Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1914-10-16
The Social Service League OF
Montgomery County.

This League is a voluntary organization
of persons and societies within the county
its purpose is to do something towards
amelorating and uplifting the social de-
fects of our county. The organization has
been Incorporated according to the laws of
the State of Maryland, and is therefore a
body of responsibility and standing.
Why, you may ask, do these people wish
to interfere with the social conditions of
the county? The State and county have
laws which govern the relations of the
people, and officers to administer them.
What further need of service to the public ?
And why should social service people at
considerable sacrifice of time, labor and
money engage in this work
1t has been said frequently of late that
the uncharted province which lies between
the State and National Governments is
sort of no-man's land, difficult to regulate,
and liable to exploitation by wrong doors,
to the serious loss of the people. In social
affairs there is much of this kind of terri
tory between the county government and
the rights of the individual, which, if neg
lected, will render the political organiza-
ton Ineffective, and threaten the rights
and liberty of the individual. Some one
must step into this gap if we are to pre-
serve our national ideals and keep abreast
of the progress of the age.
A voluntary organization is best suited
to such an undertaking; because it appeals
to the people in the community most capa-
Bile OF doing such work people of high
intelligence, wide experience, well-devel-
oped character, and passion for human
welfare. Also, such an organization is best
suited because of its freedom of action,
and the readiness with which it can adapt
itself to the new demands and constantly
changing situations which arise.
AS to the other question-why we feel il
is our duty to engage in this work? We
might say like ST. Paul-Woe is me if do
it not Every impulse of awakened man
hood drives us to do these things to shirk,
is to acknowledge ourselves unworthy of
the privilege and glory of manhood. This
awakening to true manliness has its source
in the new creation of God which took
place through the coming of His son Jesus
Christ into the world since it is of Him
and through Him we take rightly as our
motto the words I'm His Name"
To many it may seem that we have
some selfish motive, or we are just plain
fools. To all such let me say, that we
have learned long ago the truth of the
Bible teaching on this subject the world
has its rewards and many will seek after
them and find them. But realizing that rises
above all worlds, and looks forward to end
less eternity; we cannot satisfy ourselves
with anything less than rewards common
surate with our marvellous gift of manhood.
Ii is in the doing of social service work,
and all similar work. that we discover and
establish our true manliness. We see clearly
the end, we understand the method, we
have counted the cost, and have realized
the joy of life in doing the Masters will
1t is the work of Christian people real
izine their Christianity in terms adequate
to the needs of the time If christianity is to
exist, and still more is to triumph it must
do more than Christianze the individual
it must save also society by interpreting
to men in their social and organized rela-
tons the meaning and purpose of all such
relations; it must inspire men with enthu-
siasm for these ideals; and strengthen them
in their struggle to attain them.
JAMES KIRKPATRICK.