READERS' EXCHANGE

 

Camp Shiloh

Some of our readers are interested in knowing about Christian projects to which they may contribute money from time to time. Such ones have learned that the discipline of stewardship does not come easily and that money is often unwisely invested. One work that appears to us to merit consideration is Shiloh, a Christian outreach for children, Box 627, Mendham, N. J. 07945.

Shiloh ministers to children of the slums and ghettos of the greater New York area. These kids live in the presence of violence, loneliness, and the drug pusher. Started 20 years ago under the leadership of Clinton Davidson, Shiloh has increased the number of children it brings to camp each summer from 50 to 500. The camp consists of 150 wooded acres by a beautiful lake, which is in bold contrast to the crowded, dirty, asphalt jungle of the slums from which the youngsters come. A staff of 100 serves as nurses, counselors, cooks, etc.

In 1966 Shiloh enlarged its ministry by undertaking a follow-up program in the slums themselves so that they might be in contact with the children all year. To help do this they recruit college students who support themselves in order to work in the deprived areas of New York, many of them coming from well-established churches in Texas and Tennessee. In 1968 they had 36 such workers, and the number has increased to 60 this year. To many a kid in the slums a Shiloh worker is the first person ever to take a loving interest in him. Last summer I visited the project in Brooklyn, directed by Bryan Hale, and I was impressed with the way the young people were working with neglected children “at the edge of eternity.” I was also impressed with what the experience was doing for the students themselves. It is an effort toward wholeness, not only for the kids, but those who minister to them as well.

You can write to Rick Kilgore, who handles public relations, for further information, and your contribution can be sent to him at above address.

Vatican Envoy

It is now common knowledge that President Nixon has selected Henry Cabot Lodge to serve as his personal representative to the Vatican. To those of us who may have misgivings about our nation having any such association with any church, it is helpful to know that this does not establish diplomatic relations with the Vatican. The following paragraphs, which we received from the Department of State in response to a letter we sent the President objecting to the appointment, is interesting reading. Some of us will be surprised to learn that the United States has had diplomatic relations with the Vatican during a large part of its history.

The United States had consular relations with the Papal States from 1797 to 1890 and diplomatic relations with the Pope in his capacity as head of the Papal States from 1848 to 1868. In 1939 President Roosevelt named Mr. Myron C. Taylor as his Personal Representative to the Holy See with the rank of ambassador. President Truman renewed the appointment in 1947, and Ambassador Taylor served until 1950 when he resigned. His appointment did not constitute the establishment of diplomatic relations with the Vatican.

The Vatican maintains an Apostolic Delegate in Washington. He has religious and ecclesiastical duties in connection with relations between the Vatican and the Roman Catholic Church in the United States. He does not have diplomatic status and is not accredited to the United States Government.

Story from Philippines

Prompted by our piece on “Complexion: Brown,” Prof. C. F. Cromwell of Bihar, India sent us this story, which was told to him by Prof. Ramon de la Pena of Hawaii. It is said to be a Filipino legend.

When God made man he was new at the business, and His oven was new. For his first effort, he took the mold out of the oven too quickly. That one he called white man. For His second effort He left the mold in the oven too long. He called that one black man. The third time he did it just right. He called that one Filipino.

This implies that with most of us it is a matter of whether we were undercooked or overcooked, which is another way of putting us in our place. Anyway, we appreciate the many positive reactions to our articles on race. I am now convinced, if I were not already, that most people don’t want to be prejudiced, but are increasingly willing to admit that they have been. Surely this moves us in the right direction.

Revealing Survey

A group of Church of Christ folk out West somewhere recently conducted an interesting survey on how our people have or have not changed in their thinking in this generation. In the process they asked some interesting questions. The person filling out the questionnaire was also to give the viewpoint of his parents and grandparents, as best he understood them. The results indicate an unmistakable move to the left and toward center, or let’s just say toward what we would consider a more responsible Christian faith.

In response to the idea that “Only members of the fellowship of the church of Christ will be saved,” only three indicated this was their conviction, while 32 said yes to “We must admit the possibility that there are Christians in other groups.” But of the 35 that responded almost half of them understood the first viewpoint to be that of their parents and grandparents.

There were 36 who responded to the question as to how preachers ought to preach, and all 36 endorsed the view that “Preachers ought to preach more about God’s love and Christian assurance,” though 24 of them saw their parents as calling for “Hell-fire and damnation sermons.” On the inspiration of the Bible only three of 37 saw it as “dictated word for word,” while the other 34 said yes to “The message of the gospel was given to inspired men who wrote in their own language.”

Two-thirds of those who responded could count back two, three, or more generations that their family had been in the Church of Christ. Half of them were either in agriculture or business.