The Labor enquirer., 1883-05-12
THE WORLDS FINAL CRISIS.
A Series Of Letters to Workingmen,
The Exclusive Mobility Of
Earth.
Fifth Letter.
\ EZEKIEL'S "vALLEY OF DRY BONES

Fifth Letter.
\ EZEKIEL'S "VALLEY OF DRY BONES"
In the thirty-seventh chapter of this
prophet is graphic picture of Labor,
just prior to and during the different
stages Of its organization, until it be-
comes perfect man, capable of per-
forming any duty that might devolve
upon him. The first outline of this
man we get from Eden, and from that
time to this, cooperating with God, man
has been hard at work, making himself
and the world or the house in which
he is to live; overcoming obstacles and
surmOunting difficulties IN which any
but God would suffer lasting defeat and
unconditional surrender. Man is al un-
developed Deity. To him defeat never
comes. His bloodiest Waterloos are but
the mOmentarv fold of pinions prior to
prouder flights ana grander triumphs.
\ casual glance at this history reveals
the startling fact that the prophet down
the line Of ages, from his standpoint, is
looking us, our time and work squarely
in the face, and that his human visiou
diVinely lifted, saw in our present ex
perence duplicate of every condition
and possibility OF this very great army
of dry bones. One Of the mistakes of
theology teachers is that as soon as any
work of God is announced it is by divine
miracle at once complete; whereas His
plans published in figure, completely OBJ
scuring tn, fact until ripe, REQUIRE untold
time and space in gradual process to
perfect. Thus has the world been mis-
led and taught that God made man
and a world in l44 hours.
The courts feeling their way in
doubtful case are satisfied, if they can
show an English precedent, to follow it.
On the precedent of all human expert
ence and the word Of God the decision
of the case reSts-that man, climbing
the ladder Of civilization which Jacob
SAY, reaching from earth to heaven, has
answered in deed the laconic proposition
of his Father, Let us make man" He
has created his body, brain and affection,
thus far in hell fire, the intensity of
which he has borne Of late with self
control more like god than a man, and
proved in this furnace seven times heat
ed, to angels and men, that he is now
able to take the world which is his own.
That this valley Of bones is a figure
representing men, is proved by their
being addressed, and the assertion that
they shall hear the word of the Lord,
breathe his breath, etc.
A bone is a disUrganized member of
body, and the tittest type possible Of
labor previous to organization. Each
individual in his isolation was as help
less to defend himself against political
msrule AS a dry bone. The mission Of
state and church has ever been to make
separation fatal. State by party, and
church bv creed made the "impaSsable
gulf between each other and God, and
then set the devils "BigOtry and Hate,
to hinder bridging it over. The word Of
the Lord is wisdom, and to you it said
organize you heard and obeved. "There
was noise and a shaking, and bone
came to his bone, when SlneWS, flesh and
skin were laid upon them" "a noise )"
Yes, there was a noise the low grOWl Of
your discomfort met monopoly thunder
on the threshold Of organization. "We
combine but you shall not" it mutter-
ed. A shaking. You then began shak
ing your chains and fetters, talking and
publishing your grievance, and bone
came to It's bone; in each lodge, the
same bone or class of labor came to its
bone sinews came and were laid upon
them Sinews is the strength you OBJ
tanned by union. Flesh came. Food in
it's outcome is flesh. and results from
your treasures feeding the hungry, as is
being done now the world over. Skin
to this body is mutual sympathy, that
now covers the entire man. If one class
of labor is assailed and strikes, from
everywhere comes bread, sympathy and
love; the gospel, not in cold, lying theo-
ries, but practical sermon that warns
all hearts.
Here we have atlast the man complete
in form, but lacking the vital principle
of life-the breath of God. The breath
of God is the Holy Ghost. Christ was
God, and he breathed on men and said,
Receive ye the Holy Ghost. The Holy
Ghost is virtue, the highest expression
of head and heart, the mingled outcome