Chronology of the Bahá'í Faith in Canada

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Date 1951, ascending — sort newest first

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1951 Apr The "unofficial" prayer for the Guardian was adopted by the Canadian believers and published in the Canadian Bahá'í News.
    0 God! We pray that from now on, Thou, the Beloved
    will bestow upon Shoghi Effendi all the strength and
    vigor that will enable him to pursue over a long unbroken
    period of strenuous labor, the supreme task of achieving,
    in collaboration with the friends in every land, the
    speedy triumph of the Cause of Bahá'u'lláh.
[CBN No19 April 1951 p14]

This was adapted from his letter dated the 14th of November 1923

    I cherish the hope that, from now on, the Beloved may bestow upon me all the strength and vigor that will enable me to pursue over a long and unbroken period of strenuous labor the supreme task of achieving, in collaboration with the friends in every land, the speedy triumph of the Cause of Bahá'u'lláh. This is the prayer I earnestly request all my fellow-brethren and sisters in the Faith to offer on my behalf.
[BA52; BA (PDF p27/108)]

He also had a prayer for the believers:

    "Let us pray to God that in these days of world-encircling gloom, when the dark forces of nature, of hate, rebellion, anarchy and reaction are threatening the very stability of human society, when the most precious fruits of civilization are undergoing severe and unparalleled tests, we may all realize, more profoundly than ever, that though but a mere handful amidst the seething masses of the world, we are in this day the chosen instruments of God's grace, that our mission is most urgent and vital to the fate of humanity, and, fortified by these sentiments, arise to achieve God's holy purpose for mankind."
 Prayer for Shoghi Effendi; Guardians Prayer
1951 21 Jan The Ottawa community observed World Religion Day by securing a 15-minute slot on CFRA Radio where Rowland Estall read a script that had been prepared by Winnifred Harvey on the significance of the event. In the evening he spoke at a public meeting at the Chateau Laurier. [CBN No 18 March 1951 p12] iiiii World Religion Day; Rowland Estall; Winnifred Harvey; Ottawa, ON
1951 Apr The National Archivist, E V Harrison, on behalf of the Canadian National Archives Committee, made an appeal to the friends to donate Tablets from 'Abdu'l-Bahá to the Archives. He also provided this quotation from 'Abdu'l-Bahá:

