# Haifa Notes

*Exported from [Holy-Writings.com](https://www.holy-writings.com/) on 2026-06-18 — 1 clipping.*

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> Source: Bahá'í Library Online (bahai-library.com), curated by Jonah Winters. Used by permission of the curator. Original citation: Artemus Lamb, Haifa Notes, bahai-library.com.
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> 
> Artemus Lamb pilgrim notes
> 21 October 1953, Haifa
> The Pacific will be a storm centre. When the Bahá’ís settle it, it will really become an ocean of peace.
> Bahá’u’lláh first landed in Haifa, that is why it progressed first. Brother and half-brother were with Him.
> Communism [is] based on [the] denial of God, [and] emphasis on matter. Un-Bahá’í and dangerous.
> America, too, is materialistic, but not atheistic. Bahá’ís condemn both materialism and atheism.
> [The] principle is to scatter and establish more centres, first isolated believers, then groups, as [a] basis for
> NSAs, as they have done in central America.
> Eastern Bahá’ís have a deeper understanding of the Faith but lack organization. Western Bahá’ís have
> organization, drive, etc.
> Speaking of Temple sites, one acre [is] enough, not in city, not too far, not too near. They start with one
> acre, then extend. Bahá’ís own 50 acres in [the] heart of [the] mountain (Carmel) but [it] has been a slow
> process. Hope to own head of [the] mountain now west of the Báb’s Shrine (belongs to Catholics and [the]
> State), for [the] Mashriqu’l-Adhkár place of worship; later on the east of the Shrine will be located [the]
> Administrative Seat (work). Bahá’ís everywhere must establish these two centres (worship and work), and in
> some countries will have Shrines where the Master visited. The friends must have a very clear conception of
> their responsibilities and duties. 1. Derive inspiration from the source of guidance (Mashriqu’l-Adhkár), 2. Go
> to [the] Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds [to] work and inspire others by their services. Prayer and work, meditation and work,
> [a] balance of [the] two.
> Bahá’ís must never identify themselves with communists, neither attack nor criticize them. Do not approach
> communists because they will not accept entirely; avoid them because the authorities will become suspicious.
> The co-operation of the authorities is most important now.
> Do not look for orthodox people, look for [the] liberal element [in] spiritually minded people, liberal
> followers of the religions.
> As our activities extend, do not give authorities the idea that we are a state within a state; we are purely
> spiritual and administrative, not political. Do not mention that we will be the state. It will be a process of
> conversion, not force. When the majority become converted, then the Bahá’í state (commonwealth) will be
> formed. We must avoid all political matters, we are not conscientious objectors. Obedience to government and
> non-interference in politics is the only way to safeguard the integrity and unity of the Faith now that Bahá’ís
> live under different forms of government and conflicting governments. We must try to please both sides, [since
> the] only way to do this is not to meddle in affairs of government. For example, Persia and England are opposed
> in their policies [to] Bahá’ís [and they] live in both, if they interfere in one country, they will create problems
> for the Bahá’ís in the other country. We are above parties and governments, we belong to God’s party (‘Abdu’l-
> Bahá).
> The Faith has developed remarkably in Central America. The friends should be very proud and happy.
> [The Temple] site in Panama: [It] must have a commanding position overlooking the city like the
> Mashriqu’l-Adhkár in Tehran. Later there must be enough land for all of the dependencies. [It is] important not
> to depend upon [the] government. We must be self-sufficient.
> Bahá’ís must search for receptive souls and convert them to the Faith, make them whole-hearted Bahá’ís and
> create in them the desire to teach others, then the Cause will progress.
> Question: Why can some convert and not others?
> 
> This document is from the Emma Maxie Jones Collection, https://bahai-library.com/emma_maxwell_jones_collection ,
> prepared by E. Jones, M. Thomas, and J. Winters (2021-2022).
> Artemus Dwight Lamb (1905–1998) was an American Bahá’í who pioneered to South and Central America, and served
> as a Counsellor in Central America (1963–1980) and the Americas (1980–1985).
