Religion: Steady Hands

The army of Israel was fighting the Amalekites, and the going was hard. On a hill above the battle stood old Moses himself. And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands were heavy . . . and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.* The Israelites won.

The good work done by Aaron and Hur that day should be an inspiration to U.S. laymen. So thought greying, conscientious Principal Harold Dressel of the Northrup Elementary School at River Rouge, Mich. When the new pastor of his church complained of the indifference of laymen in the congregations he had known, Methodist Dressel remembered Moses’ helpers.

He began a mail campaign to his friends urging them to join a new secret society—”the Society of Aaron and Hur.” There are no dues, meetings or committees. Members are asked to look up the 17th chapter of Exodus, then do their best to play Aaron and Hur to their minister, rabbi, priest—or even doctor, teacher or friend. “It may be only a sincere word of commendation or an offer to help in a tight spot. When you have done this twice yourself, you may nominate another person for membership. Write your nominee . . . and always remember that Jesus said: ‘Take heed that ye do not your alms before men.’ “

* Exodus 17: 11, 12.