The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-06-04
SIGNING THE SCALE.
aEv.MuLFoRD'ssERMoNLAsTNlaAT


pastor OF the Baptist Church, preached u
sermon commemorative ol the second ami.
niyersary Of his connection with the
church. There was good attendance.
Last evening the reverend gentleman
took for his theme "The Signing OF the
Scale" His text was from Gen. 29:l5 l9-
"And Laban said unto Jacob, because thou
art my brother shouldst thou therefore
serve me for nought? Tell me, what shall
thy wages be? And L4ban had two
daughters; the name Of the elder was Leah
and the name OF the younger was Rachael,
and Jacob loved Rachael and said, l will
serve thee seven years for Rachael. And
Laban said, 1t Is better that give her to
thee than that should give her to another
man. Abide with me" l,,
Jacob being victim Of love at first sight,
was resolved to conquer. This be would not
do by reason Of his family connections, nor
ny the eloquence OF his Lace or tongue but
by an appeal to the love oil Laban for
money and bis greed for possession. When
Llban said "What shall your wages beP"
Jacob at once had everything his own way.
he was then and there an Amaleamated
Association in himself with n majority
vote in his own favor. Laban had agreed
to hire him and had left 10 him the ques-
tion OF wages He was virtually at Jacobs
mercy. The scale was produced, Laban
looked atit, recognized 1t Us an ultimatum,
saw It was Just and reasonable aud with
out a moments hesitation signed it
by saying, 'Abide with me-" .ala
The problem OF labor and wages has had
an early agitation in the history OF the race
and will demand consideration as loug NJ
time. shall last. At certain times oppreB.
sion on the part Of c,pital and unjust de-
mands on the part Of labor have created
discord and strife. Personal interests have
not enjoyed q long honeymoon and dt-
vorce per violence has ensued. Capital has
been arbitrary:and tynnnical, orlabor has
been suspicious and REBEL llious-simply be-
cause mutual consideration has been want
ing.
employers are too much disposed to
give what they are forced to; they yield to
circumstances when they do not lean to-
wards Justice. With none OF the buoyancy
Of Micawber, Micawber like, they are
always waiting to see what will turn up;
hipti 0uu bhttiu thVl ftVpbto Az. aaothett
unlike Patrick Henry, they say there is no
peace, when there is peace, and in conse-
quence confidence in and esteem for, their
men is impossible. On the other hand,
employees by their. unions create constant
terror; their attitude, which IL q touch.
me,notw with impunity sort ot spirit, tends
10 produce the results so much to be feared
and deplored. Unions, as means OF pro-
lection and mutual helpiulness are to be
commended and should live, but employers
regard them as man does lion, with ad-
miration Tor his strength but fear OF his
iangs. ''e'f' -'r lN..s .'et-. l".H
He commended tho maguaminity Of the
manufacturers. They might have waited
and tested the spirit Of the men. He
could not think that they felt themselves.
the helpless victims OF circumstances and
therefore yielded what they could not
afford to defend. Nor was self interest the
only motive that prompted capital to sign.
There was, he believed, nobler, more
generous spirit that impelled them to this
course; spirit OF charity, sympathy sni
good will. "Iet US at least accord this
measure Of praise until It is proven to be
wholly undeserved."
Te the, wUfAlugmen he extended his
congratulations. The God OF heaven had
more to do with the signing Of the scale
than men Of the earth, therefore let us give
thanks to God, and in spirit Of grateful
appreciation measure the victory according
to effects, and MOTTO cause. No excuse.
even II a hundred are offered as TO why the
scale was signed, can deny the statement
that Gods providence was in the happy
issue. There is good in il, and why should
! it not be so? Christian toilers and praying
wives have been heard beseeching the in.
tervention Of Providence. ..yy .r.
What are we to learn Of spiritual good
from this commercial phase OF lie? God
Is never idle nor would he have his crei.
lures idle. We must labor for some sn-
preme object and be busy in some noble
pursuit. God has his service, but makes
his own terms and compels submission.
"Go work III my vineyard" says He, and
man has no right to expect any remunera.
tion, for God has bought .man with the
blood OF His Son. IA ...........
'Tis God that offers the scale with
Gospel invitation TO sign. 'ris one that
embraces every earthly joy and heavenly
possession, but which, Is Of no benefit un:
less signed with bold, free, legible hand
oi Faith. as ''