William Sears (Baháʼí)

For other people named William Sears, see William Sears (disambiguation).
William Sears

William Bernard Sears (March 28, 1911 – March 25, 1992) was an American writer and a popular television and radio personality in various shows culminating in the 1950s with In the Park but left television popularity to promote the Baháʼí Faith in Africa and embarked on a lifelong service to the religion, for some 35 years as Hand of the Cause, the highest institution of the religion he could be appointed to. He wrote many books about the religion, with Thief in the Night and God Loves Laughter being his most popular.

Biography

Earliest life

William Bernard Sears was born March 28, 1911, in Aitkin, Minnesota,[1]: p.1 [2] to the Irish American household of Frank and Ethel Sears. William was the youngest child of four, and Frank and Ethel's only son.[1]: p.1  The Sears raised their children Catholic.[3]: 9:53min  When young, William suffered a bout of jaundice, which affected his health later in life.[1]: p.31 

As a young adult during the Great Depression in the United States, Sears worked as a playwright under the name Bernard Sears, winning some awards in 1933.[4] Some of his plays were published in 1935/36, including Dad Cashes In, which has many of Sears' biographical aspects,[1]: p.3 [5] and one play which was produced.[6]

The plays did not generate enough income for him to continue writing full-time, so Sears got what would be his first job in a long career in broadcasting, at WOMT in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.[1]: p.4  His young wife, Kathleen Sears, died during the Depression,[1]: p.6  leaving him with their two young sons, William and Michael. Sears remarried, and he and his new wife, Marguerite Reimer Sears, raised the boys together.[1]: p.6 

Second marriage and the Baháʼí Faith

William met Marguerite in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, when he attended the University of Wisconsin, and she Marquette University.[7] She had only recently joined the Baháʼí Faith, hearing about it from her father after a meeting Mary Maxwell, wife of a prominent Baháʼís leader. Their relationship advanced but they did not immediately marry. William was working in Iowa for the now former WGRR radio station of Radio Dubuque. On the way to California for a job with KFBK (AM)[8] the couple considered living in Utah because it was a goal area for the religion.[3]: 6:23min  They ended up living in Salt Lake City in spring 1939,[9] (apparently as their contribution to Shoghi Effendi's call for Baháʼís to relocate to support the religion)[10] where he was soon assistant manager of KUTA radio station (later KNRS (AM).)[11]

When they decided to marry, Marguerite and William's wedding was arranged in San Francisco by Marion Holley during their visit out there for a radio broadcast Sears did in September 1940.[12] Between them, there were two clear understandings. On her part, it was that the religion was a prominent part of her life, and he would have to work with it being a priority for her — affecting, for example, where they would live.[13][3]: 4:05min  On his side, it was that he had a year-old son with tuberculosis, and he needed someone to help care for him.[1]: p.6  Marguerite left the Baháʼí book The Dawn-Breakers out for him to read. After picking it up and setting it aside once,[1]: p.9  he read it three times in three weeks[3]: 7:47min  and by December 1939 was avowedly a Baháʼí,[14] officially joining the religion in 1940.[13]

Sears and Marguerite moved to San Mateo, California, about the summer of 1942, where a Baháʼí Spiritual Assembly had lapsed,[15] and he gave an especially noted talk about using radio to promote the religion.[16] In San Mateo, they were visible giving talks on the religion as late as February 1944.[17] He embarked on a national tour in 1945, beginning with talks in the New York City area in February.[18] Then, after a break, he gave another 48 talks across August and September through Salt Lake City, Laramie, Denver, Omaha, Topeka, Kansas City, Independence, Milwaukee, Omaha, and into Canada in November, as well as Charlottetown.[19] He was back in New York in December, giving a talk,[20] and participated in a statewide conference of Baháʼís.[21] During this period he was also on a committee that consulted on the religion's use of radio along with Mildred Mottahedeh,[22] prominently appeared at a peace banquet with Dorothy Beecher Baker (also a future Hand of the Cause),[23] gave talks in 1946 at a meeting back in Los Angeles with scholar Marzieh Gail,[24] and helped produce a higher-profile radio segment in Denver.[25] There is a gap in public coverage of any talks for the religion from 1946 until 1952, though his behind-the-scenes work continued and began to weave into his rising profile in the public eye and his service to the religion.

Rising to national awareness

As early as 1946, Sears was more noticeable in public, working for various radio and television stations. He worked at WPEN AM radio, and by 1948 at WCAU-TV, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[2][26] In between, in February 1947, Marguerite led a class in radio production at Green Acre Baháʼí School in Maine for which Sears acted as narrator and consultant before it airing on WHEB,[27] and by June Sears produced a set of radio spot announcements and national radio shows for the religion.[28] For commercial work he did various shows[2] including The Bill Sears Show,[29] while at the same time, his first booklet publication came out: The Martyr-Prophet of a World Faith, a 19-page work with quotes from A. L. M. Nicholas, Francis Younghusband, E. G. Browne,[30] and then he worked for the WCAU show Kid Gloves,[31] while at the same time Sears taped an interview of Hand of the Cause Corinne True about her pilgrimage in 1907.[32] In December 1951 he began to host a television show In The Park initially on WCAU as a 15-minute program,[33] which was picked up by WCBS-TV[34] as a 30-minute live program.[35] It featured conversations between Sears and puppets by Paul Ritts and Mary Donnelly[36][37][38] with "… Sears (dressed in suit jacket, vest, string tie, and hat) as he sat leisurely on a bench and conversed with his puppet friends"[39] in the Central Park Zoo.[40] In July 1952 the show was advertised as costing $3250 to produce per week.[35] At the same time as the show was coming along, Sears was included in a profile of thinkers by Edward R. Murrow in his This I Believe radio series though none of the participants were allowed to name their religion,[41] (the series published as a book, with Sears' entry on pp. 167–8,[42] and released on the internet c. 2005.)[43] Sears began to give more public talks for the religion covered in the newspapers, beginning with a funeral in Maine in the summer of 1952.[44] The Ten Year Crusade, a major initiative to bring the religion to countries around the world, was announced in October and would soon figure prominently in the Sears' plans. In the Park was noted in many newspaper stories in December 1952 related to The Ed Sullivan Show,[45] and actually appeared twice on the show — January and March 1953.[46] Coverage of In the Park continued into May.[47] Meanwhile, he was attending the May 2 dedication of the Baháʼí House of Worship in Wilmette.[48] Progress in organizing the efforts of the Ten Year Crusade included the opportunity for Marguerite to attend the February conference[49] of Baháʼís in Uganda.[3]: 8:52min  When Sears asked to leave his contract so he could go to Africa he was threatened with the fact that 56 people would lose their jobs.[3]: 9:14min  Meanwhile, the sponsor had a strike, canceled the contract, and the family left.[3]: 9:34min  The puppets went on to other shows.[50]

