National Bahai Review

Insert to The American BahB'i published by the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States for Bahh'is only.

August 1975 BahA'i Year 132 No. 91

LI I ~ergency voting procedures tor District Conventions As a preventive measure, the National also give the sealed ballot to the Local 5. Place the sealed envelope in a larger

Spiritual Assembly outlines below the Assembly secretary who will transmit i t to envelope and either mail it or send it as procedures to follow in the event that there the appropriate Convention officers. described above. Write rd BAL- is any problem with the mailing of Con- 3. Tovote by mail, write the name(s) of LOT in the left-hand this en- vention calls this year. If your ballot does the believer(s) whom you wish to represent velope and be sure yo1 ; on it so NOT arrive, please proceed as follows: your district at the National Convention. that you may be credited as a voter.

I. If you are able to attend the Conven- Vote ONLY for the number of delegates The National Spiritual Assembly an- tion you will be provided with ballot paper allotted to your district, and leave enough ticipates successful and problem-free Dis- and an envelope at that time. space between the names so that ballots trict Conventions this year. However, if

2. If you are unable to attend, complete may be easily separated later. You may any problem does arise embly is a ballot before the Convention and mail i t discover the number of delegates assigned sure that the believers, fith these to the person who has been designated to to your district by calling or writing your guidelines and with sup idence in receive mailed ballots in your District. To Assembly secretary or District Teaching the sacredness of their task, will not hesi- find out the name of this person, check Committee. tate to proceed with the election and other with your Local Assembly, call or write 4. Place your ballot in a small envelope business of their Convention. your District Teaching Committee or the and seal it. Do not make any mark on this host Assembly (li low). You may envelope. sted be1

Location, dates for the 88 District Conventions District

Alabama, N. Alabam S. Arizona, N. Arizona, S. Arkansas California, N- 1 California, N-2 , California, C- 1 California, C-2 California, S- l California, S-2 California, S-3 Colorado, E. Colorado, W. Connecticut DelMar Va Florida, N. Florida, C. Florida, S. Georgia, N. Georgia, S. Idaho, S. Illinois, N- l Illinois, N-2

4 - Illinois, S . Indiana

Host Assembly

Birmingham Montgomery Phoenix Pima County Little Rock Washington J.D. Santa Rosa Camel Bakersfield Santa Monica San Diego Santa Barbara Commerce City Alamosa Vernon Wilmington Gainesville Polk County Ft. Lauderdale No. Cobb County Ft. Valley Group Pocatello Rockford Chicago Decatur Indianapolis

e the wo corner of Ir name i s

:, the Ass armed w

Date

10126 1 0126 1015 10126 10112 1015 10112 10112 10112 1015 10112 10126 10112 10112 1015 1 015 10112 10112 10126 1015 10112 1 015 10112 10112 i 015 10126

Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana, N. Louisiana, S. Maine Maryland1D.C. Massachusetts Michigan. Minnesota, N. Minnesota, S. Mississippi Missouri Montana Navajo-Hopi Nebraska Nevada, N. Nevada, S. New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico, N. New Mexico, S. New York, E. New York, W. North Carolina, E. North Carolina, C. North Carolina, W. North Dakota

Des Moines Emporia Lexington S hreveport Baton Rouge Augusta Washington, D.C. Worcester Mt. Pleasant St. Cloud St. Paul Jackson Jefferson City Bozeman Chinle Hastings Cen. Washoe Cnty. North Las Vegas Peterboro Teaneck Albuquerque Las Cruces Yonkers Buffalo Raleigh Greensboro Charlotte Bismarck

National BahA'i Review -

Ohio, N. Ohio, S . Oklahoma, E. Oklahoma, W. Oregon Pennsylvania, E. Pennsylvania, W Rhode Island South Carolina, South Carolina, South Carolina, E- l South Carolina, E-2 South Carolina, E-3 South Carolina, C. South Carolina, S. South Carolina, W. South Dakota

Akrol Daytc Tulsa Ed'mond Eugene Philadelphia Pittsburgh Providence Clemson Spartanburg Lake City Dillon Greater Aynor Columbia Beaufort Greenwood Sioux Falls

