Labor: A
1893.]
Revolution
and a Problem.
55
ARTICLE IV.
LABOR
A REVOLUTION AND A PROBLEM.
:
By PROF. M. H. RICHARDs, D. D., Allentown, Pa.
Revolution;—an
Visions of wild faces, toss
ing arms, fantastic weapons, mobs whose ensigns are ghastly,
blood-dropping heads uplifted upon poles!
Sounds of rage
ominous word!
a
is
of
destruction, intent upon the death
the noble and
pure
they
the
whose crime
that
have been elevated and dis
tinguished.
Revolt against law, and order; against God, whose
priests are massacred and whose temples are razed since he him
is
of
frenzy
|
of
of
all
bellowed as by wild beasts, shrill cries from women's lips de
femininity, the crash
void of
broken portals, the snapping
roaring
conflagration
Society
mad, crazed with
and
a
reached.
of
of
to
to
tyrants fleeing across the borders, taking shipping
sail be
inaugurate govern
yond the horizon. Gatherings
citizens
ment by the people and for the people.
privileges and class distinctions, abolition
Cessation
odious
crushing taxes and
of
of
|
a
be
Finally, exhaustion, despair, armed
forces, arrests, executions, and military despotism. The national
progress arrested; and decade, half
century, lost.
Revolution;—a joyous and hopeful word
Dissolving views
self cannot
of
a
of
hateful fines, end
enforced services and unredressed grievan
open
ces.
An
career for merit,
reward for industry, safe
ownership
property, immunity from insult and outrage for
all
of
of
a
quiet and peaceable life, closing with
honorable sepulture. The year
date from
good things are reckoned, after which increasingly
vista
of
a
wife and child,
back-ground
of
God.
angel
of
an
sume such contradicting face and voice, now
it
or
as
it,
it,
to
we
!
Revolution;—a most paradoxical word, therefore
How
Why does
explain
classify
good
evil?
are
as
the public worship
of
of
of
which
troops forth the arts and the sciences; the corner-stone
the
industrial state, the bulwark
domestic piety, and the home
light,
Labor: A Revolution and a Problem.
56
[Jan.
Yet, why have we
and anon a fiend so dark and deadly?
any
great
gain
compassed
dered ! Was there ever
for man
won
with
out a price as great?
When or where have we been taught to
something
look for
for nothing? Revolutions are sequels of re
payment of wrong by wrong, of lust by lust, of hatred by
hatred: they are the initial of noble effort, virtuous resolve,
payment in advance for future good.
There is not only the
right but also the duty of revolution; and there is equally the
to
it,
right, and even duty, of resisting
when folly and vice would
clamber
the top and press wisdom and virtue down into the
Society,
state
of
to
somebody.
in
a
No great social gain takes place without loss
rest, tends
to or
dust.
inconvenience
stratification:
in it
is
to
to
the stronger factors rise and the weaker ones fall
the bottom.
Were this to continue, one would have no lamentations
waste:
better even for the lowest that the nobler and stronger are
weakest who has most for
of to
of
rise
to
ability does not continue
family conspire
unchecked.
Parental affection and the pride
perpetuate the advantage gained and rivet the good fortune
But the
and fall according
to
is no
title and defend ownership, and
the spoiler.
he
is
of
in
as
of
they have, because
command.
Little
their incapacity,
they, and all, would have less were the rule and direction
their puny hands.
With the downfall
the commonwealth,
private wealth ceases: there
power any longer
give
to
its
!
is
of
it
Alas,
upon
one generation by entailing
descendants.
the most common mark
noble families
their tendency
descend,—in worth
Thus artificially stayed from falling down
an
of
its
of
of
in
to
“upper crust,” pre
the dregs, they form
all sober truth
vent the rise
the worthy, increase the misery
the unwor
thy, create the ferment
discontent while they prevent the es
at
so
or
do
of
potencies, until
last these burst out, shattering the
social order, and
much evil that they may accomplish more
good.
less
cape
of
an
is
are
is
often violent, although that
an
quality
accidental and not
essential
them.
Hence their
noted, while they have been gathering and pro
climax alone
gressing for years before, and continue long years afterwards.
Hence revolutions
Labor: A Revolution and
1893.]
a Problem.
