News

American Scientific Affiliation
VOL. 4   NUMBER 5                                          9 Sept., 1962 

CONVENTION ECHOES

From Dean E. J. Omark's opening message from Psalm 19 (God's handiwork is a witness to all men everywhere) and President Carl H. Lundquist's warm welcome to Bethel College (a hopefully phrased proposition that became-a solidly demonstrated fact by the end of the week) to Friday's goodbyes hand shakes, arm waving and cries of, "See you in Santa Barbara next year." the seventeenth annual convention was a success. New friends were made., old ties renewed; new ideas edged their way into both eager and reluctant minds; the scholarly stature of the ASA was enhanced. And, above all$ God's Word was upheld and the highest Christian idealism prevailed.

In true Scandinavian style., there was a coffee break whenever a lull of over 14 seconds occurred in the program. Truly vie were surfeited with kindness.. satiated with doughnuts and saturated with coffee.

The Journal will carry the full text of the papers and discussion (a new and -welcome feature), but here are a few comments indicating the interest and scope of the speakers,:

Van Eyle Professor F. Phillip Van Eyl., Psychology., Hope College., gave the keynote address., "Psychology as a Scientific Enterprise." He explored the growth of psychology from a study of the mind to the present emphasis on behaviour. Consciously or unconsciously, psychologists try to match the performance of their big brothers (physicists., etc.) and are emphasizing the model approach rather than the more ambitious early efforts* The study of psychology as a science is based on the lawfulness of man's behaviour and this., in turn., depends upon man's relationship to his Creator, Van Eyl's conviction is that the small Christian colleges that combine humanism and Christianity have an unusual opportunity of making significant contributions in psychology over against the large secular institutions that, by rational., skeptical and materialistic attitudes., tend toward a partitioned view of man.

Norstad Dr. Frederic M. Norstad, brother of the famed NATO Commander, gave an evening address on Pastoral Psychology that was most interesting and informative, He elaborated on the early (circa 1920)forms of pastoral counseling that tended to secularize the ministry. There is a new appreciation today for the contributions of psychology and anthropology and the church now has an evangelical, meaningful tool, Dr, Norstad dwelt at length on a consideration of What is Man?" and stated that man is a creation of God, a living soul, free and responsible for his choices., that man has a God-given "right" (capacity) to do wrong and that God's love has pursued mane'- one cannot understand man without understanding the Gospel. In his discussion of pastoral counseling., he emphasized its various aspects of confession, proclamation of the Gospel and absolution. "When a pastor states that his ministry is to the spiritual needs of man., this is evidence of his fractured view of man."

Walters. Dr. Orville S. Walters., a psychiatrist, Director of Health Services at the University of Illinois and author of numerous articles in Christianity Today, Christian Herald, etc,, spoke on "The Dimensions of Psychiatry." He spoke of the p scientific and the healing dimensions of psychiatry and a sort of free-floating dimonsion, philosophy. Although psychiatric treatment depends upon the underlying doctrine of man: psychiatrists shun philosophy. Freud's repudiation of philosophy was an affirmation of faith in scientism. In the last 15 years~ psychiatrists., in general, have come to recognize the necessity of operating within the philosophical dimensions as most neuroses have their roots in the patient's value system, frequently with religious
implications.

Grounds. At the banquet, Dr. Vernon C. Grounds, President of the Conservative Baptist Theological Seminary: Denver., talked on "Christian Perspectives on Mental Health." Seventeen million people annually are mentally sick 640,000 cases per day of the psychotically disturbed (51% of the hospital population is of this kind). Dr, Grounds pleaded for a transfer from figures to faces... human beings in whom Christians should be vitally concerned. Of all interpretations of existence) Christianity can rightly claim to be true humanism;
God over every individual, Today racism, war, de-personalization forces J, and mental i-11ness should be an evangelical concern as slavery and child labor issues were in the past. There are no resources for relieving these problems apart from Christianity, Dr. Grounds then went on to state two negative theses.- that religion is often of little) no or minus value with respect to healthy-mindedness', and that Christianity is no more concerned with the mental welfare of the individual than with his physical conditions After all$ a well adjusted person may be a sinner, healthy-mindedness a spiritual hazard and mental illness might drive one to greater faith commitments. "A healthy mind is only of value in glorifying God."


