May 23. On this date in 1943, Melba King converted to the Bahá'í Faith in Albuquerque, New Mexico, becoming the first full-blooded Eskimo to do so.

 

May 23. On this date in 1943, Melba King converted to the Bahá'í Faith in Albuquerque, New Mexico, becoming the first full-blooded Eskimo to do so.

On October 11, 1910, Melba King was born in the village of Savanaska in the Bristol Bay region of Alaska. She converted to the Bahá'í Faith on May 23, 1943 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, becoming the first full-blooded Eskimo to do so.

On July 24, 1943, Shoghi Effendi wrote Melba King, the first Eskimo to become a Bahá'í, "Abdul-Baha was most anxious that the Eskimo people should be taught the Message of this New Day, and it is a source of happiness to all Bahá'ís that you, a member of that race, have arisen to spread these teachings."

(5) July 24th, 1943

Dear Bahá'í Sister:

The Guardian was very happy to receive your letter of May 29th; and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.

It is with great joy that he welcomes you into the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh, and he hopes that you will be the means of attracting many other souls to this glorious life-giving Message.

Abdul-Baha was most anxious that the Eskimo people should be taught the Message of this New Day, and it is a source of happiness to all Bahá'ís that you, a member of that race, have arisen to spread these teachings. +E4 God has surely guided your steps and blessed your search for divine Truth.

If people only realized it, the inner life of the spirit is that which counts, but they are so blinded by desires and so misled that they have brought upon themselves all the suffering we see at present in the world. The Bahá'ís seek to lead people back to a knowledge of their true selves and the purpose for which they were created, and thus to their greatest happiness and highest good.

You may be sure the Guardian will pray that you may render the Cause many valuable services and become a gifted and confirmed Bahá'í teacher.

With warm Bahá'í love,

R. Rabbani

P.S. It will interest you to know that there are now Bahá'ís active in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and the Eskimo village of Tuluksak, Alaska.

[From the Guardian:]

Dear Bahá'í Sister:

Your most welcome letter has rejoiced my heart. I extend to you a most hearty welcome into the ranks of the followers of Bahá'u'lláh, and will greatly value your support and cooperation. Your conversion to His Cause is indeed a historic event, and will greatly rejoice the hearts of the believers. I will pray for your success and spiritual advancement from the depths of my heart. Rest assured and be confident.

Your true brother,

Shoghi

(5) 5. Melba M. Call (King)

+E4 4. (Letter No. 5) Melba Call (King) was the first Eskimo to become a Bahá'í. While she was born and raised in Alaska, she was residing in New Mexico when she heard of the Faith and became a Bahá'í.