Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-26
BY CASPAR NAMES
Religious News Editor of The Star

Many stories, sidelightS and
anecdotes came out during the
Disciples of Christ Churches of
the Capital Area convention
early this week, but the most
poignant was told by Air Force
Chaplain Jesse L. Coburn.
AS a young boy Chaplain CO.
burn lived in a small town.
During the summer he worked
at odd jobs to make some money.
One year his burning ambition
was to own a bicycle, cost $25.
That was a lot Of money for
a little boy to earn in those
days. But young Coburn cut
grass, delivered papers, ran err
randS and did numerous other
chores. Eventually he achieved
his goal and had $25 in hand
He put the money in a bowl and
waited impatiently for an oppor-
tunity to buy his long-wished-
for bicycle.
At that crucial moment his
grandmother received a letter
from a Baptist missionary in
far of India. Let us call the
mans name Wright. The letter
recited the desperate plight of
the natives there and told what
the missionaries were doing to
help them. The letter ended
with an appeal for contributions.
Coburn's grandmother was an
earnest churchgoer who believed
sincerely in missionary work.
She told the boy about the let
ter and then took the $25 to
send it overseas.
Il developed a terrific hatred
OF missionaries and missions"
Chaplain Coburn told the lunch
con gathering.
Years later Coburn entered
the Air Force chaplaincy. 1t was
during World War II.
Soon he found himself on a
troop train with 1000 other
Americans crossing India. The
train was dusty; the men had
only dry rations to eat; the seats
were extremely uncomfortable.
Day after day the train Slow
ly droned across the barren land.
Suddenly it jerked to a stop be-
fore a clump of trees. There
stood a group of people.
They were white. Beside them
were large cauldronS of hot tea,
and near the bamboo trees, with
make-shift curtains put up,
shower bath arrangements.
Chaplain Coburn said none of
the men asked questions. but
drank eagerly the first hot dish
in several days, and then en-
joyed the luxury of the make
shift showers.
After Coburn had finished his
shower and dressed, he tapped
one Of the white men on the
shoulder and asked who did all
these things.
Baptist missionaries who have
been here many years." the man
explained.
Coburn suddenly remembered
the name of the missionary who
got his $25. and said, rs there
a man by the name Of Wright
here?"
The missionary pointed to a
man about Coburn'S age. @"His
name is Wright" he answered.
Coburn walked over to the
man. and shook his shoulder.
You owe me a bicycle" the
chaplain told the startled mis-
sionary.
THE man doesn't know what
1t was all about to this day."
CobVrn said. II figured he was
the son of the man who got my
SIS. never said another word
to him. But my ideas of mis-
sionaries changed forever after
what they did for u.s."
4 Il. x
Big Jump to Ministry
From profess ional roller
skater, insurance salesman and
electronics research worker to
seminary student is big jump.
But John H. DuVal completes
the first hurdle next month when
he graduates Lynchburg College,
and he starts the final lap by
entering Harvard Divinity School
in September.
John. a member of First Chris
tan Church. Alexandria. Va,
became convinced after hearing
and working with the Rev. Will
bur Hogevoll. pastor Of the
church, that what he wanted to
be was a minister.
So four years ago he left his
Job with Melpar Electronics Re-
search and Development Labora-
tory in Alexandria and went
back to college. At Lynchburg
John was co-captain Of the Soc
Ger team and a member of the
track team. and was elected to
Omicron Chapter Honor Society,
Il felt l had to try and !
wouldn't be happy unless I did, "
the 29-year-old DuVal explained,
II have been serving three