Evening star., 1959-12-25

Amidst all the good and
beautiful things which con-
tributed to our meaningful
celebration of the birth of
Christ, there entered one
Shattering, sneering note of
blaSphemy and mockery
which was injected by some
one who must be morally
warped and spiritually sick
not just irresponsible and
thoughtlessly immature. On
Christmas Sunday night,
scarcely before the last echoes
of Silent Night. Holy Night"
had died out in the sanctuary
of the Chesterbrook Presby-
terian Church in Falls
Church, someone deliberately
and maliciously drove a car
through part of the Nativity
scene on the church lawn,
breaking into pieces and
grinding into the dirt lovely
figures which had been care
fully designed and beautifully
painted by a mother of five
and constructed and in
stalled by busy men Of our
community. In stark con-
trast with the inspiring prod
uct of their long hours Of
devoted effort were the re-
suits of a moments vandal-
iSm-broken bits autographed
by the destroyer with tire
marks and green paint from
the tenders of his car.
1t is heartening, on the
one hand, to live in a land
and community where there
are notable evidences of
moral responsibility and
spiritual sensitivity on the
part of many and where
free religious expression is
constitutionally and per-
sonally cherished. 1t is dis
heartening, on the other
hand, to see in such Incl
dents as this, that there
are those who not only do
not share our respect for the
higher things of character
and faith, which is their
right, but who in their dis
tortion and bitterness also
seek actively to violate the
noble commitments of others,
which is not their right.
Such persons with a mega
tive, destructive inclination
need to be dealt with, not
merely by disciplinary meas
ureS to thWart their ire
sponSibility and laWleSSneSS,
but by constructive counsel
and spiritual help to heal
their sickness of heart, mind
and will before such a trav-
esty as this is overshadowed
by more heinous tragedy.
Curtis p. Harper, Jr.
4 4 Il
We read doleful state
ments by some pessimistic
members of the clergy that
looSeness and immoralitieS
attending some Christmas
parties are but symptoms of
an alleged general break
down in the character of our
citizens.
Recently I was an unlnten-
tional "gate-craSher" at quite
a different kind of Christmas
party. While in the Post Of
fee Department on business
I noticed employees hurrying
to the auditorium, so out of
curiosity 1 followed along. At
the doorway a pleasant young
lady escorted me to a seat in
the crowded chamber. The
proceedings began with a
short opening prayer. A
choral group sang Christmas
carols sweetly. Then the
whole gathering joined in
full-voiced song. Then came
a recitation of the Christmas
story from st. Luke. After
this a modest appearing,
kindly faced gentleman be-
gan speaking in a soft but
clear voice. He was the Post
master General, and he spoke
of peace, friendship and hu-
man service-and of graft
tude to the Almighty for Civ
ing us life today, the pre-
cious freedom and high priv
ileges of American citizenship
and our obligation for help
fulness to less fortunate peo-
pie and nations. He spoke of
his deep appreciation for his
own privilege of working
alongside other members of
the Postal Service to usefully
serve the public. Here was
no stuffy bureaucrat exhort-
ing his minions and lackeys.
Here was a great and good
man, a blessed servant of
Coda Cabinet Officer of
the United States Govern