Coverage of the Bahá'ís and the Bahá'í Faith in ''The Advocate'' of Portland, Oregon, (1925-1933)

Coverage of the Bahá'ís and the Bahá'í Faith in The Advocate of Portland, Oregon, (1925-1933) provides a window into eight years of the Portland Bahá'í community and mentions Bahá'ís or the religion over 200 times. The Advocate was an African American newspaper that Beatrice Cannady, as she was known at the time, was first Associate Editor and eventually the main Editor of. Cannady's achievements went far beyond The Advocate, but editions of the newspaper from May 5, 1925, to December 2, 1933, covered here were donated to the University of Oregon Libraries to be part of "Historic Oregon Newspapers" as part of the Oregon Digital Newspaper Program. However, publications must date back to at least 1912.

The community was active in, and the newspaper covered, a number of positive race relation endeavors and community activities. Despite not focusing on Cannady in this collection, because she was not recognized as a Bahá'í until later years, she remains mentioned over 100 times in Bahá'í related events while the Latimer family are mentioned about half again more. A number of other people are mentioned fairly often exchanging visits with Seattle Bahá'ís, most notably Ida Finch, and all of this despite the troubles and limitations because of the Great Depression. Among the coverage occurred a few reporting regular communications with Shoghi Effendi by a columnist, and mini-series of articles were submitted by Martha Root, Louis Gregory, and Shoghi Effendi's "The Goal of a New World Order" was turned into one, while a columnist writing under the pseudonym Kits Reid was 'outed' and criticized as a Bahá'í by a visiting minister, while perhaps most poignant was Cannady's own eulogy of Howard MacNutt whom she believed could have been murdered.

Beatrice Cannady

At the time mostly known as Cannady, Beatrice Hulon, (Morrow) (Cannady) (Franklin) Taylor, filled out a Historical Record Survey from 1936 in which she outlined a few facts of her life: born Jan 9, 1889, in Littig, Texas, married Jun 27, 1912 and Jul 18, 1931 with sons George (~1914) and Ivan(~1916) Cannady, had been a Methodist Episcopalian when she accepted the Bahá'í Faith in 1914 as an isolated Bahá'í before joining the Portland community in 1915. She had married Edward Daniel Cannady in 1912, (and thus often referred to as Mrs. E. D. Cannady or even Mrs. E. D. C.) They were divorced in 1930. In 1931 she married Jerome Franklin, and they were divorced in 1936. She then married Reuben Taylor sometime after 1938, and apparently he was her last husband. A biography of Cannady has been written and obviously a bit of coverage - however the researcher has seemed to minimize her engagement with the Faith saying she had become interested in the Bahá'í Faith because of the Latimer family, James and Harriet, parents of George Latimer, while a regular attender of First AME Zion Church and dates her official acceptance of the Bahá'í Faith to 1928, apparently the earliest available membership rollcall of Portland. The book never cites the Bahá’í Historical Record Survey - perhaps she was never aware of it.

Along the way there were a few milestones in practice of how Bahá'ís affiliated and organized themselves. In the earliest decades of the religion in the country from the 1890s the US the membership had rapid fluctuations that suffered from ill defined community experiences of what membership even meant. It had started with writing individual letters of declaration to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá but that became less common after 1900. Confusions on membership continued in the 1910s though larger communities became more stable and organized philanthropic activities largely emulating Christian church activities of the period. There were attempts to formalize community standards during WWI while communications with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá were cut off and organizations of the religion in the country made judgements through a committee which was then confirmed at the national convention of 1918. However at that point individuals could still be formal members of churches and sometimes this was even encouraged in some larger communities like New York and Boston. Gradually from the early 1920s, with the leadership of Shoghi Effendi, membership was further delineated and institutions more specifically defined both in methods of election and in jurisdiction. On the one hand it defined local assemblies as nine people elected by people who had formally declared their affiliation and distinct from membership in churches and that the boundaries of jurisdiction were the civil boundaries of the city or town, with jurisdiction at the regional and national level beyond that of local assemblies assigned more clearly to the national organs which were more firm by 1940. In the 1930s Shoghi Effendi also increased the standardization of avoiding political party affiliations which were progressively applied. Since the 1900s and on beyond the 1940s minorities grew in the community - African Americans grew from single digit percentages to the teens, over-represented compared to the states Bahá'ís were present in at the time and rose to higher percentages across the decades, and were integrated into communities successively with an increasing national normative process that may have had an increased sense of hierarchical loyalty instead of community bonds.

Cannady's biography notes some further Bahá'í connections or connections not framed as a Bahá'í connection:

• Cannady hosted a summer 1924 reception at which George Latimer spoke of the oneness of humanity among many speakers.
• A 1926 trip to California by Cannady to speak at the National Bahá'í Convention is mentioned but not dwelled on. The biographer quotes her: "Cannady said she had never 'witnessed such complete harmony and love existing between individuals' and hoped to 'have the pleasure of attending such a convention again.' Seven months later, she was 'utterly surprised' to learn that she had been asked 'to teach in the cause'(sic). She called it 'a rare opportunity to serve humanity' but recognized that she needed 'to seek sufficient understanding and knowledge of the Word of God' so she could 'impart helpful information to those with whom' she came 'in contact.'"
• Two events would come in spring 1926 after the above convention when, first, Elizabeth Greenleaf was hosted at a reception immediately after the National Convention held in San Francisco that year and whom Cannady addressed in superlative terms for her work in the religion and then the regard given to the visit of Louis Gregory at a reception for 200 guests at the Cannadys' home along with other speakers including George Latimer, of whom you will see much more, here not elaborated on, and Albert R. Vail, also noted as a Bahá'í and the event part of a series of multi-racial Teas they were having.
• In 1927 Cannady made a trip to the East Coast and met Roy Wilhelm, spoke at a meeting he hosted in Teaneck, New Jersey, dwelling "at some length on the Bahá'í influence for racial amity." despite a downpour to an audience of some 40 though some had come a significant distance and also stayed briefly at Green Acre which was a "spiritual treat". She also met famous African American newspaper publisher Robert S. Abbott but there is no mention of his long associating with the Bahá'ís to which he officially joined seven years later.
• The encouragement Louis Gregory conveyed to Hermann G. Paulo in Brooklyn about Cannady's "calling" in 1928.
• Cannady addressed many Los Angeles gatherings during a 1928 trip 'South' including addressing the Bahá'ís there though it is just listed as another case of her addressing white audiences on black culture.
• The Bahá'ís sponsored one of the public events during the 1929 "Negro History" week which all together Cannady called "fitting".
• In later 1929 Cannady helped found the Esperanto Breakfast Club, or La Esperanto Matemnango Klubo, in resonance with the Bahá'í interests.
• After leaving at the end of 1929 for a Pan African conference she was a co-coordinator for, she returned after the summer of 1930 for a local conference including George Latimer speaking on "The Pride of Prejudice."
• In the summer of 1930 Cannady hosted Ida Finch who had helped Martha Root in Japan at a reception.
• "Cannady wrote that she used her sons as '"missionaries" to aid in bettering race relations" because they knew "more of the past and present history of the Negro than many leading Negro adults.'" including an event when son George was 16 and gave a talk "Youth and Interracial Amity" in November 1930 before a Bahá'í sponsored gathering of 200 people - among events before and after.
• In 1931 Cannady hosted Martha Root with 50 guests and the biographer expanded on Root's broad success as a woman journalist of the era and her international travels, and how Cannady also listed Roots many activities when in town including the high school George was then attending.
• In August 1931 the biography notes Myrtle Campbell, a white woman, held additional events inspired in the style of Cannady's Good Will multiracial meetings and also held a reception for Ida Finch at which Beatrice's sister, Cora Jamison, attended. Unsaid is that Campbell was also a Bahá'í (see down page.) Myrtle was also later mentioned "optimistic" that she was recognized as "fair and conscientious" in the run up to seeking office.
• Late in 1931 she involved white supporters against the showing of Birth of a Nation including, Alice Handsaker, unnamed as a Bahá'í, and George Latimer, who was.
• Cannady had a Bahá'í funeral after her death August 19, 1974 which memorialized her later life but, in the words of the biographer, "markedly absent, however, are the biographical details that would have memorialized permanently her long career as a journalist, editor, civil rights leader, and public intellectual. But her story already had been told in the pages of The Advocate."
• The biographer notes her election to the Portland Spiritual Assembly in 1936 but mostly to help frame her last days in Portland before moving to California.

1923-4

In first issue of the available coverage of The Advocate in early May, page 4, there was a notice of the community Ridvan celebration held at J. W. & Mrs. Latimer's home, at which their son, George Latimer, gave a talk about his pilgrimage, and then a talk by a Mrs. Baker of California, and they read a letter from Martha Root. Also at the meeting Mrs. E. D. Cannady gave a talk of the "association and knowledge of the work" (teaching work? or NAACP etc) and sang. Next came a report of the observance of the Declaration of the Báb also held at the Latimers, again a talk by George, Mrs Cannady sang, a Mrs. Wm Reese did readings, joined by Mmes Magruder, Reese & Morrow. The next mention of Bahá'ís comes in August when there was a public meeting at which there was a talk by A. Glenn of Seattle, who had been visiting the Latimers for several weeks, who's profile of the teachings of the religion was covered in the article and quotes of his talk included. Cinita Nunan and A. Peterson also spoke of their trip to California visiting Boschs at Geyserville and kin. Mrs. C. Wass, Mr Bowman, Mrs D G Hunt on program. E. C. Pierce talk next week. While there Miss Glenn was also noted staying with the Latimers’ several weeks.

Coming out of the Winter of 1923-4 Charles Mason Remey came visiting the Latimer's and gave talks at on the Faith at the Metaphysical Library, addressing the "Race question" on unity. A month later Ida Finch down from Seattle was noted in the paper recently back from her time in the Orient while she was visiting Latimer's. A week later came coverage of a talk of Finch's was entitled "Successive Divine Manifestations" and featured 'Abdu'l-Bahá with some music presented by Mrs. Saunders. Finch was also profiled, detailing that she was being entertained at E. D. & Mrs. Cannady's home in Irvington, where she talked of 4 hours eat a luncheon about her time in Japan teaching English, and show cased a Japanese craft calligraphy, and a Mrs. Guilford also spoke of her travels. That same period began a series of articles by Martha Root on China that were serialized in The Advocate which ran once a week from late March to later May. Overlapping with the end of Root's series came a profile of Rev. John Herman Randall’s talk at a public meeting of Bahá'í National Convention in Boston criticizing Caucasian/Nordic supremacy, citing Russell Sage and reprinted from Boston coverage. Come later June came mention that the Latimers' went to Seattle to visit for a few weeks.