Tennessee Texas, Texas, Texas, E-2 Texas, C. Texas, S. Texas, W. Utah Vermont Virginia, N. Virginia, S. WashingtonIIdaho Washington, W. West Virginia Wis-Mich Wisconsin, S. Wyoming

Nashville Amarillo Dallas Houston Austin Corpus Christi El Paso Salt Lake City Burlington Fairfax Richmond Yakima Seattle Charleston Wausau Madison Laramie

Teaching individuals with 'true capacityy "There is no doubt that the poorer class-

es should be taught the Cause and given every opportunity to embrace it. More especially in order to demonstrate to peo- ple our cardinal lack of prejudice, class prejudice as much as any other kind of prejudice. However, he feels that the great point is to confirm people of true capacity and ability-from whatever social stratum they may be-because the Cause needs now, and will ever increasingly need,

souls of great ability who can bring it be- fore the public at large, administer its ever-growing affairs, and contribute to its advancement in every field."

(From letter dated October 30, 1941, written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)

The goals of the Five Year Plan make it essential that we heed the advice of the beloved.Guardian to seek out and teach

individuals of "true capacity." Such an individual is not necessarily one of wealth or position, but rather a person of rectitude of character and one who is able to display leadership in his occupation, however humble, or in his social activities. Our teaching plans should make a deliberate Y effort to attract those who show a respon- sible attitude.

BahByI wills and bequests According to the Teachings of

BahPu'llLh it is incumbent upon every BahPi to write a will during his lifetime in order to provide for the disposition of his property after his death as well as to give instructions concerning his burial. A will is particularly essential if you desire the Bahi'i Faith to have a share of your prop- erty. You can use it also to record your wishes for the proper disposition of your BahPi literature, files and records, and to include a provision that will ensure that your children receive BahPi training.

There is no standard will form approved by the National Spiritual Assembly. Be- sides the variations in the law from state to state, there are single Bahi'is, married Bahi'is, BahPis with children, BahPis that have personal property, Bahi'is that

have real property and Bahi'is that have both; no form could be devised that would cover all of these various circumstances. A person preparing a will should contact an attorney. The cost should not be great, and it is the only way to be sure that in your particular set of circumstances your wishes will be carried out.

Before visiting your attorney you should have specific information on hand that will assist him in advising you and drawing the will that meets your particular needs and desires. You should have all the personal information on yourself, your family, your relatives, and your beneficiaries. You should have all the facts concerning your property, whether real, personal or mixed; you should identify the location of your safe-deposit box (if you have one), insur-

ance policies, profit sharing plans, pen- sions, etc., the name and address of the person you wish to be your executor, trus- tee or guardian, and any special provisions you, as a Bahi'i, might want in your will. Neither the Local Spiritual Assembly nor the National Spiritual Assembly should be named as executor of your will.

A believer should have a special provi- sion in his will for buriaI in accordance with Baha'i Laws. It should be spelled out in the will that the place of burial must be within one hour's travel time from the place of death, that cremation is forbid- den, and that the body is not to be em- balmed unless required by state law.

BahPis are permitted to donate their bodies for medical research and restorative purposes. When an individual asked the

August 1975 3

beloved Guardian about this he answered c in a letter written on his behalf by his

secretary on March 22, 1957, as follows:

There is nothing in the Teachings against leaving our bodies to medical science. The only thing we should stipulate is that we do not wish to be cremated, as it is against our BahB'i Laws.

As many people make arrangements to leave their bodies to medical science for investigation he suggests that you in- quire, eithel lawyer r througl

ough son 3 this an(

1 some ie hospita j then mi

friend or thr, 11, how you could dc ~ k e the necessary provision in your Will, stipulating that you wish your body to be of service to mankind in death, and that, being a Bahh'i you request that your remain: :remated and not be taken mo n hour's journey from the pla~ e.

; not be c re than a ce you dii

The spirit has no more connection with the body after it departs, but as the body was once the temple of the spirit, we BahB'is are taught that it must be treated with respect.

