By Press Release
The Isle of Wight Observer published on 5th June 1920 carries a report of a philosophical discussion that took place in Binstead.
The Sunday Evening Conferences were resumed in the Rectory Garden, on Sunday evening last, when a discussion was opened by Mr. Springer on “Is life worth living?” the answer being mostly in the affirmative. Life was made up of comedy and tragedy, sunshine and shadow, remarked Mr. Springer, who said he had been much impressed by a book on “Fortitude” which had been lent him by the Rector. It was not life that mattered but the courage which they brought to it, and each one of them could make their lives worth living.
He told the story of the man who overworked and underfed his donkey six days in the week and for the sake of conventionality turned it into a field on the Sunday, where it was tormented by flies. Its companion, the pony, said to it, “You have been overworked and overburdened all the week, what do you care now about flies for?”. There were flies in the ointment of life, and it was not the little things that they did but what they undid. They never had pleasure without pain, and they could not get through life if they always determined to have their own way.
Half of the people who said that life was not worth living were the most selfish persons on earth. He advised them to cultivate a sense of humour and see the bright side of things, because they could discern fun in a funeral sometimes. The Rector (the Rev. W. J. Davey) in contributing a few words to the discussion pointed out that life was an art, and as such wanted a perspective, background, and colour.
They should aim at big things because people saw too much of the little and that was why they said life was not worth living. He also thought that doing service for others would meet the problem. A lady present spoke of “facing the sunshine automatically” and considered that cheerfulness was to some extent hereditary, cheerful parents being more likely to get cheery children.
On the other hand Mr. House remarked that some well-known humorists had been very melancholy beings in private life. He also referred to his own observations during the war in France, and of the cheeriness of the soldier under depressing conditions. The discussion terminated most pleasantly.