South Africa

Main article: Baháʼí Faith in South Africa

Arriving about July 18,[51][52] Sears, his wife, and one of their children moved near Johannesburg, South Africa,[3]: 10:10min  on an initial six-month visa.[53] They had intended to move on to Kenya, but they stayed in South Africa.[1]: p.20  This was during the period of Apartheid and just as some new laws segregating people were coming into play: Reservation of Separate Amenities Act and the Bantu Education Act. Sears suffered a heart attack a few days into their stay.[1]: p.20  After recovering, they stayed in Kampala, Uganda, at the home of Hand of the Cause Músá Banání just after Enoch Olinga left for Cameroon.[1]: p.21  In April 1954 the Sears went on Baháʼí pilgrimage,[7][54] with quick stops by Marguerite in the States sharing that pioneering doesn't magically transform someone,[55] and on return, their other son also moved to South Africa.[56] Sears commented about what he learned on pilgrimage including that an attitude of service in pioneering:

"Over and over again these general principles were reiterated: pioneers going to Africa must efface themselves, they must realize that in going to Africa they go to teach the native African people, not the Europeans or others who have migrated there. Pioneers must show by actions, not by words alone, that they love the Africans and have come to Africa to serve them and show their love for them.… and (reporting the words of Shoghi Effendi) "to select those taught carefully, teach them thoroughly, strengthen them in their understanding. Give them the message in such a way as to create in them a desire to teach. Then the task is accomplished. Then let the whites disperse."[57]

After returning from pilgrimage, the Sears moved back to South Africa where they bought a farm.[1]: p.25  They helped elect the local assembly of Johannesburg,[1]: p.25  and he was appointed to the Auxiliary Board for Africa,[58] under Hand of the Cause Músá Banání.[59] Sears gained a job with the South African Broadcasting Corporation pre-recording radio programs, and using the free time for trips to support the religion.[1]: p.26  There was another brief trip to North America – Sears was in Canada possibly while adjusting passports for a longer stay, and gave a talk,[60] while Marguerite was in Illinois.[61] Returned in 1956, Sears was elected as chairman of the new regional assembly for the geographic region of South and West Africa.[62] There were many trips he embarked on.[1]: p.38–44  Sears drove into Zulu territory seeking out a pioneer with John Quigley,[59] and also managed a quick trip to the States for a July televised program on the religion for a Chicago educational television station where he served as an off-camera announcer as well as one of the interviewees.[63] However, a new law in South Africa, the Industrial Conciliation Act, 1956, set a standard that organizations with membership of more than one race could only have one race governing the group. The Baháʼís chose to elect only black African leadership.[64][65][66] While in South Africa circa September 1957, Sears finished off the preface to his first book – Release the Sun.[67] Sears was briefly in the States in October,[68] before returning to South Africa,[3]: 11:00min  and learning he was appointed a Hand of the Cause by Shoghi Effendi, along with Enoch Olinga and John Robarts, with responsibilities for West and South Africa.[69] The telegram arrived late in October from Músá Banání,[1]: p.44  just before Shoghi Effendi died November 4.

Hand of the Cause

Main article: Hands of the Cause

Crisis of the death of Shoghi Effendi

With the death of Shoghi Effendi the Hands of the Cause of God, now with its newest appointees, decided a select group would be voted on to act at the Baháʼí World Centre for the interests of the religion between the period of the leadership of Shoghi Effendi and promised election of the Universal House of Justice at the end of the Ten Year Crusade in 1963. These were called Custodians. In 1958 Sears attended the election of the French national assembly.[70] During this period the Sears were apart for about a year until she was able to live in Haifa and then they traveled further together.[1]: p.47  Meanwhile, one of their sons had married and stayed in Africa.

Sears next appears in news in the States is 1959 following a redistribution of responsibilities[71] and attended the national convention of the US community along with Corinne True and Horace Holley.[72] He then undertook a long tour of talks across the United States and into Canada through to Spring 1960.[73][74] He interrupted his tour in September having already reached more than 2000 Baháʼís across more than a hundred meetings.[75] Starting in June Sears wrote several telegrams reacting to the decision of fellow Hand of the Cause Mason Remey to call himself Guardian which initiated a Baháʼí division.[76] But this claim was almost universally rejected by the body of the Baháʼís[77] and that group later broke into several other divisions,[78] and dwindled away.[79] In October 1959 Sears released a number of tapes as well as scripts individuals could use to make their own presentations for a number of occasions,[80] and a tape of his was used in an inter-racial meeting in Durham NC the same month.[81] Meanwhile, in July 1960 Hand of the Cause Horace Holley, who had been elected to act as a Custodian, died. Sears was named by the Hands to fill his place.[76] Sears also released his autobiographical God Loves Laughter.[82] He then continued the tour into Latin America, Central America, the Greater Antilles and northern South American countries by July 1960.[83]

Tours in service

Finishing the Crusade

Sears was one of the signatories to a letter urging the Baháʼís of the west to continue the work for the crusade.[84] Sears' travels continued from December 1960 starting in Alaska and then into California[85] before proceeding widely through the rest of the U.S. and on into spring 1961.[86] And taped talks of his begin to circulate.[87]

There was special coverage of Sears helping to dedicate the Baháʼí House of Worship in Uganda in January 1961.[88] Sears' most famous book, Thief in the Night, was then published. It followed biographical elements of his interest in the history of the Báb.[89] His books began to be discussed at meetings; this continued through the years.[90]

In the spring Sears visited the Panamanian Baháʼís,[91] attended the national convention of Guatemala[92] as well as visiting the newly elected International Baháʼí Council, a precursor to the Universal House of Justice.[93] While there he was a co-signatory to a letter to the Baháʼís of Australia in their efforts in the concluding years of the crusade.[94] In 1962 he visited at the University of Urbana-Champaign[95] and then participated in a radio program on WLS (AM) in Chicago[96] before attending that year's U. S. national convention (where he advocated for easing enrollment conditions that were then common practice and shared prayers in an African language,)[97] and then the French Baháʼí summer school.[98]

In 1963 he attended the conclave of the Hands of the Cause in Haifa anticipating the election of the Universal House of Justice to be the new head of the religion[99] and sent a taped message to an all-Indian council of Baháʼís held near Tucson.[100] Sears was in London for the first Baháʼí World Congress, which elected the Universal House of Justice. Sears spoke at the second evening giving a public address.[101]

Under the Universal House of Justice

Sears spent some years overseas from America[102] but in 1965 Sears was covered in various newspapers — Associated Press religion writer George W. Cornell wrote a piece on the religion including interviewing him.[103] His book Release the Sun was included by the Baháʼís in donating to President JFK's Memorial Library, and echoed elsewhere.[104] He was interviewed on WBBY,[105] and present at different community meetings in the California area.[106] In late January 1966 the Baháʼís organized a major conference in Fresno, California. Nine days, with a talk a day, were scheduled with Lisa Montell, Mildred Mottahedeh, Arthur Dahl, Florence Mayberry, William Sears, Russell Garcia, Gina Valentine, Eulalia Bobo, Sookha Winters, and Chester Khan.[107] In February Sears released a series of tapes discussing ideals and importance about contributions to the religion.[108] In May a conference of two Hands of the Cause, Sears and Zikr'u'llah Khadem, several of their auxiliary board members, and a representative of the national assembly, consulted in Waukesha, Wisconsin,[109] and Sears was interviewed on the NBC Today Show on May 23.[110]

He was overseas from America for much of 1967–8,[111] starting with attending the election of a regional assembly in west central Africa.[112] In 1968 Sears was at a centennial of Baháʼu'lláh's arrival at the prison of Akka in 1868 with 9 other Hands of the Cause and some 2300 Baháʼís at a conference in Palermo, Sicily before going to Haifa as a group.[113] He then toured Baháʼí communities in the United Kingdom.[114] In December he helped dedicate a new Baháʼí center in San Bernardino, California[115] followed by attending several of the series of conferences arranged by the newly formed institution of the Continental Counsellors held across North America at Quebec, Ontario, Georgia, Pennsylvania, California, Missouri, Saskatchewan and British Columbia into March 1969.[116] In April he attended the US National Baháʼí Convention, speaking several times,[117] and in September Sears helped dedicate a new Baháʼí center at Desert Hot Springs, California.[118] Meanwhile, God Loves Laughter was included in donations to a library[119] and taped talks of his were used for a youth conference in Australia[120] and Honduras[121] in 1968.