One of the primary objectives of your will is, of course, to meet personal obliga- tions and responsibilities, but after provid- ing for those with whom you have close ties, you may wish to give serious consid- eration to the needs of the Faith. There are many ways in which the Faith can be made a beneficiary in your will: a stated gift wherein you indicate a specific sum as a bequest to the Faith; a percentage gift in

which you designate a percentage of your gross estate to be made payable to the Faith (in this way the relationship between your bequest to the Faith and your bequest to others remains constant regardless of the ultimate size of your estate); by a residuary gift in which you make specific bequests to provide for your family with residue or remainder of the estate being given to the Faith; a remainder interest in a testamen- tary trust, wherein you provide for a close member of your family who is in need of the income from your estate with the re- mainder upon his death to be given to the Faith.

The above are just some of the pos- sibilities. To provide a bequest of real property for the use of the National Spiritual Assembly describe the be- neficiary in these terms: "The Trustees of the National Bahi'i Administrative Body Elected by the Bahi'is of the United States and Known as the National Spiritual As- sembly of the Bahi'is of the United States, whose headquarters are located in the Vil- lage of Wilmette, Cook County, Illinois". The National Spiritual Assembly would appreciate receiving a copy .for its confi- dential files of all wills in which it is named a direct beneficiary.

Wills once made should be reviewed periodically, particularly if you move to a new state or if the existing will does not allow for changes in family or business circumstances.

If you have any reason to believe that burial might take place before the provi- sions of your will are made known to the executor, you should give your Assembly

a written request for a Bahi'i funeral; or a signed copy of a statement by yourself that you desire a Bahi'i funeral can be carried in your wallet or handbag. The statement should describe the requirements of BahPi burial.

Because making a will is personal mat- ter, any further questions you may have on this subject may be sent directly to the National Spiritual Assembly.

The teaching work "The paramount task is, of course, the

teaching work; at every session your as- sembly should give it close attention, con- sidering everything else of secondary im- portance."

(From letter dated July 28, 1957, writ- ten on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the National Spiritual Assembly of Central America and Mexico)

As we go into the second year of the Five Year Plan, the National Spiritual As- sembly urges all Local Spiritual Assem- blies to heed the advice of our beloved Guardian given above. If at least half of each meeting, preferably the first half while the minds and spirits of the members are fresh, is devoted to making teaching plans we shall have the bounty of fulfilling or even exceeding our goals sent by The Universal House of Justice.

Status of U.S. pioneer goals Africa Arsrgwd Filled Open

(P) Angola* . . . . . . . . . . .2 - 2 (E) (E) Botswana . . . . . . . . . .2 2 0 (E) (E) British Indian (El

OceanTerr.** . . . . . 2 - 2 (F) (F,E) Cameroon Republic .2 1 1 (E) (F) Central African ( P S I

Republic* . . . . . . . . . 3 - 3 (E) (F) Dahomey . . . . . . . . . .2 2 0 (E) (F) Gabon* . . . . . . . . . . . I - 1 (E) (E) Gambia . . :. . . . . . . .2 - 2 (E) (E) Ghana . . . . . . . . . . . .2 2 0 (E) (P) Guinea-Bissau - (El

(Port. Guinea)* . . . . .2 - 2 (F) (F) Ivory Coast* . . . . . . .2 - 2

Assigned Ftlln1 Open

. . . . . . . . . . . Kenya* . 3 2 1 . . . . . . . . . . Lesotho .3 3 0

. . . . . . . . . . . . Liberia .4 3 1 Malagasy Republic . .2 - 2 Malawi. . . . . . . . . . . .2 2 0 Mozambique* . . . . . .2 1 1 Nigeria* . . . . . . . . . . . 3 3 0 Rhodesia . . . . . . . . . .5 4 1 Sierra Leone . . . . . . . 3 2 1 South Africa* . . . . . .2 - 2 St. Helena* . . . . . . . . l - 1 Tanzania . . . . . . . . . .4 1 3 Togo . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 3 0

Assigned Filled Open,

(F) . Zaire . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 2 5

Asia (B,E) Bangladesh* . . . . . . .2 - 2 (E) India . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 5 (J) Japan* . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 I (F) Khmer .Republic

