NAWSA GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE Robinson, May Horace writes that he likes Harvard & has been busy with his examinations. Feb 18th 1931 My dear Cousin Alice: It is a long time since I have written you, & yet I hear of you from Howard & from Ethel & Alfred. Your very lovely Christmas message was appreciated. I always keep your cards & reread them, as I am very fond of helpful suggestions. I use them when writing to the Hampton students who have the [Gitbres?] School Scholarships & also to the graduates. This past year I have had more writing than usual & sometimes my eyes get tired & I have to stop. The news from Antoinette is about the same. She seems happy but does not care to enter into the life about her, but lives in a dream world of her own fancy. I am going to write to her more often. I hear from Brookes 2 HOTEL ST. ANDREW BROADWAY AT 72ND STREET NEW YORK once in a long time. He thinks that I had something to do with his remaining at Worcester, & I think that he has not forgiven me. But probably it will be cleared up in time. Howard has worked very hard to help him & he does seem better than a year ago. Yesterday I heard Dr [Lithey?] speak on "Peace in the Americas." He showed that we must wish faster for peace than we have in the past unless we want more dreadful wars. The meeting was in the new headquarters of the Community Church Temple Beth-El, 2 E. 7681 which was offered us for a year while our new Church building is being erected. It (our new Church) will be as large as the old Church, but it will be on the same site as a Hotel. In this way the building will be erected for us & we shall have a substantial sum of money each year, so that we shall be able to do more good. The Church bought four houses on 3581, & with these there will be a big plot to build on, the entrance will be through 34th St. Mr Holmes looks very tired, as he has had a great deal of responsibility! Ethel has had a bad cold, but Alfred says that she is better. I could not go out to see her last Saturday (I usually go once every two weeks) but I expect to go this Saturday. Times seem to be getting better. I do hope so! My love to you. Yours affectionately Cousin May June 9th 1931 Dear Cousin Alice: Your letter came, & I wanted to write at once, but I had to rest my eyes owing to some treatments. I went to Montclair Sunday. Ethel feels that just now as there is no money on hand & as Antoinette seems to be doing well that she will care for her. If she finds that Antoinette is not as well, she can place her in an institution. I said to Alfred that I hoped that Antoinette would not go to the Vineyard as it would be hard for all. Ethel said to me that going to the Vineyard with Antoinette would not be difficult if it were not for Horace. It is a problem. Perhaps something may turn up & Alfred may be able to make a sale in get money owing him. The best thing to do is to try to get things cleared up & trust that some may will appear by which the best can be done for all. I have been helping Alfred as much as I could. I am so sorry that you are feeling anxious res money matters. You have been so generous to others all your life you deserve to be free from care now. I have not heard from Howard of late. He has been very kind to take so much trouble, & to help Brookes. Brattleboro may be a good place HOTEL ST. ANDREW BROADWAY AT 72ND STREET NEW YORK to try. I feel terribly sorry for Ethel & Alfred. They take Antoinette about - of course I think it kinder to Antoinette not to have her go to club entertainments etc. If I were ill in that way I should wish to be protected, by my relations. I wrote to Horace & said that the Doctors advised on Institution for Antoinette. I presume that he will advise Ethel to place her where she will have a regular life & the care that she may need. Wishing you a restful & happy summer, write me if I can be of any service, Yours with love, Cousin May June 21st 1936 Dear Cousin Alice: I want to send you my sympathy in the loss of your dear friend Miss Barry. I know how devoted you have been all these years, & how much happiness you have given her. Now, I hope that you will have a good rest, & that you will be able blessing to have it. He felt that if he gave it to me I might lend it to others (!) & he knew he could rely on Mrs. Thompson. Yours affectionately May Mr Holmes has just lost his mother to think of your own needs! I have wanted to write before this, but I have had a very busy winter. I lost my dear Aunt, my father's sister in March & was away in Brochton for three weeks. My friend injured her knee six weeks ago & I have been at home a good deal. We hope to go away before very long, but to leave now