Part 41

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.