NEWS
The American Scientific Affiliation
 VOL 5 NUMBER 3          May 8, 1963



FIRST HONORARY FELLOWS

The Executive Council of the ASA has selected the first two men as Honorary Fellows of the American Scientific Affiliation:

We, salute these men as scholars and as Christian warriors of a most winsome kind.

ASA/ETS ASBURY MEETING COMING

The Blue Grass of Kentucky is calling and all ASA members should be alerted to the coming annual joint meeting with the Evangelical Theological Society. The time: 19-21 June; The place: Asbury College,101ilmore, Kentucky (about 16 miles Southwest of Lexington). The three subjects to be pursued this year are (1) "Following Truth Wherever it Leads", (2) "Presuppositions and Assumptions of Science" and (3) 'Values and Limitations of Natural Theology'. Men of high training and experience have promised to lead these discussions and to prepare papers.

Dr. Richard Longenecker., Secretary of the ETS says) "At the Fourteenth Annual National Meeting of the ETS December 27-28., 1962,, the Executive Committee discussed at length the benefits derived from our Joint meetings, The expression was unanimous and hig1hly in favor of our association, with hopes for the forthcoming meeting to be even more profitable.


Two new sections have been approved by the Executive Council, the San Francisco Bay and the Metropolitan New York Sections.

Northeastern

The Northeastern Section has held its first meeting at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and is in the process of formal organization.

Michigan

The Grand Rapids Section is planning a Spring meeting, but the date has not been set.

Chicago

Dr. E. James Kennedy) Associate Professor of Biology, North Park College, Chicago, announces that a Spring meeting is being planned for the Chicago area* The subject, The Christian Teacher in the College Classroom", has been selected, Mr. Percival W Davis, Jr,, Northern Baptist College, Chicago, will speak on "The Role of Christians in the Teaching Profession" and Dr. Lucy Zaccaria, University of Illinois, Chicago, will take the topic, "Is the Classroom Teacher Doomed"? The time of this meeting has not yet been announced.

 North Central

The North Central Section met in the Coffman Memorial Union Building, University of Minnesota, on April 20th. See the last issue of NEWS for details of program.

Metropolitan New York

The Metropolitan New York Section held their spring meeting at The King's College,, Briarcliff Manor, N.Y., on April 20th. They heard Ulric Jelinek speak on Science and the Bible and held an informal discussion on organizing of the new section for maximum effectiveness. This section is organizing a Visiting Lecture Program which will supply speakers to organizations requesting such assistance. Several inquiries have already been received. Carl Gustafson has agreed to serve as chairman of this committee and he will be assisted by Wayne Ault, Joan Gaetjen and Ulric Jelinek. (This is an idea that could be picked Up by other ASA groups). Wayne presented
"Eruption of Kilauea" which was filmed by scientists of the Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and naturalists of the Hawaiian National Park. The membership committee of the Metropolitan NY section assembled a list of 90 ASA members living within a 60-mile radius of New York City. This provided a very nice nucleus for starting a program, probably a larger number than any other section had for a beginning. Another fine beginning was in designating program committee chairman, Wells Spencer, to communicate with ye ed.

San Francisco Bay

The San Francisco Bay Section has scheduled a meeting for Saturday afternoon, May 25th, at the new Materials Science Auditorium, Stanford University, Palo Alto., California. A group from the Southern California Section have decided that they should serve as midwives in bringing this lusty infant to the birth. Marvin Darsia, Kenneth Allen, John McLennen and Alton Everest are planning to fly up from Los Angeles  for the day. Robert Dilworth will be dropping in from Sacramento where he will be on state education-business and Robert Sanders is busy trying to arrange a group to drive the 400 miles.
See last issue on NEWS for further details.

Los Angeles

On Saturday afternoon, May 4th, the Los Angeles Section held a conference at Moody Institute of Science. The topic of discussion was, "Conflict's Between Christianity and Science". David Siemens spoke in the Physical Sciences" (Copernican astronomy)) Marvin Darsie on the Present Conflict in the Biological Sciences" and Stanley  Lindquist of Fresno State College covered "The Future Conflict in the Behavioral Sciences. An effort to do something constructive was embodied in a presentation by Bernard Ramm of California Baptist Theological Seminary an "The Hermeneuticai Problem or how to minimize such conflicts."

