Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-10-25
FOR CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
The Triennial Letter Of the Episcopal
Church Declares Plainly for ft.

The closing feature Of the Episcopal con-
vention was the reading at st. Georges church
of the triennial pastoral letter by the Right
Rev. John Nicholas Gallaher, bishop of Louis
lana, with impressive ceremonies. The sacred
edifice was crowded to the doors. The bishops
of the American church were present The
letter itself is remarkable document, and it Is
q higher and more pronounced stand against
public evils than those Of previous years. In
that the church was during the medieval ages
the foundation and exponent Of the modern
system Of education the letter urges her people
to obey the sympathetic touch which she has
inherited and found and maintain larger and
less costly colleges of learning ON this subject
the letter says: Let the church be literally
endowed. Education points the way to
nobler and higher civilization. We cordially
commend the system of inexpensive and admir-
able schools founded by the beneficent whose
incentive is not earthly honor and reward, but
the blessing Of the kingdom of God. Divine
success is wrought by self-abnegation."
Upon civil service reform it says: under q
and civic virtue of its citizens corruption must
be guarded against. The church does not
undertake the warfare Of the partisan, but it
would leave an important duty undone il it did
not exercise care for the political as well as
the ecclesiastical welfare of the state 1t has
the standards of political morality have been
senslbly lowered, but putty and integrity in
the administration of public affairs are strenu-
ously demanded by the religion of the church
as well as the patriotism of the land. Official
place should not be won by vulgar incompe-
tence. 1t is not the barter price paid for politi-
cal influence, as the honors of Office are the
legitimate recompense bestowed upon citizens
who have served their state. and should not be
distributed among the corruptible."
TOUCHING THE INDUSTRIAL ISSUE,
the letter declares that the church of God has
taken due cognzance of the class disturbances
during the past three years, resulting from the
asperitles Of will on one hand and hasty passion
on the other, and adds: 1T is painfully evident
that the existing industrial system is not what
it should be, as the despairing tone of those
who have studied the subject evinces. Many
have come to look upon industrial humanity as
a commercial commodity. Human sympathies
are not to be brought into play. Any social
philosophy which eliminates the heart and soul
OF man from its doctrine is incomplete and to
act as If those were not needed is unchristian
as 1t Is unwise. To discuss the moral and spir-
ltual factors which enter into social and indus
trial questions Is part Of the exalted Office Of
the church,
The letter then proceeds to take more con-
sentative view of the matter, and charges la
Dor in these words: Reciprocal obligations
are laid upon labor to test the employer in his
difficult capacity with all high and steadfast
regard: 1t should be the duty Of the employee
to aid in defending the interests of the en-
ployer. He is always entitled to that. Unrea-
sonable demands concerning hours and COM
pensation, which lead to passing triumph for
the laborer, is a promise and delusion which
invite disaster. They that would claim equity
must do equity"
Referring to false doctrines preached in the
church, the letter repudiates peculiar doctrinal
views presented by individuals as emanating
from the entire body. The church should not
be made responsible for unreasonable specula-
ton both in the holy communion and other
branches of the ritual The letter closes with
a passionate exhortation for the unity and
loyalty of the people to the church.