Mixter. Dr. Russell L. Mixter, Professor of Zoology and Chairman of the Department of Biology, Wheaton, College, was unable-to attend because of illness, His paper, "Heredity and Human Behaviour" was read by Dr. V. Elving Anderson, Man is the product of biological inheritance, culture and physical environments Much behaviour is controlled by brain physiology, To the extent that the brain is affected in development by genes, to that extent behaviour is affected by heredity. Dr. Mixter then considered the hereditary effects in personality., intelligence., special abilities., temperament, criminality., suicide, religion etc.

Forrester. Dr, Jams Forrester , President of Gordon College and Divinity Schools spoke at tHe Thursday evening session on "Proximate Psychodynamic, Insights in the Bible and Contemporary Psychotherapy." After being twitted for the ponderous title, Dr. Forrester pointed out that Biblical theology is the most ancient source of wisdom regarding human personality; psychotherapy the most recent. After a historical review of the attitudes of the church and of contemporary psychology, he identified many specific Now Testament and Old Testament passages having psychodynamic significance, He pointed out the danger of psychotherapy becoming a cult and of religion degenerating into a treatment.

SELF-ANALYSIS ASA STYLE

Are the single-subject convention programs a success?

David Moberg, now editor of the Journal., likes the high quality papers resulting from them. Many psychologists and psychiatrists attended this year's convention as enthusiastic participants for the first time in ASA history.

However, a little black cloud no larger than a man's hand persistently hovers over the horizon. While one member says, "This treatment of a subject in depth-is good.," another of more general interests counters with, "In depth is right, it is so deep it is out of reach.

The early ASA conventions were noted for beating the sane bushes year after year; perhaps some miss the security of the familiar sounds, but should we be satisfied with the shallow., once-over-lightly approach forever? ASA has just arrived at the ripe old age of 21 years - lett's act like it. What's more, our membership in the various areas is now able to handle the care and feeding of four lusty disciplinary commissions: natural sciences, psychology, social sciences and philosophy of science. Let's hope for the day when ASA members trained in chemistry -will eagerly attend-a convention devoted to the Christian implications of population explosion, psychotherapy or sociology -- and vice versa.

PEACHEY PROGRAM FOR NEXT YEAR

As Chairman of the Social Science Commission, Dr. Paul Peachey has responsibility for the program of the 1963 convention to be hold at Westmont College., Santa Barbara, California. Meeting Paul for the first time, one is impressed by his unusual combination of friendly but dead serious manner and enviable coherency. At the Bethel meeting., Paul pointed out that he has been a member since 1953 but that social scientists have found little to attract them in the ASA program during that period* Finding himself responsible for the program in 1963,, he better appreciates the problem that has confronted program planners of the past. Fortunately, next year's convention can be nicely dovetailed with the American Sociological Society's meeting to be hold in Los Angeles.

Here are the specific questions Paul has posed, both to ASA management and the membership as a whole.

1. Should the program be specialized in the sociological area or should a portion be devoted to other subjects?

3, There are many areas of specific and intense interest, to Christians, which of these would be of most interest?

a) Home and foreign missions in a shrinking world

b) The responsibilities of the Christian in regard to problems of racial integration

c) The beginnings of a conversation between evangelical Christianity and sociology

d) The sociology of evangelical Christianity in the United States

e) Social responsibilities of scientists of every field

To insure the best program., Paul and his Commission and the Executive Council need YOUR reactions to these suggestions, Please send your ideas to Executive Secretary, Dr. H. Harold Hartzler, or directly to Dr. Paul Peachey, 4114 Emery Place N.W., Washington, D.C.

Warning; don't let this editor hear anyone gripe on the 1963 convention who has not obtained full license to do so by communicating his reactions to the above suggestions right now. Penalty: full and ignominious disclosure in this sheet!

JOURNAL NAME

Dr, John A. McIntyre,, chairman of the Editorial Board., and Dr. David Moberg, new editor of the Journa, shared with the Executive Council their conviction that a new and more descriptive name should be chosen for the Journal of the ASA. This is part of a campaign to make the format and content of the Journal of interest to a wider group of readers while at the same time, tightening up on quality standards.

A contest for a new journal name has been announced for all ASA members (exclusive of the Executive Council and Editorial Board) with a prize of a free years membership to the winner. The suggested names must be in the hands of David 0. Moberg, Bethel College., St. Paul MN, by October 10, 1962., to be eligible. The winning name wi11 not necessarily become the name of the JASA.

About 1957 the Victoria Institute adopted the name Faith and Tbought for their journal with "Journal of the Victoria Institute" as a sub-title. Apparently they encountered the same needs now facing the ASA. "Science and the Bible" and "Theos and Cosmos" are indicators of the direction ASA officials have been thinking. Strong reasons for not changing the name are also solicited.

