Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-12-03

who give large sums to the church put
do not raise the workingmen's wages.
Churches should show these men a
better way, and lift them up and set
apart labor day sermon. All work
ingmen would be glad to attend and
those who would not would feel glad
to know that the churches had recog-
nized labor. Men would go to church
on this day with faces burned with
the heat of their work, and those who
had not been able to wash the black
from their faces, which could not be
washed off and that if they went on
this day many would go other days.
Thomas L. Lewis, on the negative,
in part answered Mr.. James argu-
ments. He said he was always pleased
to speak to laboring people, and that
this question was one that all should
think over, for it showed that there
was a conflict between labor and cap
ital, and that it was the duty of all to
try and harmonic this existing con-
flict, and on his side he would attempt
to prove the church had done its duty.
All societies or unions must have
basis, and know what their duty is
to perform. No good union miner, or
member of any labor organization, can
perform his duties unless he knows
the laws of his union, and that the re-
form must be brought about in this
way: Both laboring men and churches
toy ~ IN nyry
what to 40. The church tries to do its
duty, but some may say the churches
do not know what they should do.
There are thousands in the churches
who never lift their hands. Some are
laboring men, and from this cause the
church seems ignorant of their DUTY.
If those members should do their duty,
mankind would be lifted to a higher
plane. If men are false in their
church, the church is not to blame,
as in the case OF union men who take
their obligations, and prove false, the
union must not be found fault with.
1t is true no day was set apart for
labor in the churches. | do not be-
lieve in these days, for if all frater-
mites lived up to their obligations,
they would not need these special ser
mons, and that il really leads up to
recognizing classes. The churches are
not to be blamed, as they do lend help
and the laboring people are the weak
est, while the man getting millions
grows stronger. Men sQuander money
if this was not done, and the laborers
would go to church, take an active part,
there would be no need of harmonic
ing labor and capital. Churches are
not in knowledge Of what unionism
means. If they did know, they would
take an active part, point out to the
churches what the laborers need, and
they will not preach SO much anarch-
ism. Let Us go and tell the churches
what we need, and not critlcise The
time is coming when more interest will
be taken in the cause of humanity.
Poor clothes no cause for not going to
church. If you. have unclean faces,
use soap, and l tell you no man is
barred from the Libraries of Pittsburg,
if he is clean, and although his toes
protrude from his shoes. By all
means, a man should be clean when he
goes to worship his God. BY all means
let us do our duty.
Mr.. James in answer, said my oppo-
nent l see leans toward my size, have
nothing against the churches. but
knowing all men like to look respecta-
bic and do not like to go to church in
shabby clothes, and l will venture to
say he will not be found in the front
seat. Once l had an experience, was
dressed in new suit, and thought |
was well dressed, and On one Sunday
morning went to church in a city not
far distant. The usher did not take me
to seat, and [ walked up the aisle and
was just taking seat when an usher
tapped NE on the shoulder and said,
You must take a back seat He
thought he would watch what kind OF
people sits in those seats and as they
came in he noticed the usher was ex-
tremely courteous, and even busted off
one seat for well-dressed gentleman.
God says the church is for all. Christ
threw the money changers out of the
temple, and the church should show
capital how to spend their money. MI.
James closed in a very elooGcnt talk,
showing many plausible ways in which
labor and capital could be harmonized
by the church; for ii they would take
away labor and capital what would be-
come of the preachers? Mr.. Lewis sta
ted that he wanted to see the time
when this body could ask the ministers
to come and discuss these questions to-
gether.
Tae following delegates made some
excellent remarks on the subject: LOUIS
Summers. Nh Morris, Vice President
Curtis, d. II. Morgan, and George
Cooke, city solicitor from Martins
Ferry, a visitor. They did not
understand why ministers and
priests, who took the side of labor
were always accommodated. and that
one had been shot down in the streets
at San Francisco. T. L. Lewis answer
ed, and referred to the recent anthra-
cite coal strike where the ministers did
noble work
The Qualification bill, which will
come up at the present meeting of Con-
gress, was brought up and referred to
the Legislative Committee. The de-
bate will be continued at the next meet
ing. All of those present enioyed the
meeting, and no doubt a large attend
an2e Will be at the next meeting.
The Union adjourned TO meet De-
cember 10th.
Every Monday evening-The Mon
day Night Club dances-at Pythian
Castle