CLAkSEN ACCLAIM CONTINUES

Dr. Howard Claasen of Wheaton College continues to receive well-deserved recognition for the discovery made last summer that the rare gas xenon reacts with fluorine. His picture appeared on the cover of the December 31, 1962, issue of Chemical and Engineering News in which the discovery was rated as one of the outstanding chemical finds in 1962. Dr. Claasen has been invited to speak about his work at the Brookhaven National Laboratories, at the Sigma Xi Society meeting at Loyola University, at the Delaware Science Symposium and at the Gordon Research Conferences. He also presented a paper this spring at the American Chemical Society meeting in Los Angeles. The University of Oklahoma, where Dr. Claasen earned a PhD. in 1949, has honored him with an election to Phi Beta Kappa.

WEST CANADA ACS

If you plan to attend thelffest Canada meeting of the American Chemical Society next September, be sure to attend the projected ASA get-together. Dr. J.M. Ramaradhya,, Research Engineer with The Consolidated Mining and Smelting Company of Trail, B.C. is laying plans for this occasion.
 
Dr. Ramm attended the spring meeting of the American Chemical Society in Los Angeles in April and visited Stanford Research Institute, Palo Alto, and the Lawrence Radiation Laboratory, Berkeley, on his way home, Robert Fischer also phoned ye ed from the ACS headquarters. Sol with Claasen, we know of three ASA members at that meeting. Next time , we'll try to work
something out in advance.

MESS AT OLD MISS
Dr. Russell Maatman, Associate Professor of Chemistry at the University of Mississippi has an article "Report From Olde Miss" in HIS Magazine for May, 1963. Russell gives a good report from close range untainted by pressure groups on either extreme. This is a good sequel to his letter to the editor in a recent issue of the journal of the ASA. The Maatman's had the courage to entertain James Meredith in their home.

IVCF-ASA COOPERATION

There has been a request for a joint meeting of the Faculty Fellowship of the Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship and the ASA. The Executive Council is exploring the possibility of having such a joint meeting. The 1965 annual convention of the aSk could possibly be the occasion for such a venture. The invitation of Kings College for the 1965 convention has been accepted conditionally with this in mind,

MEMBERSHIP

The ASA now has 1.172 kilomembers. At last we have broken the t1thousand" barrier. The break-down is-,

Associate Members...180
Members ..........909
Fellows ............82
Total             1172

to which should be added two (2) Honorary Fellows!

DUES INCREASE

The ASA member's right to argue is a precious thing and it was exercised at the 1962 Convention in St. Faul, Minnesota, on the subject of increase in dues to provide much needed money for national activities. one would have thought that the idea had little chance of passing. The final tabulation demonstrated without question that most of it was just hot air; the final tally? For: 282 Against: 10 Maybe all ten were in that meeting4

JOURNALS NEEDED

 The file of back issues of the ASA Journal belonging to the ASA but in the hands of Editor Moberg is short several numbers. If anyone is willing to donate his copies of these out-of-print issues to the ASA, please send the following to Dr. David 0. Moberg., Bethel College~ St. Paul 1, Minnesota;

Volume 1, Number 4

Volume 3, Nimber 2

Volume 3, Number 3

There is also a need at ASA~ headquarters as they lack some of the back issues needed for supplying Library orders. If you can spare any of the following, send them to ASA, 414 South Broad Street, Mankato, Minnesota.

Volume 2. Number 1

Volume 3, Numbers 1,2,3 (completely depleted)

Volume 8, Number 4


HELP WANTED DEPARTMENT

Wheaton College is looking for two mathematics teachers and one physics teacher for the fall of 1963. They are especially interested in those with graduate work, who either have or are capable of obtaining the PhD degree,
Anyone interested or knowing of those who might be interested should get in touch with Dr. James H, Kraakevik, Chairman, Department of Mathematics and Physics,Wheaton Col1ege, Wheaton, Illinois.

Taylor University has an opening in the Biology Department. A Zoologist is needed., preferably a Ph.D. or one working toward the degree. Anyone interested should contact Dr. Milo Rediger, Taylor University, Upland, Ind,

Friends University needs a Biology teacher for employment beginning September 1964. The work would consist of teaching undergraduate courses in this church-related college which has had a splendid reputation in the natural sciences for many years. They are seeking one having the Ph.D. degree or as near to that amount of training as possible. Write to Dr. Lowell E. Roberts) President, Friends University, Wichita 13, Kansas.

Geneva College is looking for an analytical, physical or bio-chemist for September, 1963 . Any, . ne interested should write to Dr. Roy  Adams, Chairman, Department of Chemistry, Geneva College, Beaver Falls,, Pennsylvania.

EVOLUTION PROTEST

Dr. John R. Howitt writes, "Perhaps your readers would be interested in learning that Cecil Wakeley has accepted the Presidency of the Evolution Protest Movement. He has held the highest position in the British Empire in the field of surgery. The E.P.M., as its name implies, is opposed to the doctrine of evolution."

