immediately. He was Secretary from 1946 until December 1960 when he took
up duties at the World Centre. He was also for a number of years manager
of the Baha'i Publishing Trust. On his passing in September 1973 the
Universal House of Justice called for memorial meetings "ALL COMMUNITIES
BAHA'I WORLD" and referred to his "VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION BAHA'I LITERATURE
THROUGH HIS BOOK 'ALL THINGS MADE NEW'". ("Baha'i World", Vol. XVI, p.
511.)
MRS FLORENCE "MOTHER" GEORGE
Always proud of the designation "Mother" given to her by 'Abdu'l-Baha when
she was one of the early pilgrims to the Holy Land, it was Mother George
who introduced the Faith to Dr. John Esslemont. For very many years she
conducted Sunday afternoon meetings in her Chelsea home in London and she
passed away on 4 November 1950 at the age of 91. ("Baha'i World", Vol.
XII, p. 697.)
MUSA BANANI, Hand of the Cause of God.
Pioneered with his wife Samihih to Uganda in 1951 and was elevated to the
rank of Hand of the Cause in February 1952. The beloved Guardian also
described him as the "spiritual conqueror of Africa". In spite of failing
health he visited most African territories, served for some five years as
the sole Hand of the African Continent, and finally, after many years of
constant suffering, passed away at his pioneering post in Kampala, Uganda,
on 4 September 1971. The Universal House of Justice cabled: "PROFOUNDLY
MOURN PASSING DEARLY LOVED HAND CAUSE MUSA BANANI RECALL WITH DEEP
AFFECTION HIS SELFLESS UNASSUMING PROLONGED SERVICES CRADLE FAITH HIS
EXEMPLARY PIONEERING UGANDA CULMINATING HIS APPOINTMENT AS HAND CAUSE
AFRICA AND PRAISE BELOVED GUARDIAN AS SPIRITUAL CONQUEROR THAT CONTINENT.
INTERMENT HIS REMAINS AFRICAN SOIL UNDER SHADOW MOTHER TEMPLE ENHANCES
SPIRITUAL LUSTRE THAT BLESSED SPOT. FERVENTLY PRAYING SHRINES PROGRESS HIS
NOBLE SOUL. MAY AFRICA NOW ROBBED STAUNCH VENERABLE PROMOTER DEFENDER
FAITH FOLLOW HIS EXAMPLE CHEER HIS HEART ABHA KINGDOM. CONVEY FAMILY MOST
TENDER SYMPATHIES ADVISE HOLD MEMORIAL MEETINGS ALL COMMUNITIES BAHA'I
WORLD BEFITTING GATHERINGS MOTHER TEMPLES". ("Baha'i World", Vol. XV, pp.
421-3.)
'ALI NAKHJAVANI
Left Persia in early 1951, after service for the Faith in youth and
teaching activities and as a member of the National Assembly, to join his
wife, Violette and her parents, Musa and Samihih Banani, in the British
Isles, preparatory to their pioneering to Africa. His teaching activities
in Africa took him to remote African villages, and, later, as assistant to
Mr. Banani when he was appointed Hand of the Cause, to many countries on
the African continent. Elected Chairman of the first Regional National
Assembly of Central and East Africa, then as member of the first elected
International Council and finally as member of the Universal House of
Justice in 1963.
?ASSAN AND ISOBEL SABRI
?assan, a young Egyptian Baha'i studying in England in 1945 met Isobel
Locke, an American pioneer to England, and they both served with
distinction in the Six Year Plan, ?assan on the National Youth and
National Teaching Committees and the Nottingham, Birmingham, Belfast,
Liverpool, Cardiff and Bristol Spiritual Assemblies, and Isobel on the
Assemblies in Edinburgh, Blackpool, Sheffield and Bristol, as well as on
the National Teaching Committee. They married in 1951 and pioneered to
Tanganyika and Uganda, where ?assan was on the first National Spiritual
Assembly of Central and East Africa. Isobel became a Counsellor and ?assan
Secretary of the Continental Pioneer Committee for Africa. They
subsequently pioneered to Kenya where they still serve (1979).
