Religion: This Is the Hour

As the Christian year moved into its Lenten 40 days & nights of repentance and self-examination, Protestant leaders meeting in two parts of the world turned their thoughts and prayers to man's newest scientific triumph—the hydrogen bomb.*

In Washington, D.C., at the invitation of Episcopal Bishop Angus Dun, some 3,000 people came to Washington Cathedral on Ash Wednesday for a day of services devoted to "God, Man and the Hydrogen Bomb." Forty ministers joined in the Communion service. A Lutheran read the Epistle: "Spare thy people, O Lord . . ."A Negro Congregationalist read the Gospel: "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth . . ."A Baptist preached the sermon: "Science and invention cannot save us ... The future destiny of man on this planet depends on how soon and low well mankind learns the two lessons : Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart . . .' and 'Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.' "

In Switzerland, at a meeting of the World Council of Churches' Executive Committee, a subcommittee hammered out a statement on the Christian implications of the Bomb: "Man's rebellion against his Creator has reached such a point that, unless stayed, it will bring self-destruction upon him ... All this is a perversion. It is a sin against God . . .

"The governments of the nations have an inescapable responsibility ... As repesentatives of Christian churches, we appeal for a gigantic new effort for peace . . . We urge the governments to enter into negotiations once again and to do everything in their power to bring the present tragic deadlock to an end. This is the hour to listen afresh to the word of God . . .the hour for earnest prayer to Him ..."