And now, This I Believe. Here is Edward R. Murrow.

This I Believe. Ronald Kurtz is a twenty-year-old electronic technician, third class, in the United States Navy. He was born in Brooklyn, New York and grew up in the Bronx, attending Evander Childs High School. After graduating in 1951, he signed up with the Navy. When his enlistment is up, he plans to go on with the technical training which he began in service. In a letter to his mother, which she kindly shared with us, this young sailor put his ideals and his hopes for the future into words. Here is Ronald Kurtz.

I believe that God is nature. Chance could not have made the world we live in. We could not have come from water and rock alone. The trees, the snow, the sea, a flower--I believe the beauty that it springs is the beauty that is God.

When I see a beautiful sunset on a clear, warm day, I know a happiness so keen it passes through my heart and leaves only the pain of beauty, a sorrow that means "this too shall pass." It is then I feel a closeness to God. I never pray. All my prayers have been answered long before I knew what to ask for.

I believe that man has courage beyond all other animals. I believe I am just a part of the whole of humanity. Its ends are my ends, my means, or my career. If I can help by teaching, then I shall teach. I believe we must sacrifice a little of ourselves for others.

I've seen courage take the guise of humor in a time of danger, and action in a flash of need. I've seen it wear the cloak of silence when one word meant relief. There is no end to the complexities of life, but with conscience and reason, man's

courage is a light that makes the way a whole lot easier.

You might say the world is in a pretty bad rut. You might, but I wouldn't. I believe we're on the verge of a great new era. I believe that science will forget its terrifying applications and be a complete friend to man. I believe knowledge, such as never before was dreamt of, will be the prize for anyone who studies. I believe this knowledge will show all men to be truly brothers, and it will lead the way to a world of peace and security for all.

I believe that while the world fights in wars, as it does, there is a growing science that will change the thought of all humanity. Psychology--an infant, but growing rapidly--will come forth and, with the skill of a surgeon, will cut apart the mystery which is the mind of man and make the world cognizant of its mental motivations. From this will come an understanding of each other,

a new and truthful moral code.

Man is an architectural, mechanical masterpiece. His efficiency is far above that of our machines. He has a chemical plant within himself that can never be duplicated or surpassed.

I believe in man's integrity, his dignity, his natural individual rights. I respect them to a point where I will do nothing I would not want my neighbor to do. That is my simple law.

But man is helpless by himself. Therefore I am part of a family--a home and a nation. I believe in this nation. It's as good as its history. I can't wait to get home. God knows how much I love my family.

"Beneath the bough, a jug of wine, a loaf of bread--and thou." I believe man cannot be happy alone. I want a home for

myself, someday, and a wife and children. I'll try to be a kind and understanding companion to them, and I hope they'll be the same for me. I will try to show my children the things I learned and guide them as well as I can. They are my hope for eternity. I don't want to look back on an empty life. I don't think I will.

I believe my whole life will be a mixture of happiness and sadness. I think the sadness will be for lost happiness and the good old days. I'm a sentimental son of a gun. I love the past. I love my folks, my home, and my friends. I want to do my living with them, enjoying the ties of closeness and love they afford me. It's when I'm with them--laughing, crying, loving--that I know why I believe.

That was Ronald Kurtz, technician, third class, in the United States Navy.