Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 5, 1956)
EIGHT MECFORD (OREGON) MAIL TRIBUNE Friday, October S. 1956 Six Clergymen Appraise Upsurge of Religious Interest BY LOUIS CASSELS United Press Correspondent Washington U.B Evangel ist Billy Graham said today "there is no doubt that we are experiencing the greatest relig ious renaissance in American history." But he and other leading min isters warned that awakened public interest in religion must be translatd into a deeper com mitment to its teachings before the current back-to-church move ment can be called a true spiri tual revival. Oraham was one of six prom inent clergvmen who participat ed in a United Press symposium of the significance cf the rapid growth in church membership recorded during the past few years. Other participants were . theologian R e i n h old Niebuhr; Dr. Norman Vincent Peale: Dr. RalDh W. Sockman: Methodist Bishop G. Bromley Oxnam: and The Right Rev. Angus Dun, Episconal bishop of Washington. All based their comments on a recent report by the National Council of Churches shewing that church membership in the United States has passed 100 mil lion for the first time, and is continuing to grow at a rate mat outstrips population gains by more than 50 per cent. Most of them agreed with Gra ham that a powerful religious movement is sweeping America, but they varied widely in their interpretations of it. Social Problems Hit Graham, who took one of the most optimistic views, acknow leged that there is "little evi dence" so far hat increased in terest in religion has been ac companied by higher standards of "personal morality" or by a more Christian approach to "basic social problems" such as race relations. "If every church member were commited to Christ, I doubt if we would be having the racial violence, the unbelievable crime ii our major cities, the high divorce rate, the terrible slum areas of our cities, and many other social problems." he said. But the fact that the present "religious renaissance" has yet to exert a major transforming influence on American life does not mean that it is insincere, Graham said. He recalled that there was a "time lag of nearly a quarter ,of a century" before the 18th centurv Weslevan revival in England showed its effects in British social life. Thus, he said, there are grounds for "hope that the renewed religious interest of today will make its impact on the America of tomorrow." Neibuhr, noted author of the ological books and professor of applied Christianity at Union Theological seminary. New York, was the most reserve in his appraisal of rising church enrollment. "I think it is questionable that it indicates a genuine spiritual revival," said Neibuhr. "Certain ly going to church is popular. Perhaps it is too popular it has become the fashionable thing to do. It establishes a sense of community in the impersonality of the city. It is significant that church membership is now more popular in the cities than in the country, whereas it used to be the other way around. A sharply different view was expressed by Peale, popular au thor, broadcaster and pastor of Marble Collegiate church in New York. "I firmly believe that the in crease in church membership is not a superficial salute to religion in general," said Peale. "It has happened because people are definitely looking for ad equate solutions to personal problems and because the church has discovered how to make religion a daily source of guid ance and inspiration. "This new interest in religion is derived from the necessity of finding meaning in life and of discovering new ways for more effective living." Sockman, whose "National Ra dio Pulpit" sermons have been heard by millions of Americans since 1917, said the nation is un dergoing "a religious awaken ing" but "it is yet to be deter mined whether it becomes a real reliciou revival." "The American people are waking up to the fact that secular living even in a period of great prosperity like the pres ent is not enough," he said. 