In August the Cannadys' entertained visitors from Kansas including hearing talk by George Latimer about being at the Bahá'í National Convention. His talk was covered more extensively in separate articles and inspired comments by another guest of theirs - Chester Easter - to consider racial and other equalities from the vantage of his practice of science. Latimer’s talk remembered a Miss Jack (Marion Jack?) anecdote who worked him into giving a talk introduced as Deacon Latimer which he had to disabuse the title of. He underscored the need for a universal civilization, a world peace, "based upon the final unity of all races and of people: referring to a naturalist saying there was no evidence for Nordic superiority. He also mentioned the oneness in religion theme from the World Fair in Chicago and another being held in London, how it helped inspire Sarah Farmer who developed Green Acre. He mentioned Edward Everett Hale story who helped Booker T. Washington and who himself spoke at Green Acre. He closed remarking about he graduated from an "aristocratic college in New England" during which a colored student won first place so high they didn't even award second place. Overlapping with the coverage of Latimer's talk came mention of a murdered American in Persia by a religious mob which was compared to the murders in Georgia (lynching) but with a sense of irony that the focus should be on Georgia which killed more and more brutally than one person in Persia.

A month later came mention of the MacNutts and Julia Grundy who gave a series of talks in Portland while on tour going to the conference in San Francisco at the end of September. MacNutt and Grundy were profiled - that they had written/compiled books, gave a talk at the first Race Amity Conference and spoke at the Bahá'í Center, the Portland Library, First Divine Science Church and Bethel AME Church in town. MacNutt's talk at the Bethel AME Church had additional coverage. He was introduced by Latimer, gave a talk on 'rightful reconciliation' between views, rather than argument: "When argument creeps in, the Word of God and the Spirit of God goes out" he said and then Grundy sang 'Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen'. Approaching mid-December Fádil Mazandarání, called Jinab-i-Fadil usually in the newspapers, was noted in town to speak at the local NAACP meeting on "The Conquest of Prejudice" during a month stay in town.

1925

Bridging into the new year, Latimer introduced Mazandarání at an NAACP meeting. Mazandarání, spoken of in superlative tones in another article, with family, was entertained at the Latimer home and was invited to talk at another NAACP meeting. Louis Gregory’s was remembered and mentioned in another article at the same time - he had given advise - “the science of sociability; nobleness of purpose; sweetness of speech” being suggested among ways to act against gossiping - which the writer thought he'd try. The article also mentioned that Gregory had been in town some months ago. Mazandarání talk the following week was again “The Conquest of Prejudice”, and the following week he was invited to speak at the the NAACP meeting hosted at First AME Zion Church where he was again introduced by Latimer, with music and supplemental talks were offered including that of Mrs. E. D. Cannady. Mazandarání also spoke at the Williams Avenue YWCA introduced by Latimer.

In February the obituary of Bahá'í Mr. Hougen of Seattle, Washington, was noted and with Portland Bahá'ís attended the funeral. A week later Latimer and Cannady were mentioned as members of the International Education Committee for the YWCA, among others. Then in early April a letter to editor invited Cannady's readers to attend a YMCA conference where she gave a talk at their meeting, which had Baha'is, Catholics and Protestants and people from all walks of life in meetings. Late in April the Latimers’ home hosted the Ridvan meeting, and in another article the Bahá'ís were praised on list of promising movements in town.

In later June there was coverage of the murder of Vice-Consul Robert Imbrie in Iran while mistaken for a Bahá'í. A week later Latimer reported news of further persecutions in Qamsar village near Teheran.

At the end of August came an article noting Latimer was back from the Green Acre Race Amity meeting and reported about it to a meeting of the Bahá'ís at a picnic. A month later Bahá'í Mrs. Luther of Seattle gave a talk at First AME Zion Church on the Faith. Then another month later Bahá'í Ida Finch gave a talk of her time in Japan and fleeing after 1923 Great Kantō earthquake at the Portland Womans Mutual Benefit Club including Mrs. E. D. Cannady in attendance. A week later Finch gave a talk at the Bahá'í Center with music by Mable Cooper and Barbara Hubbard; to be followed a couple weeks later by Latimer giving a talk entitled 'The Bane of Prejudice'. Finch was still in town, or back, a month later when the Cannadys’ hosted royals of Abyssinia, East Africa, at a reception, with George's mother, Mrs. Latimer among many attending.

1926

The spring was a busy time for the Bahá'ís covered in The Advocate. In February 1926, Lakota Indian Albert Freeman gave a talk/performance at the Bahá'í Center on his culture. In another article it noted he was introduced by Latimer and then the guest of honor at a reception hosted by Cannady at the Pacific College in Newberg. There was also a summary of another performance, and an interview with quotes, of his talk from the Mt. Olivet Baptist Church. A week later it was noted Cannady gave or would give several talks in Salem Oregon including their Bahá'í Center, and then again at the Portland Bahá'í meeting on her NAACP work. The Bahá'ís then held the New Year Feast at the Latimer home with comments of Dora Gulliford, Margie Danley, and Presley Holliday at which Cannady sang Negro Spirituals. In April it was mentioned that Cannady asked the Bahá'í Assembly to telegram Sens. McNary and Stanfield in support of the Dyer-McKinley Anti-lynching Bill and got replies. Stanfield was sympathetic and McNary was supportive. At the end of April the Bahá'ís were noted in a multi-cultural multi-ethnic, multi-race reception including Myrtle W. Campbell and Cannady, possibly other Bahá'ís. A week later it was noted the Latimers, Meissners, and Swains, were going to a regional convention in San Francisco. At the end of May the Cannadys' hosted International Good Will Day at their home with diverse international guests and religionists. Latimer introduced Bahá'í Elizabeth Greenleaf on her return from the national convention, among other speakers. There was also music by several performers including Cannady herself. In another article it was described there were 50 international guests. Greenleaf also spoke at the Zion Church about the Holy Land, “preparing to see the New Age” and was a guest of Mrs. Latimer. Louis Gregory's review of the national convention was published in The Advocate that was held in San Francisco for Spring 1926. Hundreds of diverse delegates showed to Gregory, he said, a rectitude of conduct "to abandon the lower world of hatred, prejudice and rancor, and to ascend into the higher zones of love, appreciation and life.” He outlined many Bahá'í principles. Portland delegates included Ella Meissner, Latimer and Cannady each of whom addressed a session including Cannady's welcome from the NAACP. Lakota Albert Freeman also addressed the attendees. Business sessions keynote speakers were Roy Wilhelm and Horace Holley. Greetings were also sent from Bahá'ís from their home communities in other countries or otherwise unable to attend. One of the public meetings was chaired by Leroy Ioas and Ella Cooper while the other was chaired by Horace Holley. Other speakers were listed by Gregory. In June a long profile of activities of Bahá'í Albert Vail was posted, hosted out of the Latimer home, fresh from the San Francisco national convention, included one at the Cannady home on his first day there. But he left there for Seattle the Friday before the newspaper came out. Gregory's column on the national convention was also repeated. It turned out that Gregory had been in Seattle for 10 days, was back to Portland staying in the Latimer home and already gave a talk with Cannady at a local High School, the Mt. Olive Baptist Church and had been a dinner guest at the Cannadys' followed by talks at the Latimers' and then at the Center before leaving bound for Denver. A week later the Latimers went to the coast for a vacation, and then to the mountains.

