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“Loyalty Days” will be observed in synagogues and churches throughout the nation this Saturday and Sunday by Jews and Christians, assembled “for renewed dedication to God,” the National Committee for Religion and Welfare Recovery announced yesterday.
The committee, of which Walter W. Head is chairman, comprises 54 bishops, thirty-five ministers, priests and rabbis, twenty-five college presidents and educators, 101 national officers of church benevolent boards, and sixty-two representative national laymen, Catholic, Protestant and Jewish.
PURPOSE IS TO INFORM
The purpose of the “Loyalty Days,” according to the committee, is to inform the adherents of the three faiths as to the committee’s plan “for compassing the necessary recovery in order that progress achieved in the past century may be upheld.”
The “Loyalty Days” are part of a campaign designed to assist churches, synagogues and welfare agencies “in their struggle to maintain at efficient standards the vast system of human ministry.” The culmination of the drive is scheduled for December, when an “international Golden Rule Week” will seek to accumulate contributions made possible by practice of “some special economy” and to apply these funds toward relief of unemployed, the ill and orphans.
Simultaneously with the announcement of the “Loyalty Days” the committee made public a letter from President Roosevelt praising the movement.
FOUNDATIONS SHAKEN
“Not only economics, but moral and spiritual foundations, throughout the entire world, have been shaken,” the President wrote. “A more abundant life for our people, in the last analysis, depends upon a deeper realization of moral and spiritual values.
“I earnestly hope, however, that there will be a widespread and hearty response to the call which Protestant, Catholic and Jewish representatives have issued to the people to assemble in their churches and synagogues on October 6 and 7 for the purpose of rededicating ourselves to the service of God and of our fellowmen, for surely we all feel deeply our human weakness in the presence of the problems that confront us as a people and our need of divine strength and guidance.”
SPIRITUAL SIDE IMPORTANT
The committee’s announcement said, in part:
“The world is now passing through one of the greatest changes in history, but there is a growing conviction that the great scientific, economic and social development of the times may prove of doubtful permanent value unless there can be commensurate strengthening and underpinning of the moral and spiritual resources of the nation.
“Important as is the recovery of economic prosperity, assuredly no less important is spiritual recovery through the maintenance of our spiritual ideals, moral standards and character-building institutions.”
PRAISES CAMPAIGN
Rabbi David de Sola Pool of the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue, commenting on the program, was quoted as having said:
“It throws into focus the whole problem of American character. Its primary purpose is spiritual, though it also has a financial aim. It seeks a solution, not through sectional, divisive and competing activities, but through our common Americanism, inspired by deep religious fervor.”
The National Committee for Religion and Welfare Recovery, which has its headquarters at 60 East Forty-second street, was instituted by the Golden Rule Foundation.
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