LOS ANGELES SECTION MEETS

The Southern California section of the ASA ran full in the face of precedence (scheduling a meeting in August) and ill omens (scheduling a meeting on August 13th) and came out on top, learning that Dr. Charles Hatfield was in the area. David Siemens, program chairman: arranged for Him to speak to ASA members.

Dr. Hatfield, chairman of the Department of Mathematics, University of North Dakota, spoke on "Christian Philosophy of Science: Some Implications" at Los Angeles Pacific College. Having studied under Feigl, Brodbock and other noted philosophers.  Dr. Hatfield shared his views on the problems of fusing the images of reason and religion in his binocular analogy. He discussed the selection of premises, the by-passing of reason by logical procedures, scientific methodology and presuppositions, He then emphasized the close parallel that exists between the approaches of the scientist and the the theologian.

INSTRUMENT SOCIETY TO MEET

The annual conference of the Instrument Society of America is to be held in Now York City October 15-19, 1962, ASA. members planning to attend should contact Delbert Eggenberger, 620 Lincoln Downers Grove., Illinois so that a breakfast or dinner get-together might be arranged.

ASA ASPIRIN

ASA is also an abbreviation for acetyl salicylic acid., just plain aspirins says  Robert Burton., M,D.3 author of an article to appear in the. September Journal. Of all the ASA equivalents, Henry Weaver, ASA President, feels this one is by far the most significant and possesses the greatest official applicability.

RECENT PAPERS

Richard H. Bube has recently published a paper with H. E. Mac Donald, "Apparatus for Measuring the Temperature Dependence of Photo.-Hall Effects in High Resistivity Photo-Conductors." in Rev, Sci. Instruments 721-723 (July 1962).- Dr. Bube will be at Stanford University beginning this fall.

President Henry D. Weaver is the author of "The Reaction Kinetics of Iron (III) and Thiocyanae at Low Temperatures"' JACS 84, 2289 (1962). 

KNOBLOCK AUTHORS BOOK

Dr. Irving Knoblock, Professor of Botany at Michigan State University., Is cow-author of a books Fern and Fern Allies of Chihuahua with Dr. Donavan Carroll of the Texas Research Foundation. In gathering maerial for this book the authors traveled by foot., pick-up trucks rails airplane, horse and mule from the humid heat of tropical canyons to the chill of high mountains, They were stalled in the middle of rivers by flash floods and traveled over mule trails where a misstep would man death on rocks 3000 feet below. They found 138 species of ferns. The book is being published by the Texas Research Foundation,

HERN RETIRING

Now there's a headline that doesn't make sense to anyone who knows Dr. Walter R, Hearn, Vice President of the ASA and Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics at Iowa State University. Even though he definitely is not of the retiring type., he is retiring from the Executive Council at the expiration of his term at the end of 1962. This clears the deck for more contributions to the work of ASA  Editor Moberg has appointed Walt Book Review Editor of the Journal. The Council has 'tagged him for the heretofore sadly neglected task of handling ASA promotional and publicity affairs and he is writing the chapter on biology. for the new ASA book that Richard Bube, is putting together. And while he is resting he will polish brass.

AUTHORS ARISE

The chairman of the ASA Editorial Board, editor of the Journal, Dr, John A. McIntyre, the new ASA Journal Dr, David Moberg and the editor of NEWS sneaked away from  convention activities to have lunch in Indianapolis- with Dr. Sherwood Wirt and Dr. Robert 0. Ferm, editors of Decision, published by Billy Graham Crusade. It was good to compare notes bounce now ideas off fresh skulls, etc. One specific request that came out of this encounter was that ASA members submit articles to Decision for publication. Those interested should first-write to Dr. Wirt to determine the requirements.

ARMCHAIR CONVENTION-GOING

Through the diligent efforts of John C. Sinclair the proceedings of two of our conventions have been recorded on tape and are available for use. They have been placed-in the ASA Library administered by Dr, Russell L. Mixter, Wheaton College. Our special thanks to John and to those who have assisted, such as Irving Cowperthwaite. Let's use this resource,

HOBBIES

Everyone expects-the hobbies of mathematicians to be a bit off-beat, but Charles Hatfield  stretches this principle to the breaking point, He is the inventor of scores of intricate wire puzzles and an avid student of the theory and uses of the boomerang, No doubt he would like to take up with any other AS& members similarly infected.

