The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-01-03

countabIe but man as an Individual, man
as factor in social and political lie.
1t is because we men, IN our private anu
public relations, in our individual and IN
our civic life, have been shortsghted ana
have created false social conditions, II Is
because we have neglected our duties
and thrust aside our obligations, that
we are dashed and tormented by this
eternal unrest No thoughtful man or
woman but realizes that society IS To-Day
madly whirling on volcano whose nre
and rumblings are traceable either to the
follies or the furies, to the sin and the
senselessness of our own selves.
Would we be freed of this eternal dis
content. of this constant threat of a So
eial upheaval of strikes and lockouts and
boycotts and antagonisms between
classes, we must not be satished
with new year wishes and prayers 1t Is
by a resolve to recognize our faults ana
follies, by repentance of our sins anu
weaknesses that we can secure content
ment and tranquility. An honest at
tempt to find the remedy and its ap-
plication is the keynote of new year
burden, is the precursor of happier times
and a brighter life.
Make Resolve.
In this new year day let us resolve not
to try shifting our guilt upon some one
else; let us not ascribe our ills and woes
to causes of uncomfortable nature. Most
all of our woes are caused by men,
and men alone. The one exception is
when the heavens refuse to give their
dew; when the earth is shaken by par
oxyms of fever destroying flourishing
cities and isles; or when the ocean weary
ing of its confinement rises to sweep over
rocks and dykes drenching the gardens
where men are wont to work for food.
But other excuses for hardships there are
none. Even pestience today is not be-
yond control of man. Today, thanks to
advance in the sciences, for every life
blighted by the arrow that flieth in the
darkness, mans folly, carelessness or
blindness must be held accountable.
| Every. germ of disease might be extermi-
mated or prevented from finding Judgment
in the community. When states and
cities are rayaged by disease there is
something wrong in administration cir
cles Civil negligence or political corrup-
ton brings upon many a family gloom
and despair. We have been Mortified but
lately alas by terrible catastrophes. rail-
road wrecks. the horrible theatre con-
Migration in Chicago. In all these in
stances, well known laws and precautions
have been neglected or disregarded. 1t is
not a matter of Indifference to individual
and social welfare whether cities, states
and nations be governed righteously.
Righteousness exalteth nation" says
the book of Proverbs, nay righteousness
saves nation.
The first thing we today should learn,
in order to remove our woes and trou-
bles, is to remove the walls of artificial
ity in individual life, and to tear down
the palaces of corruption in public life
Our shortsighted selfishness and our ILL
timed carelessness has perverted what
might be good into evil. Our individual
life must become less artificial and self
ish-our civic life more honest and pub
lic-spirited. Our lives have become too
artificial, we are slaves to luxuries and
are worshiping at the shrines of extrav-
agances. We have thrown aside the sim
pier mode of living and are madly hum
gering for the artificial and corrupting
enjoyments. Our tastes, | fear. have
become not more artistic but more de-
prayed. Society is madly dancing on a
Volcano for the moment forgetful of its
dangers, but the day of reckoning, fear,
will be terrible, unless we realize our
condition and repent.
7i Cause of Woe.
"Selfshness in individual enedavors. in
difference to civic duties, negligence of
human responsibilities cause the woes we
are suffering from. Individual egotsm, in
professional men to keep aloof from act
i've and honest participation in our munic-
ipal and national life. We are so short
sighted as to imagine that all will be
well as long as our own business goes
along right, and we let the business of the
community go to ruin Professional poll
ticians are in charge of municipal coun-
ellis and legislative chambers. and the re-
suit is graft and private profits. We must
grow out of our egotsm and cure our
shortsightedness, and recognize that our
real interests are bound up with the lar
ger interests of the community. We must
heed and obey the law that in being SER
viceable to others we are surest to bring
reward to self and that in lettering
others we better ourselves.
sAn old rabbinical legend tells us that
one day a rabbi visited heaven. Welcom
ed by the angel who presides over the
chamber of misfortunes. the rabbi is bid
den to inspect horrors destined to befall
Israel Says the Stranger of earth: But
are the Israelites the only sinners?' Oh
replies the angel, of sinners there are
many In all lands, but Israel lis RESPONSE
BILE for the world, and this food of tears