'They are looking for something more. The test will be whether the church can give them what they need and not merely what they desire. "Some people come to church looking for 'happiness' or peace of mind.' But you can't make a wordly success story out of the cross. The church ha.s got to get back to its original message a call to service and sacrifice Religion is not a commodity to be sold but a cause to be served." Oxnam, Methodist bishop of Washington, said the "remarka ble" growth of U. S. churches "reflects the increased effective ness of a better-trained clergy and a carefully-developed pro gram of religious education and of community service." "It is not an emotional flare up born of fear," he said.' "It is clear evidence of a deeping religious interest the expres sion of thoughtful decision upon the part of increasing numbers in one of the great movements of history." Bishop Dun said it is "surpris ing and perflexing that the churches of the United States are showing such a dynamic quality in the midst of excep tional prosperity." Growth Suspicious "By Biblical testimony and by historical experience," he said, "the church has risen to its greatest heights when it was under handicaps and even op pression. It is right that we should be a little suspicious of a great growth in church mem bership which occurs at a time when America is enjoying this world comforts to such a high degree. "No one can say dogmatically what motivations are behind it. We can only speculate. "One factor, I think, is that the increasingly urban character and mobility of our society has left many people rootless, with out apy deep sense of belong ings. Churches, with their strong community and social aspects, offer people one of their best opportunities for 'belonging. This relationship in itself may not have much real Christian depth but it offers an opportu nity to draw people into a deeper association. "Also, while it is true that America is prospering and out wardly at peace, we have been living through times in which people generally could not fail to have a sense of foreboding and anxiety. It may be that a sense of ultimate insecurity and of the tremendous responsibili ties inherent in our situation may be working to make people take life more seriously." APPRECIATIVELY SNIFFING CARNATION, Adlai Stevenson thanks Laurie (left) and Dana London, 3', twins, for bon voyage gift as he prepares to take off from Wash ington National Airport for campaign tour in northeast sector. (International Soundphoto) Suez Isthmus Marks Trail Of History's Old Caravans F Self-Cleaning 1957 Westiiraglhouse LAUNDROMAT With the NEW WAY TO WASH The ONLY Automatic Washer Made that Can Pass the 44 SAND TEST With 100 RATING! how USANpf Laundromat Model L-io4 $219.95 Matching Dryer MOdci D-m $169.95 SAND TEST: Pour in 4 cups of sand with six heavy bath towels. The Laundromat's New Way to Wash will leave both towels and Laundromat completely clean at the end of the Laundromat's cycle. O NO OTHER WASHER CAN DUPLICATE THIS TEST! Make the "Sand Test" Yourself at DO Y APPL DEPARTMENT In Big Y Shopping Center Phone 3-3052 you can be SURE...I nVTOstinghouse MCE Washington The 100-mile- long Suez Canal splits a sun baked land route that was old in the time of Moses. The two largest continents, Africa and Asia, face each other across the low-lying Isthmus of Suez. Only 72 miles wide, the neck of restless sand marks the ancient path of caravans from the Nile to the Euphrates Val leys, and from many-godded Luxor to Nazareth. Via the land bridge, young Joseph was carried as a slave into Egypt, a land that he was later to save from famine. At the dawn of Christian history, another Joseph fled from Gali- j lee with Mary and the Christ I Child over the same narrow ex panse of desert. . j Led Out of Bondage j West of the isthmus lay the Biblical land of Goshen where the Israelites, slaving for Phar aoh, built the treasure cities of Pithom and Ramses. To the east stretched the Wilderness of Shur and Sinai. The tongue of , the Red Sea extended farther north then, and a mirculous wind parted its waters to make pos sible one of man's most dramatic escapes to freedom. ' i "And the children of Israel went into the midwest of the sea upon the dry ground," it is recorded in Exodus, "and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their . left." Even today it is possible to retrace the supposed route of the Israelites. Led by Moses, they trekked through the scar red barren wastes of Sinai to Gebel Musa (Mount Sinai) where in Old Testament tradition, the great prophet received the Ten j Commandments. i Among the major present-day towns of the isthmus Port Said . on the Mediterranean; the garden city of Isma'iliya; and the Red Sea ports, Suez and Taufiq j only one existed bofore the Suez j Canal was built less than a cent-! ury ago. The old settlement was ' Suez itself, and Arab town ris ing on salt-encrusted land. Near- j by are the ruins of an old canal lock. Life from Sweet Water Canal I Long before the advent of I steamships, Egyptian canal builders dug a sarid ditch into the isthmus to connect the Nile with the Red Sea. For 22 cent-1 uries various generations were j either rebuilding the ancient , canal, trading upon