"A mature person is one who does not think only in absolutes, who is able to be objective even when deeply stirred emotionally, who has learned that there is both good and bad in all people and in all things, and who walks humbly and deals charitably with the circumstances of life, knowing that in this world no one is all knowing and therefore all of us need both love and charity."
WASHINGTON, Thursday—It was a very small party which
gathered here last night. Unlike other years, we had no children with us
and, knowing we could not reach them all by telephone, we contented
ourselves with sending telegrams. Some of them went out into space, with
very little idea of when or where they would be received.
For the past several years, Bishop Atwood and the
Reverend Endicott Peabody have dined with us on New Year's Eve whenever
they were in Washington, and we had a few other friends. The President's
annual toast to the United States meant more to everyone of us than
ever before.
This morning, Prime Minister Churchill and our English
visitors returned to us. Hard work will begin again on the military and
production problems, for we are still in the first period of this war
and must make the maximum contribution possible in our preparations.
A few nights ago, we saw here the two-reel defense film called "Main Street on the March,"
which I think should be widely circulated. The other night, when I gave
my Christmas party for the staff of the Office of Civilian Defense, we
had a film called "Joe Smith—American," which everyone seemed to enjoy very much, and which is also timely to show.
At this same party, two South American artists gave us
a delightful performance. One, Miss Maria Ines Gomez-Carillo, a very
young Argentine pianist, played beautifully and then danced for us. She
is here on a fellowship from her government to give concerts in this
country. Since she is so young, I wish she could perform at many of our
colleges.
Madame Olga Praguer Coelho,
of Brazil, gave us a program of songs, sung to her guitar, which she
plays remarkably. Many of you have heard her over the radio, but
watching her adds enormously to the pleasure of her performance.
Finally, one of our own composers, Mr. Earl Robinson,
sang some modern folk songs and some of his own compositions, which was
a fitting climax. I only hope that all my guests had as good a time as I
did.
Today was proclaimed a day of prayer, so the President and I, with all our guests, went to Christ Church
in Alexandria, Va., where Washington's pew is still pointed out. Then
we went on to Mt. Vernon, where the Prime Minister laid a wreath on
George Washington's tomb.
E.R.
(COPYRIGHT, 1942, BY UNITED FEATURE SYNDICATE, INC.)
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