Hence mobility in the social organization
57
is continuous
and
peaceful revolution, while immobility is periodic spasm and
con
Hence the only way to avoid revolution is to provide
for constant revolution, prevent incrustation, skim off the evil
fermentations or prevent them by wise medication, care more
vulsion.
for justice and charity than for custom and precedent, give up
the figment of legitimacy and dynasty, and be concerned more
as to the fruits of things than as to their names.
We are always in the midst of revolutions, wheel within
wheel, and
wheel against wheel: the activity of civilization
very
thing. Our great concern is that these antag
means this
may
fought
onisms
be
out by civilized methods, and not by bar
baric appeal to brutal force : that they may make their contest
in the arena of argument, before the tribunal of judgment and
conscience, by the array of evidence of common profit, and tri
umph upon the plea of public policy.
Thus conducted, the
worse,
better will drive out the
mistakes will be rectified, and,
while the line of human progress is never constantly forward,
always tremulous and wavering, society will nevertheless ad
vance, gaining more than it loses.
Revolution is to be studied
modified,
and directed and
rather than to be feared, vainly re
of
to
to
or
in
?
of
as
implicated
be
What ques
the State,
these changes,
or
of
as
a
to
action are made subject
revision thereby, and,
being challenged
foe,
left expectant
is
of
its methods
all,
back
it of
since its external organization
is
is is
of
a
nation whose fortunes are
moulded into shape by such pressure
our own.
day
worthy
study
tion
the
therefore more
The Church
interested therein just
much
was there
added, never
plastic and ready
to
may
be
is
as so
with such widely extended results; and,
as
age
Al
peculiar
forms
the present age.
revolutionary
rebellious,
condition
there was never
fraught
which the direction
movement may take
certain
it
an
ways
our revolutions, the most interesting and important
labor, es
that which pertains
the condition
its
just now
pecially
of
it
Of
in
all
in a
to is
pressed, met by physical forces
8
1.
is
an
as
repelled with indifference and contempt
undesirable ac
Again upon the other hand, there
quaintance.
no agency
VOL. XXIII. No.
Labor: A Revolution and a Problem.
58
[Jan.
but its own which can save it from such a fate; and in saving
itself it becomes the preserver of the State, the benefactor of
society, and a blessing to all mankind.
Thus every considera
it
to
a
to
in
not labor: work
in
promised
Labor
reluctant
is
accomplish the results they desire.
a
obtain
labor,
to
or
:
munity from the lash
the freeman labors
reward,
wages.
Men force themselves
to
its earliest
itself,
means, undesirable
The slave labors to secure im
to to
is
not necessarily labor.
Labor
to an end much more desired.
un
enforced and
and
is
All activity
stages only the slave labored.
tasks,
is
of
it
its widest sense,
synonym
slavery;
a
a
it
is
willing activity:
In
tion and explication.
it
from an inglorious and fatal result.
sufficiently ambiguous
need full defini
is
term,
saving
is
as
a
Labor,
of
glorious outcome,
it
of
to
its
tion bids the Church study this revolution of Labor, and bend
guiding
emergies
all
the task
and influencing
conse
at
a
is
now.
the sense
at
just defined
His
of
to
of
that
his employer; and
than need upon his part for
employer
such case the
must labor
secure
disadvantage thereby.
The struggle
as
In
it. be
exercising
even
and
such disad
But the “working
!
a
is
man”
not necessarily laborer
activity may be just
voluntary
greater demand for
there may
obtain;
it as in
has ever been, and
is
vantage
it
but not having the greater power
to
as
In
of is
of
of
quently the mark
the lower and weaker classes; for the ac
tivity
voluntary,
the higher and stronger
work indeed
any
society
but not labor.
free state
labor must be
disadvantage, having the same needs and desires
the mass,
as
at
it
of
to
is
is
this service, and
our day
create and maintain such conditions
shall give
the advantage and retain
for one class
those who work
other,
grouping
respectively
rather than for the
these two classes
is
is
or
of
under the titles
the employer and the employed.
The latter
working
laborer;
man,
called the
the
but the real question
laborer,
between
them
which shall be the
and which shall
work.
of
on
in
of
to
as
in
an
it
open question with vicissitudes for
Hitherto
has been
both.
Numbers are the weakness and not the strength
the
quarrel!