> A large site was purchased on a hill to the NE of and overlooking the city. Work on the foundations were commenced.
> The site was confiscated by the government in 1979 and it is now used by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
> Answer: It is a question of consecration to the Faith. This is a continual struggle within ourselves and we
> must reach as nearly as possible to the standard of Bahá’u’lláh. The harder the struggle, the more consecration.
> Without this we cannot quicken others. We must create [a] desire in converts to study the teachings for
> themselves. Gleanings [is] very important, all of it is fit for [the] public.
> The prospects now are very bright. (speaking of the world crusade)
> In the Bahá’í Revelation everything is superlative: [the] Most Great Prison, [the] Most great Peace, [the]
> Most Holy Shrine.
> Note: [The] Guardian constantly refers to his cables, saying “Do you remember when I said this and that?”
> We obviously must study all his cables much more carefully.
> The international language will come gradually, probably the Bahá’ís will not establish it. While the Bahá’ís
> are establishing the New World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, the world will be establishing the world state which will
> need a world language.
> The world state is different from the Bahá’í commonwealth, which will come about during the formative
> period of the Faith. The Bahá’í commonwealth will come about during the Golden Age and will be formed by
> Bahá’í states and will supersede the world state.
> Question: Will the 20 NSAs in Latin America be formed one by one or how?
> Answer: There will probably first be Regional NSAs, two or three in Central American countries contiguous
> to each other, which will later subdivide into individual NSAs. [It] all depends upon how fast the work develops
> and on [the] multiplication of Bahá’í centres, especially local Assemblies. While the Bahá’ís are consolidating
> the home front, they must also extend beyond to other places, this is their responsibility, e.g. in Central America
> to the islands of the Atlantic and Pacific [Oceans] not too far from them.
> The pioneers must persevere and not leave virgin areas until a nucleus has been formed, then they may go to
> another place or return home. They must teach discretely without publicity for it is dangerous in these new
> places. They must imitate Father and Mrs Dunn. They cannot be called conquers if they only stay a few
> months.
> People who suffer become receptive to the Faith.
> When the Bahá’ís build up their institutions, the people will open their eyes and become interested.
> Christ was the Redeemer of His day, but now we need another Redeemer who will save the world through
> His teachings. When the world accepts His teachings, it will be saved. His method is to redeem the world
> through world unity. Personal salvation is not sufficient today—fishers of men and redeemers of mankind.
> [There is] truth in church doctrines about Redemption but they have been elaborated upon. The principle of
> sacrifice operates in every Dispensation: Christ sacrificed His life to save the world; Bahá’u’lláh sacrificed His
> son, the Purest branch; Abraham sacrificed His son; the Báb, himself; etc.
> The Institutions (Hands, etc.) will be grouped around the Resting places at the World Centre. He hopes that
> by Riḍván of next year all the virgin areas will be opened except the 16 behind the Iron Curtain. The World
> Crusade will open people’s eyes. Three are now going behind the Iron Curtain, this is a very meritorious act.
> We should try to convert Russians and send them behind the Iron Curtain. Sixty out of 131 areas settled on 22
> October, [in] 190 countries.
> He has not been specific as to consolidation goals, but he will be if the Bahá’ís quickly accomplish the
> virgin goals, we should do this quickly so as to be able to go on to something else. He does not worry about
> these or the purchase of Temple sites. Only one acre is necessary for [the] Temple site. [The] Temple in
> Germany can be modest, not like that of Wilmette; that in Iran [is] more difficult because of restrictions there
> and [the] larger size of [the] Temple.
> [A] national Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds must be [a] separate building owned by the Bahá’ís, preferably in the centre of
> town. If the Bahá’ís co-operate they can accomplish wonders, all must take part, not just [a] few. It is based
> upon sacrifice—give until it hurts. Tell them this, then leave it to their conscience, fixed quotas are not allowed.
