The Sabbath, said the Teacher, was made for Man, and not man for the Sabbath.
The bearin’s of which, as Dickens would say, is in its application.
Any Institution was made for Man, and not Man for the Institution.
The college, for instance. No, friend Procrustes, whilst we appreciate your zeal to make a record for yourself as President, yet we would remind you that we are sending our boy to your University for the good He can get out of it, and not for the benefit He can be to it. He is not there for you to find out how far He falls short of your standards, nor what glory He can add to his 123 Alma Mater; He is there for You to find out what’s in Him, and to develop that. We don’t care a hang about your grand old traditions and things, except as they help you in being the making of our particular pup.
The Church was made for Man, and not Man for the Church. And if your meeting-house is just occupied in keeping itself up, parson, why, close it up and start a hennery, and help Hoover. We don’t care about how much money you raise, nor how beautiful are your vestments, nor how high your theology, nor how numerous your membership, nor how gay your stained glass. Are you helping friend Man? Are you making him sober, industrious, clean, and honest? Are you developing in him a civic conscience? Or are you simply being good—so good you’re good for nothing? Come, produce! Or quit!
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The House was made for Man, Ma, and not Man for the House. Let the boys play marbles in the dining-roo............