Chamber Of Prayer For The Nations

Chronicle (Levin), 19 April 1949, Page 5

Chamber Of Prayer For The Nations

Receivbd Moiiday, 8.50 p.m. NEW YORK, April 17. tJnited Nations plah to build a special chamber for prayer and meditation in its headquartfers novv being constructed in j\lanhattan, says the New York Times correspondent at Lake Siiccess. It vvill be nondenominational' and will constitute nothing but a barewalled room with only the simplest furnishings. It is understood the decision to build the chamber is the result of persistent demands from belifeve'rs throughout the world that the new headquarters should have a place where delegates can seek Diyine guidance. The wbble sitbject of Divine wofship is a touchy one for United Nations for the Charter c'ontains no mention of a divihity. ' There have been many reqiiests for prayers at the opening of meetings but it has been generally agreed that because of the wide range of religions amO'ng member nations, it would be best to sidestep the iSsue altogether. ; The correspondent adds that mo&t countries in United Na- ! tions have not yet heard about ..•■.the chamber and there . is , real "-'t-repidatian c'oncerning Russla % •reacfion t0~ the pfojedf, because of Russian atbeism. It is co'nteUdad, hpwever, that the chamber will be so simple thaUeveff ' the Russians could nse it for nbii-religious meditation.