The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1922-03-01
Federal Reports State That Billion Dollars Will BE Spent RI
SINCERITY VS.. INsINcERITY
Mr.. Booth Writes Of the Reasons For
Supporting the r. M. C. A.

Supporting the Y. M. C. A.
Editor Of the Banner: The local
Y. NJ. G. A. Is in the midst Of It's an.
nuaI campa gn to raise the necessary
funds for another years work. A
comparatively large sum Of money is
needed 1t will be raised only II the
serious-minded people Of tbs com
munity will honestly face the respon
sibility Of giving in proportion TO
their means, and in view of their 9th
er Obligations.
Some Of the people who will be ap
preached vii decline to give on the
ground that the ~" has failed in
this or that respect 1t will be de
clared by folks who are hard put for
a convincing reason for their refusal
TO share the financial responsible ty
that the "Y' fal far short OF the
ideal organization VII ch they have in
mind for the youth OF the communi.
ty
This line Of defense is weak. 1t is
shortsighted, 1t is insincere. For
where on earth Is the human instltu
tion whic.l is perfect How can a
human institution be perfect? Hu
man beings are finite in intellect,
they are woefu'ly deficient in moral
power, they are swayed by mixed mo-
tiyes. They learn through expert
ence They go cropping and stumb
ling along. Life is Iong and pa n
.ul process of education, with its ups
and downs, with its advances and re-
treats. Consequently no institution
can be better than the rank and file
Of humanity. Who in his senses
would pronounce the government at
Washington, at Montpelier, or even
in Bennington. perfect and ideal? It
IS as good and as bad as the rank and
file Of American citizenship. Who
knowing the facts, would dare to de-
clare that our pubic sc'loo's, in the
personal OF their teaching force, and
In their curricu are perfec; and
ideal? They are q fair product OF the
mentality Of the community What
lover o. truth and sincerity would
venture to assert that the C''urches
Of Chr.stendom, no matter what the
creed may be, are perfect manifes-
tations OF the mind which was In
Christ Jesus? The churches have all
the virtues. and many Of the failings
Of human nature, at its best and at
its worst.
Now, because the state. the school,
the churCh fall so far short Of the
ideal are we going TO consign them
TO the scrap heap? Supnos ne we
should, what would take their place?
Wou lie, liberty, decency, and the
pursu t OF happiness be possible o.
easier to attain without them2 Tbs
question must be answered in the
negative These inst tutions, such
as they are, are the best that socie,y
is capable Of produc ne at its present
stage OF development. As men grow
better their institutions VII improve
accordingly
In passing Judgment on an institu-
ton (not to mention an individually
we should ask ourselves whether the
general influence which L exerts, and
the sum total OF its actiy ties make
for progress toward the ideal. Not,
"is it perfect?", but, does fl accom-
piish a piece of work which should
be done In and for the community?
Motifs II beyond crit cism?", but
ira'her. lis there any other organiza.
ton in sight which could do the work
to be done. better than It Is done by
the organization in the fie e'd?'
II these questions are asked with
reference to the local "Y" and hon
estly answered the money required
.or its ma ntenance will be speadlly
raised. In otter words.-let us apply
the same quality Of justice and mer'
cy to the ~" that we hope the Judge
OF the word will manifest towards
lus at the Great Assize. II our Max
er should withhold His support and
benediction until We attain unto per-
lection. who OF us wou d escape dam.
nation,
II we can not afford to give in this
canvass for tae "Y' by all means let
us say so. But let us not base our
re usal on the ground that the "Y''
Is defective institution Such an
excuse is tinged with ins'ncerity
VINCENT RANI-BOOTH.
Bennington, VT March /, 1922.