The Portland daily press., 1895-10-15

might not Immediately produce any great
economic changes in that group The
wages of the workman might not be
greatly increased, the profits of the en-
ployer might not be much affected. This
group stands in the midst of a comDetl-
tive society, and rates Of wages and
pronts are largely determined by the
mar ket. 1t is probable that some econo-
mic advantage would be secured by such
combination of interests and efforts. 1t
is probable that in an association working
narmonlously. the product would be en-
largeo, and there would be more to
divide. And it is also probable that the
societies organized upon this peaceful
basis would have decided advantage, in
the long run, over societies organized on
the basis of strife. The industrial groups
when succeed in putting the Christian
law into operation, are likely to be more
prosperous than those which adhere to
the Pagan law. Still, so long as the great
majority of these industrial groups stick
to the Pagan rule, the economic condition
OF the few who try to live by the Chris
tlan rdle may not be very greatly i'm
proved.
g. "It is always said that such rule
of life is wholly impracticahle. On the
contrary, it is in practice all about us.
All traders profess to be governed by this
principle; il the principle were really alb
surd they would not be likely to avow it.
Many of them intend to violate it, but
their proclamation of it is clear witness
to its validity. There are laborers, also,
who govern themselves by this law in all
their relations with their employers.
Most of us have had such people working
for us; really they are not very rare;
there are more of them than we are
sometimes willing to admit And there
are employers too, whose principle of
conduct is tho Christian principle.
If, now. by any means, the Christian
church can get firm hold of this truth
and make men believe it, an end will
speedily come to industrial conflicts.
The clear recognition of the Christian
principle as the normal principle of bust
ness transactious-the infusion of the
spirit of this law into all the relations be-
tween masters and men would solve the
whole industrial problem. in one day.
There is much question as to whether the
pulpit should deal with economic ques-
tions. With questions purely economic,
if there are any such, the pulpit is GER
tainly not called to deal. But the appli-
cation of the law of Christ to every de-
partment of human life is the business
of the church. Surely there is need, in
some quarters, of clearer ideas about
what Christianity is, and more faith in
it's principles. ,.
III. LII Will D6 S6eD ullftU Ull6 SUiubiou VI
the labor problem here suggested consists
fundamentally. in the recognition of the
Christian law as the law OF business, and
the regulation of all our industrial life
by Christian principles
12. "Beyond question capital, in it's
vast accumulations, is learning how to
oppress labor in many ways. Taxation
rests far more heavily upon the poor
than upon the rich. Much property is
Iad .f,o and the
mans cottage, as rule, is taxed two or
three times as much in proportion to its
value, as the sky-scraping block of the
Great corporate properties,
the streets of our cities, are
permitted to levy enormous tribute upon
our industries, no small proportion OF
which comes from the meagre earnings
of the working man. Doubtless the
working men have themselves to blame
for much of this as the political power is in
their hands; if they were not too willing
to follow the lead of demagogues, and
too firmly held by partisan bands, such
burdens would not be bound upon them.
it is q crying injustice
which the Church of God should be as
quick to mark and denounce, as the
Prophets of Israel were to rebuke kindred
iniquities in their generation.
"A striking evidence OF the growth OF
good will in this department of social life,
may be seen in the voluntary advance in
wages during the past few months, by
hundreds of employers, in all parts Of the
country. This advance has evidently
come, in many cases, as an entire sur
prise to the wage receivers. In some
cases, no doubt, it was intended to prevent
a strike; even in these cases, it evinces q
better feeling that the demand is antici
pated. In very many instances. however,
it is the undoubted dictate of the human
ity of the employers; it shows purpose
to give their workmen not merely what
they must but what they can. y
The council adjourned sine die