Sarah [sic] Kenny Haifa Notes
1954
[Unedited online version provided by Robert Stauffer, 1998. Proofread by
Thellie Lovejoy. Any errors from original (including "Sara"
spelled as "Sarah") retained. Comments in straight brackets have
been added.]
These notes are not specifically dated except for the year. But they are
very similar to the Clara
Edge notes of May 1954 , and so it is presumed they were taken at the
same time, perhaps from stenographical notes taken by the Guardian's
secretaries. -R.S.
[page 1]
Sarah Kenny Notes 1954
In America, the power is in the hands of the masses, and they follow what
they see in the press. Much better that there be a three-way election as in
the Faith.
National Civilization will improve as soon as emphasis is placed on
spiritual instead of material values. To bring about a spiritual civilization
there must be [a] period of suffering. There will be great destruction.
Encourage the friends to move to the villages and get out of the big cities.
As well as American cities, London was also mentioned. The Guardian, referring
to the enthusiasm of the friends at Conventions, said that afterwards they
forget and do not carry through. The question was asked what nation was the
most stable and carried thro ugh the best, and the Guardian said, the British.
He said the Latin, Oriental and Turkish
do not carry through.
The Guardian asked L. Richards who was a pilgrim to Turkey, about the Jews
in Turkey. The Guardian said the Jews would have a great sense of reality when
they came into the Cause, and the Catholics would have a great devotion.
It is always most important to teach native people wherever one is. While
Ankara is the capital, Istanbul is where the future Hazira would be. There
were three believers in Ankara who should move to Istanbul; one of them had a
good position but he should give it up. The friends always move where business
is most convenient and their lives at the moment are safe. They should move
where the Faith needs them.
Material civilization is doomed and will be destroyed. Mankind cannot be
cleansed and purified without its going.
The Lesser Peace will be established in the 20th century.
Question: Will it be established by Baha'i youth? He said the youth must
study deeply to bring about the Most Great Peace, but the time of it is a
mystery.
Will the global crusade help establish world civilization? He said, it
would establish the Baha'i Faith but would not have direct influence upon
world civilization.
Question: Would the pioneers be asked to return to America to help with the
reconstruction? He said: "Reconstruct what?"
2nd Night
He reminded them of the statistics of believers in certain counties, making
comparisons with the last year and now (1954)
Growth in Kampala is phenomenal. France (1954) has only 3 or 4 communities
and they are very apathetic. Dr. Giachery said (April News) there were only
two, and only one strong one.
Baha'i Burial: Should bodies be embalmed? They should not be embalmed, but
we must obey the laws, and at many places, particularly in the U.S., embalming
and also placing in some kind of cement vault is obligatory. However, the time
would come when you can go half way across a continent in an hour and then the
believers could be taken where it was not required.
Question: About Baha'u'llah referring to Himself as "this Youth".
The Guardian said He was only 27 years old when He was a Babi, and 35 when He
declared Himself.
He spoke of the many changes in Palestime, once a land of Kings. The Jews
have suffered so long, 2,000 years for 3 years persecution of Christ. The
Moslems persecuted Baha'u'llah for 50 years; they will have far greater
punishment than the Jews endured.
Baha'u'llah came as the Father, Christ as the Son.
Mary and Allen Ellston were there from Africa. The Guardian said to them:
"I have extended your stay another day and shall give you a treasure to
take back to Kampala." The next day he told them it was one of
Baha'u'llah's coats.
The Guardian was very tired but spoke with great emphasis. He was
discouraged with the American believers (he lashed out at them). He said:
"I can urge them but I cannot create the spirit. He was speaking of the
lack of response to go out and pioneer. "It is unhappiness for me and
danger for them. That is the results. "Those who have means should pack
and go. No one has the right to prevent them. The Cause will triumph in spite
of the inaction of a large number of its supporters.
There are 700 believers in one year in Africa. If America does not respond
they will suffer materially and spiritually. The Cause will not suffer but the
believers will. In
[page 2]
50 years only 500 negro believers in America but 700 in Africa. Those who
do not respond will lose everything; those who go will gain everything.
Large cities are the centers of materialism. Tose believers who remain ther
will be caught in a trap. Abdu'l-Baha warned the people in 1912 about the
danger of the race problems, but they did nothing. The situation is very
grave.
The Baha'i believers calculate, - there is not enough detachment, self-
sacrifice and trust in God. While they are calculating they themselves will
evaporate, they [will] go up in smoke, yes they will (evaporate and go up in
smoke were the Guardian's own words).
The American Continent will suffer, particualary North America.
To Mary Ellston: "Did you ever dream of such results in Africa?
The Guardian said, the Cause is stagnating in America. America is a
stagnant pool. Everything is declining, manners, art , music, and even the
money is deprecieating. There is terrible corruption. There are all the signs
of collapse.
The friends should be less intellectual and more spiritual, less
materialistic and more spiritual. There is so much Godlessness and it is
increasing.
Someone said so many people were going to church now in America. He said
they go in fear. An ordeal will shake them.
He said the homefront is and absolute failure. There is too much
organization but no spirit.
The friends read superficially. People say "I have read the Iqan"
like some tourists who say 'I have done Paris, or I have done London! They
have too many preoccupations. They read many magazines which are full of
nothing. They should throw them in the waste paper basket. There is great
danger in them.