(Cambodia) . . . . . . . .2 - 2 (K,E) Korea . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 1 2 (F) Laos . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 - 2 (F,E) Lebanon . . . . . . . . . . .2 1 1 (C,P) Mac; l

Nat~onal 4

BahA'i Review Assigned Filled Open Assigned Filled Open Assigned Filled Open

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (E) Nepal . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 - 2 (S) Ecuador .7 1 6 (I) Iceland* .2 - 2 -.-

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (E) Philippine Islands . . .2 1 1 (S) El Salvador* .4 - 4 (N) Norway .3 2 1

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (E) SriLanka(Ceylon)*.3 1 2 (F) FrenchAntilles 4. 2 2 (P) Portugal 8 - 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (E) Taiwan . . . . . . . . . . . .2 2 0 (F) French Guiana* . ' .2 2 0 (S) Spain* .2 2 0

(E) Thailand.. ........ .2 2 0 (S) Guatemala . . . . . . . . .5 4 1 (F,G,It) Switzerland . . . . . . .6 2 4 --- (T,A,E)Turkey* . . . . . . . . . . 2 - 2 (E) Guyana . . . . . . . . . . . 4 - 4 37 12 25 (E) Vietnam.. . . . . . . . . . I - 1 (F) Haiti . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 2 2

(S) Honduras . . . . . . . . . .6 (E) Jamaica . . . . . . . . . . .4 (E) LeewardIVirginIs.,

Montserrat, St. Kitts .9 (S) Nicaragua (Granada) .6

. . . . . . . . . . (S) Panama .4 . . . . . . . . . (S) Paraguay .4

(S) Peru (Cuczo, Puiio) .4 . . . . . . . (S) Puerto Rico .4

(S,E) St. Andr6s Island* . . 1 (H,E,D) Surinam . . . . . . . .3 (E) TrinidadITobago . . . .4

. . . . . . . . . . (S) Uruguay .2 . . . . . . . . (S) Venezuela .7

(E) Windward Islands . . .6

*Newly-assigned countries **Circumstances permitting

Australasia (E) Caroline Islands ... .2 2 0 (E) Fiji Islands* ....... .3 1 2 (F) New Caledonia . . . . .1 1 0 (E) North-East

New Guinea* ..... .3 1 2 (E) American Samoa* . . .2 - 2 (E) Western Samoa . . . . .4 2 2 (E) Tonga Islands* .... .2 - 2 ---

17 7 10

Total Assignment. to be Completed by October 1976

AFRICA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66 33 33 ASIA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 10 25 AUSTRALASIA . . . . . . . . .17 7 10

. . . . . . . . . . AMERICAS .150 76 74 EUROPE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 12 25

305 138 167

Americas (S) Argentina . . . . . . . . . .6 6 0 (S,E) Belize* . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 3 0 (S) Bolivia . . . . . . . . . . . l o 3 7 (P) Brazil . . . . . . . . . . . .14 8 6 (S) Chile . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 4 2 (S) Colombia .......... .8 3 5 (S) Costa Rica . . . . . . . . .4 4 0 (S) Dominican Republic . 5 - 5

Language Key G--German Gr--Gree k H-Hindi I-Icelandic It-Italian J-Japanese K-Korean N-Norwegian P-Portuguese S-Spanish T-Turkish

A-Arabic B-Bengali C--Chinese (So. Dialect) Dn-Danish D-Dutch E-English F-French Fn-Finnish

