Nudging Discouraged

"The Church has no special competence in the field of politics. . . . The function of the Church is not to write the constitution For a post-war world, nor to nudge the statesmen who try to do this."

Thus last week, in a voice at wide variance from many others in the church, spoke the tall, affable Rev. Daniel A. McGregor of the Episcopal Church's National Council, addressing New York Episcopal clergymen.

Dr. McGregor went on to clarify his suggestion that the best efforts of the church might now be spiritual rather than temporal. He advised the church to "nurture in domestic life those patterns in which we really believe, and to hold the faith that if these patterns are deeply imbedded . . . they will provide the seed from which the international patterns will grow."

He offered an immediate three-point program: 1) the church must "insist that there is a God Who is the final authority over life"; 2) develop "international life ... by strengthening her missions work"; 3) "find a new pattern of interracial relationships. . . . Men and women of all races are one family in Christ."

In his office next day, Dr. McGregor found congratulatory letters and telegrams. He was embarrassed to note that many came from stout political conservatives. Known as a liberal for many years, Dr. McGregor hoped that in urging the church away from politics he was not aiding political conservatism.

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