would not be possible. Some day when you need a new bag I shall be glad to have one made for you! I have had your Christmas & Easter cards, & in my social service most I find that the cards are much appreciated. It was a great joy to realize that the fine judges of the Court of Appeals had found that my uncle was innocent & they were unanimous in their findings, & reversed the former rulings. I knew that my uncle was n honorable man & I was very thankful to have his name cleared. He asked Mrs Thompson to send me an annuity & it is a great Jan 2nd 1937 Dear Cousin Alice: Thank you so much for your lovely Christmas card with its helpful messages. When I heard that your eyes were giving you such trouble I wanted to do something to help you! I know how much you must miss your reading & writing & I send my deep love & sympathy in this cross, & hope that ere long your sight will improve. I have a little black satin bag for purse & handkerchief, but I do not know whether you can use it or not. My seamstress can make almost any kind of bag, & if you don't want a bag let me know & I will 2 hotel Sherman Square OWNERSHIP MANAGEMENT BROADWAY - 70TH TO 71ST STREETS New York ask her to make you something else. Perhaps you would like a bureau scarf, or a white crepe neck scarf. Just say the word & I shall be pleased. I had a gall-stone attack in November & went to the hospital, but did not have to have an operation, "VISIT THE NEW YORK WORLD'S FAIR 1939 - MAY TO NOVEMBER" [*M.P. Robinson*] & am trying to be careful & keep well! I got behind hand with my Christmas cards & now I am sending my best wishes for better health in this new year. Here is a lovely quotation from Frances Ridley Havergal in the All Saint's Calender. I had a lovely visit with Alfred & Ethel, on Christmas & stayed two days. Antoinette came for Christmas. Brookes has a job & is glad of it. [*Yours with love Cousin May*] [May Robinson*] Hotel St Andrew B'way & 72St June 7th 1937 Dear Cousin Alice: Yesterday I spent the day with Alfred & Ethel & Howie. Brookes had come in to New York to a meeting! I was so glad to see them & we drove over & saw Agnes & family for a call, on our way to take me to Orange to see a friend. I have thought of you often since Frances passed on, & I know how much you miss her. I have had arthritis in my hand & couldn't write much, but it is better now. I do hope that you will rest & do very little until you are stronger. I do not buy many books, but I shall get the book you mention from the library. I went on to Melrose to see a cousin & took in some of the May meetings. I wanted to go to see you. I shall hope to, when I go next to Boston. Dr [Elist?] is fine & I think that he will start new life in the A.W.A. Do you have the Register. If not I can send you some copies. Yours with love, May [*Christmas Greetings & love from May P.R.*] Life Lines which, if committed to memory, may be easily grasped, in case of need. Keep up your prayer habit. Jesus was never cut off from his springs. It is said repeatedly that he went apart to pray and then came back with an unconquerable spirit. He told his disciples that they "ought always to pray." All these faiths and aspirations and assurances have welled up in poetry. Keep some lines of poetry handy in memory, particularly lines of familiar hymns. They have come up from the deep springs and they encourage us to draw from them. From "The Deep Springs," by Minot Simons. When in Need of Courage "Trust God superbly-and wait!" The Lord reigns: let the earth rejoice! Chance does not reign; Fate does not reign; Man does not reign. He reigns who forever educes lasting good out of transient evil. James Freeman Clarke I think we are too ready with complaint, In this fair world of God's ...... O pusillanimous heart! be comforted, And, like a cheerful traveller, take the road, Singing beside the hedge. Elizabeth Barrett Browning So nigh is grandeur to our dust So near is God to man, When Duty whispers low, Thou must, The youth replies, I can. Ralph Waldo Emerson When in Need of Faith and Trust Faith is a grasping of Almighty power; The hand of man laid on the arm of God; The grand and blessed hour In which the things, impossible to me, Become the possible, O Lord, through Thee. Anna E. Hamilton "All things, dear Lord? Is there no thread of woe Too dark, too tangled, for the bright design? No drop of rain too heavy for the bow Set in the cloud in covenant divine? I know that all Thy full designs are bright, That darkest threads grow golden in Thy hand; That bending lines grow straight, the tangles right, The bitter drops all sweet, at Thy command!" -2- Why should I murmur, for the sorrow Thus only longer-lived would be; Its end may