1’is, at once, to put their books in difierent languages into this universal library, send their Bahffi ma.gazi11c5 to this universal center, arrange a worthy exhibit there, and have delegates at the Universal Congress of "World .-\ss0ciati-ans Congrés Mondial rles Associations). which will he Mondial lmilding in Brussels, BelIt is certain that more than one 11-.mcl1'ecl international associations, sci» entific. art, philanthropic, religious anrl so f firth, will send delegates. This universal conga-e.=-s will include ars. scientists. reh'gim1ists, from every country in the world. It will he a splendid opportunity for acquaint t]1en1selves with world associations. The address is-. des .-Xssociations Internationales, Paul. Ot-, let, Director, Brussels, Belgium. these attractive booklets were a great help. English books were also given and :1 pllotogmph of Three articles appeared -.1uring week, a woman writer came to the hotel and next day pulhlished an interview. Books were placed in flit‘ Royal Library which is Denmark's greatest library. A letter was written to the King and Queen and Crown Prince of Denmark and lei: with three Bahéfi books at the palace. Their It-Iajesties were not in Denmark at this time. March 1st, 21 public lecture, “The Movement in its Relation to Christianity,” was given in B0rup’s High School, a private school, and a popular lecture hall. The son of the Professor of Comparative Religions in the of Copenhagen was the interpreter. These were the first atlvertiseci pubLic Bahifi lectures ever given in Denmark. March 2nd, people callod. One man was an architect. He had bought the Danish booklet, and His Massage” in the best book store in Copenhagen (it was brought out by the best publisher anil Danish scholars say that Miss Sorensen has nuade an excellent translatiflrl). The architect read the his wife and read it aloud to her and in the evening read it again to his He and his called and came to the lectures. The same evening, one of :he leading Es aeramists, who is also :1 Theosophist, had a little group of friends in‘ her home to meet Miss Root and Miss Sorensen. She also helped to arrange for the intetp reters and did everything possible to rmll-cc the week a successful and happy one. The Esperantists of Copenhagen haul arranged for :1 lecture in their hall March 3rd, inviting also 110n-Esperantists. All were most cordial, they presented the speaker wth a bouquet of Danish pink tulips. They were true friends all during the visit. They sent out one hundred im'itatiuns for the lectures, and came thenwelves :0 some of the events. March 4th, a lecture was given fure the Natinnal Cmlncil of Danish Vfonlen. Mrs. Henni Forc who the speaker, is I-‘resident of this Society and VictPresidcnt of the International Council of and Delegante supplcante of the Danish Government to the League of Naiions. Miss Root had seen her at the LBElgL1B of Natiom sessions in 1925 in Geneva. After the lecture, Mrs. Forchhammer asked the speaker to tell them more about the laistory of the Bahifi Movement. were given out at the tea which followed. The same evening the second puhlic lecture was gwcn in B0rup's 1-hgh School Hall. There were tWiCE! as runny people as he first night. The interpreter was the President of the Society of Copenhagen. March 5th Miss Root spoke at the International People’s College in Helsinger (Elsinore), one ride by fast train from Copenhagen. Jessie Revell had given the Message to a Philadelphia girl who has been stmlclying for six months in this college and the latter had told the students. Also, there was_an Am:-:rican woman there from Portland, Oregon, who had known Mrs. _T. W’. Latimer. The lecture was given before ninetyeight students, the majority -of whom (in the winter season] are ‘from Denmark; a'few other friends were present. The Director, Mr. Peter Manniche, and the students are idealists and humanitarians, the whole purpose of this school is to educate for spiritual brotherhood and the highest culture, so it‘ was a great opportunity. Miss Root will probably write something for the Star of the H"cst about this college and other educational work in Denmark. People who had aitended the leetures were invited to call on Miss Sorensen and Miss Root on S'unda_v afternoon, the last day, if they wished to ask questions or to meet them. Severai came and in the midst of the cow versatioll a. charming young womanfrom Sweden came who said she had known Dr. Miss Lillian Kappes, Dr. Clock and Miss Stem-'a1't in Teheran. The prese11t Denmark czumot yet visiun what it will mean to the coming centuries that it has a Johanna Sumnsen, but the people certainly appreciate and love her.
Original scans
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |