Editorial October 2, 1926 Issue

True Service

Albert F. Gilmore

The desire to serve humanity, which is daily becoming more prevalent, is a commendable sign of the times. It springs from a generous wish to assist in alleviating the miseries of mankind, to have some part in bringing in a better day. All too frequently men engage in the activities of life merely for self-advancement, for the purpose of gaining something for themselves, to satisfy some selfish ambition, to succeed for the sake of success.

That there is a great awakening in this direction throughout the civilized world is manifest on every hand. The thousands of organized philanthropies, each of which has the purpose to minister to some specific need of humanity, are splendid examples of the operation of good in human consciousness. But in order that such activities may reach their highest possibility, that is, that they may render true service, their purposes must have their source in the same spirit of Christ which animated the Founder of Christianity. Who could doubt his high purpose to alleviate suffering, to assuage grief, and to bring peace, plenty, and happiness in place of misery, want, and distress.

How important it is that those who are actuated by the desire to do good should have a proper concept of what true service is! They should learn the application of Jesus' words to his disciples on the occasion of the Lord's Supper: "He that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve." Whoever would truly succeed, then, must win his way through service, through ministering to his fellow-men; for truly to serve men is to serve God; and, conversely, service to God is service to mankind.

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