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3: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52



4: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21



5: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134



6: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92



7: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

CONTENTS

I. Qualities and Characteristics 3

II. Individual Bahá'ís of African Descent 9

I. Origins of Racial Characteristics 21

II. Measurement of Human Intelligence, Capacity and Worth 24

III. The Intellect and Race 28

I. The Fundamental Principle of the Bahá'í Faith 33

II. Eliminating Prejudices: Prerequisite to Unity and Peace 43

III. The Danger of Prejudice and Disunity 50

I. The Purpose and Value of Diversity 61

II. The Principle of Unity in Diversity 67

III. Maintaining Diversity 71

I. The Most Vital and Challenging Issue: Goal and the Responsibilities 75

II. Responsibilities of the Bahá'ís of European Descent 97

III. Responsibilities of the Bahá'ís of African Descent 103

IV. Reliance Upon Divine Power and the Love of God 110

V. The Standard of Faith in the Midst of Tests and Adversities 121

VI. Justice-in Principle and Application 134

I. Offering the Message of Bahá'u'lláh to People of African Ancestry 147

II. The Need for Perseverance, Courage and Wisdom 153

III. African Americans as Teachers of the Faith in America 159

IV. Teaching and Serving in the African American Community 162

V. Conferences and Committees 172

VI. African Americans as Pioneers 179

Notes and Acknowledgments

Bonnie J. Taylor

The Pupil

-Dr. May Khadem Czerniejewski and Dr. Richard Czerniejewski

ONE



PEOPLE OF AFRICAN DESCENT

"Thou art like unto the pupil of the eye

which is dark in colour,

yet it is the fount of light

and the revealer of the contingent world."

-`Abdu'l-Bahá

`Abdu'l-Bahá, inThe Advent of Divine Justice, p. 31

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of `Abdu'l-Bahá, p. 113

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of `Abdu'l-Bahá, p. 114

`Abdu'l-Bahá, from a recently translated Tablet, "The Experience, Spiritual Qualities, Obligations and Destiny of Black People," #1, p. 1, prepared by The Research Department of The Universal House of Justice, 1993

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, Lights of Guidance, p. 403, #1104

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, 3/17/43 to individual believers, Microfilm Collection of the Original Letters of Shoghi Effendi, National Bahá'í Archives, Wilmette, IL

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, in To Move the World, pp. 255-6

Shoghi Effendi to the Uganda Teaching Conference, 5/11/54, included in a compilation, "Extracts from the Writings, and Letters of Shoghi Effendi on the Destiny of Black People," prepared by The Research Department of The Universal House of Justice, 10/8/87

Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, 8/9/54, included in a compilation, "Extracts from the Writings, and Letters of Shoghi Effendi on the Destiny of Black People," prepared by The Research Department of The Universal House of Justice, 10/8/87

Shoghi Effendi to the Four African Conventions, 4/56, included in a compilation, "The Experience, Spiritual Qualities, Obligations and Destiny of Black People," #12, p. 4, prepared by The Research Department of The Universal House of Justice, 1993

Shoghi Effendi to a National Spiritual Assembly, 7/2/56, included in a compilation, "Extracts from the Writings, and Letters of Shoghi Effendi on the Destiny of Black People," prepared by The Research Department of The Universal House of Justice, 10/8/87

Shoghi Effendi to a Hand of the Cause of God, 7/17/54, included in a compilation, "Extracts from the Writings, and Letters of Shoghi Effendi on the Destiny of Black People," prepared by The Research Department of The Universal House of Justice, 10/8/87

Shoghi Effendi to a Hand of the Cause of God, 6/11/56, included in a compilation, "Extracts from the Writings, and Letters of Shoghi Effendi on the Destiny of Black People," prepared by The Research Department of The Universal House of Justice, 10/8/87

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, Unfolding Destiny, p. 334

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, 6/4/53, Unfolding Destiny, p. 301

Cable, The Universal House of Justice, 10/67 to African Conference: Bahá'í News, #441, 12/67, p. 28

"Message from the Hands of the Cause in the Holy Land to the Fifth Intercontinental Conference in Singapore," Bahá'í News, 11/58, No. 333, pp. 3-4

`Abdu'l-Bahá, in To Move the World, p. 314

`Abdu'l-Bahá, The Bahá'í World, 107, 108, 109 and 110 of the Bahá'í Era, April 1950-1954 A.D., V. XII, pp. 667-68

