Insert t o The American Bah6'i published by the National Spiritual As- sembly of the United States for Bah6'is only.

112 Linden Av.. Wilmette. 1% 60091

L

No. 87 BAHA'I YEAR 131 April 1975

International traveling teachers urgently needed Dear Bahi'i Friends,

As we approach the threshold of the second year of the Five Year Plan, it is evident that the need for traveling teachers as indicated in the message launching that Plan is acquiring greater urgency and importance.

During the past year steps have been taken to revise the functions, broaden the base and strengthen the work of the Continental Pioneer Committees and to bring them into much closer collaboration with the Continental Boards of Counsellors. Already, with their assistance an army of pioneers has moved and is moving towards its objectives, and a general readi- ness has been evinced by the friends, particularly the

;r youth, to serve as itinerant teachers. . The strenuous efforts being made to fill the

pioneer goals by the mid-way point of the Plan must now be paralleled by well-considered and deter- mined effons to swell to a mighty river the stream of those friends who will travel to foreign lands to reinforce the efforts of those who are laboring so valiantly to expahd and consolidate the widely scat- tered Bah6'i communities and to proclaim the Mes- sage of Bah6'u'lIih to every stratum of society.

At our request the International Teaching Center has evolved a plan, which we have warmly approved, comprising specific goals of international collabora- tion in the field of traveling teaching. This plan is now being sent to the Continental Boards of Coun- sellors who will, in turn, present it to the National Spiritual Assemblies, whose task it will be to im- plement it. In consultation with Counsellors each National Spiritual Assembly is to work out specific proposals which it should then present to the other National Assemblies with whom it is to collaborate, so that, as soon as possible, actual projects can be worked out and set in motion, thus inaugurating a process which should rapidly gather momentum and be prosecuted with undiminished vigor in the years ahead.

%. The Continental Pioneer Committees should be kept closely informed of all projects so that they may know how best to reinforce the flow with those many

volunteers who will undoubtedly arise outside the framework of the specific projects now to be con- ceived. It is our hope that, as far as possible, travel teaching projects will be self-supporting or can be assisted by the National Funds involved, but where necessary, the International Deputization Fund is available to assist. Whenever assistance from the Deputization Fund is required, the request should be made to the Continental Pioneer Committee, giving details of the project. If the sum required is small the Committee may be able to help immediately, other- wise it will pass the request, together with its re- commendation, to the Universal House of Justice for consideration.

We sincerely hope that in the forefront of the volunteers, the Bah6'i youth will arise for the sake of God and, through their driving force, their ability to endure inhospitable and arduous conditions, and their contentment with the bare necessities of life, they will offer an inspiring example to the peoples and communities they set out to serve, will exert an abiding influence on their personal lives, and will promote with distinction the vital interests of God's Cause at this crucial stage in the fortunes of the Plan.

We shall offer our ardent prayers at the Holy Shrines for the confirmation of the efforts of all those who will heroically respond to this call.

With loving Bahi'i greetings, THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

March 25, 1975

Those who wish to respond to this call can do so: individually; with a partner; as a member of a formal project, such as those being

undertaken this summer in Bolivia, Brazil, or Africa; or as a part of a study program abroad offered by

non-Bah8'i agencies. Save time. Get your passport now. Don't delay! For more information, please contact the International Goals Committee, 1 12 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091 .

Revised pioneer goals for the . United States Assigned Filled Open ( E ) Caroline Islands . . . . . . . . . . . 2 - 2

Africa (E) North-East New Guinea* ... -3 1 2 (E) Botswana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 1 (E) American Samoa* .......... 2 - 2 (F)(E) Cameroon Republic . . . . . . . 2 2 0 (E) Western Samoa . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 - 4 (F) Central African (F) New Caledonia ........... - 1 1 0

. ..... . . . . . . . . . Republic* 3 3 (F) Dahomey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2 0 (F) Togo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 1 (F) Gabon* .................. 1 - 1 (E) Ghana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2 0 (F) Ivory Coast* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 - 2 (E) Kenya* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 - 3 (E) Lesotho . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 3 0 (F) Malagasy Republic . . . . . . . . . 2 - 2 (E) Malawi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2 0

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (E) Nigeria* 3 2 . 1 (E) Rhodesia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 2 3 (E) British Indian

Ocean Ten.** . . . . . . . . . . 2 - 2 (E) South Africa* . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 - 2 (P) Angola* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 - 2 (E) St . Helena* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 - . 1 (P)(S) Mozambique* . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 1 (E) Tanzania . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 1 3 (E) Gambia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 - 2 (P) Guinea-Bissau

