News
The American Scientific Affiliation
VOL 3 NUMBER 3              25, May 1961

NEW ASA OFFICE ESTABLISHED


H. Harold Hartzler, recently retired as a member of the Executive Council and President has been asked by the Council to serve as part-time Executive Secretary. To facilitate this function an office has been opened at 414 South Broad Street, Mankato, Minnesota, which is convenient to Dr  Hartzler. He will care for the thousand and one things that have received only token attention in the past because of scattered officers and overloaded schedules. Actually, officers are still scattered from North Dakota to New Hampshire and each has a workload of about 190% of parity, but this small step toward a full-time executive secretary seemed the wisest way until the ASA can support a full time man. The business office has been transferred from West Lafayette, Indiana, to Mankato and Dr Hartzler is busy setting up business-like procedures, studying new programs and working closely with the Executive Council in many ways. As this is the first move in this direction., many aspects of this now office are being approached on an exploratory basis.

APPRECIATION TO HARTZLER and MRS PUBOLS

At the 17 February meeting the Executive Council asked the Secretary to express the heartfelt- appreciation of the entire membership to Dr Hartzler for his years of faithful voluntary service as Executive Council member and President of the ASA. Similar expressions were sent to Mrs. Morton H. Pubols who has served as business manager of the ASA for many years. She served as personal secretary to Hendrik J, Oorthuys during his term as Secretary-Treasurer while he was teaching at Purdue. When he moved back to Oregon State University Mrs. Pubols continued serving the ASA as business manager. Her husband, Morton H. Pubols is finishing his graduate work at Purdue. She has performed even the smallest tasks thoughtfully and efficiently and we are all grateful for the contribution she has made.

PHYSIOLOGY INSTRUCTOR AVAILABLE

One of the very important functions of the ASA NEWS is that of communicating personnel needs and opportunities. Here is a letter from John Sinclair, 2,463 19th Avenue, San Francisco 16,CA: 
Would you run a note in the News latter asking if anyone, knows of an opening for an instructor in Physiology on the college level? I have have many years of research experience and have completed the  course work for a doctorate in zoology and physiology. I am competent to teach geurophysiology, Physiological Psychology General Physiology, and Human Physiology. The Pay scale is not prime consideration but a challenging and creative opportunity is essential, I want a position where personal initiative is wanted and appreciated.

My duties here will end in August. I feel that the world is my home and I am willing to go anywhere in the world where my services are needed.

TAPES OF SEATTLE CONVENTION

John Sinclair of 2463 - l9th Avenue, San Francisco 16, California, states that he has tapes of the 1960 annual convention in Seattle. If anyone is interested in a copy, write to him. John suggests the possibility of placing a set in the ASA library for loan to local groqs.

DATA SEEKS ASA HELP

A letter circularizing the ASA membership and signed by Clayton F. Rasmussen is intended to acquaint us with the aims and purposes of DATA INTERNATIONAL and to seek the cooperation of individual members. Through DATA Assistance Fellowship, professional-and technical talents of ASA members are made available for the solution of specific problems on the mission field.

INDIANA SECTION GETS REBATE

Another advantage of local section organization is that the national ASA organization will support local activities with real, hard cash. For-example, Arthur A, Smucker, Secretary-Treasurer of the Indiana group submitted his brief annual report giving information on officers, membership, finances and meeting activities and received $57. Who can say that reports have no value? Other sections can do likewise.

NORTH CENTRAL SECTION MEETS

On Saturday, 22 April, the North Central Section held another of their top-liner ASA meetings. The session, with nearly 100 in attendance, was characterized by spirited exchanges and friendly contributions to the understanding of the other fellow. The first paper was entitled, "Creation, Vendantic or Biblical?" by Vishwa Mishra, a Hindu who was converted while studying in the U.S. He compared the numerous, conflicting and inconsistent views of creation in Hindu sacred writings with the Christian account. He concluded that the Christian view is more. consistent with science, although certain Hindu interpretations are not antagonistic to modern science.

The book, THE NATURAL SCIENCES AND THE CHRISTIAN MESSAGE, written by Aldert van der Ziel of the University of Minnesota., was reviewed and critically analyzed by Robert Sandin, Assistant Professor of.Philo6bphy, Northwestern College, Minneapolis, and by Lawrence H. Johnston, Associate Professor of Physics, University of Minnesota. This period was filled with lively interchange. Dr. Johnston does not agree at all with Dr. van der Ziels approach. Many thanks to the Denison Company of Minneapolis, publishers of the book, who supplied copies  to the reviewers. (Incidentally, shouldn't this be covered in the ASA Journal?)

