Evening star., 1941-08-16

versity, New York, before the Housa-
tonic Valley Conference at Falls
Village, Conn.
Father Walsh traced this interest
in religion to four causes: Cd A
sense of intellectual and moral
confusion, CD the deficiencies Of
secular education which, he be-
lieves, places too much stress on
purely material things; CD intol-
erance, which sets race against race,
creed against creed, etc, and "a the
general confusion of the world,
especially in the realm of economics
and politics.
All these factors, Father Walsh
said, contribute to growing
nostalgia" for and curiosity" con-
corning religion, curiosity. which
is shown most clearly by the "amaz-
ing number Of religious books that
have appeared during the past IL
months"
The growing interest in religion
was also indicated this week by no
less an agency than the Bureau of
Census in Washington. Reporting
on the 1887 census of manufac-
lures the bureau announced figures
showing that nearly 2,500,000 more
Bibles, Testaments and portions of
the Bible were published in 1899
than in 1887. The same report
showed that the publication of
fiction had dropped off nearly so
per cent during the same period.
Out of 20 different publishing cate
gories only Bibles, juveniles. his
tories, reference works and technical
books showed any increase.
Businessmen Promote Religion.
Another development in Washing
ton was the announcement that the
United States Chamber Of Com
merce and the American Association
of School Administrators have ap-
pointed two separate committees
which will work together in a Ma
tion-wide effort to encourage the
religious and moral training of
youth. The effort is part of a five
point program designed to aid in
solving current educational prob
lens.
Both committees, it was stated,
will assist in formulating a creed
built around a belief in God and
America as basis for moral, citi-
zenship and economic training"
Back OF this effort is the belief,
according to the United States
Chamber Of Commerce, that truly
God-fearing nation is a strong ma
ton" and that there has been
too little appreciation that an in
telligent belief in God is the greatest
obstacle that dictatorship can over
come"
Pastors Institute Held.
More than 325 clergymen from all
parts of the country representing
more than 20 denominations at
tended the annual pastors institute
which closed at the University of
Chicago this week. The institute
was conducted Jointly by Chicago's
three seminaries II the divinity
school Of the University of Chicago,
the Chicago Theological Seminary
and the Disciples Divinity House.
The institute was permeated with
a social gospel emphasis, with no
sign of despair among the clergymen
over the course of world events
There was no suggestion that men
must wait for God to set things right
by swift intervention, the feeling
being prevalent that if men will set
their hands to the task and seek the
help and guidance of God. improve
ment may be expected The present
world situation was regarded as g
challenge. rather than an occasion
for the wringing of hands.
This attitude was evidenced par
ticularly in the sermons and lectures
of DR.. Edwin McNeill Poteat OF
Cleveland and Bishop Francis J. Nc
Connell of New York.
A major feature of the institute
was a conference on Religion and
Personality Integration, conducted
in cooperation with the Committee
on Religion and Health of the Fed
eral Council of Churches. The con-
ference attracted a registration OF
160 clergymen, which is indicative
of the growing interest of ministers
IN the subject of mental hygiene.