The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1913-03-30
TEACHING MAN HIS PLACE

For He breaketh me with a tempest-Job TX, II.
Commenting upon the storms of the week that has just
passed, a philosopher SAYS: Nov and then the elements
teach man his place This is undermining the proverb of
the ancient philosopher, that pride goeth before a tau and
which is inevitable to him who studies the course OF human
events.
Since the first, man has become Indifferent according
as he has become erous-indift to the higher
things of life. He has developed the mighty steamship OF
today from the tiny canoe of skins in which he timidly ven
tured from the shore When ne first sought to navigate the
seas; he has boasted that he has conquered the sea. And
then has come some such reminder as the titanic disaster,
to remind him of his littleness and to recall his thoughts to
the Source OF all strength.
He has damned the streams and has harnessed their
waters to serve him. He has boasted that he has controlled
another of the elements and has proudly pointed to the
wonders of his accomplishment; And then, even while ne
sweled with pride, the waters have swept away his puny
structure and have dashed forth in destructive might. Such
a manifestation have we had during the days OF suspense
which have made up the week whose end came last night.
Terror has filled hearts which were vanglorious and boast
ful men have confessed their utter helplessness.
Again has man boasted that he has conquered the air.
He has launched his flying machines and has constructed
his windmills; he has rested in confidence that he has the
secret at last of the control of the winds. Even as he
vaunts his pride, a tempest lays low his cities and leaves
his country desoIate. Mourning has followed the spirit Of
@forgetful elatiOn. Once more the elements have taught
man his place"
1t is a terrible lesson which the past seven days have
impressed upon us; 1t is a lesson from which we may learn
much if we will. We laugh, these days, at the old Puritans
who opened their toWn-meetings with prayer and who
sought counsel in their Bible Whenever they embarked
upon any undertaking, But were they so silly, after all?
We have yet to learn Of the details of the bursting Of
dams which caused the initial flood in Ohio. But, in the
light OF other and similar occurrences, it is not unreason-
able to assume that these dams would not have given way
had they been built with the thorough devotion to honesty
which characterized the old psalm-sing ing New England
ers. In the overconfidence which his engineering tri-
umphs have begotten, the modern builder of dams tends
to disregard the Conscientious thoroughness which must
enter into such work if it is to be safe and successful.
Immunity from accident breeds indifference. The omis-
sion OF a small percentage Of cement in the construction of
a dam may add to the profits OF the builder, but it intro
duces an element of weakness into the structure which is
fatal. Honesty in construction is the soundest foundation
for any engineering undertaking. Whether it is the build
ing OF a dam or the paving OF a bridge, unless the work be
done with honesty, the construction will be false.
Whenever man gets it into his head that he is able to
go it alone, then he is in danger. Whenever he takes the
notion that he can disregard divine law, he is in peril.
When, even, he thinks he can ignore statute law, he would
better look out. That man is safest who proceeds accord
er than the source Of law. And this is true, whether it be
the law of nature, as we call the divine organization of the
elements, or the law which the will of the people has spread
upon the statute books.
And, also, that community is upon soundest ground,
whose citizens regard the law most conscentiously. We
defy the laws of sanitation and an epidemic follows which
brings us to a realization OF our neglect and reminds us OF
our responsibility. We ignore the laws of the elements and
a tempest wrecks our tinsel structures and destroys the
lives which our careessness has imperiled.
Our first responsibility is to the law. The highest law is
the law of the Maker. And that law is applicable to our
business, to our social life and to our government. The
moment we disregard it and set ourselves up as infallible,
that moment we put ourselves into a position where the
elements must teach us our place.
dried III The melting snow, Nissona Why should nt the same punishment
should be clear from one M to the be motel out to these men and wom-