Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1943-02-24
Brotherhood Week

THE annual Brotherhood Week observance which began
last Friday and continues through this Sunday
religious enterprise in which millions of Americans
participate each year and which the Hearst newspapers
have special interest
1t in response to a suggestion made by Mr.. Will
liam Randolph Hearst in editorial in these newspapers
in 1888 that Brotherhood Week first nationally
observed
Mr.. Hearst had been impressed by the success of a
religious program sponsored by the churches of San
Francisco.
There Is a certain day in San Francisco" he wrote,
when representatives of various relgiOns-Jews CahO
lies and Proesantsget together and speak and plan in
harmonious cooperation for the advancement of all
iigon.
NT'HAT day Is called Brotherhood Day.
l Every day should be Brotherhood Day among the
free churches of America.
But to promote the happy condition of universal
brotherhood of all anti-pagan religions let begin by
having throughout the nation series of brotherhood
days like the observed in San Francisco.
There Is a greater work to be done in the world In
behalf of righteousness and religion justice and tolerance
than any church accomplish
Cannot all the churches unite in brotherhood to
make its accomplishment sure?"
In all the years before the war the brotherhood pro-
grams held in many communities and largely
attended.
7 Asst year. of course the in progress and
l. in its depressing and discouraging stage when
Brotherhood Week observed
But instead of diverting the American people from
the observance the inspired greater participation
than before.
Two thousand communities had Brotherhood Week
programs in that darkest period of the when Pearl
Harbor a recent memory and the fall of Singapore
had just been announced and the defense of Bataan
In its final and tragic stage.
AS the National Conference of Christians and Jews,
sponsors of the annual Brotherhood Week observance
comments
Even amid the turmoil of war and the tremendous
effort and energy it's conduct involves, Americans
pause to take stock the detectives which we are
expending blood and toll
1.-THE defeat of enemies is a definite tangible
objective.
But equally important the spiritual values for
which fighting the preservation of way of life,
the ideals on which country but-our heritage
of freedom and equality for all In time of war
Brotherhood Week takes added significance II Is
period devoted to strengthening the sentiments
for American brotherhood which make nation strong"
Mr. HEARST had said much the same thing in a
ANl calmer but no less stressfu time
In 1888 the forces of injustice intolerance and racial
prejudice which kndlng the confagraon of war in
Europe and Asia attempting to gain foothold in
America
And Mr.. Hearst believed the religious institutions of
America had duty to perform.
True religious liberty is found onIy in democracy"
he wrote.
THE effort Of the churches in Amortization the well
fare OF the people and the protection of reigon-shoud
be to keep the nation democratic the churches free
at is not enough for the churches to wish and to
say and to believe that moral and religious sentiment will
triumph In the end W
1T Is the pre-eminent duty Of the churches take
the necessary to make that righteousness
shall triumph and religion shall survive"
BROTHERHOOD WEEK, largely and earnestly
- observed every year has accomplished its purpose
This reflects than before the desire and
the determination Of the American people to preserve
their way Of hfea way that enables all the people to
live in real brotherhood without discrimination against
race or creed and with deep respect for the good instincts
and traditions Of all mankind.