    Verily, know, that the letter of 'Abdu'l-Bahá is a hidden mystery and concealed fact; no one is informed of its greatness and importance at these times. But in the course of time and future centuries, the signs thereof will be made manifest, the lights thereof will dawn. The fragrance thereof will be diffused and the greatness, the importance thereof will be known. The truth I say unto thee, that each leaflet from 'Abdu'l-Bahá will be a widespread Book; nay, rather a glistening Gem on the Glorious Crown. Know thou Its value and hold great Its station. [CBN No 19 April 1951 p9]
Archives; E V Harrision
1951 27 - 29 Apr Canada's fourth National Convention was held in the Vancouver Hotel. Those elected were; John Robarts (chair), Rowland Estall (vice-chair) Laura Davis (secretary), Emeric Sala (treasurer) Rosemary Sala, Lloyd Gardner, Mae McKenna, Winnifred Harvey, and Siegfried Schopflocher.
  • For a list of delegates (18) see CBN No 18 Mar 1951 p2. For the agenda see CBN No 19 April 1951 p10-11.
  • Amelia Collins attended the Convention and gave the Canadian Bahá'í Community a lock of hair of Bahá'u'lláh as a gift from Shoghi Effendi. In addition, she gave a piece of Burmese alabaster from the Tomb of the Báb, These precious relics were placed in the Maxwell home archives in Montreal. [UC31]
    		• National Spiritual Assembly; National Convention; Relics; Amelia Collins; John Robarts; Rowland Estall; Laura Davis; Emeric Sala; Rosemary Sala; Lloyd Gardner; Mae McKenna; Winnifred Harvey; Siegfried Schopflocher; National Spiritual Assembly, election of; Vancouver, BC; Montreal, QC
    1951 6 Jun Palle B. Bischoff, Canada's Greenland pioneer from Copenhagen, arrived in Egedesminde where he took up his duties as manager of a fishing station. [CBN No 21 August 1951 p2; CBN No 23 November 1951 p5]
      Should in Greenland the fire of the love of God be ignited, all the ices of that continent will be melted and its frigid climate will be changed into a temperate climate-that is, if the hearts will obtain the heat of the love of God, that country and continent will become a divine garden and a lordly orchard, and the souls, like unto the fruitful trees, will obtain the utmost freshness and delicacy. Magnanimity is necessary, heavenly exertion is called for.
    		 Pioneer; Palle Bischoff; Egedesminde, Greenland
    1951 14 Jun All will note with interest the increasing use of plays and playlets as a teaching medium. The Montreal community produced one entitled "Fireside Chatter", written by Harold Hamwee. They report "The Maxwell Home was crowded for the event, and it was an exciting evening, not only for the audience, but for the 9 Montreal Bahá'ís in the cast, some of whom had never been on stage before, and were rather surprised to find out that in the new era one also ACTS. The play takes place in the home of a couple who had pioneered to a new city and are holding a fireside. The discussion is typical of most Bahá'í firesides where Bahá'u'lláh's remedies for a better world are discussed. The most outstanding character was Alix, whose thinking was obviously mixed up, but who bravely wore a bright red shirt in honour of her ideas. Rena Gordon deserves praise for the character study of this pathetic but comic figure. Alex had prejudice against everything except names. ·She had no difficulty with the word Bahá'u'lláh. "My own name is Yosopovitch", she said, "which does not includemy three middle names!" The play had no dramatic action, but it had continuity and held the attention of the audience. It presented the Baha'i Faith. to new contacts in a more vivid manner than any speaker could have done." [CBN No23 November 1951 p6] Plays; Harold Hamwee; Montreal, QC
    1951 (In the year) Ontario's first all-Bahá'í funerals were held for Mrs E J Gill of Toronto and Arthur Lehman of Hamilton. [CBN No 22 October 1951 p4] E J Gill; Arthur Lehman; Toronto, ON; Hamilton, ON first all-Bahá'í funerals in Ontario
    1951 21 Jul - 3 Aug Reginal King and Lowell Johnson were speakers at the Laurentian Summer School. [CBN No19 April 1951 p13] Summer schools; Reginal King; Lowell Johson
    1951 Aug An anonymous believer provided for a one year scholarship at the University of Saskatchewan for a Bahá'í youth willing to serve as a pioneer in Saskatoon for one year. The scholarship was awarded to Suzanne Pawlowska of Winnipeg. [CBN No 21 August 1951 p2] Scholarship; Suzanne Pawlowska; Saskatoon, SK
    1951 Aug For a list of Local Spiritual Assemblies and National Committees see CBN No21 August 1951 p4-5. Local Spiritual Assembly; National Committees
    1951 4 - 11 Aug The Ontario Summer School was held at the Blue Mountain Lodge. The weekly group numbered 37, with many visitors dropping in for a shorter period. Owing to a serious accident to his son, Mr. Curtis Kelsey was unable to be present as originally planned, but Mrs. Margery McCormick, out of her great love for Canada, came directly from Louhellen to give a wonderful course on 'The Seven Valleys". "Administration" was the second major subject, co-ordinated by Lloyd Gardner, with various speakers. An added feature was introduced this year when Nancy Campbell gave three periods on "Platform Technique While Speaking in Public". [CBN No 19 April 1951 p13; CBN No 23 November 1951 p6] Summer schools; Curtis Kelsey; Rex King; Margery McCormick; Lloyd Gardner; Nancy Campbell; Collingwood, ON
    1951 26 Aug - 2 Sep The Prairie Regional Teaching Conference was held at the Holliday House in Banff. They continued to use this venue until 1967 when the summer school were held at what become to be the Sylvan Lake Baha'i Centre. [CBN No19 April 1951 p13] Summer schools; Banff, AB
    1951 27 - 31 Aug More than 30 people attended the Banff Conference which was held at Holliday House Mrs. Helen Bishop, of Portland, presented a masterly course on The Book of Certitude, Mr. Bob Donnelly, of Regina, gave some very enlightening information of pioneering, substantiated by carefully prepared maps and diagrams. The children presented "A Child Shall Lead Them", under the guidance of Lulu Barr, of Regina. The Calgary believers were responsible for the daily devotions, and several plays, written by Alan Fraser of West Vancouver, were produced in an impromptu manner. The public meeting, held on the 31st of August, at which Helen Bishop was the speaker, attracted a number of local residents, one cf whom asked the Bahá'ís to hold a monthly fireside in his home. [CBN No 22 Oct 1951 p4] Teaching Conference; Helen Bishop; Bob Donnelly; Lulu Barr; Alan Fraser; Banff, AB
    1951 1 - 2 Sep John Robarts was the guest speaker at the Laurentian Bahá'í School. He stressed the unique privilege Bahá'ís have today of bringing a Divine Plan to a chaotic world. The three letters'---"of the Guardian, "God-Given Mandate", written in 1946, "Challenging Requirements of the Present Hour (1947) and "Citadel of Baha'u'llah (1948) were discussed. Sixteen people from Montreal, Toronto, London and Kingston were present. [CBN No 23 November 1951 p6] Laurentian Bahá'í School, Quebec; John Robarts; Beaulac, QC
    1951 8 - 9 Sep A two-day Teaching Conference was held in West Vancouver and was attended by representative of all BC communities. The visiting speakers were Helen and Charles Bishop of Portland, and Mark Tobey, of Seattle. The topics were Knowledge and Faith. [CBN No 22 October 1951 p5] Teaching Conference; Helen Bishop; Charles Bishop; Mark Tobey; Vancouver, BC
    1951 Oct For a list of National Committees complete with their mandates see CBN No 22 October 1951 p6-8.

    For a list of functioning local spiritual assemblies see CBN No 22 October 1951 p8.

    		 National Committees; Local Spiritual Assemblies
    1951 Oct An article entitled The Spiritual Significance of the Shrine of the Báb was printed in CBN No 220 October 1951 p1. The following contracts have been made for the completion of the project: $63,000 for the stone work of the octagon, $5,065 for the metal frames for the windows, $130,000 for cement, steel and stone for the remaining portion of the building plus miscellany for total of $203,965. Báb, Shrine of; - Bahá'í World Centre
    1951 22 Oct After two preliminary meetings, the Montreal District Youth Group got away to a good start. Under the direction of John Pollitt, of St. Lambert, this group reviewed Prescription for Living. There were plans to do something by way of social activity during the coming season and every effort was made to interest young people in Bahá'í activity. [CBN No 25 January 1952 p8] Montreal District Youth Group; John Pollitt; Montreal, QC
    1951 24 Dec Shoghi Effendi appointed Sutherland Maxwell among the first contingent of Hands. [MoCxxiii] Sutherland Maxwell; - Hands of the Cause; Haifa, Israel
    1951 26 Dec - 2 Jan Beaulac Winter School. [CBN No 23 November 1951 p 5]
  • A "shower was given for the Beaulac School to which all Bahá'ís in the greater Montreal area were invited. Lamps, sheets, towels, bedspreads, furniture and money were received. [CBN No 25 January 1952 p4]
    		•  Winter schools; Beaulac, QC

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