The many must contend with each other
which
them may establish relations with the few.
The contention
lowering the requirements
results
the part
those who
Labor:
1893.]
A
Revolution
and a Problem.
59
In turn this increases the number of those who can com
ply with such lowered requirements; and this again reduces the
preponderant numbers of those who are seeking.
And so the
seek.
beam
moves
from
side
to side, and scale rises but to sink, or
sinks but to rise.
But this rather primitive state of affairs has been complicated
tremendously in our day, while its truth has not been invalidated,
by certain other factors which now enter into the conflict. The
first of these is machinery; and the next in order is association
and combination, both of employer and employed, into gigantic
units aggregating thousands of individual men.
Differences
longer
they
engulf
and conflicts are no
between individuals:
whole communities, they are felt by entire nations, they promise
Every modification of
to agitate the entire world of mankind.
demand and supply becomes consequently the possibility of a
revolution more serious and further reaching than the quarrel of
two kings over a strip of territory or a stretch of a navigable
water. Unfortunately demand and supply, like the climate, are
invariable in this only, that they are always varying
The very general
use of machinery in industrial operations
changed
has
the conditions of labor as much as the introduction
of gun-powder did those of warfare.
It has made the owner
ship of the tools and instruments of production impossible for
the ordinary worker. It has developed cheapness of manufac
ture in the direct ratio of its extent: the small producer can
not compete with the great one.
It has divided the ranks of
labor by gradations of skill and sublettings of management.
It has increased the competition for employment by providing
tasks for which the lowest grades of skill and strength are ade
quate, the machine doing and supplying the rest.
It has there
comparatively,
higher
reduced,
fore
the demand for
skill and
strength, by the same process.
It has enforced residence in
crowded towns under greater expense and less favorable sanitary
conditions.
It has evolved the office and function of captain of
industry and has transferred the confidence of capital, and its
handling to him. Indeed, the struggle is not between capital,
as such, and labor, but the adjustment rather
of the emoluments
Labor:
6O
A
Revolution and a Problem.
[Jan.
of captains and the wages of common soldiers in this army of
On
the other hand, machinery may well plead in
its
industry.
defence
so
It
has conferred.
has
cheapened
It is
of
It
so
it
products that
greater
purchasing
power
wages
humble
have
than they ever
had.
has
facilitated transportation and readjusted markets
range
that the
movement possible for men
more extensive
the benefits
a
of
than the middle ages could have dreamed.
many
mon wealth and public utility out
has made com
decency and luxury
as
of
as
to
ruinous out
circumnavigate
a
is
not
time,
in
it
a
a
in
of
To-day
year
Why this change?
the whole earth
machinery
and applica
-
!
Invention
!
of
tion
a
in
of
A
to
a
in
cross and recross the ocean.
money, nor
fourth
of
to
land
is
time!
lay
much greater comfort
shorter
To-day there
hardly
town, hardly
village
our
pleasure,
which there are not individuals able for mere
cross that same ocean
a
to
a
a
to or
in
of
that were
the past the sole prerogative
the most powerful
alone,
queen pawned her crown
denied even
them.
jewels
convey
handful
men across the Atlantic four cen
fortnight enough
turies ago. To-day many
one can earn
be
in
to
is
of
be
to
as
machinery has modified labor questions and
But greatly
problems, there are other powerful factors
considered; and
prominent among these
machinery
Association.
The use
demanding extensive operation
profitable, has led
order
of
to
to
of
corporations and companies, partnerships,
the formation
regulate pri
commercial alliances, trusts, systems.
Intended
ces, prevent ruinous competition, economize the expenses
of
an
management, and the like, these artificial units have brought
about another and
unintended result, —the organization
a
it
of
They have massed labor, brought individuals into fel
Labor.
lowship, made different specific occupations parts
one united
operation, and made
possible for
comparatively few men
to
in to
is
is
of
miles
A
railroad system em
track means not only an
referred to.
of is
when the labor question
bracing some thousands
It
a
of
of
to
paralyze the activity
multitude.
We have therefore this phase
the question
consider.
deal, and not with la
with associated labor that we have
bor alone.
Associated labor
meant
nine cases out of ten
thus
*
Labor: A
1893.]
and a Problem.