(Port . Guinea)* . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 - 2 (E) Liberia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 4 0 (E) Sierra Leone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 1 (F) Zaire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 - 7

7 - 4 0

Assigned Filled Open Asia (B)(E) Bangladesh* . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 - 2 (C)(P) Macau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 - 2 (J) Japan* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -3 2 1 (E) India . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 - 5 (F) Khmer Republic (Cambodia) . 2 - 2 (K)(E) Korea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 1 2 (F) Laos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 - 2 (F)(E) Lebanon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 1 (E) Nepal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 - 2 (E) Philippine Islands . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 1 (E) Sri Lanka (Ceylon)" . . . . . . . . 3 1 2 (E) Taiwan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 1 (E) Thailand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2 0 (T)(A)(E) Turkey* . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 - 2 (E) Vietnam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 - 1

"n726

Assigned Filled Open Australasia (E) Fiji Islands* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 1 2

(E) Tonga Islands* ........... -2 . 2 177

Assigned Americas (S) Argentina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

................. (S)(E) Belize* 3 (S) Bolivia .................. 10 (P) Brazil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 (S) Chile .................... 6

................. (S) Colombia 8 (S)(E) St . And& Island* . . . . . . . 1

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (S) Costa Rica 4 (S) Dominican Republic ........ 5

.................. (S) Ecuador 7 (S) El Salvador* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (S) Guatemala 5 ................... (E) Guyana 4

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . (H)(E)(D) Surinam 3 (F) French Guiana* . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 (F) Haiti . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 (S) Honduras . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 (E) Jamaica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 (F) French Antilles . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 (E) LeewardIVirgin Islands

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

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

(S) Peru (Cuzo & Pufio) . . . . . . . 4 (S) Puerto Rico . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 (E) TrinidadITobago . . . . . . . . . . . 4

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

Filled

2 1 2 6 .

5 .

3 . 1 .

4 2 2 . .

1 2 2

3 2 2 2 1 4 . .

2 (E) Windward Islands . . . . . . . . . . 6 2

m s l -

Open

Assigned Filled Europe

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (F) Belgium 6 1 (Dn) Denmark* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2

.................. (Fn) Finland* 4 - (Gr) Greece ................... 3 2

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (I) Iceland* 2 - (N) Norway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 1 (P) Portugal .................. 8 1 (S) Spain* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2 (F)(G)(It) Switzerland . . : . . . . . . . 6 4

- 3 7 7 -

Open

5 1 4 1 2 2 7 0 2

- Z i E '

April 1975 3

Total Assignments to be Language Key Gr-Gree k Completed by October 1976 H-Hindi

Assigned Filled Open A-Arabic B-Bengali I-Icelandic AFRICA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66 26 40 It-Italian AMERICAS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .I50 51 99 J-Japanese ASIA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 (Southern Dialect) K-Korear. AUSTRALASIA . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 3 14 26 D-Danish

13 24 Dt-Dutch N-Norwegian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . EUROPE .37 P-Portuguese -m . E-English F-French S-Spanish

*Newly-assigned countries Fn-Finnish T-Turkish

**Circumstances permitting G-German

Directory Changes Assembly Secretaries Georgia

Richmond County: Mrs. Ann Grier, Secretary, P.O. Alabama Box 3633, Augusta, 30904 Montgomery: Mrs. Patricia Fox, 522 Placid Drive,

36109 Illinois Arizona Northfield Township: Mrs. Jane Jensen, 302 Linden Verde Valley: change name to Rural Verde Valley Road, Northbrook, 60062

California Kansas Menlo Park: Mrs. Margot M. Boteler, Chairman, Hays: Mr. Stanley M. Somers, P.O. Box 57, 67601

c/o Marki, 1765 Stanford Avenue, 94025 Overland Park: New Assembly - Mr. Robert C. Mountain View: Mrs. Preble Franklin, 1047 Clark, Harpool, 3417 West 98th Street, 66206

94040 Ontario: Mrs. Anita Talleur, P.O. Box 607, 91761 Massachusetts Palm Springs: Mr. Paul F. Polena, P.O. Box 4515, Boston: Mrs. Christina Bell, Box 1207, 02104

92262 Gloucester: Mrs. Laurel Cutler, Winthrop Avenue, Redlands: Mrs. Sheila Hani Cohn, P.O. Box 229, West Gloucester, 01930