ARTHUR NORTON
Was the Treasurer of the special fund for the Shrine of the Bab when he
received some letters and receipts. He and his wife Marion were founder
members of the Bradford Baha'i community as well as being the first
pioneers to Sheffield during the Six Year Plan. He served on the National
Assembly for seven and a half years during the period 1938-1946, when he
was obliged to retire due to ill-health in December 1946.
ERIC MANTON
Became a Baha'i in Northampton in 1946 where he was a member of the first
Spiritual Assembly. He later pioneered to Edinburgh where he was also on
the first Scottish Assembly and to the virgin territory of Northern
Rhodesia in 1951. He was Chairman of the first National Spiritual Assembly
of South Central Africa in 1964 and of the National Assembly of Zambia for
nine years from its formation in 1967. He has remained at his post and
became a Zambian citizen in 1973.
DR. ABBAS AND SHOMAIS AFNAN,
Abbas Afnan was a student in Paris and came to England as a pioneer to
Africa for the Two Year Plan. _Sh_omais 'Ala'i was the second Persian
Baha'i student to come to Northampton to train as a nurse and arrived in
1948. They married at Summer School, Cottingham, Yorkshire in 1951 and
pioneered soon afterwards--_Sh_omais to Ethiopia and Abbas to Persia. Abbas
joined _Sh_omais in Africa in 1953. They returned to England in 1958 and
opened the town of Burnley where an Assembly was formed in 1961. In 1975
Abbas pioneered to Newfoundland and _Sh_omais joined him in July 1976.
Abbas was a member of the National Assembly from 1964 until his pioneer
move, and _Sh_omais was active in United Nations' affairs. _Sh_omais
toured Persia in 1971 at the request of the Universal House of Justice,
was one of the representatives of the Baha'i International Community at
the International Women's Year Convention in Mexico in 1975 and travelled
extensively in the British Isles in 1978-1979.
EDMUND (TED) CARDELL, Knight of Baha'u'llah
Became a Baha'i in Canada in 1948 and returned to his father's farm in
England some time later. He pioneered to Kenya in October 1951 where he
was a founder member of the first local Assembly in Nairobi. He became
Knight of Baha'u'llah for South West Africa in 1953 and returned to
England in 1963. He was elected to the National Assembly in 1973 and is
still a member (1979).
DR. JOHN GEORGE MITCHELL, Knight of Baha'u'llah
Became a Baha'i in 1950, was member of the National Assembly from 1952 to
1954 from which he pioneered as a Knight of Baha'u'llah for Malta. He had
pioneered for a short while in Blackpool. He passed away on 19 February
1957 at the age of 50. ("Baha'i World", Vol. XIII, p. 901.)
MISS IRENE BENNETT
Became a Baha'i in Kenya in 1953 and has been in pioneering posts since
that time. She has served in Portugal, Switzerland, Scotland, Kenya,
Uganda (where she was an Auxiliary Board Member), Nigeria, and is
presently (1980) in the Central African Republic.
MISS DOROTHY WIGINGTON
Became a Baha'i at Summer School, Exeter in July 1954 and has been a
staunch member of the Oxford Assembly from January 1955.
ERNEST WILLIAM GREGORY
Responded to an experimental postal card advertisement in Sheffield and
accepted the Faith there in March 1951. He was elected to the National
Assembly in 1954 when John Mitchell pioneered to Malta. He served until
1963 when he became an Auxiliary Board Member. He left in April 1974 to
serve at the World Centre and passed away there in April 1978. The
Universal House of Justice cabled: "ANNOUNCE PASSING TO ABHA KINGDOM
MORNING OF FIRST DAY RIDVAN DISTINGUISHED SERVANT BAHA'U'LLAH ERNEST
GREGORY. HIS OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION GROWTH BRITISH BAHA'I COMMUNITY AS
MEMBER MANY YEARS NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY AND LATER MEMBER AUXILIARY
BOARD ENSURE HIM HIGH PLACE THAT COMMUNITY'S ANNALS. HIS STIRLING
QUALITIES ENDEARED HIM TO ALL AT WORLD CENTRE FAITH WHERE HIS LOSS KEENLY
FELT. ADVISE BRITISH COMMUNITY JOIN PRAYERS THANKSGIVING HIS LIFE PROGRESS
HIS SOUL."
