Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-02-01
AN ABLE SERMON.
The Rule BY which To Avoid and
SsttlelStrikss."
The Timely Discourse Delivered by Rev.
DR.. D, A, Cunningham, at the First
Presbyterian Church, Last
Evening.


Presbyterian Church, Last
Evening.
Rev. DR.. D. A. Cunningham preached
on The rule BY which to avoid and settle
strikes" at the First Presbyterian Church,
last evening, to q large and deeply inte'
rested congregation. he took his text
from Mathew vii, II: Therefore all
things whatsoever ye would that men
should do to you, do ye even so to them.
Following is the sermon in full
THE SERMON.
This command has been usually called
the Savior golden rule, q name given to
il on account Of its great value. All that
YOU expect or desire of others in similar
circumstances, do to them. Act not from
sel6shness or injustice, but put yourself 10
the place Of the other, and ask what you
would expect OF him then. This would
make you impartial, and candid, and Just,
II has been well said that this law Is what
the balance wheel is to machinery. lt
would prevent oil irregulsrity OF movement
in the moral world, as that does in a steam
engine. 1t is easily applied, its justice IS
seen By ell men, and all must acknowledge
It's force and value.
To do good as We have opportunity, Is
the first law Of ChrisEs household. II is for
our relief that, in this matter, our opportun'
tiles sndour obligations are exactly proper
toned and balanced. When there is no
opportunity for doing good, there is no
obligation; while obligations multiply just
in proportion TO the increase Of our oppor-
t%uuisies.
The directions of the New Testament
ARE VERY SPECIFIC.
They are shaped in accordance with our
personal relations to our felloWmen. The
Bible s6ounds in practical rules for pa
rents and children. masters and servants,
EMPLOYERS and those who are employed,
On this occasion | propose to speak OF
specific duties which, as 1t seems to me,
are of the grsyest importance. l refer to
the mutual obligations which masters and
seryants-employers and employed, WE
each other.
While it is of spiritual good that the
New Testament chiefly treats, it is not In
different to anything which affects social
aud temporal advantage. The religion OF
Christ does not overlook the ~welLbeing OF
any in this presen: life; and its process OF
accomplishing this-though it be in ssense
incidental to It's chief Objects more GER
tain than all the theories which
make secular prosperity their
main and exclusive design
The relations of the rich to the poor-of
masters and employers to their depend
snts, have frequently been presented in q
manner, By socialistic writers, to toment
the worst passions. These
ERRONEOUS \ DESTRUCTIVE TEACHINGS
can in no way be c~ounteracted amid the
inequalities which everywhere exist, ex'
oept BY the genial, kindly preeepts of the
Christian religion.
Half the trouble which has arisen in 80
ciety would have been obyiated by a die
tincS recognition ofthe mutual dependence
OF all classes, which is go frequently illuE-
trstsd in the New Testament. The head
cannot say to the hand, | have no need of
thee, nor can the foot say to the eye, lhsve
mo need Of thee. Whoever he may be,
rich or poor, who, in speculation or prac'
tice, alma to produce alienation between
one class and another, on the ground OF
occupation, is the worst enemy OF bis
species; while Christianity with its whole
some teachings as to mutual dependence
must be regarded as the great harmon
tzer of the race. The Christian doctrine
which assigns diyerSines Of operation,
varieties of talent, and inequsll-
ties of condition as the wise appointment
of God for the general good, strikes at the
root Of the sntisocisl and heathenish SEN
timent that labor is mean and seryile.
All our relations to our fellow men are
included in the comprehensive Law which
REQUIRES US to love our neighbors as we
love ourselves. The lscoDic precept OF
Christ is, Whatsoever ye would that men
should do unto you, do ye even so unto
them" The spirit OF this law never can
be lransgressed without harm. He who
organizes his affairs, with an exclusive re-
gard to his own interest, with no kindly
concern for the advantage Of others,
PROVES HIMSELF DELINQUENT
to the first great law Of the Christian econ.
omy.
All our specific duties to those in our
employ come under the general direction
of our tex;-to deal with such IS We would
wish our heavenly Master to deol with rs.
In the spirit OF this requirement, let me
specify q few rules in regard to the treat
ment Of such as ere in our employ. Let
that treatment be with uniform kind
uess and consideration. God is norespece
er Of persons" In His eye, little account
ia meGa of external differences, which IN
happily too often control the Judgment Of
meu. God hath ISde Of n blood all
who dwell upon the face of the earth
The mediate relation TO our fellow Een,
through Q common parentsgs-and the
real unity OF race, as taught Us IN the unity
and uniyersality OF the Christian redemp-
tion-from theso two facts do we derive
all correct conceptions u hqmsn brother
hood and fellowship. de who Sesrises
man-slWply OeChuse VI Ills
lowly condition, despises God, in whose
msI Vss made, and most of all does
adront to the Son o. God, who, for our
salvation, took upon himself tho sorp of a
ssrvsut, and not OF a King. Be ssudious,
therefore, to treat your dependents with
special respect sGd kindness till they fos-
felt all claim thereto By original conduct.
Convince them that your regard is g-sdu-
ated not by condition but character. Il is
unchris,ian to net towards these in Jour
employ as if they gers % 3 different nature
from ourselves Not only are they not
destitute OF the feelings which We possess
a common, but It may BE those feelings
are peculiarly sensitive through misfor
.une. The little boy whom you have re
Gently taken into your service, has g small
Of black Grape upon his cap Father
md mother ere dead, and he is resolved to
10 something for himsslf and 1
WORK Hs Way THROUGH iii WORLD.