`Abdu'l-Bahá to Mrs. Louise Gregory

`Abdu'l-Bahá to Mr. and Mrs. Louis Gregory, 12/30/18

Shoghi Effendi, to Louis Gregory, 4/4/25

Shoghi Effendi to Louis Gregory in To Move the World, p. 177

Shoghi Effendi to Louis Gregory, 10/20/32

Cable sent by Shoghi Effendi upon the passing of Louis Gregory, 8/6/51 Citadel of Faith, p. 163

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Women, p. 3

`Abdu'l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, pp. 425-27

Shoghi Effendi, God Passes By, p. 259

The Universal House of Justice, Cable, [not dated], in The Bahá'í World, 136-140 of the Bahá'í Era, 1979-1983, Volume XVIII, p. 634

The Universal House of Justice, Cable, 5/15/82, in The Bahá'í World, 136-140 of the Bahá'í Era, 1979-1983, Volume XVIII, p. 669

The Universal House of Justice, Cable, 4/20/78, in The Bahá'í World, 133, 134 and 135 of the Bahá'í Era, 1976-1979, Volume XVII, p. 453

The Universal House of Justice, Cable, 2/28/80, in The Bahá'í World, 136-140 of the Bahá'í Era, 1979-1980, Volume XVIII, p. 717

The Universal House of Justice, Cable, 10/10/91, The American Bahá'í, Volume 21, No. 11, November 1991, p. 1

Two



RACE

"All humanity are the children of God;

they belong to the same family,

to the same original race...."

-`Abdu'l-Bahá

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 45

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 354

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 316

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Promulgation of Universal Peace, pp. 190-91

`Abdu'l-Bahá, `Abdu'l-Bahá in Canada, p. 19

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 124

`Abdu'l-Bahá, The Power of Unity, p. 48, #4

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 45

"There are no whites and blacks before God....

God does not look at colors; He looks at the hearts." -`Abdu'l-Bahá

`Abdu'l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 70

`Abdu'l-Bahá, The Power of Unity, p. 6, #17

`Abdu'l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 44

`Abdu'l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 425

`Abdu'l-Bahá, quoted inThe Advent of Divine Justice, p. 31

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of `Abdu'l-Bahá, p. 113

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 297

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Promulgation of Universal Peace, pp. 427-28

"All the powers and attributes of man

are human and hereditary in origin-

outcomes of nature's processes-

except the intellect, which is supernatural."

`Abdu'l-Bahá

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Promulgation of Universal Peace, pp. 50-51

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, pp. 252-53

`Abdu'l-Bahá, in The Bahá'í Revelation, p. 221

`Abdu'l-Bahá, in The Reality of Man, p. 12

`Abdu'l-Bahá, in The Bahá'í Revelation, pp. 229-30

`Abdu'l-Bahá, in Bahá'í World Faith, pp. 316-317

`Abdu'l-Bahá, in The Reality of Man, p. 46

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 49

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of `Abdu'Bahá, pp.131-132

Three



BAHA'U'LLAH'S PRINCIPLE OF THE UNITY OF MANKIND

"O Children of Men!

Know ye not why We created you

all from the same dust?

That no one should exalt himself

over the other."

-Bahá'u'lláh

Bahá'u'lláh, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 14

Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 215

Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings, p. 255

Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words, Arabic #68

Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings, p. 214

Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings, pp. 315-16

Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings, p. 217

Bahá'u'lláh, Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 167

Bahá'u'lláh, quoted in a letter from The Universal House of Justice to all National Spiritual Assemblies, 3/27/78

Bahá'u'lláh, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 55

The Báb, Selections from the Writings of the Báb, p. 56

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of `Abdu'l-Bahá, p. 277

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Promulgation of Universal Peace, pp. 191-92

`Abdu'l-Bahá, in Huqúqu'lláh, pp. 21-22

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of `Abdu'l-Bahá, p. 278

Shoghi Effendi, Lights of Guidance, p. 92, #274

Shoghi Effendi, quoted by Ruhiyyih Khanum in Bahá'í News, #231, 5/50, p. 6

Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Bahá'u'lláh, pp. 42-3

Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Bahá'u'lláh, pp. 197-98

Shoghi Effendi, The Promised Day Is Come, pp. 123-24

The Universal House of Justice, Wellspring of Guidance, p. 131

"For the accomplishment of unity

between the colored and white

will be an assurance

of the world's peace."

