News
The
American Scientific Affiliation
VOL 3 NUMBER 4
4
September 1961
HOUGHTON CONVENTION REPORT
The 16th annual convention at Houghton College., Houghton, N.Y., is
now history and as usual, only one in every ten ASA members was
able
to attend. While the Journal will eventually bring the content of the papers
and discussions, the burden of NEWS is to bring immediately, a brief report
spiced with notes that would never make the Journal, like subtle references
to Norvell Peterson's magenta rompers on the field trip, or the thrill of
riding in Willard Smith's red jeep, or the fascination in watching three
flies in persistent orbit about Frank Cassel's head during a profound
discussion. Let the Journal have the solid bricks of data, statistics and
philosophical conclusions; NEWS will help hold them all together (or apart?)
with the mortar of Christian fellowship and friendly banter.
HOUGHTON HOSTS
No convention hosts have ever been more thoughtful than our Houghton friends. It was plain to see that
Dr Robert Luckey, Director of Public
Relations of the College and General Chairman of the convention was THE
MAN IN CHARGE. He and his corps of ubiquitous helpers were always ready
to throw a kaffee klatsch, mind the children, or lift a convention feet
It is even suspected that the rain was Bob Luckey's doing just to concentrate
attention on the program, rather than the beautiful countryside of Western N. Y.
state.
EXPLODING POPULATIONS
This was certainly a different ASA convention. With the exception of
two papers everything as on a single theme, the exploding population of
the world. This impending problem is another child of scientific advance as
infant mortality has been reduced and life expectancy increased. Under
such conditions., even a constant birth rate poses problems. Controlling
family size seems to be one way out.
Several authorities outside of the ASA were brought in to brief us
on the extent of the problem and what is being done about it. Mr W Parker
Mauldin,) Associate Demographic Director of The Population Council of NY.
analyzed population trends. He places this population problem alongside
nuclear power as the two greatest problems confronting mankind. Dr Adrian C Kanaar of the University of Buffalo School of Medicine discussed the.
various methods of birth control and their relative dependability. Dr
Richard Fagley of the Commission on International Affairs of the World Council
of Churches discussed the Christian's response to the population explosion.
The author of a book on this subject, Dr. Fagley outlined his view of the
emerging Protestant consensus:
2. There is an essential goodness in sex and marriage, Abuse does not change the fact that these are good gifts of God.
3. Responsible parenthood demands family planning to take into account factors of health, social effects, etc. ("Subdue the earth doesn't mean to overfill it.")
4.
In the means of birth control no hierarchy is recognized.
If the
manner rather
than the purpose and intent is emphasized, it degenerates into materialism.
HOME TALENT
The wealth of impressive factual information brought by the outside spoakers was supplemented by papers by Dr, Marlin Kreider (Physiological
Changes, With Population Increases), Dr Kenton K. Brubaker (The Balance
of Food and Population), Dr Brian P Sutherland, Dr. Walter Butcher
and Dr Wallace E. Ogg (Dr Hearn read the Butcher-Ogg paper).
As the general theme emphasized the Christian's responsibility, the
excellent paper,, "Ethics and Birth Control," presented by Dr. Robert D.
Knudsen of Westminister Theological Seminary, set the tone of subsequent
discussions. Dr.
Knudsen analyzed the scriptural basis of the marriage
relationship and pointed out that the earthly union is analagous to the
believer's union with Christ. The essential union of one man and one woman
should be the motivation of sensual desire; regulation of the sexual urge
to a peripheral area of life is dangerous stated Dr. Knudsen. Conclusions:
marriage has other functions than procreation and while the Bible offers no
direct guidance in the matter of birth control there is strong scriptural
inference in its favor.
SMALLEY ADDRESS
Another highlight was the evening address by Dr William A Smalley
of the American Bible Society. In a sense it
was a home coming for Smalley
as he had spent four undergraduate years at
Houghton College. In a frank.,
off-the-shoulder style Dr. Smalley voiced some stern warnings concerning the
Christian witness. The amount of energy going into modern evangelism is
fantastic but the impact of the gospel is, by and large, very small because
of-ineffectual communication. Further, the message is greatly distorted,
not so much in orthodoxy, but in expressing the gospel in western terms.
