Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 26.djvu/110

94 Unless the schools, in their teaching, catch up the new ideals of association and neighborliness, community spirit will eventually die. The old individualistic ideals must not be instilled into the minds of the pupils to the exclusion of the new conception of the necessity and glory of co-operative action. Each child must grow up realizing that he is a responsible member of a neighborhood and must be taught the how as well as the why of community service. The community center should inculcate citizenship in terms of civic activity, an American attitude of mind, and a well-rounded life as well as in terms of the three R's.

A well-rounded life has its play time. Recreation as an end in itself and as an approach to more vital social developments has come to stay. Community singing, plays, pageantry, and physical recreation must be stimulated among adults as well as among the youth. The outlet to physical and moral energy that the play of the camp and the game of warfare furnished the soldier and sailor must hereafter be provided the average citizen through constructive relaxation. Physical sport and imaginative recreation helped to produce good soldiers. They will help to make good citizens.

The church, the club, and the association as well as the school must prepare to play a larger part in the community life than they have heretofore. They must participate directly in many of the everyday problems of the everyday man and inspire their individual constituents to activity in others. While the church cannot transform itself into a settlement or nursery and continue to fulfill its own distinctive mission, yet it can have a large part in making the community function through its influence and teaching. The business men's association, the social club, the Grange, must broaden their activities to include adherent as well as inherent community interests. In community service, every participating organization will find a larger life; they will not be cramped or restricted. Neighborliness pays.

Says Mazzini: "We must make ourselves strong and great again by association." The war has created the sentiment for unity and fraternity and has revealed the method. Its termination has released rich resources in dedicated personality which have