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Show VVr hop rt prr rt tlic aniwrs to (hit call to the United Nations in New York. t)ic story ana call of THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT r R O J li C T : (See itvetxi suit oj ihit fttgt) TUT: SliRMON PROJECT is built upon the belief that there are certain well tested lessons winch should be brought before the public more oflen. The old expression, "Peace on earth, good will toward men," makes people thirst for more ijood sense and peace of mind, at home and abroad. Thruout the world various theologies have be-i be-i come complicated, almost powerless to solve j problems. But it seems that most all of us can use little religion; perhaps just a little would often do. I And we believe such basic training is the best way ! to disarm the evil genius on all sides of the oceans and in all parts of town and country; to help every-, every-, one to live sensibly, to solve problems small and large, and so help us to enjoy life more. With these things in mind our committee planned the Sermon on the Mount newspaper page, and ran it in the New York Herald Tribune, I December 22, 1950, I The response was greater than we expected, I and in March, 1951, we appealed to the news-I news-I papers of the United States to print the Sermon page I Irom our engraved layout. Within a few weeks about 145 publishers thruout thru-out 39 states had mailed us a copy of their paper for the day they had printed it. They I had taken our suggestion: selling the page to an ad-: ad-: vertiser, organization or group, or printing it them- selves or jointly, as an educational public service. I (Those requesting our printing mat, standard or tabloid size, totalled 806. We are grateful to all of the sponsors: churches, business, industry, etc.; and to the newspapers both the ones we have heard (mm and many more, we're sure, who in dye course have printed the Sermon on the Mount page.) i Reports to us from the newspapvrs, and again I the people's response, were extremely good. A few did criticize parts of the Sermon which caused us to study and modify several points; and likewise to ask in the box for suggestions to clarify its text ' and spirit. A fcry few called us hypocrites, wrote j harsh words to us! Others gave suggestions useful ( to the project. Almost everyone focussed upon the i great central strength of the Sermon on the Mount ! pgreeing that we need to floodlight this charter, to know it, and to use it practically. These convictions came out in letters from people 1 in every walk of life, of different backgrounds and ' creeds, from men and women in our government, industries, labor unions, from the newspapers them-1 them-1 selves, and so on a wonderful cross section of . human intelligence. Because time and reiteration are of well known importance to every kind of learning, we are grateful to everyone responsible for printing the Sermon on the Mount page in this paper today, together with this statement. We know that daily and weekly, people look to their newspapers for the signs of the times. A well loved American who used their columns, Wii Rogers, used to say this: "Everyone is ignorant, only not about the same things." He showed keen insight in-sight and humor as he got around at home or travelled abroad, trying to learn more about human beings, their snarled-up situations and their deepest good. We have an idea that we believe is far reaching, and it comes from our conviction about this sermon, which we will first try to sum up: We believe there can be no problem of any kind, concerning an individual or family, our education or community, our agricultural, business, or industrial establishments and those who work in them, or of government at any level (or any kind, just or unjust), that will not yield to the common com-mon sense, the courage and the faith of those who really want the answer when they search for it in the spirit of the Sermon on the Mount, after they know that sermon. We ask you, children and adults, to set down for us your idea of how to solve some human , problem in its light. We suggest you keep a copy. Your answer along with others will receive orderly study, aimed at finding out and publishing the wayi in which most people actually would apply such sensible teaching. Today, we are deeply pleased as pressmen thruout thru-out the United States, .and in Canada, England, South Africa and the Far East, report that they are printing print-ing the page and story, sometimes even repeating them. They say they will commend this 'call' to the people and the schools, for reply offering actual tear sheets from their paper for study and wall use. Many thoughtful people may hesitate to attempt such a reply. But we pray you do. Even a few clear-cut answers from people in your community, people of faith and different experience, will be of great practical help; you can be sure of that. More of them will broaden and strengthen a scientific study of the thinking of children and adults as to the right ways for human beings with warm hearts and good humor, firm faith and cool heads, to fortify their lives within 'the Father's house.' We believe this greatest sermon somehow can produce the answer to every human problem, and offers great power for healing among the nations. i Faithfully yours, The Sermon on the Mount Project j Edward H. Hume, M D., Public Opinion Chairman I Room 706, 1790 Broadway. New York 19. N. Y. |