RELIGION IN ACTION

Little Rock's Clergy Leads the Way

DURING the darkest moments of mob rule at Little Rock, the Right Rev. Robert Raymond Brown, Episcopal Bishop of Arkansas, picked up his phone and put in a long-distance call to Washington. Bishop Brown was calling Assistant Secretary of State Walter Robertson, once a member of his parish in Richmond, to offer his good offices in any sort of effort to be helpful in what he called "the school situation." Assistant Secretary Robertson called Attorney General Herbert Brownell, who called the President, who sat down almost immediately and wrote the Bishop a letter. "I deeply believe," said the President, "that there is much that Little Rock's ministers, as the spiritual and moral leaders of the community, can do ... I hope that you and the ministers of Little Rock will be able not only to lead all the citizens of the city to disregard the incitements of agitators but will join in support of the law and the preservation of our country . . ."

Early last week Bishop Brown called an evening meeting of several leading clergymen at his home. Little Rock's ministers, like ministers elsewhere in the U.S., had been successful in building up their church memberships to new highs (103,224,954 nationwide). But no one knew whether this new strength could be translated into Christian action when it might be most needed and most uncomfortable. Crisis-torn Little Rock, thought Bishop Brown, might well be the turning point. Said he: "The church feels itself in a paradoxical position. It stands in judgment on whatever is amiss in the temper of the society which surrounds it, and then, having exercised the ministry of judgment, it must exercise the ministry of reconciliation."

Huddle in the Sanctuary. Bishop Brown, 47, born in Garden City, Kans.. educated at Texas Military Institute, ordained in 1937 at San Benito, Texas, veteran of years of church service at Waco, Texas and at the famous St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Richmond (where Jefferson Davis and Robert E. Lee worshiped during the Civil War), devoted breakfast time next day to a talk with Governor Orval Faubus. He got what he thought was a promise of support for constructive mediation. Afterwards the bishop got a letter from Faubus replete with subtly inflammatory Faubus phrases (e.g., "to place the blame it would be necessary to reach far beyond the borders of this state"). The bishop did get unequivocal support from the Little Rock board of education. Later that day Bishop Brown mailed out more than 100 personal cards inviting the city's Protestant, Catholic and Jewish clergymen to meet with him in Trinity

Episcopal Cathedral; Negro ministers were not invited, so as not to heighten tensions and deepen divisions, but were kept informed.

One afternoon last week about 40 ministers showed up in the sanctuary of the cathedral. Bishop Brown outlined his idea about a ministry of reconciliation, asked for comments. Said Roman Catholic Monsignor James O'Connell: "The prayers of the Catholic Church will be with you in your efforts to cast out the devils of prejudice and violence." Said Rabbi Ira Sanders : "Perhaps we should take some action such as a moral pronouncement which would reaffirm the dignity of the individual and proclaim aloud justice for all peoples, all races." Said Presbyterian Minister Richard Hardie: "There is an organized movement in Little Rock to boycott and break financially anyone who speaks out, even those who are simply on the record as being opposed to violence. Some group is going to have to stand up and give the right-thinking people the encouragement and help they need to stand firm."

Children of Light. Bishop Brown keyed his new movement to the precept "Hate the sin but love the sinner." Specifically he urged the ministers to spread their influence for law and order at every level of the community; he convened a day of prayer on Oct. 12--Columbus Day--in which "such churches as have bells are asked to use them." The ministers also agreed to speak four special prayers, in all denominations. These were:

P: For support and preservation of law and order. P: For the leaders of community, state and nation. P: For the casting out of rancor and prejudice in favor of understanding and compassion. P: For the people's resistance against unthinking agitators. Small in terms of action though the ministry of reconciliation might seem to be. it is nonetheless the beginning of a movement that could have great potential impact upon the white clergymen of the South. As of now, many white ministers in the South are tormented by the dilemma of having to face up to the meanings of segregation while yet holding on to the ears and hearts of their congregations. But Little Rock's ministers seemed prepared to worry first about Christian action, second about large congregations. "Our problems will never be solved except by the people of this community," said Methodist Dr. Aubrey Walton in Little Rock one day last week, "and we can begin at no better place than upon our knees at the throne of God." Added Bishop Brown: "The children of the world are not necessarily more wise than the children of light."

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