The American Scientific Affiliation
VOL 3 NUMBER 1 8 February 1961
ANDERSON ELECTED TO EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
The Nominating Committee composed of John R. Howitt, chairman, Lawrence
hStarkey and Peter Stoner, recently made their recommend to the Executive
Counc1l. The names of Dr. V. Elving Anderson and Dr. Paul M. Wright were
suggested for the ballot to fill the current vacancy left by the retirement
of Dr. H. Harold Hartzler at the close of 1960. The results of the election
have just been determined and the winner.......Dr. V. Elving Anderson!
Dr. Anderson, Chairman of the Department of Biology, Bethel College, is at
present Visiting Scientist at the National Institute of Health, Bethesda, Md.
He has been actively interested in the work of the ASA for many years., being
the author of the chapter., "The Distribution of Animals", in Evolution and
Christian Thought Today. Our warmest congratulations to him for this election.
WASHINGTON DC MEETING
One of our finest ASA sectional meetings was held at Johns Hopkins
University Applied Physics Laboratory midway between Washington and Baltimore
on Saturday,
4 February. let's put it this way; it was one of the best planned meetings. They had one of the finest programs lined up, but then
came some
WASHINGTON WEATHER. On Friday and Friday night they had the worst storm of the
winter which piled 8 inches of snow on top of the unmelted snow from two
previous storms. One speaker was unable to come because of illness, another
was unable to get there, but they still had enough talent on the slate to do
an excellent job with 82 in attendance and about
55
paid registrants.
Mr.
Dean Walter of the Analytical Chemistry Branch.9 Naval Research
Laboratory., acted as Master of Ceremonies. Commenting that he had heard of
someone who said, "A Sputnik has come between me and my God". Dean offered this
bit of verse from his own ball-point:
Then God looked down from His great sky
And cast a sharp creative eye
Down arches of the Milky Way
On courses where the comets play,
And asked from out the great abyss,
"Whose funny little moon is this?"
"Science and Roligion: Is There a Real Conflict?" Dr Holger Lindsjo,
Social Science Department,
Washington Missionary College
Dr Lindsjo emphasized that while science covers that which is within man's
reach, religion starts there and searches beyond. Religion formerly had a
geographical content (the Jews looking to Jerusalem as the locus of their
faith), now we have moved beyond this. Religion is an attitude and a search.
It is a poor testimony when our religion doesn't grow as does science. Religion
tends to preserve and conserve) science looks ahead.
"The Problem of Basic Terminology and Definition in the Mind-Soul-Body
Relationship"? Dr James L. Road
Staff Psychiatrist
Ste Elizabeth's Hospital
Washington2 D.C.
Dr Read wishes to minimize emphasis on the di- or trichotomy of man, and
stress that the whole man is saved. There are superficial or artificial concepts
based on adopting philosophical or pagan ideas into our
Christianity. We make a legal (criminological) and social distinction between mental illness and a sick gall bladder. This is a dichotomy that
doesn't
work psychiatrically. Dr. Read does grant, of course, that there is a dichotomy
between body and spirit when one is in the grave and the other with the Lord.
To emphasize that man is a unity, an entity, Dr, Read cites Scriptural use
of the word "heart" as the single focus or center of our nature and inner
life - the seat of the emotions, will, wisdom, words...also the seat of sin.
"The Ministry of Science to Evangelical Christianity." Dr. Donald C, Irwin)
Pastor.
Wallace Memorial United Presbyterian Church,
Hyattsville, MD.
Dr. Irwin beautifully summarized the historic Christian faith and pointed out
that, especially with the high place of science today pastors and layman need
the help of Christian men of science to explain and interpret. However,
scientists cannot ignore moral issues and evangelical Christianity has a right
to challenge scientific positions it fools are incorrect.
"New Thoughts on an old Controversy", Professor Wayne Frair, Zoology Department, King's College. Now on leave of absence with a NSF Research Fellowship at Rutgers University. Professor Frair was unable to reach the meeting because of the weather.
Dr. V. Elving
Anderson, Bethel College and University of Minnesota, introduced
the invited papers and moderated the discussion. During the course of this
activity, Dr. Anderson noted that we may draw non-Christian issues from our
culture and build them into our religion; perhaps issues no longer actually
current. He pointed out that the papers all pointed up an awareness of
things which need to be done, and that the ASA is able to be of service in
helping to meet the problems.