Later in July a quote by 'Abdu’l-Bahá was posted in the newspaper. A month later Finch was back visiting at the Latimer home and gave a talk at the Center. Another quote of 'Abdu’l-Bahá was then published. A couple weeks later came mention that the USS Trenton had left Bushire, Iran, with the body of Consul Imbrie. A couple weeks later the Cannadys' hosted an Interracial Tea in honor of Mrs. Addie W. Hunton of Brooklyn who served in multiple capacities of a variety of institutions. A variety of speakers addressed the community gathered including Ida Finch speaking of her time as a Baha'i in Japan. Cannady was among women received at the China Tea Garden while another of the group, Addie W. Hunton, was hosted by the Latimers.

In mid-October Cannady spoke at a few meetings including one for the Bahá'í community and introduced Shirley McCanns who gave a performance of Negro spirituals accompanied by Mrs. McCanns. A month later a public meeting was held in praise of Alice Handsaker was sponsored by Cannady and others including Latimer representing the Bahá'ís. A week later the Bahá'ís were listed among others contributing to a community Thanksgiving drive for feeding the needy. In December the Cannadys' and Bahá'í Dora Gulliford were among those present for a reception in honor of the reappointment of Rev. John F. Moreland for the First African Methodist Zion Church. Late in the month Latimer was thanked by a business man for his work on the Board of Trade, for whom he used to work.

1927

1927 opened with an article mentioning John Bosch was the guest of honor at a reception held at the Cannadys' and who gave a talk about his encounters with 'Abdu'l-Bahá, followed by talks and performances by others. Latimer and Lawrence Woodfin had returned from Vancouver helping John Bosch establish a Spiritual Assembly there. A week later Cannady wrote and published a eulogy of Howard MacNutt including mention he could have been murdered, and recalls his visit to Portland. A couple weeks later Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, via Cannady, held an Inter-racial Relations Day at which Mrs. Latimer and many others contributed talks. Mrs. Latimer was also among a group of brief presentations in a community meeting. In early March regular columnist Kits Reid wrote an article responding to a letter by Rev. J. Milton Waldron of DC "reproaching her for her sympathetic leanings toward the Bahai (sic) doctrines." She acknowledges his sincerity and "accord[s] him the same freedom of conscience which I claim for myself and confess to a belief that in no line of the Bahai (sic) teachings is there one word which contradicts the teachings of Christ.…” She defends the Bahá'ís more so that they do what is preached and calls for a day past sectarian divisions. She then observes coverage of other sermons of his and takes up a defense of women from some of his comments. Waldron's was published in the same edition bottom of page 1. It’s short, denigrates the Bahá'í Faith as a "broken stick" unable to save a soul and inculcates the saving grace of Jesus “as your ONLY and all-sufficient savior”, for example. Waldron had visited the area from DC in later 1926. At the same time came new that father James Latimer was sick at home. In April Orcella Rexford gave a talk at the Metaphyiscal Library on the Faith with slides along with her husband and with two others chanting Hidden Words who had taught by Mrs. Fred Olsen. A week later came a report on the Race Amity convention of DC at the Playhouse with talks mentioned including Mountfort Mills and Albert Vail, however the article mostly quotes Rabbi Abram Simon of the Synagogue Council of America that the World War has had doubtful results and that, and against Emerson who held up the preserve of individuality against being understood by others, by seeking understanding and to be understood, and how we need to enact beyond platitudes. News was also shared in another article from Berlin of a Bahá'í hosted panel including a speaker of African descent, William Pickens, Martha Root, and Frau Plessner, who had been in China, before an audience of several hundred people. April closed with a letter back to Portland, of Presley Holliday who wrote of life in Seattle and success of Helen Pilkington promoting the Bahá'í Faith including a talk for the Chinese Youth Movement there. In mid-May Dr. Susan Moody gave a talk including information on death of Vice-Counsul Imbrie, and her work in Iran. She was honored at reception held at Campbell home and gave another talk there a week later. The same day it was noted Helen Pilkington had returned to Portland from Seattle where she had been promoting the religion.

In mid-June came mention of regular Friday night meetings on the religion held at 405 Yamhill St. which would continue to be advertised in The Advocate from then through into early 1929. Meanwhile in July news was headlined of the election of Louis Gregory to the National Assembly (mistakenly calling it a committee), along with profile of Gregory, and the religion's position on the urgency of race issues. Then came mention of the Bahá'í wedding of Helen Pilkington and Charles Bishop at Campbell home, with guest Orcella Rexford. In August Cannady prepared for trip east; she had been chosen as the Northwest hostess of Pan-African Congress meeting in New York in later August, sponsored by Circle for Peace and Foreign Relations. Bahá'í connected attendees at the reception include Myrtle Campbell, and maybe others.