The ASA NEWS editor F, Alton Everest., is a collector of vintage vacuum tubes and would like to learn of the availability of early tubes such as Fleming valves., deForest Audions, VT-II's of WWII days, etc. He is especially interested in early television camera tubes.

ASA ANECDOTE

Let's just say his name was Smith. Smith was a young Bethel graduate on a train between Spokane and Seattle on his way to preach his first sermon in a Baptist church in Seattle,, On the same train was Walt Hearn going to the 1960 ASA convention in Seattle& They became acquainted, alas: too well, perhaps. As the train pulled to a stop, Walt saw his chances ran up to Smith's welcoming committee with his red board flying, his hiking shorts flapping and his knapsack bouncing., put out his paw and said., "Howdy., folks, I'm. Smith." 
(Told by eye-witness Henry Weaver at the Bethel Convention.

SHRADER DROPS PROJECT

Jams Houston Shrader has just released the final issue of "Religious Inquiry" - Exploratory Studies on Empiric Approaches to Religion." Because of a cerebral thrombosis, resulting in paralysis Of the left side-: Dr. Shrader has been forced to relinquish publication of the journal which first appeared in 1953. In issue #33 (August,, 1962) Dr. Shrader points out that this publication has been instrumental in (1) building up a mailing list of 500 members, (2) sparking organization of the Research Society For Creative Altruism which published New Knowledge in Human Values~ (3) providing material for a book Rethinking New Age Religion Scientist's Approach., and several articles as well, (4) stimulating a movement, now gathering "steam" toward the issue of a manifesto., "Toward a Scientific Religious Civilization," involving a world conference of lay representatives of the leading religions and science to work out a cooperative basis for establishing a scientific basis for moral norms.

Dr. Shrader is Prof. of Chem. at at Eastern Nazarene College and has been an ASA member for several years. On the surface, it would seem that few ASA members would go along with empiric approaches to religion' and 'scientific basis for moral norms,' However we sincerely hope and pray for Dr, Shrader's complete recovery.

KRABILL ON AMA COMMITTEE

The Goshen Indiana News carried a nice story on Willard S. Krabill, M.D., who is in private practice in that town. Dr. Krabill was recently named to-a newly-formed Committee on Medicine and Religion by the American Medical Association* The committee  designed to promote communications between physicians and clergyman, is composed of ton physicians and ten clergymen* At the first. meting a four-point plan was drawn up-As follows:

1) Encouragement of closer. relationship between-physicians and clergymen to the end that better patient care will result;

2) Development of leadership teams composed of physicians$ clergyman  and hospital chaplains to create clinical institutes for case studies;

3) Encouragement of closer relationships between local pastors and physicianmenbers of their churches for discussion of health and spiritual problem;

4) Preparation of articles for church and medical publications.

It is interesting to note that the stimulus for this action came from within the ranks of the AMA. On August 30th Dr. Krabill not in Chicago with state and county officers of medical societies from all over the US, with two other physicians and three clergymen.

CONVENTION VIGNETTES

Harold Hartzler arguing with both arms against communism at breakfast to a circle o! half-opened eyes.

The wondrous variety of ways of draping the elongated frame that is Mansell Pattison over, around, under a one-armed classroom, chair during group discussions

Irving Cowperthwaite wearing the outsized headphones-while his recording partner, John Sinclair has the ears that really need such treatment,

We've heard of many reasons why academic deans need a second door to assist in the solution of delicate situations by beating a judicious retreat, but whoever heard of a chute-the-chutes out the window like Bethel's Dean Clifford Larson?

License plates on the cars in a single row outside the women's dorm (Why do we always stay in woman's dorms?) showed something of the breadth of influence of the ASA. There were 5 cars from Minnesota, 4 from Illinois and 2 from Ontario and one each from Wisconsin, Ohio, Missouri, California, Now York, South Dakota, Oregon and Pennsylvania. Actually, registrants cam from 17 states plus Ontario.

The convention was a family affair for the Roths. George V Roth, a high school teacher$ and his family were interested in both scientific and the guidance aspects of the conference, Mrs. Roth, a nurse., works with George in youth camps during summers, Their daughter Marilyn, recently graduated from high school, attended as did son Gerald and his wife. Gerald is interested in psychology as a life work and took advantage of the opportunity by pumping the psychologists for all they were worth.