come, and will, to-morrow, When God has done His work in me: So I say trusting, as God will! And trusting to the end, hold still. Julius Sturm Be still, my soul-for just as thou art still, Can God reveal Himself to thee; until Through thee His love, and light, and life can freely flow. In stillness God can work through thee and reach The souls around thee. He then through thee can teach His lessons-and His power in weakness show. Bessie Porter -9- When in Need of Courage "Trust God superbly -- and wait!" The Lord reigns: let the earth rejoice! Chance does not reign; Fate does not reign; Man does not reign; He reigns who forever educes lasting good out of transient evil. James Freeman Clarke I think we are too ready with complaint, in this fair world of God's.... O pusillanimous heart! be comforted, and like a cheerful traveler, take the road, Singing beside the hedge. Elizabeth Barrett Browning So nigh is grandeur to our dust so near is God to man, When Duty whispers low, Thou must, The youth replies, I can. Ralph Waldo Emerson When in Need of Faith and Trust Faith is a grasping of Almighty power; the hand of man laid on the arm of God; The grand and blessed hour In which the things, impossible to me, Become the possible, O Lord, through Thee. Anna E. Hamilton "All things, dear Lord? Is there no thread of woe Too dark, too tangled, for the bright design? No drop of rain too heavy for the bow Set in the cloud in covenant divine? I know that all Thy full designs are bright, That darkest threads grow golden in Thy hand; That bending lines grow straight, the tangles right, The bitter drops all sweet, at Thy command!" -2- No longer forward nor behind I look in hope or fear; But, grateful, take the good I find The best of now and here. All as God wills, who wisely heeds to give or withhold; And knoweth more of all my needs than all my prayers have told. J.G. WHITTIER "All is of God is and is to be; And god is good." Let this suffice us still, Resting in childlike trust upon His will, Who moves to His great ends, unthwarted by the ill. J.G. WHITTIER Build a little fence of trust Around to-day; Fill the space with loving work, And therein stay; Look not through the sheltering bars Upon to-morrow God will help thee bear what comes Of joy or sorrow MARY FRANCES BUTTS Lord, we have wantered forth through doubt and sorrow, And Thou hast made each step an onward one; And we will ever trust each unknown morrow,-- Thou wilt sustain us till its work is done. S. JOHNSON The best will is our Father's will, And we may rest there calm and still; Oh! make it hour by hour thine own, And wish for nought but that alone Which pleases God. PAUL GERHARDT -3- When over dizzy height we go, One soft hand blinds our eyes, The other leads us, safe and slow O love of God most wise. ELIZA SCUDDER Plan not, nor scheme, -- but calmly wait; His choice is best. While blind and erring is thy sight His wisdom sees and judges right, So trust and rest. ADELAIDE A. PROCTER The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name"s sake ..... Thou annointest my head with oil, my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. From the 23rd Psalm When in Need of Patience Be sure no earnest work Of any honest creature, howbeit weak Imperfect, ill adapted, fails so much It is not gathered, as a grain of sand For carrying out God's end. ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING Fearest sometimes that thy Father Hath forgot? When the clouds around thee gather Doubt Him not. Always hath the daylight broken,-- Always hath He comfort spoken,-- Better hath He been for years Than thy fears. KARL RUDOLPH HAGENBACH -4- When in Need of Patience With Others Judge not; the workings of his brain And of his heart thou canst not see; What looks to thy dim eyes a stain In God's pure sight may only be A scar, brought from some well-won field, Where thou wouldst only faint and yield. ADELAIDE A. PROCTER Be calm in arguing; for fiercenesse makes Errour a fault and truth discourtesie. Why should I feel another man's mistakes More than his sicknesses or povertie? In love I should; but anger is not love Nor wisdome neither. Therefore gently move. GEORGE HERBERT Give me "a clear and loving eye that seeth as God seeth." RALPH WALDO EMERSON When in Need of Patience With One's Self Lord, many times I am a weary quite Of mine own self, my sin, my vanity; Yet be not Thou, or I am lost outright Weary of me! And hate against myself I often bear, And enter with myself in fierce debate; Take Thou my part against myself, nor share In that just hate. TRENCH -5- When in Need of Love Self is the only prison that can bind the soul, Love is the only angel that can bid the gates unroll And when he