In October Ali Kuli Khan and family, and Mrs. Latimer, were guests of Cannady on a motor trip up the Colombia River Highway. He had exhibited Persian art pieces as part of a tour traveling with family. Cannady spoke at the Bahá'í meeting before about her trip to the east coast and will speak at other meetings in the coming week. A week later there was a brief review of the Bahá'í Race Amity Convention in Brooklyn; names Bishop Lewis, Horace Holley, Wandeyne Mathews, and Mary Handford Ford were among the speakers. A week later Latimer and Cannady spoke to a Portland educators conference. Latimer’s talk is on the Faith and Cannady reported on 4th Pan African Conference held in New York. A couple weeks later Cannady was hostess and history speaker for, Mrs. Latimer & Myrtle Campbell, patronesses of, and Latimer a speaker at, one of the sessions of, the Fourth Pan-African Congress and Inter-Racial Educational Meeting.

1928

While the weekly advertised meetings continued, in later January 1928, Mrs. Phillips, mother of May Phillips, had a Bahá'í funeral. The end of the month Bahá'í Ruhi Afnan Effendi spoke to audience on internationalism chaired by Cannady, other speakers included Millie Trumbull, Judges Fred Stadter, Hewitt, George Latimer and attendees including several African Americans. Bahá'ís also held an "Amity Assembly” to present the religion as a unity system, made pilgrimages, and held activities. A quote of 'Abdu’l-Bahá about universal disarmament began to be republished in The Advocate the end of January that was repeated into late February. Meanwhile it was mentioned Mrs. Latimer and Lillie Meissner were sick.

Bahá'í Mrs. Guy Pilkington coordinated a Mexican/Spanish dinner & reception at 164 1/2 11th St, The German Club Hall, including Spanish Consul Señor Vejar. Over 100 guests attended and music. Latimer explained the meeting was to raise a consciousness of international unity and recently advances on cooperations. K. Inoue, Japanese Consul, also spoke to the group. Mexican Consul Señor Lauro Izaguirre also attended and spoke to the group and then A. R. Vejar, Consul of Spain and Ecuador, gave a talk somewhat quoted in the newspaper. Cannady also attended among many. Latimer then closed the meeting. Another dinner/reception was scheduled in late March along Oriental lines centered around China. Meanwhile Mrs. Latimer was entertained by a surprise birthday party attended by the Youngs, Faye Swain, Crookshank, Meissners and Cannady among others. It was covered in April. It was at the China Tea Garden at 88 1/2 Third St. sponsored by the Bahá'ís, managed by Mrs. Stanley Chin with some 250 attended this meeting. A private collection of scarves helped decorate. Latimer was toastmaster with Consuls from Great Britain, Japan, Sweden, Spain attending. A college professor gave the talk on China’s history as did others. Cannady was among the attendees. The same time there was a brief profile of Bahá'ís and the aim of international unity.

A month later the Bahá'ís of Portland held a reception for the send off of AME Zion Church pastor John F. & Mrs Moreland for their national conference, held at the Cannady home with talks including by the Bishops, and the Bahá'ís furnished refreshments. Then in June Cannady herself wrote coverage of the third of the series of dinners sponsored by Bahá'ís was held led by the Swedish Vice Consul. Latimer was toastmaster with many international guests including Cannady and summarized in the article by Cannady as well. She also wrote the next international dinner and receptions with this one being held at the Portland Woman's Club at 448 Taylor St with about 200 attendees including Consul K. Inoue acting as host - it was a Japanese themed event. Latimer addressed attendees. There had been a Swedish themed reception. News also came that Mrs. Latimer was sick.

A month later, among many speaking engagements of Mary White Ovington, suffragist, journalist, and co-founder of the NAACP, spoke for the Bahá'ís at their meeting about the history of blacks in American literature and later reported same including the Bahá'í engagement when she returned east. In between Cannady, now officially the Associate Editor of the newspaper, gave a tour of talks down and back from Los Angeles hosting the national convention of the NAACP, including with the Bahá'ís. And then Finch had spent several weeks in Portland presumably with Bahá'í activities and was returned to Seattle by the end of August. About the same time Bahá'ís Latimer and Louis Caswell had themselves come back from Geyserville attending what they called "a world institute meeting", (the Bahá'í Geyserville School?)

An Italian themed dinner and reception "World Unity Dinner" was to be hosted by the Bahá'ís later in October with contact phone numbers listed. It was held at the Theile's restaurant, 105 Tenth St, by the Bahá'ís and began the winter activities of the assembly, noting its chair was George Latimer. Local Italians led by Joseph, advertising manager of La Tribune, and Mrs De Cantis and a four course dinner was served to more than 200 people including diverse peoples though overall the clear majority were white but included diplomats, gathered to discuss unity and peace, and a quoted talk summarized modern Italy’s relationship with the US. In November Latimer was elected to the NAACP executive board.

The year closed with a quote of Bahá’u’lláh, mention again that Latimer was a member of the Executive Board of the local NAACP branch and gave a talk to the Friars Club, and the obituary of the passing of the Latimer uncle, Lewis H. Latimer, assistant to Alexander Graham Bell, was also an assistant to Edison after 1878, and buried in Fall River, MA.

