"a m essage from the ed ito r * The World Council of Churches
J u l y 4 t o 20, 1968 the World Council o f Churches met in what was termed the Fourth Assembly in Uppsala, Sweden. The significance o f the meeting is due in large part to the fact that the National Council o f Churches o f America is a very vital segment o f the World Council o f Churches. The claim is that there is no organic relationship between the two; however, the fact is that they are working together in complete harmony to advance the ideals, aspirations, and goals that were expressed in the recent World Council conclave. From reports both in the secular press and religious press, there was evidently practically no reference whatever to any spiritual problems that exist in the world today. Only casual mention was made o f the Bible, and there was no indication whatever that it was to be considered as an authority on any subject with which it deals. Individuals who professed to be Christians and individuals who claimed not to be Christian in any sense o f the word shared the podium in the days o f the plenary sessions. The colored American novelist, James Baldwin, gave a "fervent and eloquent speech which was filled with the bitterness o f the colored man toward the white race.” His audience, which incidentally was made up in large measure o f representatives from countries from around the world other than the United States, was "extremely enthusiastic; it rose and applauded him for a long time.” Lord Caradon, another o f the main speakers, admitted that "he had no Christian qualification to speak in a church assembly.” He, too, spoke on racism, con demning in a wholesale manner the United States and indeed all the Caucasion countries for their attitude toward the colored man. One o f the main themes running throughout the whole assembly seemed to be to blame the rich nations for being rich and for allowing the poor nations to be poor. According to re ports, it appeared that the proper thing to do was to condemn the United States for the war in Viet Nam, the race problems here in our homeland, and almost anything else that the speakers could conjure up to find fault with our country. One o f the most blatant decisions o f the Council was the avowed principle o f selective conscientious objection to war. In solemn session the delegates condemned the principle o f the draft as it has been carried on in the United States for almost its entire history and praised to the skies the treasonous individuals who have burned their draft cards and publicly stated that they are to be the sole judges o f what wars in which they will engage. In other words, the World Council o f Churches went to great lengths to encourage the defiance o f the laws o f the United States on the
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Here’s the perfect twosome for pre-teen and teenage readers. Both the Old and New Testament delightfully interpreted by Marianne Radius. Right now they are specially priced—there’s a 50c savings on the pair—just in time for Christmas. GOD WITH US: A Life of Jesus for Young Readers The New Testament life of Jesus set in the perspective of Old Testament prophecies and their apostolic fulfillment. Written in an easy-to-grasp style and de signed to create a profound impact on young lives by inviting them to open their hearts to the Savior. 70 block print il lustrations. 276 pages. Cloth $4.50 THE TENT OF GOD A theology of the Old Testament for young readers. Mrs. Radius again shows her sensitivity to the world of young people. Using the tent as a symbol of God camping in the midst of his people, she draws many interesting par allels and makes observations of truths applicabletoyoungpeopletoday. Pen-and- ink illustrations. 352 pages. Cloth $5.95
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