DR. ERNEST SPENCER MILLER
Became a Baha'i in September 1951 in Liverpool and at great sacrifice left
his medical practice to pioneer to Cardiff in 1955. For some years prior
to his death in October 1976, he lived partly in Liverpool and partly in
Anglesey, North Wales. The Universal House of Justice cabled: "GRIEVED
LOSS DEVOTED BELIEVER ERNEST MILLER WHO RENDERED DISTINGUISHED SERVICES
BRITISH HOME FRONT ENDEARED HIMSELF FELLOW BELIEVERS. EXTEND SYMPATHY
FRIENDS ASSURE ARDENT PRAYERS SACRED THRESHOLD PROGRESS HIS SOUL ABHA
KINGDOM."
IAN SEMPLE
Heard of the Faith at the first public meeting organised by the Oxford
Spiritual Assembly in 1949 and accepted it shortly afterwards. He was
elected to the National Assembly in January 1955 and was a member until
Ridvan 1961, serving as Secretary from January 1960 to January 1961. In
1956 he pioneered to Edinburgh for two and a half years, and was appointed
to the Auxiliary Board for the Propagation of the Faith in November 1957.
He was elected to the International Baha'i Council at Ridvan 1961, and to
the Universal House of Justice in 1963.
MISS JEAN M. CAMPBELL
Jean Campbell accepted the Faith in Oxford in 1949 in time to be on the
first Spiritual Assembly there. She served as the Assembly secretary for
some years, pioneered to Aberdeen in 1959 and then to Malta in February
1964 where she is still at her pioneer post (1979).
JOHN CHARLES CRAVEN
Was associated closely with E. T. Hall and Rebecca Hall from the earliest
days of the Faith in Manchester, and remained a dedicated worker until his
death, aged 80 in 1958. "Uncle John" kept up a wide correspondence with
many of the early believers, and it was in a letter to him that Dr. T. K.
Cheyne D.D. made his "Declaration" of belief in Baha'u'llah. He received
three Tablets from the Master and was on the National Assembly for six of
the first eight years. His teaching of the Faith was mostly in the
Altrincham area and among his workmates.
ADDENDUM FOR H. M. BALYUZI
His crowning work, "Baha'u'llah--the King of Glory" was still at the
binders when he passed away at his home in London on 12 February 1980. The
Universal House of Justice cabled the Baha'i world, "WITH BROKEN HEARTS
ANNOUNCE PASSING DEARLY LOVED HAND CAUSE ?ASAN BALYUZI. ENTIRE BAHA'I
WORLD ROBBED ONE OF ITS MOST POWERFUL DEFENDERS MOST RESOURCEFUL
HISTORIANS. HIS ILLUSTRIOUS LINEAGE HIS DEVOTED LABOURS DIVINE VINEYARD
HIS OUTSTANDING LITERARY WORKS COMBINED IN IMMORTALISING HIS HONOURED NAME
IN ANNALS BELOVED FAITH. CALL ON FRIENDS EVERYWHERE HOLD MEMORIAL
GATHERINGS. PRAYING SHRINES HIS EXEMPLARY ACHIEVEMENTS STEADFASTNESS
PATIENCE HUMILITY HIS OUTSTANDING SCHOLARLY PURSUITS WILL INSPIRE MANY
DEVOTED WORKERS AMONG RISING GENERATIONS FOLLOW HIS GLORIOUS FOOTSTEPS."
FOOTNOTES
1 Printed also in "Baha'i Administration". (See para. 3, page xvii.)
2 Dr. Esselmont was elected Chairman.
3 The first meeting of the elected "National Spiritual Assembly" took
place in London on 13 October 1923.
4 Also addressed to America and published in "Baha'i Administration".
5 Printed also in "Baha'i Administration".
6 Printed also in "Baha'i Administration".
7 Printed also in "Baha'i Administration".
8 This is the first example of a receipt from the Guardian. A few such
receipts appear in this book as they illustrate his meticulous
attention to detail. They do not, however, represent the total
contributions made by members of the British Baha'i community during
the thirty-five years covered by the book.
9 Printed also in "Baha'i Administration."
10 Printed also in "Baha'i Administration".
11 Martha Root.
12 Printed also in "Baha'i Administration".
13 Martha Root and Mountfort Mills.
14 Printed also in "Baha'i Administration".
15 In a different handwriting from Miss Rosenberg's.
16 Printed also in "Baha'i Administration".
17 Printed also in "Baha'i Administration".
18 As there were two believers with an equal number of votes for the
ninth place it had been decided to have all ten on the National
Assembly!