Dr. Howitt has also passed on information on DeWitt Jayne's article in Christianity Today of March 29., 1963, page 13, commenting on the Carbon-14 method of dating, pointing out weaknesses thereof.

While many members of the ASA are critical of the negative approach of the EPM and are convinced of the essential soundness of the radiocarbon method it is most important that we be respectful of the opinions of those with whom we differ. This illustrates the wide spectrum of opinion among ASA members on the one hand and the oneness and fellowship we hold in Jesus Christ. Certainly the latter is stronger and more basic than the former.

VAN DER ZIEL RECOGNIZED

The March 1963 issue of Solid State Design (pp 20-22) carried a two-page story of Alder Van der Ziel, Professor of Electrical Engineering) University of Minnesota. The article includes a picture of Dr. Van der Ziel and mentions his Christian stand.

Although one of the quietest members of the ASA., Dr. Van der Ziel is probably the outstanding authority on noise --- the electrical kind., that is. His paper, "Gate Noise in Field Effect Transistors at Moderately High Frequencies", appeared in the March, 1963, issue of the Proceedings of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (Vol 51, No. 3, 461-467). Some may not know about the big merger between the American Institute of Electrical Engineers and the Institute of Radio Engineers into the IEEE. Dr. Van der Ziel is a Fellow of both the IEEE and the ASA.

REES RETIRES IN ENGLAND

Dr. D. Vaughan Rees has recently retired after 30 years' work in China and 10 years in Hong Kong. He was in charge of the Fanling Hospital, New Territories, Hong Kong before his retirement. Dr. Vaughan expresses delight in being kept in touch with the world a bit through ASA NEWS. He finds the world a very startling place after being "out of it for so long. The forward rush of events were symbolized by statements such as, "Textbooks are outdated and new theories of bonding must be sought."

Dr. Vaughan is now residing at L Beatrice Lane, Upperton Gardens) Eastbourne, Sussex, England.

MICAH LEO PUBLISBES

Micah Leo recently left the Canadian Department of Agriculture to join', Isotopes, Inc., of Crestwood, N.J. His papers in Soil Science include, "A New Suction Plate Apparatus for Extraction of Soil Solution in Conductivity Determination" (February, 1963), "Effect of Cropping and Fallowing on Soil Salinization.' (In Press), "A Rapid Method For Estimating Structural Stability of Soils" (In Press), The Effect of Freezing and Thawing on Soil Physical Properties in Relation to Plant Growth" (In Press). Another paper, "Nutrient in Soils, Heterogeneity of Soil of Agricultural Land in Relation to Soil Sampling", in press, J. Agri. Food Chem.

Dr. Leo has translated Dr. John McIntyre's "A Physicist Believes" (HIS, June, 1961) into Chinese and published it in the February, 1963 issue of Chinese Christians Today which has a circulation of 38,000 and of which Dr. Leo is editor. It is believed that all ASA members have received copies of this magazine.

FUNCTIONS OF THE COMMISSIONS

Sounds dry, but there are odds that the way Dr. Henry D. Weaver presented it, it was anything but dry. Dr Robert D. Knudsen, Secretary-Treasurer of the ASA is going to have to report some of the levity to build readership for the Minutes. Dr. Weaver's report, of interest to every ASA member follows:

The Functions of the Commissions of the ASA

The purpose of the subject-matter commissions of the ASA is to take responsibility and provide overall leadership in the areas covered. They are appointed by the Executive Council and are responsible to it. All activities are to be approved by the Council*

 The commissions' functions include the following, but they are not limited to them. The commissions are to.

           3. Plan convention programs as requested by the Council.


The personnel of the following Commissions ware reported in the last issue of NEWS:




PERSONALS

Wayne U. Ault,, Isotopes, Incorporated, rendered a report to the Executive Council concerning the work of the Natural Science Commission in regard to the 1964 convention. Henry Weaver is following this for further planning, representing the Council.

J. 0. Buswell., Jr., expects Volume II of his Systematics to be off the press in June, He is anxious to receive constructive criticisms from ASA members on Volumes I and II. Part II which is in Volume I has to do with man's life in this world and Part I includes the doctrine of Creation. His address is Route 1, 12256 Conway Rd., St. Louis 41, Missouri.

Thomas F. Cummings., Associate Professor of Chemistry, Bradley University, has been appoint to the Editorial Board by the Executive Council in their March 2nd meeting.

Delbert N. Eggenberger and his wife and son made a fast trip to La Jolla, Callfornia in February for the wedding of their daughter, Beverly.