comes to call thee, arise and follow fast The way may lead through darkness, but it leads to light at last. HENRY VAN DYKE Love took up the harp of Life, and smote on all the chords with might, Smote the chord of Self, that, trembling, passed in music out of sight. TENNYSON When in Need of Comfort After the Loss of a Dear One COMMUNION by SAMUEL MINTURN PECK I send my love unto my dead each day; I know not how; I only know it goes; Forth from my heart, and, going, ever grows; That, as it flies, there's nothing can affray; That, like a dove, it fondly keeps its way Through dark and light along the path it knows; That in its faithful flight it never slows. And if I toil or sleep, goes not astray. I send my love unto my dead, and they-- They know 'tis sent that I have not forgot; For often, when I am alone, I feel Their love returns -- and , oh, no words can say That peace that comes to me! It matters not What woes betide, I have herewith to heal. -6- A HYMN OF COMFORT By REV. JOHN W. CHADWICK It singeth low in every heart, We hear it one and all A song of those who answer not, However we may call. They throng the silence of the breast, We see them as of yore,-- The kind, the true, the brave, the sweet, Who walk with us no more. 'Tis hard to take the burden up When they have laid it down; They brightened all the joy of life, They softened every frown. But, oh! 'tis good to think of them When we are troubled sore; Thanks be to God that such have been Although they are no more. More homelike seems the vast unknown Since they have entered there; To follow them were not so hard, Wherever they may fare; They cannot be where God is not On any sea or shore; Whate'er betides, Thy love abides Our God forevermore. -7- When in Need of Peace and Rest Then hush! oh hush! for the Father knows what thou knowest not, The need and the thorn and the shadow linked with the fairest lot, Knows the wisest exemption from many an unseen snare, Knows what will keep thee nearest knows what thou couldst not bear. Then hush! oh hush! for the Father portioneth as He will, To all His beloved children, and shall they not be still? Is not His will the wisest, is not His choice the best? And in perfect acquiescence is there not perfect rest? FRANCES RIDLEY HAVERGAL All Thy waves and billows go Over me to press me down Into arms so strong, I know They will never let me drown. Ah, my God, how good Thy will I will nestle and be still. ALICE FREEMAN PALMER -8- Why should I murmur, for the sorrow Thus only longer-lived would be; Its end may come, and will, to-morrow, When God has done His work in me: So I say trusting, as God will! And trusting to the end, hold still. JULIUS STURM Be still, my soul--for just as thou art still, Can God reveal Himself to thee; until Through thee His love, and light, and life can freely flow. In stillness God can work through thee and reach The souls around thee. He then through thee can teach His lessons--and His power in weakness show. BESSIE PORTER -9- Published by THE WOMEN'S ALLIANCE ALL SOUL'S UNITARIAN CHURCH Lexington Avenue and 80th Street New York City No. 8 Five Cents [*Christmas Greetings & love from May P.R.*] Life Lines which, if committed to memory, may be easily grasped, in case of need. Keep up your prayer habit. Jesus was never cut off from his springs. It is said repeatedly that he went apart to pray and then came back with an unconquerable spirit. He told his disciples that they"ought always to pray." All these faiths and aspirations and assurances have welled up in poetry. Keep some lines of poetry handy in memory, particularly lines of familiar hymns. They have come up from the deep springs and they encourage us to draw from them. From "The Deep Springs," by Minot Simons. Sherman Square Hotel Broadway & 70th Street New York City Dec 19th Dear Cousin Alice: Please forgive me for being so slow in answering your letter. I have been as busy as ever at this time, & I couldn't get all my writing done! Here is a little motto written by Mr. William H. Matthews who is working in the New York City Family Service Assn. He used to be in the Association for Improving the Condition of the Poor. Last year his organization was merged with the Charity Organization Society. Do you remember being helpful in getting a furnace for a young woman at Hastings in whom I was interested. She is still caring for children & supporting her mother & sister & herself. She is a brave woman & you did her a good turn. You have been following out this motto for many years! Ethel enjoys going about, & I hope that she will be prudent! A Happy Christmas, with love & thanks for your Christmas greeting, [*Cousin May*] Eagle Mountain House Jackson New Hampshire Aug 