THE GHOST REVOLTS

WILLIAM JOHNSON AMONG us What happened to us? Why are we differ­ keep our contributors informed about our ent? We don't mean "us" editors at F & F, needs. but us Americans. Bill Johnson's story, The If .\ve can catch John between shake­ Ghost Revolts, asks: vVhat would happen down cruises, we'll pry some articles from to a politician who told people the truth? his fecund brain. You remember his recent Thad Ashby attacks the big change from a i'vly Alinister Called "Ale A Leftist, but prob­ different angle in You Can't Get That Kyne ablv vou didn't know he used to write With No More. Interviewing one of the most the"Opinion !vIakers, one of our keenly pen­ popular ,vriters of the 20's, Peter B. Kyne, etrating, shre\vd analyses of current hap­ Ashby contrasts the ideals in Kyne's novels penings in the news. with the ideals in the novels on the current John served tin1e at Pomona College, best' seller list. Claremont, where (less time off for good The quiz, Who Said That? answers the behavior) he got a\vay \vith a Phi Beta above question pessimistically. Accord~ng Kappa key. The University of Cincinatti to speeches by Ike and Adlai, America has gave him a Masters in Government and changed to the point that voters would Public Administration, and he has been try­ defeat anybody who made "self reliance" ing to forget what he learned ever since. a serious plank. But there's a note of hope: _;\ big £e11o\v, with a football frame and in the spiritual hunger which Bill Johnson a broken nose, he has an ideal build for reports on, in the non-fiction self-help this type job; trying to keep a non-profit books and in the revival of interest in the libertarian organization with at least one 20's-which may, Ashby hopes, revive an snorkel above \vater. interest in the ideals of Kyne's America. John's pretty \vHe, Jan, \vas our first art :0 :0 :0 director. She and John have been building Jim Ingebretsen found himself working their o\vn Frank Lloyd Wright style house 19 hours a day, 472 days a year, expanding in the hills of San Dimas. They're both all our activities. So he hired John Payne young, creative, dynan1ic people, and we're to help hirn keep a cleaner desk and to glad to get them.

FAITH AND FREEDOM is published by Spiritual would appreciate a contribution to cover the cost Mobilization, a national nonprofit, nonpartisan, of nlailing. nonsectarian organization founded in 1935. James GIFT SUBSCRIPTIONS: sent with an appropriate C. Ingebretsen, President. James W. Fifield, Jr., card telling the recipient of your thoughtfulness. Chairman. Just send us the names and addresses with an appropriate contribution. SUBSCRIPTIONS: sent without charge to those who ask for it. If you wish to pay for your sub­ CHANGE OF ADDRESS: be sure to give your scription, a $5 contribution covers a little more complete former address (print or type, please). than cost; a contribution over $5 pays for subscrip­ STAFF: William Johnson, Editor. Thaddeus Ashby, tions for libraries, clergymen, students and those Associate Editor. Doreen Riley, Digest Editor. Tom not able to pay for their subscriptions. Van Sant, Art Director. Beulah Roth, Circulation EXTRA COPIES: 25c each up to ten; 20c each over Manager. ten. Introductory copies will be sent free to those Published September 15th to June 15th at 1521 'You suggest. Should you suggest one or more, we Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles 17, California.

2 FAITH AND FREEDOM THE GHOST REVOLTS

WILLIAM JOHNSON

Matthew Frankenstein, ghost writer for a politician, forgot to tell us what his candi­ date is running for. Maybe it will be the Mexican border. Whatever it is, the moral of this fable asks: do P.R. men dare tell the public the truth? And if one did, what would happen? Political suicide? Landslide?

My name is Matthew J. Frankenstein. My I'm talking about unless I tell you that I'm neighbors call me Matt, the monster-maker. an idea man and speech writer for political But I tell them, "'You created Frankenstein's candidates. monster, not Inc." My boss is climbing all over me. Nobody's Of course, you'll never understand what turning up at the rallies. The TV sets are

OCTOBER 1956 3 turned on but, when the boss plants his answer here's \vhat I did last week. "Matt," face in front of the camera, the viewers I said to myself, "Matt, boy, you're never cross his channel faster than a Bell X-2. going to figure this thing out just mumbling Nobody seems to give a hoot about politics at your type\vriter. Get out and talk to Joe this year. and ~1amie and Blanche. If you ask 'em "Matt," the boss says, "you're supposed point blank what they want from your can­ to come up with the smart ideas. Why don't didate, they'll read your own speeches back you write what the voters want to hear?" at you. No, you've got to catch them off What can I say? He couhts the empty guard. Find out what moves them; what seats in the auditoriulus. The Nielsen rat­ they're trying to get out of life; what they ings tell him his programs draw no more don't like about things as they are. A Gal­ viewers than reruns of Milton Berle's 1948 lup poll with its IBM tabulations and mech­ kineoscopes. anical questions isn't going to help you. Put the ole brain to ,,'ark. Watch and listen People Ignore Both Candidates to all kinds of Americans. Maybe there'll be "Our competition isn't doing any better," a clue somewhere." I tell him. But he's right. That tired excuse That's ,vhat I told myself and, since I is carrying too many has-been hacks. And always take my own advice, I went out and it doesn't get me off the hook to blame began dropping eaves. IIere, let me get the voting custolller. I kno\v-and so do you my notebook out. I'll read you some of the -the guy holding the vote will spend it dialogue I overheard. See if you can make willingly if we come up with something anything out of it. near what he likes. Personally, I don't be­ Place: Economy Drug Store; lunch coun­ lieve the guy knows what he wants any ter. Sound: hamburger spitting on the grill; more. Look at the primaries; they've had a nlotor grinding painfully as it whips an the lowest turnouts in years. Everybody was extra thick chocolate malt. . disappointed with thE, way the audience "Did you see the State Department post­ ignored both conventions. Despite all of ers on the bulletin board?" the get-out-the-vote appeals, it looks like "Yeh, but what are you worked up about? we'll have the weakest vote in years. Buddy, you got a two-year hitch in the Why? Army after you graduate. You won't be You probably have your own ideas. ready for a civilian job until '59." Me, I feel the pinch of one answer stronger "I know, but I can dream, can't I?" than all the rest because it is my job to "You sure are dreaming different than write the pitch for our candidate. The old ,,,hen you first landed at college. If you'd coffee pot really gets a working over these had a wJ:1ite horse, you'd have set out eJ\rly morning hours as I try to make our to conquer the world. Let's see. It was stuff sound different than that of our op­ gouna be a quiGk four years through college ponent. But when you really boil it all down and then Joe Trimble in his own business, a -which I'nl sure you do- we and our wor­ millionaire before he was 30. What a thy opposition us·e the same formula. Like dreamer you ,vere!" soap. Different containers maybe, but the "O.K., so I \vised up. Meetin' Marg had san1e formula. I'm a packager now. I'm sup­ sOInething to do with it. I'll be 26 when I posed to get the soap off the shelves. I'm get out of uniform. We'll want to get mar­ paid to luake our words more appealing ried and fn need a steady job. We figure than the other guy's and, this year, I admit on a couple of kids, a small house, second­ I'm falling flat on my face. hand station wagon, a trailer maybe, a That's why I'm talking my problem over boat, and a pair of skiis. fd rather settle for with you. I asked myself: Why aren't the a quick $8,000 a year than shoot for $100,­ customers buying our product? To find the 000 a year eventually. None of this ulcer

4 FAITH AND FREEDOM stuff for me. U~1aybe I could apply for a commission in the Navy. You can retire after twenty years. Boy, that would be livin'! A pension at 44!" Place: Broadway at 12th. "... so I went into Bergdorf-Goodman and told them I just had to have a dress with a holy look for my trip to Rome .. ." Place: cashier line in supermarket. "Didn't I see you drive up in a new Buick, Catherine?" "That's right. We took delivery on it last week." "Joe has been talking about a new car, too. But he never mentioned a Buick. How much does a Buick cost?" "Ours wasn't too expensive. Just $73.60 a month!"

Enjoy The Future Now Place: Driving range. Sound: Whap. Whap. Whap. "Hope it doesn't bother you, buddy, if I chat a bit while you drive a few balls. Why don't you try hitting that ball on the down swing? I keep telling the wife I'm working on an invite from the President. I gotta keep the golf gan1e in shape so I'm ready \vhen the telephone rings. Ha-ha. Clarabelle, that's the little woman, keeps needling me about not saving any money. 'Every time we get a little bit ahead,' she says, 'you blow it all on golf equipment.' I tell her what's the use of putting money in the bank. Why not spend it when you got it? I say let's enjoy the future before we get too old." Place: The steps outside St. Andrew's. "A fine sermon! I don't get down here very much, but I try to catch your stuff on TV ..." Place: Phillips' Book Shop. UDidn't I see you yesterday with your grandchildren in tow?" "Yes, Dottie's CaIne back home. Bill left her again and we don't know where he has gone. The poor girl can't find any meaning in her life." "Maybe Dottie vvould get something out

OCTOBER 1956 5 of a book 1 just read: Anne Lindbergh's A lIe's real neat all right; he's a keen dancer. Gift From The Sea . .. Mr. Phillips, do you 1 lllean ...I lllean he's always talking have that one?" about going a"ray to study painting. Dad "I'm sorry, Mam, ,ve just can't seem to says that painters, well, 1 mean they have keep A Gift From The Sea in stock. We to do a lot of su~ering before they ever are always ordering more copies of books amount to anything. Gee, that's all right for like that. How to Live 365 Days a Year, Jack maybe, but I've got to start thinking Peace of Soul, The j}lind Goes Forth, Auto­ about my future." Conditioning, The Art of Real Happiness, "Uh, huh. Hey, they're sending in Her­ The Wealth Within You, The Power of Pos­ man Kovalenski." itive Thinking, Peace of Mind . .." "So that's ,vhy 'rve had this big fight Place: Parent-Teachers' meeting. last night. 1 told him that George's uncle "I'm so glad to Ineet you Miss Webster. has a good job in the post office. George 1 hope Tommy behaves himself in school. says that he can get a job there this June, There's something I've been wanting to talk as soon as he graduates. Mail carriers get to you about. Tommy has been having an a pretty good salary; maybe we could get awful lot of trouble with his homework married right a'rvay." assignments. He's so frustrated. 1 wonder "Yeah?-Gee, that Herman has shoulders if the work you give him is too hard." like a truck." "Tommy is a good boy in class, Mrs. "Yeh. Jack got real mad. He just doesn't Jones. No, 1 didn't realize his homework understand. George asked me to go to the made him unhappy. Perhaps we should show with him tonight. I'm going-too." move hiln to a lo\\rer group. He'd be far happier among boys and girls on his own Why A.ren't You Happy? level, "rhere the pace isn't as fast. And it Place: Smoking car, commuter's train. might be a good thing to change him any­ "You look beat, Bert." ,vay. You see, his social adjustment hasn't "I feel beat, too. It's Mabel." been too good. Sometimes he prefers to "You in the dog house?" play all by himself." "Not especially." "What's eating you then?" Smoke Break, Coffee Break "Can't figure her out." Place: Arvin Coffee Shop. "I got llly troubles, too." "How's your new job, Catherine?" "I can't figure her out. I'm up to here "Wonderful! I've lllet the nicest girl. At in debt buying things for her. I buy her a 9:30, we go out and eat breakfast together. dishvvasher. Does that make her happy? At the 10:20 coffee break, she always tells No. 'Ve take a trip to Bermuda. Still un­ me about Johnny, that's her boy friend. happy. Ford Thunderbird to run around Lunch-tillle, we usually talk about the other in. Still frets. Hi-Fi set complete with woof­ people in the office. The 1:40 coffee break er, hveeter, F.~l and tape recorder-she gets is ,vhen we rib Mabel about her good­ worry lines in her brow. I figure maybe looking brother. Of course, 1 get to talk she's looking for prestige. So I invest in a with you at the 3 o'clock smoke break." season box at the opera. All that meant was "That sounds real good, Catherine." more money for clothes." "Sorry~ gotta rush no,v. Have to be back "That's a dalne for you. What does it take in time to clear my desk for the night. An­ to make 'em happy?" other cigarette and I'd be working over­ "I can't Rgure her out. She doesn't have time!" to do a darn thing anYlllore. With all I Place: Forty-yard line, football stadium, invested, she ought to be happy." Meadville High School. Place: The Kimball dining table. Woman "Well, 1 Inean, you know how Jack is. on my left talking to man across table.

