An Ethic of Service and a Principle of Individualism

from a book, American Individualism, 1922, Herbert Hoover

Nor is individualism merely a stimulus to production and the road to liberty; it alone admits universal divine inspiration of every human soul. I may repeat that the divine spark does not lie in agreements, in organizations, and institutions, in masses or in groups. Spirituality with its faith, its hope, its charity, can be increased by each individual’s own effort. And in proportion as each individual increases his own store of spirituality, in proportion increases the idealism of democracy. …

Our individualism insists upon the divine spark in each human being. It rests upon the firm faith that the divine spark can be awakened in every heart. It was the refusal to compromise these thing that led to the migration of those religious groups who so largely composed our forefathers. Our diversified religious faiths are the apotheosis of spiritual individualism. …

While there are forces in the growth of our individualism which must be curbed with vigilance, yet there are no less glorious spiritual forces growing within that promise for future. There is developing in our people a new valuation of individuals and groups and nations. It is a rising vision of service. Indeed if I were to select the social force that above all others has sharply advanced during these past years of suffering, it is that of service – service to those with whom we come in contact, service to the nation, and service to the world itself. If we examine the great mystical forces of the past seven years we find this great spiritual force poured out by our people as never before in the history of the world – the ideal of service.

What we need today is steady devotion to a better, wider, broader individualism – and to the individualism that carries increasing responsibility and service to our fellows. Our need is not for a way out but for a way forward.…

Progress must come from the steady lift of the individual and that the measure of national idealism and progress is the quality of idealism in the individual.…

[P]rogress will march if we hold an abiding faith in the intelligence, the initiative, the character, courage, and the divine touch in the individual.

Commentary: Mr. Hoover was Secretary of Commerce when he wrote this book.  His several themes resonate to his prodigious organizational efforts that helped stave off starvation among the Allies during World War I, particularly in Belgium.  Throughout his life, the Quaker values of his youth inspired him.  The Quaker values of individualism and service are highlighted here--their source an essential divine spark within everyone.  This divine spark initiates service to others, beginning with sustaining a society of equality of opportunity.  Mr. Hoover maintained as the divine spark was realized in individuals, society progressed as a democratic form of government.

Search Yourself:  Do you carry within yourself a strong sense of personal worth and dignity, an individualism  that is transcendent?  Does your individualism unite you with a a divine source and connect you with your fellowkind?