The Harlem News

WILL LIONISM ENDURE?
By Ed S. Vaught
Judge of the U. S. District Court
Oklahoma City, Okla., and past President of Lions International.

A question frequently asked is, "Will the Service Club Endure?"

The question is an intelligent one, and is usually asked in good faith; and therefore is entitled to an intelligent answer.

The origin of the service clubs as constituted today is of recent date. They were not accidental in their origin, and their achievements have more than justified their existence.

The modern business and professional man has recognized within the last quarter of a century the necessity of devoting himself more or less to the demands and needs of the local community. There are certain classes and types of work which cannot be accomplished through governmental agencies, for the reason that there is no legal provision for so doing. Neither has the church recognized these local problems as something which the church has been able to do, even though it should do, because of a lack of material support.

Within the last few years the really sincere citizen has done consistent and logical thinking along these lines, and in many instances has reached the conclusion that the ideal community is the community where the needs of every individual as to health, food, shelter and clothing are recognized as essential community demands; and if there be those who, because of mental or physical infirmity or misfortune in any other particular, are not able to provide these particular means, then it becomes the duty of the community, in some form of action, to make provision therefor.

The service club, therefore, has come into existence as a public demand and as a means of expressing and putting into action the real sentiments of the community.

Principles Are Ancient

The principles of Lionism are simple. They are not new. In fact, they are as old as mankind. They involve the simple duty of human service.

Service is the highest form of labor. It was recognized centuries ago, and the Savior of mankind in His simple but direct messages emphasized the fact that "He who serves is the greatest of all," and that the spirit of service is the most powerful and dominating of all labors.

It was further enunciated in His messages that the power to command and particularly the ability to command, were dependent largely upon the power, ability and disposition to serve.

This spirit of service, therefore, while a not unusual characteristic of the individual, was not general.

Lionism, therefore, appeals to the spirit of service, and during its banner of service men from every walk of life, who have subscribed willingly to its motto of service.

When I think of the contribution of our organization, both material and spiritual, to the blind children, to the crippled children within our jurisdiction and to those in want of an education without the ability to procure it, I am impressed that Lionism, through its accomplishments, has more than justified its existence.

The Human Touch

Not only has it figuratively, at least, made the blind to see, the lame to walk and the poor to possess, but it has done more. It has touched with the gentle hand of encouragement the discouraged, the neglected, the unfortunate, and those who need the touch of fellowship or companionship to restore them to a normal state. It has done even more. It has caused the community at large to recognize its obligation to these various forms of public and community service.

Therefore, when we are confronted with the question, "Will Lionism Endure?" or, "Is there a demand for the continued existence of this organization?" without hesitation one can answer that the demands of the future will certainly be as great as, if not greater than, those of the past. And while our organization may systematize its forms of labor and its lines of activity, there will never be a time when those who constitute our great organization or their successors in membership will not have an opportunity to render as effective service as we render today.

I look to see, for Lions International, a great international power for good. I look to see within the sweep and scope of not only its possibilities, but its achieved powers, the bringing together of various forces, to the end that a higher and cleaner type of character may be developed. I might say, incidentally, that one of the tests of the loyal Lions Club will be, not what you are doing in the community that the public can see, but what kind of men constitute your organization.

No man can be a member of the Lions International without being at once a better and cleaner man, of purer motives and higher ideals.

Lion First A Man

One of the dangers of the future, as well as of the present, is the assault that is made upon the American home. The preservation of the American home is vital to our future generations. Should not we, then, as members of this organization, not only recognize this preservation as one of the great fundamental activities of our organization, but to consecrate ourselves to this simple precept, that he who would be a Lion, must first be a man, and that no man who is not willing to regard the principles of our organization as binding principles is worthy of membership in the organization? Let the men who constitute the Lions International of the future be men of the highest type in the community in which they live. It certainly would be a wholesome thought to be able to say, in referring to a member of our organization in the community in which he lives, "There goes a Lion," or, "There is a Lion," meaning thereby that he is this community's ideal of a citizen.

Self-Mastery Essential

I can conceive of no higher element in the character of a Lion than self-mastery, and this achievement can be accomplished only through service.

"He that controlleth his own spirit is greater than he that taketh a city," is an ancient proverb, but it is applicable today as it was to the age in which it was written. Complete self-mastery is an achievement worthy of the highest ambition.

I congratulate Lions International upon its achievements. We have nothing to discourage us. The future is bright. The opportunities are not only great but are increasing day by day.

We are looking forward to a generation of the greatest material development the world has ever known, even an age which would startle us today.

In order to make the most of that generation; let us as our heritage, give to the next generation the highest, cleanest, purest and ablest type of manhood and womanhood that the world has ever known; and let us not forget that our obligation to our country, whatever that country may be, is, after all, a test which cannot be ignored. And, as an indication of the respective governments, let us utter the silent prayer as we behold the emblem of our nation:

"May we preserve unsullied her spotless folds,
And add luster to her shining stars"