In 1970 Sears attended a statewide conference in February in Bradenton, Florida,[122] and another tape of a talk of his was sent to a youth conference in Indiana[123] and a summer school in Seattle[124] in June, however Sears was actually out of the country. In May he attended the French national convention[125] and in August an (Indian) oceanic conference in Mauritius[126] on the way to a task assigned by the Universal House of Justice. It had requested that Sears tour Iran with Marguerite, and their travels were aided by the Iranian National Spiritual Assembly, several of whom were to disappear in a few years.[1]: p.65–76  They were able to visit many sites important in the History of the Baháʼí Faith — the homes of the Báb and Baháʼu'lláh, the site of the Conference of Badasht, the Siyah-Chal, the fortress of Maku, the site of the Battle of Fort Tabarsi, and the place of the Báb's execution — all despite various levels of harassment. Sears published The Prisoner and the Kings following this trip.[127] His next Baháʼí event was the Naw-Ruz opening of the Baháʼí new year celebration in a number of events in Los Angeles in March, despite the troubles of the February 1971 San Fernando earthquake, drawing participants from New Mexico, Nevada and Arizona. The talks and slides of the event were recorded.[128] While he was away in Iran a taped message was presented at the US national convention,[129] a general discussion tape on spiritual assemblies as an institution of the religion was released,[130] again Sears' God Loves Laughter was donated to a library[131] and a tape of a talk of his was used in a public meeting in Indiana.[132]

In Spring 1971 he sent a taped message to the US national convention while he was aboard ship underway to the national convention of Jamaica,[133] and another for the May conference of the Caribbean in Jamaica[134] while he was at the national convention in Germany,[135] and then a German national youth symposium.[136] Following events in South Carolina, wherein thousands of people were beginning to join the religion[137] Sears released a pair of hour-long taped discussions on the subject of mass engagement with and response of the public.[138] He appeared personally in December at an awards program in California.[139] In 1972 he again sends a tape to the US national convention,[140] a letter to the national convention in Chad,[141] and one to the combined convention of Swaziland and Mozambique[142] – this time he was away for the election of the new national assembly of Ireland.[143] In October he sent a taped message to the dedication of the new institute named after Louis G. Gregory in South Carolina.[144]

1973 represents an active year again – he published a biography of Lua Getsinger,[145] gave talks at several meetings around South Carolina in January at the Louis Gregory Institute,[146] addressed the delegates to the third international convention,[147] the US national convention,[148] and the third annual youth convention of the US (held in June in Oklahoma at which some 4000 Baháʼís attended.)[149] In December he helped set up the first officially Baháʼí television series,[13] appearing in it as well as Mr. and Mrs. Russell Garcia. It was carried by an ABC affiliate in Hawaii.[150] In Spring 1974 he attended the national convention in Japan and met Baháʼís in South Korea at a conference.[151] In July he attended the dedication of the Bosch Baháʼí School in Santa Cruz, California.[152] In August he had two major appearances: in early August he appeared an international youth conference in Hilo, Hawaii[153] and in late August he was at a musical program with Russell Garcia and Seals and Crofts in Illinois.[154]

In 1975 he started in January in New York,[155] and then the US national convention in April.[156] However he was unable to attend a conference in Montreal due to deterioration in his health such that he had to stop his appearances for a time.[157] He sent a letter to an Alaskan conference in September.[158] He was able to appear at one of the two conferences[159] of Baháʼís in California in December.[160]

The television series he had worked on in Hawaii in 1973 had been taped and was made available in 1976[161] and was aired in Alaska.[162] He attended the Canadian national convention of Baháʼís,[163] bringing to the US convention a gift of roses in honor of Charlotte Linfoot who had just sustained a serious stroke,[164] and then an Alaskan conference in July.[165] In October he was in Nairobi Kenya for an international conference of Baháʼís.[166]

Following the Islamic Revolution in Iran and the treatment of Baháʼís Sears wrote A Cry from the Heart: The Baháʼís in Iran.[167] Meanwhile, some of his earlier books were donated to libraries or given away.[168] His A Cry from the Heart was included in testimony to the US Congress about events in Iran and donated to a library in 1982.[169] In 1983 George Plagenz took an interest in the analysis Sears did of Christian prophecies (without naming Thief in the Night) and it is carried in a few cities over time.[170] He addressed the US national convention and his comments were recorded.[171]

Final years

The Sears moved to Tucson in 1985 in part for his health as the climate was better for him.[1]: p.87  He published All Flags Flying to tell anecdotes from his travels.[172] In 1986 he attended the dedication of the Lotus Temple and gave a talk that has been recorded.[173] The Sears' then began a project establishing Desert Rose Baháʼí School[1]: p.89  which had its first meetings in 1988.[174] Despite having developed prostate cancer, in 1991 Sears initiated his last major project – he began to tour five cities of the United States and then extended the tour to nine more.[1]: p.91, 93  But Sears died before reaching the eighth goal city, on the morning of March 25, 1992.[1]: p.94  Along the way he published Run to Glory! with anecdotes of his life fictionalized and humorous.[175] He also had notes of works not published that were finished and published – In Grandfather's Barn[176] and The Half-Inch Prophecy.[177] He is buried in East Lawn Palms Cemetery in Tucson, Arizona.

Marguerite died in 2006.

Thief in the Night

Sears' book Thief in the Night, or, The Strange Case of the Missing Millennium deals with the history and understandings of prophecies in relation to the Báb and includes references to number of issues from the 1844 Edict of Toleration, William Miller's work on prophecy and the Millerism movement, the resulting Great Disappointment as it was understood in the West, and the history of the Bahá'í Faith in Persia. It provides an alternate understanding of Christian Scriptures that challenges current Christian thought on each of the issues brought up (it can be considered that there is a unanimity about such matters within the Christian faith), while the book presents a Baháʼí understanding on these various themes.[178]

Between 1961 and 1997 it was reprinted 20 times[179] and is still labeled "a classic", if popular, book and is still listed in modern PhD's as a resource.[180] It "has remained one of the best selling of all Baha'i books since it was first published in 1961."[181] The book has been noted by many Baháʼís: Dizzy Gillespie and friends including Flora Purim,[182] and several writers on diverse themes.[183]

Remembrances

  • Edward R. Murrow said of him:"…who, we venture to emphasize, hasn't limited his talents to the coverage of a ball game or tennis match, but has put in some fruitful time studying the struggle of life itself and the rules it is best played by."[41]: 4:00min 
  • On the Rooftop with Bill Sears play about the life of Sears.[184][185]
  • Bill Sears, Kevin McCloud, Taylor Hayward, Lena Selyanina. Remember Bill Sears (audio). Bahai-Library.com.