6 FAITH AND FREEDOM "Dear, I think Brad is right. He is the "Take it easy there, son. Wanta put us best public relations man on the coast." out of work. This job ought to cal'ry us "Every time 1 feel 1 really have some­ for another five days, if we take it slow. thing to say to the public, you and Brad Oh, 1 kno\v, you youngsters hate to waste hand me the muzzle. 'You mustn't upset time, but you'll get used to it. I remember the apple cart.' 'You dare not offend any­ when I first served out my apprenticeship. one.' What's happened to free speech?" It was different those days. None of this "Look at it realistically, Frank. Think of slap, dash and the so-what-if-the-Ievel-is-off Peter and what it would be like for him attitude. in school if you made a speech like that. "Old Pat Kennedy. I can still remember What good would it do for you to say it how he made me tear out a whole wall of anyway? Nobody will agree with you." brick that was hardly out of line at all. I Place: Bulletin board, Montgomery The­ had to brick that wall again on my own ological Seminary, Course of Study, Second time. You can bet I was careful from then Year: on. I used to bring n1Y wife Ella over to 207 Group Dynamics (3 credits) the job on Sundays, just so she could ad­ 419 Building Maintenance (1 credit) mire the clean lines on the wall. Not one spattering of mortar out of place. Yep, then1 739 Church Administration (4 credits) was the days. But Inaybe it's better this 937 Fund Raising (3 credits) way." 423 Accounting (3 credits) 646 Recreational Programming (H~ credits) What do you n1ake out of my notes? I'd like to see if you agree with the way 1 add What The 'Go-Getters' Want Now them up. Let me kno\v if it makes any Place: Red brick commercial building, two sense. men on loading platform, watching loading. Ever since I've been hacking away at "Don't tell me you're still tied to the of­ campaign speeches, lTIUst be over twenty fice, ~1ac. I thought you were going to get years now, there's ahvays been the one sure­ out on the road to beat the bushes for some fire political gin1mick: more. Just promise new contracts." the voting customer more housing, more "1 just can't do it, Ted." health, more price controls, more farm sup­ "Why don't you hire sOlnebody to man­ ports, more wages, more of more. ,If we age the place for you? Give you some time could keep our promises ahead of the other to expand your market." Party, we were in for another two years. "1 tried. Didn't get anywhere. The busi­ But it's not working like it used to. Why ness right now doesn't justify the salary doesn't "more" sound good any lTIOre? I'd have to pay an experienced man. I'm The way I read my notes, we're a sick willing to train a young man-if I could people. Look at us: we're hungry, but we ever find one." don't kno\\7 for what. We have an unde­ "What about Clark College? Have you fined wanting, an unscratchable itch. We've talked to any of their seniors?" tried the easy ways to satisfy it but we are "Not a one of thelTI is interested. Know hungrier after we finish. Our answer has what kind of j,obs they're lining up? Cos­ been to try more of the same thing. If one mopolitan Life Insurance Company: salary dishvvasher won't help, try h,'o. If a new increase every six months, hospitalization, Cadillac doesn't satisfy, put in a swimlTIing pension program. I couldn't find one boy pool. willing to start out slTIall with us and grow :Lvlaybe \ve should stop using the material with the business." progress formula as the way to soul satis­ Place: on scaffolding, next to a stack of faction and success. building blocks. I kno\v this is beginning to sound pretty

OCTOBER 1956 7 preachy to you. I didn't mean it that way. example, you need more school buildings. It was just at this point in my own analysis I shall sponsor more federal aid to educa­ when I said to myself, "Climb down off the tion so that you will not only get your cloud, Matt, the boss will never buy a schools but your teachers can receive a change in the formula." nluch needed raise in pay. So I. tossed my research into the comer "You farmers need not be the forgotten and got to work on this speech here. Got Alnericans. I shall see to it that your soil a couple nlinutes? I'll read it to you. It bank and parity payments restore you to isn't too long. The Committee was on the the rank of full-class citizens. ball and bought a five-minute spot in the "I shall introduce tariff legislation to in- middle of next Sunday's Ed Sullivan show. The boss will sit in the living rooms of everybody who might vote for him and punch home the keynote of his message. We figure its shortness \-vill be an asset and the timing will be perfect. Here's the way he will read it:

This Will Solve Your Problem "Good evening, folks. I've asked the net­ work people to let me interrupt your pleas­ ant evening at home just long enough to tell you how good I feel when I see you so happy. "What I want to chat quietly and seri­ ously with you about tonight lies very close to Iny heart; it is you and your loved ones. And your happiness in the real sense can only come when all is right with your job, your health, and your home. And you know what makes this possible, for in today's modern world, \ve have learned how to har­ ness the wonderful powers of government so that each person may have freedom from want. We have learned to act with the knowledge that peace and prosperity can be· sustained when your government is act: ing wisely to help you. "But we still have a job to do. "You know that the slum, the outdated high\vay, the poor school system, deficien­ cies in health protection, the failure of a small business, the undevelopment of a natural resource, the suffering of a farmer, the loss of a job and the fear of poverty and old age penalizes us all. I am dedicated to commit every tool of government, every resource of government, to prevent these evils which sap the security of us all. "1 believe 1 know what you need. For

8 FAITH AND FREEDOM crease the duties on the Japanese and Ger­ me not to tell you what I feel I must tell man products which are creating such un­ you now. They are honestly afraid, as is fair competition for our fellow Americans. the opposition party, that you can't take "A.nd \ve need more flood control mea­ the truth, if the truth is tough to take. But sures, new hospitals for our Vets, better you see, I don't believe you are washed up postal service for you folks in the outlying as Americans. areas, and more roads everywhere. "The opposition says that you have no "If you elect Ine, I pledge to work night integrity. They believe, some sincerely, and day in your interest, right down on the some cynically, that you must be bought community level. with subsidies, special privileges, and­ "That is why I come to ask for your help \vorst of all-you no longer want to hold tonight. Your choice this year is between responsibility for your own life. Instead; a party that talks progress and a party that they say, government \\Till take all of the really believes in progress; a party that be­ risk out of living. lieves in the vital part government must "And, it is true, I ha've been parroting play to insure an expanding America, a that same line. I had thought that is what prosperous America; an America where you \\7anted. How ,vrong I have been. the next four years can be the happiest of "I, and they, have said that your loyalty your lives. is for sale only to the highest bidder; that "There is much reason to take great pride you would not give up a subsidy or sacri­ in the peace arid prosperity \ve have at­ fice a handout or go through any pain or tained. But we must continue to apply new ordeal for the good of your soul or your ideas and bold progranls to meet the hu­ country. man needs of our people in the future. "And yet, if America were attacked to­ "If you share my concern, if you believe morrow and the enemy had landed on our that together we can harness the full horse­ shores, I believe you would risk your life power of governlnent to bring a future to save ,,,hat we all love. The opposition, without trouble to our children, I humbly too, knows that you would risk your life to ask for your support. I have faith that you save our country-but they believe you will make the right decision." would not dare risk giving up a subsidy. When I finished writing that, I was sick. And I didn't feel any better when the boss I Am A Coward gave it his approval yesterday. I couldn't "We face a worse emergency today than sleep last night. I could still smell the stench even an enen1Y on our beachheads. We face of the over-ripe generalities. What both­ the death of the American soul. Oh, we still ered Ine most, however, \vas the fact that, pay homage to its virtues. We like to hear if the speech was bought by the American about the tall, rawboned, lean, noble, ideal­ voter at all, it would be only because he istic frontiersman who ,,,ould die rather had no better offeripgs. than suffer any insult to his honor. We like I \vasn't going to be able to get any rest to read about Americans who faced their until I put down on paper what I knew I life as a thrilling adventure. should have written. I hauled down the "But \vhile \ve feel nostalgia, we act typewriter and this is what came out; I sometimes as if we believe the old virtues wrote it, even though I \vas sure it would of courage, self-reliance and honor are never be used: dead. Are they dead? Are we all cowards? "I aU1. I was afraid to say this to you. But They Say I Shouldn't Tell You I said it because I believe you are courage­ "I am going to speak very seriously to ous. If you really know that you must shed you. NIy advisors, the men at the advertis­ blood, s\veat and tears to save America and ing agency, the party chiefs, have advised yourself, you will do it, just as you would

OCTOBER 1956 9 die on the beachheads to save America your governnlent by insisting that you re­ from an invader. ceive no farm subsidies; if I refuse to intro­ "We all realize-even we politicians-that duce tariff legislation; if I try to repeal we can't go on forever sidestepping being veterans' aids; if I vote against federal funds responsible for our own lives. But the poli­ for schools-it will be because enough of tician believes that he can postpone the day you have shown you are willing to stand of reckoning a little, forcing our children alone. Those of you \"ho will support me, and grandchildren to face the ultimate or­ not only by voting, but by going down to deal of trying to pick up the pieces of a the government agencies in your communi­ bankrupt nation. ty, returning your government checks, tell­ "I believe that the spirit of our fore­ ing an astonished agent: 'No, thanks, I'll fathers still lives. Blood, sweat and tears get along somehov{ on IllY own two feet'­ were the symbols of a courageous resistance those of vou who can do this will save this not long ago. Now, they spell sacrifice of country by setting an example, by being short-range material goals for something the first to refuse to eat at the trough while greater. the rest still fight for favored spots in the "If I ask you to sacrifice a short-range line. gain, I should be willing to do the same. You Can Do 'Impossible' Things 'I'll Get Along Somehow' "A program of no government aid means "The greatest sacrifice I could make right you'll work for what you get. But it also now would be my political career. Telling lneans I, and you who support me, can serve you the truth which you know in your 'as the cutting edge that weans America. hearts may cost me this election. But I am And then you~ll get what you work for­ ,villing to gamble my career on my faith and you'll be able to keep it yourself. It in your guts. You have what it takes to lick will be possible for you to grow-to bring the enemy on the beachhead. 1 believe you out things in you you never dreamed pos­ have \vhat it takes to lick a more brutal sible before. enemy- laziness, co\vardice and weakness "It won't be easy. But I believe you have of ch~racter. the courage to do it now. "I believe you will welcome the chance "I'lll betting the rest of my life on it." to stretch your sagging muscles, to feel the blood of the soul as it surges again. I be­ The Revolt of The Ghost lieve you will support me though I tell you When I finished writing that, I slept like this harsh truth: If I am to serve you, I a babe. I read both speeches again this must give up my power over you. I must morning. That is when I decided to resign not seek more government authority. In­ my job. I "vas totally unfit to write speeches stead, I pledge to you to put you completely like nunlber one again and I thought that on your own. the boss would be totally unfit to recite "1 believe that you get your happiness speeches like number two. from the things you accomplish for your­ Did he accept Iny resignation? Didn't self; you get your security from the knowl­ tell him yet. I-Ie~ll know tOlnorrow when edge that you have the power within you he rushes in for his speech in the middle to meet emergencies. I believe you know in of the Ed Sullivan Sho,v. You see, I've your heart that SaIne day Americans must s\vitched speeches. Pinned on the new support a program that will wean them speech is a note he'll read just as the cam­ away from governrnent aid, government eras turn on hin1. It will say: advice, government control, government "Boss: this is a last-minute revision. The crutches-and government taxes. beginning is a little unusual but it gets "It ,von't be easy. If I represent you in better as it goes along. Matt"

