To the “Banner-Wavers” – Sunday, July 06, 1941
“And when thou prayest, thou shall not be as the hypocrites are, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. * * * And when ye pray, use not vain repetitions as the heathen do; for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.” (Matthew 6:5 and 7) That these telling words of Jesus the Christ on prayer could well be paraphrased to apply to patriotism is a conclusion that emphasizes itself on many occasions of public observance.
Dictionary definitions of patriotism aren’t very important. The word has been allowed such loose meaning that even those who would destroy our way of life make claim to some sort of patriotism. Patriotism goes beyond high-sounding words and waving banners. It goes beyond fireworks and noisy celebration. Nor is there any monopoly on patriotism in high places. Indeed, it is often more effective and more genuine coming from the bottom up rather than from the top down, and unless it permeates every level of society it is an unsafe patriotism.
Patriotism in its absolute sense is that which a man is willing to resolve to do, to sacrifice, when there are no eyes upon him, no bands playing, no cameras clicking, and no publicity in prospect. Cheering the boys as they march is one thing, but retarding, or permitting to be retarded those productive processes which would give them their best chance of preparedness is quite another. It is not patriotism. There are other words to describe it, and they are not very inviting words.
Public declarations are a fine thing, as far as they go, and insofar as they are sincere, but unless they are backed up by consistent daily performance in the lives of those who give them and in the lives of those who listen to them, they are sound brass and tinkling cymbal. Oratory is not patriotism any more than preaching is religion. In both cases a man’s life must conform to what he professes. And those who do otherwise, either in matters of religion or of country, have been well described by the Savior of mankind who said: “But all their works they do for to be seen of men—and they bind heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they, themselves, will not move them with one of the fingers. * * * He that is greatest among you shall be your servant. * * * (See
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July 06, 1941
Broadcast Number 0,620