Bibliography of writings

Plays

Books

  • Sears, William (1960). God Loves Laughter. Oxford, UK: George Ronald. ISBN 0-85398-019-5.
  • Sears, William (1985). All Flags Flying. NSA of the Baháʼís of South Africa. ISBN 0-908420-62-5.
  • Sears, William (1988). Prince of Peace. India: Baháʼí Publishing Trust. ISBN 81-85091-10-2.
  • Sears, William (1991). Run to Glory. Naturegraph Publishers Inc. ISBN 0-87961-195-2.
  • (post-humously) Sears, William (1997). In Grandfather's Barn. US: Baháʼí Publishing Trust. ISBN 0-87743-257-0.

Further reading

  • Marguerite Sears, Bill Sears (2006). Marguerite Sears: Undying Flame (film). National Spiritual Assembly of the Baháʼís of the United States.
  • Marguerite Reimer Sears (2003). Bill – A biography of Hand of the Cause of God William Sears. Eloy, Arizona: Desert Rose Publishing. ISBN 0-9743979-0-3.

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w Marguerite Reimer Sears (2003). Bill – A biography of Hand of the Cause of God William Sears. Eloy, Arizona: Desert Rose Publishing. ISBN 0-9743979-0-3.
  2. ^ a b c * "Bill Sears". Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia. 2002. Retrieved Jan 12, 2015.
    • "Bill Sears". Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia. 2002. Retrieved Jan 12, 2015.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i Marguerite Sears, Bill Sears (2006). Marguerite Sears: Undying Flame (film). National Spiritual Assembly of the Baháʼís of the United States.
  4. ^ *"Green Bay author wins first place in play tournament". Oshkosh Daily Northwestern. Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Mar 29, 1933. p. 3. Retrieved Jan 12, 2015.
  5. ^ *Dad Cashes in (under "Bernard Sears") – "Class D – Dramatic Compositions". Catalog of Copyright Entries; Part 1, Group 3, Dramatic Compositions – Motion Pictures. 8 (9). Library of Congress: 267. 1935. Retrieved Jan 13, 2015.
    • "Dramatic Club delights crowd". New Castle News. New Castle, Pennsylvania. 18 Apr 1936. p. 12. Retrieved Jan 15, 2015.
    • The Cardigan kid; a comedy in 1 act ( under "William B. Sears"- "Class D – Dramatic Compositions". Catalog of Copyright Entries; Part 1, Group 3, Dramatic Compositions – Motion Pictures. 9 (5). Library of Congress: 184. 1936. Retrieved Jan 13, 2015.
    • The Undoing of Albert O'Donnell; a comedy in 1 act (under "William B. Sears") – "Class D – Dramatic Compositions". Catalog of Copyright Entries; Part 1, Group 3, Dramatic Compositions – Motion Pictures. 9 (5). Library of Congress: 184. 1936. Retrieved Jan 13, 2015.
  6. ^ Wisconsin community plays – "Class D – Dramatic Compositions". Catalog of Copyright Entries; Part 1, Group 3, Dramatic Compositions – Motion Pictures. 9 (5). Library of Congress: 173. 1936. Retrieved Jan 13, 2015.
  7. ^ a b "Mrs Sears to tour world in interest of Baha'i Faith". The Milwaukee Sentinel –. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Jan 15, 1953. p. 7.
  8. ^ "Behind the Mic" (PDF). Broadcast and Broadcast Advertising. 16 (3). Washington D.C.: 38 Feb 1, 1939. Retrieved Jan 12, 2015.
  9. ^ "Settlement of the nine areas". Baháʼí News. Vol. 2, no. 124. April 1939. p. 6. Retrieved Jan 11, 2015.
  10. ^ "Convention greetings and gratitude to pioneers". Baháʼí News. June 1939. p. 3. Retrieved Jan 11, 2015.
  11. ^ "Teaching activities0". Baháʼí News. Vol. 2, no. 129. September 1939. pp. 6–7. Retrieved Jan 11, 2015.
  12. ^ Marguerite Sears (2003). Bill: a biography of Hand of the Cause of God William Sears. Eloy, AZ: Desert Rose Pub. p. 9. ISBN 0-9743979-0-3. OCLC 646625272.
  13. ^ a b c Smith, Peter (2000). "William Sears". A concise encyclopedia of the Baháʼí Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. pp. 307–308. ISBN 1-85168-184-1.
  14. ^ "Teaching Achievements". Baháʼí News. January 1940. p. 5. Retrieved Jan 11, 2015.
  15. ^ "National and Regional Teaching Activities". Baháʼí News. No. 155. August 1942. pp. 4–6 (see page 6). Retrieved Jan 11, 2015.
  16. ^ "Radio". Baháʼí News. No. 164. July 1943. p. 6. Retrieved Jan 11, 2015.
  17. ^ "K. Y. A." The Times. San Mateo, California. Feb 11, 1944. p. 8. Retrieved Jan 9, 2015.
    • "K. Y. A." The Times. San Mateo, California. Feb 18, 1944. p. 8. Retrieved Jan 9, 2015.
  18. ^ * "Baha'i Faith". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Brooklyn, New York. Feb 3, 1945. p. 5. Retrieved Jan 10, 2015.
  19. ^ "Teaching Circuits". Baháʼí News. No. 174. May 1945. p. 6. Retrieved Jan 11, 2015.
  20. ^ "Flatbush minister addresses Bahais". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Brooklyn, New York. Dec 16, 1944. p. 4. Retrieved Jan 10, 2015.
  21. ^ "Regional Committees". Baháʼí News. No. 174. May 1945. p. 5. Retrieved Jan 9, 2015.
  22. ^ "Directory; National and Regional committees; Radio". Baháʼí News. No. 172. February 1945. p. 5. Retrieved Jan 11, 2015.
  23. ^ "Milwaukee, Wisconsin". Baháʼí News. No. 177. November 1945. p. 15. Retrieved Jan 11, 2015.
  24. ^ Virginia Foster (March 1946). "The Los Angeles Public Meeting". Baháʼí News. No. 181. p. 7. Retrieved Jan 11, 2015.
  25. ^ "Denver public meeting". Baháʼí News. April 1946. pp. 5–6. Retrieved Jan 12, 2015.
  26. ^ "WPEN – 950". Pottstown Mercury. Pottstown, Pennsylvania. Apr 1, 1947. p. 12. Retrieved Jan 9, 2015.
  27. ^ "Radio script writing at Green Acre". Baháʼí News. February 1947. pp. 8–9. Retrieved Jan 12, 2015.
  28. ^ "Teaching by air". Baháʼí News. June 1947. p. 8. Retrieved Jan 12, 2015.
  29. ^ Morton, Al (27 Apr 1950). "TV Notes by". Delaware County Daily Times. Chester, Pennsylvania. p. 42. Retrieved Jan 9, 2015.
  30. ^ William B. Sears (1950). The Martyr-prophet of a World Faith. Baháʼí Publishing Committee.