10 FAITH AND FREEDOM WHAT WE LACK DR. FIFIELD

The ineffectiveness of the Freedom Saving of our people are good. They are earnest Organizations in .t.L\merica does not stem Christians and deeply patriotic. They don't from their number nor the size of their want the things that are coming-but the budgets nor the size of their deficits. pressures upon them make them dependent Their lack of effectiveness comes out of upon leadership, leadership which is lack­ the indifference of their members and ing in most areas. others to what is happening in our country. The clergy do not provide courageous advocacy of Freedom under God in this It Is Hard freedom-abandoning age. The press does Most of these organizations are having not chalnpion it. The business community a hard time. It is hard to meet budgets and has largely "knuckled in" for the "benefits" payrolls. It is hard to sustain interest and of the Socialist apparatus. School teachers enthusiasm. It is hard to get their tracts dare not raise their voices lest they lose their thoughtfully read (Faith and Freedom by jobs. Editor Johnson excepted). It is hard to get crowds to meetings. It is hard to get appli­ Some See The Light cation of their principles-even by their de­ How is this stranglehold to be broken? voted members. We of Spiritual Nlobilization have thought This is in part because of the widespread -by the leadership of responsible, under­ confusion-which I think has been care­ standing clergynlen. That is still possible fully arranged. It is partly because of the because there are Inore such being counted accelerated pace of living, and the com­ each day and because SM under President pounded demands on everyone's time. It is Ingebretsen is utterly uncompromising on more largely the result of inadequate lead­ principles and ideals-reinforcing and re­ ership on the part of the Freedom Saving sourcing \vith study materials, those who Organizations and their duplicating or com­ have seen the light and are undertaking to peting roles. expand it in their own lives and ministries I am soundly convinced that the majority and communities in the nation.

ENTERTAIN at which answer Abraham grew so zealous­ ly angry, that he thrust the oldman out of A STRANGER his tent, and exposed him to all the evils vVhen Abraham sat at his tent door, accord­ of the night and an unguarded condition. ing to his custom, waiting to entertain When the old man \vas gone, God called strangers, he espied an old man stopping to him and asked where the stranger was; and leaning on his staff, weary with age he replied, "I thrust hiln away because he and travel, coming toward him, who was did not worship thee"; God answered him, a hundred years of age; he received him "I have suffered hirn these hundred years, kindly, \vashed his feet, provided supper, although he dishonored me, and couldst caused him to sit down; but observing that thou not endure him one night, when he the old man ate and prayed not, nor begged gave thee no trouble?" Upon this, saith the for a blessing on his meat, asked him why story, Abraham fetched him back again, he did not worship the God of heaven. The and gave him hospitable entertainment and old nlan told him that he worshipped the wise instruction. fire only, and acknowledged no other God: SAADI, 12th Century Persian Poet

OCTOBER 1956 11 PEN N SYLVANIA AVENUE

In a few short weeks, Americans will troop The standard objection-that the Russians to the polls to climax our quadrennial hoop­ would not keep their word-is irrelevant. la-the race for the Presidency. Even if we Everyone admits that·no one can drop an tum the volume down on the sound and H-bomb anywhere without detection all fury, several features of this campaign still over the \vorld. So an agreement to stop can be heard: the H-tests is self-enforcing, and needs no (1) Once again, the "intellectuals" called elaborate apparatus of inspection. stridently for a «'high level" campaign on Ending the H-bomb tests would not only both sides. This means: don't criticize, don't slow down the cruel armament race; it stir up the public, don't create ~ny issues, would stop poisoning the atmosphere with don't tell the truth about the opposition. deadly radiation, a poison that endangers Past campaigns always served one vital the future of the human race itself. Why function: even if the two parties happily spread such destruction in peacetime? shared the loot between them in off-years, (5) 1956 marked the first timid approach the call of the election forced them to re­ to form a third party by the nation's con­ veal sonle truths, to open up some issues. servatives. They barely began, but they Now that the bipartisan left-wing rules made a start. Supposed to launch a party both parties, the more dreary the cam­ in the spring, they waited instead until paign, the better they like it. mid-September, when it was too late to get Surprisingly, the ""new," hard-hitting on the ballots of nlore than a handful of Stevenson was a triumph of the practical states. The Memphis States Rights Conven­ politicos over the intellectuals. tion selected a T. Colman Andrews-Thom­ (2) The display of the grinding, gooey as Werdel ticket for the two top slots. Juggernaut at San Francisco-what Doro­ thy Thompson sarcastically called Ike's Why Andrews Repented "coronation." Who will soon forget the They call themselves a "movement," of­ sight of each Republican at the rostrum fering the voters independent electors. But put through his Or her prepared paces and sans organization and state slates, it is just whisked out of the way? While Big Brother a way of blowing off steam, and not a vital beamed down from a thousand placards! political force. On the state level, critics of (3) The most heartening feature: Stev­ the Memphis Convention argue, a conserv­ enson's resurrection of a lost issue in Amer­ ative party could wield a critical balance of ica-the draft. Those who object that Adlai power, forcing the major parties to bid for will not really end the draft miss the point its support. -fOf the first time since 1941 we do not An example of such force was the Wis­ simply accept the draft as an act of God. consin Republican primary this fall, where It rings once again as an issue. That alone conservative Howard H. Boyle swung the takes a giant step forward. For this service, balance of power for the Senate. Left-wing Stevenson deserves our thanks. Senator Wiley led moderate Glenn Davis (4) The other new note struck by Stev­ by 10,000 votes, while Boyle picked up enson: a call for ending the H-bomb tests. 20,000 votes-5% of the state's total. A con-

12 FAITH AND FREEDOM servative third party could amass 5% of the prises to private individuals, they say, let vote in every key state. it slash its expenses drastically, and no add­ Foremost of its bright spots is the selec­ ed taxes will be necessary. And the best tion of T. Coleman Andrews of Richmond, way to force this solution is to deprive the Va., for president. Andrews is the eminent government of this source of revenue. symbol of the fight against the income tax. Amid the current ferrpent on taxation, Just as we have welcomed repentant ex­ many people are looking for bold new solu­ Communists, so now we welcome an even tions. Particularly striking is the blockbust­ more important figure-the repentant ex­ er let loose by the usually staid Chamber bureaucrat. of Commerce of the U.S. In the September .After spending several years as Eisen­ issue of its monthly Economic Bulletin, the hower's COlnmissioner of Internal Revenue, Economic Research Department of the Andrews resigned to speak out strongly Chamber suggested ending taxes entirely and courageously for outright repeal of the and replacing them with voluntary con­ 16th (income tax) Amendment. We can­ tributions! Before you dismiss such ideas not exaggerate the importance of this con­ as crazy, think long and hard. A startingly version. Andrews set off a chain reaction new idea, perhaps, but maybe the answer that looks to explode all over the country. to our taxproblen1s. In recent months, fired by Andrews' Let us quote the epochal words of the charges, nationwide magazines have specu­ Chamber at length: lated on possible repeal of the income tax. "Suppose all taxes were put on a volun­ If anyone had predicted such a discussion tary basis-like your contributions to the a fe'" years ago, he would have been dis­ Community Chest, Red Cross, or your missed as a hopeless crackpot. But now, church ... If taxes vvere (so) placed ... with growing tax burdens, with Joe Louis if each individual were to decide what' forced to wrestle, and cobblers deprived government's services were worth to him of most of their gains on answering the and made his contribution accordingly­ $64,000 question, the public listens. would this not provide a criterion for de­ termining objectively the worth of govern­ Don't Accept Reed-Dirksen ment? Ho\\~ much would be collected under Plans are afoot, we have heard, for a such a scheme? No one knows. But you mammoth drive after the election to repeal Inight ask yourself: 'How much are govern­ the income tax. Mixed with earnest hopes ment's services worth to me?' for the success of the drive, comes a word of warning: nothing less than complete re­ Don't Steal, Except As Follows peal will suffice. Accept no substitutes. The "Originally, the commandment 'Thou Shalt proposed Reed-Dirksen amendment to .the Not Steal' was unqualified. But today, most Constitution, the warners say, would set social planners are willing to go along vague limits to income tax, but with enough with a slight modification: 'Thou shalt not loopholes to permit a practical status quo. steal outside the framework of the demo­ Such an--amendment would just take the cratic process.~ Of course, it is still not sting out of the income tax without curing considered 'right' for A to go over and rob anything. Just as the Taft-Hartley law end­ B, his rich neighbor. But it is quite 'right' ed the drive against unions without reduc­ for A to organize a group of cohorts into ing union power, so the Reed-Dirksen 'government,' levy a tax ... and then pro­ amendment would end anti-tax agitation ceed to collect from B and redistribute the while leaving taxes as harsh as ever. wealth among A and his henchmen-'ex­ Some may object: but what taxes would penses of government' ... you raise instead? The repealers answer: "It's all legal, but some 'hardshell die­ none! Let the government sell all its enter- hards' V\Till wonder if it is ethical."

