Guide to the Garfield Bromley Oxnam Papers
Prepared by Myong Shin Jeon, Student Assistant and Mark C. Shenise, Associate Archivist
United Methodist Archives and History Center
General Commission on Archives and History of The United Methodist Church
(Published for the Drew University Methodist Library)
10/12/2011
Overview of Collection
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|
| Record Creator: |
Oxnam, Garfield Bromley |
| Title: |
Garfield Bromley Oxnam Papers |
| Title: |
Oxnam Papers |
| Date Span: |
1915-1990 |
| Abstract: |
Garfield Bromley Oxnam (1891-1963), Methodist Church bishop, was admitted on trial in the Southern California Conference in
1913 and was ordained a deacon in 1915 and ordained an elder in 1917. A delegate to four General Conferences (1924-1936),
Oxnam was elected bishop in 1936. His epsicopal assignments were Omaha (1936-1939), Boston (1939-1944), New York (1944-1952),
and Washington (1952-1960). He wielded great influence as secretary of the Council of Bishops from 1936 to 1956. The collection
touches upon both his presidency at DePauw University and bishop of the Methodist Church. It is the latter area which has
more information than the former one. The highlight of the collection is the information on fascism and communism which
includes his famous testimony before the House of Representative’s Un-American Activities Committee. In contrast to this
debacle, one can see Oxnam as a firm patriot to the United States cause during World War II.
|
| Extent: |
4.01 cubic feet |
| Resource ID: |
drew.ms.2412 |
Biographical Note
Garfield Bromley Oxnam (1891-1963), Methodist Church bishop, was educated at the University of Southern California (A.B.,
1913), and Boston University (S.T.B., 1915). He did graduate study at Harvard and other schools. During his career, twenty-one
institutions, including American, Boston, Northwestern, Princeton, Southern California, and Yale Universities, conferred on
him a total of eight honorary degrees. On August 19, 1914, he married Ruth Fisher.
Oxnam was admitted on trial in the Southern California Conference in 1913 and was ordained a deacon in 1915 and ordained an
elder in 1917. His appointments were: Poplar, California (1916); Church of All Nations, Los Angeles (1917-1926); professor,
Boston University School of Theology (1927); and president of DePauw University (1928-1935). While serving the church, Oxnam
was also professor of social ethics at the University of Southern California.
A delegate to four General Conferences (1924-1936), Oxnam was elected bishop in 1936. His epsicopal assignments were Omaha
(1936-1939), Boston (1939-1944), New York (1944-1952), and Washington (1952-1960). He wielded great influence as secretary
of the Council of Bishops from 1936 to 1956.
Oxnam conceived and led the Methodist Crusade for World Order from 1944 to 1948. Under his leadership, Westminister Seminary
in Maryland was moved to Washington, at Wesley Seminary, and the School of International Service was established at American
University with funds appropriated by the General Conference.
Active in denominational and ecumenical organizations and movements, Oxnam served as president of the Federal Council of Churches
(1944-1946), was a presiding officer at the organization of the National Council of Churches ( 1950), was one of the presidents
of the World Council of Churches (1948- 1954), and later was a member of the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches.
He chaired the division of educational institutions of the General Board of Education (1939-1944), and did the same for the
Division of Foreign Missions of the General Board of Global Ministries (1944-1952).
During World War II, he was a member of the Civil Advisory Commission to the Secretary of the Navy. He was chairman of the
Commission to Study Post War Relief Conditions in Germany, and he was also chairman of the Methodist Commission on Chaplains.
Oxnam claimed that the Congressional Committe on Un-American Activities had for seven years released so called "files" containing
false material which said or suggested that he was a communist. He also argued that the Committee had ignored repeated requests
to correct its files. Oxnam requested and received a hearing before the Committee in July 1953.
In 1960, Oxnam retired from the active ministry. He died on March 12, 1963. Oxnam's ashes are interred in the chapel of
Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C.
Scope Note
The collection touches upon both his presidency at DePauw University and bishop of the Methodist Church. It is the latter
area which has more information than the former one. His sermons are from the mid-twentieth century where Oxnam preached
on a number of topics related to the ministry of the larger church. Other topics include World War II, fascism, communism
race, labor, social change, democracy, ecumenicism and intellectualism. The highlight of the collection is the information
on fascism and communism which includes his famous testimony before the House of Representative’s Un-American Activities Committee.