19 Printed also in "Baha'i Administration".
20 Printed also in "Baha'i Administration".
21 Printed also in "Baha'i Administration".
22 On the occasion of the opening of the new Baha'i Centre on 19
September, at Walmer House, Regent St., London.
23 Addressed to Mrs. Slade.
24 "Promise of All Ages"
25 Published under the title, "The Dispensation of Baha'u'llah".
26 Added as footnote to letter of February 24th.
27 In reply to the Convention's cable stating that two new
Assemblies--Bradford and Torquay--were represented, and the
incorporation documents were completed.
28 The Guardian only used his full name in cables when the censorship
regulations during states of emergency made it obligatory.
29 Lady Blomfield passed away 31 December 1939.
30 This was the first letter received by the British N.S.A. in which
the secretarial part was written by, and signed, "R. Rabbani"
(Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih _Kh_anum).
31 In reply to cable sent to the Guardian 13 May 1941 FU'AD AFNAN FIRST
BAHA'I AIR RAID VICTIM ENGLAND KILLED EARLY SUNDAY MORNING GRATEFUL
IF YOU INFORM MOTHER.
32 This Minute recorded that: "Personal problems should not be referred
to the Guardian without the advice or direction of the National
Spiritual Assembly...."
33 The cabled reply was "First meeting thirteenth October, 1923."
34 Printed also in "Messages to America (1932-1946)".
35 In response to cable from Convention announcing adoption of a six
year plan and requesting the Guardian to set the goals.
36 Miss Jessica Young were the first to arise to pioneer in the British
Isles.
37 Printed also in "Messages to America (1932-1946)".
38 Cable 9 May 1945.
39 In answer to cabled request for guidance about tied vote at
Convention.
40 Although some pioneer settlement had been attempted, at the time
this letter was being written only the first nine pioneers had
actually become established: Ursula Newman (later Samandari) and
Kathleen Brown (later Lady Hornell) in October 1945; Walter Wilkins
and Una Townshend in September 1946; David Hofman, Marion Hofman and
Philip Hainsworth in October 1946.
41 Approving Teaching Conference to be dedicated to the 25th
Anniversary of the Guardianship.
42 At news of move to new National Baha'i Centre
43 Pioneers referred to were Charles Dunning, for whom projects were
completed.
44 Walter Wilkins, Cyril Jenkerson, and Zara Warman had settled in
Norwich, Blackpool, and Brighton, respectively.
45 This was in reply to a cable from the N.S.A. which ended "ASSEMBLY
READY CONTINUE PLAN INTENSIVE TEACHING OTHER COMMUNITIES DESIGNED
RELEASE KNOWN WILLING PIONEERS. INVOLVES DRASTIC REDUCTION
ADMINISTRATIVE WORK FREE CAPABLE TEACHERS. SUSPEND UNTIL CONVENTION
A.D.C., YOUTH, PUBLISHING TRUST, REDUCE SUMMER SCHOOL, TOWNSHEND
COMMITTEES, DELAY NUMERICAL INCREASE VIRGIN TERRITORIES NEW
ASSEMBLIES. READY OPERATE DESPERATE MEASURES IMMEDIATELY RECEIPT
YOUR APPROVAL. BEGS PRAYERS GUIDANCE."
46 Louise Charlot, Constance Langdon-Davies, and Cyril Jenkerson were
pioneering to Oxford.
47 Substitution of Stockport for St. Ives as goal of Plan.
48 Refers to a suggested new procedure for the recognition of Local
Assemblies.
49 In answer to cable of 10 April from N.S.A. "JOYFULLY TRANSMIT
TEACHING COMMITTEE REPORT ARRANGEMENTS MADE COMPLETE PLAN BY RIDVAN
EARNESTLY ENTREAT PRAYERS BAHA'U'LLAH SEAL VICTORY."
50 In answer to cable of 17 April from National Assembly. "TOTAL
VICTORY ASSURED LOVING GRATITUDE BOUNTIES BELOVED GUARDIAN
ASSISTANCE WHOLE BAHA'I WORLD."