OCTOBER 1956 13 PAUSE FOR REFLECTION JAMES C. INGEBRETSEN

It has been a year since I Nature is pretty hard to have used' the privilege of vanquish. And it is a good this space to seek support thing for us that it is. We for our daily capsule column can co-operate with it to our of the same name. We hope great good but to conquer this sampling from the past it and reduce it to our own several weeks will encour­ terms would be our com­ age you to help us spread plete undoing. its outreach. Some fifteen papers §cattered through California, Texas, Ohio, Co­ "Empathy means the abil­ lorado, New Mexico and In­ ity to enter other people's diana carry the column five thoughts, feelings, emo­ days each week. More than tions," says David Harold 300 others in all the states, Fink in his book, "For Peo­ Alaska and Hawai pUblish ple Under Pressure." "If the one column a week. Gradu­ power of empathy were to ally, our little Pauses are also be developed in children gaining recognition in a vari­ systematically and deliber­ ety of other publications, ately there could be no juve- church bulletins, company nile delinquency. No adult employee 1nagazines. delinquency either. How could anyone rob What are we trying to do? One main a store if he were to put himself in the interest is in ferreting out bits of contem­ owner's place?" porary wisdoln and putting these under the Exactly. But this is not a new thought, spotlight of spiritual reflection. Here are although empathy is a comparatively new two current examples. word. . Says Joseph Wood Krutch, fonner New York drama critic turned naturalist, in a Mr. Fink's Advice recent issue of This Week magazine. Several thousand years ago, the Lord told "Most men now live where their own Moses to say unto the children of Israel, works (as contrasted to God's, as revealed ". .. thou shalt love thy neighbor as thy­ in Nature) are the only ones they ever see. self" - in other words, practice empathy. NIan now believes that Nature can always And lIe also commanded through Moses, be made to do his bidding." "... lay up these Iny ,:yords in your heart To the extent that these statements are ... And teach them your children .. ." true, man is the loser. So actually ~Ir. Fink's excellent advice In general, we see what ,ve consider to is lllerely a restatenlent in modern terms be important. The mercenary-minded per­ of two of the oldest commandments of the son sees only dollars and cents in a field of Bible. Every day psychologists and psychi­ clover or a'" forest of pines. On the other atrists are more and more discovering that hand, the person who values natural beauty the Bible is their most comprehensive and for its own sake can find it even in the reliable textbook. l\.1aybe it wouldn't hurt midst of the greatest of cities-in a window the rest of us to study it n10re with a view box of geraniums or a flowering weed to putting its precepts more faithfully into growing in a crack of the sidewalk. practice.

14 FAITH AND FREEDOM Occas-ionally we speak our mind rather \Vell, isn't that about what we have come firmly about certain glaring abuses of polit­ to as a constitutional republic? The locked ical and private power. Take this disturbing door of the Constitution is still there. But thought from last week's output. \vhat does it signify \vhen both ends of the building have been knocked out by recent Kind of Confusing Supreme Court decisions? "N0 one can buck the [labor] unions in China now," says Reg Leonard, correspond­ ent of The Melbourne [Australia] Herald, Consistently we seek to challenge read­ \vho recently made an extended trip ers to practicing a spiritual rather than a through Communist China. materialistic approach to Z'ife. Here is a "The unions have organized shrewdly. "sermonette" that carries, we think, a good Their first aim has been to get firm control deal of food for thought. of key industries. Today the [Trade Union] federation's word is law in all heavy and When The Bottom Falls Out most light industries .. ." Did you ever stop to consider what it Well, that is not much different than it 111eanS for a person to "have credit?" It is in this country, is it? used to mean that snch a person is credible, In both instances, a non-:governmental believable, trustworthy-that what he says, agency has become, in Mr. Leonard's words, he will, God helping him, do. "a political instrument of considerable pow­ But today it does not necessarily mean er and influence" "operating \vith solid gov­ that. ernmental backing under legislation grant­ "Vhy? Because in thousands upon thou­ ing it extensive rights." sands of cases "credit" has been extended to It's kind of confusing, isn't it? How nearly people who do not have it, in the above like Red China have \-ve allowed ourselves sense, at all. to become anyway? How, then, do they get it? 'VeIl, the gov­ ernment supplies it. .And many a young householder, living in But we think there is something to be a luxurious home \vhich only government said for handling even desperately serious "credit" makes possible, contemplates the problems with an obliquely light touch. future with an attitude something like this: For instance, here is a good two-birds-with­ "What if there is a recession? Suppose I one-stone exalnple. do lose my job and become unable to pay the instaIln1ents on IllY housing loan? In After The Horse Is Stolen such case, tens of thousands of others will A recent Associated Press dispatch from be in the same boat-and the government Albuquerque, N.N!., said: can't foreclose on all our homes." "There is nothing like following military I wonder if it isn't time to pause and regulations to aT. Regulations say every reflect upon this situation before we com­ government building must have a door and pletely forget that there \vas a time when a means to lock it. "credit" meant "his word is his bond"-not "At Kirtland Air Force Base here, there the government is his bondsman. is a 20 x 40 foot building with only two sides-the ends being open. The building houses a truck. "In one of the sides there is a door-as Have you a toay to help us broaden dis­ the regulations require. Furthermore it has tribution? We receive a 1nodest service a hasp on it so it can be locked-as the charge for daily pubrication-offer.weekly regulations require." service without charge.

OCTOBER 1956 15 Tender Victory. Taylor Caldwell. New of the psyche. In this inner world, they find York: McGraw-Hili. 422 pp. $3.95. a vision of a new way of life. And they can I An ex-Army chaplain becomes a pastor in bring it back to distressed society, if they an eastern mining town. But he run\) into will. trouble trying to wake people to the de­ We can make such a withdrawal-and-re­ mands of the Christian life. turn today says author Martin (currently en­ Narrating these difficulties, Miss Cald­ gaged in setting up an International Study well slips in some strong blows at the forces Center of Applied Psychology). He main­ of greed and selfishness that always result in tains that Jung has developed psychological war. She doesn~t hesitate to condemn many techniques that make it altogether possible of the ignoble actions' of the United States. -and practical. He believes that T. S. Eliot A unique touch comes in by way of five clearly sho\\'s us these psychological tech­ European waifs. John Fletcher, the pastor, niques in action. rescued these children from a mob that was This plea for withdrawal-and-returnties set on destroying them like a wolf pack. He in with Gerald Heard's advice; anchor your­ brings the youngsters with him ",~hen he self firmly inside the foundations of the gets out of the Army. self so that you may stably project your Fletcher tries to humanize them and heJp spiritual leadership to the outside world. them discover their true selves as children ~1any who take Heard~s adVice seriously of God. Of course, it presents real prob­ will share my thanks to the author of Ex­ lems. The usual do-gooders rush to the periment because he skillfully draws up a scene, intent on forcing the children to set of blueprints for just such an under­ adjust to their maladjusted society. taking. The weakness of the book lies in the fact JAMES C. INGEBRETSEN that here again we see a stereotyped minis­ ter, misunderstood and opposed by an The Art of Real Happiness. Nor:nan Vin­ equally stereotyped congregation. And of cent Peale and Smiley Blanton. Revised course the pastor~s God-like qualities and the and Enlarged. 1956. 280 pp. $3.50. congregation's better nature finally win out A teacher once reminded a musician who over evil. But it just doesn~t seem real. trembled and grew pale at the thought of Still the author brings us an important criticism: "Never yet has a statue been and well presented message, and the reader erected to a critic." cannot help but be inspired and, at times, Critics peppe~ away at all popular men. aroused. But of all who feel the critics' bite, the REV. NORMAN S. REAM popular preacher probably writhes in the greatest discomfort, for his are the most Experiment in Depth. P. W. Martin. New dedicated critics; his fellow preachers. York: Pantheon Books, Inc. 1955. 275 pp. Still, men like Peale and Sheen go on $4.50. writing books. And apparently bring help to It takes only a few creative. people to re- thousands of readers in spite of criticism. new the spirit which a sick civilization lacks, In this revised edition of a 1950 book, Arnold J. Toynbee, the historian, tells us. Peale and Blanton continue pointing the These people turn away from the world way to happiness by emphasizing faith in outside-the world of power politics and God's forgiveness and continual care and social chaos. These "renewers" turn instead concern for the individual, using language to the world within themselves-the world that is seldom theological. The book abounds in illustrations from actual cases. Chapter to solve their problems for them. It is this headings indicate some of the subjects cov­ desire that makes totalitarians and conform­ ered: "How to Have a Successful Marriage," ists. Like an infant, the conformist can sleep "A Solution for Problem Drinking," "Com­ quietly and transfer all his worries to Father fort and Understanding for the Bereaved," State. When the intellectuals lose their self­ "How to Grow Older Happily," etc. control and courage and are possessed only The one weakness in an otherwise helpful by their fears and emotions, the power of book: the almost complete lack of any em­ those with prejudice and stupidity gains." phasis on service. Discussions of alcoholism REV. NORMAN S. REAM and old age hint at it. Otherwise the sub­ ject is conspicuous by its absence. Surely this is one of the chief paths to happiness. An Historian's Approach to Religion. Ar­ REV. NORMAN S. REAM nold Toynbee. New York: Oxford Uni­ versity Press. 318 pp. $5.00. Those who read (or heard tell of) Toynbee's The Rape of the Mind. Joost Meerlo. ten-tome A Study of History will recall the Cleveland: World Publishing Co. 320 pp. historian's refreshing accents on religion. $5.00. His Gifford lectures at Edinburgh during A frightening book about thought control, 1952-3 elaborated, clarified and generally menticide and brainwashing. A very import­ dipped deeper into the subject. Now in pub­ tant book in its implications. The author says lished form, the Gifford lecture series puts he is trying to "depict the strange transfor­ Toynbee's views together under one cover. mation of the free human mind into an Oxford divides it into two parts: "The automatically responding machine-a trans­ Dawn of the Higher Religions," and "Re­ formation which can be brought about by ligion in a Westernizing World." some of the cultural under-currents in our Part I tells us of a three-phase develop­ present day society as well as by deliberate ment of man, beginning with nature-worship experiments in the service of a political which turns into man-worship (idolatry of ideology." the parochial community, of the ecumeni­ Most of the book deals with these latter cal community or of the self-sufficient phi­ experiments-this part of the book is most losopher), then on to the higher religions frightening. The author lived under the which are God-centered. Nazi occupation of the Netherlands, is a Toynbee repeats his claim that we should trained psychiatrist with wide experience. seek the common denominator in the great He insists' repeatedly: the mental torture world religions. (Whether it must be the that transforms men into collaborators and lowest common denominator or not does informers could twist anyone of us under not seem too clear.) He thinks that each similar circumstances. religion, especially Christianity, should turn The implications of brain-washing and in its claim to "the" truth, or the "one true thought control will concern many readers. religion." Modern technology (television for example) His thesis seems to be that religion is the and current American political theory now cure to the world's sickness, but that its exerts the same influence over men's minds healing nature flows from all major religions that dictators exert in less subtle ways. today. Therefore, no one religion is any Writes Dr. Meerloo: "Like adolescents better-or worse-than another, Toynbee who try to hide behind the aprons of par­ seems to say. ental authority rather than face mature This coupled with his evidences of Chris­ adulthood, the individual members of a tian arrogance, persecution and religious democratic state may shrink from the men­ wars accounts for the mixture of blessing tal activity it imposes. They long to take and bombardment which churchmen shower flight into thoughtless security. on Toynbee. (Some point to him as evi­ "Often they prefer the government, or dence that hope yet remains in the world; some individual persoP;~f'~tion of thp ~t}ltp others see him as proof it does not.)

