New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-12-02
THE CHURCH AND THE MASSES.

10 the EdtfOr Of Ihe IFib WHc
SIR: An article in last Sundays TRIBUNE
m Ter the above heading makes certain extraordinary
statements regarding the evils connected with the en-
rloymcnt Of iwomcn and children in the factories and
mines Of England and reads tie clergy Of Creat Britain
ana America lecture upon their supposed indifference
thereto The attempt Is to fd>eu the responsibility FOR
the continuance of these alleged abuses upon the
Church. While IL may he admitted that the structures
are not wholly unca for yet on the other hand they
arc certainly too Laty and sweeping The Church has
not done all that it might should have done for the
ureyenon OF injustice and wrong in the daily life of the
peoplc; hut TO charge her with being crminaly apa
thetic is incorrect If not unwarrntahle aud unjust
There are few If any. among the frequent social and
other reforms Of years in England which have
found warm supporters and active helpers among the
churches and the clergy Of all denominations. That
they nay be still actively interested in such good
works THE TRIBUNE must surely desire; but perhaps
NAV be permitted Of its readers himself a clergy
man. 20 make the respectful suggestion that such result
might be better secured by the employment OF dlrrcC
appcais addressed TO the Reverend Lavender Kids Of
the English Establishment" aud the Reverend Wind
bags of the American Churches are hardly likely to
Apart from these things however the article in CUES
ton is open 10 criticism regards its statements 1t
alleges that to-day in England which claims 70 repre-
sent the highest power Of Christian civilization, girls Of
knees. literally hanesscd TO trucks and dral them
through the long low narrow galleries OF the mines
Qucutly for seventeen hours day making nuts and
bolts" The simple answer TO ali this + that il is
hot correct. Tie picture is wholly oyerdIaWn. That
these abuses did exist in past times admit, OF doubt
But that many years ago. Things changed
now A good sized volume would be required 20 contain
ell the passed by the British Parliament dur
ing past ration, expressly designed prevent
such abuses. As early 1873 forbidden IA
work in the mines OF England. Tie Mines Regulation
Act OF 1872 still further extended this restriction hy
absolutely prohibiting the employment underground Oi
ems female OF any boy under ten years age BY The
Factory and Workshops Regulation Acts Of various
dates the working hours OF children under thirteen arc
limited 10 six and hall per day. and Of women 10 ten
and a half Sunday. Good Friday. Christmas every
Saturday after > D. IN, and certain other days are
made holidays. duriag which they may not legally be
employed Careful provision is made for their urotcc-
ton from dangerous machinery. for the education OF
children the ventilation OF factories ana workshops etc
etc These wise ana humane eaactIucutS have done
much and destined do for the safety comfort
aud happiness Ct the English working Clas.cs, ana
through their fundamentally the terrible state OF b.s
described has passed away never to return
oyster B0y, L. l., Nov. II, 1882. PRESBYTERIAN.