The San Francisco call., 1904-03-21
FAVORS
EARLY CLOSING
Rev. J. A. B. Wilson of Trim
ity Methodist Church SYM
pathizes With the Clerks
READS COMMUNICATION
Takes 1t for His Subject
and Delivers Interesting
Sermon on Labor Question

Rev. John A. B. Wilson, pastor of the
Market-street Trinity Methodist
Church. delivered a novel sermon to
his flock at the services last night 1t
dealt with the labor question and was
the outcome of a letter received by Dr.
Wilson from the executive board of the
Retail Clerks Association of this city.
Following is a copy Of the letter, which
DR.. Wilson read to those present:
Dear sir-Knowing you to be interested and
in sympathy with al gueStlohs 9idp ts associstfon
of this city would like to have you express
your views upon the subject OF tnat ior ',i wnlen
the association is earnestly contendtng; namely.
the uniform closing hour for all retail stores
of 6 O'Clock five evenings IN tne Week ~
o'clock Saturday evenings sundays ana 'esai
Also what. in your Judgment. should be the
''''9 THEODORE ROSENBACH,
Secretary No. 432, r. S l. z. A.
The clergyman took the letter as a
theme for his sermon and spoke in part
as follows:
1 am glad of this letter; not only because |
certainly do but because II Is as ~ shoud = S DS
for these people to come to the church OF God
for an expression OF actXe sypatnS n y, ssNrs ~i,l
for themselves that which Justly belongs 10
every man. Time was IN the history OF the
church wren it afforded an asylum for every
one in trouble. man who had no other
friend might find shelter. food and protection
there. | think it Is not true to the extent
s,,nrosed hv~manv that the church has been
on the side Of Him that oppresseth the hire
live in his wages and that fear not me, saith
i,is .te = ord sure 1 am that the Bible is al
wavs on the side OF the po2r IN ever sNeTy % JUST
for knowing in advance that would speak
for them They are right: they know il; their
employers know it, the great pauohlIhs puo-
lic IF this generous fair-play city knows II;
and the three or four hogs OF employers who
would oppress their clerks to take advantage
of their fair-minded live land -let-lfve COM
1etitcre know that their clerks asking for
aanIv what is equitable and lust. They know
also that they themselves are swine with all
four OF their feet in the trough 70 hog all its
contents They do not know that they are
~oinp to turn the trough over however. and
lose il All If they do not become mora human.
If / knew the names Of these shylocks
should be strongly tempted TO let you know
~nc ss to what the public should do 1t seems
20 me there is but thing; namely. to pa
tronize the fair-minded merchants who are
willing TO accept a reasonable days work from
their employees, and on no account to patronize
tha men who want il all and do not care how
thew get it, nor at whose expense. Let turn
their trough over. When the hours of closing
are uniform a hardship is worked to no one.
When Some refuse to do then the others
are compelled in selfdefense, to keep open
also or suffer loss. l hate boycotts. but / love
fair play too we'll not TO deplore the patron :
age Of these unfair storekeepers by this fair
play-loving public of San Francisco. It not
only weakens the cause of the clerks. but
shows lack of appreciation Of those who are
fair and upright. I shall certainly request the
members of family to limit their patron
age to those who keep in good faith ne hours
requested by the Retail Clerks Association.
After ALL the law of love taught BY the Savior
is the only true solution OF these correIative
obligations. Thou shalt love thy neiEhbor