. the Council stuck a clerical finger into a -Articles in Revievv highly specialized field and probed for the wrong malady ..." The author concludes: "Continue the way ce•••• In all fairness, I simply you're going, and you'll find it hard to get believe that you, the members of the Broad­ inside the door of any radio station without casting & Film Commission, made a colossal a check in your hand ..." blunder by adopting a resolution the very nature of which proves you don't know what you're talking about." Changing conditions are alter­ Thus broadcaster Jerry Hughes, program ing people's habits of thought; one of these director of KMLW, Marlin, Texas, lashes out conditions lies in regimenting people in against the NCC policy statement on broad­ their work and spending. casters' obligations regarding religious pro­ It's all part of The New Materialism of gramming (Church Resolution Draws New At­ America says Dr. James M. Williams (The tack, Broadcasting Telecasting magazine, Sep­ Churchman, September, '56). The sociology tember 3, '56). professor emeritus at Hobart speaks of the The National Council's policy statement over-riding aim to have oneself committed opposed the sale or purchase of time for re­ to regular, unvarying monthly payments on ligious broadcasts. The idea: to get stations cars, houses, TV sets and Junior's bicycle. and networks to dole out free time for all Come the first of the month, and there is religious broadcasts. The catch: in doling out practically nothing left to decide, he points the time, the stations and networks are asked out. "Ask people how much a certain object by Nce to give "due consideration to the .costs and the response may be $12.73 a strength and representative character of the month." councils of churches, local and national." Dr. Williams asks people, "Doesn't all Thus the National Council stands to gain this make you feei bound to your employer? the most free time, being the country's Because if you lose your job ... how would weightiest council, local and national. you meet all these monthly payments?" Hughes, just one of many disgruntled He says the reply was invariably: "Oh, radio men, says "KMLW simply cannot af­ we'd have unemployment insurance." ford to give away enough time for all Asked Williams: "But is that as much churches to be heard regularly and ade­ as you would earn? You now have to spend quately. Thus, we are faced with two alter­ every cent to keep afloat." natives: to give away what we can and sell Answer: "Oh, the government would the rest, or to give away what we can and make it enough," or "the government cancel the rest. Which would you have us wouldn't let a depression happen." do?" Williams thinks this easy-come-easy-go The Texan broadcaster admits there are credit picture accelerates the material-mind­ many cases of poor taste and even some mis­ edness of people. handling of religious broadcasts, says there He believes this new materialism teaches are some stations which refuse to make any people to judge everything and everyone free time available; "others will not even by the dollar sign. sell time for religious purposes and still His answer to the problem? He quotes others permit unethical and even unscrupu­ Albert Schweitzer's belief in a remedy of lous practices of paid programs." spiritual transformation of the person which "But," says Hughes, "the council ignored will reveal to him that fullness of life lies in these practices, in which the majority of service for others, as Jesus taught and lived. broadcasters would cooperate to improve. The council did not ask all stations to pro­ vide some free time; nor were station man­ Does the rumble of war­ agers asked to cooperate in curbing the ac­ drurns justify conscription? The problern of tivities of 'religious hucksters.' ... Instead, ,var and support of the military systems

.. looms as a major question for churchmen today. FOR CLERGYMEN \Vriting in the August 22 issu~ of Chris­ tian Century, John C. Bennett set do\vn an ONLY almost fatalistic belief in the necessity of the draft. Clergymen feel mixed emotions about the Challenging this point of view, Arthur \V. right-to-work laws-judging from statements 1vfunk sets forth a few alternatives, gives us and articles in the religious journals. Though eight suggestions which he says "contain both are applying Christian beliefs some suffich~ntlv the essentials of a peace effort' clergYlnen approve of the "laws"-some turn tim~s vast to meet the demands of the thumbs down. (A Christian Alternative to Chaos, Christian How do you-the clerical reader of Faith Century, September 26, '56). and Freedom - feel about right-to-work Among his creative alternatives ~ue: ]) laws? Take out a pencil right nqw, check a world conference of all religions to re­ off your answers below, tear out the ques­ nounce \val' and call on all nations to re­ tionaire and send it back to us. We will pub­ nounce it. 2) a rational plan of total dis­ lish the results of this poll in a later Digest. armament on a multilateral basis developed by outstanding diplomats and scientists of 1. Union A represents a large majority all nations. 3) recall of all armies of occupa­ of employees. It bargains with the employer tion. 4) relief of ... divided nations and colonial peoples ... 5) gr~dual removal on for wages and working conditions which a universal basis of tariffs and other impedi- benefit all the employees. Everyone who lnents to trade. ' benefits should be required to belong to the union and pay dues.

"The layman, I have found, is Tend to 0 agree 0 disagree 0 not sure the neglected man in the church today ... he is being abused, misused and unused. 2. I believe that a union should be a "Furthermore, churches are overloading voluntary organization, composed of men the faithful few, failing to attract the many, who freely and willingly join the organiza­ hiring more and more employees to do the tion. I believe I should have the right to jobs capable members could have enjoyment work for an employer who wants my serv­ ices. I should not be required to join and and inspiration in doing if they were chal­ lenged imaginatively." pay dues to a union against my wishes. Margaret Arnold Griffith, former profes­ sional church worker, now a non-paid pew­ Tend to 0 agree 0 disagree 0 not sure sitter, makes these challenging charges. (Let's Rightly Use Our Laymen!, Christian Her­ 3. My employer has the right to ask me ald, September, 1956). to join the union as a condition of employ­ Certainly her remarks should give food ment, so if I don't wish to join, I should look for thought to clergy who, over-worked and for another job. under-staffed, call with increasing frenzy for help. Tend to 0 agree 0 disagree 0 not sure Author Griffith sees a number of areas where laymen could very well pitch in and 4. Right-to-work laws, by stopping man­ help: 1) public speaking, 2) assistance in datory membership, will cripple the union worship services, 3) the church music pro­ movement. So rather than let the unions die gram, 4) the clerical work of the church and thus lose labor's hard-won gains, it is office, 5) the association or area meeting, 6) better to compel a few outsiders to join a the various denominational boards, 7) the union. "almost forgotten art of visiting," and 8) within the mission church. Tend to 0 agree 0 disagree 0 not sure One of the most popular novelists of the fiction? Kyne says: "Yes." And shows the 1920's, outspoken, dynamic, aged 76, color­ big difference between the best seller's ful Peter B. Kyne speaks out against today's ideals of today and yesterday-in two dif­ ideals. Can you tell a country's ideals by its ferent Americas.

THADDEUS ASHBY

'~~.:.. ,:;.'~. ;f? ., .'

•

One day in 1922, Peter Bernard Kyne politan speaking on the phone-long dis­ walked into the Palace Hotel in San Fran­ tance, to a big book store. cisco. He overheard a salesman for Cosmo- "And I ,,,ant you to take orders for a

20 FAITH AND FREEDOM ne\v inspirational book by Peter B. Kyne." said. "The men I wrote about believed in "'Vait a minute," said Kyne. "Stop every­ building America. Nowadays writers have thing. I'm Peter B. Kyne, and I have writ­ no ideals. They \vrite about butchers.'" ten no inspirational book." But, I thought, novelists do have ideals, "But," the salesman said, "I've already though different from Kyne's. taken orders for 10,000 copies." What were Kyne's ideals?· But first, for Kyne wired Cosmo: DEMAND TO KNOW contrast, \vhat ideals do current writers WHAT YOU MEAN TAKING ORDERS FOR INSPIR- sell? What do the critics say? ATIONAL BOOK BY ME. HAVE WRITTEN NO SUCH BOOK. AND WHAT ABOUT ROYALTIES? The Ideal of Sink (Submerge) Yourself ANSWER. KYNE. David Riesman, commenting on one of The return wire caught them at lunch: Miss Helen Howe's novels, We Happy Few, WE ARE REPUBLISHING YOUR SHORT STORY in his book I ndividualisrn Reconsidered, THE GO-GETTER. EVERYBODY SAYS IT"S INSPIR­ found that her big ideal is unselfishness. ATIONAL. YOUR ROYALTIES 10 PERCENT. Dorothea, her heroine, seeks to sink herself. "That's not an inspirational book," said "Submerge," she says. Kyne. "That's just a good story." "Even Dorothea," Helen Howe writes, The Go-Getter sold over one million cop­ "found herself wondering if it might not ies. General ~lotors, Chrysler, General Elec­ have been 'simpler' to accept the common tric gave it to their employees. "One stock­ lot ..." She becomes a nurse. "What makes broker," Kyne said, "made a lazy clerk a nurse is the power to forget yourself .. ." write it out in long hand." Critic Diana Trilling sees this same ideal Kyne had sat down, dashed off The Go­ in "the recent exanlple in which the hero­ Getter in one day. He never signed a con­ ine vvas saved from nervous collapse by tract with Cosmo. They paid him by gen­ joining the movelnent for cooperatives. As tleman's agreement. The income tax was a nlatter of fact, asked to name, on the evi­ n1erely petty larceny then, so Kyne did dence of the novels I read, the one dorni­ well for his one day's work: $90,000. nant trend ... I would probably specify this mechanical notion that the individual How Kyne Looks at Ideals finds himself by losing himself in SOUle "I never thought of it as inspirational," larger social manifestation." Kyne said. We were sitting in the lounge Does this Sink Yourself ideal dominate of the Press Club in San Francisco, and as the best sellers as well as the arty books? 1 listened 1 began to ,vonder what he meant Let's take one of the biggest sellers of the by "inspirational." "Maybe," I said, uThe last ten years, Hennan Wouk's The Caine Go-Getter summed up the ideals most peo­ Mutiny, where Sink Yourself truly applies. ple had in those days, the logical conclu­ Willial11 H. Whyte Jr. in Is Anybody sion to their premises. It wasn't inspira­ Listening? comments on Captain Queeg of tional in the 'preachy' sense." the Caine, who through incol11petence is "I wasn't writing a sermon," Kyne said. about to founder the ship during a ty­ ""I 'was writing what people ,vanted to read." phoon. ~1aryk, the Exec., relieves the cap­ "If that's true," 1 said, "this country's tain of his command under article 184 of changed-not in degree, but in kind." Navy Regulations. This "mutiny" saves the Peter B. Kyne looked at l11e a moment. ship. The moral? Says Willie Kieth, speak­ He sat on the divan, a little stifRy. He wore ing for author Wouk: "I see that we were an expensive brown Shetland suit, a stiff in the "vrong ... The idea is, once you get white collar and a neat brown tie. He an incolllpetent ass of a skipper ... there's looked like the hero of his Cappy Ricks nothing to do but serve him as though he series-without the side-whiskers. were the wisest and the best, cover his mis­ "Of course the country's changed," he takes ... So I guess I have gone all the