To Mary Ellston: "You should be very grateful about Africa. After 50
years there are only 4 tribes represented in the American believers (Indians).
Abdu'l-Baha told the Ameri an believers of the wonderful results if these
people were brought into the Faith.
Africa has a representation of 70 tribes who entered in two years.
Those with independent means should take their passports, pack and go. They
do not have to ask the NSA, they can go anywhere. The must have the urge, the
spirit of consecration. I cannot create the spirit. All I can do is to use the
material that is given me. I am the person who will direct those who arise.
When I receive no response I become unhappy, paralized. I cannot do anything.
This created unhappiness for me and danger for the Baha'I believers.
The Americans feel they must have cars, radios, refrigerators and the
latest TV, and in some mysterious way the Cause will triumph.
The Summer Schools bring in American standards of education instead of
driving y them out. [sic: "y" in original]
America is stagnate and the believers reflect it. They must vitalize it by
getting out.
There were 495 volunteers at the American Conference; 200 left! 3000 should
have left.
The Baha'is must promote the Baha'i standards and drive non-Baha'i standars
out.
'Abdu'l-Baha told certain things whn he was there in 1912, then he gave
them the Divine Plan. He told them that when the Indians of North and South
America accepted the Faith, it would sweep America.
When we teach we must be so dedicated and consecrated that we inculcate in
the new Baha'i believer not only the acceptance of the three central figures
but a knowledge of the will and Testament which is the Charter of the New
World Order and the Administrative Order.
The Guardian reiterated: "Those who stay in the big cities will be
trapped, They will evaporate. They will lose everything materially and
spiritually. He siad they should pioneer or go to the villages.
The American people calculate too much, they say: "If I stay a little
longer I will have just so much more." but they will lose everything.
They must not get just a little way out of the city where they can still enjoy
the city. They must really get out. The destruction will be so great that the
cities will be hopeless. There could be earthquakes and the people of America
and Persia will be the worst sufferers. But out of it all will emerge a new
people.
We cannot point to one word in the Bible which Christ wrote and left for
posterity: but Baha'u'llah left volumes.
[page 3]
Someone asked the Guardian if the Bible Prophecy which said that one third
only of the population would be left were true. He did not answer outright but
siad it was quite possible.
America has big standards of living: "they must be lowered, and many
other countries must have their lifted, such as Israel. Americans must alter
their standard of living. They ride in cars, they have much more leisure to do
non-essential things. They should go to Africa and lead a strenuous life.
What is sacrifice? We must go at any cost
Africa and the islands of the sea will have a great future.
If one country fails another will _ake [make?] up for it.
If the friends do not go and if they delay they will lose everything.
There are 195 centers in Africa, 700 colored, 70 tribes and 30 languages
(1954)
Last Night
The Guardian had in his hand a letter from a young man who wanted to
pioneer. He said the man was very spiritual. He said that if the man had
independent means he should go anywhere he wished and the NSa should assist
him when he arrived at his deestination. He did not need the O.K. of the NSA
or a Committee if he had the means.
Ultimately it is the spirit that counts. This is a spiritual Crisis.
The Baha'e NSA and committees are occupied with details which are dry and
empty. He said; "I can visualize these things. Time is occupied with
trivial matters. They are immersed in material affairs."
In big cities people become preoccupied with things. Large cities have a
very bad effect on morality and spirituality. It has become positively
dangerous to live in cities; even non-Baha'is know this. We must get to a
simpler life. Today it is literally like Rome, Babylon, and Pompii.
'Abdu'l-Baha warned about the racial problem, There have been two wars and
it had not ended.
'Abdu'l-Baha said that in Central Asia there are cities which had been
destroyed leaving no sign of how they were destroyed.
For 50 years the fortunes of men have been declining. There are two
reasons. (1) Mankind did not heed the Master. (2) Materialism.
The last war was only the beginning. The next war may give the non- whites
a chance to contribute their share. Cities are doomed. The white people have
don great harm and they will suffer for it. America will become the storm
center. The situation is very grave. Anything can happen.
America is the most disturbed nation on earth. This is reflected in the
Baha'is of the west and their activities. They are living in a fool's
paradise. Their excesses have raised up enemies. It has induced hatred. Who
would think that the day would come when America would have such fear?
Anything can happen at any time, quickly.
The Tower of Babel was not a building.
A new race of men will appear after the cataclysm. We must have a totally
new mode of life, simpler, with new cities.
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Quotation from Shoghi Effendi, Given by Mr. Samandari at the African
Confernece 1958. Tempestuous winds of tests and trials will assail the Cause
of God, and the friends shall not waver, be fearful of [or?] be doubtful if
such tests shoud come, whether from within or from without the Faith of God.
Let them be sure that at the climax of world convulsion and revolutions,
attacks on the Faith, rebellions, the rebellion of the government and the
people and the tribes of the world, the greatness of the Cause of God shall be
made manifest through ways and means mysterious, unexpected, strange and
sudden, it's victory and conquering value shall reveal itself in full glory,
its unity and firmness of foundations and the Glory of its Name will be
revealed to all the people of the world The Blessed Beauty is the defender of
Justice. He is the protector of the friends and He is the destroyer of the
foundations of injustice and enmity.
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