Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-08-17
SF0R SUNDAY READING.
All sorts Of Opinions q

- 49, ~ " NAV AMI IdE CHURCH.
In order to find out the attitude OF
workingmen toward the church. the
Rev. Charles Stetze sent letters Of in
quiry to 200 labor leaders turnout the
country, asking four specific questions
From the replies received, he complied q
composite letter, which we condense
from the New York Outlook with the
questions asked. 59
]. What is the chief fault that work
ingmen find with the church?
To the average workingman the
church seems to work In the interest of
the capitalist. In fact, the preacher and
the wealthy men run everything. There
is no freedom of thought in the church,
and you expect Jig to pay pew rent in
order to be told we are going straight to
hell You scold us for neglecting our
spiritual and eternal welfare for such a
thing as bodily wants, but you do not
give US the things we need for our
earthly lives. The church has not taken
Its place in our lives as our friend and
defender. 1t upholde and endorses the
present Industrial system, which Is re-
sponsible for most of our misery 1t has
been antagonistic to the rights of labor,
and therefore we keep out of bad COM
pany.
2. What, in your opinion, takes the
place of the church in the life of the
average workingman?
The lodge takes the place of the
church in many workingmen's lives be-
cause here every memberis equal to the
other and all are made welcome. We
also find a substitute in the labor union.
We go to the union because 1t upholds
our wages against the persons who gem
orally control the churches, and because
1t Is the only thing that gives. US protec-
ton 80 that we can earn a living. The
club room claims many more. because 1t
gives the general news and questions of
interest to those who are similarly stu
ated with us in the city. The place of
the church is being actually taken by
the saloon, for it is mostly here that the
workingman finds occasion to become
enthusiastic. The saloon offers many
attractions in the way of billiards, pool,
reading rooms gymnasium, etc.
3. How do they regard Jesus Chrust?
Many regard Jesus as a good man
one who knew what 1t was to earn
money by hard work, and who, were He
on earth today. would be a good and
true friend, not expecting too much from
the man with little education, but Civ
ing him his just dues making allowance
for some of his shortcomings. We be-
lieye that Jesus Christ advocated the
doctrine of cooperation, the brother
hood of man, and socialism, and If there
had been labor organiza tions during His
time on earth He would have been one
of the very first carpenters to join. He
is also regarded as a great teacher,
whose character was exemplary and
we'll worthy of imitation. But the av-
Ierage workingman considers Christ In
about the same light as He is held by
the average orthodox minister. His
mission on earth was to save sinners, to
establish right relations among men, to
set up His kingdom.
4. What, in your opinion, should en-
gage the attention and the activities of
the church?
The church should preach the gospel
Of socialism. which is nothing else thar
the gospel OF Jesus Christ. It should be
as friendly to the poor man as to the
rich, and not make flesh of one and
bones of the other The active members
of the church should put their heads to-
Selnerei- ana Institute WOThllSIueu
clubs providing pleasant rooms for
them, with games and reading matter. /
think that the church could assist us
IL it would make public some of the
places where garments worn by the peo-
pie are manufactured. We have chill
dren who ought to be in school. working
in overcrowded sweatshops, hardly fit
for a human being. The church should
interest itself in the tenement house
problem. How can we live decent lives
when we are crowded, sometimes 200 in
a single house? The church needs also
to make its services more vivacious and
brotherly. more practical. The minister
who has message, whose voice brings
an inspiration of quickened life. will
have large hearing, both OF working
men and business men, as we'll as of
women and children. He should visit
the dens of vice and crime and preach
there 1t won't hurt him. 1t never hurt
Jesus Christ. and he can follow in His
footsteps.