The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1924-02-20

linn. Your first thought was of the
nome town doctor, and he saved the
lives Of your dear ones.
When you lost your job, VIII, gave
you credit and tided you over the
winter?
1t certainly wasn't the store in the
city that advertises bargains" for
the country shopper. The merchant
on Front Street. or main Street
stood by you then, as he has for 9th.
ers, and as he will again some time
when the emergency arises.
IL these things have not happened
to you, they have happened t, your
ncIghbors, and you know about them
Mere money cannot pay for distintef-
es.ed service such as the doctor and
the mel chant render unoer the cir
cumstances. And they are no. cited
with the idea of Weakening a feeling
OF obligation toward those individuals
who render US signal service on extra
ordinary occasions. They are brought
up, rather, with the view to making
every man, woman and child realize
his partnership in the community and
his responsibility in that partnership
which means so much to him.
The doctor and the merchant ar,
not the only men toward whom 9th
C1s in the community owe this cbliga-
ton to maintain the community as
self sustaining entity. They arc
simply given as examples of how the
proposition works out concretely.
They are among the leaders VIII, have
consecrated what they are and what
= hn 81 fho fox
i'll which they live, and all fer the
well-being of its people and their flu
ture as community. On the basis
of the law of compensation alone they
ought to receive some form of pay
for their effort, because even the
Bible comedies that the worker is a.
ways worthy of his hire.
The cure effected by the doctor and
the. credit extended by the merchant
are two specific instances of benefits
coming to the resident # the small
town. These are not all the bene-
fits, for their number ic legion. IN
good times as well as hard times they
come, because they are rot restricted
nv the season of the year or limited
to periods Of necessity. Like "tha
gentle rain from heaven" about which
Eel tia speaks so benignly in hey
famous courtroom speech to Shylock
i'll ''1ne Merchant of Venice" Shakes
heare's masterpiece, these benefits fall
upon "just" and unjust alike No
body is shut out from their enjoy
ment
For instance, the schools. Every
BODY pays toward their support in
pl opOrtioH to his ability to pay They
are opcn to all the children, and by
their precept and example they ar,
helping your boys and girls to their
place 'in the SUM-" Schools bring
to the younger bigger share of life,
anu set before them the high ideals
of our democracy. They show the
son of the rail-splitter the road to thu.
PRESIDENT chair.
The church is another institution
that makes community life pleasant
to every member of the family. II
stands for a better community all
around. AS the word is used here it
refers to all creeds, and is in no
sense TO be considered in its se,tarian
CT UNCONVENTIONAL significance Pas
tors are leaders in all good causes
and they rally their congregations to
civic whoiesomeness in the life of the
community.
Happiness and contentment bring
about also a rich social life. You
get together with your neighbors in
moments of relaxation from; your
days toll and enjoy intercourse with
them. Clubs and organizations unite
you in bonds that hold you tot ether
Tor one purpose or another.
A score of other things might b.
mentioned, but space forbids. For
instance, there is the library, with
It's rich storehouse of tn. best in tn.
worlds literature. Also there are
the material things that minister to
the comfort and well-being Of thu
people. Among them are paved or
macadamized streets, concrete side
walks, corner lights, police nrotec'
ton ard a fire department; electric
or some other system OF lighting TO.
the home, gas to make kitchen work
easier, water, sewer and sinilar I'M
provements and conveniences.
The stronger the community spirit
the more of these there are. The
taxes you pay settles the bills for the
things already acquired; the weight
of your cooperation with the pro-
sressivs leaders assures others in the
future. Be a hometown man all
along the line-patronize hometown
merchants exclusively.