HIFTUB TESTIMONY of GENE JOYCE

(Written 1998)

In the spring of 1956 my husband and I stopped by to pick up our friends Agnes and Bob so we could all attend a performance of the Theater in the Round at Fair Park in Dallas, Texas. I don’t remember the play we saw, but I can still recall Agnes’s exact words as we entered their house: “Gene, come and see this crazy book a friend of Bob’s sent him from Australia!” It was accompanied by a note that read, “This book has meant so much to me and my family that I wanted you to have a copy,” and it was signed, “Clyde Bedell.”

Even without time to peruse the book, I was impressed by its size, the excellent bindings, and the quality of the paper. A quick glance through the table of contents whetted my interest. What was this Urantia Book? Considering what it must have cost to produce a book of such quality, this was no fly-by-night scam. The following day I ordered two copies from the publisher in Chicago—first printings, no less—for $10 each!

It seemed quite a coincidence that scarcely two weeks later, while having dinner with my friend Helen (who was executive secretary to G. B. Dealey, head of The Dallas Morning News), she mentioned the word “Urantia.” For some time she had been telling me stories about a fascinating man named Bill Sadler who came down from Chicago periodically to visit his business accounts in Dallas. As it happened, Bill was in town and it was part of Helen’s job to schedule his appointments while he was here, giving her a chance to get to know him.

Only that morning Mr. Dealey had asked her to find out from Bill some charity or foundation to which The News could give money in memory of Bill’s son, Billy, who had recently died. After some persistence on her part, Bill Sadler finally said, “Well, if you insist, they could make a donation to the Urantia Foundation.”

“Why, Helen, that’s the name of that crazy book!” I said, and told her the story about Clyde Bedell sending the Urantia Book from Australia to Bob’s family in Dallas. . .

HMSA REPORT of the DOMESTIC EXTENSION COMMITTEE of the URANTIA BROTHERHOOD

April 22, 1956

We have had many requests, particularly from people out of town, to hear what the reactions have been following the presentation of the Urantia Book to new people. The following are a few incidents which have come to us verbally or by letters:

• • One old-time Forum member (out of town) received a Book, and her husband became very much interested. He has bought several extra Books to give to relatives and friends. The minister of his church saw the Book, became interested, and asked for a copy for himself.
  • A psychology professor wrote this: “If you are at all tempted to take Urantia seriously, I can assure you that (so far as I have seen, and remember that I am not pronouncing a definitive opinion) it consists of a highly speculative fantasy, apparently modeled after the science fiction craze, and containing a great many elements of psychotic aberration familiar to every psychologist and psychoanalyst.”
  • A leading New York ballerina was visiting her mother in Arkansas, who had a copy of the Book “on loan.” The day she returned to New York, she asked for a copy to be sent to her as soon as possible, since she couldn’t bear to leave it and wanted one to show her N.Y. friends as she thought a lot of them would be interested.
  • A quotation from a college student: “This Book gives no moral message. Aside from its attempt to divorce Christianity from its Judaic heritage by making Christ a non-Jewish tourist to Greece and Rome, which is by no means original in idea or method, there is no moral strength in the Jesus papers. Divine revelation always commands us mortals to do something or to stop doing something; it does not merely tell us to contemplate a rosy future. The lack of a moral imperative allows you to make it an esoteric order by disclaiming any social or religious responsibility to spread the truth and light.”
  • A scientist to whom the Book was given has become interested in it principally because he has observed the definite change for the better in the life of the Forum member who gave him the Book.
  • A Book was sent to a former school teacher who had left one of the Protestant churches and who apparently was very open-minded and hungry for truth. She read a considerable amount of the Book but was horrified when she found a statement that the crucifixion was not necessary for the salvation of man, and promptly returned it.
  • About 100 pages of an unbound copy of the Book were given to a printer to get an estimate on binding each of the four parts in separate volumes. When he gave his price (which was too high) and returned the pages, he said he had become intrigued with the material, had taken it home to read overnight, and whether he got the binding job or not, he would like very much to read the rest of the book. He now has a loan copy.
  • The Book was presented to a man who was a pillar of the Presbyterian Church, a firm traditionalist, and a wonderful student of the Bible. A copy was loaned to him because he had evinced some slight interest. Within a few weeks the Book was returned with a long letter giving many Bible quotations about what happens to people who tamper with the word of God as expressed in the Bible, and expressing real concern for the soul of his misled friend who had loaned him the Book.
  • One Book was sent to a man in Dallas who showed no interest at all. However, a friend saw the Book on his desk, borrowed it, became very enthusiastic, and is stirring up some real interest in Dallas, besides sending copies elsewhere in Texas. Here’s a case of seed falling on barren ground but getting blown over to fertile soil.

We could go on with several more pages of examples, but this will give you an idea of some of the reactions. We haven’t mentioned the many cases where we have had no reaction at all—just complete indifference. But we think everyone has had some experience with that.