7th Dear Cousin Alice: It is a long time since I received your good letter of March 23rd & the Easter greetings - Also the news of John Blackwell's engagement - I am so glad to hear of his happiness & she must be a lovely girl - Last spring there seemed so much to do that I had to put aside some letters to answer later on! Dear Antoinette passed on & it is a blessing for she was suffering pain, & she could not be well. Ethel is now at her dear Chilmash & she wrote that Horace & Rita would be with her at this time. I hope that you are not tired of quotations, as I shall send a few in this letter, also a clipping about a book on America. I remember how much you did to help these people & I know of your deep interest in all who suffer. It is beautiful up here among the White Mountains. We are on the Eastern slope with Wildcat Mountain & Carter Dome close by. The falls are half a mile from here. Mr. Sale our Proprietor owns 600 acres of filed & woods. Very few houses are visible, just mountains & trees & the Wild-cat river. I enjoy sketching. When we go to Boston I hope to see you. I enclose a few cards showing some of our news. Isn't it nice that Ethel seems so well. I only hope that she will not overdo, now. She wrote that she expected to have a woman to help her when Rita & Horace come. Hoping that you are well. Your loving Cousin May. [*May P. Robinson*] [*F*] hotel Sherman Square OWNERSHIP MANAGEMENT BROADWAY 70TH TO 71ST STREETS New York Feb 24th 1941 Dear Cousin Alice: Your letter written at Christmas, was much appreciated. I have been trying to get the letters answered that came after dear Alfred passed on into the other life. He was so brave & he never complained, but he did suffer terribly & we could not wish him here with that constant pain. Ethel & Horace cared for him as you know, & now Ethel is resting as much as she can-- I was sorry that her maid left her on account of illness, but Ethel seems to want to be alone for awhile. I am trying to do some Social Service with which had to be put aside when I was going to Mustelan [*2*] hotel Sherman Square OWNERSHIP MANAGEMENT BROADWAY - 70TH TO 71ST STREETS New York twice a week to see Alfred. Horace is glad to have his diploma as a lawyer, & he works hard. I go out when I can, but for the last ten days I have had a cold & so I have stayed in the City. At last I am now nearly over it! Dr. Simnes is in the hospital after a serious operation. I hope that he will regain his strength in time. You like the quotations from All Saints' Calendar, so I shall enclose a few & I hope that there are some new ones. Trusting that you are well, Yours with love, May -- A friend of mine admired your verses written on the Christmas card. THIS TOO, WILL PASS This, too, will pass, heart, say it over and over, Out of your deepest sorrow, out of your grief. No hurt can last forever--perhaps tomorrow Will bring relief. This, too, will pass. It will spend itself--its fury Will die as the wind dies down with the setting sun; Assuaged and calm, you will rest again, forgetting A thing that is done. As certain as stars of night, or dawn after darkness, Inherent as the lift of the blowing grass, Whatever your despair, or your frustrations, This, too, will pass. --Grace N. Crowell which does not live on its old virtues, which does not enslave itself to precise rules, but which forgets what is behind, listens for new and higher monitions of conscience, and rejoices to pour itself forth in fresh and higher exertions. --W.E. Channing "Liberalism is a great faith--or it is nothing. A great faith, strong, constructive, mighty to remove mountains and to overthrow strongholds, rich in the 'matchless energy' of God as revealed in the great souls and genuine idealism of all human history. As the heirs of that tradition, as those charged today with its custody and its transmission, how can we dare to falter?" --Frederick M. Eliot, D.D. [*May Robinson*] hotel Sherman Square OWNERSHIP MANAGEMENT BROADWAY - 70TH TO 71ST STREETS New York April 4th 1938 Dear Cousin Alice: Perhaps you can use the little black satin bag I send for your glasses and handherchief - I want to thank you ever so much for the lovely Easter card "VISIT THE NEW YORK WORLD'S FAIR 1939 - MAY TO NOVEMBER" with those grand words of your dear mother. You certainly are Keeping your Mothers flag flying, with your influence for peace & brotherhood in this world, where there is hate & misunderstanding. I am so sorry to learn that you hotel Sherman Square OWNERSHIP MANAGEMENT BROADWAY - 70TH TO 71ST STREETS New York cannot read at all - It is a heavy cross for you, but you are bearing it so bravely - I do hope that Ethel will be able to get about more ere long. She