it, letting it fall into disrepair, or deliberate ly destroying it to discourage in-. taders. I Today's Sweet Water Canal fcVows another ancient bed, originally built to irrigate Goshen and dating from Tu-' tankhamen's reign. The T-shaped ' Sweet Water channels fresh water from the Nile to Suez Canal towns, for brine from the sea fills the isthmian lakes, Manzala. Timsah, Great Bitter, and Little Bitter. j Now, as in days gone by, life in the isthmus involves a con stant struggle against the relent less encroachment of the desert. The khamsin blows heat and sand from the Sahara. Dredges keep the 'Suez Canal clear. On Lake Manzala, west of Port Said, fishermen compete with pelicans, herons, and flamingos for their share of the catch. Not even modern civilization can improve upon the classic roie of the isthmus as a world crossroads not an easy place in which to live. Sperry, Hutchinson Open Medford Office The Sperry and Hutchinson Green Stamp company will open a new merchandise redemption store at 221 South Central ave. Saturday, Oct. 6. The company this year is cele brating its 60th year. S and H maintains 12 storey in Oregon. There are also stores located in Klamath Falls and Roseburg. The S and H store in Medford is managed by Mrs. Lillian Hin- man, and agisted by Ruth Sie- man, Mildred Dorman, clerks, and Charles Eller, warehouseman. Rosary Crusade Opens In Catholic Churches The Rev. Nicolas Deis, pastor of Sacred Heart Catholic church, Medford, has announced the start of a month-long family Rosary Crusade by Catholic parishes in the valley during October. Climax of the special period will be a family prayer rally in Medford, Thursday, Oct. 25. The Rev. Edward D. Howard, arch bishop of Portland, and the Rev. Patrick Peyton, director of fam ily prayer crusades and Holly wood's Family Theatre, are ex pected to attend. It is tentatively scheduled to be held in the St. Mary's school gymnasium. Father Deis has appointed lay committees in Medford to plan the details of the crusade. Named were R. F. Hlggins, chairman, and Harold Lumden. Charles Hackett and G. L. Clark, co chairmen. The Medford parish has been divided into nine districts with two team captains selected from each district. Committee mem bers and team captains will meet Sunday evening at 8 p.m. in the rectory of Sacred Heart church, to plan arrangements for the rally. WITNESS JAILED Chicago (U.R) Sidney Tin relle appeared in court as a wit ness in a narcotics case but found himself in jail when the day was over. A bailiff said that Tinnelle left with somebody's overcoat after he finished his testimony. 6-bottle carton Double-Cola for only 1C with purchase of 6-bottle carton at regular price (plus deposit on bottle.) This Week-end at Your Favorite Grocery Battled by 7-Up Bottling Co., Medford Defense Nears End Of Brink's Testimony Boston U.R) The fate of eight men accused of robbing Brink's Inc. of S1,218,2H six years ago may be decided today. Paul T. Smith, criminal law yer, who has carried the burden of the defense through 43 days, was scheduled to begin final ar guments. The defense Thursday turned their attack on star government witness Joseph (Specs) O'Keefe who has testified that he led masked bandits into the Brink's money vaults Jan. 17, 1950. O'Keefe was branded a "con fessed thief and a liar" by At torney Robert De Giacomo who is defending Adolph (Jazz) Mf fie. "The government," he said, addressing jurors, "asks you to accept the word of a convicted and admitted thief. We ask that you take the word of Maffie's wife." THEFT ALMOST" FATAL Miami Beach, Fla. (U.R) Sam Sorkin told police Thursday night a prowler stole S1.50 and a wrist watch from his apart ment and almost strangled him self during the getaway. Sorkin said the thief, running in the dark, was staggered by a neck high wire clothesline, but re gained his footing and escaped. MY. MARKET WHERE YOUR DOLLAR MAKES MORE CENTS IN CENTRAL POINT Kitchen-Queen o rTn nt LB. BAG MONEY BACK GUARANTEE 7' 6-bottle carton Double-Cola for only It with purchase of 6-bottle carton at regular price LIMITED TIME ONLY CAMPBELL'S Tomato Soup 10eans 98' VAN CAMPS Tuna Fish 595 RED CROWN Chili & Beans 5',' 98 AA Large Eggs 63 LIBBY'S Corned Beef 2,anJ9' Mb. Pkg. Zoom S-' iu-iu. ridiier a nour You Save 1 6c POST TOASTIES LARGE PKGS. 3 Prices Effective Fri., Sat. & Sun. Oct. 5, 6 & 7 FRESH-TENDER CUT-UP fryers FRESH GROUND a ii m m Ly Lis L U lbs. SWIFT'S PREMIUM HAMS"- 59- SWIFT'S BROOKFIELD Link Sausage Phg.49: U.S. NO. 2 KLAMATH (PUD bs.Jc FRESH -ALL VARIETIES ONLY Central Point's Most Modern Food Market -OPEN SUNDAYS 9 Til 8 OPEN WEEK DAYS 8 Til 8
