The Manawatu Daily Times Human Progress

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 92, 20 April 1935, Page 4

The Manawatu Daily Times Human Progress

At this season ol: the year it is appropriate to review the condition of mankind and more particularly that oi' the Christian world, of which we of this land form a small part. Is humanity progressing? Some there arc who hold that our much-vaunted progress is but a hallow sham, that it is wholly material and that human nature is intrinsically not one whit improved over the past ten thousand years.

Admittedly there is much about us that calls for criticism in a fear-crazed world preparing on every. hand for war which it dreads as the plague and, too, there is poverty admidst plenty.”

That is a great deal on the dark side of tne pictuic and all who know anything at all of the past know that those things have existed at all times and to just as great a degree, if not to a greater, than they are to-day.

On the other hand, there arc many features of these modern times that are an improvement and a very great improvement on the conditions of the past. These things arc not wholly material and many of them arc entirely new to the world.

Even if we are unable to prove that human nature has improved, ire can most certainly give proof that human conduct has improved anti to a very great, degree. Compare the condition of the inhabitants, say, of Britain, to-day and 100 years ago. The material living standard lias risen greatly,. conditions of work have been improved beyond all recognition, educational facilities have been provided to an extent never before known, individual freedom and the right to justice and fair treatment have been obtained to a degree inconceivable 100 years ago.

A great deal of the coarseness and brutality of the past century has gone. The average man to-day is more cultured and lives a freer, fuller life than at any time known in all past history.

Mankind is truly making very real progress and this improvement is continuing, despite all setbacks. There is no true cause to lose heart. Believing in the possibilities of humanity, we will progress; disbelieving but retards our advance.