''The indigenous church must truly be in the very life of the culture before
it can be effective. Every culture, every church needs a prophet to speak the
voice of God to that generation - this is the only way to fulfill Christ's
command."
DISCUSSION GROUPS
At several critical points during the convention the larger group was
broken down into four smaller groups for intensive discussion. The groups
were organized as follows:
II. Frank Cassel Glen Miller
III. Norvell Peterson Brian Sutherland
IV. John A, McIntyre George Fielding
This really loosened things up and resulted in everyone participating, On
Thursday afternoon the reporters summarized the conclusions of their respective
groups as to what action if any Christian's should take in the light of the
population explosion. Summary of the summaries by Henry Weaver:
l.
A problem of exploding population really exists.
2. There is also a definite problem of resources (although considerable uncertainty in degree).
3. Our Christian duty is to develop a biblical position of responsible parenthood.
4. We should take specific action in
Publication of special issue of Journal giving comprehensive treatment of the subjects
Contribute articles on responsible Christian parenthood to popular Christian press.
Participate in education at grass-roots level.
Work with foreign students.PRESIDENTIAL UNBURDENING
ASA president Dr
J Frank Cassel was the after-dinner speaker at the
banquet Wednesday evening. He urged us to stop apologizing for our Christian
presuppositions. It is the method of science to start with some presuppositions and we should be objective by recognizing what our frame of reference
is* He urged all ASA members toward more scholarly productivity and to
challenge our scientific colleagues with a living demonstration of faith in
God.
THE DOWN HILL SIDE
The Friday morning "tail-end-Charlie" session usually fares badly with
respect to attendance. Not so this year. Dr, Irving A Cowperthwaite gave
a concise and interesting resume of the history of ASA on its 2Oth anniversary.
It was a lovely sight, the ancient fossils of the ASA sitting together in
"paleontology row", nodding gray heads approvingly at Irving's slick
phraseology and even slicker Boston inflection. Everyone hopes the future of
the ASA will be as rosy as the past was made to appear,
A paper on a possible mechanism of Noah's flood was presented by A. James
Wagner, a graduate student in meteorology at MIT and a new ASA member. Several
new elements have been injected in flood discussions by Wagner, one of which
is his interest in maintaining logical rigor in his theorizing. While he is
firming up some of the soft spots in his theory others might like to exchange
ideas with him. His address is
15 Langdon Street, Cambridge
38, MA
Congratulations to Henry Weaver, Program Chairman., and to his committee:
David F Busby., Alfred C. Eckert, Jr., G. Douglas Young, Charles Hummel, and
Robert B. Fischer.
WHAT I MISSED AT HOUGHTON
Old faces like Joe Maxwell, Ed Monsma, Martin Karsten, William Tinkle, Philip Marquart and some 800 others.
No geologists there.
Missed the rest of Walt Hearn's red board, Too civilized now;
out of keeping.
Missed a daylight view of roommate Elving Anderson. What does
the Executive Council do at such long meeetings?)
COUNCIL MEMBERS
The nominating committee (Wilbur L. Bullock, Chairman, George Fielding,
John Sinclair) reported their selection as nominees for the spot on the
Council to be vacated by Wilbur Bullock at the end of 1961. Both nominees
have declined. The committee will make their report to the Executive
Council at an early date.
PETERSON ACTIVE, IN PSYCHOLOGY
Dr. Norvell L. Peterson has been invited to speak at the fall conference
Q October 61) of the American Academy of General Practice on the subject
of how the general practitioner can be of help in domestic problems through counseling
or group therapy. Mrs Peterson, a psychiatric nurse, therapist
and a member of American Society of Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama, has
been actively associated with him in this work. Last year Dr Peterson spoke
at the annual meeting of the Maine Chapter of the AGPA. He is a pioneer in
the techniques of group psychotherapy in which about
5
couples met together
once per week for 1.5 hours. By hearing others talk out their problems, the
husband and wife are helped in finding a common frame of reference. Remarkable
success has been reported for the method.