The energies invested in this miniature convention were very great. They
had 1500 copies of a nicely printed, 4-page program and a definite plan of
action to use the momentum of this meeting to help organize a formal local
section and to go after those showing an interest who should be members of
the ASA. They plan to send copies of this issue of the NEWS to interested
local prospects as part of this plan,
Arrangements for the meeting wore made by Samuel Elder and Glenn Kirkland of
APL/JHU and George Fielding and Doan Walter of APL/JHU. We are grateful to these
men for pointing the way to other local
ASA
groups wanting to got started on
a worthwhile program.
NORTH CENTRAL SECTION MEETS
Reports on the North Central meeting on December 3rd,
1960,
arrived
just a hair too late to catch the last issue of the NEWS. The meeting place
was Coffman Memorial Union Building on the campus of the University of
Minnesota at Minneapolis. The program included the following:
"Cultural Relativity and Christian Faith"
David O. Moberg.
"Christian Theology and Natural Science" Review and critical analysis of this book by E. L. Mascall (NY, Ronald Press Co, 1957)
Robert L. Bohon, PhD, Research Chemist, Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co.
Willis A, Olson, M.S., Head of Biology Dept, Minnehaha Academy.
"The Evolution of Evangelical Thought About Science in the Last Two Decades"
H. Harold Hartzlor, PhD, Professor of Physics, Manketo State College and President of the American Scientific Affiliation., 1954-60.
Forty were in attendance at this meeting in spite of the closeness of the
holiday season. Executive Committee members elected for two-year terms are:
Robert L. Bohon,
H. Harold Hartzler,
F. Wilmer Larson, Willis
A. Olson
Continuing members of the executive committee are:
Charlos Hatfield, Lawrence Johnston, Lawrence H. Starkey.
Officers for
1961
are:
President. David O. Moberg
Vice-President. Robert L. Bohon
Secretary. F. Wilmer Larson
Treasurer. Willis Olson
Incidentally, a special plea from North Central Section to all ASA members.
If anyone plans to be in the Twin Cities in either the spring or the fall who
would be willing to read a paper at one of those meetings, every effort will
be made to warp the date of the meeting to coincide with such visit, Please
contact Dr David O. Moberg at Bethel College, St. Paul, Minnesota.
The North Central Section has submitted their report of activities for
1960
and are therefore eligible for some financial support for the local treasury
...32 members, 32 frogskins. This report listed the officers, local members,
financial statement and meetings held.
DR. PAUL MOVES
Dr. William W. Paul, formerly at Shelton College, Ringwood, NJ
has recently accepted a position as Head of the Philosophy Department at
Central College, Pella, Iowa. The best wishes of the ASA to Dr. Paul in this
new spot. Already he is making plans to "ASA-ize" the community by trying to
make arrangements for Dr. Walter R. Hearn) as a
campus speaker.
LITERATURE OF INTEREST
Dr. Paul recently authored an article in the Bulletin of the Evangelical
Theological Society entitled., "Has There Been a Shift in the Presuppositions of
Criticism?" (Volume 3 No.
4,
82-6, Fall,
1960),
Which brings to mind another significant paper on this general subject which
appeared in the November
22, 1959 issue of Christianity Today, "Higher Critics
and Forbidden Fruit" by Cyrus H. Gordon, Professor of Near Eastern Studies,
Brandis University. Highly recommended as an assessment of the present
situation in higher criticism.
DR. PAUL WRIGHT HONORED
Dr. Paul M, Wright, Chairman of the Chemistry Dopartment, Wheaton
College, has been honorod.a8 alumnus of the year with a distinguished service
award for service to Wheaton College, his alma mater, Active in building the
chemistry department) in planning now buildings for the campus, in support of
the Black Hills Science Station, ASA members are also indebted to Paul for his
work in the ASA.
VAN DER ZIEL AUTHORS BOOK
Dr. Aldert van der Ziel was recently honored at an autograph party
marking the publication of his new book "The Natural Sciences and the
Christian Message", This party was held at the University Lutheran Student
Center of the University of Minnesota where Dr. van der Ziel is Professor
of Electrical Engineering. The book, published by The Denison Co.
259 pps.
