Time's 40th Anniversary Party: Only in This Country

"Nowhere else in the world could a group of people like this come together under such auspices," said Paul Tillich, famed head of the University of Chicago's School of Divinity. "In Europe, it would be a group which only royalty could command. The presence of all these people and the fact that it could take place under private auspices says something very good and very important about this country." In a mood of reminiscence and evaluation. Theologian Tillich was summing up TIME'S 40th anniversary party, held last week in New York City. "All these people." as Tillich described them, were 284 subjects of cover stories in every field of human endeavor, who had gathered at the Waldorf-Astoria to help celebrate the birthday. The party provided a unique opportunity for businessman to meet musician, for architect to meet politician, for entertainer to meet scientist, for general to meet churchman, for physician to meet sportsman. "The point of this party." said Editor in Chief Henry R. Luce, "is the people who are here, that they should enjoy meeting each other face to face, as we hope they have enjoyed meeting each other in the pages of TIME." Light Hearts & Great Issues. The people who were there got the point. In serious vein or in high spirits, they found time for deep conversation, for light-hearted cocktail chat, for thoughtful listening to the presentation of great issues, for seeing and being seen, for meeting and getting met. Many of the guests found the way to the Waldorf paved by a pair of preliminary, ice-breaking get-togethers in the days preceding the key event. For out-of-town visitors who arrived early, TIME Publisher and Mrs. Bernhard Auer held a small, informal cocktail reception at Manhattan's Regency Hotel. The following day, under acres of bright-colored tents, Time Inc. President and Mrs. James A. Linen gave a garden party and buffet dinner at their home in Greenwich, Conn., for more than 100 cover subjects and their TIME escorts and special guests. On the big evening at the Waldorf, Francis Cardinal Spellman began the program with an invocation that made staff members stand straight. "Come into the midst of us, Holy Spirit of Truth, as on this joyous occasion we celebrate the 40th anniversary of TIME Magazine. May its distinguished name remind us of the greatest of our gifts, the gift of time itself . . . Seizing all life's fleeting opportunities for dedicated service to Thee and our fellow men, for those whose days and nights are busy in the creation of this distinguished weekly, we ask Thy special blessing, continued vision, strength and wisdom to fulfill their great responsibility as informers and formers of the public mind. Grant that in all the hectic pressures of their calling they may preserve its ideals of truth, integrity and fairness. We offer Thee our heartfelt thanks, O Lord, as we count the blessings of TIME'S 40 fruitful years." The cardinal then read a telegram from the Vatican: "Holy Father Pope John XXIII requests Your Eminence to convey his greetings to the assembly, expressing prayerful hope that the meeting may further the cause of peace and brotherhood of mankind." Himself Is Here. As toastmaster, Editor in Chief Luce introduced the guests with him on the dais. When he finished, there was a bustle at the rostrum as news of a late arrival was whispered into his ear. Then came the