For a Lasting Peace

As dusk fell over the little one-street town of Pleasanton (pop. 2,073), 5DEG plain Texans gathered in the white frame First Baptist Church. Many of the men--ranchers, merchants, peanut farmers, railroad workers--were in shirt sleeves. Their women wore wash dresses. They had come to pray for the success of the San Francisco conference.

All over the U.S. last week thousands of churches held special services to observe April 25 as a Day of Prayer. In Boston. 300 stood in a noonday drizzle for an outdoor service. In Evanston. Ill.. 500 went through the rain to St. Luke's Episcopal Church. Oilfield workers in overalls joined 2,250 Oklahoma Citizens at a Methodist service.

They were a small minority; millions of

U.S. citizens did not even think of praying for peace.* But many more prayed than went to church. For thousands it was a time to pray silently, at their work or at home. Said an Indianapolis housewife: "I didn't go to church because I had a sick child. I prayed, however; I prayed earnestly." Said a West Acton, Mass, businessman: "I don't pray very often, but I did today."

*The conference itself was taken to task by two bishops, the Most Rev. Walter A. Foery (Roman Catholic) and the Rt. Rev. Malcolm E. Peabody (Episcopalian), for failing to open with prayer.

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