p. 24 | An Economic Phenomenon

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 28, 1916

An Economic Phenomenon

WHAT Zion's Herald for September 6 calls an “economic phenomenon” is seen in the wonderful increase of the automobile industry in the United States during the last two or three years. No fewer than 2,932,455 automobiles are officially registered in the various States. There was paid into the State treasuries for license fees during the first six months of 1916, $14,261,000. By the end of the year there will have been manufactured in this country 1,500,000 new machines, at a retail value of more than $1,000,000,000. The growth of this industry in 1914 amounted to 68 per cent over the preceding year, and 75 per cent in 1915.

This industry is rapidly changing the economic and social conditions in many parts of the country. In many instances this means of transportation has proved a great blessing to communities and to individuals. With others it has been a luxury rather than a necessity. Thousands of men have mortgaged their homes in order to obtain an automobile which was wholly unneeded in the development of their business. A desire to emulate the rich or those more fortunately situated has led to the financial undoing of thousands. What might be an actual necessity with one would be a luxury and a needless expense in the case of another.

We need to bind about our supposed wants. In these times of the high cost of living, and times as well of great necessity in the mission field and of actual want among the poor and unfortunate, we need to distinguish between a needless luxury and that which is a necessity in the carrying forward of our work. We may make of a house, a horse, or an automobile, or for that matter any other object of interest, an idol, placing our affections on it instead of on God; or we may use the things of this world as not abusing them. In every relationship let us seek to know what the Master would have us do. That which will honor him and advance his work will prove in the end to be for our highest good.