Europe (F) Belgium . . . . . . . . . . .6

. . . . . . . . (Dn) Denmark* .3 (Fn) Finland* . . . . . . . . . . .4

. . . . . . . . . . . (Gr) Greece .3

In memoriam Mrs. Laura Johnson Lackawanna, N.Y. Juky 7, 1975

Ida Anthony Montgomery, Ala. Date unknown

Mrs. Lorene Briegel Dustan Cincinnati, Ohio May 23, 1975

Mrs. Jeanie AM Green Montgomery, Ala. 1973

Mr. Gordon Ellis Detroit, Mich. 1971

Mrs. Jane Ann Herman Schaumburg, Ill. May 30, 1975

Mrs. Lois Irene Knisley Woods Hole, Mass. August 20, 1975

Mrs. Elvira Barajas Kenwood, Calif. July 4, 1975

Miss Ann Bennett Bullhead City, Ariz. Date unknown

Miss Mary Enyedy Elmira, N.Y. May 11, 1975

Mr. Richard Hollins Macon, Ga. Date Unknown

Mrs. Edna Lichtig Queens Village, N.Y. Date Unknown

Mr. Richard Blackman Naples, Florida Date unknown

Mrs. Topsy Eubanks Augusta, Ga. July 16, 1975

Mrs. Margaret Horry Detroit, Mich. April, 1974

Mrs. Mavis Lillywhite Greeley, Colo. 1974

Mrs. Mary Pauline Foster Tuscaloosa, Ala. ," March 3 1, 1975

Miss Sandy Hotchkiss Pennington, N.J. June 21, 1975

Mrs. Mary C. McQueen Canon City, Colo. June 13, 1975

Mr. Charles D. Boleman New Britain, Conn. June 9, 1975

Mr. Thomas Frith Lockport, La. Date unknown

Mr. George A. Hutchinson Guttens Bay, Mich. June 25, 1975

Mr. Maurice Parks Virginia Beach, Va. September 2 1 , 197 1

Mr. Timothy Allen Bradley Bishopville, S.C. 1974

Mr. Willie Albert Dennis Rhodesdale, Md. June 7, 1975

Mr. Arthur M. Gagnon Titumille, Fla. June 5, 1975

Miss Helen James New York, N.Y. Date Unknown

Mr. Bob Poquiz San Diego, Calif. Date Unknown

.. ~~ .... .. . -. . - - August 1975 5

Mr. Harvey Sims - Montgomery, Ala. Date unknown

, ,

Mrs. Mary Emma Sisson San Diego, Calif. June 8. 1975

Mrs. Grace Smith Colorado Springs, Colo July 12, 1975

Mr. Stuard A. Smoller Brooklyn, N.Y. Date Unknown

Mrs. Ziayih Sobhani New York, N.Y. Date unknown

Mr. David St. John Santa Fe, N.M. June 7. 1975

Mr. Raymond Stevens Burbank, I l l . June 3, 1975

Mr. Sylvester Stevenson Norfolk, Va. May 18, 1975

Mr. Albert Talley, Jr. Montgomery, Ala. Date unknown

Mrs. Willie Tallie Montgomery, Ala. Date unknown

Mr. Richard Tolson Milton, Del. July 4, 1975

Mr. Coleman Tucker Euless, Texas Date Unknown

Mr. William R. Tuttle East Bridgewater, Mass. Date unknown

Mrs. Mary Vickers Monticello, Fla. Date unknown

Mr. Albert Edward Walker Chinle, Ariz. 1973

Mr. John Watson Chapel Hill, N.C. Date unknown. ,

Emphasize dignity, reverence at proclamation events As the proclamation of the Faith accel- Experimentation with new forms and new context, or any that through misinterpreta-

erates in our efforts to reach all strata of styles of presentations is encouraged. tion may produce a negative reaction on human society, the National Spiritual As- There are many ways to express the joy the part of the audience, whether BahPi or sembly hopes that all who participate in and promise of the Teachings of non-Bahb'i. Careful attention should also public proclamations in any manner, Bahb'u'llhh, but as The Universal House be paid to the matters of dress, physical whether as an individual or as groups, will of Justice pointed out in its letter: movements, and propriety of the occasion keep clearly in mind t,he insiructions of The Universal House of Justice contained in its letter of July 2, 1967, published in the September 1974 issue of Baha" i News, No. 438.

While not wishing to limit or restrict proclamation to prosaic , or serious methods for conveying the Message of Bahb'u'll6h to the people, it is important that we avoid presentations that may pro- duce negative reactions or wrong interpre- tations of our attitude of respect and rever- ence for the sacred nature of our Faith.

". . . the standards of dignity and rever- ence set by the beloved Guardian should always be upheld, particularly in musi- cal and dramatic items. . . . This does not mean that activities of the youth, for example, should be stultifie'd; one can be exuberant without being irreverent or undermining the dignity of the Cause."

