May 24, 1970

The Most Rev. Joseph Masson, S.J.

Professor of Religions

Universal Gregorian

Piazza de la Pillota

Rome, Italy

Dear Father Masson:

It was perhaps in answer to a prayer that I met you at Geneva prior to the convocation under the auspices of The Temple of Understanding. I have not prayed much; I do not pray much; but I hardly know of a prayer that has not been answered, granted. To me, prayer is not so much petitioning God for favors, as for seeking the proper opportunities to make “Thy Will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” I also differ vastly from the majority of vocable persons in that I neither expect or demand virtues from others which I may not be possessing myself.

While one had this letter as intent for a long time, I was told that yesterday His Holiness Pope Paul was addressing humankind in some effort to promote peace in this troubled world. I have been out of step for a long long time--ever since the—to me—diabolical Kellogg-Briand Pact was emotionally forced on the world and then (as I expected) the same powers, the same groups that emotionally forced it began rousing humanity, man against man, with or without justification. We have been sought in holocausts of emotions. The warning of Christ against the scribes and the Pharisees has had little effect, nor has St. Augustine’s efforts against Manicheanism produced encouraging results. Too many people of this world are still Manicheans although on the surface they may soon to follow other religions. But I feel now the zest for unity and harmony make it possible to rouse humanity to its own spiritual responsibility and destination.

Many years ago I met one Dr. Henry Atkinson who was executive secretary of the World Church Peace Union. I was an unknown and very much downtrodden young man. Dr. Atkinson said I was the first person he had ever met that had a proper universal attitude toward the problems he was facing and the goals he was seeking.

It was nearly thirty years before I was financially able to test my person and background. It was a terrific countershock to find myself accepted and honored by all Asians, an absolute counterpoise to the situation locally. I have been to Asia twice and met Saints of all races and religions. True, I was honored in Japan as I do not think a private citizen has been in all history. My countrymen absolutely refused all reports, but I am not complaining. Nor did I find Saints confined to devotees of Buddhism, Hinduism, or Islam. I even wrote somewhat mockingly that I have found Saints amid various Orders of Christian Monks, some not always known for the kind of good works they were doing. Evidently they had accepted Lord Jesus Christ and not “Christianity” for they have gone on and done wonders without advertising.

I was able to reach Dr. Atkinson on his death bed with “mission accomplished.” But not a single one of his co-workers or successors would receive any report. It was necessary to keep silent, and then throw the whole effect of honest research, and perhaps knowledge into the efforts for The Temple of Understanding, a joint undertaking approved by your Holiness.

I have been all my life totally against any and all persecutions. I am not a sociologist, and cannot even comprehend the points of view of various dialecticians, existentialists, and other modern movements. This may be a fault, and if so, I confess it.

But I am not troubled by any frustrations or barriers. I am troubled because irrational maturity is compelled to face irrational youth. The young are seeking leaders, and when I tell them that honest research and ability to commingle with all races, and pray with all peoples, has been a priori rejected by various persons of importance or self-importance and institutions of importance or self-importance, they wish to use such facts and factors as excuses for irrationalities on their own part, for destruction rather than construction. Or, to ennoble it, by calling their efforts “Children’s Crusades,” which they well may be.

Years ago when the persecution of Jews was over-dramatized, I fell under the influence of Boccaccic’s story of the Three Kings which was later dramatized as “Nathan the Wise” by the German Leasing. I say here, over-dramatized, for in the study of history one finds many peoples who had to suffer equally, or more or less, than our Jewish brethren. I have been unable to accept the God who created only certain peoples.

From childhood I have never accepted the control of the Holy Land by a single group, be it the Turks or the British or the Israelis or the Arabs, or anyone else. The Temple of Understanding seems to be bringing into objectivity “My House shall be a House of Prayer for all peoples.” In the same universal sense I believe that Palestine or the Holy Land, should be a sanctuary for the devotees of all faiths. This would not only bring about, let us say, God’s justice, but would obviate future crusades. Therefore, I am very serious in wishing to see sanctuaries entirely in the hands, first of the older Christian organizations and then in the hands of other groups, Christian, Jewish, and Islamic. This in principle, for to enforce one’s ideas without taking into consideration all points of view, could become tyrannical.

I think my strongest objection to modern Zionism has been the total neglect of starting out with a sanctuary. It is in the books of Moses. It is in the books of the Prophets of Israel. It is in later writings and efforts of Zerubabbel after the Babylonian captivity. Even during world war I there wars certain visions in this direction, but politicians and emotionalists soon came into control.

Therefore I should like to see greater consideration to the sanctification of all holy places in the Near East, whether under the auspices of the United Nations or any other group. I cannot compel any teaching on anybody. I believe with the Lord Jesus Christ that, “Whatsoever ye do to the least of these My creatures, ye do it unto Me.”

I understand that the late Father Thomas Morton was on the way to see me when he died. Perhaps there are others like him in this world. I do not see how we can bring about peace by following what Arnold Toynbee says is the American religion, “First was the devil, and then we had to create God to fight the devil.” Rather, I accept what was in the beginning was Love and Light, and I believe it is possible to restore this to the world, and to humanity.

I am ready to support the sins of this letter by any action. Sooner or later the soul of man is going to express itself. There are too many signs prevalent among the dramas of the day in this land which indicate that this day is coming, and I hope it can come without adding to the confusion and drama of the moment.

Hoping I have expressed my good will properly, and that we can do something, really do something to bring about peace and stability.

Faithfully,

Samuel L. Lewis