SUTHERLAND FROM NORTHERLAND
The annual convention presents opportunity to dispel the mysterious
shadows hovering over some of our prominent members such as'Dr Brian P
Sutherland, Administrative Assistant in the Consolidated Mining & Smalling
Company. On the surface, title and all seem to be the same as when he was
in Trail, BC, but one must remember that Montreal, his present location,
is the financial, policy and sales headquarters of the company as well as the
roosting place of the President and Executive VP to whom he personally metes
out technical advice. Brian's 30 years of company experience is too valuable
to be far away from the nerve center, It would seem to innocent bystanders
that there may be a trace of grooming going on, too. With the tremendous
overproduction of Pb and Zn, one of his chief headaches, Dr. Sutherland had
understandable difficulty getting into the feel of the convention topic of
world shortages. Incidentally, Mrs Sutherland, their daughter Ann, and her
friend very materially raised the charm level of the convention.
LOS ANGELES SECTION GAINS
NEW MEMBERS
The westward migration is bringing some now blood to the Los Angeles areas. Dr.
J Lawrence Johnston, formerly Associate Professor of Physics
at the University of Minnesota has recently taken a position with Aerospace
Corporation in Los Angeles. He will be deeply involved in plasma research
(the atomic kind, not blood),
Thomas H. Leith, formerly of Gordon College has moved to 23906 Bessimer Street,
Woodland Hills, California. He is serving as a technical consultant
to an investment firm.
BRIMSTONE BARNES BUSY
A recent visit with the editor served to clarify some of the mysteries
surrounding Dr. Marion D. Barnes who recently left Monsanto to become
Director of Industrial Research of the newly organized Sulphur Institute
of Washington D. C. This activity is sponsored by the sulphur industry of
the world and Marion is engaged in fundamental, exploratory and applied
research on a worldwide scale. He supervises projects at Heidelberg University, University of
Munich, Batelle Institute in Frankfort, Laboratory of
Ponts and Chaussees in Paris, University of Dublin., Road Research Laboratory
in Houndsworth., England, McGill University in Montreal Princeton University,
Southwest Research Institute of San Antonio, Stanford Research Institute.,
Grace Chemical Company, Monsanto Chemical and the Highway Department of
Edmonton, Alberta, He makes about two European trips per year and will soon
be going to the Far East to start work in the underdeveloped countries of the
world. The main idea is to increase the use of the copious quantities of
sulphur available even to such extent as developing a sulphur
"concrete" for
use of the moon!
DILWORTH TO PRINCETON
AUSTIN COLLEGE LOOKINIG FOR BIOCHEMIST
Because of an untimely death, Austin College needs a teacher of
biochemistry and organic chemistry for the academic year 1961-62.
Candidates should have some teaching experience and the PhDs although those with less academic preparation may be considered for an
interim appointment. Depending upon qualifications., the position would
be fcr Assistant or Associate Professor rank (salary range
$4,500 - $8,000
).
Austin College is located in Shermany Texas, sixty-five miles north
of Dallas and is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, USA. It is a
four-year liberal arts college with a student body of about 700. Address
inquiries to Leo Lo Nussbaum, Dean of the College. We are sorry that this
information arrived too late for the last issue.
DEVELOPMENTAL ANATOMISTS NEEDED
President Cassel announces that there is an opening in the Zoology
Department of North Dakota State University for a Ph.D. interested in both
teaching and research for the fall of 1962. Subjects to be taught (but
not all in the same quarter) are Vertebrate Zoology, Comparative Anatomy.,
Embryology, Histology and Micro technique. Some opportunity will be given
to develop work along the lines of the special interests of the now person.
The rank of Assistant Professor is contemplated with salary competitive.
The appointment would be for nine months with some support available for
summer work, Correspondence from interested scholars will be welcomed.
ASA AUTHORS
Dr. Richard A. Hendry, Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Westminister College,
New
6jilminEton, Penna., is co-author of a paper based on his year
of post-doctoral research at the University of Illinois.