> 
> John and Clara Dunn.
> The more the sacrifice, the greater the bounties.
> The dispersal of the Bahá’ís may be a protection for themselves, although this statement may seem strange
> to the world. Bahá’ís must do what is right regardless of what people think. The principle of dispersal is not
> new. It began with the Báb, was emphasized by Bahá’u’lláh and later by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in His Will and
> Testament and Tablets of the Divine Plan—[this] has a great spiritual effect on themselves, the world, and the
> Faith. They must arise, then persevere. Follow [the] example of the Dunns; not just settle in one spot, even in
> virgin areas, but travel ([e.g.] Martha Root). Functions: 1. Scatter. 2. Build. Bahá’u’lláh said if one is
> constrained where he is, go elsewhere.
> Question: Should I stay in Costa Rica or travel?
> Answer: Bahá’ís must try if it is more successful to travel or settle. Some must travel, others settle. They
> will be guided if their motive is right.
> There are International, National [and] Local Archives, all must be kept and the friends must see to this.
> This time the USA will be a storm centre, Persia, [the] Cradle of the Faith, the World Centre, North Africa,
> British Isles, Western Europe, [and] the Pacific are all gravely and directly exposed. It be more than a war, it
> will be a great upheaval on a global scale, social, political [and] economic. It will have a tremendous
> spiritual reaction, very much like the collapse of the Roman Empire when Christianity was given its greatest
> chance to build on the ruins of the Roman Empire and the same will happen to the Faith. The fire of this ordeal
> will do two things: purge and weld. Bahá’u’lláh says “My calamity is my providence …”, it will weld the
> whole human race into one. This world upheaval, very much like what happened to the USA after the Civil War.
> The world will suffer a civil war on a world scale. There will be all sorts of complications, states versus states,
> classes versus classes, etc. It may be so severe as to affect the physical atmosphere of the earth causing physical
> disturbances. It will be unique.
> In the future, the nine rooms of the Shrine [of the Báb] will be for prayer, there will be separate archives,
> there will not even be buildings near the Shrine. Bahá’u’lláh chose the site for the Shrine of the Báb.
> The time of the world [calamity depends] upon the follies of the politicians; if they continue as they are
> doing it may not be too far away.
> The Bahá’ís in Latin America must be very careful of Orientals, especially Syrians, and particularly in
> Brazil, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, etc. They must not try to bring them into the Faith but rather concentrate on
> the natives, i.e. the Indians and the Spanish, and disregard the Orientals as their motives are not good and they
> are enemies of the Faith. We must try to convert the majority element. Persian Bahá’ís may travel to Latin
> America in the future, now is not the time for them to settle in Latin America.
> Question: Should Bahá’ís in Finland withdraw from the Church?
> Answer: How can Bahá’ís belong to a church which believes that the Promised One has not come? It is not
> fair to the Church. However, it must be done gradually.
> The Bahá’ís everywhere must not have anything to do with the Church in matters of divorce, marriage,
> inheritance, burial, etc. In spiritual matters, obedience to the Faith is more important than to parents. In
> fundamentals, Bahá’ís must obey the Faith and not civil authorities or parents; in non-fundamentals, matters
> purely administrative, organisational, teaching, propagation, meetings, etc., obedience to government. To recant
> is fundamental, to register as Jews or Christians, etc., Bahá’ís will not obey this (e.g. the martyrs); anything that
> is detrimental to the Faith or discredits it, they will not obey; something that will only retard the progress of the
> Faith, they will not obey. To recant is to bring shame to the Faith.
> Esperanto: It is not necessary to study it, but association with Esperantists [is] advisable as a means to an
> end. If necessary, study it to gain goodwill of them as long as it does not take too much time.
> NSA minutes must be brief, short condensations, only the actions. Latins must not copy [the] USA in details
> such as minutes, etc. Diversity in details such as minutes, news, etc. Diversity in details and methods is
> desirable, uniformity in fundamentals, e.g. [the] constitution must be uniform throughout the world. Must not
> copy [the] USA in newsletter, conduct of Feasts, manner of consultation, etc., for these are secondary matters.
