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Show President and Mrs. Nixon are joined on North Portico by Chief Justice and Mrs. Warren Burger after service by Rabbi Louis Finkelstein (center). At left, Terence Cardinal Cooke, Archbishop of New York, chats with the Nixons after a service. of dining-room chairs. There were small bowls of flowers on the fireplace mantels but no religions symbols. An electric organ accompanied the hymn singing. The sermon was about King Solomon, “a man who had everything and yet nothing.” Solomon, the Rev. Graham reminded his listeners, had 700 wives and 300 concubines plus knowiedge, wisdum, anu wealth—ail the worldly pleasures and treasures. ‘But the greatest of these was wisdom. Solomon knew that the orly thing that mattered was a personal relationship to God. He advised people to remember the Creator.” President Nixon listened carefully Rheinhold Niebuhr commented that publication, to describe the service the politically charged atmosphere as a “coupling of spirituality and political sentimentality.” of the White House is a rather difficult place to invite the Almighty. “By a curious combination of innocence and guile,” Dr. Niebuhr (who had not been invited) said, “Mr. Nixon has circumvented the Bill of Rights’ First Article and established a kind of conformingreligion.” Rabbi Fi i ed to account for his participation in a religious service that celebrated the Trinity. He acknowledged. that he Controversial or not, it seems likely the White House worship service is here to stay, dining-room chairs and all. A Cabinet member who was there on a recent Sunday said, “For a President who convenes and leads a nation under God, it seems appropriate.” type service are highly prized and ardson Halverson of Washington’s members of Congress. Mrs. Nixon also invites some White House em- Roman Catholic Archbishop of New York; Rabbi Louis Finkelstein of Jewish Theological Seminary; and Dr. Paul Smith, president of Nixon's alma mater, Whittier College. As with all Presidential undertakings, the critics were on the doorstep before the dust had settled. Somecalled the ceremonies areligious smérgasbord. Theologian Dr. had qualms. “We have enough trouble ter all, it’s his house.” Invitations, however, to this new bers, Supreme Court justices, and Espey; Terence Cardinal Cooke, the nation as a whole.” The reply didn’t satisfy the Rev. Harvey Cox of Harvard, whostill getting kids interested in religion,” he said facetiously, “without having congregation heard the Rev. Rich- Latch; National Council of Churches General Secretary Dr. R. H. Edwin tribute to the ecumenical picture of didn’t “exactly jump for joy” over the happening but thought it was only good mannersto go along: “Af- and afterwards commendedthe Rev. Graham for the content of the sermon. On following Sundays, the new Fourth Presbyterian Church; House of Representatives Chaplain Edward Bud Wilkinson, the former Oklahoma University football coach who coordinates the ite House services, was quick to reply: “This is not a political venture. The President and Mrs. Nixon feel that this will con- usually go to several Cabinet mem- ployees. The number rarely exceeds 350, attending Nixon support it.” After a year, the White House service is well on its way to becoming For Families of All Faiths— Giant DeLuxe Bible—Only $24.95! a tradition. It is developing its own If you'd like to add supreme elegance character. No collection plate is passed. After worship, the congregation is invited into the Green Room for orange juice, coffee, and pastry. As with all Presiden ial functions, it ends with everyo.ie lining up to shake the President’s hand, which caused the “Christian Century,” a highly respected religious to your enjoyment of the Bible, and enjoy exciting savings, send for Modern DeLuxe Illustrated Edition containing all the features of a $49.50 Bible! For King James Version, mail only $24.95 to 50211 “BIBLE,” 2051 BOOK BLDG., 4500 N.W. 185 St., Miami, Fla. 33054. For Catholic Version, address orders to 50212 “BIBLE.” For Jewish Version, address orders to 50213 “BIBLE.” Use same address. Family Weekly, April 12, 1970 7 TAMPAX® TAMPONS Anu TAMPAX INCORPORATED |