Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-12-29
A COMMON SPIRIT
BY DR.. Frank Crane


tn HE very best seat at the concert or the
opera is in the front row and right be-
hind the conductor of the orchestra
This is stated in all arrogance for it is purely
matter of taste, and taste Is the one thing
in which one can be safely arrogant, for no
one can prove you are wrong.
The beauty of this location is that one can
see the orchestra people, as we'll as hear
them. And orchestra is the most perfect
human machine in existence.
When twenty fiddle bows move as one
when the flute, that seems to be leisurely
discoursing as it pleases, whistles precisely at
the harmonious moment, and when the Whole
troop of instruments make a mad race at the
finish and come to the climax racing like
cowboys and Indians in the circus, nobody
stumbling, all keeping perfect line, then
there begins to come to you some realization
of the breadth and depth and beauty and
wonder Of the word-co-operation
This team play, which reaches its perfec-
tion in the orchestra, appears here and there
through life and always it is a point of cheer
A good part of the fascination of soIdiery
is the thrill of drill. 1t is easier to shoulder
musket spontaneously with hundred 9th
er mem than to lift it alone, and can
walk much longer keeping step than sham
bling forward by ones self Even killing
men if you go netwo-three-fre! and all
kill at the same time is somehow glorious.
while numbering your man tete-a-tete is
rather unpleasant.
And what brighter spot in college days
than the songs, when twenty fellows make
their fresh and youthful howls into one in
terwoYen noise!
In church the imposing psalms of David
gather new increments of majesty when re-
cited in concert by the whole congregation.
Who shall say, also, how much the edge
of tolls fatigue is dulled, how much the sec
ton hands or hod carriers darkness is
frightened by the sense of community?
The railway or factory department store
or mail order house is successful and the air
of its working force is CHEEKY in proportion
as the team work is good
The city prospers when citizens work to-
gether, the nation is strong when all it's peo-
pie united in a common spirit and why
not carry the theme farther?
What will the whole world be when all
men everywhere shall play into one another s
hands, when we in America will feel the en-
thusiasm of keeping step with them on
China, when Chilli and Turkey shall unite in
common policies, when there shall be no
more bristling tariffs at frontiers and when
we shall be interested in protecting the
interests of the Japanese manufacturers as
those of our own, and in getting fair wages
Tor H1ndus well for Irish?
The whole problem of civilization Is to get
together.
AS for religion, its manifest aim is to
realize a universal brotherhood. Christani-
tvs best claim to be the one faith of man
kind is the fact that Jesus never advocated
patriotism, but desired his followers to re-
gard all mankind as their brethren, and the
world as their fatherland."
Art is universal. Commerce is universal.
The one unconscious impulse beneath all
art and commerce and religion is to break
down the partitions that divide men into
castles, sets, sects, states, nations. or races,
''til all come into the unity of trust and
of knowledge, unto perfect man. the whole
body fifty Joined together and compacted by
that which every joint suppIieth."
Copyright, 1929