Revolution
61
aggregation of capital, a single management, a staff of assistants,
but an army of men employed, such in numbers as is gathered
for some great war.
It means the tendency and the fact, and
increasing
tendency
besides, of a hundred thousand
the fact of
men combining and associating under leaders of their own
choosing in order to dictate to the management appointed by
the owners of all this property the terms upon which it shall be
operated
We
!
are taught to view “trusts and monopolies” with
in
It
their danger arises more from this direc
tion than from that in which we are usually bid discern
may be too that our safety may be found
this very check in
it.
great apprehension:
their organization.
is
the limitless competition and
very
industrial activity. The earth
our times
is
of
field
feature
operativeness
of
Another
of
in
evitable
at
a
!
of
small now
Steam and electricity have merged the markets
the world into one,
central stand and its annexes.
The om
niscient and omnipresent newspaper leaves no secret unknown.
to
!
of
to
it
is
it
it
If
is
no
in
of
at
demand for labor
a
Is
one place rather than
another?
supply
Then the tide
sets
from the ends
the earth
longer ignorant nor timid:
Labor
does not fear
mi
somebody's profitable task
grate.
were,
missionate
there
it
so
and stir up migration.
As with labor,
with profit
production.
profited
by
able
No sooner has one
some individ
ual excellence than shoals of rivals and imitators arise to over
among
stock the market.
No wonder labor organizes, no wonder man
agers combine; and no wonder that each one quarrels over his
of
share
the diminishing returns, while Capital ruefully
changes six per cents for fives, and fives for fours!
ex
a
it
is
becoming!
Machinery de
tremendous situation
large outputs, has provided cheap transportation there
cap
for and extended its market.
has invited association
ital and management, and thereby pointed the way for similar
What
It
in
mands
in
of
it
of
employs
producing and trans
association
those whom
porting. Information and facility
transportation, again, bring
It
in
it
in
of
the world into the battle, intensify competition,
wages and gains, beget
break down local superiority
de
fence still greater combines and systems, and, once more, still
more extensive associations of labor.
Where will
end
all the forces
A
Labor:
62
Revolution and a Problem.
[Jan.
Let us survey the ques
its
is a revolution, and it is a problem!
tion upon
various sides.
an
is
in
is
of in
us
to
supposed
of
or
of
profits aris
over the proportionate division
arise, from
operation.
industrial
The
passing,
very little
say
share
the capital furnished, let
dispute, despite the familiar phrase
“labor and capital.”
The quarrel
ing,
in
or
no
no
in
it,
no
management upon him
He who furnishes money, and takes
gets the ruling rates
self
connection with
the market,
goes upon
strikes, needs
machinery
association save
is
be
ein
on
of it of
a
or
bank
broker's office supplies. The battle
management
tween the
and the rank and file, between the
ployers and the employed.
question
wages,
that which
in
a
is
a
of
be is
bondholder may
-
a
the device
a
off" by
Let
of
the matter; and even
“stood
receiver!
us
weight
in
as
to
of
of
is
of
It
the
side,
question
work: on the other
being
salaries and
those profits which grow out
the
management and being able
contract, under one name, with
such,
oneself under another.
The stockholder,
not
one side, and hours
or of
or
is
It
is
of
in
all
of
also remember that the absolute share
both parties
good things
greater than ever.
the comparative,
absolute,
they
quarreling.
not the
share over which
are
One
hundred years ago neither
them had the decencies
luxuries
may have,
now.
The common
richly
indeed,
wealth has endowed them both
we have already
seen.
The grievance
based upon that intangible something
of, Which ought
have the larger share? and, then again, Ex
them has,
man's brains
If
of
A
pretty set
to
credit
a
would
to
do
It
!
If
common soldier?
much, why and wherefore?
sooth
captain get more than
so, exactly how much more?
that
questions,
for
grow crazy over
them
Is
of
them; and we suspect some men who claim solutions
being crazy,–at least their solutions are!
of
Should
a
actly how much larger?
a
to
is
as
which either
there any natural, constitutional, moral, religious
proceed upon
Clearly,
basis for
a
of
our day and land,
in
a
and times.
of
a
In is
as
a
to
?
to
man will not work
for less than
value equivalent
the procuring
certain ne
cessities and decencies and luxuries; but what are regarded
things very different
his necessities
sum
different lands
this division
working-man's needs, his
Labor:
1893.]
