Telegram-herald., 1890-09-01
A CRISIS IS UPON US.
A Deep undereurreat OF Discoa-
tent Among Iae People.
THINGS ARE sOT As THEY ONCE WE'RE
The kss- Thomas q. smith Pre@snes
Ga the hetstion OF rhe pulpit aDd
Press 90 the IaGustrial Glasses
He scores the Moa0p0lists.

''The Relation OF the Pulpit to the
Industrial Questions and Classes, wAs
the subject Of discourse delivered by
the Rev Thomas q. Smith, last eve
ming at the Mission Wood Presbyteriaa
church. 1t Was decidedly apr09os 10
view Of the fact that It comes on the
eve OF Lsbor Day. lie commenced by
saying that he was deeply interested IN
the subject chosen, It being vital,
timely theme.
"In these industrial questions, much
earnest, sober thought IS given ~ our
people, regardless OF their vocation OF
position in life, for the rich and tho
poor" he commenced. "The capitalist
and the lsborer are alike interested aud
solution OF thesequestions willinerease
the relations that exist between either
party. We have in our land two pow
ers, potential for good; and when those
who control these powers have a deep
sense of personal conviction, with eoUF-
age to show their conviction and a
mind free, as far as possible from Il
biased judgment. they Will exert an
influence that will level the masses and
meet all disturbances and remove in
the main, all anxious fOrbodings OF evil
these two powers are the pulpit and
the press.
''Both should be powers that work
r. /,
wrong and support the right. Neither
should come down from its lofty, no.
ble and proper sphere OF work and use
fuluess 10 pat on the back, foster and
encourage IN evil and wrong many VINO
fear not God nor regard for man. The
work OF the pulpit and press has a dis
tinct and specific sphere. Vet botn
create public sentiment that ends IN
the formation of character. Hence
they are essential powers IN determine
ing the welfare OF Il people or future OF
commonwealth in anSlyzing and set
Ting questions that concern the inter-
est of the masses. Both have very
important duty TO perform.
1T is almost self-evident that crises
Is upon us also that there is 4 deep un-
der current of discomfort among the
people; that changes are going
on that are severe in the extreme.
They are almost revolutionary IN
spirit ard effect. Things are not as
they once were. There is too much
truth in the popular belief that the
government of our country IS rapidly
passing from the hands OF the citizens
into the hands of a very few. With
our marvellous increase III wealth.
the law, the affairs of our Cow
eminent, the Federal legislation is
vastly in the interest of tne mOnied
corporations as against the equitable
rights and Just needs Of millions of the
sons OF toll. Wealth today is despotic.
cruel and voracious. II has incorpO-
rsted what is commonly known as COM
mercial righteousness, a principle tina I
has 10 soul and regards not the happI-
ness of those VINO IN the main produce
the wealth.
eve daily meet those who contrast
America half century ago with
America today. They cherish the con-
vlction that within their own memory
there was more of a natural interest
felt and manifested among people OF
all grades, distinctions and classes. No
one was very rich or no one was very
poor. There was no plutOcracy OF
wealth arrayed against Combinations
of skilled labor. There were no heart,
less mOnopOlies, or bossism among the
industrial classes. but quiet, happiness
and peace dwelt In the homes. But II
Is not in my provence this evening to
show fear or favor for any particular
class or condition of humanity, bat
merely 10 strike at the heart OF the
matter and assert what deem a min
isters rightful prerogatiye and sense OF
duty.
1.-TWO things benefit a nation, viz:
Legitimate and wisely invested capital
and the employment and properly re-
wardng of the producing classes.
Neither could long exist without the
other. They are mutually dependent
uDon each other, and each has rights
and privileges which the other is IN
duty bound to grant ana respect. The
producing class, which includes the
greater part of our population, enter
the complaint that they do not receive
their due and just share OF the wealth
produced.
Farmers, honest and intelligent, say
that they work from IS to IS hours a
dsy, and arc then compelled to mortg-
a gc their farms Ia order to make im-
prOvements and meet expenses incur