-`Abdu'l-Bahá

Bahá'u'lláh, in Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era, p. 40

Shoghi Effendi, to an individual believer, 3/11/37, in a compilation enclosed under letter of The Universal House of Justice, 8/6/68

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Foundations of World Unity, p. 29

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 232

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of `Abdu'l-Bahá, p. 247

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Star of the West, v. II, #9, p. 5

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Promulgation of Universal Peace, pp. 297-98

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Paris Talks, pp. 36-7

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Promulgation of Universal Peace, pp. 67-8

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Paris Talks, p. 136

`Abdu'l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 57

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Foundations of World Unity, p. 21

Shoghi Effendi, The Promised Day Is Come, p. 118

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, Bahá'í News, no. 105, 2/37, p. 1

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, 11/20/55, in a compilation included in a letter from The Universal House of Justice, 8/8/68

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, 11/11/36, Microfilm Collection of the Original Letters of Shoghi Effendi, National Bahá'í Archives, Wilmette, IL

The Universal House of Justice, The Promise of World Peace, pp. 28-9

The Universal House of Justice, The Promise of World Peace, p. 25

"This question

of the union of the white and the black

is very important,

for if it is not realized,

erelong great difficulties will arise,

and harmful results will follow."

-`Abdu'l-Bahá

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Paris Talks, p. 139

`Abdu'l-Bahá, The Power of Unity, p. 31, #26

`Abdu'l-Bahá, from a recently translated Tablet

`Abdu'l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, pp. 98-9

Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 32

Shoghi Effendi, Lights of Guidance, p. 92, #274

Shoghi Effendi, Bahá'í Administration, pp. 67-8

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, The Power of Unity, p. 43, #51

Shoghi Effendi,The Advent of Divine Justice, p. 33

Shoghi Effendi, The Citadel of Faith, pp. 124-7

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, to an individual believer, 4/27/39

The Universal House of Justice, 5/11/92 in The American Bahá'í, 6/5/92, p. 1

From a letter written by Zia M. Baghdádí, containing the reported words of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Star of the West, v. 12, No. 6, pp. 120-21

Four



UNITY IN DIVERSITY





"This diversity, this difference

is like the naturally created dissimilarity

and variety of the limbs and organs

of the human body,

for each one contributeth to the beauty,

efficiency and perfection

of the whole."

-`Abdu'l-Bahá

`Abdu'l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, pp. 427-8

`Abdu'l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 24

`Abdu'l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, pp. 56-7

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of `Abdu'l-Bahá, p. 292

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of `Abdu'l-Bahá, pp. 290-92

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of `Abdu'l-Bahá, p. 113

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Power of Unity, p. 55, #19

From a previously unpublished Tablet of`Abdu'l-Bahá, 11/24/80

"The diversity in the human family

should be the cause of love and harmony,

as it is in music

where many different notes blend together

in the making of a perfect chord."

-`Abdu'l-Bahá

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Paris Talks, pp. 51-3

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, pp. 345-46

`Abdu'l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, pp. 68-9

`Abdu'l-Bahá, The Power of Unity, pp. 67-8, #28

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, 3/12/49, Bahá'í News, no. 251, p. 2

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, 8/19/52, Microfilm Collection of the Original Letters of Shoghi Effendi, National Bahá'í Archives, Wilmette, IL

The Universal House of Justice, in a letter to Bahá'ís in the United States, 7/25/88

"The Bahá'í Faith

seeks to maintain cultural diversity

while promoting the unity of all peoples.

Indeed, such diversity

will enrich the tapestry of human life

in a peaceful world society."

-The Universal House of Justice

Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Bahá'u'lláh, pp. 41-2

Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 203

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, Dawn of a New Day, pp. 47-48

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, 6/3/33, Archives Collection of the Original Letters of Shoghi Effendi, National Bahá'í Archives, Wilmette, IL

On behalf of The Universal House of Justice, 5/26/82 to the National Spiritual Assembly of Malaysia, Developing Distinctive Bahá'í Communities, 9.25

The Universal House of Justice, in a letter to individual believers in the United States, 7/25/88

Five



APPLYING SOLUTIONS TO RACISM

I. The Most Vital and Challenging Issue: Goal and Responsibilities

"Verily, God has chosen you for His love and knowledge;

God has chosen you for the worthy service

of unifying mankind;

God has chosen you

for the purpose of investigating reality

and promulgating international peace;

God has chosen you

for the progress

and development of humanity,

for spreading and proclaiming true education,

for the expression of love toward your fellow creatures

and the removal of prejudice;

God has chosen you

to blend together human hearts

and give light to the human world."