Parapsychology is a subject which most psychologists have considered taboo since an emotionally-charged conflict on the subject some years ago at one of their conventions. The subject was presented to this ASA group in a factual and interesting way by Paul Meehl, Professor of Psychology, University of Minnesota who is President-Elect of the American Psychological Association. He stated that a careful study of the evidence indicates an ability in some persons to perceive other's thoughts in a manner not explainable by present knowledge of human inter-communication. In the discussion which followed Dr Meehl warned against building Christian Apologetics around scientific (or pseudo-scientific) theories and hypotheses.

The meeting was held in Drew Hall of Science, Hamline University, St. Paul. An airy electronics lab in this building, incidentally., is the Robert H. Page Laboratory, named in honor of an outstanding alumnus whom you all know. A nicely printed folder publicized the event. An advance notice appeared in a St. Paul newspaper and an article in TIE, the magazine of the Council of Evangelical Churches of St. Paul. In addition, Mr. John M. Goshko of the Minneapolis Tribune attended the meeting and wrote an article on the ASA which appeared (30 column inches worth) in his column, "On the Seventh Day," April 24th, under the caption, "Group of Scientists Takes a Look at Christianity." Thanks to David 0. Moberg and Lawrence H. Starkey for material on this meeting.

ASA DIRECTORY CUllING
And lots of people are apt to say, "So's Christmas!" This is the same directory that has been coming for the last two years. In 1956 a directory supplement was distributed with the December issue of the Journal. This red-covered, 27-page compilation has served well although it is now sadly out of date. As far as ye editor is concerned, putting together a rag like this covering news of members with no recent information of the members is enough to try the patience of a wooden Indian. Is he in chemistry, or was it Gumshoe U? So when the minutes of the Executive Council state that a directory is being printed by Shaw's in Lafayette, that is to be 8-1 x 4 inch size, 100 pages and printed offset from IBM typewriter copy, your editor just barely suppresses an unbelieving, "Oh, yeah?" and thinks of the decade during which television was "just around the corner." We'll believe it when we see it!
1961 ANNUAL CONVENTION

In the formulation of your vacation plans be sure to consider the "ASA Convention Effect." This effect has been studied carefully for years by some of the best brains in the ASA; by biologists, physicists, psychologists, and a smattering of chemists. While the break-through in complete understanding of this compelling force has not been attained, scores of ASA members and their families yield happily to its compulsion as vacations are plained. This year it is predicted that the effect will reach a high plateau August 22-25 in the immediate vicinity of Houghton College, Houghton, N. Y. Symptoms include a warm feeling all over inside as old friends are welcomed and new ones are made, a thoughtful scratching of the head as new ideas seek entrance and a waving of arms and an incessant opening and closing of the mouth as impressive sounds emerge. This latter goes on far into the night, at least in the bachelor section of the dormitory.

Dr Henry D, Weaver reported to the Executive Council that the convention topic is to be "The Christian's Responsibility Toward the Increasing Population."

Tuesday Afternoon - August 22

Population Council Inc., 230 Park Avenue., New York,, New York.

Tuesday Evening





Wednesday Morning - August ?_3




Wednesday Afternoon



Wednesday Evening


Thursday Morning - August 24
Thursday Afternoon Panel Discussion and Open Discussion -What Action if Any Should Christians Take Toward the Population Explosion (Panel to be made up of a representative of each of the small groups)

Thursday Evening - Public Session The Christian's Responsibility to Evangelize the Increasing Population (Including an analysis of the rate of the growth of the Christian Church compared to the growth of the population over the last several years)

Friday Morning - August 25 General Session - Contributed Papers and Report of Resolution Committee

COUNCIL MEETS IN NEW ASA HEADQUARTERS

 On May 20th the Executive Council held a 10 am- 5pm meeting. Those present were
J. Frank Cassel, Walter R, Hearn, Henry D. Weaver, Jr., and H. Harold Hartzler. Wilbur L. Bullock of the University of New Hampshire and Elving Anderson of Silver Spring MD, were unable to attend.

