Deming graphic., 1921-04-05
MATERIAL VS.. THE SPIRITUAL


Man lives not by bread alone" Per
haps this assertion has lost something
Of its force through long centuries OF
repetition: but its truthfulness Is still
self evident and has never heen denied.
From the words Of Jesus Christ we
may safely infer that man lives by
bread plus-that Is by the material
with the addition OF something spir-
ituaL What the material contribution
Is is plain. even 10 the most unthOught-
ful but what the less tangible spir-
itual factors may he are not at all
obvious regardless OF esoteric dogma
But however spiritual may be the
thoughts and aspirations, still Is hu-
manity part and parcel OF the material
universe. subject TO its laws and limi-
tations. However far the soul Of man
may soar In the universe or the mind
penetrate the mysteries Of creation.
miud and soul return 10 the narrow
limits of the animal body which eX-
lists in world of Savagely competing
individuals lighting for mere exist
ence.
In order 20 enjoy the safety and
leisure necessary for acquiring culture
and contemplating the higher life.
there must he or at least there has
been. violence. The individual mnst
gain elbow room In the group and
the group must have SOON FOR growth
and expansion. This favorable e0ndi-
ton Is gained at the expense Of other
individuals and groups. Perhaps eN-
ceptlons 10 this rule may he found, but
one need go no further than the lawn
10 illustrate It's fundamental truth.
The very grasses carry on deadly
strife. war of determination between
species, varieties and individuals. In
the forest among the trees, between the
animals and the birds this warfare
goes ON. Nature exempts no one eX-
cept at the expense OF others The
genus homo Is no exception Is ity
How far humanity has been able to
save itself from the destructive compe-
tition through the exercise of higher
faculties is not very plain. The best
that civilization seems to have offered
IS a set of rules imperfectly drawn, and
frequently disregarded. IL would APP
pear TO restrain but impedes natural
election and ends In wholesale dlsas-
ter to the exotic flowers Of the mind
and soul that adorns civilizatiOn-back
to mere animal existence.
As individuals we stand In dead
mems shoes and the groups to which
we belOsg flourish only through ability
10 retdin what 1t has anciently wrested
from others. only the happy fruition
81 blood letting and labor places us us
individuals in our little spot Of sun
light 20 grow and expand and perhaps
10 despise the means by which we have
risen from the mire.
Perhaps we expect too much from
civilization. The sum of spiritual
strength. however vital, seems made
uuate to overcome the tremendous
pull OF natural law. The great stone
IL rolled far up the hill, but before Il
tops the crest Il breaks restraint ANA
man must follow 1t TO the valley and
painfully begin the ascent again.
The natural laws that limit spiritual
activities are too little understood OF
is II that ''breadalone" must determine
the ultimate fate OF humanity
But until the laws that determine
the survival Of races and individuals
are better known, 1t would seem only
prudent and wise to take the measures
deemed necessary to maintain the
elbow room" required for life. To
jcopardlze what has been 50 dearly
bought is obviously folly and weak
ness. Nature has never shown fond
ness for weakness and folly.