The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-11
THE VOICE OF THE PULPIT
ALTRUIsM. A STUDY THAT CONTAINS
POSSIBILITIES OF GOOD.
Fly rev. Daniel DuIany Addison, d. De-
Rector of All saints Episcopal
Church, BroOlSIine, Mass.


If we read at all the current books Of the
day on subjects relating to morals. we are
sure to notice that one word is repeated
with great frequency It is of recent origin,
but has been given a wide popularity III Mr..
Howellss Traveller in Altruria.'
Altruism is the opposite of egoism, and
describes that quality of the emotions and
the reason which deals with the interests
and rights of others. The word has played
a valuable part in the latest discussions
about morals in their relation TO human life.
Being a new word it has advantage Of
having no traditions connected with it SO
that some men who dislike the old terms
charity" s'benevolence' or philanthropy"
have not been afraid to use "altruism."
There are those who speak contempt-
uously of 'self-sacrihce" and ''love Of
neighbor," saying, Sacrifice yourselfR
Why, you had better develop yourself
Take an interest in others? You are wise
if you look after your own affairs; better
not NEEDLE with the affairs of others" But
now they have begun to see that man is
not able to develop himself unless he Is with
others, and that this very fact Of living to-
gether limits the individual; in other words,
these students have been forced to recognize
a whole set of emotions and laws that have
been created by the necessities OF men who
live in a. society composed Of numerous
units.
Here is a new and interesting SCIENCE
they say; what shall we call it?"
The name altruism is selected, and its
commandments are: Submit yourself TO
the will of the majority" give up your
own will when such surrender is for the
public good;" be kind and even tender
hearted" Those of us who are familiar
with certain phrases of an old book that
we have honored are pleased to find that
the new science has adopted precepts which
sound very much like words that have be-
come sacred to humanity: Love your neigh
Dor as YOURSELF" bear We one anothers
burdens;" be ye kind one to another, ten en-.
own things, but also on the things OF 9TH
erS.
On the whole great gain TO morals and
religion has come from the use Of the term
and the research that it implies. Perhaps
the most. important contribution that this
study has made IS the emPnaslzlng OF - the ne
supreme place in human society occupied oy
the thought of others" 1t has shown that
whatever real advance man has made has
been due to the development of the un-
selfish traits of human character
SOCIAL ADVANCEMENT.
From the rise of the family feeling by the
mating Of one pair in a continuous mar
riage bond, and from the maternal Instincts
strengthened into watchful protection by
the lengthening of the period of infancy
from these to the growth of community life,
where justice and cooperation have been
the main factors in the preservation of the
city or the state, there has ever been this
impulse forward-coming not from reason
solely, nor the needs of the times but
from the needs of the heart, tho ycarnlng
of the better man for the expression or ms
ethical nature.
mans advance in social life. has put the
same thought in these words: The process
of social development that has taken place
is not a product of the intellect, but the
motive force behind it has had its seat and
origin in the fund of altruistic feeling with
which our civilization has been equipped:
This progress is not the visible mechanical
one with it's improved physical conditions,
but deeper moral one IN men S feialloh5
to each other and in their characters. Ih ere
might be an almost perfect system for the
giving of comfort and luXurles TO the mil
lions, and yet essential human life would pc
in an undeveloped state II IS not unSM
mems characters are touched that we really
perceive that any advance has been mace.
Feet may be swifter to shed BLOOD, since
steam and electricity have reduced as
tances Tongues may have an ADDED ma.
licious power. since a whispered lie is heard
around the, world. Destruction may be in-
fnitely greater and human bodies more
completely mangled since the new guns lil0
dynamite shells. Improved mechaihcal cor
ditionS do not lnulcate any IihVl oFSiiA@i' -
mt when we see whole classes Of men
given q right to register their Will IN a con-
| stantly charging suffrage, then we Know
| that the old tyranny has been broken uoWA,
| and that men are beginning 10 i've on q
| footing of greater equality When We see
| the rights of the people respected, anu pe-
| fore the advance of their mighty coluHh me
injustces of the age disappearlhg, VIZ ne ne
| chains of the slave are broken even oy l .g
| laundering strokes of war; Wheh lhuustIlaii
| masses have concessions made TO tnenn, dlu
| the toilers' rights are respecleq-then We
are sure that some changes have been
| wrought in society, and we are Wlit Ing - ~
cav ssHere is progress''-progress, due 70
~ e,ro15tb If sentiment and lJrotherly feel
| ing. not TO more acute reasoning, nor
more skillful use OF logic ,4- +1,.+
| II is the great heart of humanity thds
| throbs when the thrill of a healthy Dioou
current is felt in every part or the o!sdLlsliii
| 1t is the cry Of brotherhoou tiidi y Sa,,eh4
| when the cause of the oppressed IS Drousn!t
| before the tribunal of an aroused pubic
sentiment The universal conscience lmpeis
men to work for the world 5 ilIlpr 1,
FACTS BROUGHT OUT.
The study of altruism has brought out
this fact-that love is coeval with life, and
| that it's marks can be seen like golden
thread weaving itself in the fabric OF ma
| tire. and that the onward movement of So
| cietv has been brought about by its con-
| tinual assertion in mems dealings Win edch
/ other. ..o.o.+ ~ 4ba
| truths that Christianity holds ana mas
! labored to enforce. For Chrisuanlty IN lts
| essence is what MI. l1eGkJ htAllitcAN~9f
| he saws: ANY impartial observer would
| describe the most distinctive virtue feIeIreu
| ia i'm the New Testament as love, chdfity
| ana uhflanthropy." Those who nave mace
! even a superficial study of the gospels know
/ that this is the spirit that breathes through
| them: this first attracted men IL was the
| noble system of ethics, the anecuon thal
| existed between different classes or mehs
1 the tolerance. the breaking down OF solat
barriers and the realization OF an actual
| brotherhood that won the allegiance or the
| early discipIes-and these conditions We're
/ All made more effective by loyalty to the
| nerson of Jesus. such was real Christianity
| and when anything different from y laS
| been presented TO the world a false impress
| sion of its meaning has been conveyed
| The keen observer. however. can see To-
| dax- a similar spirit in both Christianity ana
| science Christianity Is trying to present IL
self truly to men, and there are INDICATIONS
| IN science by its study of altruism. OK a
| deeper appreciation of the uses OF love N
| human life. thus coming back TO the old
statement as true that 'out OF the heart aFs
| the issues Of life
| What power for good there would be IN
| the world if all the love lying dormant IN
mems souls, and all the knowledge that mas
been gained. should join forces for the en-
nobIing of mems liyesi II the words should
be obeyed. Look not every man on his own
| things, but also on the things or others,
| then whether we call it altruism, or ChIlS-
| tan love, il matters not We should flnd q
/ watcher by every lonely sick bed, q friend
| for every weaTied life, guardian for every
usaff of the streets. some one to think OF tH6