 MODERN SCIENCE AND CHRISTIAN FAITH

 The first volume published by the ASA is MSCF. It first appeared in 1948 and has gone through a revision in 1950 as well as a number of reprintings since then, The question of whether it should be revised again or just allowed to die quietly has been before the Council for many years. At their last meeting they agreed to refer the question to the Publication Board of which Russell L. Mixter is chairman. It was further agreed that Scripture Press be requested to print a two year supply of the present edition.
WASHINGTON D.C. SECTION APPROVED

The formal application of the Washington D.C. local section for recognition by the ASA has been acted upon favorably. There just wasn't anything else the Council could do after this group put on the excellent program they did at John Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory on February 4th. We welcome this section to the ever-growing list of active and growing sections springing up across the country.

The Washington Section is planning another meeting to be held in October, Glen T. Kirkland in charge, Marion D Barnes, Director of the Sulphur Institute is moving his family to the Washington area. Marion has been flying all over the world in the interests of the Institute.
One reason Samuel Elder hasn't been heard from for some time is a new baby girl has come to join their family. Never a dull moment around the nation's capitol.

NOMINATING COMMITTEE SECTED
A nominating committee charged with the responsibility of selecting candidates for the spot on the Executive Council to be vacated by Wilbur L. Bullock at the end of 1961 has been named: Wilbur L. Bullock, Chairman, George Fielding and John Sinclair.

ASA-ETS COOPERATION

The American Scientific Affiliation - Evangelical Theological Society is holding their biannual joint meeting at Goshen College., June 114-16., 1961. By this time all members should have received a copy of the program* The theme "The Future of Theology and Science" is an intriguing one and the papers and discussions promise a stimulating and profitable time for all participants.

The ASA members of the joint planning committee for future joint meetings with ETS are as follows; William J. Tinkle (2yrs.), Ivan Brunk (4 yrs.), James Kraakavik ( 6 yrs.).

 EDITORIAL BOARD

The Editorial Board is busy formulating policy regarding the ASA Journal and are preparing for a presentation to the Executive Council at the Annual Meeting at Houghton College. The Members of the Editorial Board are: John A. MoIntyre, Chairman Hendrik J, Oorthuys, David O Moberg, Robert F DeHahann, Cordelia Barber, Lawrence H. Starkey.

FISCHER'S BOOK

A new second edition of Robert B, Fischer's QUANTITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS has been announced by WeB. Saunders Company of Philadelphia. Dr. Fischer is a Fellow of the ASA and is Professor of Chemistry at, Indiana University.

NEWS FROM IOWA CAMPUS

Walter R. Hearn, Secretary-Treasurer of the ASA shares information on visitors to Iowa State University campus. on April 25th3 Aldert van der Ziel,, Professor of Electrical Engineering at the University Of Minnesota gave an EE seminar on the ISU campus. ASA members, Walt Hearn, Evans Roth, and Donald Robertson spent a pleasant coffee hour with Dr van der Ziel afterwards discussing his new book. They invited the Missouri Synod Lutheran Campus Pastor to sit in on the discussion (hope he had some coffee, too.)

On May 7th, Herbert Seal passed through Ames between speaking engagements in Iowa and had a good visit with Walt Hearn. Herbert Seal will long be remembered for his fascinating account of his research on stability of nudist families presented informally at last year's convention in Seattle. He is engaged in family relations counseling under the auspices of Christian Counseling Service, with headquarters in Florida.

EVOLUTION AND CHRISTIAN TH01UHT TODAY

During the year ending Apri.1 29., 1961., the Wm. B, Eerdmans Publishing Coo of Grand Rapids reports that 1,969 copies of Modern Science and Christian Faith have been sold. This means a roya1ty to the ASA treasury $531.63. Incidentally, the Council is giving serious thought to the possibility of sharing the royalties with authors of future publications. Sounds fair enough. As innocent bystanders, we can certainly express our gratitude to these authors who are making a financial contribution to the work of the ASA as well as advancing its purposes through their writings,

BIOLoGICAL SCIENCE CONFERENCE

Although not sponsored by the ASA, this conference is of interest because several members of the ASA were involved and the fact that the Los Angeles ASA members were invited to attend, A seminar in Biological Science Teaching was held at Los Angeles Pacific College on April 22ndo Oliver Titrud of Los Angeles Pacific College had some "Special Comments on the Biosphere" and Robert R. Sanders of Los Angeles City College spoke on, "Electronics in the Biology Laboratory." Other features included a Moody Institute of Science educational film preview and an evening address by Dr. Ralph Byron, Chief Surgeon City of Hope Hospital.

