Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1940-09-12
It's A Privilege

~ . IA l. AANASO
The following article is taken
from the fl f til e h anniversary
number of the East Minneapolis
Argus published last week and
is reprinted herewith because of
its timelineSs. In our world of
peace and security today on this
side of the waters we are prone
to overlook the many blessings
available to us and make light
of the many privileges and oppor-
tunities we may enjoy. Under
the title Going To School, It's A
Privilege; Use 1t" the writer
sounds warning that all may
heed.
The article follows:
On Tuesday of this week, much to
the relief of many mothers, boys
and girls were given the final scrub
bling, and sent on their way to school.
Some of the children, tired of trying
to invent ways to amuse themselves,
were really glad to get back to
school, but there were also good
number of them who found the way
to school as foreboding as the "last
mile" the prisoner makes before his
execution.
1 am really sorry for the boys
and girls who look upon going to
school as something boring and irk-
some. In many foreign lands, yes,
and not so many years ago even in
America, instead of being able to 60
to school, boys and girls are COM
PEELED to go to work. Years ago in
the coal mining districts little chill
dren were compelled to sit all day
on hard benches, as they picked out
the slate from the coal. In the mill
ing districts little girls were COM
PEELED to watch the spindles of thread
on the weaving machines all day
long. am sure that if these boys and
girls were told that they no longer
had to work all day, and that they
could clean up and 60 to school,
there would be no gloomy faces, for
they would appreciate the privilege
of going to school. The opportunities
offered by our educational system in
America is indeed a privilege, and
every boy and girl should take adj
vantage of it.
America is land of privilege, and
just as many boys and girls do
not appreciate the privilege, so
also we find that their fathers and
mothers do not take advantage of
their opportunities.
In many European countries after
the last war, many were given their
first opportunity to cast a ballot, in
the new Republics that were formed.
At first they rejoiced at the privi-
lege of voting, and used their fran
chise. AS the years passed by, like
many of our Americans, although
they had the privilege to vote, they
did not. So few exercised their right
to vote, that the power of govern
ment was vested in the hands of a
few, and finally but one, who became
their dictator, denying them the fur
Their right to vote. With their right
to vote taken from them, they also
lost their right of free speech, free
dom of assembly, and became mere
vassals of the state.
The freedom of worship, freedom
of assembly and freedom of speech
will be ours only so long as Ameri-
can citizens will appreciate the privi-
lege of voting, and use it. Soon we
shall have the opportunity to go to
the polls to select those who shall
bear rule over us, and it is a Chris
tan duty as well as a privilege of
citizenship to use our franchise by
selecting those who will prove them
selves worthy of our trust and con-
fidence. Our nation was founded by
God-fearing men, and our Constitu-
ton based on Christian principles,
will function only as long as Chris
tan men and women exercise their
right to vote for Christian leadership.
Voting is a real privilege. Use it.
In many foreign lands, people
yearn for. the days of their youth,
when they were able to 60 into their
houses of worship to return thanks
to God, and to seek His blessings.
They remember the peace, comfort
and hope that filled their hearts, as
they heard Gods word. Today they
yearn in vain, for their churches
have been desecrated, or destroyed.
Their priests and pastors have been
exiled or killed. The sacred vessels
have been destroyed or sold, and all
that remains is the heartache and
misery of a people who have been de-
MED the right to worship God.
There is an old saying, we never
miss the water until the well goes dry,
and so it is with the privilege of
attending church.