In contrast to this debacle, one can see Oxnam as a firm patriot to the United States cause during World War II.
Oxnam was keenly interested in the field of ethics which permeates most of the above mentioned topics. These same topics
are explored in various audio recordings in the form of radio broadcasts and speaking engagements as well as paper documents
such as lectures, addresses and correspondence. The audio recordings are currently in both transcription and compact disks.
Finally, there is a United States Army field communion set presented to Oxnam by the government.
Arrangement
Materials have been arranged in the following manner.
Publications
General Files
Sermons and Addresses
Audio Recordings
Preferred Citation
When citing material from this collection please use the following format: Direct reference to the item or its file folder,
Garfield Bromley Oxnam Papers, Methodist Collection - Drew University, Madison, New Jersey. Do not make use of the item's
call number as that is not a stable descriptor.
Access Restrictions
There are no restrictions regarding this collection. Copyright still owned by Drew. Permissions to publish must be directed
to Drew.
Restrictions on Use
Detailed use restrictions relating to our collections can be requested from the office of the archivist at the General Commission
on Archives and History. Photocopying is handled by the staff and may be limited in certain instances. Before using any material
for publication from this collection a formal request for permission to publish is expected and required.
Related Materials
Bishop John McKendree Springer Papers
Charles Coolidge Parlin Papers
Administrative Files Series of the Board of Missions of the Methodist Church
Records of the Judicial Council
Records of the Mission Education and Cultivation Program Department of the General Board of Global Ministries
Administrative files of United Methodist Communications
Northeastern Jurisdiction Records
Mission Biographical Reference Files
Records of the Methodist Federation for Social Action
Garfield Bromley Oxnam Papers - DePauw University
Papers of G. Bromley Oxnam - Library of Congress
Arthur J. Moore Papers - Arthur J. Moore Methodist Museum and Library
Henry Hitt Crane Papers - University of Michigan, Bentley Historical Library
Charles W. Brashares Papers - University of Michigan, Bentley Historical Library
John E, Meally Papers - University of Michigan, Bentley Historical Library
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Index Terms
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Subject Topics |
|
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Church and labor |
|
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Church and social problems |
|
|
Church and state |
|
|
Communism |
|
|
Ecclesiology |
|
|
Episcopacy |
|
|
Fascism |
|
|
Ministry |
|
|
Race |
|
|
Social ethics |
|
|
World War, 1939-1945 -War work -Methodist Church |
|
Subject Geographic |
|
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Indiana |
|
|
Korea |
|
|
Massachusetts |
|
|
New York (N.Y.) |
|
|
New York (State) |
|
|
United States |
|
|
Washington (D.C.) |
|
Genre |
|
|
Addresses |
|
|
Books |
|