LUCKMAN AUTHORS ARTICLE

 Cyril Luckmans Professor of Biology, Wheaton College., is the author of an article, "The Response of the Submaxillary Glands of Mature Mice to Treatment with the Hormones ot the Thyroid Gland and the Testiss" which was published in the January 1961 issue of the Anatomical Record. The article is part of the dissertation written by Luckman for his doctoral degree in Anatomy taken at the University of Illinois School of Medicine in 1956. At Wheaton he maintains a small mouse colony for his classes in endocrinology and student research projects.

NEWS FROM NORTHERN DELAWARE SECTION

A very fine letter from Francis D, Houghton, Secretary-Treasurer of the Northern Delaware Section of the A-SA-brWs-11 up to date on what is happening there. We have been suggesting to new groups that they have fewer  better meetings, In the Northern Delaware group we have an excellent example of a group that makes a monthly meeting work.

 At the end of 1960 the Delaware group passes through a period of comparative inactivity due primarily to a meeting night that was not convenient to a large number of the regular members. This resulted in poor attendance and loss of interest on the part of the few who did attend. In order to remedy the situation they decided to rotate the meeting night (Tuesday one months Wednesday the next, Thursday the third., and then repeating,) These meetings nights are always in the second week of the month so that everyone knows which night to save. As a direct result, attendance has averaged over twice that of last year and a very active program has been instituted. The current president is Neal Brace of Dupont, the Vice-president is Norman Miller of DuPont, thr secretary-treasurer is Francis D. Houghton, Chief Chemist of the Claymont Delaware, plant of the The Phoenix Steel Corporation.

The January, 1961 meeting was One of elections, reorganization, and planning for the year. The February meeting advanced this planning but also included discussion of some books and even an informal seminar of the teaching of Genesis to an adult Sunday School Class. In March the program really got under way with a seminar led by Wesley Clayton on Evolution and Christian Thought which stimulated much discussion. In April Ed Brightbill discussed "Miracles" basing his approach primarily on C.S. Lewis' book of that name* The meetings have been held in private homes although the May 8th meeting was held at Immanuel Baptist Church in Wilmington because of the greater crowd. The speaker at this meeting, not a member of the ASA., was John A. Zapp, head of DuPont's Haskell Laboratory of Industrial medicine and Toxicology who spoke on "Chemical and Biological Warfare - Its Implications for Christian Thought". Dr. Zapp, has taught medicine, worked for the government and for Civilian Defense before coming to Haskell Laboratory in 1946.

In June they will hold their annual Ladies' Night banquet. More power to this group who have not only solved the monthly meeting problem., but also have advanced to the refined stage of involving the wives.


VICTORIA INSTITUTE OFFERS ESSAY PRIZE

 A number of our ASA members are also members of the Victoria Institute (or Philosophical Society of Great Britain). In many ways, the goals of the two organizations are similar although the Victoria Institute was founded in the middle of the nineteenth century. They are offering the Langhorne Orchard Prize of 40 pounds for the best essay on the subject "Psychological Theories of Mind in the Light of the Bible". Essays must be sent in not later than September 15th., should not exceed 7,000 words and include a synopsis of not more than 200 words. Those interested in entering this competition should write to Mr. R.J.C, Harris., Chairman of the Council, 22 Dinwall, Road, Croydon, Surrey, England.

 FEDERATION BREAKFAST REPORT

The breakfast of the "Federation Christian Fellowship" had an attendance of 24 at their April l1th get-together, at Hotel Jefferson., Atlantic City. Walt Hearn states that the Federation of American Societies For Experimental Biology had a registration of 12,000. This means that 1/500th of this group attended the breakfast. The ASA members attending were Herman DeHaas (Univ. of Maine),, Robert L. Herrmann. (Boston U.), Wayne Frair, Rutgers, William Sbelp (Hospital For Women, Baltimore), Gordon C , Mills (Univ. of Texas), Marlin B. Kreider (QM R & E Center, Natick, Mass,),  Marton H. Pubol(Purdue), Ian J. Tinsley (Oregon State U,,), A. Kurt Weiss (Univ. of Miami), Joseph M. Boutwell (Temple U.), Walter R. Hern (Iowa State U.). Besides the ASA members there were a dozen excellent prospects for membership

ASA NEWS EDITOR

F. Alton Everest, 947 Stanford Street, Santa Monica, California