Those responsible for devising artistic, musical, and dramatic presentations, as well as those who participate in them, should be careful not to use material out of

. . .

on which the programs are presented. The same principles of dignity, good

taste, and propriety apply to the design and use of any symbols that are intended to attract attention to the Faith, whether they are for use in the home, at public meetings, for personal ornamentation, or on au- tomobiles. As The Universal House of Jus- tice has stated, "a flamboyant approach which may succeed in drawing much at- tention to the Cause, may ultimately prove to have produced a revulsion which would require great effort to overcome."

Teaching the Faith The Revelation of Bahi'u'llih is the eventually abandon whatever is not Bahb'i Teachings. We must be clear about

spiritual world of light, of truth, ofjustice, confirmed by the Manifestation of God. these matters. Nothing which cannot be and of love. Therein exists no shadow of The world at the time of the renewal of authenticated in the Teachings should be doubt, no ambiguity, no furtive gloom be- religion is full of pseudo-mystical and incorporated as BahPi teaching in public, neath which superstition can flourish and pseudo-scientific practices. These are not fireside or other presentations of the Faith. scatter its evil seeds to the wind. Therein merely fallacious and impotent to do They have no claim to philosophy or sci- exists no love which is not just, and no good-they are harmful in that they foster ence of social value unless they are justice which is not loving. Man's assur- the taste foradulteration and introduceinto confirmed in the Sacred Writings. Com- ance, his security and his life and welfare the Bahb'i community elements making munity consultation will enable us to dis- stand upon the foundation laid in that for disunity, since they enter not by Reve- criminate and protect the precincts of truth heavenly world. lation but by human insistence. from sacrilege.

In these days of strife and confusion, the Consider such practices as spiritualism, . The Local Spiritual Assembly is re- loyalty of every Bahi'i is directed to the palm-reading, numerology, dietary sponsible for upholding the Bahb'i stan- realities found in the Revelation. The vir- fadism, astrology, and the substitution of dard in matters of teaching and practice tue of tolerance is not a license for believ- "direct guidance" for the collective con- claiming to represent the Faith.

y ers to mingle error with truth, but rather sciousness of an authoritative BahPi In- the confidence that the erring soul can stitution and for the authenticity of the

National 6 Bahiii Review

Non-believers at Nineteen Day Feasts Although it is clearly stated over and The Universal House of Justice has

over again that only members of the Bahb'i elaborated upon this matter in a letter to the community may attend Nineteen Day National Spiritual Assembly in which it Feasts, the question is frequently asked calls attention to "the essentially domes- whether persons close to the Faith and tic, administrative nature of the Nineteen non-Bahi'i members of Bahb'i families Day Feast." It states: might not be permitted to attend if they leave the room during the consultation "With regard to the attendance of period. It is sometimes argued that this 'non-Bahi'is at a Nineteen Day Feast, privilege will bring these persons closer to you can explain . . . the essentially the Faith and will dispel any feeling that domestic, administrative nature of the there are "secrets" in the Faith. Nineteen Day Feast. During the period

Bahi'is should realize that the presence of consultation the Bahi'is should' be of non-Bahi'is at any portion of the Feast able to enjoy perfect freedom to express impedes the flow of the spirit that exists their views on the work of the Cause, between Bahi'u'llih and His followers unembarrassed by the feeling that all and between fellow BahL'is throughout the Feast. Furthermore, when visitors are exc- luded during consultation and are waiting

~ ~ - z n t e r the room, the believers, from a sense of courtesy, feel obliged to hurry through the business and cut short the con- sultation so that their guests may not be kept waiting too long. Thus concentration on the essential aspects of the Feast is

w

they are 'saying is being heard by some- one who has not accepted Bahi'u'llhh and who might thereby gain a very dis- torted picture of the Faith. It would also be very embarrassing for any sensitive non-Baha'i to find himself plunged into the midst of a discuksion of the detailed affairs of a Bahi'i community of which he is not a part. The Guardian's secret-

'As regards your question concerning Nineteen Day Feasts . . . as to non-Bah6'is attending, this should by all means be avoided, but if non- believers come to a Nineteen Day Feast, they should not be put out, as this might hurt their feelings.