1929

February 1929 opens mentions of the Faith when Cannady's private collection of photographs of black leaders was part of an exhibition at the J K Gill bookstore, she gave talks over radio stations, and the Bahá'í Center’s meeting was devoted to a talk of black history. A couple weeks later Fred Schopflocher came to town visiting with Mrs. Latimer and gave a talk on the Faith. March opened with mention that Mrs. Charles Bishop, recently from Honolulu, gave a talk before the Christian Endeavor group on "Religions of the World" with Ivan Cannady, Beatrice's son, playing violin and Lillian Bellard playing piano. She spoke again to the Christian Endeavor on Asia a week later with the same accompaniment. In mid-March Cannady reviewed the performance of Roland Hayes for which she recalled a quote of Bahá'u'lláh: "Lo, the bird of Paradise warbleth upon the branch of the Immortal Tree its sweet and holy melodies; calling the sons of men into Divine unity.” This is an early translation of the Tablet of Ahmad. The Latimers held a reception for Hayes and his secretary Howard Jordan with another reception held by the Handsakers. A month later the Latimers hosted a Bahá'í meeting in their home. Latimer was then off to national convention and making a tour via California and Texas. In early May the Bahá'í announced they would present the next Unity Dinner reception at the Thiele's restaurant arranged by Norwegian Consul Emil P. Slovarp to be held in mid-May. Latimer is known to be returning from national convention just before the event. An article in The Advocate has not yet been identified. A few days later an article came out covering Fred Schopflocker who had visited some months ago and was now writing he is on pilgrimage. Meanwhile in June the Bishops invited a Russian scholar McGee gave a talk at their home, and Myrtle Campbell hosted a garden tea at home in early July. Gregory sent a handwritten book of his called “The Races of Men - Many or One” to The Advocate, the same week.

In August Lorrol Luther of Seattle was visiting from Seattle giving a series of talks at the Metaphysical Library. Meanwhile Mrs. Latimer left to visit a sick sister.

The close of August had a number of pieces covering the Faith. Cannady wrote of attending the funeral of recently converted Bahá'í Harry Knowles copresented with the Expression Club of the theme of happiness into the next world, with Bahá'í quotes in the article. There was also a photo and mention of Robert Bagnall, who talked at the Bahá'í Race Amity Convention. The Latimers were back from Geyserville summer school session. And Bahá'í Cinita Knowles hosted the Feast August 30. A month later Latimer gave a talk before the Christian Endevour group supported by George Cannady, the other son of Beatrice, singing. A couple weeks later came the obituary notice of Bahá'í O. O. Wolcott (kin of Charles Wolcott??) of Seattle. And now at the beginning of November there was mention that the Latimers’ had traveled with the Bishops on to a Seattle Bahá'í conference. Mid-November Miss Culver was mentioned, working with the Bahá'í International Bureau in Geneva, Switzerland, who was visiting with the Latimers and then left for Berkeley, California, to visit her mother. The year's mentions of the Faith closed at the end of November with the fact that Feast had been held at Myrtle Campbell's home.

1930

Now with the country clearly into the troubles of the Great Depression, February 1930 opens with mention of Fred Scholflocher visiting with the Latimers' enroute to San Francisco and spoke at a meeting. There was also mention of another Latimer kin that was an admiral assigned to show some Chinese leader the US navy. Closing February was a brief mention that George's father, J. W. Latimer, was called to jury duty. In early March it was noted that George Latimer went to a Seattle (Race?) Amity Conference. Later approaching after mid-April there was mention that Latimer had left for the National Bahá'í Convention joined by twenty delegates from California making a group trip. Later in May came mention that the Bishops hosted William Pickens and Chinese students at an interracial gathering that also included Cannady. A month later Cannady wrote the remembrance of May Phillips, her Bahá'í funeral, and what little is known of Phillip's life, and that she received a Tablet from 'Abdu’l-Bahá’s. Various Bahá'ís took part - Latimer, Cinita Knowles, the Youngs, and the Hausers. She had served as a private secretary for Eric V. Hauser. Her mother had come along from Niagara Falls and died three years ago. Coming to the end of June, Edward Orleans wrote an editorial as a profile of Bahá'u'lláh, how his ideas couldn't be imprisoned though He was, how His writings circulated anyway and Edward encourages all who have ideas to circulate them.

In July there was notice that Latimer and Bishop were teachers at the Geyserville Bahá'í School - along with a list of titles of classes. A few weeks later Ida Finch and Cannady were mentioned as guests of the Latimers' along with Rev. Daniel & Mrs. Hill. A week later, Cannady, credited as "editor of The Advocate", held a race amity meeting with a panel including Ida Finch as the Bahá'í representative. Many attended and many more contributed festivities. Meanwhile the Bishops were noted returned from Geyserville School accompanied by Keith Ransom Kehler, (though the name was not as typically written.) Mid-September the Latimers were among the hosts of events with the Dickersons visiting. Now skipping to mid-November, there was a flurry of activity:

• the Bishops hosted the Feast,
• George Cannady and "C. E." gave a talk on the Bahá'í Faith supported by Guy Holmes, Charles Rawlins, Gertrude Freeman, and Geneva Ivey with other contributions by Gertrude Freeman, Joe Mills, Ruth Gilliard, Louise Bellowed and Louise Randolph.
• Keith Ransom-Kehler was advertised listed a week of events and talks through the end of November to December 1. She was set to speak at the First Divine Science Church, the Metaphysical Library, Theile restaurant, the Bahá'í Center, the NAACP building, the Theosophical Society and at Reed College.

