Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-12-27
BISHOP JOSEPH F. BERRY
On New Years Resolutions

A LTllOGGH New Years resolutions are
~ observed more in the breach than in the
ob>crvanc" and they have been for some time
the standby Of the cynical humorist, yet they
are not things to be- discouraged by any
means says Bishop Joseph +. Berry.
Tho bishop is willing to 90 further ana
suggest II number of resolutions that might
be adopted and carried out with great profit.
II am not inclined, to criticiz" ..,;> Mew
are an indication Of good impulses, and aS
such should be encouraged.
'RcSoluti0ns. both past and present rep.
resent striving toward an ideal, SINGER"
cndeavor to do better things At this par
ticulHr stage in history they are particularly
timely. With cvrrything more or less in II
state of turmoil. and unrest and disturbanc"
featuring every hour. and with REIMBURSEMENT
tn" need Of the moment. it is douby apprO-
priat" that W" should be making new reSOu-
tiOnS.
"Thc New Year is the time for making n
personal inventory for turning over new
leaf.
1T is we'll to set ideals for ourselves. even
il in the course of the year We are not able
to reach the mark that we have set. In the
trying for such II goal at least we shall have
gained something. To paraphrasr the poet
1T is better to have tried and failed. than
never to have tried at all.
As W" go further along in life we will
rcallZ" that we can raise our ideals to n
II
our efforts practically are often unsuccessful
Many Who Could Profit
"Th"rc are many classes Of people who
could profit by outlining n set Of resolutions
for themselves to carry ont during the year
As an example. ! might tax" two contrast
ing types of leaders in public .ii" and take
IN" liberty Of Offering them n few >uggrS-
tonS. ! might suggest these ud iniinitum
for many others. but at least th,~r will point
tlr md tln classes rpfr,rul IN fIhn,
might even find them useful
II suggest to our Philadrmhia DoIiti-
clans that it might be well to r,~olvr--
''T0 do less loafng.
Gro begin to be square"
'TO help clean up current crimr
''TO b" less bI!ndly UNrtiSan
'"ro BE- less hungry for spui'>
'Tn pay NOR" attention to the prompt
ingS of conscience.
''To give the fellow in tho other foction
credit for some honesty Of motive and pur.
pose.
"Io give moro att"urjon ~ how my action
is likely to affect the fair name Of my city.
'''ro stop wearing the cloak of reform to
cover up political manipulation.
"TO lift moral standard, Ligh"r
"Io, earn "A IittI" NOR" Of the money paid
! from the peoples treasury.
''T" help enforce economy in Council and
| city departments. and rrrnr'c~Sy cut down
| tn" taxes Of Il tax -bUrdrurI city.
''T" be better cNnmn." for III" boys and
| girls and Young p""rl" Of the city. who are
strongly Influenced by tine chararter nnd
| conduct Of til" men in public Itfr
"To emphasize the fact that politirs ron
| be- mad" rs clean rs any other phase Of city
| life, and that the only man who regard. no.
| litirnI prcfcrm"nt rs ii ~Hrrnd obligation Inns
| right 10 expect IN" r"nid ne" and support
| Of III" people.
"Aud | make bold to ~u.yo,r ro thc min.
! ist"rN Of my own and otarr churches that
| they would do well to- r,.,D'vr.-
/, .l,..,,,