Some years ago one of our graduate
school professors gave me a beautiful desk
piece which had words
on
it about a four-way
test
which I thought
was one
of
the most intriguing and
thought provoking things I
Dr. T. Franklin Miller,
world traveler, and
community leader, also
I noticed that a lot of the leaders who made good things happen in the business and professional community of the city also wore this little wheel.
I thought it would be a great honor some day to be among those men, but that seemed so far out of my class and youthful expectations. They were called Rotarians. The Rotary Club was the world’s first service club. The name “Rotary” was derived from the early practice of rotating meetings among members’ offices. Similar service clubs would be Lions, Kiwanis, Optimists, Civitans and others. In all service clubs women are now active members and leaders, bringing enthusiasm, wisdom, skill, ability, talent and certainly a much-improved appearance and civility to every club.
My brother, “Whitey”, on July 1, 2007, will become the president of one of the world’s largest and most generous Lions Clubs. They rank number one in some areas and will continue to grow and expand their influence in their city of Bonita Springs, FL. He is a retired public school educator and administrator who lives in nearby Naples.
Paul Percy Harris formed the world’s first service club, the Rotary Club of Chicago, Illinois, USA, on February 23, 1905. This attorney wanted to recapture in a professional club the same friendly spirit he had felt in the small towns of his youth.
What about that four-way test? Here it is.
1. Is it the TRUTH?
2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
It is one of the world’s widely quoted statements dealing with business ethics. Rotarian Herbert J. Taylor developed the Four-Way Test in 1932. This 24-word test when applied personally to business and professional lives has the potential to change communities, nations and the world. It was adopted by Rotary in 1943. It has been translated into hundreds of languages and is used today by 1.2 million Rotarians in 32,000 Rotary Clubs in more than 200 countries.
Every service club does all it can to serve in its own community, district, state, nation and throughout the world. Rotary has, as one of its many goals, the stamping out of polio. All the service clubs have special projects and combined give hundreds of millions of dollars each year to help make life better for others. As Rotarians practice, it is “Service Above Self”.
Try the Four-Way Test in your dealings with family, business, church and community relations. It is hard to imagine what a worldwide positive difference it would make if nations used this test in dealing with each other. It reminds me of the 4-H club pledge I learned during my many years of active involvement with that tremendous program for young people.
I also think of the way young Jesus lived and developed. Dr. Luke, the famed physician of that day, gave us the record that this 12-year-old boy:
“Increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men?" (Luke 2:52).
I guess we all know more about how to live than we actually put into practice. To be perfect takes a lot of practice, but it pays off in every way. Try it and we will all be surprised.
Publisher's Note: Bill Ellis, Award Winning
Syndicated Columnist, P.O. Box 345, Scott Depot, WV 25560.
Phone:304-757-6089
www.BillEllis.Net.
