Minister, Rabbi Approve Church Policy Decisions

Members of the United Ministry to Students in Cambridge expressed general approval of the Corporation's decision to allow marriages of students of all faiths in Memorial Church. "All members were pleased to accept the decision," Rev. E. Spencer Parsons of Old Cambridge Baptist Church and chairman of the organization, said at a meeting yesterday.

The Minister of the First Church in Cambridge, Unitarian, Wilburn B. Miller, expressed pleasure at the Corporation's decision, calling it a "step in the right direction." He said that he would be happy if non-Christian services other than funerals and weddings could be held in Memorial Church.

Rabbi Richard Rubinstein, of the Harvard B'nai-B'rith Hillel Foundation, who was not present at the meeting, last night praised the Corporation for its stand.

"It seems to me that the Corporation is right in affirming the Christian tradition of the church but also right in making all students welcome there," he said. Rubinstein commented that he felt the controversy was carried on in a way which was "a real credit to Harvard."

In congratulating the Corporation on its action, Rubinstein said he was glad to note official recognition of the mixed characteristics of the community. He noted that this might set a pattern for other colleges to follow.

The statement from United Ministry given by Rev. Parsons added that the group had always felt welcome at Harvard, and that the controversy "didn't change anything."