> Must encourage national characteristics, diversity in adoration in accordance with their own customs, i.e. can
> kneel, prostrate themselves, stand, etc. This is purely secondary—the important thing is to turn to Bahá’u’lláh in
> their hearts. Only in obligatory prayer do we turn to ‘Akká, also prayer for the dead. In [the] Tablet of
> Visitation, it is better to stand; circumambulation of the Shrines is not obligatory now—the Universal House of
> Justice will reveal laws for this. [There are] no rites for visiting the Shrine of the Báb.
> Holiest spot in Persia is the Shrine [House of the Báb?], next [the] Síyáh Chál [in] Tehran. Prayer beads can
> be used as an aid to counting, [but are] not prescribed. We must be careful not to create new rites and rituals.
> 5×19 = 95, 5 is numerical value of the Báb, 19 is the first unity (18 Letters of the Living + the Báb), 24 elders
> (first 19 + 5 to be revealed in the future (‘Abdu’l-Bahá)), Wáḥid (“Unity”) has [a] value of 19. Astronomers are
> starting to think there are 19 years cycles in regard to the revolutions of the planets.
> Sabbath (Friday) is [the] Bahá’í day of rest, but not yet. We follow the customs of [our] country, for the
> Universal House of Justice [to decide] in [the] future, [what] is essential is to teach and multiply the number of
> centres.
> The day will come when people enter the Faith in troops (mass conversion). This will probably happen as
> [a] result of the world upheaval.
> 
> Bahá’u’lláh, The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh, Arabic, No. 51.
> Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland.
> There are two plans: 1. Major Plan, God’s mysterious [Plan], we do not know how it will work. 2. Our plan,
> [with] definite goals, both aim at the same thing, conversion of the people and triumph of God’s Plan for
> humanity. We are not concerned
> with God’s Plan, but the other is our responsibility, and that which is the Divine Plan originated with ‘Abdu’l-
> Bahá, which He gave to the USA in His Tablets, 1915–1917. The USA are the executors, because it was given to
> them, [and] Canada are the allies because they were included, Central and South America are the associates
> because Bahá’u’lláh addressed the rulers of America in [the] Kitáb-i-Aqdas, almost giving them a commission
> to protect the weak and down-trodden, [to] administer justice, etc. In His Tablets to the other rulers He
> admonished them and rebuked them. The Báb addressed the people of the West, Bahá’u’lláh the rulers of the
> western hemisphere, and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá North America, thus each making the responsibility more specific.
> [The] Divine Plan was held in abeyance while [the] Administrative Order was being built. Now we have the
> instrument to carry out the plan. It was not only necessary to unfold the Administrative Order, but to give time
> for experience, until it could function properly. By 1963 the whole Administrative Order will be established,
> including the International House of Justice. [A] Bahá’í Court [is] the next step, ultimately [the] International
> House of Justice.
> Progress in Latin America has been very rapid, now it is just beginning to fulfil its responsibilities. Until
> 1937 only one believer, Leonora Holsapple, then a remarkable response from 1937 until 1953.
> Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds and endowments in each country—these are inherent tasks whenever a NSA is to be built.
> The important thing is to make a beginning, even [if] modest ([he] has mentioned that a room can be rented,
> other times that we should own our own Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds, others to start buying them. It does not [need to be]
> rigid, probably best step under [the] circumstances should be taken, [or] buy on terms?).
> Islands of [the] Pacific will be grouped in one NSA.
> [He] hopes [the] LSA of Punta Arenas, Chile, will incorporate.
> The NSAs of Latin America will have their branches in Israel to hold property. This [is] important for [the]
> prestige of [the] Faith and to bind spiritually and legally different parts of the Bahá’í world.
