Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1953-02-14
Every Person Counts
(From The Central Christian Adyocate)

We have the general feeling that any movement
which takes into account the welfare of the majority is
very humane one. Sometimes hear people saw
Well, we have to make plans in terms of what is best
for the most people" On the whole this seems to be
reasonable procedure One of the chief difficulties in our
society mas been the tact that plans have been made
accommodate the interest Of a powerful minority at
the expense Of without regard to- the welfare of the
vast majority of people.
In recent years. government regulations have at
tempted to handle such inequalities and justly bal
the economic ledger. There is reason for alarm
when controls shift from majority to minority inter
ests. In democracy believe in the rule Of the ma
jority
When it comes to a consideration of the welfare of
the people, what is good for the majority is not suffi
Gent In the economy of the kingdom of God, every
person is OF infinite WORTH consequently the needs of
every human being should be taken into account Jesus
made this point abundanty clear in parable of the man
who left the SO sheep in an exhaustive search for the
one that lost.
There is the great temptation on the part of the
churchnen to we'll up with pride when they feel they
have effectively reached majority of their members.
In world IN which there many forces competing
for the oyates Of people, has achieved rather sgni
ficany when he has claimed the interest and coopera-
ton of the majority of his membership.
No church has performed its full duty until it has
geared its program to the objective of reaching every
member By the token, no church has completely
fulfilled its function in the community long there
people in the community who have not been reach
ed by the church.
True enough no church has ever been hundred
percent at this point and the chances are that none in
the foreseeabe future will succeed in bringing every
within its reach into active fellowship The fact
still remains that every church should have these peo-
pie in mind and continually work to actively include
them in its program.
The point we are aborng to make is that it is not
enough to plan for the needs of the maority-and that
far ahead of practice-the lob is not com
pete until opportunity is made for every individual to
make his contribution to life. Democracy may move to-
ward the interest Of the majority but Christianity in
cudes every Individual in its purposes and program
1t is startling to realize what the neglect of single
individual can mean to society," for good ILL., Some of
the worlds most celebrated leaders have from I'M
noticed groups within culture. 1t just happened that
in spite of apparent neglect they received the right
stimulus for outstanding achievements, but think of
the lost leadership the world has suffered by failing
reach minority groups in neglected areas
Moreover, leadership for the crime world has emerg-
ed in many instances from people who have not been
taken into account in constructive social planning It is
the worth of the individual that is paramount in the
teaching of Jesus-and every person counts.