A
and a Problem.
Revolution
63
his luxuries, are no inconsiderable sum : reduce his
earnings below that, and he is disatisfied; but likewise is he
clamorous for more long before that point is reached.
decencies,
But why should these salaries and gains be so large?
Is there
any basis for them to stand upon ?
Is there anything in Na
ture or the human constitution which affirms the right of so and
so many per cent for gains, or so much salary a month ?
There
is no way out of this tangle except to affirm that the matter of
demand and supply must regulate it,-which is to leave it just
where it is now ! Arbitration has been set forth as a cure-all!
But arbitration is possible now, if voluntairly entered into. If
it is a forced matter, it is no arbitration at all.
There is no
power in our form of government to force a decision upon any
one as to what he must take or give in the way of wages.
Forced arbitration would follow after the sumptuary laws of old
employed
at
to
working men, convict-fashion,
be
to
or of
it,
into inanition: it would join in its defeat the efforts made to
keep paper money at par when not worth dollar for dollar in
coin.
Not even patriotism can do that: not even despotism
can enforce that!
To enforce
the officers
law would have
seize and operate railroads and mills,
arrest and force
them
a
as
in
to
a
as
to
or
or
in
or
a
of
as
a
is
as
just
Some would declare association
crime! That
im
Any
possible under our constitution
enforced arbitration.
perfect right
number
men have
sell their services
body: one might
block,
refuse them
well declare po
religious
parties,
litical
denominations unconstitutional.
per
True, the State may refuse
incorporate,
recognize
it
of
to
if
it
in
or
law, such associations,
lay down terms
agreement
does incorporate, them, but the State simply makes itself
attempts
regulate some things by law which
ridiculous when
sons
legislation.
of
a
a
a
the legislature, and only
little
it
their own governing outside
of
inside.
of
A
in no
is
The unwise statute
evaded:
dozen
different ways are found through and around an injunction; and
one profits by the legislative act except the lawyers employed
great deal
the consequent litigation.
free people do
transcend
a
or
is
of
punishing large numbers!
Then there
the helplessness
How can ten thousand
hundred thousand be indicted, tried,
Labor: A Revolution and
64
a Problem.
[Jan.
and punished?
are
We found it impossible in the Great Rebellion:
we likely to find it possible in an industrial rebellion of large
dimensions?
Riotous force, always confined to the few, can be
put down by force.
Labor itself has cheerfully assisted to do
that, althoug the rioters were, or pretended to be, laborers; but
to
Nature
our shores.
a
to a
law
is
this vexed ques
or
legal settlement
finding
of
a
of
of
tion than there
is
no greater possibility
of
all
in
coercion by the State of any class of persons in it would raise a
different state of affairs, a different sympathy by the public, a
all, there
different result of an appeal to arms. Take it
command
great many unworthy guests
a
is
-
it.
of
Revelation whereby
decide
yet
things
And
there are some
which the people can do, and
inviting
which require legislative action.
Our prosperity
ment
gov
Economical
of
best by losing
to
to
to
to
of
imprison
ernments abroad are ever ready
commute terms
migration
ready
ment for
America.
Families are
furnish
coming here
the means
those who can honor their name
is
of
to
;
in
to
to
a
is it
in
it
new land.
We have no room for these
amazing that we did not begin long ago
dis.
criminate
this matter.
We are awakening
the necessity
now and further legislation will be profitable therein.
manufacturing
The transfer
our own shores, which
classes, and
all
to
now going on, and which will go on with our rapidly increasing
capital, will demand better legislation for our cities, and stricter
sanitary regulations, since these will grow
larger dimensions
bitterness
to
The edge
as
to
place.
of
things must take
its
of
of
is
to
in
of
leaving
and increase
numbers.
The old theory
such
things
exploded
already.
individual effort
The new the
ory
provide and enforce many
the duty
the community
my
and your share can be somewhat blunted when both are
rendered fully adequate by public and common privilege and
enjoyment
needful and desirable things.
We have public
us
of
share
as
to
of
as
many more public benefits
schools already: let
have
-parks
possible,
for the enjoyment
the people, libraries and
intellectual recreations, music, baths, easy and cheap access
hundred other things which shall supplement wages and
make undue profits hardly worth striving after.