'That is why, if a non-Baha'i does ap- pear at a Nineteen Day Feast he should be made to feel welcome, but a Bahi'i should certainly not invite a non-Bahb'i to attend.

'A non-Bahi'i, who asks to be invited to a Feast, will usually understand if this matter is ex~la ined to him.' "

If it seems essential to expose non-Bahi'i relatives or close contacts to the spirit that should prevail at the Nine- teen Day Feast, special meetings can be arranged for such purpose, wherein there will be a beautifully arranged period bf devotion followed by sociability, with all members of the community in attendance.

dissipated and soc~ability becomes the ary wrote on his behalf on 21 Sep- dominant factor. tember, 1946:

There is' no 'inactive list' The National Spiritual Assembly fre-

quently receives requests from the believ- ers to be placed on the "inactive list." The Assembly does not categorize BahA'is by "active" and "inactive" listings. If one believes in Bahi'u'llih and accepts His Teachings, he is a Baha'i in good standing' even though he may not be able to partici- pate to the same degree as others in all Baha'i activities. The meaning of belief in Bahi'u'llih is given in the opening parag- raph of the Kitab-i-Aqdas:

To feel that you are "active" in the Faith means to do as many of the following as possible: attend Feasts and Holy Day ob- servances; attend conferences and other meetings, public or otherwise; participate in Bahi'i elections; contribute to the Fund; and be willing to respond to various ap- peals from your Local Assembly.

We are all in a humble state of develop- ment as Bahi'is and all cannot be expected to achieve full participation in the func- tions of the Faith, but in its letter in

Every believer can contribute to the Fund. Not all believers can give public talks, not all are called upon to serve on administrative institutions. But all can pray, fight their own spiritual battles, and contribute to the Fund. If every be- liever will carry out these sacred duties, we shall be astonished at the accession of power which will result to the whole body, and which in its turn will give rise to further growth and the showering of greater blessings on all of us."

Wellspring of Guidance, entitled "Univer- "The first prescribed God for sal Participation," The Universal House of His servants is the recognition of Him Justice states: Who is the Dayspring of His Revelation and the ~oun ta in of His laws . . . It "In addition to teaching, every believer behoveth every one who reacheth this can pray. Every believer can strive to most sublime station . . . to observe make his 'own inner life and private every ordinance of Him Who is the De- character mirror forth in their manifold sire of the world. These twin duties are. aspects the splendor of those eternal inseparable. " principles proclaimed by Bahb'u'llih.'

Work is forbidden on In a letter to the National Spiritual As-

sembly of the United States written on behalf of the beloved Guardian by his sec- retary on July 7, 1947, Bahi'is are in- formed that work is forbidden on nine of our eleven holy days. These are listed in the Bahi'i calendars, which also give the 'dates of the Nineteen Day Feasts. The let- ter states:

lso to stre our Bahi' our nine . .

"He wishes a :ss the fact that, according to ' i laws, work is forbidden on holy days. Be- lievers who have Independent busines- ses or shops should refrain from work- ,ing on these days. Those who are in

nine Holy Days government employ should, on religi- ous grounds, make an effort to be ex- cused from work; all believers, whoever their employers, should do likewise. If the government, or other employers, re- fuse to grant them these days off, they are not required to forfeit their employ- ment, but they should make every effort to have the independent status of their Faith recognized and their right to hold their own religious holy days acknowledged." *

Referring to Bahi'i children, the Guar- dian instructed on October 25, 1947, that "children under 15 should certainly ob-

serve the Bahi'i holy days, and not go to school, if this can be arranged on these nine days." Whenever possible, stcps should be taken to have Bahi'i children excused, on religious grounds, from at- tending school on Bahl'i holy days. It is the responsibility of the Local Spiritual ~ssembl ies and Bahl'i Parents to see to it that their children engage in the obser- vance of these holy days in ways that are meaningful to them educationally and spiritually. *Published in Baha'iNews, No. 198, page 3.

