Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1854-11-05
DUTY AND DIGNITY OF LABOR;
BY REV. }. B. FERGUSON.

address
pom the duty and dignity of absrs influence upon nd
Ndual character elevation and destiny of
is TO me source of unaffected joy, know, that the
world tires of speculative theology, that seeks imposs
Die uniformity Of faith and opinion, the positive spirit of love
duty which all recognize FORM gains
the and obedience ALL and of
'reeds, who seek the happiness This
rt seeking many outlets into the great
human ignorance and and among these, it pleas
are 10 place your association. Its purposes and objects
command my warme sympathy. Its sacrifices and duties
raoad secure the hearty cooperation of all
cpery of city, and the general usefulness hap
ness of man. And with this view Of the your
ociaon leould in reply to your fatterng
bear TO contribute my mite the entertainment of this
ccson But, in all enterprises for the good of
"er il in vain that make societies somebody
I work, propose to You address upon duty and
dignity of workdes string for SELF help you
10 see the necessity aud importance of Godappoined labor
whether it individual Improvement or social
elevation. And before the general features of
Tie subject, allow remind you that while there ia
l"ing easier than to form associations things
difficult than perform work In other words
1Lee be done than associate elect you officers
aud subscrbe-somebody all a vain boast
cannot work together without the right spirit,
Iglt SPIRIT which is not merely the good spirit
srit 10 do good with all its immortal aims and hopes will
overhead you 10 make and every personal partisan
sacrifice TO secure the objects of your association.
need not say to you, that there growing disposition
ln many or eommupities undervaue if not TO de-
ade the dignity of labor. This disposition has manifested
- IN some form in al the ages of human progress,
ray be regarded key to much that is evil
ia our lot Labor is necessity being. are en-
'wed with feeble physical powers are placed in contest
WIN tremendous elements in of all animals eas
deiendsd' OF all animals exposed dangers; and
possessing neither the instincts the weapons Defence
we have Imposed upon the necessity of activity
only principle by which may gain sovereignty over the
easts Of the Forest the elements of individual
wunts, and the evils inflicted by the misguided judgment
and perverted passions of kind
activity is the Of human improvement. The saw
state Of Of comparative Incidence having,
Indeed, feversh exctemenis, but such
nu, succeeded by long periods irresponsible
rrpose. While in this state, the of confined
ia sensation Their tendency, ALSO is depres and
degrade the power Of action. The savage lies down.
brutal indifference before o and destiny that hsrdens
heat and swallows him up the victim of You
NI remember that the philosophers of another century
Looked to this savage life pure archeype of
human greatness, and Of romantic vsOnaries
have delighted dwell the free and noble delights of
Indian hunting grounds But what reality revealed?
Where expected to find men, unconaminated by the
vices Of civilized society," have found creature
''squalid, revengeful, and impure,
Remorseless and submissive law,
But superstious fear and abject sloth.'
Itls activity alone of and above
opeRs the fountain from whence flow the ART
government spiritual development, strength.
that commanding in heoism, sublime in patience, and
the elevation of the enduring sou brought out
reauhed and preserved. Strange then from
I'll should ever be regarded privileged condition
Snge should be looked upon with longing eyes,
g. though II were worthy of human admratiOni Rather
rhould suppose that he who is unfortunate pos
ssthe privilege Of doing nothing should make apo
oy his Incidence his oilng brother. How often,
however, does he proud of il and in his imitation effect
condescend, with paronzing air and lOrdly bearing,
The But he is VIII 10
his apology, hopes you him,
IL ne doing something mean, when che really
be at work. -
But to estimate our subject arght we must define what
by LABOR. Much upon subject
Of envy and jealousy class of
society towards smother. And there bitter and sceptica
Complaints by all classes. all
trouble, and uneasiness connected with ill., and
need mark definition with just discrimination.
labcrs condition, Ordair ed in the nature and
poses being and be changed. We may
uounoe the condition By power Of wealth and the hurry
dissipation, may imagine ourselves exempt But
euce viii deusion, and will it 10 sad
and sorrow, if do not return from folly
ceye labor rs God appointed, every
appointment be used bless according
It's frivolity, and dissipation,
ending desperate attempt reckless gay soul killing
supu its marks upon the pale and haggard brow,
az the type agony consumes within, whilst
slavery dupcy deeds Of maddened sensuaity make
the oathsome himself, and abomnatiOn to his
species And last what this sad condition but Of
labor labor perverted labor kill the horrible
all sefmurders, because the semselessa murder
with poor, fa hand perishng life, of the greatest
grant as vet upon To Kill time, be killed
by it. what is again, ask might
changed the nger with profit and joy?
Not then amid the quiet shades embosoming groves
and hills Of Gods fair earth has any liberty be idle.
e must toOrk the best Of reasons destined
higher ends than mdoleut repose and irresponsible indu
gcnce.
But when l speak of labor, would be understood as
meaning merely the work Of the hands All activity is
labor and all labor estimated by its results 1t may
te mental or yscal, both The
apt look down upon him who tolls with mis- hands,
looks up with envy and discomfort at
iu who 'lives by Both wrong,
necessary and proper acquaintance with other would
Lead TO mutual helps and advancement.
1eror to great of society who do nothing The
socracy useessness Must the children of hard tasks
toilzome burdens look them with homage
Would the industrious pupils Of common school pay hom-
age And will those who have labOred well in
great Providence, and who still bear the heat
and burden OF the day who have learned their tasks and
avetehed faithfully to perform them,-will such GOdhon-
ored forever pay this homage him who learns moth
who nothing who does nothing, and because he
does nothing And always hear in this fair land,
reclaimed from the beast savage by trumphs of
industry when man introduced polite circles,
supercious and degrading criticism-degrading,
mean. those who and those tolerate -that he
sa poor schoolmaer, poor lawyer, a poor DOCTOR or
poor preacher, poor mechanic, makes his living by
,rgrk7 II su the rest of mankind make
their Iiyngr Aud without work, what right upon Cod.
rh have they lve2 Unless it be pensioners rraudp
lent ones at that upon the honest toll who have
made and still beaufy protect their homes But Imfs
lake ground of honor upon which Incidence
may safely repose. Il will be found that what all world
ncdes in honOrng have legitimate basis, upon
which is rested need of praise. Whit is that basis
bs casey It is incidence depends
-asures that labor tits has aforetme
and gathered. then, that honor, but the
eficy Of man, reposug upon the mausoleum that some
b,nest or dishonest toier has erected THIS effgy
nothing is nothing; but he does not arye and is saved
from honest beggary and holds his significance in the world
because somebody has worsed-somebody forgotten, per
hans or dishonored, least initiated. The worker
,rnduced: the egy The worker built up the
t,eesure heaps comforts around bin, and the
p takes them away The worker went forth amidst strug
cling elements and fought the great battle of life; the eigy
in coward eeminacy gories over the victory upon beds