HOW
REFRESHING, HOW INSPIRITING, THE INFLUENCE OF NEW
FRIENDS.
The following
article is from the pen of Paul P. Harris of Chicago,
known and beloved by every Rotarian as the founder of
the organization and the father of the entire Rotary
movement. Though Mr. Harris was ill and could not attend
the convention at Houston, he nevertheless sent the
following greeting especially addressed to new clubs and
new members.
 "Since
the beginning, men have been struggling upwards. The world's
progress sometimes seems wondrous slow, but if slow, it is
nevertheless sure. Little by little, men have prepared
themselves for better conceptions of life.
"Philosophies have come and it is true that many have gone
again, but some of the departed have let their imprint upon
their times. Philosophies are not religions, though religions
may or may not be philosophical. The Greeks sought for 800 years
to substitute philosophy for religion, and to this day we have
occasion to observe manifestations of the tendency in the minds
of men to substitute philosophy for religion, as in the case of
ethical culture societies, etc.
"Religions and philosophies have, as a rule, the common purpose
of elevating the standards of life. Religions are essentially
spiritual; philosophies are not necessarily so. Rotary, taken at
its best , is a spiritualized philosophy, fitted to the everyday
requirements of men. An adaptation of the prescriptions of the
New Testament to business life, without reference to their
origin. The Rotarian philosophy falls short of the scope of the
most humble religion, in that it lacks the immortal perspective.
The Rotarian philosophy does not offer itself as a substitute
for religion, because to do so would be to claim superiority to,
if not to deny, religion. Rotarian philosophy, then, should tend
to stimulate, not to discourage, such religious tendencies as
may exist in the minds of members.
"Rotary is an influence to the acceptance of the broader views
of things. In the world of trade, Rotary may reasonably claim to
be one of the major influences.
"The future of Rotary is shrouded in expectant mystery. It will
be for you, mv new Rotarian friends, to aid in the unfurling of
the Rotarian destiny.
"In view of all that has been said and written, you have the
right to expect much of Rotary. You do expect much, and you will
realize many of your expectations. Rotary is not a panacea for
business woes. The measure of your usefulness will be the
measure of your compensation. Every worth while crown is
preceded by its cross.
"What can you do, what are you willing to do for Rotary? Perhaps
one of the greatest opportunities of your life to do world's
service lies before you now. Rotary needs thinkers and Rotary
needs workers. I am of the impression that it needs thinkers, at
present, as much as it needs workers, perhaps more. I feel safe
in saying that Rotary needs both. Whatever your talents and
adaptabilities may be, they are needed in the work. Concern
yourself, my new friends, in the philosophy of Rotary.
"The best way I can think of for you to make sure in advance
that Rotary will prove for you the blessing you expect, is to
treat it seriously. Rotary is not an indulgence, a recreation,
an excuse for staying away from home, a pastime. Rotary is an
inspiration and a responsibility. Rotary recognizes the value of
time and does not propose to be the cause of the waste of it. If
we have time to spare, our families will be glad to have us
spend it in their company. The chances aye that time so spent
will not be wasted.
"If Rotary ceases to be a responsibility and becomes a mere
relaxation or pastime, it's usefulness will cease. Let us not
gain the impression that we can obtain the utmost from Rotary by
merely sticking around until the fun is over. It is the desire
of Rotary to make better business men of its members, not to
point out the route to bankruptcy.
"Rotary, like all other good things, has its uses and its
abuses. Let us make the most of its uses and avoid its abuses.
"Whatever Rotary may mean to us, to the world it will be known
by the results it achieves. The rule of the pragmatic applies.
If Rotary succeeds in elevating the standards of business
integrity, it will meet with approval.
"Praises of old friends have from time immemorial been sung, and
there is wisdom in the song, 'Old friends are tried friends, old
friends are true friends.' When we have the tried and true in
friendship we have attained one of the best gifts within the
reach of man. I am writing of the real thing, now ‑ real
friendship ‑ not the highball kind.
"But while doing obeisance to ripe old friendships, we will do
well to remember that old friendships were new friendships once.
We must keep up our supply of friendships, filling the serried
ranks of the old with the new, as time rolls on. There is a zest
in new friendships.
"There are times in the lives of men when there is need of the
spiritualizing uplift of new friends, who see things from new
angles. Even the most buoyant of spirits droop at times; on such
occasions, how refreshing, how inspiriting, the influence of new
friends.
"Glad new Rotarian faces will. make Rotary more and more
enjoyable. It is to be
sincerely hoped that new Rotarians will make Rotary in all
respects better as time rolls on."
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