Evening journal., 1914-09-28
Rev. George H. Dole Sees
Evidences of Quickening
Civic Conscience
FOR BEST GOVERNMENT
AND FAIR TREATMENT


subject was, "The Civic Conscience
and Public Service His text was:
"Whosoeyer will be chief among
you, let him be your servant even
as the Son of Man came not TO be
ministered unto, but 10 minister and
TO give His life a ransom for many
Math. Xxx, 27-28."
Following Is a summary OF Dr.
Dole's remarks:
81 am glad to respond to the re-
quest of the Chamber Of Commerce
by considering in this scared house
the subject of the civic conscience ana
our duty to the public. The request
itself is evidence of quickening pub
lie conscience and aspirations for
more exalted public service
"Oftimes It may seem as though
many citizens have no concern In
public affairs, and no civic consci-
ence. Doubtless there arc many
causes for this, seemingly regret
table condition. Il may be that many
are narrow and selfish, caring only
for their immediate and evident in
terests. But / do not think this
the great reason for apathy in public
affairs. / feel that the greatest rea-
son for the lack of proper interest
in the welfare of the municipality is
that we have tried so many times with
no manifest results that large num-
Der of us have become discouraged.
If this be true, the first essential to
better civic conditions is an un-
answering faith in ultimate success
along right lines.
"One cannot live in these times of
rapid change and not perceive great
promise of progress Everywhere
ideals are changing. For example,
English colleges have stood for cul-
ture. German schools have worked
for scholarship Throughout Amer
ican institutions Of learning the ideal
has been and Is that of service. The
point Is well exempified i'm the ques-
tion now so general. which is. not How
much do you own. not Who were
your ancestors, not How much do you
know, but. What can you do
Rapidly the ability to serve IS be-
coming the measure of true worth
and entering into the public con-
science And this is the true service.
the service of God. for it is written,
'lnasmuch as We have done It unto
one of the least of these, ye have done
Il unto me- And we recall that the
Master came. not TO be ministered un-
to, but 10 minister
THE Christian religion reverses the
worlds standards of greatness, and
gives a new ideal Not those who ac-
cumulate the most, not those who WELD
power not those who acquire fame are
the greatest, but those who render the
greatest service. Too much we are
Inclined 20 think those the greatest
who have the most servants or arc
the most free from service. The
Christian standard is that he is great
est who serves the most Whoever
will be chief among you, let him be
your servant
But this service must not be self
ish. II must be the unselfish service
of others. even as the Lord came to
give His life a ransom for many.
What particularly desire to en-
phasize now is that the times are
calling for more extended service than
that OF self and family, however un-
selfish such personal service is. We
are each members Of a civic body. We
each have the ability to render it
service. We at least can notice what
other cities are doing. think upon our
larger progress, and speak for the
best that is.
But our desire to be of use should
not terminate with the city in which
we live. The civic spirit may wish
well to all our industries. and yet be
selfish. To insure that our civic
spirit is pure, right and worthy. we
should wish the same good to other
towns that we wish for our own.
There Is a Just rivalry. which is 10
try TO excel in having the best to
offer our citizens, rather than merely
TO try TO get from other cities.
Nor should public spirit be limited
TO cities. We must be large-hearteo
enough big-minded enough to wish nc
unjust advantage. Every city. state
and nation has right TO its own and "a
justice. The day is rapidly passina
when politicians profit by talking
local interests as against universal
justice. The civic conscience must %,
absolutely just and unselhsh. This 1.
demanded by enlightened people, fol
they know and see that permanent in
terests are furthered only by lust an,
unselfish methods. In the interests o
the worlds peace and prosperity, W,
should wish the same good TO othe
cities and nations that we do 70 our
selves. Then good will would prevail
and universal peace reign.
There is splendid opportunity 70
us to compete with our rivals. w
can do this justly by Offering the bes
conditions for business, the perma
nent foundations for business prosper
ity are an economical. Just and bus
ess-like administration of civic al
fairs. Clean streets. beautiful park.
fine dwellings are attractions. bu
nothing equals in drawing power th
appeals of justly and prudently gov
erned city everything being regulate
for the benefit of all the people rattle
than for any faction, interest, or clas
For this reason / say the civic col
science must be unselhsh, and tn
public service impersonal. The te,
contains the essence of it all in cal
ing US to the widest service and citin
for example, Him who gave His Iii
for many"
Besides the sermon by Mr.. Dole, Il
subject of civic interest was discuss
by the following ministers: Or. Geor
Edward Reed OF Grace Church; the Re
Thomas p. Holloway of Second Bapti
Church; the Rev. Henry Cmningha
OF Eastlake Presbyterian Church; I