Thank God for Good Men…

Without trying to do so, it sometimes seems that we have become victims of a system of publicity and reporting that often makes public heroes out of public enemies, martyrs out of wrong-doers, and makes the most news out of the worst events. Once let a man defy the law, the conventions, the decencies of society, and his name and face and deeds are likely to be better known than wholesome, honest, dependable people. He becomes a public figure, and a kind of glamour attaches to him. And when he finds himself facing penalties for deliberate misdoing, a kind of sentimental support rises up to make him seem persecuted than properly punished or penalized—yet comparatively little seems to be said of him who lives quietly and tries to meet his honest obligations. A quiet and conscientious person seems to have little so-called values, and yet he is one of the principal reasons why we can have great and good land to live in, and a good and wholesome life. The news is so often concerned with the shocking and sensational that it would be startling to see a headline reporting that a person loves his wife, is faithful to his family, keeps the law, pays his bills, works honestly and serves his church and community and country.

But the peaceful and consistent and reasonable citizen receives this satisfaction from living in happier ways, with quieter conscience, and his way of life brings with it its own reward, even if it is not considered to be news.

Thank God for good men and women, for good children; for good homes and good families, for good teachers; for good employers, good employees, good workers, good producers—for good neighbors, good friends; for good and honest politicians and good public servants. Thank God for good people—whether they make news or not.