has had a hard siege. I had "VISIT THE NEW YORK WORLD'S FAIR 1939 - MAY TO NOVEMBER" a little chat over the phone with Howard, who is so glad to leave Washington & be in his home again. Again, let me thank you for the fine greeting. Yours with love, Cousin May. P.S Prof. Jerome Davis gave a sermon at the Town Hall yesterday "An Understanding Russia." It was good. [*1950*] hotel Sherman Square OWNERSHIP MANAGEMENT BROADWAY - 70TH TO 71ST STREETS New York 23, N. Y. Jan 29th Dear Cousin Alice: I have wanted to send you some nice "Community News" but Miss Blake has been ill since New Year's with laryngitis & I haven't been to the church much - Soon I hope to send you some, as she is better - I hope you will like the aprons - I got the material & gave them to a Miss Agnes Smith to make for me -- Horace came in to see me yesterday - He had to go to Maryland on business last week - The family are well & they enjoy their apartment & a nice maid who is learning English. What a blessing it is to get a good maid 2 hotel Sherman Square OWNERSHIP MANAGEMENT BROADWAY - 70TH TO 71ST STREETS New York 23, N. Y. even if one has to teach her - I hope that you are feeling as well as usual. My love to you & keep up your wonderful good-spirits, Your Cousin May P.S. When you need something always let me know - It is a pleasure to do some little thing for one who was always helping others & I might say is always [*helping others by her brave spirit.*] The Eagle Mountain House White Mountains - Jackson, New Hampshire Aug 9th 1947 Dear Cousin Alice: When Ethel went to Huntington I went out to spend the day - Now it was about two weeks after she had gone that I went! - She had failed steadily - I spoke to Horace & said that perhaps I had better write you for I then realized that she had cancer & that she could not get well - Horace said that he had told Howard & that he would [*She longed to go - Your loving Cousin Mary She would not have wanted you to worry all these weeks, I feel sure*] tell you, but he did not wish you to suffer too much - Ethel did not feel it right to take quieting medecine, & than made it harder for her - She had a companion to be with her & she wanted Horace & Rita to go to the Vineyard as she realized she could not go. But soon she was so ill she had to have a day & a night nurse - So they gave up any idea of leaving her - I suppose the pain in her leg & back came from the The Eagle Mountain House White Mountains - Jackson, New Hampshire cancer - She was on the ground floor - with her leaflets & pictures near her - She was only able to sit out in a wheeled chair twice. Later she refused solid food, but after a while she ate some fruits & vegetables but was confined to her bed until she passed on - She did not wish [Brushes?] to come on, but to do his work where he was - She 3 THE EAGLE MOUNTAIN HOUSE WHITE MOUNTAINS - JACKSON, NEW HAMPSHIRE The service was held Tuesday after she died. I told Horace I could not leave Helen alone here if Ethel passed on & I said that he could remain in the City, but he felt that I should go away as Helen had been ill & the Doctor wanted her to go Ethel was a brave soldier for the right as she saw it - She was very fond of you - I almost always spoke of you & she would tell me how she loved you & she thought you were so brave. She wanted to write you but she was not able & later she was unconscious at times & out of her mind. Horace & Reta said everything for her - She wanted to go on if she could not get well - she passed away quietly in her sleep - The pain wore her out - I suppose Horace is now with Reta at the Vineyard - never complained but always bore the pain bravely. I am sorry that I did not write before, but I did not know just how much Howard had told you & there was nothing that anyone could do for her. I suppose the poison had got into her hard, & what I thought was rheumatism or sciatica was the old trouble My love to you - Do not sorrow for her, for March, 1940 THE COMMUNITY THE COMMUNITY CHURCH OF BOSTON Office, 6 Byron Street, Boston Telephone, CAPitol 6284 REV. DONALD G. LOTHROP, Leader EUGENE P. WHITTIER President MRS. BONNEY L. DUNBAR Vice-President HERBERT D. READ Clerk MRS. ARTHUR A. SHURCLIFF Treasurer Directors DAVID WOLFE BILLER STUART CHAPIN MISS GLADYS F. FOLEY C. F. KLEBSATTEL JAMES A. MARTIN EDWARD SPIEGEL MRS. GERTRUDE L. WINSLOW Office Secretary: MISS DORRICE L. SHERMAN Office hours 9 - 1, 2 - 5 Mon., Tues., Wed., Thurs., Fri. Office hours of Leader: Wed. 9 - 12, Sat. 9 - 12 DAVID ENGLUND, EDITOR America is Calling America is calling, A spirit in the air; Her voice is gently falling, To consecrated ear, From lonely mountain top aloft To lowland vale so mild; Within the roaring