|
Clippings |
|
|
Compact discs |
|
|
Photographs |
|
|
Publications |
|
|
Sermons |
|
|
Sound recordings |
|
Subject - Personal Names |
|
|
Truman, Harry S., 1884-1972 |
|
Subject - Corporate Names |
|
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Methodist Church (U.S.) |
|
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Methodist Episcopal Church |
|
|
World Council of Churches |
Series: Publications
| Call Number |
Folder Title |
Date(s) |
| 2142-5-1:
1
|
Contemporary Preaching - Edited by G. Bromley Oxnam |
1931 |
| 2142-5-1:
2
|
Creative Preaching - Edited by G. Bromley Oxnam |
1930 |
| 2141-5-9:
1
|
Bishop G. Bromley Oxnam: Paladin of Liberal Protestantism |
1990 |
| 2142-5-2:
1
|
Labor and Tomorrow's World |
1944 |
| 2142-5-2:
2
|
Moral Principles in Education by John Dewey |
1909 |
| 2142-5-2:
3
|
Sample Publications |
1934-1959 |
Series: General Files
| Call Number |
Folder Title |
Date(s) |
| 2142-5-2:
4
|
Church and Society Oxnam Lectureship |
1963-1964 |
| 2142-5-2:
5
|
Correspondence |
1915-1970 |
| 2142-5-2:
6
|
Honorary Korean Citiznship - May 1 |
1952 |
| 2142-5-2:
9
|
Lectures |
1961 |
| 2142-5-2:
7
|
House of Representatives Un-American Activities Hearing, The |
1953-1964 |
| 2142-5-2:
10
|
Memorials, Tributes and Biographies |
1937-1991 |
| 2142-5-2:
11
|
Miscellaneous |
1948-1966 |
| 2142-5-2:
12
|
Newspaper Clippings |
1958 |
| 2142-5-2:
13
|
Oxnam Memorial Service and Speaking Engagement - CD |
1963 |
| 2142-5-2:
14
|
Radio Addresses |
1938-1946 |
| 2141-6-1:
1
|
Military Communion Set |
Undated |
Series: Sermons and Addresses
| Call Number |
Folder Title |
Date(s) |
| 2142-5-3:
1
|
Academic Freedom |
Undated |
| 2142-5-3:
2
|
A Date With The World |
Undated |
| 2142-5-3:
3
|
Address to Class |
1957 |
| 2142-5-3:
4
|
Adventure On |
1932 |
| 2142-5-3:
5
|
A Fresh Look at Free Asia - By Chester Bowles |
1954 |
| 2142-5-3:
6
|
After Decision, What? |
Undated |
| 2142-5-3:
7
|
Aim of Christian Discipline, The |
Undated |
| 2142-5-3:
8
|
All Things are Possible |
1940 |
| 2142-5-3:
9
|
American Education Has Made Good |
Undated |
| 2142-5-3:
10
|
American Public School Teacher, The |
Undated |
| 2142-5-3:
11
|
American Stake in the Asian Revolution, The |
Undated |
| 2142-5-3:
12
|
American Youth |
Undated |
| 2142-5-3:
13
|
A Pageant of Triumph |
1940 |
| 2142-5-3:
14
|
Artificer in Ideas, The |
Undated |
| 2142-5-3:
15
|
A Sense of What is Vital |
Undated |
| 2142-5-3:
16
|
A Sense of Wonder |
1929 |
| 2142-5-3:
17
|
A Set and Stubborn Face |
Undated |
| 2142-5-3:
18
|
A Slender Yellow Candle |
Undated |
| 2142-5-3:
19
|
California Romantic Story |
Undated |
| 2142-5-3:
20
|
Can A Realist Accept The Christian Faith? |
Undated |
| 2142-5-3:
21
|
Can We Be Great? |
1945 |
| 2142-5-3:
22
|
Catholicism and Protestantism |
Undated |
| 2142-5-3:
23
|
Century of the Great Reconciliation, The |
Undated |
| 2142-5-3:
24
|
Character Education |
Undated |
| 2142-5-3:
25
|
Characteristics of Jesus |
1923-1924 |
| 2142-5-3:
26
|
Christ is the Answer |
Undated |
| 2142-5-3:
27
|
Christian Home the Hope of the World, The |
Undated |
| 2142-5-3:
28
|
Christian Witness in an Age of Revolution |
Undated |
| 2142-5-3:
29
|
Church and Industry |
1957 |
| 2142-5-3:
30
|
Church Extension Address |
Undated |
| 2142-5-3:
31
|
Church Militant, The |
Undated |
| 2142-5-3:
32
|
Communism |
Undated |
| 2142-5-3:
33
|
Conference Address |
1957 |
| 2142-5-3:
34
|
Contemporary Crucifixion and Crusade |
Undated |
| 2142-5-3:
35
|
Dauber Masefield |
Undated |
| 2142-5-3:
36
|
David D. Jones Memorial |
Undated |
| 2142-5-3:
37
|
Deeper Need of a United Methodism, The |
Undated |
| 2142-5-3:
38
|
Ecumenical Church in a Changing World, The |
Undated |
| 2142-5-3:
39
|
Education and Democracy |
Undated |
| 2142-5-3:
40
|
Education for All The People |
Undated |
| 2142-5-3:
41
|
Embezzlement of Power, The |
Undated |
| 2142-5-3:
42
|
Endless Line of Splendor |
Undated |
| 2142-5-3:
43
|
Endowment of God's Grace, The |
Undated |
| 2142-5-3:
44
|
Essentials of Ethical Preaching, The |
Undated |
| 2142-5-3:
45
|
Face of The Sky, The |
1957 |
| 2142-5-3:
46
|
Facing Realities in Establishing World Order |
Undated |
| 2142-5-3:
47
|
False Witness |
Undated |
| 2142-5-3:
48
|
Fascism Versus Democracy |
Undated |
| 2142-5-3:
49
|
For Their Sakes I Sanctify Myself |
Undated |
| 2142-5-3:
50
|
Free and Responsible Person, The |
Undated |
| 2142-5-3:
51
|
Freedom of Religion |
Undated |
| 2142-5-3:
52
|
Funeral For Mrs. Herbert Welch |
Undated |
| 2142-5-3:
53
|
General Conference |
1956 |
| 2142-5-3:
54
|
Gethsemane Gateways |
Undated |
| 2142-5-3:
55
|
Has the Church Failed in International, Economic, and Racial Relations |
Undated |
| 2142-5-3:
56
|
He Came Too Soon, This Christ |
Undated |
| 2142-5-3:
57
|
Heirs of the First Century, Creators of Second |
Undated |
| 2142-5-3:
58
|
Housing Background of the Pneumonic Plague, Municipal League |
1925 |
| 2142-5-3:
59
|
Human Rights and the Democratic Ideal |
Undated |
| 2142-5-3:
60
|
Impact of American City on World Scene |
Undated |
| 2142-5-3:
61
|
Is the Freedom of the Pulpit in Danger? |
Undated |
| 2142-5-3:
62
|
I Will Lift up Mine Eyes Unto the Hills |
1931 |
| 2142-5-3:
63
|
John Wesley After Two Centuries |
Undated |
| 2142-5-3:
64
|
Kingdom of God, The |
Undated |
| 2142-5-3:
65
|
Kings Keys, The |
1935 |
| 2142-5-3:
66
|
Kiss of Judas, The |
Undated |
| 2142-5-3:
67
|
Law of Creative Purchase, The |
1923 |
| 2142-5-3:
68
|
Life's Checker-Board |
Undated |
| 2142-5-3:
69
|
Light Be The World, The |
Undated |
| 2142-5-3:
70
|
Manifest Its Right to Survive Through Service |
Undated |
| 2142-5-3:
71
|
Mar Thoma - Litany |
1954 |
| 2142-5-4:
1
|
Meaning of Culture, The |
Undated |
| 2142-5-4:
2
|
Meaning of Spirituality, The |
Undated |
| 2142-5-4:
3
|
Methodism and Its World Mission |
Undated |
| 2142-5-4:
4
|
Methodism Faces the Future |
Undated |
| 2142-5-4:
5
|
Minister and the Modern World, The |
Undated |
| 2142-5-4:
6
|
Mission of The Church, The |
Undated |
| 2142-5-4:
7
|
Moral Law |
Undated |
| 2142-5-4:
8
|
Motherhood, Triumphant and Dependent |
Undated |
| 2142-5-4:
9
|
My Idea of God |
1929 |
| 2142-5-4:
10
|
Nature of the Contemporary Crisis, The |
Undated |
| 2142-5-4:
11
|
New Birth, The |
Undated |
| 2142-5-4:
12
|
Negro in Methodism |
1947 |
| 2142-5-4:
13
|
New England Social Statistics |