Prayer Prayer is primarily a personal spiritual

obligation and it would seem improper for Bahi'i institutions to develop or legislate

/k specific activities in this area of Bahi'i life. The institutions do have the responsibility of calling the attention of the friends to the Writings which urge daily prayer as a spiritual obligation and to those prayers, such as the obligatory prayers and the Tab- let of Ahmad, that are invested by

Committee reports The Annual Reports of the Committees

of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahi'is of the United States for the year 1974-75 are now available upon request. Any Bahi'i who would like to receive a copy should write to the National Bahi'i Center, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 6009 1.

Mr. William Munson, until recently a - member of the Bahi'i Community of St. Joseph, Missouri, has been deprived of his

I

Bahi'u'lllh with a special potency and significance.

On certain occasions, the institutions make appeals to the friends for prayers in the interest of particular objectives, leav- ing it to them to respond to the extent to which they are moved. And, of course, the friends are free to agree among themselves as to the saying of certain prayers for reasons that are important to them.

But the National Spiritual Assembly is wary of taking any institutional action that may tend toward a system or regimenta- tion in acts of prayer, and feels it would be improper to go beyond the requirements of the Sacred Texts to legislate a nationwide program of specific prayers to be said at specific times under specific circums- tances.

BahB'i administrative rights. The National Spiritual Assembly advises the friends not to accept any collect telephone calls from Mr. Munson or to try to counsel with him. It would also be inadvisable to become involved in any of his business proposi- tions.

Positions available at National Center

Immediate openings have developed at the National Bahi'i Center for those trained as executive secretaries. Required ,

skills include fast, accurate typing; good shorthand; knowledge of filing systems; ability to compose letters and aministrative experience within the Faith. Applicants

m of two

opened : . . . . .. - - . ..

should have a minimu years ex- perience.

A position has also for some- one with either records management back- ground, or library science background. Must have administrative experience within the Faith.

If you qualify, please send your rCsum6 and letter of recommendation from your Local Spiritual Assembly to: Personnel Affairs Assistant, National Bahi'i Center, 1 12 Linden Ave., Wilmette, Ill. 60091.

N ~nal Bahgi Fund Review 8

Dear Bahi'i Friends:

For the fourth consecutive month, the American Bahi'i Community has fallen far short of one of its major goals. This situation is of great concern to the National Spiritual Assembly. Aggressive programs specifically designed to win the goals of the Five Year Plan are being placed in jeopardy for lack of funds.

A program designed to speed the development of Local Spiritual Assemblies is to be launched at the end of August. In keeping with the emphasis placed on Assembly development in the Five Year Plan, $200,000 has been allocated for this project. At the same time a new Local Assembly Manual must be printed and made ready for distribution. Pursuing the property goals of

me rlan, a p~or or lana nas oeen iuenrlneu as a possiole temple site in the Bahamas. If suitable, this land-the highest point on the Island of New Providence-must be purchased quickly. The cost will be in excess of $100,000

The National Spiritual Assembly is working steadily on, confident that the American believers will come to understand the full implications of servitude to the Blessed Beauty and strive daily to increase their constancy in His Cause.

With loving Bah6'i Greetings,

NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF

THE B A H ~ ' ~ s OF THE UNITED STATES

Dorothy W. Nelson, Treasurer Aug. 11, 1975

CONTRIBUTIONS ,A, PARTICIPATION --

1200,000 t - - - -

1975-1976 Monthly Goal

7

- - -

s100.000 - - - - -

150,000 - - - - -

0

5 - 5 8 6 - ?2 - = - 0 5 ,j f F 8551 $ 3 a g i g 0 -

4 2 $ ~ 3 3 4 " 9 3 & 6 8 3 5 2 3 2 2 :

Month of Year Contributions may be addressed to: National BahQi Fund, 112 Linden Kalimit to Date Ave., Wilmette, Illinois 60091; BahB'i International Fund, P.O. BOX 155,

U4f- Irr-nl. mn.4 Prm+;n-n+rl P-hA' : C n m n r l A I R Cnrae+ A u a l A l i l m & a - -.. b-' -.,..a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ' "&,""" .+ . "dr""" Illinois 60091.

Contributions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I 18,257 632,274

Overage (Shortage) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ (34,743) ($132,726)