Evening star., 1922-06-11
lnconspicuous Workers Feats
Should Be Made Inspiration

to produce what modern civiliza-
tion demands for the maintenance
and comfort of mankind. AS of
yore. nations must trade with each
other. Their products must be
transported across stormy seas.
As always. ships carrying these
products must be guided and con-
trolled by men.
4 4
Depreciating not at all the great
men who by their deeds have cast
a glamor about themselves. will
not thoughtful men consent that
what the world really needs Is
workers to do the worlds work
gladly? Acquiescence raises this
question: How may We bring to
these workers not only a mere
living. but something more vital
than that sense OF satisfaction
and contentment to abide with
them in their home and to accom-
pany them to the heldy and shops?
This question brought to the fore
by the great world war is proba-
bly, what brought 70 my mind a
recurrence OF Ruskin's thought.
May IT not be pondered at this
time by all Of US who are wish
ing the world we'll?
Surely. among the mon who raise
the food products OF the world.
there is some philosophic soul.
whose life could be SO presented to
his fellow-workers that they
are not beasts OF burden. but
workers in a cause. even mem
bers Of worthy profession. This
consciousness would be consolatory,
for no man got much out OF the
war II he did not get out of it
the idea that civilization demands
of him cheerful service. Much, l
am sure. would be achieved II in
each calling Of life some indi-
thing he is doing and who thinks
he has elevated his work to the
dignity of a profession would place
upon record his thoughts, feelings.
emotions and experiences. thereby
leading other men OF his calling
to look upon their work as an op-
portunity rather than as an i'm
posed task. and upon themselves
as doers OF things rather than
slaves.
found myself thinking along
this line after observing one W.
r. D. Irvine, who guided the des-
tiny OF the ship that brought US
over, He is one OF the men who
are doing what I call the worlds
work. Perhaps not one OF the
hundred millions OF Americans
r.
I had not used II. yet he COM
manded two ships in the great war
which We're torpedoed and sent to
the bottom. Because of his sea-
manship not q soul on board either
was lost. No one can look upon
his face or converse with him
without a realization that back Of
his calm and imperturbable counte-
nance rests a soul that has been
tried by hre.
Again without derogation OF the
public men whose great thoughts
and great ideas move the universe.
! repeat that the world might be
steadied in Its conduct II il had
opportunity to read and learn what
men like Irvine might say about
their lives. their work and their
experiences.
The equilibrium of the world has
been in a measure disturbed be-
cause greatness occupies the en-
tire stage in utter disregard OF
mediocrity. The silent lesson is
being taught in America that 1t is
not worth while to aspire to any
thing less than the presidency.
The hour of service and sacrifice.
however. has not yet passed: in
deed. il will never pass until the
heavens are rolled together as a
scroll. ! importune my country
men to give greatness a rest. If
they cannot withdraw their eyes
from gazing upon II nor cease a
little while from swinging incense
pots before 1t, I beg them at least
TO remember the men who make
the incense and the pots, thereby
inspiring increased contentment in
the discharge Of everyday duties.
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