  31. ^ "Radio and Television Highlights for Tuesday". Delaware County Daily Times. Chester, Pennsylvania. May 22, 1951. p. 10. Retrieved Jan 10, 2015.
  32. ^ Corinne True, William Sears (1951). Memories: Bill Sears interviews Mrs. True (audio). Bahai-Library.com.
  33. ^ Brandi Scardilli (May 2010). Love, Luck and Lollipops; Children's television programming in Philadelphia, 1948-1969 (Master's Degree). Camden, New Jersey: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. pp. 23–4, 46. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.1009.113.
  34. ^ "Television and Radio Programs". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Brooklyn, New York. Dec 23, 1951. p. 20. Retrieved Jan 10, 2015.
  35. ^ a b "Available network package programs (TV)". Sponsor. 6 (14): 149–150. July 14, 1952. Retrieved Jan 12, 2015.
  36. ^ Kevin S. Butler (2006). "The Ritts Puppets". TVparty!. Retrieved Jan 12, 2015.
  37. ^ Dennis McLellan (May 25, 2006). "Mary Ritts, 95; She and Husband Had a Long TV Run With Ritts Puppets". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, California. Retrieved Jan 12, 2015.
  38. ^ Stephen Miller (May 26, 2006). "Mary Ritts, 95, Half of a TV Puppeteer Team". The Sun. New York, NY. Retrieved Jan 12, 2015.
  39. ^ "The Ritts Puppets". Puppets & Puppeteers. TV Acres. 2013. Retrieved Jan 12, 2015.
  40. ^ "Mary Ritts and Puppets". Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia. 2006. Retrieved Jan 12, 2015.
  41. ^ a b "National Radio; This I Believe". Baháʼí News. September 1952. p. 10. Retrieved Jan 14, 2015.
  42. ^ Edward R. Murrow (1952). This I Believe: the Living Philosophies of One Hundred Thoughtful Men and Women in All Walks of Life. Simon and Schuster. pp. 167–8.
  43. ^ Bill Sears (2005) [1952]. Closer Than My Own Back Yard (radio/audio). This I Believe, Inc.
  44. ^ * "Miss Maud Mickle". The Portsmouth Herald. Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Jul 25, 1952. p. 3. Retrieved Jan 10, 2015.
  45. ^ * Ed Sullivan (25 Dec 1952). "Little old New York Men and Maides, and Stuff". The Corpus Christi Caller-Times. Corpus Christi, Texas. p. 31. Retrieved Jan 11, 2015.
  46. ^ David M. Inman (16 November 2005). Television Variety Shows: Histories and Episode Guides to 57 Programs. McFarland. p. 79. ISBN 978-0-7864-2198-5.
  47. ^ * "On Toast". Independent Press-Telegram. Long Beach, California. Jan 11, 1953. p. 49. Retrieved Jan 11, 2015.
  48. ^ Bruce Whitmore (April 1975). "The dedication of the first Mashriqu'l-Adhkár of the West". Baháʼí News. pp. 12–17 (see page 15). Retrieved Jan 19, 2015.
  49. ^ "The Guardian's Message to the first Intercontinental Conference". Baháʼí News. No. 265. March 1953. pp. 1–3.
  50. ^ "TV Roundup – Menageries set for 'Comeback'" (PDF). Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. August 6, 1956. p. 18. Retrieved Jan 12, 2015.
  51. ^ "First Pioneer Report". Baháʼí News. No. 270. August 1953. p. 1. Retrieved Jan 12, 2015.
  52. ^ "World Crusade Report". Baháʼí News. No. 277. March 1954. p. 7. Retrieved Jan 12, 2015.
  53. ^ Judy Jennings (August 10, 1953). "Monday Morning Gossip of the nation" (PDF). Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. p. 11. Retrieved Jan 12, 2015.
  54. ^ William Sears (1997). "Pilgrimage to Haifa". Pilgrims' notes. Bahai-Library.com. Retrieved Jan 12, 2015.
  55. ^ "News from Africa". Baháʼí News. July 1954. pp. 4–5 (see page 5). Retrieved Jan 12, 2015.
  56. ^ "Eighth Pioneer Report". Baháʼí News. July 1954. p. 4. Retrieved Jan 12, 2015.
  57. ^ "United States Africa Teaching Committee; Goals for this year". Baháʼí News. September 1954. pp. 10–11 (see page 11). Retrieved Jan 12, 2015.
  58. ^ "United States Africa Teaching Committee; Africa News". Baháʼí News. No. 288. February 1955. pp. 7–8. Retrieved Jan 12, 2015.
  59. ^ a b "Central and East Africa; Newsletter tells of two African tours". Baháʼí News. No. 313. March 1957. pp. 5–6. Retrieved Jan 12, 2015.
  60. ^ "Canada". Baháʼí News. October 1955. p. 11. Retrieved Jan 12, 2015.
  61. ^ "Central States Conference in Decatur". Baháʼí News. No. 298. December 1955. p. 12. Retrieved Jan 12, 2015.
  62. ^ "The very life blood". Baháʼí News. June 1956. pp. 10–11 (see page 11). Retrieved Jan 12, 2015.
  63. ^ "Baha'i Faith presented on Chicago television". Baháʼí News. September 1956. p. 13. Retrieved Jan 12, 2015.
  64. ^ Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South Africa Report (1998-10-29). "Regional Profile: Eastern Cape and Appendix: Statistics on Violations in the Eastern Cape" (PDF). Volume Three – Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South Africa Report. Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South Africa Report. pp. 32, 146. Retrieved March 8, 2017.
  65. ^ National Spiritual Assembly of the Baháʼís of South Africa (1997-11-19). "Statement to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission". Baháʼí International Community. Retrieved 2015-01-15.
  66. ^ Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South Africa (1998-10-29). "various" (PDF). Volume Four – Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South Africa Report. Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South Africa. pp. paragraphs 6, 27, 75, 84, 102. Retrieved March 8, 2017.
  67. ^ William Sears (1 January 2003). Release the Sun. Baha'i Publishing Trust. p. 12. ISBN 978-1-931847-09-4.
  68. ^ "Eliot Baha'is honor Bab". The Portsmouth Herald. Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Oct 23, 1957. p. 5. Retrieved Jan 11, 2015.
  69. ^ Messages to the Baháʼí World: 1950–1957, Author: Shoghi Effendi, Source:US Baháʼí Publishing Trust, 1971, p 127