OCTOBER 1956 21 way around Robin Hood's bam to arrive or inspirational books, avidly read by peo­ at the old platitudes, which is the process ple who don't want to 'sink themselves. of growing up." These people may want to look into "In other times, perhaps," comments Kyne's books. They will find refreshing Whyte, "this definition of maturity might ideals by contrast, so different from today's have been interpreted somewhat differ­ ideals they might have been written in a ently. Kieth's platitudes might have been different country. r.egarded as counsel for self-delusion and a Kyne's million-copy seller, The Go-Getter, 1'eductio ad absurdum of obedience. tells the story of Bill Peck. Bill comes to [When Peter Kyne's Cappy Ricks sent a Cappy Ricks, and demands a job. new skipper to relieve hero NIatt Peasley of Cappy Ricks decides to give an acid his command of the Retriever, instead of test: the Degree of The Blue Vase. Cappy blindly obeying his superior, Matt threw says he wants a vase to take with him to him overboard.] "Instead of being wrong, Santa Barbara as a present. Can Bill get the executive's action might well have been the vase, and have it on the train by 7:55? misconstrued as an act of moral courage, "Sir," says Bill Peck, quoting the motto and an act, furthermore, that had one rather of his 'infantry brigade: "It shall be done." important by-product-saving a ship of the Here is a shorthand version of the plot: line and the lives of several hundred men." To the ideal of Sink Yourself, we should Cappy's Obstacle Course add Determinisln, that is: The individual The vase is not within 8 blocks of address is helpless. You see this in the plays of Cappy gave him. Store closed, Sunday. Bill Tennessee Williams, and the novels of Tru­ noted name: B. Cohen's Art Shop. 19 B. man Capote and Nelson Algren. Add to Cohen's in book. Phoned them. None own this: tolerant acceptance of life as it is, and art shop. "Must be commuter." Got books you have the ideals of current novels. for Berkeley, Oakland, Sausalito, Mill Val­ ley ... No soap. Checked name of art shop "Sir, It Shall Be Done" again. Sign read: B. Cohn's Art Shop. Let's look at the critical successes on the Could've sworn it was Cohen. Called all B. current best seller list. Cohns in Greater San Francisco Bay Area. O'Connor's The Last Hurrah, while ro­ Gets Cohn, but Cohn won't come to phone. bust and funny in its account of Mayor Said "Tell him his store is on fire." Curley's Boston, shows that more and more Cohn tells Peck call salesman, Joost. Americans are getting fed up with politics, Joost not home, dining at country club. except as a corrupt side-show. Moral? Ac­ Which one? Didn't know. Back to booth. cept tolerantly and good humoredly. Called every country club in Bay Area. No Algren's A Walk on The Wild Side sums Joost. Borrowed hammer, went back to up contemporary ideals: Sink Yourself, De­ break store window. Would steal vase, pay terminism, I-Ielplessness-ism. People are later. Policeman standing in doorway, vio­ brutalized, or victimized by capitalism. AI­ lating orders, smoking a cigar. gren says he is frankly writing about "lost" Before committing suicide, tried Joost people; where Helen Howe and Herman again. Success. Yes, delighted come down, Wouk are reactionaries, only writing about open store, sell vase. "How much?" Peck people trying to get sunk, or lost, Algren's asked ,,,hen Joost arrived. "$2000," said characters have arrived. Those who are Joost, not batting eye. "Cash," he added. lost, says Algren "develop into greater hu­ "You refuse to take my check?" "I don't man beings than those who have never been know you, Mr. Peck." lost in their whole lives." For blue vase, Peck pledged diamond A look at the non-fiction best-sellers ring he'd won during war. Took vase, ran. shows that six out of sixteen are self-help Train gone. Took taxi to flying field owned

22 FAITH AND FREEDOM by friend. Started plane, flew down tracks, men than himself of the incontrovertible caught train, landed in field, flagged train. fact that you cannot keep a good man (~appy Ricks, amazed, opened door in down." nightshirt. Told Peck: ,ve changed sign, Young ~1atthew Peasley, another Kyne stacked Cohens, set cop to watch shop, hero? \vas brash, ambitious-not for money made Peck dig up $2000 on Sunday night, so much as for the fun, the thrill of creat­ but-"While you missed the train you over­ ing, the feel of building. He was self-con­ take it at hvo in the morning and deliver fident as a lion. He would not have under­ the vase." stood today's ideal of Sink Yourself. When Peck loses temper; wants to beat up he was 18 he shipped as common seaman Cappy; Cappy too old. ~~Bill, old boy," said on the barkentine Retriever. The captain Cappy, "it was cruel ... but I had a big said to him: "Do you think you could get job for you ... So I arranged to give you away with a bosun's job?" the ... test of a go-getter. You thought you "I could get away \vith your job if I had carried into this state-room a $2000 vase, the chance, Sir," ~1att deciared. but benveen ourselves, what you really car­ The captain saw that Matt held an un­ ried in ,vas a $10,000 job as our Shanghai lirnited license to sail any size sailing ves­ manager." sel any\vhere in the world. A Peasley who didn't merit his captain's license before he Some Young Go-Getters was 21 would disgrace the family. Sitting in the Press Club with Kyne in San Francisco, I asked him: "Do you know The Lord Hates A Bootlicker any young men who could pass the Degree The virtues these boys prized were "pluck," of The Blue Vase today?" "grit," ~~sand," "brass," and, if a boy com­ "I do not," Kyne said. "The spirit isn't bined these virtues with the ideals o~ in them." thrift, application, and the desire to be a ~~I-Iow would you describe that spirit?" ~cskookunl go-getter," a boy might rise not "It's on Cappy Ricks' dedication page." only to captain a ship but to captain an I looked it up and found: industry-especially in the West-for here "To Captain Ralph E. Peasley, of Jones­ "the co\vards never started, and the weak­ port, Maine, who skippered the first five­ ling died on the road." masted schooner ever built, brought her, If a boy was a little cocky, fresh, and too on ,that first voyage, through the worst ty­ self-confident, you could forgive him for phoon that ever ble\v, and upon arriving that, even though you might take him down off the Yang Tse Kiang River for the first a peg. As Cappy Ricks said, when young time in his adventurous career, decided he ~latt Peasley threw that captain overboard could not trust a Chinese pilot, and estab­ who had come to relieve him: "But then, lished a record by sailing her up himself! Skinner, the good Lord IUllst certainly hate "To Captain I.N. Hibberd, of Philadel­ a bootlicker." phia, Pa., sometime master of the American Kyne cannot understand the current ideal clipper ship Cyrus Wakefield, who at the of hating success. He wrote of the romance age of twenty-five broke three world's rec­ of business in the tinle when businessmen ords in one voyage: San Francisco to Liver­ ganlbled trenlendous fortunes on daring pool and back, eight months and two days schemes, in a time when business was not ... The clipper ship is gone but the skipper harried by controls nor many taxes; business remains, an undefeated champion. was, as Cappy said: c~Such bully fun!" "To Captain William P. Canty, of San What were the rules of those days? Sink Francisco, Cal., sometime mate of the brig or s\vim. Cappy Ricks says to Matt Peasley, Galilee, who with his naked hands, con­ who has saved up $~O,OOO to go into busi­ vinced in thirty-five D1inutes nine larger ness for hinlself: "The fact of the matter is,

OCTOBER 1956 23 your business education is now about to grade school (a one room country school) con1mence, and about two minutes ago I I had a fight with my teacher; I jumped on 'suddenly decided that you might as well my horse and jumped the five foot gate, and pay for it with your own money ... Conse­ graduated in,a cloud of dust. That was all quently I'm going to turn you loose, Matt; the education 1 had." there are some wolves along California I \vondered, as I listened to this grand Street that 'Nill take your $20,000 away from old Ulan, whether any amount of today's you so fast that you won't know it's gone. kind of education would ever turn out a But the loss will do you a heap of good." Peter Kyne, or Bill Peck, or Matt Peasley. Men weren't quite so afraid to lose money After Kyne ,. graduated in a cloud of dust" in those days, Kyne said. They could go he' didn't immediately start writing fiction. broke several times and still make a come­ He wrote little human interest stories for a back. A go-getter could, that is. weekly newspaper, telling how "Mabel "How did you get started writing this Jones fell off a haystack and broke her leg kind of thing?" 1 asked Kyne. -but in a hlunorous n1anner," Kyne said, "I knew that people wanted to hear stor­ "so that it brought a tear to the eye and a ies about real people, about what a man smile to the lips." Finally his editor gave with certain virtues can do-not about some him a byline. When Kyne enlisted in the weak-kneed lover mooning over his girl. 1 Army and went to the Phillipines, his editor could tell a story. They wanted stories in asked him to write one full length true those days, and not just character sketches feature article per week. of some neurotic fellow. Once I had a story rejected. The editor said: "This isn't what They Smoke, Drink and Swear the public wants.' I took it to Lorimer of "Now, if you've ever tried to write one the Saturday Evening Post and told him full length tnle feature article per week, about it. He was a great editor. He said: while lying in a jungle trench, and if you 'Those fellows don't know what the public kno,v that 1 wrote one every week for two wants. 1 don't know what the public wants years, you'll understand if I tell you that either, or I'd be advising play producers during that time 1 began to write fiction. how to produce hits. But 1 do have one ad­ "Why did I keep up that pace for him? vantage over those fellows. 1 know damn Because he'd given Ine encouragement, and well what I want! And he bought the story. I had given hirn my word. In those days Nowadays they don't have editors like that. we had a word called 'neighborliness.' He They have no ideals. They're afraid of hon­ took me on,paid me, liked eveTything I est emotion. \vrote for him. I raised his circulation from 700 to 1700 per week. My mother was I Graduated in A Cloud of Dust scandalized; she said: 'Son, don't be a news­ "What were the virtues of my heroes? papern1an. They snloke cigarettes, and they They were self-reliant, decent-young men drink whiskey and they swear something aren't being taught those virtues today­ scandalous. my heroes were drawn h·oIn life, from the ".After I sold my first story to Lorimer of best young nlen of the times. They had a the Saturday Evening Post I took two job to do, they did it well; they were never months off to admire myself. I got a wire interested in security. They liked adven­ from Lorimer: 'ARE YOU A ONE STORY MAN?" ture. The young Jnen of today wouldn't \vhich vvas the worst insult you could give buy a copy of The Go-Getter. The editors a beginning "Triter. I wired back: 'NO, r':~vI \vouldn't buy it. They told me toward the A SECOND STORY MAN. IT'S ON THE WAY.' I end of my career: 'There's too much emo­ sent him another one and he bought it. tion in your stories.' "I saw the drau1a in theltnnber and ship­ "What ,vas my education? One day in ping business. ~;fy stories weren't intended

24 FAITH AND FREEDOM to be inspirational. I \vrote of wooden ships with the ideals of today's writers, Sink Your­ and iron men, hearty men. We'll never get self and Helplessness-ism, tells the story of back to those days. It's the building of a two entirely different Americas. Now all country that calls forth men. We need them this doesn't mean the popular ideals of the now, of course. But now young men believe 20's were perfect. They lacked a lot-under­ the job of building is finished. Then, there standing of depth psychology, for example, was a ne,v job that had to be done every and the idea of evolving spiritual conscious­ day. Men got their happiness out of the feel ness. Even so, the popular ideals then had of building. more vitality than the popular ideals now. Never mind theories, or noble humanitarian They Didn't Know What A Subsidy Was arguments, Kyne's books say. Just look at "What's the matter with young people the results: now? Things are too easy for them, too "Son," Cappy Ricks is talking to Bill much spending n10ney. They don't have Peck, '\vhat sort of golf game do you play? any heroes today. NO\V they make heroes Oh, forgive me, Bill. I forgot about your out of commonplace men, out of truck driv­ left arm." ers, or butchers. lVI y heroes were building "Say, look here, Sir," Bill Peck retorted, industry, building America. Now even the "1'm big enough and ugly enough to play poor farmer complains if he only has one one-handed golf." Cadillac, because he isn't getting enough "But have you ever tried it?" from the govenu11ent. The young men I "N0, sir," Bill Peck replied seriously, wrote about didn't knovi \vhat a govern­ "but-- it shall be done." ment subsidy \vas. My her-oes were inde­ pendent and self-reliant. Children aren't A New Kind of Ambition taught those ideals any more." If we could take what was good about I thought of the young men whose main this attitude and add ne\v ideals to it, we concern is finding a job that will provide might produce a ne,v kind of go-getter­ hospitalization and a pension; and of Matt hustling after spiritual as well as material Peasley saying to Cappy Hicks: riches-greedy for understanding, and am­ HI don't want to be an employee.. I want bitious for God. to be your partner-to be more than a cog in the nUloChine .. ." For your children to read, to find out Why are lVIatt and Cappy so interested \vhat Anlericans used to be, for you to read in getting all they can out of business? Cap­ whenever you \vant to feel a shot of the py summed it up: "~latt-Skinner, my boy old America to warm your heart: -by the Holy Pink-toed Prophet! we'll do it!· [build an American merchant marine]; The Go-Getter ~ot because w~ need the money or want Cappy Ricks it, or give a particular damn to hoard up a Cappy Ricks Retires heap of it, but because it's the right thing Cappy Ricks Comes Back to dq. It's patriotic-it's American-our ac­ Cappy Ricks Special tivities shall enrich the world-and oh! [and The Understanding Heart perhaps in this last sentence lies the whole The Valley of The Giants contrast] and oh, it's such a bully game to The Parson of Pana1nint play!" The Green Pea Pirates Subsidies? Cushions? Built-in floors of They Also Serve security? C I Bill of Rights? Bill Peck was The Long Chance a veteran who had lost his arm in WW I; The Pride of Palomar he was also the hero of The Go-Getter. To and almost anything else by me, ~he ending of The Go-Getter contrasted Peter B. Kyne