Speaking of families$ Conrad A. Blomquist, College of Pharmacy., University of Illinois, was there with his wife and two love1y daughters; Thomas F. Cummings, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Bradley University, brought his wife who is now working on her master's degree in literature, and their children; the David F. Busby (private practice, psychology) family was there with children Bibb and Margaret; also the Mansell E. Pattisons with their children.

Minneapolis area, Thanks., Thanks THANKS., THANKS1

Of all the families attending, perhaps none contributed more to success of the convention than the Peterson family. Norvell L. Peterson helped plan the program as a member of the Psychology Session M both he and his wife Beatrice (also an ASA member) took an active part in group discussions, as panel members, moderators, etc. The Petersons had only three of their children along, but these three were very alert to opportunities of being helpful.

Douglas A, Block is returning to the Wheaton College campus to take up duties as Assistant Professor of Geology after a leave for graduate study,

Raymond Ho Brand has been elevated in academic status to rank of Associate Professor biology by the Wheaton College authorities. Dr. Brand has received a post-doctoral grant for the study of insects of the order of collembala (springtails) for three successive summers.

Clinton J. Bushey is throttling back to half-time teaching at Olivet Nazarene College this fall after spending the summer in Southern Michigan

James O. Buswell, III Assistant Professor of Anthropology is returning to the Wheaton College campus this fall after a leave for doctoral study, Notice, Jim's son Jamie, a prodigy with the violin compared favorably , Menuhin when he was young, will appear on-nationwide television on the Firestone Hour on the evening of November 11tho Be sure to hear this boy play.

S. M. Edwards writes from India expressing gratitude for the ASA Journal which is Provided each year by a missions-minded ASA member, Mrs Edwards passes the Journal around to many  fellow Christians and comments on how valuable it is to them, His new address: No. 89 James Street, Poonamallee, Chingleput District, South India.

Dwight E., Ericsson, formerly instructor in New Testament, at Bethel College, St  Paul this fall joins the faculty of Frederick College, Portsmouth, Virginia.

Robert C, Frost of the Biology Dept. of Westmont College attended the combined Meting of the AAAS and the American Institute of Biological Sciences held at Oregon State University, He also attended the Meetings of the National Association of Biology Teachers.

Frank 0. Green., Professor of Chemistry, Wheaton College, was the coordinator of the 55th Illinois Academy of Science meetings on the Wheaton campus. He was assisted (among others) by ASA menbers Brand, Kraakevik, Wright and Boardman.

George F. Howe, Assistant Professor of Biology., Westmont College., spent Six weeks at the Summer Institute in Desert Biology sponsored by the National Science Foundation at Arizona State University.

Russell Haddondorf has accepted a position as Sociology 1~istructor at Dickinson College., Carlisle,, Pa, and would like to contact other ASA members in the area. Mr. Heddendorf has been writing the sociology column in the Journal.

James H. Kraakevik of Wheaton has been promoted to Associate Professor of Physics and  Mathematics.

Cril E. Luckman, Professor of Zoology, Wheaton was given a National Science Foundation-grant for a seminar of "Teaching Teachers" in comparative anatomy for the summer session at Harvard University.

Stanley M. Parmerter is now a full Professor of Chemistry at Wheaton College.

Kermit Ratzlaff received his Ph.D. degree from UCLA in June and will be teaching zoology Physiology at the University of Southern Illinois, Edwardsville this fall. Kermit has long been active in the affairs of the Southern California chapter of the ASA and will be sorely missed.

Floyd F. Rawlings Associate Professor of Chemistry., Monmouth College, Monmouth, IL has received word of a $3,000 grant from the Petroleum Research Fund of the American Chemical Society to complete his project., "Crossed Kolbe Electrolysis in Water."

Pierce Do Samuels., MD, and his wife are soon leaving for Pakistan to begin their second terms as missionaries* Their address will be: International Missions., Inc., General Post Office, Chittagong, East Pakistan.

Claude E. Stipe has taken a leave from Bethel College to study anthropology full time at the University of Minnesota, He has a NSF Fellowship for this purpose.

ASA Central Office:

H. Harold Hartzler
Executive Secretary
414 South Borad Street
Mankato, Minnesota

ASA NEWS Editor:

F. Alton Everest
947 Stanford Street
Santa Monica, California

BALLOT RETURNS FROM THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY

To date the communication to the ASA members from President Weaver and Secretary-Treasurer Anderson has brought the following response:

Ballots returned:

Approving dues increase 100

opposing dues increase 1

Contributions $433

Pledges $655