Religion: Onward Buchman Soldiers

The hit-&-run Oxford Group, led by Dr. Frank Nathan Daniel Buchman, is the Lazarus among religious sects. Both in England and America last fall it seemed dead and practically ready for burial (TIME, Nov. 24). The cult had been afflicted by accusations of appeasement and isolation.

Now it is very much alive again, reincarnate in patriot guise and touring the country under the usual impeccable auspices with a rousing pageant called You Can Defend America. Some 50 regular members of Dr. Buch-man’s troupe, aided by local volunteers in the mob scenes, last week put on four New Jersey performances of You Can Defend America—two in Newark, one each in Trenton and Kearny. The long and notable list of sponsors was headed by Governor & Mrs. Charles Edison. Dr. Buchman and the cast were busy as beavers between shows, explaining the principles of Moral Re-Armament to prospects and trying for converts.

Not all sweetness & light was the Group’s recent showing in Atlanta. Editor A. L. Henson of the Atlanta Legionnaire attacked both Group and pageant, last fortnight was relieved of his job on the grounds that Legion editors are not free agents in matters “relating to politics or religion.” Said ex-Editor Henson: “Folks who excuse the Oxford Group by saying ‘the play was all right’ aren’t acquainted with Georgia mules. A Georgia mule will be perfectly nice for a year to lure the trusting plowman squarely behind his heels for a kickoff.”