All these are
a
them,
A
Labor:
1893.]
and a Problem.
Revolution
65
is
is
in
of
it.
possibilities, and the burden of providing them can be made to
fall upon those most able to sustain
pre
But there
also much legislation
the direction
venting wasteful vice, which
upon
books,
not
our statute
and
is
Among the things piously
be
an
is
of
if
of
much more which stands there inoperative.
What could we
public expense which
not do
that share
thus incurred,
private
expenditure
and that share
which
thus misapplied,
outlay for general comfort and enjoyment!
were turned into
Our vices are our heaviest taxes and most costly luxuries.
of
of
is
in
of
of
of
is
that associated
increasing
labor would bethink itself more
this method
working
wages
the value
the
the
man.
The most dis
couraging feature
this problem
the failure
such associa
to
wished for
is
in
or
to
is
of
to
it
to
in of
recognize the need
this,
tions
show desire for better
things.
largely
The voting power
our towns
their
hands; but
any such ends
not applied
Advances made
society toward such ends are met with in
this element
in
in
it
difference:
would seem that animal pleasures too largely
round
its life.
The saloon and the low theatre find
these
forfeit
of
a
its to
of
and immorality
of a
character;
a
in
it
to
so
to
a
a
of
their patrons: increased wages do not bring forth the fruits
more refined home life and
more intellectual living.
The power wielded by the association should agitate
make
the members
much more desirable, honest, efficient, intelli
gent, that employers would find
negotiate with
desirable
Membership
guarantee
them.
union ought
be
privileges.
Then
in
to
it.
be
to
to
of
or
or
propagating
would be little need
force
violence
persuading the public
the association
reconciled
likely
But that which does not seem
be done from within
there
all
of
in
be
to
is
of
its
of
be
is
of
if
not duty,
agency
capable
The one
of
some agency from with
performing
out.
the task
the
leavened, spiritualized
Church
Christ! This mass must
for
own sake and ours.
The only solution
these con
flicting claims
general
found
the
diffusion
Chris
becomes the privilege,
9
1.
to
of
on
of
of
tian principle and the influence
the habitual recognition
duty
part
employer
Christian
the
and employed. When
men learn
be more solicitous about their duty
than tenacious
VOL. XXIII.
No.
Revolution and a Problem.
its
[Jan.
problems are solved
for their rights, society is safe and
calm discussion and generous concession.
in
A
Labor:
66
on
is
to
of
Here again we are met by difficulties.
The nature
our in
dustry
largely one which demands continuousness
be
profitable.
day and night,
Interest charges and salaries go
of
in
is
of
it
as
as
Sunday and week-day.
Machinery rusts out by disuse about
rapidly
reproductive use. The shining
wears out
the
sun
no longer the measure
toil: the night contingent suc
ceeds the “day turn” and the machinery goes on earning money
and meeting charges.
daily use
enable
The railroad requires twenty-four hours
we
is
of
us
a
of
?
of
or
is
to
a
to
it
to
of
pay expenses and declare dividends;
and Sunday witnesses no cessation, hardly
bated pulsation.
Under such circumstances, what
become
the souls of
those who labor
those who employ them
Our fierce
men
who
live “by
raising
up
materialism
for
brood
is
is
at
of
is
of
or
a
in
finding out that such
bread alone,” and
are
fair way
living, whether the bread be white
brown,
no living
all.
against spirituality:
The entire cast
associated industry
to
as
heretofore customary, may not answer this new
phase
environment.
Do they answer? The services
the
day
day,
Lord's
cannot avail for the man who must work that
turn night into day! The regulation sermon may have no
or
of
of
methods,
"
be
of
it
as
any wonder that we are reaping
we are sowing?
inquire
All the greater reason for the Church
Christ
wisely
diligently
Perhaps
more
and
what can
done!
her
us
a
a
in
of
to
charm for him whose thought and expression are narrowed down
the provincialism
class.