of the gale, In zephyr undefiled, In woodland symphonies she sings, In cry of beast and bird, List, list, unto the Mother note, the universal Word. American is calling, Her voice is in the air; East and west and north and south it summons all to share The same high human heritage, Truth, to the soul most sweet, The Bread of Life each man may take who comes with reverent feet. America is calling, Full-choired her song shall rise When races and religions all, Love shall immortalize Before the land's high altar Whose holy shelf is spread With verities eternal by which God in man is fed. America is calling, O heed her bidding high! It speaks within the still small voice; in words that life for age. O dream with more of heaven than earth, O Spirit in the air, O vision of a country dear of faith and promise fair, Lift up our hearts to your far height, Unseal our ears to hear, Lend to all unconquered souls the sword of peace austere; For so the mystic body of this Fatherland shall be The Substance and the Sacrament By which men are set free. GERTRUDE DARLING If the poor forsake a church, be sure that the church forsook God long before. -- THEODORE PARKER. Y CHURCH NEWS March, 1940 acquainted with several gentlemen of your nation, and to transact business with some of them, whom I found to be men of liberal minds, as much honor, probity, generosity, and good breeding, as any I have known in any sect of religion or philosophy. I wish your nation may be admitted to all privileges of citizens, in every country of the world. This country has done much; I wish it may do more, and annul every narrow idea in religion, government, and commerce." Because of their interest in Hebrew, and because of the part the Old Testament played in their thinking, the earlier Puritan ministers, despite their rigid beliefs, were indulgent and tolerant toward the Jews. Ezra Stiles, theologian and president of Yale, had many intimates among the cultured Jews of Newport. And with the development of democracy and freedom of thought in New England, voice after voice among the most representative writers, politicians and clergymen was raised against discrimination and intolerance. John Adams wrote, "In spite of Bolingbroke and Voltaire, I will insist that the Hebrews have done more to civilize men than any other nation." William Ellery Channing, the great Unitarian leader, wrote, "It is because I have learned the essential equality of men before the common Father, that I cannot endure to see one man establishing his arbitrary will over another by fraud, force . . or superstitious claims." Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, "You complain that the Negroes are a base class. Who makes and keeps the Jew or the Negro base, who but you, who excludes them from the rights which others enjoy?" This is the New England spirit which we must keep alive, the spirit of a New England whose greatest names risked their careers and even their lives in the struggle to end the degradation of the Negro people. We must not let the evil of the witchcraft trials and the persecution of the Quakers rise again in New England. ---From booklet, Anti-Semitism--A Threat to Democracy, by Daniel J. Boorstin, George Mayberry, John Rackliffe, Harvard instructors. Play Set for April The dramatic committee of Community Church wishes to announce that plans are well under way for the presentation of Ernst Toller's "No More Peace" early in April. The original plan for a February production was upset by the illness of the coach, Charles J. Rideout, who was unable to conduct rehearsals for three weeks. The complete cast has been chosen, but there is still room for many more who are interested in the production or publicity. The timeliness of the play's subject matter increases from day to day, and we can do no better than to remind ourselves of the futility of war and dictators as seen through the eyes of this most inventive and sardonically amusing playwright. Members of the committee include: Mrs. Grace Lopaus, Miss Viola Svensson and Bernard Mavis. Is This America? JACKSON, Miss. -- White and Negro school children in Mississippi will have separate sets of civic textbooks if bills enacted by the State's lawmakers become law. The Senate passed yesterday (Feb. 8), 37-9, a measure providing free textbooks in the first eight grades, but adopted an amendment which its education committee said would eliminate from the civic texts for Negroes instruction in such principles as voting. The lawmaking body also voted to keep free textbooks for Negroes in separate warehouses.--by A.P. in New York Times. Transcribed and reviewed by contributors participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.