  70. ^ Sally Sanor (July 1958). "First national spiritual assembly of France, formed Ridvan 1958, becomes twenty-seventh pillar of Faith of Baha'u'llah". Baháʼí News. pp. 17–18. Retrieved Jan 14, 2015.
  71. ^ "William Sears, Hand of the Cause, to serve in the Western Hemisphere". Baháʼí News. February 1959. p. 1. Retrieved Jan 14, 2015.
  72. ^ "869 Delegates and visitors find renewed inspiration at fifty-first U.S. national convention in Wilmette". Baháʼí News. June 1959. pp. 6–9. Retrieved Jan 14, 2015.
  73. ^ * "Hand of Cause William Sears to speak in ten states during September, October". Baháʼí News. September 1959. p. 2. Retrieved Jan 12, 2015.
  74. ^ * "Baha'i center to hear address by noted speaker". Santa Cruz Sentinel. Santa Cruz, California. May 29, 1959. p. 7. Retrieved Jan 11, 2015. ʻ* "Speaker listed at Baha'i school". The Portsmouth Herald. Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Jul 11, 1959. p. 3. Retrieved Jan 11, 2015.
  75. ^ "2000 Baháʼís Hear Hand of Cause Sears on Eight-Month Tour of U.S. and Canada" (PDF). National Baháʼí Review. November 1959. p. 2. Retrieved Jan 19, 2015.
  76. ^ a b The Ministry of the Custodians, 1957-1963: An Account of the Stewardship of the Hands of the Cause. Baháʼí World Centre. 1 January 1992. pp. 12, 212–217. ISBN 978-0-85398-350-7.
  77. ^ Smith, Peter (2000). "A Concise Encyclopedia of the Baha'i Faith". A concise encyclopedia of the Baháʼí Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. pp. 175–177, 292–293. ISBN 1-85168-184-1.
  78. ^ Momen, Moojan (2003). "The Covenant and Covenant-Breaker". bahai-library.com. Retrieved Jan 14, 2015.
  79. ^ *Stone, Jon R., ed. (2000). Expecting Armageddon, Essential Readings in Failed Prophecy. New York: Routledge. pp. 269–282. ISBN 0-415-92331-X.
  80. ^ * "First of new series of recordings released by audio-visual committee" (PDF). National Baháʼí Review. October 1959. p. 3. Retrieved Jan 19, 2015.
  81. ^ Mary Jean MacKay (March 1960). "Many Communities Report Warm Response to .InterracialTeaching Activities" (PDF). National Baháʼí Review. pp. 3–4. Retrieved Jan 19, 2015.
  82. ^ Sears, William (1960). God Loves Laughter. Oxford, UK: George Ronald. ISBN 0-85398-019-5.
  83. ^ "New victories announced at World Center". Baháʼí News. September 1960. pp. 1–2. Retrieved Jan 14, 2015.
  84. ^ Corinne True; Hermann Grossman; Dhikru'lláh Khadem; William Sears (August 1960). "Hands of the Cause in the Western Hemisphere Call Us To Become "Apostles of Baha'u'llah" Through Teaching" (PDF). National Baháʼí Review. p. 13. Retrieved Jan 15, 2015.
  85. ^ "Hand of Cause William B. Sears addresses large meetings in Los Angeles". Baháʼí News. February 1961. p. 4. Retrieved Jan 14, 2015.
  86. ^ * "Speaker – William Sears, author…". Pasadena Independent. Pasadena, California. Mar 15, 1962. p. 84. Retrieved Jan 11, 2015.
  87. ^ * "Significance of Baha'i new year discussed". The San Bernardino County Sun. San Bernardino, California. Mar 24, 1961. p. 12. Retrieved Jan 11, 2015.
  88. ^ * "Sears, Quigley at dedication". The Anniston Star. Anniston, Alabama. Jan 29, 1961. p. 20. Retrieved Jan 11, 2015.
  89. ^ *Sears, William (2002) [1961]. Thief in the Night. Oxford, UK: George Ronald. ISBN 0-85398-008-X.
  90. ^ * "Book review slated for Baha'i meeting". The Terre Haute Star. Terre Haute, Indiana. Jun 22, 1960. p. 9. Retrieved Jan 11, 2015.
    • "Baha'is books at library". The Sun and the Erie County Independent. Hamburg, New York. Aug 25, 1960. p. 18. Retrieved Jan 11, 2015.
    • "Baha'i services set". The Terre Haute Star. Terre Haute, Indiana. May 20, 1961. p. 7. Retrieved Jan 11, 2015.
    • "Church News". The Sun and the Erie County Independent. Hamburg, New York. Jan 30, 1964. p. 19. Retrieved Jan 11, 2015.
    • "Church News". The Sun and the Erie County Independent. Hamburg, New York. Feb 6, 1964. p. 1. Retrieved Jan 18, 2015.
    • "Baha'is to hear book reviewed". El Paso Herald-Post. El Paso, Texas. Aug 12, 1967. p. 3. Retrieved Jan 18, 2015.
  91. ^ "Panama". Baháʼí News. July 1961. p. 4. Retrieved Jan 14, 2015.
  92. ^ "Indians of Guatemala stiffed by visit of Hands of Cause". Baháʼí News. September 1961. p. 4. Retrieved Jan 14, 2015.
  93. ^ "Newly elected international council holds first meeting". Baháʼí News. August 1961. p. 1. Retrieved Jan 14, 2015.
  94. ^ A. Furutan; Hasan Balyuzi; Jalál Kházeh; John Ferraby; Paul Hany; A. Q. Faizi; William Sears (October 1961). "Hands Stress Home Front In Message to Australian Conference" (PDF). National Baháʼí Review. pp. 1–3. Retrieved Jan 19, 2015.
  95. ^ "Producer-turned-missionary… Sears, Baha'i Speaker, to visit UL". Daily Illini. Urbana-Champaign, Illinois. 5 January 1962. p. 3. Retrieved Jan 12, 2015.
  96. ^ "Baha'i in the news; On January 7 the half-hour program…". Baháʼí News. March 1962. p. 15. Retrieved Jan 14, 2015.
  97. ^ "Tidings of electrifying victories highlight fifty-fourth U. S. national convention". Baháʼí News. June 1962. pp. 8–11. Retrieved Jan 14, 2015.
  98. ^ "Attendants, including Hands of the Cause…". Baháʼí News. October 1962. p. 3. Retrieved Jan 14, 2015.
  99. ^ "Annual gathering of the Hands announced for April 1963". Baháʼí News. October 1962. p. 1. Retrieved Jan 14, 2015.
  100. ^ "Great Council Fire". Baháʼí News. April 1963. p. 17. Retrieved Jan 14, 2015.
  101. ^ "Baháʼí World Congress Ridvan 120". Baháʼí News. June 1963. p. 7. Retrieved Jan 14, 2015.
  102. ^ "Members of Baha'i Faith in meeting". The Bakersfield Californian. Bakersfield, California. Oct 2, 1965. p. 7. Retrieved Jan 15, 2015.
  103. ^ George W. Cornell (Jan 23, 1965). "Religion in the News". The La Crosse Tribune. La Crosse, Wisconsin. p. 2. Retrieved Jan 15, 2015.
