Shoshone journal., 1923-04-20

IndiuiduaHsn
a Timely Message to
the American People
Bv HERBERT HOOVER
Secretary of Commerce.
2 ,3-SPIRITUAL PHASES

~
better days unless it is in
pired by things Of the spirit 1t is
here that the higher purposes Of in
dividualism must find their susie
nance. Men do not live by bread
lone Nor is indiyidLalism merely
stimulus to production and the
road to liberty; it alone admits the
Universal divine inspiration of every
human soul. | may repeat that the
divine spark does not lie In agree
nents. In organizations, In institutions,
IN masses or in groups. Spirituality
with its faith, It's hope, Its charity, can
ho increased by each individuals own
EFFORT. And In proportion as each In
dlvidual increases his own store OF
kplrituality, in that proportion In
rreases the idealism Of democracy.
For centuries, the human race be-
eyed that divine inspiration rested in
few. The result was blind faith In
religious hierarchies. the Divine Right
bf Kings. The world has been disil-
usoned of this belief that divinity
ests In any special group or class
kbether 1t be through creed, tyr
anny of kings or OF proletariat. Our
ndIyiduallsm insists upon the divine
each human being. 1t rests upon
he firm faith that the divine spark
sn be awakened In every heart. 1t
MS the refusal to compromise these
Ahg that led to the migration OF
those religious groups who SO largely
omposed our forefathers. Our diversi-
ted religious faiths are the apotheos1s
II spiritual Indiyidualism-
The vast multiplication of voluntary
EXAMINATIONS for altruistic purposes
re themselves proof Of the ferment
Of spirituality. service, and mutual re-
ponslbility. These associations for
adrancement OF public welfare, I'M
pavement, morals, charity, public opin-
Ion, health, the clubs and societies
for recreation and intellectual advance
nent, represent something moving at
q far greater depth than Joining"
They represent the widespread aspira-
#ton for mutual advancement, self-ex-
pression, and neighborly helpfulness.
Moreover today when we rehearse
bur own Individual memories Of sue
fess, we find that none gives us such
kymfort as memory of service given.
Nwe not refer to our veterans as
erVEe men? Do not our merchants
Ind business men pride themselves In
0mething of service given beyond the
price Of their goods? When we trav-
Arse the glorious deeds of our fathers
sFe today never enumerate those acts
*nat were not rooted In the soil of
Aervice. Those whom We revere are
hose who triumphed In service, for
From them comes the uplift of the
|uman heart and the uplift Of the
Duman mind.
Whlie there are forces In the growth
4 our individualism which must be
furoed with vigilance, yet there are
less glorious spiritual forces grow
Fns "itnin that promise for the fu- |
(ure' There is developing in our peo-
R.e new valuation of individuals and
4 groups and of nations. 1t is a
|iSihs vision Of service. Indeed II l
rere TO select the social force that
'OoFe all others has advanced sharp
uurlng these past years of suffer
ug II Is that of seryice-service to
nose with whom we come in contact
e'Sice TO the nation, and service I'd
ne world Itself. If we examine the
iea' mystical forces of the past seven
ears we find this great spiritual force
cured out by cur people as never
.iore In the history of the world-the
Zeal of service.
Just now we are weakened by the
'eiing OF failure of immediate realiza-
~ VI the great ideals and hopes that
,VSe through the exaltation Of war.
~ ny us very nature sets loose cha
y iorces Of which the resultants cam
= oe loretold or anticipated. The In
,'9-,', = eiless to the brutalities of physi- 7
. ,'o'ence' and all the spiritual dis T
Sauols OF war. have left us, at the .
-1.ent' poorer. The amount of Sc ;
laller !
me spiritual reaction after the wai
I oeen 10 part the fruit of some H.
..y1s ssr curing those five years. In the a
go 's.s OF unity OF purpose and the b
nv 'ne emotions Of war. mnny men
~ ~ believe that salvation lay IN -
~ i ana group action. They have "
!, n, NE spiritual and material mobIl- b
~ f nations, OF classes, and d
~ Tor sacrifice and service; they
i I conceived that real human prog
! '1n De achieved by working on .
fsy'n'ioRy OF the people'wby y
""es wlne' they yielded 20 lead o.
..e ''ui reserYatlong fhey cen ~
ii ri .. Ytf tbls leadership could con
\ \, "''Nppl t}rapnyi fhey hege for,
''N' nflnNponi spiritual prog
''" HIII III. iuNI.I.II4lI Il.