The Rotary Balita no. 755 (October 7, 1954)

Past Secretary, Rotary Club of Cabanatuan Rotary revives men's faith in man. It accepts antagonisms as a natural phenomenon in mankind and moulds in them a device to expedite an ethical social system. The basic recognition of the inevitableness of conflicts spurs men to formulate a means that will make life wholesome. Amid the conflicts in their business and professions, the Rotarians bridge themselves to make life not only dramatic but also delightful. On their babel of callings is an edifice from which they look at the chaos about them and laugh. It is optimism conquering pessimism. For what is struggle but the law of growth! Progress and development are found in the avenue of hard knacks. Without struggle man will stagnate; it is a prerequisite to life and happiness. Dis- sociative forces face men everywhere, to divide them when they are weak and to amalgamate them if they are strong. Divergences become to the Rotarians a means to an end. In their ever-grow- ing fellowship, factional and sectional narrowness vanishes and social solidarity emerges. Rotary, like a surging wave, sweeps over the tumultuous surface of life to choke the inner selfishness of man in order to make his altruism live. Under its happy atmosphere, men of varied interests meet to become a coherent group, forgetting their differences amidst laughters, songs and jokes. About 400,000 Rotarians the world over meet once a week to reintegrate the human race, helping the helpless and making their sordid existence bearable and worthwhile. In their loyal devotion to a principle, millions find hope in an unfolding greater social outlook. Rotarians everywhere help shape the environment by championing many social reforms, sponsoring youth and community programs. Theirs is a social enterprise for the common good; theirs is the philosophy of service, and service is the keyword to the brotherhood of men. World brotherhood of good-will and understanding -the dream of the ages, is fast enveloping all peoples, and men begin to comprehend that peace is global and indivisible. Rotary feels and understands the ills of life and subdues its cruelties, and sees, in its fold, the achievement of a high civilization. The talks in their luncheons become the salve of life and the healthy media in the social process. Rich with refreshing incidents, these salutary talks bring elasticity and relief to the tense and active life. Rotarianism connotes life's wise fulfillment. Men's love of women, of kin, of society, of justice, of truth and beauty, and of God, becomes consuming and is a potent factor in the total scheme in the drama of life. It transcends racial, religious and national boundaries and accelerates the advent of that One World for which Wendell Wilkie spent. the golden years of his life. It builds the individual and his character, his family, his home and country, and makes possible the realization of a sound internationalism, without which no social. system can be secure. Under its roof, men-mature in years and experience get a rearing by groups during their leisurely hours and meals. What a happy setting! A forum for social contact, Rotary advances the economic and political stability of men. It stands for unity as the goal of development and for order as the first requisite of liberty. It respects the dignity of the individual and subordinates property to personal well-being. Tension, anxiety, fear and other daily grinds of life are laughed off in Rotary's own singular ways. When things go wrong, the Rotarians practice contentment; this is relaxing. Service, fellowship and good-will among men stimulate them to act towards certain heroic goals. Rotary strives for the attainment of the highest good. It humanizes men's inhumanity to men. Motivated by its lofty ideals and objectives, Rotary plays a powerful influence in the march of human institutions. And as it lives, it becomes more and more creative. It strengthens the social bond of the human perspective. It is life at its best.