Two Meetings

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     The Fourth Annual Unity Forum which was held at West Islip, New York, July 3-5, made a genuine contribution toward breaking down barriers of traditional prejudice. A highlight was the speech of Floyd Rose, a black preacher from Toledo, Ohio, possessed of a remarkable ability to communicate. Dwain Evans, as chairman, created a proper atmosphere for such a meeting, and speeches were made by Leroy Garrett, Robert Fife, Robert Shaw, Harold Thomas, Arthur Boone, and W. Carl Ketcherside. Under direction of brethren from various factions of the restoration movement, small group encounters were held, and out of these grew a greater understanding. It is becoming evident that strides are now being made toward bridging chasms which formerly existed, and the congregation at West Islip deserves a great deal of credit for pioneering in Christian brotherhood.

     In Cobo Hall, at Detroit, Michigan, July 8-11, thousands of brethren from all parts of the United States, as well as from foreign mission stations, were exposed to a North American Christian Convention which is maturing and growing more relevant to the needs of a twentieth century urbanizing world. Much of the "corn" of a few years ago has been eliminated, and with the washing out of some of the clownish aspects, a great deal of the party spirit has also gone down the drain. This time the program brought together men from every segment of the restoration movement and reached beyond its confines in an earnest attempt to listen to other persons of good will, who made valuable contributions of thought.

     Among the non-instrument brethren on the program were Hubert Locke, of Detroit; Norval Young, of Los Angeles; and Frank Rester, of Flint, Michigan. One morning session brought together on the same platform, Ronald E. Osborn, of the Disciples of Christ; Thomas O. Parish, of the Atlanta Declaration Committee, a group dissenting from the restructure program of the Disciples; Norval Young, of the Churches of Christ; and Joseph H. Dampier, of the Independent Christian Churches. While their talks contained mostly sweeping generalities and there was no time for them to question one another, the fact that they could speak by invitation on the same platform said a great deal, and all of them created a proper atmosphere for continued exploration of problems on a very high level.

     The convention next year will be held at Kiel Auditorium in Saint Louis, and it is our hope that many brethren who have never been will take the time to attend. It is a little bit silly to continue through life ignoring any of the children of God who are eagerly striving to face up to the problems which challenge us all and which will take all that we have to meet and answer.