Contact with those whose life
by
runs
different channel from our own often surprises
revealing how exceedingly differently they regard matters, what
their moral conceptions are, their beliefs, their prejudices, the
a
in
as
a
be
motives which move them, the arguments that persuade them.
prosecuted
The day has come when “inner missions” must
remedy and
preventive.
the United States, both
Nor
in
of
no
is
an
that also would
be
and charities:
at
be
is
of
to
of
all
in
poverty: they range through
rags, and
all
prosperity, and are thereby harder
degrees
reach.
possible
approach
by
any
patronage:
There
no
avenue
gateway
that would
resented
once.
There
alms
are our heathen
unpardonable affront.
We
Labor: A
1893.]
and a Problem.
Revolution
67
must meet them upon the ground of equal rights and privileges,
in honor rather preferring those whom we hope to win.
We
everything
dare not teach as those who know
to those who know
nothing, but must show our superiority in our ability, by fair
and patient argument, and prove and persuade.
We shall find employers
and captains of industry just as hard
to deal with, just as worldly-minded, just as wise in their own
conceits as those whom they employ. There is nothing more
offensive to a refined and spiritualized nature than the coarseness
some successful “business men” and employers, men appar
ently devoid of manners and morals, alive only to the making of
profits.
In what sort of training are their households?
To
influence,
leading
wealth,
what end is their
their
in the social
and educational circles?
of
as
as
of
its
For all these things there is but one remedy, aggressive mis
sionary work on the part of the Chucrh, of which work no little
part will be the example of
members, their living and their
evidence
how highly they prize the spiritual
over against
against
material,
resources,
the
character
over
truth and
if
to
honor rather than sharpness and chicanery. After all, men will
silently look up
the spiritual and intellectual man, and,
he
by
disdain,
quietly
copy
does not anger them
will
imitate and
Those who have taken half
a
preached
their glass
at, but
of
as
or
be
to
him. They will not consent
lectured
they will follow the model set before them
ion.
fash
life-time to break down their
a
of
no
spirit
slow,
no
restore
that health, must necessarily
is
There
its
print.
be
ual vigor, wherein alone
is
!
in
some one theory worked out seductively
such cure
To get back our social health,
to
a
its
of
a
in
to
health are apt
think very little
doctor who cannot cure
couple
Society imitates these unrea
them
months.
labor-organization
sonable invalids and expects
cure for
single
law,
troubles from some
some one brilliant proposition,
gaining confidence
and winning love.
There
is
in
be
patient, long-continued work. Individuals must
gained:
Peripatetic
“evangel
multitudes will be converted
an hour.
ists” will not do this work: only the resident missionary slowly
no one method:
all
Revolution
and a Problem.
all
A
Labor:
68
[Jan.
in
is
on
our part
the world
pennies where
are dollars:
its
earnest
as
we are not
on
as
ways.
If
of
a
in
to
things
men,
be by being
the apostle's mean
ing and not
pulpit
the
sensationalist's.
This work will demand better organization and more exten
sive association upon the part
the Church. We cannot expect
to meet these new resources of the world in our ancient isolated
it will
to
it
be
its part, our investments will
we shall pull and tug with feebleness where
strains and strives
strenuously.
coquet
most
We cannot afford
with “higher
of
at
is
criticism” and such like theological “fads,” while this Hannibal
society growing away from
our gates.
Here are strata
us, becoming estranged towards us, while they are growing into
offer aid
to
of
and must cleanse our own eyes before we are
others!
fit
to
of
to
to
of
political power, becoming the moulding influences
the future.
What are we going
do about it? What does our Lord seem
require
Perhaps, we ourselves have need
repentance
us?
as
in
a
to
as
it
is
be
Whatever may
the case,
not exceedingly plain that
the Church, Christian men and woman,
individuals and
an
body,
grave
duty
perform
associated
has
this crisis?
is
so.
or
they act thus
or
pen
if
is
it,
in
a
us
or
an
be
to
in
which we are found
one which permits no
spectator:
every
one
idle
one becomes sooner
later
participant.
The problem set before
one whose solution
depends upon the part men take
not upon what will hap
The revolution
Either spiritual forces must prevail
materialistic energies dominate and ruin
follow.
But spiritual forces prevail only
Christian men and
inert;
strive,
they
only
they preach the
women
not
are
Gospel
every creature, and not
they simply go
church
ensue,
to
as
it,
to
as
as
as
and safety
of
to
on Sunday
hear
and mind their own business selfishly
during the rest
the week.