Still before the end of November came an article by Cannady covering a Race Amity reception held for Keith Ransom-Kehler at the Theile restaurant, 105 10th St, with the theme of her talk “The Conquest of Prejudice”. This was part of a tour Ransom-Kehler was on. She used quips of ‘plaster of paris’ and ‘Little Red Riding Hood’ thinking patterns as keeping people from evolving their consciousnesses away from prejudice - unwilling to change and unwilling to learn. Other speakers included George Cannady, along with performers of music. There was also a brief welcome letter from George L. Baker, mayor of Portland. George Latimer was the master of ceremonies representing the Assembly which sponsored the event and he mentioned his pilgrimage and 'Abdu'l-Bahá's warning of the trial of America being race issues that could be used to attack America. Cannady also attended many of Ransom-Kehler's talks whom Cannady praises as among the best she's heard and gives her the city's thanks. December opens with a quote of 'Abdu’l-Bahá posted. Then there was news of progress on Bahá'í Temple and the priority Bahá'ís had given to race issues, was shared by Latimer, who recalled 'Abdu’l-Bahá coming to America and the need of change or struggle over America. The Latimers’ also hosted the Kemps of Vancouver mid-December, and a quote of 'Abdu’l-Bahá's was also published. Closing the year is a notice mostly about the NAACP electing a new president, congratulated by The Advocate, as well as quoting 'Abdu’l-Bahá as part of the praise of service.

1931

Opening January 1931 the Bahá'ís were noted having held Feast at Cinita Knowles home. Mid-February came news that Martha Root was on her way to Portland as guests of the Latimers. Martha Root arrived in Portland February 23 giving talks - a home, schools, leagues, radios KGW and KOIN, the library, Bahá'í Center, and more, were planned ahead including Cannady’s home, all as a guest of the Latimers’. She had been traveling nine years abroad. Praise of Root and her wide travels and speaking skills was also separately summarized in another article, and the newspaper also covered the Root reception held at the Latimer home, where she also spoke a week later. A week later another article noted that Mrs. W. F. Smith had also held a reception for Root at her home with other guests included Mrs. J. W. Latimer, the Bishops, and Ella Meissner. That same week Myrtle Campbell became a subscriber to The Advocate and was advertised so. Come early April, Ida Finch was a guest of the Latimers’ and going on to the National Bahá'í Convention after leading a study group meeting in Portland. The next week Myrtle Campbell gave a talk at a program on black community culture. Another week still and there was notice that Latimer and Cinita Knowles also had left for the National Convention.

In later June came the next mention when there was a notice that Latimer and family had held an indoor picnic for young men at his home including George Cannady, after Latimer's return from his trip East. Latimer also gave an interview about his trip. In July Rev. Lovell of Zion AME Church was invited to speak to the Bahá'í meeting. Coverage of Lovell's talk, Bahá'í was carried a second time noting it was chaired by Latimer. A week later there was notice that the Bishops had gone to the Geyserville Bahá'í School. As August opened there was mention that Ida Finch had been honored with a reception at Bracher home where she gave a talk as well. Mid-August there was new the Kemps had visited and were enroute from the Geyserville School back to British Columbia and were staying as guests of Latimers. Myrtle Campbell hosted a reception with a talk by Ida Finch and others as well. Another week, now closing August, and it was Cannady holding a reception honoring Ida Finch with guests including Helen Bishop, George Cannady, Katherine Franklin and Myrtle Campbell.

The next covered event came in late October when the Latimers, Jamisons, Bishops, Caswell, Franklins, Willard, father and son Cannady, and from Seattle, McGruder and Wiley, gathered for a reception, (mostly or all Bahá'ís.) A couple weeks later the Bishops, Caswell & Latimer went to Vancouver to promulgate the religion. Come December there was a profile obituary of Lewis Howard Latimer, who worked with Edison, Bell, and Hiran Maxim, and who had died in late 1928.Along with that coverage was news of newlyweds Yancy Franklin and Beatrice, née Cannady, and that they had received a gift from the Bahá'í community. A week later it was noted that the Bishops hosted Feast with a talk by Rev. Hill. The year closed of mentions of Bahá'ís the same edition with Myrtle Campbell mentioned having been published poetry under a pseudonym which attracted the attention of Clifford C. Mitchell, a contributor to the newspaper.

1932

1932 coverage opens in January when Portland bans local distribution of ‘'Birth of a Nation'’ and includes mention of Latimer among many rising in opposition to it. Beatrice, still known at Mrs E. D. Cannady, was noted in other newspapers participating in meetings about protesting viewings of the movie. A week later came mention that Myrtle Campbell wrote a piece for the newspaper. Then two weeks later came mention that the Bahá'ís were going to hold Feast at the Addison home. January closes with mention of the return of regular meetings now at new location - Terminal Sales Building. A week later Myrtle Campbell's second known article was published in a review of music. Late in February, in a article about the ubiquity of prejudice and hate Campbell quotes 'Abdu’l-Bahá in a column from a talk: “The black man must be ever grateful to the white man for he has manifested great courage and self-sacrifice in behalf…” in an extended quote. Approaching mid-March and article notes Latimer going on tour in California. A week later an article mentioned EuroAmerican kin to the Portland Latimers, Margery Latimer, married African American Jean Teemer. Late in March a quote of 'Abdu’l-Bahá was printed and then again in early April. A couple weeks later the Latimers hosted Idella Shirkey who was a returning friend from San Francisco. Latimer also left then for the national convention. At the end of April Campbell again uses a quote from 'Abdu’l-Bahá this time extending the comments of a reverend's editorial, and an article opening May when Campbell wrote about on the candidacy of Beatrice Cannady-Franklin for a Representative to state government. Campbell then summarized a Bahá'í initiative on interracial pairs traveling the South. In June Campbell contributed comments and use of an editorial quoted from the Chicago Bee. Come July is mention that Mrs. Latimer visited the offices of The Advocate. Cannady (now Franklin,) wore a dress partially fitted with aa gift of Mrs. J. W. Latimer. A couple weeks later in July was a notice that the Geyserville Bahá'í School was open and a number of names including from Portland are mentioned: Schopflocker, Rodgers, Bishop, Seto, Caswell, Aoki, Linfoot, Flippens. A week later Latimer was noted returned from Geyserville. July closed with mention of the obit of Bahá'í Charles Campbell Sr.