Undated |
| 2142-5-4:
14
|
Next 110 Years, The |
1933 |
| 2142-5-4:
15
|
On Fascism |
Undated |
| 2142-5-4:
16
|
On Overcoming The Monotony of Doing Good |
Undated |
| 2142-5-4:
17
|
On Universal Military Training |
Undated |
| 2142-5-4:
18
|
Our Debt to the Mad Men |
Undated |
| 2142-5-4:
19
|
Our Protestant Heritage |
Undated |
| 2142-5-4:
20
|
Outlook for Religion |
Undated |
| 2142-5-4:
21
|
Peace Debate with Henry H. Crane |
Undated |
| 2142-5-4:
22
|
People That Walked in Darkness, The |
Undated |
| 2142-5-4:
23
|
Power of a Great Memory, The |
Undated |
| 2142-5-4:
24
|
Prayer at Maryland Senate |
1952 |
| 2142-5-4:
25
|
Preacher and Social Change |
Undated |
| 2142-5-4:
26
|
Preacher and the Economic Crisis, The |
Undated |
| 2142-5-4:
27
|
Preacher and World Order, The |
Undated |
| 2142-5-4:
28
|
Printed Devotions |
Undated |
| 2142-5-4:
29
|
Quest For Perfection, The |
Undated |
| 2142-5-4:
30
|
Race Issue and Segregation |
Undated |
| 2142-5-4:
31
|
Religious and Moral Forces in World Crisis - War Crisis |
Undated |
| 2142-5-4:
32
|
Religion and The Social Conscience |
Undated |
| 2142-5-4:
33
|
Religion, Character and Freedom |
Undated |
| 2142-5-4:
34
|
Religion in The World of Tomorrow |
Undated |
| 2142-5-4:
35
|
Resolution, Resources, Revelation |
Undated |
| 2142-5-4:
36
|
Right of Free Speech, Press, and Assemblage, The |
Undated |
| 2142-5-4:
37
|
Role of Leadership, The |
Undated |
| 2142-5-4:
38
|
Singing at Midnight |
1941 |
| 2142-5-4:
39
|
Social Gospel, The |
Undated |
| 2142-5-4:
40
|
Some Blessed Hope! |
Undated |
| 2142-5-4:
41
|
Some DePauw Chapels |
1929-1930 |
| 2142-5-4:
42
|
Something More |
Undated |
| 2142-5-4:
43
|
Struggle for the Minds of Men |
Undated |
| 2142-5-4:
44
|
Stimulus of Christ, The |
1946 |
| 2142-5-4:
45
|
Stubborn Christ, The |
Undated |
| 2142-5-4:
46
|
Tell Me The Story of Jesus |
Undated |
| 2142-5-4:
47
|
This Great New Fact WCC Australian Speech |
Undated |
| 2142-5-4:
48
|
Three Wise Men |
1958 |
| 2142-5-4:
49
|
Timing in Social Reform |
Undated |
| 2142-5-4:
50
|
Today's Evangelistic Challenge in the Church |
1953 |
| 2142-5-4:
51
|
Ulcers Ahead |
Undated |
| 2142-5-4:
52
|
Unanswered Prayers of Jesus, The |
Undated |
| 2142-5-4:
53
|
Vanishing Visions |
Undated |
| 2142-5-4:
54
|
WCC and NCCC Interdenominational Coop |
Undated |
| 2142-5-4:
55
|
Wesley and Ecumenical Movement |
Undated |
| 2142-5-4:
56
|
Wesleyan Dream for Washington |
Undated |
| 2142-5-4:
57
|
Wesleyans in Wonderland |
Undated |
| 2142-5-4:
58
|
Wesley Theological Seminary Campaign |
Undated |
| 2142-5-4:
59
|
What Kind of God Do We Worship |
1922 |
| 2142-5-4:
60
|
What the Church Expects of Its Educational Institutions |
Undated |
| 2142-5-4:
61
|
Who Am I? |
Undated |
| 2142-5-4:
62
|
Words on Lips of Jesus |
Undated |
| 2142-5-4:
63
|
World Social Individual Consciousness |
Undated |
| 2142-5-4:
64
|
World Leadership |
Undated |
| 2142-5-4:
65
|
Youth Data |
1941 |
Series: Audio Recordings
| Call Number |
Folder Title |
Date(s) |
| 2142-5-5:
1
|
Is the Kingdom of God a Reasonable Ideal? Parts 1 and 2 |
1943 |
| 2142-5-5:
2
|
Is the Kingdom of God a Reasonable Ideal? Parts 3 and 4 |
1943 |
