The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-31
THE VOICE OF The PULPIT
YOUNG MEN AND LABOR A BRIEF
PERTINENT LABOR-DAY SERMON
By the Rev. Spencer s. Roche, ID. D.,
Rector of st. Marks Episcopal
Church Brooklyn, n. Y.

ITO rejoice in his labor; this is the gift Of
,God"-Ecclesiastes V, 10.
The duties of young men in connection
with labor agitations can be understood
only when we view modern conditions of
labor in connection with the purposes OF
God. Let us start with solid truth on the
main facts. Let US speak of labor.
A superficial view pronounces ii a source
OF misery, insisting that it curtails relaxa-
ton; that IL holds the most of men down
to ceaseless manual toll; that 1t hardens
the hand and broadens the foot and
stretches the limb and knots the sinews and
breaks down the body, even laying its iron
grasp on the soul. weighing down the ma
ture with care, anxiety and dread.
Then there is an intelligent view, declar-
ing that toll impresses the mind with an
e~xalting sense of strength worthily directed,
hat it affects the soul with perception of
the harmonious operation Of noble faculties.
that it charms mankind with the precious
results that wait on wise exertion.
THE Man with the Hoe" presents, in pop
ular form, the false conception. Let US
rather conceive Of toll as one Of the Al
mighty's great methods for exalung men
1t being Gods will that man should rejoice
in his labor-so leading us from the lowest
earthly condition to the highest level Of
gracious privilege and spiritual excellence.
Nothing is more wonderful in all the
range of social studies than the abundant.
overlooking emolument Of very successful
workers.; and scarcely anything is more
mournful than the terrific antagonism ex-
perienced by those who, by their own fault
or by the fault of others, are left to labor
on the lowest plane Of manual labor. TO
labor on the hardest labor-say the mining
Of coal in darkness and heat in the bowels
Of the earth-and who for this toll will get
only a pittance. The artist, with a group
Of carefully dressed persons represented on
his canvas, will be paid at the rate OF $500
or $1,000 a figure.
LABOR'S REWARDS.
Labor offers it's immediate and immense
rewards TO industry, reflection, invention,
analytical acumen, to the generalizing fac
ulty, to the power of The sim
pie demand is for the man who works best,
In primeval forest or on the floor OF the
modern exchange. Knowledge must rise
above ignorance, forethough above care
lessness, tact above dullness. facility above
awkwardness, ability above stupidity. The
successful ones viii be lifted out OF a null
titude Of difficulties and started afreSh on
a higher plane; the unsuccessful will be
ground by forces that to the superficial
seem brutal. blind and p%itiless. So, in a
sense. they are, but jehovah has adapted
them TO those that they are meant TO in
cite. The mercy of It all is seen in this.
that men In this life can never fall so low
that an inducement TO progress and growth
and exaltation is not always before them.
In this seeming impossibllity OF the abb
solute doing away with the law OF compoti-
ton, and yet with this purpose OF God that
the laborer should rejoice In his toll, what
becomes the duty of'young men? a young
man will best discharge his duties in the
labor agitations of the present day by hav-
ing just ideas of labor and n very tender
regard for his fellow-men.
Endeavor by all the means In your power.
while you give yourself with the greatest
energy 10 the highest form Of toll OF which
your nature IS capable. TO secure the rights
OF the weak. the oppressed, the humble.
Guard the interests OF the poor; have n
care especially for all women that work;
with all the strength that God has given