Robert B. Fischer, Professor of Chemistry, Indiana University, has been duly elected and installed as the new member of the Executive Council of the ASA with a term running from 1963 to 1967.

E. Stuart Harverson, missionary in Viet-Nam, is completing his fourth month of furlough with his family in New Zealand and Australia. Leaving the field briefly seems only to accentuate his concern for his people back in Viet-Nam.

Lois Kent was married recently to Dr. A. H. Tweedle, an optometrist, in Midland, Ontario. Dr. Kent-Tweedle will continue her work at the Ontario Hospital, Woodstock, Ontarin (ed. note. a $3.00 fee for outstanding news items like this will be sent to you, Dr. Howitt, but I can't find the checkbook.)

Robert D. Knudsen plans to be in California this summer to do some visiting, some Bible conference work and to attend the ASA convention at Westmont College in August. Dr. Knudsen's Seminary, Westminster, has just occupied its new library for which prayer and financial support are needed.

Russell W. Maatman, Associate Professor of Chemistry, University of Mississippi, has been appointed to the Editorial Board by the Executive Council in their March 2nd., meeting.

Noah K, Mack had Dr. John Grosse, missionary to Africa, take his practice for two months in 1960 while his family visited national parks in the Eastern USA. On return home he wrote the tract. "The Creation Story", based on his experiences on this trip.

Robert McAllister is active in giving illustrated talks on astronomy. Last year he visited Kitt Peak Observatory collecting material for his talks.

Harold E. Miller, Chairman, Department of Education and Psychology, Westmont College, has been appointed to the Program Committee for the 1963 convention to be held at Westmont.

Norvell L, Peterson attended the AAPA in Washington January 23-26. The high spot of the trip was lunch with Henry Weaver on which occasion he picked up a number of choice stories. He had an unprecedented return engagement to the University of Christian Living sponsored by the Northwood C of C the five Sundays in March. 

Peter W. Stoner is teaching Scientific Christian Evidences at Westmont College, Santa Barbara, California. On March 16th he spoke to a group of Santa Barbara ministers. Last Spring he went to San Jose to work with some 150 young people there. He continues to speak to young people every chance he gets--all this by a man who has retired about three times.

LeRoy E. Train presented a paper at the annual meeting of the California Educational Research Association, March 8,9, 1963, at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. His paper, presented from the point of view of psychology, was entitled, "The Bilingual". He indicated the non-supportive abilities of the lower socio-economic strata in maintaining a structure of value and of intellectual wall-being.

PRESIDENT'S REPORT

The A.S.A. has reached a most interesting point in its history. Let me review our present status, at least as things appear to me,
We have an expanding membership which may reach 1400 by the end of 1963. This is gratifying evidence of widespread interest in our objectives. But we must be certain that our activities are so planned that t1ey justify and maintain this support*

The journal has an expanded staff, and is amazingly effective in acquainting us with other members, some of whom we may not have met personally. Two full books have been published and a third is "in process". (Some of the ideas for the new volume will be discussed on Tuesday evening at the Westmont meeting in August).

The recent approval of a dues increase now provides a sound financial base for our work, although any expansion must still proceed slowly. Harold Hartzler and Faye Bartell in the Mankato office provide a continuity without which we could not operate. Boards and commissions are manned and functioning well.

The value of regional chapters is indicated by recent additions to the list. Two conventions are planned for this summer, one with the Evangelical Theological Society in June and the other in August.

How can this growth of the A.S.A. be explained? By two main factors, I believe: (1) the dedicated energies of a group of men - who started the work and others who have maintained it, and (2) the unashamed sharing of faith in the Bible as Gods, Word and in Jesus as Lord and Saviour. This common faith has held us together in spite of differing opinions on scientific details. It is important that we maintain the same confidence in God's guidance of the organization, and that we keep channels of communication open as a means of learning from each other.

Your Executive Council has spent much time in considering suitable plans for the future. Our discussions boil down to these questions:

1. To whom should we minister? To members, fellow scientists, pastors, young people in high school or college?


2. In what ways? Through general meetings, small discussion groups, publication materials for christian education?


3. On what questions? As scientists you realize that the most difficult part of any research problem is stating a problem in such a way that a significant answer is possible. What then, are the most important questions today in the area of science and Christian faith?



If you have any ideas or convictions on these three points which you would like to share with the Council, please feel free to write to me at my home address (1775 N. Fairview Avenue, St. Paul 13., Minnesota). Meanwhile your prayer support is essential for our most effective witness.

V. Elving Anderson