| 2142-5-5:
3
|
Is the Kingdom of God a Reasonable Ideal? Parts 5 and 6 |
1943 |
| 2142-5-5:
4
|
Is the Kingdom of God a Reasonable Ideal? Parts 7 and 8 |
1943 |
| 2142-5-5:
5
|
Easter Service Parts 1 and 2 |
1946 |
| 2142-5-5:
6
|
Easter Service Parts 3 and 4 |
1946 |
| 2142-5-5:
7
|
Easter Service Parts 5 and 6 |
1946 |
| 2142-5-5:
8
|
Methodist Program Parts 1 and 2 |
1939 |
| 2142-5-5:
9
|
National Day of Prayer Parts 1 and 2 |
1940 |
| 2142-5-5:
10
|
School and The Crisis, The Parts 1 and 2 |
1941 |
| 2142-5-5:
11
|
Boston University Founder's Day - March 16 Parts 1 and 2 |
1955 |
| 2142-5-5:
12
|
Boston University Founder's Day - March 16 Parts 3 and 4 |
1955 |
| 2142-5-5:
13
|
Boston University Founder's Day - March 16 Parts 5 and 6 |
1955 |
| 2142-5-5:
14
|
Boston University Founder's Day - March 16 Parts 7 and 8 |
1955 |
| 2142-5-6:
1
|
Thanks by Giving Parts 1 and 2 |
1944 |
| 2142-5-6:
2
|
Thanks by Giving Parts 3 and 4 |
1944 |
| 2142-5-6:
3
|
Crusade Never Ends, The Parts 1 and 2 |
Undated |
| 2142-5-6:
4
|
Crusade Never Ends, The Parts 3 and 4 |
Undated |
| 2142-5-6:
5
|
On the March to Complete Victory Parts 1 and 2 |
Undated |
| 2142-5-6:
6
|
On the March to Complete Victory Parts 3 and 4 |
Undated |
| 2142-5-6:
7
|
On the March to Complete Victory Parts 5 and 6 |
Undated |
| 2142-5-6:
8
|
On the March to Complete Victory Parts 7 and 8 |
Undated |
| 2142-5-6:
9
|
How to Face The Future Unafraid Parts 1 and 2 |
Undated |
| 2142-5-6:
10
|
How to Face The Future Unafraid Parts 3 and 4 |
Undated |
| 2142-5-7:
1
|
General Policy-Information-Studies-Structure and Functioning - WCC Parts 1 and 2 |
1954 |
| 2142-5-7:
2
|
General Policy-Information-Studies-Structure and Functioning - WCC Parts 3 and 4 |
1954 |
| 2142-5-7:
3
|
General Policy-Information-Studies-Structure and Functioning - WCC Parts 5 and 6 |
1954 |
| 2142-5-7:
4
|
General Policy-Information-Studies-Structure and Functioning - WCC Parts 7 and 8 |
1954 |
| 2142-5-7:
5
|
General Policy-Information-Studies-Structure and Functioning - WCC Parts 9 and 10 |
1954 |
| 2142-5-7:
6
|
Report of the Commission on The Life and Work of Women in the Church - Mlle Barot - WCC Parts 1 and 2 |
1954 |
| 2142-5-7:
7
|
Report of the Commission on The Life and Work of Women in the Church - Mlle Barot - WCC Parts 3 and 4 |
1954 |
| 2142-5-7:
8
|
Plenary Session - WCC Parts 1 and 2 |
1954 |
| 2142-5-7:
9
|
Plenary Session - WCC Parts 3 and 4 |
1954 |
| 2142-5-7:
10
|
Plenary Session - WCC Parts 5 and 6 |
1954 |
| 2142-5-7:
11
|
Plenary Session - WCC Parts 7 and 8 |
1954 |
| 2142-5-7:
12
|
President Truman and Bishop Oxnam Parts 1 and 2 |
Undated |
| 2142-5-7:
13
|
President Truman and Bishop Oxnam Parts 3 and 4 |
Undated |
| 2142-5-7:
14
|
President Truman and Bishop Oxnam Parts 5 and 6 |
Undated |
| 2142-5-7:
15
|
President Truman and Bishop Oxnam Parts 7 and 8 |
Undated |
| 2142-5-7:
16
|
President Truman and Bishop Oxnam Parts 9 and 10 |
Undated |
| 2142-5-7:
17
|
President Truman and Bishop Oxnam Parts 11 and 12 |
Undated |
| 2142-5-7:
18
|
President Truman and Bishop Oxnam Parts 13 and 14 |
Undated |
| 2142-5-7:
19
|
President Truman and Bishop Oxnam Parts 15 and 16 |
Undated |
