Thursday School

Almost anywhere in the U.S. a conference of city officials at 7:45 a.m. would be an unusual sight. But not in San Francisco's old Whitcomb Hotel (three blocks from the city hall), where a group of some 30 city fathers (seven Roman Catholics, seven Presbyterians, an assortment of other Protestants) meet each Thursday morning for a half-hour's Bible study.

After they have eaten a hearty break fast round a big oval table, some member opens the session with an extemporaneous prayer. Then the city officials open their pocket-size New Testaments. Being chiefly politicians and lawyers, they are naturally attracted to St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans. Explains Mayor Roger D. Lapham's administrative assistant, David Lewis: "We are taking up Romans' now because that Book is an exposition of the law of a Christian. There are some attorneys in the group and we decided to start there. It is a thorough going-over of self-conceit and pride."* The group, organized 14 weeks ago, began reading Romans, hoped to discuss a chapter a week. But some discussions were so long the group has only reached Chapter IX.

St. Paul and the Law. Last fortnight it was City Supervisor Edward Manusco's turn to read a chapter and explain to his colleagues what it meant to him. Then City Supervisor Chester MacPhee, acting as moderator, asked members to give their comments. The chapter, which concerns original sin, precipitated a warm discussion. Municipal Judge Daniel Shoemaker contended that from the legal point of view a person is innocent until proved guilty, that therefore a newborn baby cannot be sinful. Said David Lewis after the meeting: "That chapter is a tough one. But it made some of those guys think; it is the first time some of them have used their brain cells for a long time."

The group has not yet adopted a name, collects no dues (each member pays for his own breakfast). It grew out of a discussion between Dr. Frederick George Niemand and District Attorney Edmund ("Pat") G. Brown. Dr. Niemand formerly belonged to the somewhat larger San Francisco Breakfast Group, but withdrew because "there were too many ministers around and the thing got formal." The Thursday group bars parsons. Reason: they might monopolize the discussion.

* Romans on the law of a Christian: "Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cling to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer. . . . Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits."

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