Dr Donald S, Robertson, Associate Professor of Genetics at Iowa State
University, Ames, is author of "Linkage Studies of Mutants in Maize with Pigment Deficiencies in Undosperm and
Seedling," Genetics 46, 649 (June, 1961)
HOWARD TO MIAMI
Leland L. Howard, business manager of the World Radio Missionary Fellowship
Radio Station HCJB ("The Voice of the Andes") has recently moved to
227 NW. 119th Street, Miami 50. The North American headquarters office
has been moved to Miami better to serve the mission. Incidentally, Mr. Howard
was recently ordained into the Christian ministry by the Evangelical Free
Church of America.
FILM REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETS
Dr Robert P Dilworth is the permanent chairman of the ASA Film Review
Committee with the freedom to select members to serve with him who can best
meet the need of the current assignment. Dr. Dilworth asked Dr. Kenneth Allen
of the Zoology Department., UCLA, and Dr, Martin Hoover of the
Physics
Department, USC, to help in reviewing the latest Moody Institute of Science Film.,
"The Professor and the Prophets." This film features Prof. Peter Stoner
in applying probability theory to the fulfilled prophecies concerning
Jerusalem, Babylon, Tyre
and
Petra. The film will be available at 80
Christian
film rental outlets across the US after September 15, 1961.
L.A. SECTION HOLDS ELECTION
According to the new By-Laws recently adopted by the Los Angeles Section
of the ASA (reproduced in Vol
3, No. 1 of the NEWS, 8 Feb. 61) an Executive
Board of eight members was voted in August 15th.
Two-Year Term
Paul 0, Davis, PhD, Dean., Los Angeles Pacific College, Professor of Psychology
Robert C Frost, PhD, Chairman of
the Division of
Natural Sciences.,
Westmont College.
David F. Siemens, Moody Institute of Science
One-Year Term
John L Abernethy, PhD, Department of Chemistry, Westmont Men's College
George H Blount, MS,
Assistant Professor of Pbysics, Westmont College
Kermit Ratzlaff, MA, Research in
Physiology UCLA Medical Center
Oliver G Titrud, MS Assoc. Professor of Biology, Los
Angeles
Pacific College.
WEISS TO BECOME OAKIE
Dr. A. Kurt, Weiss, recently of the Department of Physiology, University
of Miami, accepted a position as Professor and Head of the Department
of Biology, Oklahoma City University, 2501 North Blackwelder Avenue, Oklahoma City,
OK. Congratulations on
the boost upstairs.
PLEA FOR HELP FROM ISOTOPES INC.
A very nice letter from Dr. Donald R. Carr of Isotopes, Incorporated,
states the need. clearly we need a number of technically competent people for work at
Isotopes, Inc.
and our subsidiary, Transnuclear Corporation. Several of those people would
be employed in what might be called sales engineering. I am well aware
Of the opinion that most people have of sales. There seems to be a widespread
belief that principles of honesty and integrity have to be compromised to be successful at
Sales Isotopes, Inc. as a company, and of course I personally,
reject this
view.
Therefore, we will insist that those that represent
us
share our views. I believe that my worry on this point would be eliminated
or at least greatly reduced if the people we employed were members Of the ASA
and subscribed to the standards of our organization...We need:
(1)A person to organize and head up an applications engineering group. This group would concern itself with the application of nuclear instrumentation and techniques to medical,, industrial and environmental problems, etc.
(2) A person to organize and head up a product sales group. This group would be concerned with the sale of products of Isotopes., Inc, and Transnuclear Corp. including instruments and equipment for the detection and measurement of radioactivity,.
(3) A person to handle advertising, public relations and more particularly technical writing.
Anyone interested in these positions should communicate with Dr, Carr at
Isotopes, Inc., 123 Woodland Avenue., New Jersey,
HARRISON ACTIVE IN ATENNAS
Dr Charles W. Harrison Jr. of the AEC Sandia Laboratory, Albuquerque,
Now Mexico, is author or co-author of eight papers which have recently
appeared in the Journal of Research of the National Bureau of Standards
(Section D. Radio Propagation), or the Transactions of the Institute of
Radio Engineers on Antennas and Propagation.
