Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-02-07
Death 10 the crown Of life:
Were death denied, poor man would
live in vain"
THE KIND THAT'S NEEDED

s'6
Those who start something they
are unable either to control or to
finish; who somehow become obses-
sed with the notion they have con-
ceived overnight scheme for usher
ing In the millennium ahead OF
schedule: who dream theory and
in a twilight zone assume to 1T
mankind to 1t, are headed toward
trouble. II the trouble alone af-
lected them they might safely be
left to their own establishment.
Unfortunately they are likely to be-
come a contag ion more to be dread =
ed than an epidemic Of small pox.
Iealots We have with us always.
lf they ever are Of any earthly use
IL is occasionally by way Of being a
sort OF counter irrltant. Unlabellod
and unrecosnlzed they are as
dangerous to have around as poison
without tho skull and cross bones
on the wrapper. Ideals serve as a
leaven to better things, but zealots
arc as promo to produce trouble as
are sparks 10 fly upward.
I.enine IVES to regcncrate Russia.
Before he died no realized that the
great mass OF the people had neither
conception of nor disposition to CO.
operate in his plans; that as a con-
sequence he had fastened on the
people an oligarchy, an ancient
scheme of ruling. which civilization
long since attempted to leave behind.
Ghandi was TO free India from
British supervision and fired his
people with zeal. lie was warned that
he would lose control. that blood
would be shed. but he thought he
knew better. The blood was shed.
the passion Of the mob wreaked its
purpose and Ghandi admitted his
failure and his responsibility. He
was imprisoned. but the dead could
not be made alive again.
1t should require no more than a
moments reelection TO enable us to
see what a wide difference there is
between destructive theorists and
constructive theorists our civili-
cation has been a slow growth like
tho coral reef. Ono kind of thcorist
would pat dynamite under it and
blow it to atoms SO to make room
Tor an idea conceived in yeastv
brains: the other would continue to
Luild and enlarge. and improve.
Lenine typities the former. Among
those whose ideals have been con-
strilCtive We arc reminded of
benjamin Franklin by the report of
sermon. which had for it's text:
by my works will | show thee my
faith" That might not he the
highest type of faith the speaker
said. but ii is the kind without
which any higher type will be of
little avail in transforming the world
and making It Il more heavenly place
in which to live
That kind OF faith he had found
embodied in Franklin. who began
his career with no very high ideals.
apparently, but who with his fertile.
comprehensive mind worked out his
faith. caiae TO see that the way of
virtue is the way of life came to
know God through study of His
handiw orh. searched out divine laws
and in so doing found himself in
fellowship with the Creator, realized
that man cannot live unto himself
alone, cannot be truly happy and
prosperous with those about him
unhappy and destitute.
SO was acquired Franklin's faith
and he lad the character to apply
ii. He ondcavorcd TO have no day
40 by without ha> ing done some
thing 10 improve conditions. to help
those about him. He WAS able to
keep his faith and make use of his
constructive abilities and contribute
wonderfully ~ the upbuiiding of
civilization. Ills mind was broad
and inclusive. he could see tho good
III minds that differed with his
and good was that for which lie was
searching.
There Is not n day in the develop
ment of civilization when the con-
structivencss of Benjamin Franklin
is not needed. not n community in
which such life would not be a
blessing. Influence such as he exert
cd helped men TO work together
rather than fight each other He
was sane. shrcwd, skilled in the use
of the tools he had, but not over
looking possibilities fer improve
ment He was builder with
vision.
IL the Benjamin Franklins were
plentiful In the world there would
lie no war. there would be less OF
pestilence, there would be fewer
Matching out reform chickens only
TO find them ducks-they would be
busy working at and adjusting their
own affairs TO the betterment OF
their neighbors and themselves.