It is difficult to draw conclusions, but it seems that those who are hungry will eat eagerly, and those who are not will refuse it, no matter how attractively presented. The difficulty, of course, is to distinguish between the two. In general, it appears that those who are strong traditionalists, who are fundamentalists, who have a firm faith and a strong church connection, are not good prospects for the Book. It will be much more helpful to those confused persons who don’t know what they believe, or believe nothing at all. All we can do is use our best judgment in distributing the Books and always keep in mind the parable of the sower: the seed may fall on barren ground, on shallow ground, or on good ground. But we can do our best to sow wisely—on good ground.

* * *

GIFT BOOKS SENT OUT
A number of gift Books have recently been sent out in the name of Urantia Brotherhood—20 to libraries and 23 to individuals. All were accompanied by letters. The list follows, and where we have had any response, it is indicated.

[University Libraries]

Princeton University - Acknowledged
Northwestern University - Acknowledged
Yale University - Acknowledged
Univ. of Calif., Berkeley - Acknowledged
Univ. of Michigan - Acknowledged
Vanderbilt University ----
Harvard Univ. - Acknowledged
State Univ. of Iowa - Acknowledged

[Public Libraries]

New York City - Acknowledged
Boston ----
Chicago ----
Denver - Acknowledged
Detroit - Acknowledged
Philadelphia - Acknowledged
Dallas - Acknowledged
Seattle - Acknowledged
San Francisco - Acknowledged
Cleveland -----
New Orleans - Acknowledged
Los Angeles -----

[Individuals]

Sholem Asch
Gerald Brauer
Dr. Ralph J. Bunche
Stuart Chase
Dr. Arthur H. Compton
Dr. David L. Cooper
Norman Cousins
Dr. George W. Crane
Dr. Milton S. Eisenhower - Acknowledged
Dr. Harold E. Fey - Book returned with letter
Justice Felix Frankfurter
Dr. Hornell Hart
Aldous Huxley
George F. Kennan - Book returned, no letter
Mrs. Charles A. Lindbergh
Edward R. Murrow
Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt - Acknowledged
Gen. Walter Bedell Smith - Acknowledged
Dr. Ralph Sockman - Acknowledged
R. D. Stuart
Charles P. Taft - Book returned, with letter
Dr. Edward Teller
Philip G. Wylie

Gift Books will be sent to the following within the near future:

Lincoln Barnett
Fred Hoyle
C. S. Lewis
Rabbi Louis Mann
H. A. Overstreet
Dr. Nathan Pusey

These books have been sent out more or less as a test. The response from this group will have some bearing on what we do in the future about sending gift Books to other people of this type. Quite a few of us are coming to the conclusion that the Book must be presented personally, with an explanation, but of course there are always exceptions. At the present time, we are just feeling our way along.

We would greatly appreciate it if you would give Marian Rowley the names of any prominent people to whom you have given the Book (if you have not already done so) and keep her advised in the future. It is important that we do not duplicate our efforts.

HMSA URANTIA BROTHERHOOD to FORUMITES

From Warren H. Kulieke, Chairman, Nominating Committee

Chicago, May 21, 1956

Dear Forum Member,

You probably know that the Forum is about to become the First Society of Urantia Brotherhood.

The inauguration ceremony will be held at 3 p.m., Sunday, June 17, at 533 Diversey Parkway. The group of founders (34) listed below will be formally granted a charter as the First Society of the Brotherhood, officers will be elected and a Constitution adopted. All other Forum members are invited to be present and join this Society as charter members. (If you are not able to be present, you can, of course, become a member later, but only the candidates taken in on June 17 will be considered charter members.)

The following, in brief, are the requirements for membership:

• Desire and willingness to learn and understand the teachings of the Urantia Book.
• Willingness to accept the Constitution of Urantia Brotherhood and the Constitution of the Society.
• Citizen or resident in good standing in the community.
• At least 14 years of age.
• Candidate will make a pledge of dedication.

(Note: Membership in any other organization will not disqualify a candidate.)
We would like you to be present and become part of this newly formed group.

FOUNDERS:

Allen, Jennie K.
Bates, Marjorie
Baumgartner, Elsie
Bedell, Florence
Bernard, Rhoda
Brown, Caroline
Burch, Arthur
Burch, Mary Inez
Bucklin, Mildred
Burton, Bernard
Cook, Agatha
Copenhaver, Philip
Douglas, Katherine
Evans, Luther
Farwell, Edna
Gusler, Rachel
James, Elizabeth
Jones, Katharine
Kulieke, Edmond Jr.
Kulieke, Minnie
Leverenz, Alice
Leverenz, Fred
Palmer, Grace
Pritchard, Louise
Renn, Ruth
Richards, Harriet
Schell, Herman
Steinbeck, Lu
Stephens, Grace
Swanson, Henrietta
Trent, Catherine
Vincent, Eva
Wideroe, Thomas
Williams, Ann

On 26 May 1956, while Harold Sherman was out of town on business, a letter came in the mail from a Rev. Benjamin N. Adams,¹¹ along with an account of Urantia history by Webster Stafford.¹² In forwarding the letter to Harold, Martha commented:

Suffice it to say that if this account is a sample of how Webster wrote up some of his records it is far from accurate. It makes one wonder just how many people Webster showed his material to and what he has said about you to various people. . . . I remember Harry [Loose] saying, once, that many would make attempts to write the history of the Urantia story but would not be equipped to do so. You may still write your own record of it someday. . . .