Dr Harrison is currently working on an AEC-sponsored book., "Topics
in Electromagnetic Radiation." Co-Author is Dr. Ronald U.P. King, Professor
of Physics at Harvard University. Publications form an important part of the
professional development of each ASA member and provide a foundation of
positive contributions upon which an effective testimony may be based,
Thanks to Dr. Harrison for leading the way.
CALL FOR CONVENTION PHOTOS
It is the desire of the Historical Committee of the ASA to maintain a
complete pictorial history of ASA activities in addition to its other functions.
Members are asked to offer prints or transparencies they have taken at national
conventions, local section meetings, or other ASA conclaves. The negatives
would be greatly appreciated so that quality prints could be made. If you
have pictures of this kind which you would be willing to donate) please send
them ine If you have such pictures but are reluctant to part with the
negatives or original transparencies., state your case to Dr Irving A. Cowperwaite,
10 Willoughby Road., Milton 87, Mass.
ASA-ETS MEETING
The Fourth Biennial Joint Meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society
and the ASA was hold at Goshen College, Goshen, Indiana, June 14-16., 1961.
The theme was "The Future of Theology and Science," Dr Vernon C, Grounds.,
President of Denver Conservative Baptist Theological Seminary spoke on,
"The Necessity For the Forward Look in Theology" and Dr. Robert Fischer,,
Analytic Chemist, University of Indiana spoke on "The Necessity For the
Forward Look in Science." Present trends in science and theology were
examined by Dr John Huizenga, Argonne National Laboratory, and Dr, George
A Turner of Asbury Theological Seminary. At a public meeting on the topic,
"The Future of Human Relations." Dr Henry D Weaver, Jr. VP of ASA was
chairman and Dr. William 0. Hoaglund, Dentist) and Dr David 0. Moberg,
sociologist, read enlightening and stimulating papers.
"The Relevance of Scientific Thought to Scriptural Interpretation" was
presented by Dr G Douglas Young of Trinity Seminary; "The Relevance of
Scriptural Interpretation to Scientific Thought" by Dr. James A. Bales,
Christian Evidences., Harding College.. Arkansas. Dr, Edwin Y. Monsma, Organic Science Of Calvin College and Dr, John
C. Whitcomb of Grace Seminary
formed the critique panel for this subject, Dr. Allan A. MacRae of Faith
Seminary and Dr. Harold M. Spinka, Dermatologist, of Chicago were also involved in panel discussions.
Dr J Frank Cassel, ASA President, chaired a session on "Science Looks
Into the Future," Wallace Erickson, Manufacturing Chemist., covered the
physical sciences, Dr. Paul Peachey -the social sciences and Dr Ralph Lowell the biological sciences. Another
colloquium on secular and Christian education
was led by Dr, 1~foodrow Goodman, President of Marion College. Dr. John S. Hyde,
a practicing physician of Oak Park., Illinois, closed the conference on a high
devotional plane with his inspired "Admonitions of an MOD."
INDIANA SECTION MEETS
The Indiana Section of the ASA met on the morning of June 14th, just before the opening of the ASA-ETS
meeting at 1:30 p.m. The Chairman, Dr. William J Tinkle, opened the session. After devotions by Dr,
Anderson,
President of Northern Baptist Seminary and a welcome by C.F. Bishop., Thomas
Key reviewed the book., "Implications of Evolution." a 1960 book by the
English biologist G. A. Kerkut, alleging on scientific grounds that evolution
is not proved. After a discussion the meeting was adjourned and members
attended the joint meeting.
PUBLICITY
General Secretary Dr He Harold Hartzler is asking that all ASA members
be on the alert for anything in
print dealing (favorably or unfavorably) with
the ASA. Phase send clippings, reviews, etc. to Dr. Hartzler at
414
South
Broad Street, Mankato, Minnesota,
EDITORIAL BOARD - PUBLICATIONS BOARD
There may be some confusion between the Editorial and Publications
Boards, These two arc distinct groups with distinct responsibilities,
The Editorial Board (Chairman, Dr John A. McIntyre) has one responsibility;
ASA Journal policy. The Publications Board (Chairman, Dr. Russell Mixter) has cognizance of everything else the ASA
publishes, including this humble rag. Both are vital, functioning bodies whose work will largely shape the
public image of the ASA,
EDUCATIONAL TV
A Christian educational television program is looking for a physics
teacher to develop a physics course for television presentation. The context
of the course, the cost of the project, and the time selected to film the
program would be determined by the physics teacher. For example, the work
could be arranged to be done. during-the summer academic vacation, Anyone
interested in investigating further, please write to Professor John A.