The next mention comes in October when Laura Dreyfus Barney visiting and gave talk via League of Nations Committee amidst tour of West Coast, guest of the Latimers’. A couple weeks later Campbell wrote an article on youth and depression. Closing October Campbell wrote another article this time about lack of African Americans in colleges. Later approaching mid-November an article mentioned the Duncan home hosting Bahá'í meetings on Thursdays. The same edition had an article noting Campbell had hosted Bahá'í talks by Latimer, Caswell, and Bishop, music by Barbara Hubbard, George Cannady, Campbells and Bonnie Replogie, a poem reciting by Norma Williams, while Beatrice (now) Franklin, and Caswell, and others contributed to the event.

Now, with the worst of the Great Depression hitting the country, Clifford Mitchell includes the Bahá'í Publishing Trust (The Bahai Pub Co) as among the institutions that have ”published books either by or about Negroes, or at least the themes are of interest to Negroes."

1933

Campbell opened the mentions by or of Bahá'ís with an article on the need for ardor to accomplish goals. A couple weeks later an article by Mrs. J. W. Latimer included a copy of some of the text of "The Goal of a New World Order" by Shoghi Effendi after getting permission to quote some of it in The Advocate, adding bolding now and then, which introduced a series of articles. Next in series the comment elaborates “the administrative body of the American Baha’i is deem it not only a privilege, but a high religious obligation, to make the letter available to all who sincerely seek light and guidance in these days of direst trouble ever experienced by mankind." The series continued to the end of April. Meanwhile back to near mid-February, Clifford Mitchell reviewed The Wisdom of Abdu’l-Baha offered to him by Myrtle Campbell, who "not only believes in but practices the principles of Bahaism(sic)”. At the end of February Campbell hosted meetings including a talk by Mrs. E. Powell. A month later an article covered the visit of Leroy Ioas who gave a talk before going on to Seattle but would be back to talk at home of Myrtle Campbell. The same edition covered the Franklin home hosted the Bahá'ís the previous Tuesday. In April Campbell hosted Leroy Ioas giving a talk with a program and refreshments served by Helen Bishop and Cannady, and Campbell herself also spoke at another Bahá'í meeting. Mid-April, Clifford Mitchell wrote a column including mention of correspondence with Shoghi Effendi and Myrtle Campbell. A week later Campbell wrote on article on appreciating history.

Now with the worst of the Depression behind, Mrs. Charles Bishop was a judge at the AME Zion Church decoration contest.

Gregory started a column covering Race Amity progress in a series of articles from mid-May period, which is missing editions. The first presently found editions of the column begins May 27, 1933. The available coverage begins with discussion of Gregory joined by an Australian Bahá'í in a trip south out of New England and an error in navigation thanks to an Anglo driver. They were presenting a performance using a 'color organ' invented by Glen Shook as a means of engaging as a multi-racial duo performance. He goes on to discuss "What it means to be a Negro in Boston" via a panel that convened. Next he starts with praise of George Marion McClellan, being familiar with his performance at the Apollo Club with various other performers. He goes on to discuss the race identity of Alexander Hamilton, then Thomas Jefferson, and the issues of identity and race. Then he speaks of a visit to Charleston SC and being handed copies of a newspaper series of editions and various narratives in a struggle for wisdom and “smut”. In the next edition he speaks to the effort of DuBois in raising the internal focus of the black community in the condition of being a segregated but not separate nation, that can also benefit from "cooperation with the whites" and that trials unveil hidden strength. He then turns to Portsmouth and events there and then a focus on how the black population is there which he describes generally a place of amity, comparable with the treatment in Europe. and listed as a guest editorialist That edition is repeated verbatim a week later. He then turns to a broad review of Chicago, in general, then the Planetarium near the Exposition grounds, its status gathering the black community escaping the South and then in particular of Alain Locke and Horace Holley speaking at the National Convention. He noted that Locke abandoned his prepared remarks and spoke extemporaneously. He then closes in praise to Roland Hayes and performance in Chicago and beyond. He was still listed as a guest editorialist December 1933.

Back in June, Campbell assisted in a reception honoring Arena C. Mallory at an interracial tea at the Franklins’ home. The next week an article noted that the Bahá'í heard a talk by Chester Easter, and also hosted a reception at the Chamber of Commerce for Ella Cooper and Mrs. E. Baldwin, who talked about the national convention and progress of the Temple, enroute home from it. The same newspaper mentioned Campbell had arranged a dinner party at a hotel for them. A couple weeks later Cannady spoke to the Bahá'ís at a goodwill meeting of races held at the Chamber of Commerce.

A month later Campbell held a reception for Mrs. Rawlings attended with Ida Finch. A week later George Cannady spoke before the Bahá'í group at the Chamber of Commerce. The Bishops returned from vacation in California (possibly Geyserville School.)

Approaching mid-November Clifford Mitchell re-mentions he had been in correspondence with Shoghi Effendi, visited the Temple with another at the invitation of E. D. Struven, and then goes on to broadly look at his time visiting in Chicago and other correspondence. A week later came mention that the Bishops, Caswell, and Latimer, went on a trip to Monroe, Washington, for a week to promulgate the religion, which closed the year of mentions of the Faith or Bahá'ís - this also ends the available coverage.