OCTOBER 1956 25 WHO SAID THAT? Here we repeat again a feature we began two years ago at the Congressional elections in 1954. Each statement is exactly as uttered by either Eisenhower, Stevenson or one of their lieu­ Were the following sentiments tossed off by Republicans or Democrats? tenants. Can you tell the diHerence? Rate yourself: 12 or more correct answers-You are either Governor Stevenson or Presi­ dent Eisenhower; 10-11 correct answers-you are wasting your time working on puzzles, try Las Vegas; 6-9 correct answers-don't grow over-confident, your chances aren't that good on the ballot; 5 or less correct answers-you are batting in the same league with the editors. The ans\vers appear on the next page. 1. "There is substantial agreement today which every region of the nation may flour- ' that some foml of Federal financial assist­ ish-to vvork in partnership with the States ance to the States for educational purposes in the pursuit of that com- is required. The real issue now is not whe­ mon goal." ther there should be Federal assistance, but 7. "The important thing today, and for our rather what form it should future, is what kind of security is to be pro­ take and how much it vided for our elder citi- should be." zens." 2. "We believe that government must be alert ... to every need of Our people, espe­ 8. ~~Our second objective must be to make cially in those things affecting their health available the facilities and services which and education and human are required to meet the rights." special needs of older peo­ ple." 3. "This Federal aid program must include aid for school construction. The bill which 9. t;t;We will administer vig­ \vas before the Congress this year should orously the soil bank .. ." go far toward meeting this 10. ~~And this by no means denies the need." responsibility of the Federal government 4. "Let us look for a moment at a simple to take leadership in a question: Which party, in these recent thousand different direc- years, has done more to help all citizens tions ..." meet the problems of their daily lives? 11. HvVell, for Illy part, I'm happy that I Which party has helped have been able to say to the farmers this more-not with words hut year ,vhat I said to them four years ago. with deeds?" We have offered the farmers a Dod ro­ 5. "When we talk about ending poverty, gram. We mean to stand wh~n we undertake to extend the education, on it ..." improve the environment and raise the dig­ 12. t;t;We want to get on with improving our nity of all Anlerican citizens, we are rom­ schools, our health, our Social Security, our ising to finish bus'iness we roads, \vith strengthening SInall, business have ourselves begun." and developing our natural 6. "It is, I say, a responsibility of the Fed­ resources for the bep.efit of eral government to create a climate in everybody ..."

26 FAITH AND FREEDOM 13. "The aged, the unemployed, the less 'YOU GOT TO GIT fortunate must have the consideration and care worthy of the wealthi- YOUR HEART FIXED' n est nation on earth. One of the best sermons ever \vritten may 14. "... office of older persons' welfare will be seen mounted between two sheets of encourage and promote activity in numer­ glass at a desert store in southern Cali­ ous in1portant fields. It will study the spe­ fornia. It was \vritten with a stub of pencil cial social needs of older people; the ways on two sides of a sheet of wrapping paper in which these needs are being met in our which had been folded and placed for pro­ States and communities; tection in a tin baking powder can, The can and it will develop new had been wired to an old pump \vhich of­ approaches," fered the only chance of water on a very long and seldom used trail across the Amar­ 15. ~~'Ve hope the next Congress will meet gosa Desert, the requirements of the political promises This is what was written: of both the Republicans and the Democrats "This pump is all right as of June, 1932, for revision of Taft-Hart- I put a new sucker washer into it and it ley." ought to last five years, But the washer dries out and the pump has got to be primed, Under the white rock I buried a '81 .l8qUI~lld8S ''B!U.lOjHUO 's8118~ bottle of water, out of the sun and cork -uV sOl l'B U8q~lrf~ .loqul jO A.rUl8.r~8S 'gl end up. 'OPU.l0I08 '.I81\U8Q lU "There's enough water in it to prime this 83 .l8qUI8l d8S uo UOSU8A8lS .IOW81\00 'vT pump but not if you drink some first. Pour 'SI .l8qUI~ld8S 'UrU.l0j about one-fourth and let her soak to wet -HuO '.l8rnrQA\ lU uoxrN lU8prS8.ld~8~rA '81 the leather, Then pour in the rest medium '0'3 .l8qUI8ld8S fast and pump like hell, You'll git water, 'uMoI 'uolMaN lU UOSU81\8iS .lOUl81\00 '7)1 The well never has run dry, Have faith, 'ullioquI){O 'A118 uUIoquI){O lU "When you git watered up, fill the bottle Yo j8qUI8l d8S uo UOSU81\8iS .lOU181\00 'IT and put it back like you found it for the 'T'6 .l8qrn8ld8S 'UA\OI next feller, 'S8U!OW S80 iU .l8Moqu8sra iU8prS81d '01 (signed) DESERT PETE ''6'6 .l8qUI8ld8S 'uMoI 'UOlM8N iU UOSU81\8iS 10U181\OO '6 "P,S, DON'T GO DRINKIN' UP THE WATER '8'6.18qUI8ld8S 'OPU.1 FIRST, PRIME THE PUMP WITH IT AND YOU'LL -0{08 'J81\U80 iU UOSU8A8iS .10U1,81\0 0 '8 GIT ALL YOU CAN HOLD, AND NEXT TIME YOU '6'6 .I8qUI8ld8S 'uPpoI~ PRAY, RE~fEMBER THAT GOD IS LIKE THIS '1hnqS.I8l8d 'is lB uoxrN iU8prS8.Id-8;)rA 'L PUMP, HE HAS TO BE PRIMED, I'VE GIVE MY 'SUSUU){lV '){~Oll8Hirl LAST DIME AWAY A DOZEN TIMES TO PRIME PU~fP iU Sl'6 .l8qUI8ld8S uo UOSU8i\8lS 10U181\0 0 '9 THE OF MY PRAYERS, AND I'VE FED MY 'L'6 .raqUI8ld8S 'p LAST BEANS TO A STRANGER WHILE A-SAYIN' -nossrw 'srnol 'lS lB UOSU81\8lS lOU.18AOQ 'g AMEN, IT NEVER FAILED YET TO CIT ME AN 'O!qO 'pUBr ANSWER, -gA8IO '1 18qol;)O '18MOqU8SF3: lU8PFs81d 'r "YOU GOT TO GIT YOUR HEART FIXED TO 'U!SUO;)SFM. 'oo){nuL\:\HW GIVE BEFORE YOU CAN BE GIVE TO, iU 8'6 j8qUI8ld8S uo UOSU81\~iS .10U18AOO '8 PETE," '1 .I8qol;)O 'OIllO 'PUBI8A:8IO l'B .18Moqu8sra lU8prS8.Id '3 (from the book, GrOWing Into Light, by '0'0 'uol~u1qsBM Max Freedom Long, Huna Research Pub­ :}U 1 .l8qol~O uo UOSU8A8iS .10U.181\00 '1 lications, Vista, California, 1955,)

OCTOBER 1956 27 Probably prayer puzzles conventional repetitions. filen and women more today Therefore, most of us no­ than ever before. That is not tice that the more intense to say that people are giving our prayer, the more unmis­ up praying. On the contrary, takable, generally, are the probably more of us than results of it. This is no new ever are offering up heartfelt discovery-as shown by the petitions to the invisible. For old adage "Man's extremity the more we try to manage is God's opportunity." the universe for our own Certainly our desperation purposes, and the more sur­ often does seem to work a prised we are at its reaction miracle. At times our utmost to our handling of it, the effort to get our o~n way more we are driven to drop fails, and we confront dis­ our arrogance and plead ig­ aster and cry out that this norance and humility. apalling agony shall be The really perplexing aspect of prayer, avoided, then the cup of anguish may sud­ then, is not "why do people go on praying?" denly be taken from our lips. We are as­ This is a secondary riddle. Our first hand tounded, relieved and, in our way, grateful. puzzle arises (as do all really pressing- con­ In the NIiddle Ages (they are often called undrums) from our own experience, our the Ages of Faith to distinguish them from personal predicament. our modern Age of Science), men and Weare brought to a pause and driven women caught in a storm at sea generally to reflect-not because prayer doesn't work. prayed. And when they prayed to be saved What really startles us today is the way it from drowning, they promised that if they works. This confronts us with a true dilem­ escaped they would burn a candle or two !Da. Anyone \vho trouples to study prayer before the shrine of their patron saint. And sees how often it is answered. they usually did. We don't see this clearly-at least not at Indeed, they made and paid even more first. ~1any of us pray for some time about costly VO\VS, as one can see from the collec­ some particular concern and can't see, after tion of thank-offerings in almost any ancient a spell of effort, that anything has hap­ European church. For they had a lively pened. But very likely anyone who has fear that to gyp your invisible helper was persisted in praying has produced some to lay yourself open to even worse trouble. results that they had to recognize as being some kind. of an answer. From these an­ Give Up One Martini swers our problem arises. Today our gratitude hardly ever takes The trouble lies not in being answered such ~xpensive forms. We rationalize our but in the quality of the reply. Most people \vish not to have to pay fees for heavenly today (especially the man who has the help by calling such gifts useless, and worse, kind of mind which likes to check up on superstitious. If we decide to acknowledge, the consequences of ,vhat his mind is do­ in any way, our ne\vly sharpened sense of ing) do not pray perfunctorily. At least Heaven's nearness and handiness, we may since William James wrote his classic The make our sign of gratitude serve to stimu­ Varieties of Religious Experience, the late our somewhat limp wish for health by thoughtful person has kno,vn that there is taking, for a month or so, only two instead something in real prayer, but very little in of a standard three martinis before our