$4.5O, is the first volume to be sponsored by the group of scholars serving
the university community who incorporated themselves as 111utheran Students",
The research for the book was in part subsidized by Lutheran Brotherhood,
fraternal life insurance society. A review of the book by Dr. Edward John
Cornell of Fuller Theological Seminary appeared in the
18 July 1960 issue of
Christianity Today,
MORRIS ALSO AUTHORS A BOOK
Dr. Henry M& Morris$ Professor and Head, Dept. of Civil Engineering,
Virginia Polytechnic Institute) Blacksburg, Virginia has written a
book "The
Genesis Flood". in collaboration with
Dr. John C. Whitcomb, Jr., Professor of
Old Testament) Grace Theological Seminary, Winona Lake,, Indiana. This book,
subtitled, "The Biblical Record and its Scientific Implications," proposes
"a Biblically-based system of creationism and catastrophism"$ as stated in a
pro-publication announcement recently circulated to ASA members by the
Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Company, Box 1853 Nutley, Now Jersey
(525 pp. 28
figs. $4.95).
MODERN SC1ENCE AND CHRISTIAN FA1TH IN GREEK
The first volume published in
1950
by the ASA was "Modern Science and
Christian Faith." The NEWS editor recently came by a Greek edition of this
book through Mr. Spiros Mediates of The American Mission to Greeks. It is
neatly done with stiff paper covers. It is encouraging to see the international
influence of the ASA.
CHRISTMAS IN VIET-NAM
Although it was a Christmas letter., it was written in October, It is
good to hear from Dr. and Mrs. Stuart Harverson (Co-Doc Truyen-Giao Hoi,
BA-TO, Quang-Ngai., Viet-Nam), Sickness and pr ation common to the average
missionary would seem mighty tough to us state-side softies. Dr. Harverson
tells of death and violence due to Communist activity on the one hand, and
open doors of opportunity on the other.
CHRISTMAS IN GHANA
You will remember that Willis Kaufman left his job as a research
chemist for Shell in Bellaire, Texas, to teach in Ghana. Walt Hearn passes
on a Christmas letter from the Kaufmans full of recent news. The Kaufmans
are running a boarding school with an enrollment of
435
students. Willis
teaches physics., math and chemistry and is a housefather to
45 boys in one
dormitory, Mrs. Kaufman teaches Bible and Domestic Science, attends to a Leper
Settlement in her spare time.' This work is sponsored by The Board of International Missions.9 Evangelical and Reformed Church.
GISH HELPS UNRAVEL TMV FROTEIN STRUCTURE
Dr.
Duane T. Gish, a new member of the ASA$ has been one of the
people working with Fraenkel-Conrat and C.A. Knight at the University of California, Virus Laboratory in establishing the sequence of amino acids in
tobacco mosaic virus.
Dr. Frederick Sanger established the sequence of the
51 amino acids in insulin during the early fifties. A few years later the
sequence of 124 residues in ribonuclease was determined. Now the California
group has found the pattern of the 158 residues in TW protein. Strong
evidence for the validity of the results exists in confirming work done at Max
Planck Institute
;4
Virusforachung at 7dbingen., Germany.
9 Gish has recently
left the University of California and taken a position in the Research Division
of the Upjohn Company, Kalamazoo, Michigan. A recent paper on this work is.,
"Studies on the Amino Acid Sequence of Tobacco Mosaic Virus Protein", III.
The Amino Acid Sequence of a Pantadecapeptide from a Tryptic Digest" by Duane
To Gish, J. Am. Chem. Soc.
82, 6329 (1960).
NORTH CENTRAL NEETING COMING
Nothing official yet., but the little bird says that tentative plans
are being laid for an ASA meeting in the Minneapolis area for April 22nd.
Remember they are looking for talent,
WEAVER CHAIRS ACS SECTION
Dr. Henry D. Weaver., Associate Professor of Chemistry at Goshen
College is chairman of the St. Joseph Valley Section of American Chemical
Society for 1961. Dr, Weaver was treasurer of the Section in 1959a Serving
with him will be Dr. Arthur Smucker, Secretary., also an ASA member.
FREED STUDIES PIANT METABOLISM
The January 16, 1961 issue of Chemical and Engineering News carries
a very nice article on the work being done by Dr. Virgil H. Freed and co-workers
at Oregon State College, Corvallis, Oregon. They have shown why some crop
plants and woods are resistant to triazine herbicides. Speaking to the Now
York meeting of the Northwestern Weed Control Conference, Dr. Freed stated
how they tagged simazine and Atrazino with C-14 and found readily detectable
amounts of radio activity in the plant. By collecting C1402 they had an
indication that the plant oxidized the herbicide completely to carbon dioxide
and other end products.