92373 Greenfield: Mrs. Beverly Ruhe, P.O. Box 465, Redondo Beach: Mrs. Margie Handley Mazur, 21 8 01301

N. Juanita, Apt. No. 1, 90277 South Hadley: Mr. James M. Theroux, P.O. Box Richmond: Mr. Mehdi Radpour, Chairman, P.O. 241, 01075

Box 665, Sta. A, 94808 Rohnert Park; Miss Sue Greer, P.O. Box 1359, Michigan

94928 Mount Pleasant: Mrs. Carol L. Crain, P.O. Box 524, San Leandro: Mrs. Carol Henrie, 375 Pleasant Way, 48858

94577 Santa Cruz County North: Mr. Adams Brent Bush- Missouri

nell, 5450 Monterey Road, San Jose, 951 11 St. Louis: Mrs. Cheryl B. Thomas, 5150 Cates Av- San Juan Capistrano: Mrs. Isabel Overlin, Secretary, enue, 63 108

P.O. Box 53, 92675 Ventura County J.D.: Mrs. May Ulery, 433 West Montana

Ramona, Ventura, 93001 Missoula: Mr. Charles H. Nolley, Chairman, P.O. Washington, J.D.: Mrs. Doris Bosseman, Secre- Box 2685, 59801

tary, P.O. Box 203, West Sacramento, 95651 North Carolina

Florida Chapel Hill: Miss Margaret Warden, P.O. Box

r Brevard County: Mrs. Carol Ann Darlow, 55 A 1065, 275 14 North Magnolia Street, Shtellite Beach, 32937

Broward County; Mrs. Martha R. Marshall, 341 Nebraska Carolina Avenue, Ft. Lauderdale, 333 12 Crete: Miss Lisa Sue Brown, Box 176, 68333

4 Review -

Lincoln: Miss Marcie Ann Mather, P.O. Box 80601, 6850 1

New Hampshire Peterborough: Miss Karen B. Wines, 85 Grove

Street, No. 2, 03458

New Mexico Carlsbad: no officers Gallup: Mr. James Stone, Treasurer, 504 North 5th

Street, 87301 Roswell: Mr. Robert W. Mitchell, Treasurer, 413

South Sequoia, 88201

Oklahoma Ada: Mr. Ralph W. Lee, Secretary, P.O. Box 952,

74820 Oklahoma City: Mrs. Arabelle Haywood, 4105

North Everest, 73 11 1

Oregon North Bend: Mrs. Jean Marie Burles, P.O. Box 522,

97459

South Carolina Beaufort: Mrs. Nancy Markovich, 1607 Park Street,

29902 Columbia: Mr. Ben Hendricks, P.O. Box 5973,

29250 Greenville: Mr. Charles C. Abercrombie, Sr.,

chairman, P.O. Box 8026, 29604 Orangeburg M.D.: Mrs. Kathy Jean Daniel, P.O.

Box 1545, 29115

Utah Salt Lake County: Mr. Bruce Erikson, Secretary,

P.O. Box 17259, Salt Lake City, 841 17

Virginia Virginia Beach: Mr. James R. Corbitt, 6300 Dickin-

son Way, 23462

Mr. Willie Battles Eureka, California January 22, 1975

Mr. Frank Bloomquist Bellingham, Washington February 3, 1975

Mrs. Mable Stroble Brinson Micanopy, Florida February 22, 1975

Washington Bellevue: Mr. Stephen E. Moses, Jr., Chairman, ,

10422 S.E. 14th Avenue, 98004 Makah Reservation: Mrs. Laurie Carter Lindem,

P.O. Box 306, Neah Bay, 98357

Wisconsin Wausau: Mrs. Charlotte Reynolds, P.O. Box 123,

5440 1

Wyoming Casper: Miss Nancy S. Wilson, P.O. Box 1781,

8260 1

District Teaching Committee Changes

Central States Northern Minnesota: Mr. John R. Skoog, Chairman,

P.O. Box 159, Onamia, 56359

Southern States Southern Alabama: Miss Belle Smith, 3937 Prince-

ton Road, Montgomery, 36 1 1 1 Southern Florida: Mrs. Karen E. Pritchard, 241

N.E. 60th Street, Fort Lauderdale, 33308 Northern Georgia: Mrs. Carole Miller, 2560 Delk

Road, No. 0-3, Marietta, 30060 - .-, Kentucky: Mrs. Sally Herr Bell, 163 Thistlewood,

Apt. 4, Frankfort, 40601 Eastern Tennessee: Mr. Mark E. Block, Chairman,

11 1 South Seminole Drive, Chattanooga, 3741 1 Northern Virginia: Mrs. Dawn Belcher, 2807 North