  104. ^ "S. J. Baha'i donates four books". The News-Palladium. Benton Harbor, Michigan. Feb 1, 1965. p. 16. Retrieved Jan 15, 2015.
  105. ^ "Bob Quigley, Hollywood producer…". The Edwardsville Intelligencer. Edwardsville, Illinois. 9 Apr 1965. p. 9. Retrieved Jan 15, 2015.
  106. ^ * "Those of Baha'i faith to stress race unity". The Bakersfield Californian. Bakersfield, California. Jun 12, 1965. p. 19. Retrieved Jan 15, 2015.
  107. ^ * "Baha'i Faith plans week of activities". The Fresno Bee The Republican. Fresno, California. Jan 22, 1966. p. 5. Retrieved Jan 15, 2015.
  108. ^ "Baha'i distribution and service department" (PDF). National Baháʼí Review. February 1966. p. 3. Retrieved Jan 15, 2015.
  109. ^ * "Waukesha Baha'is set observance, TV program". Waukesha Daily Freeman. Waukesha, Wisconsin. May 20, 1966. p. 4. Retrieved Jan 18, 2015.
  110. ^ * "William Sears on 'Today' Show". The Amarillo Globe-Times. Amarillo, Texas. May 20, 1966. p. 25. Retrieved Jan 15, 2015.
  111. ^ "Baha'i official to be honored". Desert Sentinel. Desert Hot Springs, California. Mar 20, 1969. p. 10. Retrieved Jan 18, 2015.
  112. ^ "Spiritual assemblies throughout the world". Baháʼí News. February 1968. p. 13. Retrieved Jan 19, 2015.
  113. ^ * "Sicily greets first oceanic conference". Baháʼí News. October 1968. pp. 3–6. Retrieved Jan 19, 2015.
  114. ^ "News Briefs". Baháʼí News. January 1969. pp. 11–12. Retrieved Jan 19, 2015.
  115. ^ "Baháʼí Center in San Bernardino". Baháʼí News. April 1969. p. 11. Retrieved Jan 19, 2015.
  116. ^ "Nine conferences inspire rededication". Baháʼí News. June 1969. pp. 2–4. Retrieved Jan 19, 2015.
  117. ^ Nancy Alison; A. L. Lincoln (June 1969). "US national convention 1969". Baháʼí News. pp. 12–15. Retrieved Jan 19, 2015.
  118. ^ "Opens new center". Baháʼí News. December 1969. pp. 10–11. Retrieved Jan 19, 2015.
  119. ^ "Library gets Baha'i books". Casa Grande Dispatch. Casa Grande, Arizona. June 5, 1968. p. 5. Retrieved Jan 15, 2015.
  120. ^ "Australian youth school brings inspiration to many". Baháʼí News. July 1968. p. 9. Retrieved Jan 19, 2015.
  121. ^ Shirley Warde (December 1968). "British Honduras forges ahead". Baháʼí News. pp. 12–13. Retrieved Jan 19, 2015.
  122. ^ "Bradenton, Florida". Baháʼí News. April 1970. pp. 13–14. Retrieved Jan 19, 2015.
  123. ^ "Baha'i Club for youth to organize". The Kokomo Tribune. Kokomo, Indiana. June 27, 1970. p. 7. Retrieved Jan 15, 2015.
  124. ^ "Northwest Baha'i summer school". Baháʼí News. December 1970. p. 19. Retrieved Jan 19, 2015.
  125. ^ "France". Baháʼí News. September 1970. p. 11. Retrieved Jan 19, 2015.
  126. ^ * "Seven national assemblies to be formed next Rid̨van". Baháʼí News. October 1970. p. 1. Retrieved Jan 19, 2015.
  127. ^ Sears, William (1971). Prisoner and the Kings, The. USA: Baháʼí Publishing Trust. ISBN 1-931847-41-X.
  128. ^ ""Wake Up America" exhorts Hand of the Cause Sears". Baháʼí News. June 1971. pp. 1–3. Retrieved Jan 19, 2015.
  129. ^ "61st National convention". Baháʼí News. June 1970. pp. 23–24. Retrieved Jan 19, 2015.
  130. ^ "Audio-visual and special materials". Baháʼí News. July 1970. p. 15. Retrieved Jan 19, 2015.
  131. ^ "Present books to Litchfield Library". Nashua Telegraph. Nashua, New Hampshire. 14 Apr 1971. p. 40. Retrieved Jan 15, 2015.
  132. ^ "To sponsor fireside meetings". The Kokomo Tribune. Kokomo, Indiana. August 7, 1971. p. 5. Retrieved Jan 15, 2015.
  133. ^ "Annual Report". Baháʼí News. September 1971. p. 7. Retrieved Jan 19, 2015.
  134. ^ Natalie DiBuono (August 1971). ""The floating institute" to and from Jamaica". Baháʼí News. pp. 2–4 (see page 4).
  135. ^ "German National Convention". Baháʼí News. July 1971. p. 16. Retrieved Jan 19, 2015.
  136. ^ Carolee E. Brackett (September 1971). "Youth symposium – Langenhain, Germany". Baháʼí News. pp. 2–3. Retrieved Jan 19, 2015.
  137. ^ Venters, Louis E., the III (2010). Most great reconstruction: The Baha'i faith in Jim Crow South Carolina, 1898-1965 (Thesis). Colleges of Arts and Sciences University of South Carolina. pp. 380–382. ISBN 978-1-243-74175-2. UMI Number: 3402846.{{cite thesis}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  138. ^ "New cassettes". Baháʼí News. July 1971. p. 23. Retrieved Jan 19, 2015.
  139. ^ "Baha'is will present human rights awards". Arcadia Tribune. Arcadia, California. Dec 12, 1971. p. 2. Retrieved Jan 15, 2015.
  140. ^ "United States convention, 1972 "Poised for overwhelming victory"". Baháʼí News. June 1972. pp. 12–16 (see page 14). Retrieved Jan 19, 2015.
  141. ^ "Second national convention in Chad". Baháʼí News. September 1972. p. 14. Retrieved Jan 19, 2015.
  142. ^ "Convention of Swaziland and Mozambique". Baháʼí News. September 1972. p. 16. Retrieved Jan 19, 2015.
  143. ^ * "Universal House of Justice announces thirteen new national assemblies to be elected". Baháʼí News. January 1972. p. 1. Retrieved Jan 19, 2015.
  144. ^ Ruth Hampson (December 1972). "Dedication of the new Louis G. Gregory Baháʼí Institute". Baháʼí News. pp. 8–9. Retrieved Jan 19, 2015.
  145. ^ *William Sears; Robert Quigley (1973). The Flame: The Story of Lua. Oxford, UK: George Ronald. ISBN 0-85398-030-6.
  146. ^ "Baha'i Faith leader sets visit to Pee Dee". Florence Morning News. Florence, South Carolina. Jan 20, 1973. p. 5. Retrieved Jan 15, 2015.
  147. ^ "Third Baháʼí international convention". Baháʼí News. July 1973. pp. 5–7 (see page 7). Retrieved Jan 19, 2015.
  148. ^ "National Convention of the Baháʼís of the United States held in Wilmette, Illinois on May 18, 19, 20, 1973". Baháʼí News. July 1973. pp. 12–15 (see page 14). Retrieved Jan 19, 2015.
