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Valiant for Truth

Contents

The child, the poet, the fool and the saint—how close they are together in their longing for God. The artist is among them and he may be allowed to believe that men [and women] still prefer beauty and truth to ugliness and deception, blooming meadows to scorched earth, a Bach chorale to the screech of battle. The ants to believe with all his heart that [humanity] has a choice, that he does not want to destroy himself, but start a better breed, devoted to Faith, Hope and Charity. —By Fritz Eichenberg, Works of Mercy, page 96 Somehow not only for Christmas But all the long year through The joy that you give to others Is the joy that comes back to you. And the more time you spend in blessing The poor and lonely and sad, The more of your heart’s possessing Returns to make you glad. —By John Greenleaf Whittier This Christmas season may you be blessed with the spirit of the living Christ who dwells within. Trish On the cover For over 50 years, Sandy Spring Friends, Maryland, has presented its annual Christmas pageant, drawing over 400 attenders. See full story on page 8.

8 Sandy Spring Christmas Pageant Flossie Fullerton For over 50 years, the crowds seeing the annual Christmas pageant have increased and the children have grown (and their children are now participating). 10 How I Became a Quaker Joan A. Browne The author’s journey has taken her from Trinidad to England and Nova Scotia before settling in Jamaica. Her spiritual life was also a journey until she came home to Friends. 12 Soul Simplicity, Part 2 Part 2 of the interview continued from last month focusing on finding your purpose in life. 14 Heirs of Two German Pioneers for Peace Hugh Barbour Eberhard Arnold and Dietrich Bonhoeffer continue to influence Christians today. Hugh Barbour reviews the newest books about them. 18 Journey to Genoa Lois Schank The earliest Friends Meeting in Nebraska was founded in Genoa on ground donated by Indian agent, George Truman. Features 4 Commitments 4 News from Friends United Meeting 7 Soul Food Remembering Bethlehem Howard Macy 8 Poem Christmas Pageant at Sandy Spring Mike Clark 9 Salt and Light We’ll Leave the Light On! Stan Banker 11 Poem ‘Twas the Night Before Advent Tim Seid 16 Peace Notes Can We Work for Peace in the World Without Working for Peace Among Friends? By Mary Ellen McNish 20 News – Friends House Moscow 22 Reviews 28 Booknotes 31 Passages 34 Classifieds 36 Meeting Directory 39 Friends United Meeting Member Yearly Meetings 40 Viewpoints 43 Centering