-`Abdu'l-Bahá

Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 217

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of `Abdu'l-Bahá, pp. 112-13

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablets of`Abdu'l-Bahá, p. 21

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of `Abdu'l-Bahá, p. 277

Shoghi Effendi, quoted in Bahá'í News, #13, 9/26, p. 3

`Abdu'l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, pp. 334-35

`Abdu'l-Bahá, The Power of Unity, p. 55, #17

`Abdu'l-Bahá, The Power of Unity, p. 55, #18

Shoghi Effendi,The Advent of Divine Justice, pp. 18-19

Shoghi Effendi, The Advent of Divine Justice, pp. 28-34

Shoghi Effendi, Bahá'í Administration, pp. 129-31

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, in To Move the World, p. 294

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, Lights of Guidance, pp. 409-10, #1122

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi to individual believers, 3/25/49, Microfilm Collection of the Original Letters of Shoghi Effendi, National Bahá'í Archives, Wilmette, IL

Shoghi Effendi, in a letter to an individual believer, Bahá'í News, #324, 2/58, p. 4

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, 8/30/57, Microfilm Collection of the Original Letters of Shoghi Effendi, National Bahá'í Archives, Wilmette, IL

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, 3/16/34, Microfilm Collection of the Original Letters of Shoghi Effendi, National Bahá'í Archives, Wilmette, IL

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, 11/11/36, Microfilm Collection of the Original Letters of Shoghi Effendi, National Bahá'í Archives, Wilmette, IL

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, to an individual believer, 4/6/32, Microfilm Collection of the Original Letters of Shoghi Effendi, National Bahá'í Archives, Wilmette, IL

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, 3/11/31, to an individual believer, Microfilm Collection of the Original Letters of Shoghi Effendi, National Bahá'í Archives, Wilmette, IL

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi to individual believers, 3/17/43, Microfilm Collection of the Original Letters of Shoghi Effendi, National Bahá'í Archives, Wilmette, IL

Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, 9/11/27, Microfilm Collection of the Original Letters of Shoghi Effendi, National Bahá'í Archives, Wilmette, IL

Shoghi Effendi, Principles of Bahá'í Administration, p. 87

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, in The Individual and Teaching, p. 40

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, 3/29/32, Microfilm Collection of the Original Letters of Shoghi Effendi, National Bahá'í Archives, Wilmette, IL

The Universal House of Justice, Messages from the Universal House of Justice, pp. 99-100

On behalf of The Universal House of Justice, to an individual believer, 4/1/96

"Let the white make a supreme effort

in their resolve to contribute their share

to the solution of this problem,

to abandon once for all

their usually inherent and at times subconscious

sense of superiority, to correct their tendency

towards revealing a patronizing attitude

towards the members of the other race,

to persuade them through their intimate,

spontaneous and informal association with them

of the genuineness of their friendship

and the sincerity of their intentions,

and to master their impatience

of any lack of responsiveness

on the part of a people who have received,

for so long a period,

such grievous and slow-healing wounds."

-Shoghi Effendi

Bahá'u'lláh, in letter from The Universal House of Justice, The Continental Boards of Counsellors, pp. 59-60

`Abdu'l-Bahá, address at Howard University, Promulgation of Universal Peace, pp. 44-46

Shoghi Effendi, The Citadel of Faith, pp. 126-7

Shoghi Effendi,The Advent of Divine Justice, p. 33

Shoghi Effendi,The Advent of Divine Justice, p. 33

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the Bahá'í Inter-Racial Teaching Committee, 5/27/57, Microfilm Collection of the Original Letters of Shoghi Effendi, National Bahá'í Archives, Wilmette, IL

Shoghi Effendi, Bahá'í News Letter, No. 18, 6/27, p. 5

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi to individual believers, 12/20/36, Microfilm Collection of the Original Letters of Shoghi Effendi, National Bahá'í Archives, Wilmette, IL

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, The Power of Unity, p. 77, #55

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi Bahá'í News, No. 188, 10/46, pp. 3-4

Shoghi Effendi,The Advent of Divine Justice, p. 33

Shoghi Effendi,The Advent of Divine Justice, pp. 28-29

Shoghi Effendi,The Advent of Divine Justice, pp. 32-3

Shoghi Effendi,The Advent of Divine Justice, p. 34

"The Guardian feels very strongly

that the Negro Bahá'ís have great responsibilities,

both towards their own race

and towards their fellow-believers.