28 FAITH AND FREEDOM dinner. "Am I really ~ better person because I ~10st of us aren't likely to push our was saved from illy so-called doom?" abstinence much further. For in a conlpara­ Such questions, the masters of prayer tell tively short time, the crisis-out of which us, show we are growing, And these masters we \vere suddenly and inexplicably extri­ are not enemies of patient study and experi. cated-begins to be seen in a changed light. ment. They have nluch to tell us on pro­ And this is V\rhy, a few lines above, I said blems that are now acute and of general that the fact that prayer does work pre­ concern for all religion. For these points sents us with our real dilemma. which came to light in our own private Perhaps V\'e say to ourselves that the prayer experience are not questions just thing \vhich we felt we could never endure for the individual. never did take place. We forget then, that Today> after long neglect, two big and other things did take place. And as these awk\vard issues are confronting the old, other things may have been far from what well established, respectable churches. we could have desired, we begin to won­ These issues are "guidance" and "healing." der ,,,hether vve were right in believing Can a man learn by prayer what God that some event ,,'as actually altered to suit wishes him to do? By calling on God can our vvishes and calm our fears. a man receive a recovery of health through At this point, many of us begin to feel spiritual means? that after all, the \vhole episode was not It \vould indeed be huprudent to attempt nearly so ren1arkable as, in our state of to make a science of prayer. However, I excitement, "re had made it out to be. To do feel that we can make some sense of our believe that there was anything miraculous experiences in prayer. We may be able to about it-that Heaven had intervened to discern meaning in our discovery that al­ save us-\vell, surely that is unscientific and though we get results, these results are egotistic. often baffling. ~1 y o\vn readings, in the records left by Did This Make Me Better? men \vho reflected as much as they im~ Of course, one is ready to allow that there plored, suggest that we can go some dis­ may very well be a God. But an educated tance toward solving these problems. Next and infornled man of today does not arro­ month, therefore, I will try and sketch out gate his personal interests and think them the nlap Or chart that was constructed and worthy of God's particular concern and used by those luen who made a life long providential assistance. Was it all chance? study and practice of prayer. Wait a little. Sooner, generally than later, I am caught in some other predicament. God, though we have loved the world, And, as I have really learned nothing from yet let us not despair of heaven, for one my earlier difficulty, my deep nature makes flash of the splendor of Thy eternity and me behave in the sanle way. I appeal and, the brightest time is revealed as shadow: once again, my appeal appears to be an­ Though we have feared the cost of finding swered. What do I do this time? Thee yet let us not lose heart and fail to It is more difficult now to dismiss the start again upon our search: For, however apparent ans\ver as pure coincidence, noth­ feebly we have so far sought, we could not ing but chance. Yet on this occasion, as I have attempted to begin to find Thee, hadst look back, I am honestly puzzled and oddly Thou not already set out to find us, and uneasy. \Vas this the best thing that could whatever, 0 Eternal, Thou hast begun, that, have happened to me? Indeed, I may push of Thy nature, Thou wilt not only continue ~1y my inquiry still further. puzzlement but assuredly will complete. may force me to put the question even more Prayer from Prayers and Meditations by sharply to myself. Gerald Heard.

OCTOBER 1956 29 N

SURPRISED BY JOY There was no region even in the innermost depth of one's soul (nay, there least of all) C. S. LEWIS which one could surround \vith a barbed (New York: Harcourt, Brace & Co., 1956, 238 pp. wire fence and guard with a notice ~N0 $3.50) Admittance.' A,nd that is what I wanted; some area, however small, of which I could How does one avoid the heresy of C. S. say to all other beings, 'This is my business Lewis? Mr. Lewis holds the Chair of Med­ and mine only.'" ieval and Renaiss~nce English Literature at It was a series of encounters with Joy Cambridge) and his heresy is Christianity. which first began to batter the walls of It was not always so; he was once an ortho­ NIr. Lewis' private world. The Joy on which dox atheist, but his guard dropped occa­ this autobiography hinges is described as sionally and each time his Adversary let "an unsatisfied desire which is itself more him have it until Le\vis caved in. desirable than any other satisfaction." Used For otie thing, he was careless about the so, Joy is a technical term to be sharply things he read. ~~A young man who wishes distinguished from happiness and pleasure. to remain a sound atheist," he remarks, Mr. Lewis experienced Joy in three early "cannot be too careful of his reading. There proto-mystical experiences. In each, the are traps everywhere." For another thing, scenes of the work-a-day world shifted to he never got the knack of bending the facts reveal hitherto unsuspected depths and di­ about his own iInmediate experiences to mensions in nature. In all three, there was fit some theory. His experiences were real' "the same surprise and the same sense of and that was that. Lewis held out for years, incalculable importance." And they van-, but nnally gave up. ished as quickly as they had come: "Before One night in 1929, he became "the most I knew what I desired, the desire itself dejected and reluctant convert in all Eng­ was gone, the whole glimpse withdrawn, land ... ,Amiable agnostics will talk cheer­ the \vorld turned commonplace again." fully about 'man's search for God," he But a world that can pierce a man with writes, "To ll1e, as I then was, they might such an intensity can never be quite com­ as well have talked about the mouse's monplace. To recapture the experience be­ search for the cat ... God is, if I may say comes "the supreme and only important it, very unscrupulous." This book is Lewis' object of desire," but only obliquely an blow by blow account of what happened to object, for Joy cannot be attained directly hiIn, and thus serves to warn readers who -it ,is a by-product. want to avoid similar rjsks. "Its very existence presupposes that you By temperament, Mr. Lewis has a "dis­ desire not it, but something other and out­ taste for all that is public, all that belongs er. If by any perverse askesis, or the use of to the collective," and this was part of his any drug, it could be produced from with­ case against Christianity. "No word in my in, it would at once be seen to be of no vocabulary expressed deeper hatred than value. For take away the object, and what, the word interference. But Christianity after all, would be left?-a whirl of images, placed at the center what then seemed to a fluttering sensation in the diaphragm, me a transcendental Interferer. a nlomentary abstraction. And who could ~~lf its picture were true, then no sort of want that? 'treaty \vith reality' could ever be possible. "This, I say, is the nrst and deadly error,

30 FAITH AND FREEDOM which appears on every level of life and is terms, enjoy'ment and contemplation. equally deadly on all, turning religion into "When you see a table you 'enjoy' the act a self-caressing luxury and love into auto­ of seeing and 'contemplate' the table." On eroticism. And the second error is, having Alexander's analysis, you 'enjoy' the think­ thus falsely nlade a state of mind your aim, ing or emoting which goes on within, but to attempt to produce it." you 'contemplate' the external object which Mr. Lewis took much of his early training causes the 'enjoyment.' in philosophy, and readers 6f his two books, "Unless this distinction is vivid, we tend Miracles and l\lere Christianity, will testify to focus on the 'enjoyment' and then con­ to his skill as a logician. These books have clude that a pleasant state of consciousness been criticized for their lucid rationality on is the end of action. The next step is to act the grounds that there is more to life than so as to bring about desirable states of logic. It n1ay well be true that the mind has feeling, and to 'contemplate' these. But the heights and depths beyond the logic, but on pleasant feeling tone cannot survive this its own level, rationality is to be preferred inversion of attention. "Nearly everything to irrationality, and it is illogic which needs that was going on a moment before is excuses, not logic. stopped by the very act of our turning to look at it. Unfortunately this does not mean Dead Stuff Giving Off Sparks that introspection finds nothing. But what is the place of human logic if On the contrary, it finds precisely what the universe is irrational? This is the ques­ is "left behind by the suspension of all our tion posed by the predicament of the 19th normal activities; and what is left behind century rationalist. Typically, he believed is mainly mental images and physical sen­ that the human mind is a chance spark sations. Our great error is to mistake this given off by a n1indless universe composed mere sediment or track or by-product for of dead matter. But if mindless, the universe the activities themselves." is brute irrational fact, and human reason By no\v the Hound of Heaven was hot and logic cannot give us any truth about on ~lr. Lewis' heels. He was capable of it. If logic is a strictly private matter, it wonder, trained in logic, had established has about as much intellectual content as the rationality and objectivity of the uni­ a secretion of the ductless glands; it may verse, responded to the vitality and con­ tell us sonlething about individual physi­ creteness of things, and finally, in Chester­ ology, but nothing about the universe. ton's The Everlasting Man, found the vir­ Mr. Le\vis believed that logical thought tues of both paganisnl and Christianity put yielded indisputable truth, and thus was in a perspective vvhich Inade sense. led to postulate a rational universe to which The mixture began to cook and then "a the n1ind in the act of apprehension made philosophical theorelll, cerebrally enter­ a creative response, and in which "our logic tained, began to stir and heave and throw was participation in a coslnic Logos." off its gravecloths, and stood upright and This school of philosophy has sometimes beCalTIe a living presence. I was to be al­ reduced the robust and full-blooded world lowed to play at philosophy no longer. It to a pallid abstraction. But Lewis, with the might, as I say, still be true that my 'Spirit' help of the French philosopher Henri Berg­ differed in some ,vay fron1 'the God of son, avoided this pitfall. "FroIn him I first popular religion.' My Adversary waived the learned to relish energy, fertility, and urg­ point." ency; the resource, the triumphs, and even And ,,,hat about Joy? the insolence of things that grow." "It \vas valuable only as a pointer to Next, the English philosopher, SalTIuel sonlething other and outer." A traveller who Alexander, provided him with "an indis­ has found the \Vay loses interest in a sign­ pensable tool of thought" in two technical post. ED11UND A. OPITZ

OCTOBER 1956 31 SPIRITUAL MOBILIZATION ACTIVITIES: the well-known men in many fields who serve on Daily and Weekly-the column, Pause for Reflec­ the Committee, we would be glad to send it. tion, carried nationally by nearly 400 newspapers; Weekly-the radio program, The Freedom Story, BELIEF • We believe the following ideas need to broadcast on stations coast-to-coast; Mo,n,thly-the permeate life. And we believe Spiritual Mobiliza­ tion can provide an emphasis now lacking; • We magazine, Faith and Freedom, with more than 27,000 circulation; Annually-the national Freedom believe that each man is potentially of supreme Under God observance of Independence Day; Year worth and should work to achieve spiritual and Around-speaking engagements and business-edu­ creative wholeness; • We believe that when men force their wills upon others, even for "their own cation-clergy conferences nation-wide. man~s FINANCED solely by contributions of individuals, good," it frustrates basic need. We see this businesses and foundations. Donations deductible today primarily in uncontrolled political interven­ on income tax form. tion and the excesses of the labor union movement; THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE has as its chair­ • We believe that spiritual and moral leaders must man, Dr. Donald J. Cowling, President. Emeritus of resist-not promote-the abuses of power which de­ Carleton College. Should you like to have a list of stroy man's integrity of spirit.

As you know, Faith and Freedom comes to you just for the asking. And we'll keep on .... sending it, without any strings, as long as N you want it an,d use it. But it does cost money to put it out. If •... you want to help, $5 will a little more than o cover the cost of sending it to you for a z year. If you can chip in more, it will help pay for subscriptions to those who can't afford financial contributions. In a week or so, we'll be asking you directly for help to cover the cost of keep­ ing Faith and Freedom and other 8M work growing. But if, as you read this, the im­ pulse strikes you, don't wait to hear from us. Send your bit now. Cordially, JAMES C. INGEBRETSEN President