> Punishment: If we commit offences, we will receive two-fold punishment in this world and in the world to
> come. Punishment [is] essential for order, reward and punishment, justice breeds confidence. The Manifestation
> upholds the law of justice although He personally is inclined to pardon and give mercy (Bahá’u’lláh).
> ‘Akká is [the] Most Great Prison because [of the presence of] Bahá’u’lláh (His half-brother, etc.), although
> physical suffering [was] worse in [the] Síyáh Chál. [The] Cause always develops through crisis, this is the
> propelling force because the foundation is firm, otherwise the Cause will fall—thus there is a wisdom behind
> the Covenant-Breakers—crisis and triumphs, every crisis will enable the power of Bahá’u’lláh to demonstrate
> itself. The Cause awaits crisis for [the] opportunity to demonstrate its power, this is a continual process that will
> exist as long as there is evil in the world, this is the way God develops His Institutions. There will always be
> opposition, political, ecclesiastical, enemies within, even in the Golden Age. Clergy and priests will still exist
> and oppose. [The] Papacy will disappear but some institutions of the Church [will] remain—opposition now
> starting will spread to the Church of England, Lutherans, [Roman] Catholics, finally to [the] Orient where it will
> be worse, i.e. Hindus, Buddhists, etc. As [the] Papacy opposes consciously it will sow [the] seeds of its own
> downfall. It is a very long process, but [with a] glorious [future]. Evolution of the Institutions will make [the]
> opposition aware and arouse it. We should welcome opposition as providential, [it] is a means of new triumphs
> which in turn will produce new problems and new triumphs. We must not imitate [the] methods of missionaries.
> They will be awakened only by development of Institutions of the Cause, not by individual effort.
> Pioneers must maintain themselves completely independent of both politicians and missionaries without
> asking help of either. In remote places missionaries compromise their principles in order to gain converts,
> anything to be popular. We must not do this, nor align ourselves with politicians as they do. INDEPENDENCE.
> [The] Faith is emerging from obscurity, the more we scatter the more we will arouse opposition, which is
> good for the Faith.
> For the coming two years we must concentrate on virgin areas. There must be a reserve in case the first
> pioneers cannot remain, as we must hold the fort. If the pioneers wish to be real conquerors, they must remain at
> and die at
> 
> Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds, pl. Ḥaẓá’iru’l-Quds (al- not used in Persian script).
> their posts. NSAs must remain in close contact with pioneers, encouraging them and providing them [the] means
> to stay.
> We must not disrupt the family for pioneering; pioneering, attending Nineteen Day Feasts or meetings, etc.,
> are administrative affairs and the family must not be disrupted for them, but if it is a spiritual principle, i.e. to
> recant, then we must leave the family, even suffer martyrdom. We must learn increasingly to distinguish these
> two types of things in dealing with authorities.
> Central and South America are ready to approach directly the authorities. But not to meddle in their affairs
> nor [to] bargain with them as the missionaries do. Bahá’ís prefer to suffer martyrdom [than] to compromise
> their spiritual principles, and we should not be afraid to tell authorities this. In case of possible government
> employment, for a Bahá’í, the NSA should investigate if it is political or purely administrative and not to leave it
> to the individual. Bahá’ís can serve their country but not the politicians. [The] best way to serve one’s country is
> to avoid the corruption of politics. A “just” government is a firmly established one, the recognized government,
> for example a revolutionary government is not a “just” government until it is recognized. Bahá’ís must make
> efforts to secure government administrative posts for: 1. [To] gain gratitude of government, 2. Prove they are
> truly patriots by serving faithfully and honestly. A public position is not necessarily political. Consular
> positions, legations, minister, parliaments, etc., are political. Economic missions may or may not be political.
> Truthfulness is a fundamental Bahá’í principle. How can we accept political posts?
> Bahá’ís should concentrate of the easy parts of the Plan first and get them out of the way, then the hard ones.
> Consolidation, Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds, codification of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, Bahá’í Courts, Mashriqu’l-Adhkár, etc. [are
> the] hard tasks.
