Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-07-09
SHADOW OF THE ROCK
REV. AFFORD DISCUSSES STRIKES AND la
BOR TROUBLES
Ia His Sermon at the Third Presbyterian Church,
TIE Pullman Boycoa and Riots also
Touched Upon.

At the Third Presbyterian church
last evening, large congregation lis
tened to an excellent sermon BY Rev. c.
NJ. Afford, upon "The Shadow of the
Rock" in which he discussed the great
Pullman strike and labor disturbances
In general. His text was taken from
lisa. 32-2, "As shadow ola great rock
in weary land"
The scene of the text, he said, is To-
Gated 10 the far East, where the suns
rays are like arrows, glazing white sand
extends as far as ths eye can reach, and
not drop Of water is visible. This Is
indeed a weary land. Ny text tells of
a great rock, with its delightful shade,
its spring OF cool water, and place for
rest, while without is burning sun,
burning sand, and dancing mirage.
How sweet and how refreshing Is the
shadow of the rock. The storm-driven
pilgrim is thankful for the shadow of
the rock.
There are many storms In the pill
grimage OF life, the storm of adversely,
storm OF persecution, storm OF awakened
conscience, and storm Of temptation.
Do we have these storms raging in and
around US? Flee to the shadow OF the
rock, Christ Jesus?
Our country has become "weary
land" because of its labors. Employ
ment is a blessing TO man, so God set
Adam to work in Eden. But the labor
err must have time to rest. Millions in
our land are over-wrought, weary and
faint, without even the Sabbath Of rest
Corporations are undoubtedly soulless,
or they would not grind down the la
borer as they do. Railroads have not
only violated Gods law in breaking the
fourth commandment, but they have
robbed the Iaborer of his only day OF
rest, and now in turn labor is destroying
their Sunday profits. The railroad COM
panies taught their workmen TO be law
less, and now this lawlessncss Is revert
ing on their own heads.
Ours is a "weary land" because OF the
troubles we are passing through.
Nothing is more wearisome than trou.
BILE. Many who can endure labor are
overcome by it. The labor Of the labor
ing classes OF America is not so hard
for them TO bear as their troubles. The
difficulties between capital and labor
are troubling us. These are perilous
times The great question confronts
us-what Is our country coming TO?
What will be the eud OF these murder
Gus, riotous strikes? There is scarcely
a day in the year free from some labor
strike. 1t is sad commentary oil
free country, when one man at the head
Of an organization can order strike
that will paralyze commerce from
the Atlantic to the Pacific
One man without property or any ma
terial interest in our country ordered
the Pullman strike, which has paralyz-
ed trade, destroyed millions OF property,
thrown thousands OF men out OF en-
ploy ment, brought want and suffering
into countless homes, produced blood
shed, murder, rioting ana crime, and
then 10 the end will doubtless gain
nothing for the laborer.
The end OF these riotous strikes will
be to necessitate the raising and sup
porting OF standing army 10 the
United State-not like Germany, for
defense against the foe without-but TO
keep down the enemy within.
The strikes of the present day are
species Of anarchy. Their language is
give me what demand or l will ruin
and destroy both property and people.
The laboring man can redress his
wrongs in legitimate way, at the
courts OF justice and the ballot box.
The American people bear long with
law breakers, but when they are once
aroused to their danger, they will
speedily and severely punish the guilty.
There would not be these troubles II
men were under the shadow, or inhu-
ence, Of the rock Christ. The Saviour
was meek and lowly In spirit. BIosd and
thunder was not his cry. when he
was rsviled, he reviled not again"
There was nothing OF that spirit OF An
archy 10 Christ. which cries out "give
me what demand or I'll destroy and
murder" II men were under Chrlsts
influence they would not do these
things How much better our lives
would be If we were under the shadow
OF that perfect life. The masses will
never be any better than they are until
they get under the influence OF the
blessed Master.