FISCHER IN NSF PROGRAM
The National Science Foundation will sponsor 30 institutes during the
summer of 1961 for the purpose of helping chemistry teachers strengthen
their subject-matter knowledge. Dr, Robert B. Fischer of the Department of
Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington) will conduct courses in Principles
of Chemistry for High School Teachers.
CALL FOR S. CAROLINA-GEORGIA ASA SECTION
A recent letter to Secretary Hearn from Dr. Fred W. Beebel indicates
interest in forming an ASA section in the general area of Clemson, S. Carolina.
Dr. Beebel has surveyed the situation and points out that University of Georgia, University of South Carolina, Bob Jones University3 Furman University
and Greenville Junior College are all within 100 miles and should provide
ample talent for maintaining a local ASA organization. Dr. Boebel is Associate
Professor of poultry pathology at Clemson College and was in graduate school at
the University of Delaware last year. Now if our business manager could supply
him with the names and addresses of present ASA members in this area, and if Dr.
Beebal would refer to the specific suggestions of Dr. Hearn on page
4
of
the NEWS of 28 November 1960, there seems to be nothing to do but jump in!
SCHWEITZER MUCH HONORED AND MUCH BUSY
Last April~ Dr. George K. Schweitzer, Professor of Chemistry, University
of Tennossee, was elected as the outstanding faculty member of the campus. As
such, he was mace-bearer and faculty representative in the inauguration of
their new president last May. In addition he will deliver the 1961 Phi Kappa
Phi lecture during April of 1961 and his topic will be, '?The Hebrew-Christian
Tradition and the Origins of Modern Science".
Following up his interest in Philosophy of Science (close to another
Ph.D. in this subject, NYU) Dr. Schweitzer has boon busy in speaking engagements. He has spoken on campuses of Trinity University3 New Orleans
Theological Seminary., Mary Hardin Baylor College, Middle Tennessee State College,
Belmont College commencement address3 Ohio State University (Two Chemistry
seminars, one talk on philosophy of religion), Tennessee Military Institute and Carson-Newman
College, as well as in ten other cities. He spoke to over
300 international students at Gatlinburg Thanksgiving and during last fall
quarter he conducted a series of Sunday School Seminars to about 200 university
students at his church. The best information we have is that we haven't seen
anything, George hasn't even reached his peak productivity yet!
PROPOSED LOS ANGELES BY-LAWS
Although many readers will not be at all interested in model by-laws.,
there arc many embryonic local section groups who are deeply involved in such
things. For the former., please forgive; for the latter, hero is the proposed
by-laws of the Los Angeles Section which will probably be voted into legal
status before you road this.
PROPOSED BY-LAWS OF THE LOS ANGELES SECTION OF THE AMERICAN SCIENTIFIC AFFILIATION
ARTICLE I - NAME AND OBJECTS
Section...T: The name of this organization shall be the Los Angeles Section of
the American Scientific Affiliation.
Section 2a The Constitution of the liwrican Scientific Affiliation., Inc., shall
govern the Los Angeles section&
Section 3: The objects of the local section shall be
To sustain and promote the objects of the American Scientific
Affiliation as presented in its Constitution:
ARTICLE II - MEMBERSHIP
(a) The Program Committee shall be responsible for planning, publicizing and conducting programs of the two regular meetings and such additional meetings as shall be called by the Executive Board.
Section 3: - Associate members are eligible for serving on these committees.
ARTICLE VII - AMENDMENTS
Section 1: Amendments to those by-laws may be proposed by the Executive
Board or by resolution adopted by majority vote at any meeting.,
Section 2: At least one month's notice must be given members before the
final vote on the proposed amendment is taken. The notice may be made at any
duly announced meeting of the organization or by mail.
Section 3: An amendment shall be adopted if two-thirds of the votes cast
either at a duly announced meeting or in a vote by mail are favorable.
ASA NEWS EDITOR
F. Alton Everest
947 Stanford Street
Santa Monica., California
Executive Council
V. Elving Anderson Ph.D.
209 Granville Drive, Silver Spring, Md.
Wilbur L. Bullock PhD Dept of Zoology
University of New Hampshire
Durham3 New Hampshire
J. Frank Cassel PhD Dept of Zoology
North Dakota State University
Fargo, North Dakota
Walter R. Hearn PhD Dept of Biochemistry and Biophysics
Iowa State University
Ames, Iowa
Henry Henry Jr. Weaver Jr. PhD
215 Carter Avenue
Goshen) Indiana