riched by the values which the Eth ical Society inculcates and fosters” may open the floodgates for every civic organization to make the same claim for exemption. Wherever any consideration or exemption is made to religious organizations in the United States under our Constitu tion it is always assumed that a belief in a deity is to be understood. Bones Show Rise in Strontium 90 There was a perceptible increase in the proportion of strontium 90 in human bones in Britain in 1956 as a result of nuclear explosions in other parts of the world. The report, compiled by the Health Physi cs Division of the Atomic Energy Research Establish ment at Harwell, England, gives a maximum figure of 1.55 strontium units for children up to five years old. A previous report for 1955 set the maximum figure for human bones at 1.2 strontium units in skeletons of one-year-old children. This state ment, based on less thorough inves tigation was given in the report of the Medical Research Council. The “ strontium omit” used is one micro-microcurie of strontium 90 to a gram of calcium. Strontium is chemically related to calcium and like calcium is preferentially ab sorbed in bone. The Harwell report summarized the results of measurements made on soil, grass, milk and bones of sheep and human beings in 1956. Supplemental Brains Electronic “ brains” will soon be playing a big part in helping to ease the nation’s engineering shortage, according to a Chicago engineering executive. “ General purpose com puters are extending an engineer’s ability to perform,” Robert C. Whit ing, Midwest regional manager for the computer division of Bendix Aviation Corporation said. Whiting emphasized that he was referring to computers priced at about $50,000. Such a price would be within the range of comparative ly small industries. Some comput ers cost twice that, into the mil lions of dollars. The general purpose computer can perform computations 30 times faster than traditional calculation methods. END.
which gave chimpanzees a place of honor on the human evolutionary tree pay them one more compli ment.” The chief artist of the ex hibition is Congo, a two-year-old chimpanzee who also makes a week ly appearance on a TV network in London. According to the reports, Congo has been painting for six months. He took up color work after considerable experience with a pencil. A comparison is made between Congo’s style and that of Betsy, the American chimpanzee with whom he shared the exhibi tion. The report explained that “ Betsy’s works have a convoluted delicacy, while Congo favors bold downward strokes of black or or ange on a background splotch. His canvases have vigor and bold im agination. It is also notable that it is impossible to tell which is the right way up for a Congo. A Betsy, on the other hand, tends to lack organization and form.” Some have even compared the work with that of modem artists. If there is a re semblance it must be from the de generation of the mind of man and not from the improvement in the mind of the chimpanzee. In a recent decision the United States Court of Appeals for the Dis trict of Columbia, by a unanimous vote, ruled that the Washington Ethical Society “ is in an ecclesias tical sense a religious society or a church,” and is entitled to have its property exempt from tax under the District of Columbia tax laws. The reasoning of the panel was that “ To construe exemptions so strictly that unorthodox or minority forms of worship would be denied exemp tion benefits granted to those con forming to the majority beliefs might well raise constitutional ques tions.” On the surface this sounds logical and American. However, upon examination we find that the Ame r i can Ethical Union, with which the Washington Ethical So ciety is affiliated, does not demand that its adherents believe in a Su preme Being or supernatural power and holds “ that ethical values grow out of man’s own nature rather than from a divine inspiration.” To base a tax exemption decision on the grounds that “ the community is en- The King's Business/January 1958 Tax Exemption for Religious Societies
THE CATEGORICAL IMPERATIVE
So philosophy calls it, but the Word of God uses simpler and clearer language. “ It was nec essary,” Paul told the Jews at Antioch, “ that the Word of God should first have been spoken to you.” That is, as if he were to say, “ I can’t help myself; it is a categorical imperative!” The imperative lies inherent ly in the very nature of the case. The natural procedure is to start any Gospel program with the Jew. Sentiment calls for it; gratitude requires it; and, above all, God commands it! So pow erfully was this conviction borne in upon the conscience of Paul, and so important did he consider Jewish conversion, that he cried out, “ I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren . . . who are Israel ites!” Dear child of God! W ill you not ask Him to let you see Israel as He sees her? And when you do, a new joy and a new blessing w ill come to you. Try it. We feel that some day you will thank us that you did. Our work merits your every confidence. It is a program of world-wide testimony to the Jews. Your fellowship is always welcomed and appreciated. THE CHOSEN PEOPLE magazine is sent to all contributors. AMERICAN BOARD OF MISSIONS TO THE JEWS, Inc. | 236 West 72nd Street, Dept. 8 New York 23, N.Y. Canadian Office: 39 King William St., Hamilton, Ont., Con. . I do want to help the Jews. Here Is $______________ Use it as God directs, to I moke known the soving power of the Lord Jesus Christ to Israel. Name............................................................................... I Address.................................... «...— ........... ] I City.......................... Zone.... State....... ...........
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