Ruth J. Moffett: 1880-1978

Ruth J. Moffett:

1880-1978

[author name unknown] published in Bahá'í WorldVol. 17 (1976-1979), pp. 463-465

Haifa: Bahá’í World Centre, 1981

Ruth Moffett was an indomitable spirit whose valiant efforts on behalf of the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh extended over a period in excess of half a century. When this noted Bahá’í lecturer, teacher and writer passed away, the entire Bahá’í world lost one of those shining examples of courage and sacrifice that lights the way for others. On learning of her passing, the Universal House of Justice in a cablegram dated 6 July 1978 addressed to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States, lauded her services in these words:

DEEPLY GRIEVED NEWS PASSING DEVOTED MAIDSERVANT BAHAULLAH RUTH MOFFETT. HER INDIVIDUAL TEACHING EFFORTS SPANNING HALF CENTURY UNFORGETTABLE OFFERING ARDENT PRAYERS HOLY SHRINES PROGRESS HER SOUL ABHA KINGDOM.

Born Ruth J. Ellis on 19 January 1880 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, she grew up in a traditional Baptist home. On 8 June 1910 she married Robert Lee Moffett and had two children by him, both of whom died in their childhood years.

In 1912 she began an ardent search for ‘Abdu’l-Bahá Whom she saw briefly from a train platform in Chicago. She recalled that moment: ‘He looked up at me, smiled and raised His hand.’ Finally, having attended one of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s lectures, Ruth became an active Bahá’í in 1919 and began her unceasing and concentrated efforts toward promoting the Message of Bahá’u’lláh.

She was a special delegate to the League of Nations in Geneva and was sent by Washington University of St. Louis, Missouri as an accredited observer to the birth of the United Nations in San Francisco. She also attended and reported on nine World Congresses in Europe.

Mrs. Moffett attended Oberlin College and the Universities of Chicago, Wisconsin and Northwestern, in the United States, and Universitě de Geneve, in Switzerland. With her husband, she conducted a Training School and Educational Forum in Chicago for fifteen years; she also taught at George Williams College, Chicago, for seven years.

Ruth was a champion teacher for the Cause of God. Her early teaching efforts, preceding and during the first Seven Year Plan (1937-1944), were instrumental in helping establish the Bahá’í Faith in the United States. She travelled extensively, lecturing in universities, colleges and high schools and speaking on radio and television. Her activities took her through Europe, the Near East, Asia, Egypt and Canada as well as the United States. She maintained, until his death, a frequent correspondence with the Guardian, reporting on her activities, seeking guidance, asking questions the answers to which would aid her in her teaching. The following excerpts are gleaned from letters she received from Shoghi Effendi penned in his own hand:

‘…I am deeply gratified to learn of the constant and exemplary services you are rendering to the Cause of God. You are surely a pillar of His Faith in that land, and your magnificent pioneer service will live and adorn the annals of God’s immortal Cause. Persevere in your efforts, and rest assured that my prayers will continue to be offered in your behalf at the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh.’ (20 November 1931)

‘The magnificent and unforgettable services you have recently rendered the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh will enrich and ennoble the annals of our immortal Faith. They have greatly inspired, cheered, and heartened me in my strenuous labours. Persevere in your noble task and rest assured that my fervent prayers will continue to be offered in your behalf at the sacred Threshold. Yours is a unique and priceless opportunity. I am confident you will seize and utilize it for the glory and triumph of our sacred Faith.’ (15 March 1932)

I wish to assure you in person of my deep and abiding sense of appreciation of the historic services you are rendering the Cause of God in these days of unprecedented suffering and turmoil. The part you have played, and the share you are still contributing for the promotion of the Faith, future generations will extol and remember with gratitude and pride . . .’ (11 May 1933)

At the suggestion of the Guardian, Ruth kept a record of her activities and eventually compiled them into a rather extensive collection. More recently, her teaching work took her to the deep South of the United States where she participated in the first efforts to reach the masses. Ruth also served on various national committees and was often seen guiding at the House of Worship in Wilmette.

Ruth’s dedication and loving personality attracted others, particularly the youth, with whom she had a special rapport. She often told them, I am just a youth myself.’ Despite failing health, Ruth remained a potent example to others until she passed away in her ninety- eighth year. Until her last days she continued to teach, holding classes for friends and seekers, serving the Cause which she loved so dearly.

She adopted and used the name ‘Rúháníyyih’ (or Rawháníyyih) which was given her by the Greatest Holy Leaf. The name connotes spirituality, joy and beauty; and certainly Ruth had a spiritual beauty which enriched the lives of many and progressed the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh. The loss of this gallant soldier will be felt most by the community she served so steadfastly, as is acknowledged by the cable sent by the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States when it learned of her passing on 5 July 1978:

MOURN LOSS DEARLY LOVED RUHANIYYIH RUTH MOFFETT CHAMPION TEACHER CAUSE BAHAULLAH ONE MOST OUTSTANDING MEMBERS AMERICAN BAHAI COMMUNITY STOP RANGE AND VARIETY HER SERVICES IN TEACHING FIELD HERE AND ABROAD FOR OVER HALF CENTURY BEYOND RECKONING BOUND TO EXERT DEEP INFLUENCE ON PROGRESS COMMUNITY FOR GENERATIONS TO COME STOP ESPECIALLY RECALL HER INDEFATIGABLE EFFORTS WHICH SWEPT LIKE FLAME OF FIRE FROM PLACE TO PLACE IN AS YET DARK DAYS OF FAITHS OBSCURITY DURING SECOND QUARTER THIS CENTURY STOP HER SPIRIT MUST DOUBTLESS BE REJOICING AT STEADY WORLDWIDE EMERGENCE CAUSE FOR WHICH SHE GAVE FULL STRENGTH HER UNBOUNDED ENERGIES STOP FERVENTLY PRAYING PROGRESS HER SOUL THROUGHOUT DIVINE WORLDS.

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