The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1942-03-12

A N ID
Tomorrow
SELFISHNESS
Ey
Frank Parker StOckridge

| a casual look at the way we i've
clearly shows that many of us in
terpret that freedom as freedom
from religion.
A lot of us, in recent years
have been living pretty self-cen'
! tered lives. We have watched Out
for our own interests and our own
pleasures, and have concerned
ourselves as little as possible with
the problems and struggles of the
rest of the people.
Now we realize that our selfish
interests must be made secondary
to the common good.
We are having a difficult time
| to part company with those selfish
interests. Housewives are hoard
ing sugar and canned goods to
get the jump on their neighbors
Labor unions continue to fight for
higher wages. Farm groups con-
tinue to try to grab, out of the
war, an extra profit for our rural
population. And politicians find
it difficult to forget politics and
follow their habitual tactics of
trying to get grants for their
constituents at the expense of the
rest of the nation.
But in spite of many examples
of continued selfishness, there is
/ a bright ray of hope in the fact
that all of these actions are being
fought by the public on the
grounds that they are selfish.
Selfishness, in the eyes of most
of us, is becoming an unpardon-
able trait. It is rapidly reaching
the "last ditch" stage in this
country.
SERVICE thrills
Although the war has not yet
been felt here to any great extent,
millions of people already have
begun to realize that there is
something bigger and more i'm
portant to work for than them
selves.
| Even those who have volun-
teered to aid in local defense work
l. although they may not ye t
have been called upon to sacrifice
much time or to do a great deal
of work have been led by an
unselfish Urge to give up certain
comforts and pleasures in order
to do something for their COM
munity.
Women who may have spent
most of their working hours pur-
suing little social pleasures are
Finding new satisfaction in
spending more time doing things
for others.
Boys who had become accus-
toned to spending their spare
time in selfish pastime are sud-
denly finding the biggest thrill of
their lives in donning uniform
and going into the service of their
country.
Men in factories, who have
never before taken an interest In
any activities outside those of
direct concern to themselves or
their families, are feeling surge
of satisfaction at they realize the
vital part they are playing in the
service of mankind.
RELIGION struggle
AS the war progresses, it is apt
to appear more and more as a
predominantly religious war
as a struggle between spiritual
values and barbarism.
In addition to the Axis nations
personifying barbarism and the
more spiritual goals, it will in
clude many struggles within ma
tons and within individuals in
! each nation. The ''Mr. Hyde" in
many of us will be subordinated
to the CDR. Jekyll."
| OuC OIL IL oil WILL Undoubtedly
come reawakening of spiritual
values among the people on both
sides of the struggle and we can
anticipate higher form of civil
zation wherein greed and brutal
ty and selfishness will be more
hateful than ever before to all the
peoples of the world.
Religions of all kinds have al
ways been strengthened by strug-
gle. It seems to follow then that
the greatest struggle in which
man has ever engaged will pro-
duce a more vital religion than
we have ever known. The only
other choice would be the total
destruction of all spiritual force
land it is doubtful if man is
capable of destroying that nc
matter how much he might try
RUSSIA surge
! In Germany and Italy, where
religion has until recently been
an important part Of the life of the
people, the attempts to smother
it will eventually lead to rebel
lion. History shows many efforts
which have heeen made to kill