St. Paul daily globe., 1886-01-17
John Lamb RetOrts Courteously to the
Critic That Fain Would
Rend Him.
4 Minneapolis LabOring Man Rejoices at
the SIGNS Of Immediate
Day Dawn.
ssHard Times'' and Their Cause--A
st. Paul Plumber Speaks on
Cold Snaps.
Notes From the Local Workshops
To-night's Labor Confer
ence--General News.
THE REToRT COURTEOUS.

gOhn lamb DiscIainIs ANY Reflec-
tioDs Upon the Ministry.
To the Editor Of the Globe:
The GLOBE has become such a danger
ousIv public institution that even Lamb
cannot cry ''ba' through its columns with
out being threatened by a Wolf.
When read the heading of the criticism
in YOUR last Sundays issue retaliation was
nv first impulse, but when / arrived at the
signature, "A Lamb Eater" the cold chills
crept downward to my toes, and l realized
the utter uncertainty and nothingness OF
life. The pregnant words of Macbeth in
the presence Of death came into my head
Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
Till the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools,
The way TO dusky death.
Out, out, brief candle,
Life's but a walking shadow, poor player
That struts and frcts his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more. "Tis like a tale,
Told by a madman, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.
Seriously, however. was surprised to
hear that my communication was considered
critical, for l wrote it in the Misunderstanding
mood The sentiments were mild and lamb
like in the extreme. The opening lines
read thus:
Nothing is more gratifying than to see
the ministry taking up the labor question
in earnest. 1t indicates substantial
growth in the right direction" And further
on The teachings and influence OF the
church, however perfect in ideal, are not oI
themselves sufficiently powerful to bring
the country is under the dominion OF sys-
tens. absolutely unjust in themselves, and
whose essential tendency is TO degrade one
class by making them too rich, ana anolner
class by making them too poor"
The above remarks are quite as critical
as any other part of the communication,
and il will hardly be claimed that the pas
sages quoted are tainted with even
A SNIFF OF DYNAMITE.
No. nv carniverous friend, | am not less
glad than Yourself to see the ministry Civ
iHg more of their attention to this world
shadowing question; and as to the local
preachers who have discussed it,
i have nothing but admiration
for their courage and fidelity to
truth in making the new departure; for 1t
is a ell-known fact that they who say
anything to antagOniZe the powers that
rule society and dispense temporal bless
ings, are liable TO walk barefooted over the
burning mari.
But the clergy. as your voracious cor
respondent says, are not hanging back, and
/ agree with him i'm so many points that
feel almost willing to form part of his ali
ment, were il not for the necessity of dy-
ing in order to do it. His bark has kindly
tone, and can easily be distinguished from
that contemplate thing, a yelp. Here
comes the news from New York that fifty
of the Dutch Reformed clergy actually in
Vited John Swinton to address them. and
of course John did it. Why, it could not
have been more startling if they had in
voked the shade Of Judas IscariOt to share
their hospitality at church dinner
''But, doubt not, through the ages
One increasing purpose runs,
And the thoughts of men are widened
With the process of the suns
A few words and am through. Ny uf-
ture devOurer has failed to identify himself
in any way. This. considering the awful
nature of his occupation, leaves me in a
condition of narrowing uncertainty. feel
like dime novel hero
Like one who on a lonesome road,
Doth walk in fear and dread,
Because he knows frightful tend,
Doth close behind him tread.
Had | some clue to his appearance the
threat would not even ruffie my
wool, for [ could skip around
the corner and evade him,
when he appeared, but it is trying to sensi-
tive nerves TO go crouching through life
under the dread apprehension that at any
msment one is liable to be swallowed.
shall, however, steer Gear of all places
where they deal in green peas.
JOHN LAME.
Minneapolis, Jan. 15.