To escape political entanglement in Washington is not the easiest thing in the world. Ask Andrew Hobart, genial president of Ministers Life and Casualty Union in Minneapolis. For lunch we hurried to the nearby Willard Hotel (where Lincoln sometimes lodged) and made our way through a hearty conversation and too much food. Then we were asked for our membership cards, of all things. And thereby hangs a tale.

Between now and election-time, it seems, the Willard’s Crystal Room has become a private Democratic Club serving only the one-party elite.

Everybody had a good laugh—even if our interest in election was avowedly non-political. In fact, it was more institutional then theological; Ministers Life was inviting me to become a board member. I consented gladly, since the company has served the clergy well for two generations, and our family for a quarter of a century.…

Russell Chandler, CHRISTIANITY TODAY’S most recent religious-journalism Fellow, just certificated by the Washington Journalism Center, has joined the reportorial staff of the Washington Evening Star.…

Our February 2 issue is designated the spring book issue. It will feature an appraisal of significant religious volumes published during 1967, a forecast of spring publications, and a list of choice evangelical books.

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