The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-02-21

lie schools are open to all, and yet are
despised by too nany. The boys
and girls who ought to be there laying
a foundation for better aud happier
life, are bound down to work in factor
les, because their parents have found out
that they can earn Two or three dollars
per week. There are, Of course, some
cases where necessity compels this, but
there are many other cases where it is
done only for the money's sake, and
hence the children are reared 10 iguor-
auce. The fact that they were factory
boys will not operate against them in
future years, but their ignorance will.
In 1880, there we're 1,l18,8 children
uoder fifteen years Of age employed in
the factories of this country, and that
meant that just SO many boys and girls
we're growing up uueducated.
I think, too. it can be shown that
many of our laboring people make
great mistake in the way they spend
their earnings. Mr.. Beecher said be
was once in nail factory, where some
Of the laborers received from forty
to eighty dollars a week. and was
amazed to 6ud that they had no homes,
and squandered all they made. The
Labor Bureau at Washington has
been investigating some cases. In one
place, two families Of equal size
were found who received about six
hundred dollars per aunum. One lived
in filth and squalor; the other lived
comfortably. and laid up over hundred
dollars yearly. Two other cases we're
noted. One family received about six
hundred dollars, and owned and
maintained their home the other re-
received one thousand four hundred,
and barely made ends meet. 1t was
found, however. that in the expenses
Of the second family four hundred dol
lars went for liquor.
Then again, pride makes che work
ing man fool just as it does any one
else When a woman works whole
month. stints herself, and barely provides
sufficient food for herself, in order to
buy a 6ue dress for her poor, trembling
body, We may rest assured that some
thing is wrong and false pride lies at
the bottom of her troubles.
Nor must it be forgotten that 10 all
the commuuistic uprisiugs. the leaders
have been the enemies Of God aud the
Bible Loose morals will destroy a
laboring man as we'll as prince. Com
munists cry our that God is unjust, that
wealth is unequally divided, and that
the whole government of God is poorly
managed. This is the result of vice
and ignorance If all the money in the
world were equally divided. each man.
woman snd child would have five dollars
and ten cents; but how long would the
equal division least In one year. or in
two at most, the many would own noth-
ing and the few would be rich.
The simple fact is, that the law
applies to all-poor or rich-godliness is
necessary to successful life.
w. The last question Is. What has
the church to do aoith the discomfort of
the multitudes
Much in every way. The church, if
it embodies the principles of true re-
ligion, has an interest in everything
that concerns the welfare of the people.
While at St. Helena, a lady of rank met
a lot of slaves coming heavily laden up
a narrow walk aud ordered them back.
Napaieau. standing aside, made way for
the slaves. and said to the lady, Respect
the burden, madam This is surely
the duty of every man Of heart. and
much more so is it the duty Of those
people who would upheld the doctrines
of God in the world.
What then. must the church people
do 10 times like these Give work, when
possible, to those that need it. The
poor sewing woman would rather have
weeks work than two days rations
The man who begs for work is not ask
ing for aims. and many of US can pro-
vide work for the needy, if We were only
willing to try. A few weeks ago accord
ing to the Homiletic Review, the pro-
prietor of large mercantile establish
ment in New York city, con6dentially
Informed his pastor that, as times were
bad, be would be compelled to dis
charge a considerable number Of
his statesmen at the commence
ment of the new year. The pas.
tor was equal to the occasion. He did
not say, well, We must bear each
others burdens, and I must see what
my church can do to provide for those
men" or Il will try to get them some
thing to do" but be replied something
in this way. "You are known to be an
enormously wealthy man you reside
in palace fit for a king on Fifth