This is written in late summer, 2010. The nation has been in the grip of an economic downturn that started early in the new century, but ramped up in 2006-8, becoming intense in the final year of the George Bush Presidential Administration, into the new one – the current period in which this page is written. In addition, the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has cost billions of dollars, a lengthening catastrophe, especially when added to the devastating Katrina storm in Louisiana in 2005. Wars have dragged on, with one becoming longer than that led by George Washington to gain American freedom (8 years). The contextual story can be extended. The tensions, problems, dysfunctions and calamities are weaving a pattern of doubt that we can solve mankind’s problems, either personally or corporately. Stories of failure and malaise are many.
A study recently concluded differently than common belief about the Depression of the 1930s through the end of World War II. The study asserts that the people were not as negative about life in the period as they have been made out to have been. That although the people were poor, drought was annual, aspirations were muted – families generally coped in all. Among the revived discussions was included the evidence of what the United States life span was like 100+ years ago (1910) and following. Then average life span for men was 47 years, 14% of homes had a bathtub, and 8% had a telephone. There were about 5000 cars, and 144 miles of paved roads beyond city limits. Gas was purchased through the drug store. Speed in town was 10 miles per hour. Average wage was 22 cents an hour, and the spendable cash was about $200 to $400 annually. A competent accountant made $2,000 annually; dentists got $2,500; and, veterinarians between $1,500 and $4,000. Mechanical engineers were highly valued receiving $5,000. 95% of births took place in the home. 90% of doctors had no college education – coming from medical schools now labeled substandard. Sugar cost 4 cents a pound, eggs 14 cents a dozen, coffee 15 cents a pound. Most baths were taken once weekly, and women washed their hair about once a week using Borax or egg yolks for shampoo. The American flag had 45 stars. One of every five adults could neither read nor write. Fewer than 10% of American adults had high school educations. Heroin, marijuana, and morphine were over the counter at drug stores, but there were few addicts. Nearly one in five homes had a live-in servant or domestic. There were 240 reported murders in all 45 states. This story might well be extended in the same pattern for other factors. Circumstances for the majority of citizens had changed somewhat by 1930 as the depression deepened. We adapted. The first coast to coast paved road opened in 1930; farms didn’t have electricity, prices approached the former low levels. Just before my marriage in 1943, I lived in the home of one of those doctors who had never gone to an accredited college. (He was a good physician.) My mother taught school in 1920-21 having only an academy (high school) education. I remember from experience much of this, and more than can be included here. (One of the domestic live-ins was a friend of my mother.) Analysts suggest families may have been happier and closer than they seem to be now.
It is good to join with the Apostle Paul to become the persons that God means for us to be, so to know how to abound and suffer want. During my decades, I have met those who needed to have more, and those who needed less. God permits the vacillation of economic circumstances partly so that better dimensions of humankind may emerge. The rigors of denial and the comforts of plenty are always on the human horizon. As mankind follows God’s pattern of service to family and others, peace and love, stewardship and faithfulness, work and rest, in a wholesome (righteous) society of nations, we can be sure there will be sufficient provision and dignity for all. The best response for us is thanksgiving, which is high prayer. Currently there is even a secular television presenter who, without any sectarian emphasis, argues for this kind of society, and believes firmly it is possible if persons want it to be so. It is one of the duties of the Christian community to argue for and show the possibilities. We little understand the impact of the church on a society. In two thousand years of it the changes seem remarkable. Although slow by our perceptions the changes have been civilizing, but not faith credited as fully as they deserve. *Mark W. Lee, Sr. — 2016, 2020