They must not only arise to teach the Cause

to the members of their own race,

but must do all in their power

to ensure that within their Bahá'í Community itself

the Negro and white believers

understand and love each other

and are truly as one soul

in different bodies."

-Shoghi Effendi

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablet to Louis Gregory, The Power of Unity, pp. 66, #25

`Abdu'l-Bahá, 4/23/12, Howard University, Promulgation of Universal Peace, pp. 44-46

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, 2/9/42, in a compilation, "The Experience, Spiritual Qualities, Obligations and Destiny of Black People," p. 6, #15, prepared by the Research Department of The Universal House of Justice, 1993

Shoghi Effendi,The Advent of Divine Justice, pp. 33-4

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, 11/23/41, Microfilm Collection of the Original Letters of Shoghi Effendi, National Bahá'í Archives, Wilmette, IL

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, 9/6/46, Microfilm Collection of the Original Letters of Shoghi Effendi, National Bahá'í Archives, Wilmette, IL

The Universal House of Justice, in a letter to an individual believer, 9/2/92

"But there is need of a superior power

to overcome human prejudices,

a power which nothing

in the world of mankind can withstand

and which will overshadow the effect

of all other forces at work in human conditions.

That irresistible power

is the love of God."

-`Abdu'l-Bahá

"To bring the white and the black together

is consider impossible and unfeasible,

but the breaths of the Holy Spirit

will bring about this union."



Bahá'u'lláh, The Kitáb-i-Íqán, p. 205

Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 96

Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, pp. 315-16

Bahá'u'lláh, in The World Order of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 106

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 68

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Paris Talks, pp. 36-7

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Paris Talks, p. 30

`Abdu'l-Bahá, in Star of the West, Vol. 8, No. 8, p. 103

`Abdu'l-Bahá, in Star of the West, Vol. 13, No. 5, p. 113

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Promulgation of Universal Peace, pp. 108-9

`Abdu'l-Bahá, The Power of Unity, p. 31, #26

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, The Power of Divine Assistance, pp. 56-7

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 321

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, pp. 345-46

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Paris Talks, p. 122

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Star of the West, v. VIII, #10, p. 121

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Paris Talks, pp. 179-81

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Bahá'í World Faith, p. 218

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablets of the Divine Plan, p. 50

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of `Abdu'l-Bahá, pp. 117-18

Shoghi Effendi, Living the Life-A Compilation, p. 32

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, Living the Life, p. 9

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, Living the Life, p. 25

Shoghi Effendi, Living the Life, p. 21

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of `Abdu'l-Bahá, p. 20

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Selection from the Writings of `Abdu'l-Bahá, p. 292

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Star of the West, Vol. II, #9, p. 5

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, The Importance of Deepening our Knowledge and Understanding of the Faith, p. 53, #165

Shoghi Effendi, The Importance of Deepening, p. 20, #69

Shoghi Effendi, Living the Life, pp. 7-8

Shoghi Effendi, Bahá'í News, #210, 8/48, p. 2

Shoghi Effendi, Citadel of Faith, p. 149

"As ye have faith

so shall your powers and blessings be."

-`Abdu'l-Bahá



"One soul can be the cause

of the spiritual illumination

of a continent."

-Shoghi Effendi

Bahá'u'lláh, inThe Advent of Divine Justice, p. 69

Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 106

The Báb, Selections from the Writings of the Báb, p. 123

`Abdu'l-Bahá, in Star of the West, Vol. X, No. 14, p. 265

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 337

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of `Abdu'l-Bahá, pp. 203-4

`Abdu'l-Bahá, An Early Pilgrimage, p. 40

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, Dawn of a New Day, p. 160

Shoghi Effendi, Bahá'í Administration, pp. 62-3

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, in The Power of Divine Assistance, p. 55

Shoghi Effendi, Citadel of Faith, pp. 130-31

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, Living the Life, p. 20

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, The Ocean of My Words, pp. 47-8

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, The Bahá'í Life, p. 7

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, Living the Life, p. 37

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, Living the Life, p. 29

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, quoted in a letter by The Universal House of Justice, 7/23/74

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, The Bahá'í Life, pp. 18-19

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, in Bahá'í News, 12/50, #238, p. 10

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, Living the Life, pp. 35-6

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, Living the Life, p. 10

The Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, 7/24/73

The Universal House of Justice, in a letter to an individual believer, 8/14/72

The Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, 7/23/71

On behalf of The Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, 1/20/94

On behalf of The Universal House of Justice, to an individual believer, 5/31/92

On behalf of The Universal House of Justice in a letter to an individual believer, 3/5/79

On behalf of The Universal House of Justice, to an individual believer, 3/7/93

"...[J]ustice and impartiality.... means, in brief,

to regard humanity as a single individual,

and one's own self as a member of that corporeal form,

and to know of a certainty that if

pain or injury afflicts any member of that body,

it must inevitably result in suffering for all the rest."

