Homily

Religious solace is sought with greater frequency among the faithful in Cambridge, Mass. A morning prayer service is held in Harvard University's Memorial Church each weekday. Distinguished speakers from within the university community frequently take part in the short services by offering brief remarks, but since he took office in 1971, Harvard President Derek Bok had not chosen to do so. Recently he went to Memorial's Appleton Chapel to deliver his first talk there--a stirring homily in praise of his once and future colleague, former Watergate Prosecutor Archibald Cox.

"He perceived a principle that could not be compromised even to placate the uncertain demands of international security and domestic harmony," Bok said. "It was a principle worth defending, even by refusing to obey a presidential order." Cox's decision to surrender office rather than relinquish principle was made "in order to press its importance vividly on the mind of the nation," said Bok. "In retrospect, it appears he has taught us more in Government service than he could have hoped to achieve in those Harvard class rooms where we welcome him back with admiration."

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