Quebec Street, Arlington, 22207

Western States Southern Arizona: Ms. Susan Isaacs, 2414 South 5th

Avenue, South Tucson, 856 13 California, North No. 1 : Mrs. Nancy A. Turner, 845

Kegle Drive, Broderick, 95605

In Memoriam Mrs. Ramona Allen Bray Brown La Jolla, California February 23, 1975 Knight of Bahs'u'll6h

Mr. Benjamin H. Browne Seaside, California October 7, 1974

Mrs. Lucia de Montoliu Fresno, California February 19, 1975

Mr. John Felisky Fenton, Michigan January 7, 1975

Mr. August Gerling Aptos, California December 1974

Mrs. Helen L. Hutchison Wilmington, Delaware March 1, 1975

Mrs. Christine Ivanoff Bridgeport, Connecticut December 1974

Mr. Isaac Henry Lee Plum Branch, South Carolina Date unknown

Mr. George Lewis Pamplico, South Carolina ? Date unknown

April 1975 5

Mrs. Minnie Locke Loveland, Colorado

? February 2 1, 1975

Mr. John Love Salisbury, Maryland Date unknown

Mr. James F. Many Hides Browning, Montana February 14, 1975

Mrs. Elia Mason Mason, Tennessee Date unknown

Mrs. Ila McCall Quincy, Florida Date unknown

Mr. John Louttit McKenzie St. Petersburg, Florida February 15, 1975

Mrs. Marion Mills Costa Mesa, California November 1974

Mr. Hank Pete Imlay, Nevada Date unknown

P Mrs. Inez Piper Little Chute, Wisconsin January 1 1, 1975

Mrs. Agnes G. Puza Eagle River, Wisconsin Date unknown

Mr. Roosebelt Robinson Greenville, North Carolina December 1974

Miss Sylvia Schmidt St. Louis, Missouri February 1975

Miss Sonia Shaw Decatur, Illinois December 20, 1974

Mrs. Maude S. Taylor Wilmette, Illinois February 14, 1975

Mr. Joe Taylor Torrans Cottonwood, Arizona January 23, 1975

Mrs. Carol Vaughn Missoula, Montana February 22, 1975

Mr. Oscar White St. Louis, Missouri 1974

non-Bahi7is were set aside for charitable purposes. Certainly giving to the Fund in this manner does not violate any Bahi'i principle.

In an effort to process these gifts more efficiently, we developed two types of acknowledgement cards, one a memorial card and the other a special honor card. In October we announced their availability for those who are attracted to giving to the Fund in this manner. Many of the friends are now using these cards and we hope more will do likewise.

Giving to the Fund or to any worthwhile purpose in honor of an i~dividual is not unlike saying a prayer to help that person through a difficult period. It is a pure and stainless act of service to humanity which establishes a tie between the person being honored and the institution receiving the gift. Such an act can only bring joy and happiness. Surely this must be pleasing to God.

InSome Aiuwered Questions, page 278, we found the following question addressed to 'Abdu'l-Bahi:

Question: Through what means will the spirit of man, that is to say the rational soul. after depart- ing from this mortal world, make progress'?

Answer: The progress of man's spirit in the divine world, after the severance of its connection with the body of dust, is through the bounty and grace of the Lord alone, or through the intercession and the sincere prayers of other human souls, or through the charities and important good works which are performed in its name.

Office of the Treasurer

Cards for special gifts explained We receive a number of letters expressing concern

over the use of memorial or special acknowledge- ment cards in making contributions to the National BahL'i Fund. For this reason, we would like to exp- lain why they were developed and what purpose they serve.

For as long as anyone can remember, the Office of the Treasurer has received contributions from BahL'is and non-BahL'is with an accompanying note stating that the money was being given to the Na- tional Baha'i Fund in memory of or in honor of a friend or relative. The occasions varied from the birth of a child to an anniversary, birthday, gradua- tion, or memorial for a departed friend. We were - often asked to write a note to the individual or to a relative of the deceased. Of course, the amount con- tributed was not included in the note and gifts from

Communities continue to offer suggestions on Fund Beloved Friends:

In response to the December 4, 1974, Treasurer's Letter from the National Spiritual Assembly, our Assembly has devoted a portion of each of its recent meetings to consultation about the state of the Fund. Much of our discussion has centered upon the im- plementation and efficient use of the abundanze of material, information, and guidelines available to us through the Writings and from The House of Justice and the National Spiritual Asszmbly. We found the following conclusions to be very interesting and wanted to convey them to you:

The fundamental point of unity in any BahL'i community is the Sacred Writings of the Faith. The Local Spiritual Assembly serves. in a sense,

6 Review

LO( foll re Sl

nak SUP der *:A.

semblies nt source

under a - - - I & - -

as the focal point for the implementation of the Teachings within a locality. 'Abdu'l-Bahi, in re- ferring to Local Ass , states that "They, indeed, are the potei :s of the progress of man, at all times anc 111 conditions." God Passes By, p. 332 . Local ~ssemblies must clearly understand and define their spiritual respon- sibilities towards the Fund, and in this area, as well as others, present a definite example for the friends to follow.

Our American Community has an abundance of -materials currently available about the Fund, about the importance of sacrifice, and about the necessity of our continued spiritual growth in all matters. When these materials are actively used by

t prompts the community to mple of action, attitude, and :ngthen the Fund.

The principles of the BahCi Fund should be carefully explained to all who have shown a strong interest in becoming a Bahi'i. When these friends

le declared their acceptance of Bahi'u'llih, ,porting the Fund will then be a very natural nonstration of the important spiritual obliga-

L L W ~ with which they are already familiar.

:a1 Assei ow the s ponsibilii

nblies, i ame exa ty to stre

Our Assembly has been attempting to implement these points wherever possible. The results are very positive and our local Fund continues to grow!

Dear Friends, The Spiritual Assembly of the Bahi'is of Vir-

ginia, Minnesota, would like to express our deepest love for the American Bahi'i Community, and share our greatest joy with all our Bahi'i brothers and sisters who have so generously contributed to the National Bahh'i Fund to the extent that we have surpassed our contribution goal for the BahCi month of Mash'il. When the news of this momentous achievement reached our community, the friends were overjoyed. This victory has been a cherished hope of our Local Spiritual Assembly since its for- mation in May.

As a local community, we have consistently met our goals to the National Bahh'i Fund and have achieved more than 77% participation of individuals every BahCi month. We are a community who loves the institution of the Bah6'i Fund. We are also a community that has found a great source of strength and unity because we have been able to meet our goals to the Fund.

,Each Bahi'i month when the treasurer gives his report to the community at the Feast, the friends in our community anxiously await the news that we have again met our goal, and this news is welcomed with applause and a deep sense of accomplishment.

We all feel that together we have met a goal which we knew would be a challenge and require a certain 7 amount of sacrifice on the part of each individual. This has brought each one of us a new sense of trust and faith in each other, knowing that each individual is doing his share to support our community. We have also realized that giving to the Fund is some- thing that every Bahb'i can do, and this can be a source of strength and happiness in our daily lives. For example, when we are at work each day, we are reminded that some of the money that we will earn will be a contribution to the Bahi'i Fund. When we assume this attitude, our work becomes a service to mankind because we are supporting the Bah2iFaith. When we deprive ourselves of a material luxury so that we can contribute the money that would have been spent in this fashion to the Bahb'i Fund, we are much happier knowing that mankind will be better because of this small sacrifice. When we donate money to the Bahi'i Fund in the name of another individual as a gift, we know that this individual will receive a spiritual blessing that may enable him to grow spiritually and assist him in promoting the Cause of God. And when our Spiritual Assembly meets its goal to the National Bahi'i Fund each month, we are lovingly reminded of the smiling faces of our BahCi brothers and sisters all over the world who have sacrificed so much for the Cause of .? God. This gift alone has brought us so much happi- ness and joy that we have no choice but that of meeting our goals, and then surpassing them.

With warmest Bahi'i love, and in the spirit of support of our Bahi'i Fund,

The Spiritual Assembly of the BahCis of Virginia, Minnesota

Dear BahCi Friends: We are happy to share with you the fruits of our

community's discussion about the Fund. First of all, it occurred to us that all the communities who sat down to discuss the Fund have already takenthe first step towards increasing their understanding of this divinely ordained institution of our Faith. Here are other points which we realized during our consulta- tion:

We should try to set our Fund goals a bit higher than could be easily achieved. High goals seem to reap more disciplined efforts and stronger and more united support from the friends. Stretching to attain universal participation and high goals lights the fires of cooperation, dedication, and love.