> There will be Hands [of the Cause] in all countries—there is no limit to the number of Hands and they will
> have subsidiaries (e.g. the Boards of 9 in 1954). Hands have two functions: 1. Propagation (teaching the Faith),
> 2. Preservation (protection) of [the] Faith. These functions are even more important than [the] Administration.
> NSAs will evolve into governments and their committees into government departments.
> At present NSAs are in charge of teaching, but this will be transferred later to the Hands and for this purpose
> the latter will have their own administration. Boards of 9 are [the] first step.
> Until a majority of the people of a country become Bahá’ís, the Bahá’ís will not accept the reins of
> government, even though they are asked to do so. Reasons: 1. We must uphold the principle of majority vote, 2.
> To avoid the complications with such an act might cause.
> [The] duty of NSAs [is] to hold fort (in regard to the virgin areas), otherwise the Roll of Honour will have to
> be torn up.
> Contact with authorities: We must always protect [the] Name of [the] Cause, explain the purpose of
> incorporation, etc. If they oppose incorporation as a religious body, get it as a commercial body, then religious
> when the government changes.
> Pioneers must take precautions before leaving, get [the] help of officials that can help if possible.
> Louise Caswell: Yes, her resignation from the NSA to devote herself to the Indian work, is justified because
> of the importance of the latter. The native Latin American Bahá’ís must take increasing responsibilities in both
> local and national work; if she resigns, maybe a Latin American can be elected. He is very proud of the Latin
> American Bahá’ís and has great hopes for them. The Cause has developed very rapidly there and very soundly,
> when you have a solid foundation, the Cause progresses. The Bahá’ís should not fear tests and trials there, for
> the foundation is sound because the administrative principles have been followed. They must remember that any
> trial is a blessing in disguise.
> Summer Schools are [a] very important aspect of the Administrative Order. [They] have 3 elements: 1.
> Social, 2. Administrative, 3. Devotional.
> 
> The Synopsis and Codification of the Laws and Ordinances of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas was published in 1973. The Kitáb-i-
> Aqdas (the first authorised translation of the al-Kitábu’l-Aqdas (Arabic) in English) was published in 1992.
> We should form Assemblies, then amplify and specialize activities by appointing committees for: 1.
> Teaching, 2. Literature, 3. Summer Schools, 4. To establish Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds, etc.
> Tell your NSAs to be sure that pioneers in virgin areas stay long enough to establish a firm foundation.
> Bahá’ís must not fear [a] world upheaval. Even if war breaks out and our Plan is interrupted, it will only be
> [a] temporary set-back of our Plan, and the Plan of God goes on and the suffering will probably do much more
> than our Plan to convert the people. God’s Plan is mysterious, impossible to understand. Bahá’ís must work,
> earn their living, consult experts in regard to business, this is not the province of the Guardian, only the Cause is
> his providence. Whatever happens is for [the] good of the Cause, have confidence.
> Ahmad Sohrab and old Covenant-Breakers have lost their power outside the Holy Land. Theosophists are
> not so important. The Covenant-Breakers are those who have disobeyed the Manifestation, who have not
> accepted the Covenant and rejected the Master. They create doubts by very subtle methods.
> The soul has a beginning but no end. Individually a soul starts at conception and continues after death.
> Unborn babies have a soul. The souls become more sensitive and [are] endowed with greater insight in the next
> world. We have [the] opportunity here to prepare ourselves for the next world, if we miss it we will realize it on
> leaving this world.
> In the future NSAs should have separate Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds —for the present NSAs and LSAs can share for
> reasons of economy.
> Assemblies could obtain recognition of Bahá’í marriages. If there are Civil Courts, [use them,] Bahá’ís must
> not use a church.
> The believers must pray for me as I do for them, their prayers sustain me as I hope mine do them.
> 
> Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds, plural Ḥaẓá’ir al-Aqdás.
>
> — *Haifa Notes (Used by permission of the curator)*