INDEPENDENT THOUGHT AND PRESENT ISSUES
By J. O. C.
The Unthinking Mass and the Power of Their Numbers — Greeting the Sun on Easter Morning
TIME was when not so many complicated ideas were before the people for decision as at the present. There was then less reason for criticizing those who followed popular sentiment without personal investigation. Now, however, some very questionable steps are being taken, and some debatable acts compassed, without apparent thought of why these things are done, or what the probable influence will be upon the masses. As expressed by one newspaper writer: "The great unthinking mass of humanity, in vast majority, are the shallow, superficial materialists, who are wearing themselves out chasing something they foolishly imagine is fashionable and popular." The same author goes on to say that while this class have no constructive thought power to become leaders in social or civil lines, "yet by sheer force of numbers they secularize the church, discredit education, corrupt politics, and degenerate society." This is indeed a serious charge, because its logical order of succession presents a very depressing view of life; but when viewed from an unprejudiced standpoint, is it really so very far wide of the mark? Take, for instance, the rapidly growing practise, now in vogue, of observing a certain part of Easter service. From every quarter comes the report that large crowds of people assembled on high hills the last Easter morning, to watch the rising sun, and at its appearance to bow before it in prayer. From Pasadena three hundred are reported to have met on Monk’s Hill for such a ceremony. A large company of Christian Endeavorers from Pomona were also reported in the same sort of service on the summit of Ganesha Park. But the most notable gathering of the kind recorded for southern California was on the peak of Mount Rubidoux, near Riverside. This assemblage was estimated to number six thousand. Gathered about a huge wooden crucifix, this multitude awaited the first beams of the rising sun, which were duly heralded by a cornet solo, covering the notes of "The Holy City." This was the call to acts of devotion, in which the great assembly joined, consisting of singing, responsive reading, and prayer. The gathering of so many for early worship is not of itself so very remarkable; but to leave their churches, and assemble in a mass on some high hill, there to await the sun’s appearance, that they might face it with strains of song and prayer, as to a divinity, does seem really significant. History records that this custom originated among heathen sun-worshipers, as one of the prominent forms of pagan deific reverence. It is, however, not to be presumed that the rank and file of those who took part in these pagan rites last Easter morning were informed regarding the significance of the act in which they engaged. The growing practise of this pagan imitation is, nevertheless, an indication that the church is gradually receding — not intentionally, perhaps — from its apostolic teaching, and is therefore slowly but surely secularizing its methods and formulary. By this, too, its adherents are laying themselves, and others as well, liable to be caught in the toils of theories by which they may be used to the advantage of selfish promoters. CREATING POPULAR DEMAND FOR SUNDAY
To illustrate: Let this form of near sun-worship, now so freely indulged by a thoughtless crowd, become thoroughly established as a necessary part of the church ritual, to the degree that its neglect283is considered reproachful, then it will be another direct step in the chain of reasoning for enforcing the sun-day by civil law upon all recalcitrants. Indeed, this last is now become almost the supreme effort of a church stepping secularward. To prevent the unthinking masses from being exploited in this, and in similar directions, which tend to "discredit education, corrupt politics, and degenerate society," the supreme duty of the hour is to teach the common people to think, and to weigh alleged reasons for doing or refusing to do the things required of them.