We must realize that our goals cannot be

April 1975

achieved without a combination of spiritual and practical means. When we set phased, step-by- step goals to achieve our larger aims, our little successes provide continual positive inspiration which increases everyone's participation. The more involved each Bahi'i becomes in any area of the Faith, the more involved he'll become in all areas. Then, not only will our teaching efforts become more dynamic and successful, but the BahL'i Fund will grow and strengthen too.

Our Fund goals and objectives should encour- age sacrificial giving by everyone and all the friends should endeavor to develop a sense of personal obligation in support of the Fund. The goals should be cherished and we should have pride in our successes for they reflect the spiritual bounties which we are so lucky to have.

Dear Friends: The following is an attempt to summarize our

Community's discussion about the Fund at the Feast of Mass il:

Local Communities should include specific' contribution goals for both the Local and the Na- tional BahPi Funds within their long-range objec- tives for the Five Year Plan. Although such goals may not be perfectly accurate throughout this en- tire period, they would provide a sense of propor- tion between local expenses and the necessary support of the National Fund.

Every year, shortly after Ridvh, a seminar should be held for local treasurers to review and elaborate on the important responsibilities of their office. This would enable them to share new ideas, perfect accounting techniques suitable for their particular communities, and explore new ways to educate and inspire the friends as to the spiritual importance and necessity of supporting the Fund.

Bahii'is in the community who, for one reason or another, are not able to attend BahCi functions should be given every opportunity to contribute to the Fund, especially as a means to aid their own spiritual growth.

Participation figures should include all youth and, when it raises overall participation, children too. This will encourage their participation and help to establish an early feeling of responsibility for the health of the Fund. This can also present a challenge to the adults to heighten their level of dedication and support.

Because many BahCis still retain an animosity towards giving material support to a religious pur- pose due to past experiences, special efforts should be made to educate all BahPis as to the

uniqueness of the BahPi Fund. Utilizing the many materials available, such programs should em- phasize that Bahb'fs give to the Fund with an attitude of private sacrifice and spiritual comrnu- nion rather than for a public demonstration for the sake of recognition.

Teachings establish burial requirements

Questions continue to come to the National Spiritual Assembly asking for further clarification on BahPi laws, specifically cremation, embalmment, and turning the body over to medical science for scientific research. The beloved Guardian's letter of March 22, 1957 reprinted in the U.S. SUPPLEMENT, No. 103, September 1966, clearly answers the question about donating one's body to medical science. An earlier letter, written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi by his assistant secretary, April 2, 1955, contains the following statements on these same subjects:

At the present time the Guardian is not stressing these matters, as their establishment might divert attention to the supreme tasks we have before us. However the answers are as follows: Under the BahB'i teachings it seems clear that the body is not to be embalmed. The burial should take place within an hour's travel time from place of death." "There is nothing in the teachings with regard to turning the body over to scientific institutions for scientific research, and therefore the individual may do as he wishes until such time as the Universal House of Justice may legislate on this matter, if they ever do. The practice in the Orient is to bury the person within 24 hours of the time of death, sometimes even sooner, although there is no provision in the teach- ings as to the time limit."

We feel that these two letters from Shoghi Effendi contain all the essential information needed at the present time with regard to the laws of Bahl'u'llhh on the subject of burial.

8 Review

4

National Bahk9i Fund

A challenge to meet the contributions goal To: All Local Spiritual Assemblies and BahB'i Groups

Dear BahCi Friends:

During the next few, fast-fleeting weeks, we will commemorate Ridvhn, that glorious occasion when Bahi'u'llhh revealed His true station to His compan- ions. It is significant that at that unforgettable time, He also disclosed the high rank of those who pa- tiently endure trials in the path of God and stated that the Almighty will always assist those who willingly sacrifice their possessions to promote His Cause.

Even now, more than a century later, sacrifice plays a principal role in the continuing expansion and consolidation of His World Order. The Fund,

' that lifeblood of the progress of our Faith, offers us a

vital opportunity to make sacrifices that count, and thus to demonstrate our devotion to Bah$u'llih.

Meeting our national contributions goal is the immediate challenge facing us all. With only two Bahi'i months until the end of this fiscal year, we are still $549,041 short of our goal. Surely, we can and will rally to this challenge in the same consecrated spirit of those who responded eagerly to the call of the Lord of Hosts 112 years ago in the garden of Ridvhn.

With loving Bahi'i greetings, NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF

THE BAHAYS OF THE UNITED STATES

Dorothy W. Nelson, Treasurer March 31, 1975

Contributions I

Torol Number d Asmbliw Cembutinp

I GOAL BY RIPV~N 1975

Overage (Shortage) $ 13,127 mette. Ill~nols 60091.