  149. ^ "Meeting largest in America". Baháʼí News. August 1973. p. 17. Retrieved Jan 19, 2015.
  150. ^ "Hawaii: Television series". Baháʼí News. February 1974. p. 5. Retrieved Jan 19, 2015.
  151. ^ "Around the World". Baháʼí News. July 1974. pp. 1–3 (see page 2). Retrieved Jan 19, 2015.
  152. ^ "Dedication of the John and Louise Bosch Baháʼí School". Baháʼí News. July 1974. pp. 19–21. Retrieved Jan 19, 2015.
  153. ^ Salvatore A. Pelle (August 1974). "Hawaii 1974: Baháʼí International youth conference". Baháʼí News. pp. 11–17. Retrieved Jan 19, 2015.
  154. ^ "Baha'i program set". The Edwardsville Intelligencer. Edwardsville, Illinois. Aug 24, 1974. p. 4. Retrieved Jan 15, 2015.
  155. ^ "Special teaching plan launched in New York". Baháʼí News. March 1975. pp. 9–12. Retrieved Jan 19, 2015.
  156. ^ "Mr. Sears urges believer to prepare for enrollment by troops in America". Baháʼí News. May 1975. pp. 14–15. Retrieved Jan 19, 2015.
  157. ^ "Proclamation, deepening activities highlight commemoration of ʻAbdu'l-Bahá's visit". Baháʼí News. November 1975. p. 7. Retrieved Jan 19, 2015.
  158. ^ "National conference on teaching held". Baháʼí News. February 1976. p. 10. Retrieved Jan 19, 2015.
  159. ^ "New teaching projects begin". Baháʼí News. February 1976. pp. 11–12. Retrieved Jan 19, 2015.
  160. ^ "Baha'i meeting". Independent Press-Telegram. Long Beach, California. Dec 27, 1975. p. 6. Retrieved Jan 15, 2015.
  161. ^ "TV series on Faith is now available". Baháʼí News. July 1976. p. 17. Retrieved Jan 19, 2015.
  162. ^ "Baha'is airing own tv series". Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. Fairbanks, Alaska. 10 Apr 1976. p. 39. Retrieved Jan 15, 2015.
  163. ^ "National assembly elected". The Brandon Sun. Brandon, Manitoba, Canada. May 8, 1976. p. 14. Retrieved Jan 15, 2015.
  164. ^ "Charlotte Linfoot ill, praised at convention". Baháʼí News. June 1976. p. 16. Retrieved Jan 19, 2015.
  165. ^ "God's call to the Arctic". Baháʼí News. September 1976. pp. 7–10. Retrieved Jan 19, 2015.
  166. ^ "Nairobi: catapult for heroism". Baháʼí New. November 1976. pp. 2–6. Retrieved Jan 19, 2015.
  167. ^ William Sears (1 January 1982). A Cry from the Heart: The Baháʼís in Iran. G. Ronald. ISBN 978-0-85398-134-3.
  168. ^ * "Free Book Offer". The San Bernardino County Sun. San Bernardino, California. May 3, 1979. p. 57. Retrieved Jan 15, 2015.
    • "Baha'i Peace Day". Santa Cruz Sentinel. Santa Cruz, California. Sep 16, 1981. p. 9. Retrieved Jan 15, 2015.
  169. ^ * "Congress acts for Baha'is". The Pantograph. Bloomington, Illinois. Jul 17, 1982. p. 6. Retrieved Jan 15, 2015.
  170. ^ * George Plagenz (May 14, 1983). "Saints and Sinners; The Baha'i teachings". The Index-Journal. Greenwood, South Carolina. p. 3. Retrieved Jan 15, 2015.
  171. ^ William Sears (1983). Address to the National Convention (audio). Chicago, Illinois: Bahai-Library.com.
  172. ^ Sears, William (1985). All Flags Flying. NSA of the Baháʼís of South Africa. ISBN 0-908420-62-5.
  173. ^ Collis Featherstone, William Sears, and Afshin (1986). Echoes from the Lotus (audio). New Delhi, India: Bahai-library.com.
  174. ^ "History". Desert Rose Baháʼí School. Retrieved Jan 15, 2015.
  175. ^ *Sears, William (1991). Run to Glory. Naturegraph Publishers Inc. ISBN 0-87961-195-2.
  176. ^ Sears, William (1997). In Grandfather's Barn. USA: Baháʼí Publishing Trust. ISBN 0-87743-257-0.
  177. ^ Sears, William (2000). The Half-Inch Prophecy. NSA of the Baháʼís of South Africa. ISBN 1-874801-94-0.
  178. ^ "Thief in the Night or The Strange Case of the Missing Millennium, by William Sears: Review". Book Reviews. Bahai-Library.com. 1998. Retrieved Jan 15, 2015.
  179. ^ William P. Collins (1998). "Millennialism, the Millerites, and historicism". World Order. 30 (1): 9–26. Retrieved Jan 19, 2015.
  180. ^ * Jiling Yang (Jan 12, 2007). In Search of Martha Root: An American Baha'i Feminist and Peace Advocate in the Early Twentieth Century (Thesis). Institute for Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, Georgia State University. pp. 43, 98.
  181. ^ Moojan Momen (2004). "Millennialist dreams and apocalyptic nightmares". In Moše Šārôn (ed.). Studies in Modern Religions, Religious Movements and the Bábí-Baháʼí Faiths. Brill. p. 113. ISBN 90-04-13904-4.
  182. ^ E. Taylor Atkins (2006). "Sacred Swing: The Sacralization of Jazz in the American Baháʼí Community". American Music. 24 (4): 383–420. doi:10.2307/25046049. JSTOR 25046049.
  183. ^ * Steven Gottlieb (1985). Once to Every Man and Nation: Stories about Becoming a Baháʼí. G. Ronald. pp. 56–67. ISBN 978-0-85398-211-1.
  184. ^ "'On the Rooftop' dramatizes the life of TV pioneer, William Sears". The Drama Circle. Retrieved Jan 12, 2015.
  185. ^ Robert W. McDowell (April 15, 2004). "The Drama Circle and Flying Machine Theatre Company Preview: On the Rooftop with Bill Sears Finds Its Title Character at a Crossroads". Classical Voice of North Carolina. Retrieved Jan 12, 2015.
  186. ^ "2010 Dawn Breakers International Film Festival Honoree". KDK Factory. November 26, 2010. Retrieved Jan 12, 2015.
  187. ^ "Class D – Dramatic Compositions". Catalog of Copyright Entries; Part 1, Group 3, Dramatic Compositions – Motion Pictures. 8 (9). Library of Congress: 267. 1935. Retrieved Jan 13, 2015.
  188. ^ "Class D – Dramatic Compositions". Catalog of Copyright Entries; Part 1, Group 3, Dramatic Compositions – Motion Pictures. 9 (5). Library of Congress: 184. 1936. Retrieved Jan 13, 2015.
  189. ^ "Class D – Dramatic Compositions". Catalog of Copyright Entries; Part 1, Group 3, Dramatic Compositions – Motion Pictures. 9 (5). Library of Congress: 184. 1936. Retrieved Jan 13, 2015.