* * *

HMSA BENJAMIN N. ADAMS to HAROLD SHERMAN

San Francisco, May 16, 1956

Dear Mr. Sherman,

The enclosed account of the origin of the Urantia papers was given to me by the late Webster Stafford. When I submitted this account to Mr. Wm. S. Sadler Jr., he declared to me that it was “largely fictional.”¹³

My friend, Webster Stafford, having passed on, cannot very well make any retort. I understand, however, that you had some knowledge yourself of the origin of these amazing papers. What can you tell me? Is Stafford’s account largely imaginary? Have you ever met the stockbroker through whom the papers were received? What was his name?

I am engaged in research on “the resources of the unconscious.” You can see how valuable this material would be in such a research. I will appreciate very much anything which you may offer.

Sincerely yours,
Benjamin N. Adams

Handwritten note by Benjamin Adams on the typed account: “Mr. William S. Sadler Jr., declares that this account is largely fictional in nature. As his father is the ‘Dr. S.’ of this narrative, we have no alternative but to accept his statement. The question still remains, however, as to how ‘fictional’ it is.”

HMSA HAROLD SHERMAN to BENJAMIN N. ADAMS

New York, June 4, 1956

Dear Rev. Adams,

. . . Our mutual friend, Webster, spent the last year or so of his life trying to encompass an understanding of the metaphysical field. He asked me for sources of information that I had found interesting throughout my life, so he could follow up on them. One of them was this development in Chicago, headed by Dr. William S. Sadler and his son, Bill Jr. But I warned Webster that there were phases of this Urantia work which Mrs. Sherman and I could not accept, however remarkable some of the material was.

As is so often the case, people like Webster, without too much background in this type of investigation, go off the deep end when they get exposed to what they look upon as “new truth.” I have learned, since Webster’s death, that he has done a number of indiscreet and impulsive things and made statements which have been embarrassing to me.

There is much of interest in the Urantia Book, now published. I suggest you buy a copy, cost ten dollars, from Sadler, 533 Diversey Parkway, and read it, and do your own evaluating, then write me your reactions, and I will tell you what I cannot accept and why. I have never met the stockbroker through whom the papers came—that has been a carefully guarded secret. . . .

If I can be of any help to you in your research, I will be happy to do so. . . . Webster had spoken to me of you.¹⁴

All good wishes!
Sincerely,

On 3 May 1956 Herman Guessefeld wrote to Sherman:

The Urantia Brotherhood is pushing things in their organization. They are planning big things. Do you keep in touch with them or do they keep you informed about their developments? . . .

On 14 June Sherman responded:

I do not get information from the Urantia people because, as you know, we took issue against the Doctor when we were there. You say they are planning big things. Would appreciate knowing what you know of developments.

Reactions we have had to the people who have gotten the Urantia Book are, “So what? If it is true, we’ll find out as we go along—after we die. Doesn’t seem to be much we can do about it beforehand, and the book is too big to digest.” Others think it is too fanciful, and call it a new kind of science fiction.

I would say that Urantia does not teach man to better his life—with all the information it gives—nor does it have any reference to telepathy and the phenomena man is experiencing on this earth, yet we are expected to believe all the phenomena that is described as pertaining to higher spheres. Of course, Sadler wanted to make it mysterious and exclusive, giving the suggestion that you couldn’t obtain this knowledge anywhere else but in this Book. . . .

HIFTUB TESTIMONY of GUS WALSTROM

(written circa 1980)

Some boys used to come to the canyon where we lived in Colorado to listen to some occult lectures on Sundays. As we were thirteen miles from Castle Rock and there was nowhere for them to get a meal, we would invite the boys to our house for dinner after the morning lecture. They were students at the University of Colorado at Boulder. They had visited the Urantia Book study group in Denver and were talking about it, and one Sunday in July 1956 Roger Darnell brought with him the Urantia Book all wrapped up like a box of candy.

I started reading it, and by the end of the year I had finished it. My wife Marie read it after I did, and then we asked Roger to bring three more books, which we soon sold. After that we started ordering the books in ten-book lots. A few of us later got together for a Urantia Book reading once a week. From then on we always kept some books. . . .