ROCKEFELLER’S IDEALS

Evening Star, Issue 22460, 3 October 1936, Page 2

ROCKEFELLER’S IDEALS

FAITH IN REALITIES “ Faith in the reality of goodness, truth, and beauty, and in their power to lead mankind into a new era or peace and good will, founded on the brotherhood of man and the fatherhood of God,” was tho theme recently emphasised by John D. Rockefeller, jiin., in acknowledging recently tho official homage and thanks of Franco for his services in restoring Versailles and other famous French architectural monuments. • . Tho Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour; ' highest distinction in the power of the’Republic, was awarded to Mr Rockefeller after ceremonies at the unveiling of a tablet in the Palace. ' ’ . The plaque records his liberality in giving nearly 60,000,000 francs —almost 4,000,000d0l —for the restoration of the Chateaux of Versailles and Fontainbleau and the Cathedral of Rheims. In the vast courtyard of the Versailles Palace, where a military hand played the ‘ .Star-Spangled Banner ’ and the ‘ Marseillaise.’ Mr and Mrs Rockefeller were welcomed by _ Jean Zay, Minister of ■ Education; Vincent. Aurial, Minister of Finance; Gen. Henri Gonraml, Military. Governor of .Paris, ,i. “ realities in life which know no boundaries of language, race, or creed,” Mr Rockefeller said. There is beauty in the preservation of which your efforts and mine have been dedicated to these projects of restoration. Fortunate it is for humanity that the world is becoming increasingly conscious of the inspirational, value of beauty in the common services of life. Ever more widely is its subtle influence affecting human well-being and, happiness. “ There is truth. In these days, when so much that is false is being promulgated, there is more reason than .over before to hold fast to the fundamental truths of life as revealed in Nature, in science, and in religion. 1 The truth shall set you free,’ said the groat Teadher of mankind; som'e 2,000 years ago. And now, in the twentieth century, wo are only beginning to learn the profound wisdom of that teaching and to realise that it is tho key to the understanding and solution of many of the gravest problems'of life. .BROTHERHOOD, 0 There is also goodness—the manifestation of the spiritual aspirations that, whether recognised or not, lie deep down in every human heart. “ Perhaps it is not strange that in this mechanistic age materialism and selfishness have seemed to be in control, or that intense individualism—personal and national—has superseded the unselfish co-operation of former days. But materialism must ultimately give place to spiritual values for; ‘ Man cannot live by broad alone.’ Selfishness must be supplanted by altruism, for: ‘ .If a man would find his life he must lose it.’ Individualism must yield to co-operation• among men and nations and the establishment of a world brotherhood, for: ‘No man can live unto himself alone.’ There is but one alternative, and it is unthinkable—that civilisation perish. “ As succeeding generations read the generous tribute to a citizen of another country inscribed on yonder ’.tablet. by the people 'of Franco, may they renew their faith in the reality of goodness, truth, and beauty, and in •their* ' power ’ to lead mankind into a now era of. peace and good will, founded on the brotherhood, of man and tho fatherhood of God'.” 1