Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1916-01-06
Civilization, its Foundation
And ITS Fundamental Elements

world is inclined today to mistake
the noise and glitter of its wonderful
material advancement for real prog
ress. Science and invention are
mighty instruments for good in the
hands of a true civilization. But,
as we see every day, they are like
wise terrible instruments Of destruc-
tion in the hands Of relentless
moral barbarism.
What then can ever become the
essence and security of genuine
and lasting civilization? The ans
wer is: Individual moral character.
This and this alone. Individual moral
character is the one solid rock upon
which any people may build the mag
nificent temple of a civilization,
against which all the storms and
floods of the ages may heat in vain.
But as the surges of time beat upon
it, it win grow more sublime and
beautiful.
But right here it is of the utmost
Importance to understand with per-
feet clearness just what is meant
by the term moral character. Upon
this hinges the value of this entire
discussion.
Morality has been variously de-
fined, but the definition which ap-
peals to the writer most and which
supports the central idea of this ar
ticle, may be found in a book en-
titled "The Great Work., published
by the Indo-American Book company
OF Chicago. 1t is as follows;
Morality is the established har-
monte relation which man, as an in
dividual intelligence, sustains to the
constructive principle of nature"
This will require a little elucida-
tion. In this same book it is ex-
planned in a masterful manner how
all of natures phenomena fell under
two classes and only two, ethically
considered. First. those which are
destructive. Second, those which are
constructive. This, of course, implies
two great principles in nature-a
constructive principle and destruc-
tive principle. 1t requires but little
reflection to see that this hypothesis
is sustained by facts beyond cavil or
question. 1t is almost instantly ap-
parent that every single thing, pro-
cess, act, life or event readily aligns
itself with one or the other Of these
two great principles. Evidently then
each human being, each individual
life, each personal character, stands
in direct relation to one or the other
of these two great principles. And
this relation is an established and
harmonic relation. 1t runs with, be-
longs to, and is dominated by one or
the other of these two fundamental
principles.
Man cannot be related harmonical-
/ L.. Il Io+b % tbo eop,a tinoa Naithnr
can any given act or process be har-
monic with BOTH but must of neces-
sity line up on one side or the other.
Thus the fundamental character
of any man or woman stands by an
immutable law of nature, or of God,
in harmonic relation to one or the
other of these two principles. If
| that character is in line with the
destructive principle it is not moral
character. Its tendency is downward
and not upward. 1t is carrying the
individual toward destruction, in
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instead of life.
But on the other hand If his fun
uamental character is in alignment
with natures constructive principle,
he is then a truly moral man and
his life tendency is upward, not
downword; toward life, not death.
And this is moral character, accord
ing to the above definition. And
such established harmonic relation
OF the individual to natures great
constructive principle is the only gen.
uine morality.
The application of the foregoing
to the solution of the problem be-
fore us will be made in the next
issue of the Tidings.