McIntyre., Sloane Physics Laboratory., Yale University, Now Haven, Conn.
OPPORTUNITY FOR PHYSICS GRADS
Physics professors with students interested in graduate work may like
to know that John McIntyre, one of our ASA mombers, is directing nuclear
physics Ph.D. dissertations at Yale University, Professor McIntyre would
be happy to send information about the Yale Physics Department to anyone
who writes to him at the Sloane Physics Laboratory., Yale University. All
graduate physics students at Yale are supported completely by the University.
At present, six graduate students are working with Professor McIntyre.
One student is from International Christian University in Tokyo, one has a BD from the Yale Divinity School and is from Carleton College, one is from
Allahabad University., India, one from King's College, London, one from
Oberlin College and one from Duke University. The research of this group is
carried out with the $2 million Heavy Ion Accelerator.
Incidentally, the June issue of HIS magazine carries an article by
John McIntyre, "A Physicist Bolieves.11 This is a description of the author's
own experience of discovering that a scientific training is an asset in first
believing the Christian Gospel.
MIXTER SPEAKS
Ft. Wayne Bible College of Indiana has invited Russell L. Mixter, Professor of Zoology
of Wheaton College to lecture on "Creation and Evolution"
on October 14th. He also speaks to the Rotary Club the following noon.
STILL LEFT ON THE SCRATCHPAD
In keeping with the topic of population explosion., Henry Weaver recently became the father of
twins.
Many of our ASA members know and admire Dr Kenneth Pike and his work with the Summer Institute of Linguistics, Wycliff Bible Translators and University of Michigan. Dr. Pike was recently elected as President of the Linguistic Society of America.
Marie Fetzer (Mrs W D Reyburn) and husband are missionaries in Cameroons.
The September
1961
issue of the Washington Bulletin published
by that section of the Institute of Radio Engineers carried
a full page tribute to ASA member Dr. Robert M. Page for his
pioneering radar experiments as early as 1934,
Dr, Page holds
40
patents, most of them in the radar
fields
Dean Walters, George Fielding and Glen Kirkland are busy mapping the fall
meeting of the
Washington DC
section. Both George and Glen made the Houghton
Convention,
This fall John He Stoll will become the Dean of the Calvary
Bible
School of
Kansas City. His now address is: Box
8426,
Kansas City
14,
MO.
The Scholastic Honor Society of Wheaton College has selected Dr Donald C. Boardman as president for the coming years,
William As Smalley states that next year he will be
in
Thailand
1,Jayno F, Frair is engaged
in
what sounds like very interesting
research work
in
connection with his graduate studies at Rutgers.
He is making eloctrophorotic comparisons of the sera of reptiles
and amphibia.
L962 CONVENTION
Start making plans
now
for combining your next year's vacation and
the 41St annual convention which will be held at Bethel Colleges St. Paul,
the week of August
20-25, 1962,
The Psychology Commission promises the
best conference ever hold by the ASA* Present thinking is not only to
tell you what the psychologist and psychiatrist does., but to
show how he
can help you with child raising, bringing up parents, and marriage and
family problems. Topics., papers and speakers and any and all suggestions
are welcome. Send to Dr. Paul C. Davis, 625 Coleman Avenue, Los Angeles 420
California.
To impress ASA families with the rich vacation possibilities of Minnesota,
the publicity committee is seriously considering adopting as the convention
slogan for 1962:
"Manga sjoar ock mycken fisk!"
(Many lakes and much fish.)
ASA CENTRAL OFFICE:
Dr H Harold Hartzler,
Executive Secretary
414
South Broad Street
Mankato, Minnesota
ASA NEWS EDITOR
F. Alton Everest
947
Stanford Street,
Santa Monica, Calif.