Reprinted from the August 1934 issue of Doc Savage Magazine

YOUR OWN SATISFACTION

A GOOD, serviceable deed is worth only as much as it is meant to be worth. Accomplishment, success, compensation-all these things are measured not by what others think, but what you, yourself, really believe them to be.

One man gives his neighbor a half hour of his time when he has nothing else to do; another, busy onto distraction in his own necessary work, spares a minute for help or encouragement for one who is troubled even more. Whatever way the world may measure these two deeds, their actual worth comes only in the satisfaction which their doers get.

A member, George Jones, of Coral Gables, Florida, sends in his application for membership. He works every day from eight in the morning until six at night. He may not have much time to practice doing good for others; he is not quite sure that he can be a faithful member of the Doc Savage Club.

Possibly there is not much room for much special work in the life of one so engaged in necessary work-but every occupation lends countless opportunities to practice the Code of Doc Savage every minute. There is as much in your working hours as in your playing hours, and abiding by the rule of doing good to all at all times will bring as much success in work as it will in other walks of life. In fact, where is a better place to practice our Code than at your daily tasks?

We have a letter which proves this in our own case. There seems little possibility of doing much good to any one in publishing a magazine, yet, from M. Merrill Butler, of Canada, we read with pride our part:

". . . Have been unable to work these past eight months owing to a nervous breakdown. The only thing that has kept my spirits up during this time is your famous magazine. I look forward, to it every month. Here's more success to you."

So, even in our daily work, whatever it be, we can be true exponents of Doc Savage and his little group of fighting partners. We, members of the Doc Savage Club, are vastly greater in number-thousands and thousands of us, from one coast to the other, and even in foreign lands. Can we not, therefore, accomplish a great deal more? Can we not, through our own example, lead others into our path, and gain even more good in that way?

As a club, or as individuals, we do not make any outstanding claims. Our goal appeals to many, as it must, for in it is embodied every point of goodness and service to one's fellow beings that man strives for. Our members come into our ranks not because of any bludgeoning, not because of any catchall appeal. Every signature that comes to our desk shows that the applicant is absolutely with us in his hopes for bettering himself as well as the rest of the world. There is nothing here for him unless he is willing to give more than he gets, so there is no appeal for the hanger-on, for the pin-wearer, or for any other type of easy "joiner." Why, then, should not our club be the greatest in the world, and our guide, Doc Savage, be the spirit to lead every one of us on to better things ?

We are on our way, members, to greater things. We have found dozens of cases of real sacrifice, real service, which are reported to us not by our members, but by others to whom such service and devotion seem unusual- until they hear of our Club and its ideals.

Keep up the work we have started- every one of you members. Show others, by your own actions, that it is worthwhile to belong to our Club, and there will be others following in your footsteps. Point out our department, and the coupon to them, then let them judge for themselves.

And if you, yourself, have not yet joined, but feel that your life needs some purpose-the coupon is handy, and the Code of Doc Savage appears also. If living up to that Code will help you, send in the coupon. Your membership card comes to you free; your badge, if you want one, at a slight cost -a beautiful bronze emblem. If you do not feel that the Code is worth something, offers a real purpose-then you are not the one we want. Decide for yourself!

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