February 21st, 1971
Dear Bob:
It seems that the time has come to answer your letters and tell you exactly where I stand, and also why, if I can.
Probably basic to my beliefs is this: God, having caused this revelation to be presented to the world, did not then turn away and leave its fate entirely in the hands of men. (He knows mankind too well for that!) Our experience with the book has convinced us that the spiritual forces responsible for its presentation are still very active in its distribution, and working among those who seek to understand and promote it. This being so, there is reason to believe that help for our Brotherhood organization is also available if we prayerfully search together to find what is best for us.
One of the points made repeatedly in the book is this: “Change that comes about by sensible and understandable degrees is lasting. Nothing is gained by shoving ahead against the current; the big waves made by this letter system will destroy whatever temporary progress was imposed by force.
I learned a great deal at last summer’s meeting. Buy one of the greatest things was what I already knew! There is a wonderful brotherhood relationship that exists between Urantians wherever they are from whenever they meet together. I would never willingly do anything I thought would destroy this.
I think we, of all people, ought to study thoroughly the life and teachings of Jesus in order to know how to meet challenges and make changes. It was ever His policy to overcome evil with good. When He met a situation that needed to be changed, He did not dwell upon the wrong, but built up the good to such a desirable position that its acceptance became automatic; the wrong disappeared by abandonment. The Way of Love picks up and adds to: it does not knock down and tear apart.
In our studies, the Wenatchee Society has made a practice of studying these particular parts of Part IV because we felt it would help us in our individual and personal presentation of the book to other people, particularly to “church” people. We can say now that it really does work, too, not only in spreading the teachings of the book but also in relationships in general. Some of the best pointers are found in part 6 of Paper 141, and parts 3 and 5 of Paper 159. On page 1,687 is a good example of how harsh words can turn a crowd into a hostile belligerent mob. So let Love be the power that guides al our endeavors. When you seek to change the hearts of your enemies through loving prayer you may be surprised to learn theirs was not the only heart that was changed. God knows what is best and he gives it to us when we ask and account.
Among the things I learned last summer was the difference between the Foundation and the Brotherhood. As I am not a member of the Foundation I do not know the details of the original charges given to it by the Midwayers who established it, but I am sure that the beings who set it up are far wiser than any man, and that we can fully rely on their good judgment. Furthermore, we in the Brotherhood cannot hold the Foundation accountable to us, since it is the parent organization. However, on the last day, through Dr. Sprunger, we did present a formal request that they give to us reports of what they have done not for our approval, but so that we can understand and have a better working relationship. It is my belief that they will reply to any request reasonably and courteously presented to them.
Now let me restate my position so that you will clearly understand where I stand: 1) I will not join in any attack upon the Foundation; 2) I will not help present any petition for change that is worded in a manner calculated to bring about discord and dissention; 3) I will join with others who are earnestly seeking a way to bring about better cooperation and coordination of efforts so that there will be a more representative form of governing body for the Brotherhood
ARTICLE VII of the Constitution seems to make provision for expanding the central organization. I would like to know if any of the other Societies have worked on plans for proposing changes. Has any such proposal ever been presented formally? For this reason I am sending copies of this letter to each of the Societies and hope to hear from them personally. We here in Wenatchee are so new to the organization that we are not aware of the problems. Perhaps it is because our beginning was completely autonomous. We established “our own thing” – giving books to libraries all over this area as well as studying the book ourselves and expanding to take in as many others as we can find – before we ever became acquainted with the Brotherhood. There has been no conflict; we have continued as before. AL changes have been for the better since they were by way of enlarging our acquaintances and putting us in contact with that large accumulation of studies and thinking that preceded our coming along. We have received financial and other reports each year since we came into the program. Any help we asked for we have received in abundance. We honestly have no complaints. Everyone has been really good to us, so we have nothing to say but than you’d.
Last summer was our first experience with the working of the organization. Before we can intelligently participate in making changes we must find out what are the problems of other groups. We want to hear it first hand, so it looks like our problem is to set up communication channels direct with each group.
We thank you again, Bob and Ruth, for the many helps and papers you have given and sent to us. We count you among our dearest friends, and among those blessings that came to us through the Urantia Brotherhood. And we hope to visit that place with the fascinating name – Three Rivers, Mich.
I think you are right about getting proposed resolutions in the mill ahead of time. Like now while there is time for communication between Societies and comparison of ideas. You are in a unique position to help coordinate since you get around so much more than most of us. However your peculiar value to us lies in your long acquaintance with the book. Such a wealth of stories and experiences, we shall never forget hearing them from one who was there when it was beginning. We look forward to meeting you again and again now and in the future to come.
It seems unfair and “un-Urantia-like” for people to be holding you to account for things that are not your responsibility personally. If I knew these people I would ask them why they do not make their requests direct to the ones who are in control. These things can be worked out if one applies the principles Jesus used – the Way of Love.
I’d like to give you a quotation that means a lot to me, from the very last page in the book: “Be not discouraged; human evolution is still in progress, and the revelation of God to the world, in and through Jesus, shall not fail. (P. 2,097)
Sincerely, your friend,
L. C.
P.S.: I sent this letter to the members of our group for their approval. I also presented your 6 resolutions again, and you should know that all of those present voted “NO” to all of them. This is the same way they voted last summer when we went over these same 6 resolutions before I went back to the Chicago meeting.