-`Abdu'l-Bahá

The Báb, Selections from the Writings of the Báb, p. 161

Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, pp. 218-19

Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 175

Shoghi Effendi,The Advent of Divine Justice, p. 23

Shoghi Effendi, The Promised Day Is Come, pp. 3-4

Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1963-1986, no.425.8

Bahá'u'lláh, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, pp. 29-30

Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 128

Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words, Arabic #2

Bahá'u'lláh, Prayers and Meditations, p. 298

Bahá'u'lláh, The Kitáb-i-Aqdas, p. 45

`Abdu'l-Bahá, The Secret of Divine Civilization, p. 39

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 174

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Foundations of World Unity, p. 42

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Paris Talks, pp. 153 54

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Bahá'í World Faith, pp. 240-41

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Paris Talks, pp. 159-60

Shoghi Effendi,The Advent of Divine Justice, pp. 28-29

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, Arohanui: Letters to New Zealand, pp. 32-33

Shoghi Effendi,The Advent of Divine Justice, pp. 29-30

The Universal House of Justice, Lights of Guidance, p. 15, #49

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, Bahá'í News, no. 108, 6/37, pp. 1-2

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, A Special Measure of Love, p. 20

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, The Power of Unity, p. 80, #61

Shoghi Effendi, Lights of Guidance, p. 511, #1390

The Universal House of Justice, Messages from the Universal House of Justice, pp. 49-50

Six



AFRICAN AMERICANS AND TEACHING THE FAITH OF BAHA'U'LLAH

"The Guardian will pray

that you will be confirmed in your efforts

to teach more Negroes.

They have been subject so long

to the prejudices of the majority peoples,

that he hopes they will find

their goal in the Cause of God."

-Shoghi Effendi

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, 11/19/37, Microfilm Collection of the Original Letters of Shoghi Effendi, National Bahá'í Archives, Wilmette, IL

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, 1/26/37, contained in a compilation of The Universal House of Justice dated 2/4/85 addressed to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi to a local Spiritual Assembly, 1/16/45, Microfilm Collection of the Original Letters of Shoghi Effendi, National Bahá'í Archives, Wilmette, IL

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, letter dated 11/11/51 to Louhelen Bahá'í School Senior Youth Session, U.S.A., in Bahá'í Youth, p. 18

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, The Bahá'í Life, p. 11

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, Bahá'í News, no. 188, 10/46, pp. 3-4

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, 10/16/42, Microfilm Collection of the Original Letters of Shoghi Effendi, National Bahá'í Archives, Wilmette, IL

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, The Power of Unity, p. 107, #39

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, The Power of Unity, p. 78, #57

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, 12/20/55, Microfilm Collection of the Original Letters of Shoghi Effendi, National Bahá'í Archives, Wilmette, IL

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, 9/19/57, Microfilm Collection of the Original Letters of Shoghi Effendi, National Bahá'í Archives, Wilmette, IL

Shoghi Effendi,The Advent of Divine Justice, p. 45

The Universal House of Justice, Messages from the Universal House of Justice, pp. 73-4

"The friends must remember

that the cardinal principle of their Faith

is the Oneness of Mankind.

This places an obligation on them

far surpassing the obligation

which Christian charity and brotherly love

places upon the Christians.

They should demonstrate this spirit of oneness

constantly and courageously...."

-Shoghi Effendi

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, 12/18/30, The Power of Unity, pp. 106-07, #37

Shoghi Effendi, Bahá'í News, no. 58, 1/32, p. 1

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, Bahá'í News, #103, 10/36, p. 1

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, 1/26/37, contained in a compilation of The Universal House of Justice sent to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States under cover letter dated 2/4/85

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, 5/14/39, The Power of Unity, pp. 84-5, #70

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, 10/19/41, Microfilm Collection of the Original Letters of Shoghi Effendi, National Bahá'í Archives, Wilmette, IL

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, 7/5/42 The Power of Unity, pp. 82-3, #66

From a letter of Shoghi Effendi, printed in Bahá'í News, No. 157, 11/42, p. 1

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, 7/30/46, Microfilm Collection of the Original Letters of Shoghi Effendi, National Bahá'í Archives, Wilmette, IL

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, 5/27/57 in To Move the World, p. 294

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, 6/4/57, The Power of Unity, pp. 108-9, #42

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, Bahá'í News, no. 321, 11/57, insert

"...their contribution to the Cause

is much needed, especially

as there is a lack of Negro Bahá'í teachers

who can go out to their own people

along with their white brothers and sisters,

and convince them of the

active universality of our Faith."

