The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-08-26
IN "A GOOD CAUSE.

be remembered, a succession of public
meetings were held on Sunday afternoons
for the purpose Of discussing questions
Of social and industrial interest pertaining
more particularly to the welfare Of those
of our citizens who follow mechanical
callings. Those meetings were organized
and conducted under the auspices Of the
clergymen of the several denominations
Of this city, and they succeeded in arous-
ing a general interest among our people
in questions Of social and economic inter
est.
The Clio be is pleased to announce
that the arrangements are complete for
renewal of these meetings during the
coming fall and winter. They were pro-
ductive Of the greatest good, both to
those in whose immediate interest they
were organized and to other classes Of So
ciety who in the past have refused or
neglected to concern themselves with the
welfare of their neighbors and fellow cfti-
Zens with whom the problem of life Is
much more of serious matter than with
themselves They strengthened among
US the bond which united the church and
the heavily laden Of the world-a bond
which is foolishly thought by some to have
but a precarious existence at best They
gave an incentive among mechanics not
identified with unions to inform them
selves more thoroughly of the effect upon
their own fortunes. as well as on the
condition Of trade generally, of the ex-
istence and operation of the various labor
unions.
Such a movement as this should be en-
couraged from every direction Were
those who know nothing, and care. if pos
sible, less, about the concerns of others
with whom they are never brought into
immediate relationship to concern them
selves in this movement. it would be to
their own advantage in making them
more intelligent men and better citizens
This aplies with especial force to the pro-
feSsional and business class, who rarely
concern themselves with the affairs of
their brethren that do the heavy physical
toll Of the world
Organized labor is one of the great So
c1al forces Of our time. Men have not
yet begun to comprehend the possibilities
of the movement which it represents Not
even those who are enrolled in the ranks
of the several unions understand the vast
possibilities for good and evil alike which
are involved in the banding of the me
chanical classes Of the country. and, in
deed, of the world, fer that is what the
movement will ultimately signify It is
well that those who have not thought of
1T or of the men who are enrolled in 1t
should turn their minds, and, if possible
their sympathies, In that direction. BY
so doing some advance at least will be
made in the difficult and arduous task of
breaking down the barriers which socie-
ty has insisted all through the centuries
in throwing up, to divide men from their
brothers On lines Of division which have
often been not alone artificial, but naked
ly sordid and brutal.
So much of thiSNtruly Christian work
which has been undertaken through these
meetings can be done by the members of
the several churches that the appeal Of
those who have organized them is directed
more Immediately to that worthy class
Of society. A society has already been
established among church members for
the promotion of the interests Of the la
boring classes which has done great good.
These meetings will give splendid oppor-
tunfty to the members of that associa-
ton In this city to extend the sphere Of
their usefulness and to reach into iname-
date touch with the laborfng masses and
to promote public enlightenment on the
problems which SO nearly touch the well.
fare of all classes alike
The G o cordially joins Ia the move
ment to promte the success of those
meetings 1t urges on those who conduct
them to secure the cooperation in ad-
dresses and otherwise Of as many as pos
sible of the men in the city who have in
duence on the progress of public events
and have made a study of the great
questions of social interests which are
now occupying so large a place in the
public mind. Addressed by such men
and their attendance at the meetings will
help to arouse that degree of public inter
est in the undertaking which is so nee
essary to its enduring success. On Sun
day afternoons, especially in the winter
time, it is easy for almost every one to
attend such meetings; and. judging by
the success which attended them last
year, they are destined to attract the