51 In answer to cable of 19 April from National Assembly. "JOYOUS
RIDVAN GREETINGS BELOVED GUARDIAN FROM NATIONAL ASSEMBLY AND
TWENTY-FOUR LOCAL ASSEMBLIES BRITISH ISLES."
52 Mary Basil-Hall, "Parvine".
53 Florence "Mother" George.
54 Reply to cable sent on the occasion of the appointment of the
International Baha'i Council.
55 Musa and Samiyyih Banani, 'Ali and Violette Na_kh_javani, and Philip
Hainsworth.
56 On receiving news of the first Declaration of the Africa project, in
Tanganyika (Tanzania).
57 To the Treasurer for this special fund--Arthur Norton.
58 When Ethel Stephens flew to the Gold Coast.
59 Regarding the first Intercontinental Conference.
60 On 18 December 1951 the National Assembly reported to the beloved
Guardian the acceptance of two African believers in Kampala.
61 Reply to National Assembly's enquiry whether Hands of the Cause
could be invited to give talks at the Africa Conference.
62 Death of Marguerite Preston and eldest child killed in air crash
returning to Kenya.
63 Regarding Dr. and Mrs. Abbas Afnan.
64 The National Assembly cabled the Guardian on 14 April 1952: "KAMPALA
DAR-ES-SALAAM NOW NINE ASSEMBLIES ASSURED. BELIEVE MAINTENANCE
ASSURED ALL ASSEMBLIES EXCEPT BLACKPOOL WHERE TWO GAPS REMAIN. BEG
SPECIAL PRAYERS".
65 On news of maintenance of all Assemblies.
66 From Leeds to Norwich at age 84 and died at age 86.
67 On 9 January 1951 the Guardian announced the formation of the first
International Baha'i Council, hailing it as "the greatest event
shedding lustre upon second epoch of Formative Age..." and on 8
March 1952 he enlarged it and named its eight members. Hand of the
Cause Leroy Ioas was appointed Secretary General and as such wrote
frequently to the British National Spiritual Assembly. He wrote more
frequently, however, conveying messages from the Guardian,
requesting information, sharing news, etc., signing his letters
"Assistant Secretary". This was the first letter of this kind. His
letters are now included wherever he indicates that he is writing on
behalf of the Guardian.
68 Reply to Summer School.
69 Reply to greetings of N.S.A. at beginning of Holy Year.
70 On completion of nine African Pamphlets, a goal of the Two Year
Plan.
71 Announcing "Roll of Honour" for "Knights of Baha'u'llah" published
in "Messages to the Baha'i World, 1950-1957", p. 48.
72 Refers to purchase of Haziratu'l-Quds, London.
73 Refers to purchase of Haziratu'l-Quds, London.
74 L600 on this occasion.
75 Refers to purchase of National Haziratu'l-Quds, London.
76 Joint Convention Message to all National Assemblies. Published
"Baha'i Journal" No. 114 and "Messages to the Baha'i World
1950-1957", p. 60.
77 On report that all overseas territories opened and all home
Assemblies assured.
78 On report that all overseas territories opened and all home
Assemblies assured.
79 On signing of contract for Haziratu'l-Quds, London.
80 See letter 5 August 1955 for references to status of Assemblies with
fewer than nine members, use of bequests and Freemasonry.
81 See letter 5 August 1955 for references to status of Assemblies with
fewer than nine members, use of bequests and Freemasonry.
82 This was sent in reply to a cable from a meeting at 27 Rutland Gate,
London, S.W.7, jointly to dedicate the new Haziratu'l-Quds and to
hold Teaching Conference.
83 On report that all Assemblies maintained; Nicosia had eight with
ninth member en route to arrive 7 May.
84 Replied "exactly 100".
85 Refers to Dr. John Mitchell.
86 As convening Chairman, Kampala Convention.
87 ?iya'u'llah As_gh_arzadih.
88 For allocation of delegates to Assemblies lapsing after civic limits
rule imposed.
89 Proposed letter of thanks to a Head of State.
90 The two versions are: "We will all, verily, abide by the Will of
God", and "Verily we are content with the Will of God".
91 Sent in reply to a cable expressing gratitude for the appointment of
two British Hands of the Cause of God.