-Shoghi Effendi

Bahá'u'lláh, Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 156

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, Lights of Guidance, p. 402, #1103

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, Lights of Guidance, p. 403, #1104

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, Lights of Guidance, p. 411, #1125

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, 10/20/32, Microfilm Collection of the Original Letters of Shoghi Effendi, National Bahá'í Archives, Wilmette, IL

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, 11/23/41, National Bahá'í Archives, Wilmette, IL

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, 4/27/39, Microfilm Collection of the Original Letters of Shoghi Effendi, National Bahá'í Archives, Wilmette, IL

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, 7/20/39, in To Move the World, pp. 255-56

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, The Power of Unity, p. 107, #39

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi to a Bahá'í Group, 11/20/44, Microfilm Collection of the Original Letters of Shoghi Effendi, National Bahá'í Archives, Wilmette, IL

"Fundamental changes in social attitude

will be most readily achieved

if the relevant spiritual and moral principles

are courageously set forth

and if men and women of good will

can see others attempting successfully

to give these ideals practical expression

in individual and community life."

-The Universal House of Justice

`Abdu'l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 336

Shoghi Effendi, Lights of Guidance, p. 303, #816

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, in The Power of Unity, p. 105, #33

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, in The Power of Unity, p. 108, #41

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, 1/15/32, Microfilm Collection of the Original Letters of Shoghi Effendi, National Bahá'í Archives, Wilmette, IL

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, 3/22/37, Bahá'í News, no. 108, 6/37, pp.1-2

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, 1/20/41, Microfilm Collection of the Original Letters of Shoghi Effendi, National Bahá'í Archives, Wilmette, IL

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, 7/7/49, Microfilm Collection of the Original Letters of Shoghi Effendi, National Bahá'í Archives, Wilmette, IL

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, 3/12/49, Microfilm Collection of the Original Letters of Shoghi Effendi, National Bahá'í Archives, Wilmette, IL

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, to the Africa Committee, 9/7/51, Africa Committee Collection, National Bahá'í Archives, Wilmette, IL

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the friends present at the Louhelen School, 9/28/51, Microfilm Collection of the Original Letters of Shoghi Effendi, National Bahá'í Archives, Wilmette, IL

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the Bahá'í Inter-Racial Teaching Committee, 5/27/57, Microfilm Collection of the Original Letters of Shoghi Effendi, National Bahá'í Archives, Wilmette, IL

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, 7/28/36, Bahá'í News, #103, 10/36, p. 1

Shoghi Effendi,The Advent of Divine Justice, pp. 42-3

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, 11/23/41, Microfilm Collection of the Original Letters of Shoghi Effendi, National Bahá'í Archives, Wilmette, IL

Shoghi Effendi, Bahá'í Administration, pp. 125-26

Shoghi Effendi, quoted in letter dated 7/7/76 from the Universal House of Justice, in Political Non-Involvement and Obedience to Government, p. 29

The Universal House of Justice in a letter to all National Spiritual Assemblies, 8/5/85

On behalf of The Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, 8/26/91

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, 6/3/33, Microfilm Collection of the Original Letters of Shoghi Effendi, National Bahá'í Archives, Wilmette, IL

The Universal House of Justice,Apartheid: A Bahá'í View, under cover letter 10/12/86 to all National Spiritual Assemblies

The Universal House of Justice, in a letter to an individual believer, 5/23/90

"It is especially gratifying

to see the results of the Amity Conferences

for a better spirit of fellow-ship and brotherliness...."

-Shoghi Effendi



"The beloved Guardian feels that sufficient attention is not being paid

to the matter of contacting minorities

in the United States...

He feels your Assembly

should appoint a special committee

to survey the possibilities

of this kind of work,..."

