The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-12-02
MAMM0N WORSHIP
PREDOMINANT EVIL
Co.t,.ued From Pase O.e.

satisfy all demands. Then comes the
tempter Human vultures. taking advantage
of this deplorable plight. lie in wait for the
victim, who often Is willing to barter all
for the means of subsistence. Meantime
the employers and stockholders are in
creasing their dividends and growing i'm
mensely wealthy by what they are pleased
to call the closest economic management.
'Once in a while what conscience they
may have left pricks them pretty severely,
and they make large donations to public IT.
stitutions, or private charities. Would It
not be better for them to devote some OF
their time and talents and means TO the
betterment of the condition OF their en-
ployes?
these young people from the disgrace Of pill
fering OF the loss OF virtue by paying them
living wages?
Some time ago young man told me he
was working for an express company hand-
ling money and getting the princely salary
of so per month. Is not such treatment
putting the temptation at the very door OF
the employe:
Many are driven to steal in order to meet
the ordinary expenses Of living under such
circumstances. II they dare to ask for an
increase in wages because Of good service.
or for other reason. they are not wanted
any longer. Another Is then put in the
place at the lowest possible salary. and
raised gradually to the maximum Of $40 per
month, when discharge comes. II complaint
is made or higher wages demanded. Hap
PLY. do not think there are many such
firms or corporations: but there are enough
to call public attention to the situation.
This worship o: Mammcn is not con-
fined to the getting Of wealth at the ex-
pense and moral degradation Of the en-
ploye. though. perhaps. defrauding the
~ hi f,,cf S1,.oo fo hnv t,oS-
crime committed by the money-making
business man OF to-day. What is done with
the vast wealth accumulated in this way?
1t is spent as a rule in dissipation and
riotous living.
only the other day the son of a Chi
cago millionaire, after various scandalous
escapade.. died from dissipation at the age
of 2s How many of our own wealthy
families here have been afflicted in the
same way. Their wealth is not only a
curse TO themselves but to their children
and relations. Why? Because they make
il the only end Of their existence. They
live 10 get it, and having boarded 1t UP.
they live to worship 1t. No real charity
marks such lives. Few Of them will do
what rich st. Louis lady did on Thanks
giving Day-give portion of their boarded
treasures TO poorer relatives. 1 know the
relatives of some rich people In st. Louis.
Who though good and deserving. are per-
mitted TO live in the utmost sgualor and
misery, and compelled TO seek the
necessaries Of life from charitable organi-
cations
Wealth is not curse in itself. but the
worship of wealth is. When people make
money the idol Of their hearts, they turn
God out. No one can serve God and Mann
mon. No man can serve two masters. The
service of Mammon demands the gratifica-
ton Of every whim. The worshipers of this
god are luxurious in their living, extrava-
CANT in their dress. prodigal in the enter
tainment of their friends. or II they do give
they generally throw in what they consider
a wel-merited rebuks which acts on the
heart of the forlorn one like the poisonous
fang of the reptile.
The worshipers of Mammon give precious
little to religion. They travel abroad and
spend thousands. and when they hear mohe.
spoken Of in the house of GOD they ara
mortified and shocked. They measure out
to God and his works with a niggardness
that ought to bring the blush Of shame to
the cheek of any protesting Christian. And
yet these people often lay stress on their
claim to this precious little. So strong is
the hold that Mammon has on their hearts
they live in utter dread Of dying in poverty
and this dread Is ever uppermost in their
minds when religion or charity makes de-
mands on them.
II remember a case where a poor girl
called on rich man for donation to a
poor. struggling church Of the slums of
ST. Louis. He was supposed to be a Chris
tian and very charitable. But when he
heard this appeal. he flew into great rage
and used most insulting language. He made
no donation. Some time afterwards he died
and large portion Of his fortune went to
a woman with whom he had lived many
vears.
FORTUNES ARE DIssIPATED.
Most 81. tpese yorshtpers Of Mammon