In one of my trips between Manila and Baguio in 1956, I met Mr. Brown and Mr. Coffee in the train bound for the North and got acquainted with them. They were members of MRA (Moral ReArmament) who were holding a meeting in the Pines Hotel in Baguio. They invited me and I went, together with a busload of PMA officers.
There was a live show entitled: IT WAS NOT THERE!
The show depicted a typical pre-Christmas activity of decorating a Christmas tree, done by a maid of a rich American family.
The maid went to her master and his wife, who were helping her dress the tree, and said: “It is not there,” referring to the baby Jesus in a crib that they used to place under the tree, after looking for it in their storeroom.
Suddenly, much to their surprise and joy, the long-lost only daughter of the couple showed up! Each one tearfully embraced each other as the lady, who used to be a model and had become an actress, related what had happened in her life.
She said that she joined the MRA, an association of different peoples of the world, bound by just FOUR ABSOLUTE PRINCIPLES of (1) Absolute HONESTY, (2) Absolute PURITY, (3) Absolute UNSELFISHNESS, and (4) Absolute LOVE. Mr. Brown and Mr. Coffee were Christian Scientists.
Members do not smoke, drink, curse, or show off. Hence, this lady was wearing a long dress instead of shorts, her face was not painted, and her hair was unbraided. She was entirely different. Finally, after using the rules for meeting, and that is to write what comes to their mind after praying and read it to each other, they ended up apologizing to each other and expressing love for each other.
The maid showed up with the baby Jesus and said: “IT IS HERE!” They placed it under the tree and started Christmas carol-singing. After the show I lost my desire to smoke. Since then, I observed the four Absolutes of MRA.
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