-Shoghi Effendi





Bahá'í News, No. 16, 3/27, p. 5

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, 11/11/36, Microfilm Collection of the Original Letters of Shoghi Effendi, National Bahá'í Archives, Wilmette, IL

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, 12/15/26, Microfilm Collection of the Original Letters of Shoghi Effendi, National Bahá'í Archives, Wilmette, IL

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, Bahá'í News, #188, 10/46, pp. 3-4

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, 5/23/27, Microfilm Collection of the Original Letters of Shoghi Effendi, National Bahá'í Archives, Wilmette, IL

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, 10/24/33, to an individual believer, Bahá'í News, No. 80, 1/34, p. 7

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the Interracial Teaching Committee, in To Move the World, p. 294

Shoghi Effendi,The Advent of Divine Justice, p. 30

The Priceless Pearl, p. 368

To Move the World, p. 179

To Move the World, pp. 292-3

The Universal House of Justice, in a letter to an individual, 1/10/95

The Universal House of Justice, Messages from The Universal House of Justice, p. 100

On behalf of The Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States, 1/14/87

"It has been a great step forward

in the Cause's development in America

to have Negro pioneers go forth,

and their work has been of the greatest help

and very productive of results."

-Shoghi Effendi

Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, CLVII, p. 334

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablets of the Divine Plan, p. 39

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablets of the Divine Plan, p. 34

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablets of the Divine Plan, p. 38

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablets of the Divine Plan, p. 73

Shoghi Effendi, Citadel of Faith, p. 87

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, Bahá'í News, #252, 2/52, p. 1

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, Lights of Guidance, p. 402, #1103

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, Unfolding Destiny, p. 330

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, Bahá'í News, 9/51, #247, p. 1

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, Unfolding Destiny, p. 329

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the Africa Committee, 9/7/51, Africa Committee Collection, National Bahá'í Archives, Wilmette, IL

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi to individual believers, 1/30/52, Microfilm Collection of the Original Letters of Shoghi Effendi, National Bahá'í Archives, Wilmette, IL

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, 12/14/55, in a compilation, "The Experience, Spiritual Qualities, Obligations and Destiny of Black People," #25, p. 8, prepared by The Research Department of The Universal House of Justice, 1993

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, The Power of Unity, p. 105, #33

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, 7/8/42, Microfilm Collection of the Original Letters of Shoghi Effendi, National Baha' Archives, Wilmette, IL

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the British Africa Committee, Unfolding Destiny, p. 330

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, Unfolding Destiny, p. 459

The Universal House of Justice, Messages from The Universal House of Justice, 1968-1973, pp. 62-3

On behalf of The Universal House of Justice to individual believers, 2/14/94

The Universal House of Justice, To the Followers of Bahá'u'lláh in North America: Alaska, Canada, Greenland and the United States, Ridván 153

Seven



DESTINY

Were man to appreciate the greatness of his station

and the loftiness of his destiny

he would manifest naught save goodly character, pure deeds,

and a seemly and praiseworthy conduct...

This servant appealeth to every diligent and enterprising soul

to exert his utmost endeavour

and arise to rehabilitate the conditions in all regions

and to quicken the dead with the living waters of wisdom and utterance,

by virtue of the love he cherisheth for God,

the One, the Peerless, the Almighty, the Beneficent.

Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 172

`Abdu'l-Bahá, The Power of Unity, p. 69, #31

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, 5/15/53, in a compilation, "The Experience, Spiritual Qualities, Obligations and Destiny of Black People," prepared by The Research Department of The Universal House of Justice, 1993

Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, 8/9/54, included in a compilation, "Extracts from the Writings, and Letters of Shoghi Effendi on the Destiny of Black People," prepared by The Research Department of The Universal House of Justice, 10/8/87

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, The Power of Unity, pp. 77-8, #56

To Move the World, p. 292

On behalf of The Universal House of Justice, to an individual believer, 4/1/96

The Advent of Divine Justice, p. 72

Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 47

Shoghi Effendi, The Promised Day Is Come, p. 124

Shoghi Effendi, The Promised Day Is Come, pp. 121-22

`Abdu'l-Bahá, in The World Order of Bahá'u'lláh, pp. 204-5

`Abdu'l-Bahá, in The World Order of Bahá'u'lláh, pp. 38-9

Shoghi Effendi, The Promised Day Is Come, pp. 122-23

Shoghi Effendi, The Promised Day Is Come, pp. 2-3

Shoghi Effendi, The Promised Day Is Come, p. 120

Shoghi Effendi, The Promised Day Is Come, pp. 128-29

BIBLIOGRAPHY

[B.Z. - See also the pre-publication Bibliography included below]

Pre-Publication Items

`Abdu'l-Bahá, 5/11/12, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, pp. 112-113

BIBLIOGRAPHY