THE CHURCH AND PR0GRESS

Reforms depend upon reformed men. Perhaps the greater need is _formed_men. As we survey the majority of men around us, they seem largelyunconscious of what they really are and of the privileges andresponsibilities that appertain to manhood. It must be that men aremuch better, and more, than they seem. Visit a baseball game or a movie. Thecrowds seem wholly irresponsible, and, except in the pleasure orexcitement sought, utterly uninterested--apparently without principle orpurpose. And yet, when called upon to serve their country, men will goto the ends of the world, and place no limit on the sacrifice freelymade for the general good. They are much better than they seem, and in wayswe know not of possess a sense of justice and a love of right which theyfound we know not where.

This is encouraging, but must not relieve us from doing our utmost toinform more fully every son of man of his great opportunity andresponsibility, and also of inspiring him to use his life to his and ourbest advantage.

It is so evident that world-welfare rests upon individual well-beingthat we cannot escape the conviction that the best thing any one of uscan do is to help to make our fellow-men much better and happier. And thepart of wisdom is to organize for the power we gain.