St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-08-31
TO LABOR Is NOBLE.
But No Man or Woman Should Be
Continually at the Grind.

AT the cathedral last evening Rev.
DR.. Hebron. the pastor. delivered an
earnest and thoughtful address in favor
of the early closing movement. After
stating briefly the principles OF the law
OF labor and the law of rest, the rev.
erend gentleman entered at some length
in TO his subject, and, in simple, but
scholarly, manner, developed his theme
naturally and in convincing language.
Drawing on holy writ and human eX-
perience, DR.. Hebron presented a wealth
of illustration and argument in support
of the claim for seaSOnable hours Of
labor that would defy refutatiOn. God
created man for usefulness, said DIR.
Hebron, and sanctiied labor by his
example and ennObled it by his teach
ing, but he also created world of
beauty for mans enjoyment, and de-
creed that certain proportion only of
human effort should be given to the
work of sustaining life and building up
homes. The family ties are the most
sacred of all worldly connection. and, if
no time is allowed for their cultivation,
enlargement and strengthening, the
fabric of society must suffer deteriora-
ton and ultimate decay. Sunday is
consecrated day, and should be hon
Ored in the fullest measure, but the
man or woman who must toll
twelve or fourteen hours SIX days
of the week is in no proper
frame of mind to honor the Sabbath or
uphold its blessedness. Sunday family
services are neglected, the visit to
church is fOregoDe as too tiresOme,
moral instruction is tabOOed. and mans
better nature is lowered by the absorb
ing inware rebellion against conditions
that are harsh, unnatural and destruc-
tive of that broad Christian spirit which
alone can forward to fullest fruItion
the hopes and desires of the
great masses of Gods children.
As a result Of these abnormal
conditions, 1.-The WageWOrkerS often
rise in desperation and seek by phys
ical force to impress upon the world
| the eternal justice Of the fact that labor
was created for man, not man for labor;
| that it is a blessed boon by intention of
God, for the benefit and publication of
| all his people, and not merely an eX-
pedient for the enrichment of employ
ers. To labor is noble, but continual,
grinding work is no more necessary
than hateful sloth. SlayishneSs of the
| emplOYe should not be expected or de-
manded by the humane and just en-
ployer; material prosperity is not adj
Vanced by the practice, nor Is capital or
labor ultimately benefited.
There is no comparison in results be-
tween the labor of the well-used work.
man and the slave of work. either for
| the man whose capital is invested, for
| the wage-earner or for tie consumer
who buys and uses the product. 1t is a
| despcratiOn of duty to God, to self and
to society that people should be COM
PEELED to surrender TO the god of
| greed the hours which should of right
be devoted to the betterment of the
| moral nature in the home, in the daily lie
and in the social relations. Relaxation is
needed no less than mprovement-reSt
| i'll reasonable measure from the contin-
ual, destructive strain Of the weeks
work at unduly long hours, repOse aid
| time for reflection. meditation and harm
| less pleasures and amusement.
DR.. Hebron closed his address, which
was very attentiveiy listened 10
| throughout. in very feeling expression
for an improved, more Just and equita-
| bic arrangement of working hours, a
| reduction that would benefit all con-
| cerned from both the material and moral
standpOintS.