Evening star., 1949-10-06
Veteran Quaker Leader Expresses
Hopes for q New Approach to Peace.


Hopes for New Approach to Peace.
To the Editor Of the Star:
May 1t not be something more than
mere coincidence that there should be
release of the news that Russia has an
atomic bomb Just as World Communion
Sunday-the day Of the opening OF United
Evangelistic Advance" was at hand?
This movement by ST church denomina-
tions, undertaken to extend and deepen the
spiritual life of the Nation. may seem at
first glance to be little related to any activi-
ties or attitudes behind the Iron Curtain;
but since we are in reality one world, whose
citizens are influenced by forces OF mind and
spirit that recognize no geographic. political
or racial restrictions, it may be worthwhile
to consider the point.
If memory serves it was the physicist
Charles P. Steinmetz who a few years ago
proposed holiday in the field OF physical
research and a devotion by men OF science
to study of the laws and forces that oper-
ate in the mental and spiritual realms, in
an undertaking to bring developments In
the two areas nearer abreast.
Man now can reach his antipodean neigh
Dor in few hours instead of the weeks OF
not so many years ago-but what new
enlightenment can he give him? Peter
Marshall, late Chaplain of the Senate. in
a posthumously published magazine article.
stresses the need for spiritual researchers"
the same plea that the physicist made
few years ago; but that the need has not
been met is evidenced by the current situa-
ton Of the development Of explosives, infec-
tious gasses-all sorts Of agencies and instru-
mentalities for the destruction of life, some
so potent that they from time to time break
through the safeguarding barriers OF re-
straint and injure or destroy their pre-
sumptive masters, while peace and brother
hood remain hope and not reality.
Door May Be Open.
Now that the idea of monopolistic pre-
dominant atomic power has lost its influence.
the door may be open for more intensive
research for a different approach. The CEN
turies and millenia of history are strewn
with the wreckage of dynasties and civiliza-
tions. Some of longer duration. some meas
ured only by decades or even only years,
perished because Of failure to conform with
the laws Of life, growth and continuity that
prevail in a moral universe. Octogenarians
Of this writer's group have seen Shareholders
dispossessed Of their human chattels. czars
and kaisers ousted. Hitler and Mussolini
displaced-grist for grinding in "the mills of
God"
One method Of national support and main
tenance and one alone has dominated
throughout the historic period-stronger
armies. more deadly weapons: the results
have been summed up in the terse pro-
nouncement: "They that take the sword
shall perish by the sword" Is it not time
that another course be sought? The war
to end war" was as drastic and complete
failure as were the Crusades and the Span
ish Armada. To quote again the Wisest
One Men do not gather grapes from thorns.
nor figs from thistles." Yet in the halls Of
Congress and the high places Of the Execu-
tive the emphasis still constantly is on more
force and greater destructive power.
Recent decades have witnessed the con-
vening of world inclusive Protestant and
Orthodox religious bodies and the organiza-
ton Of World Council of Churches These
represent the one agency whose sole purpose
is the development and application Of the
spiritual forces Of the race for the solution
of all world problems. Nothing that affects
man for good or III is without purview.
Adopting the motto Let the Church be the
Church." 1t came seeking recognition to the
doors of the birthplace of the United Ma
tions and has secured the observance Of a
quiet moment at the opening Of the Assem-
bly, sessions in which men OF all faiths may
consider the factors Of life that owe their
being and qualities to something not Of
earth's crust or the suns rays
Evangelistic Advance Demanded.
But not yet has this aspect Of the total
problem got to the commanding position
that would give authority to the forces OF
goodwill and brotherhood rather than arma-
ments, espionage and stockpiles OF atomic
bombs as influencing international relations
So the timeliness Of this National Evangelis-
tic Advance becomes evident. 1t is most
urgently demanded to meet the worlds need.
No matter how vociferous any denial or
reputation Of Christianity may be by per-
son or group or nation, the laws of life that
it embodies and seeks to express stand un-
changed: and the fuller and more funda-
mental their acceptance and application the
more incongruous, needless and ineffective
will be found the continuing recourse to vio-'
lence as against violence and our resort to
war to end war. whether cold or hot.
Joining in the appeal to avoid panic. may
we not also turn our thoughts to the objec
tives of the Evangelical Advance and seek
for America significant pre-eminence in
world of peace, goodwill and brotherhood?
>L1NDLEY D. CLARK.
Sandy Spring. Md.
Bachrach Deserves Mention in List
OF Washingtons Old Time Photographers.
To the Editor Of The Star:
was very much interested in an edi-
torial that appeared in The Star about the
lost Photographic files Of Mathew Brady.
recently found in Oswego. New York. Your
comment about the old Washington photog-
raphers recalled some very pleasant
memories because started with my father
in Washington in 1901-the studio itself
having been opened a number of years
before this.
Having been in Washington for we'll over
fifty years am surprised that our name
was not among the old-timers that you
listed. I believe we photographed as many
of the important men as anyone you men,
toned; in fact believe at the present time
we are the oldest Photographic firm. in the
third generation, in the city of Washington.
LOUIS FABIAN BACHRACH
Defends Tax Exemption for Churches,
Provided Privilege Is Not Abused