Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-26

p This is rightly called a commercial age.
The thoughts and activities OF men are
very largely engaged in the interests OF
business 1t is a time for making money
on q large scale.
Colossal fortunes are builded In an In
credibly short time. Combinations OF
capital are effected, and the magnates in
the railroad, banking manufacturing ana
traffic associations are multiplying with
astonishing rapidity. One Is bewiidereo
in any attempt to enumerate the various
enterprises and agencies In the business
world.
= The cry of plutocracy has been heard
in all the land concerning those who have
amassed great riches. Political parties
and secret organizations are arrayed
against them. The laboring classes have
formed unions to protect themselves In
the eager rush for gain and to secure
their SHARE as they affirm. Of the gross
profits. There is an attempt by legislation
and by molding public opinion to curb
the power and regulate the doings OF
those who. because of their vast possess
sions. are supposed to be enemies Of the
general good. In the midst of this UNI
rest what has the Christian religion to
offer? Nothing but few general prin-
ciples. and yet, If these were applied, all
problems might be easily solved.
In the first place religion does not dis
parage business. On the contrary it en-
courages a hearty entrance into some re-
munerative occupation. Its initial precept
Is BE not slothful in business"-do not
attempt the duties of any position in
careless, Indifferent. sluggish way. Put
your best energy into it. Fill your place
and act your part. In the factory. the
store, the office. come to your task with
full determination to meet all it's require
ments. That is the evident meaning of
this first utterance, which might easily
be supported by many quotations Of
Scripture.
This single precept Is sufficient to set
III HlOtlOH ali Tie lhdChiHCiy Va ShO OoSA-
ness world 1t would leave no man idle.
1t would lay upon every man an obliga-
tion to rise up and stir himself to the ut
most in some department Of gainful and
honorable pursuit. Wherever this word is
uttered the wheels must turn and the
hand of industry must be employed. That
10 Gods command. His way Of making
men and of building civilization. Idleness
IL vice and a sin. whatsoever thy
hand fndeth to do, do it with thy might"
But this precept is guarded and inter-
preted by two others.
"Fervent in spirit" Do not be a mere
machine. carrying on the routine enter
prises of this commercial age, planning
transactions out of which shall come
riches. Be a man. full grown. Let the
spiritual part be developed, that part
which is highest and noblest, which dis
tinguishes from the brute and allies to
God; that part which uses the body as
servant. Be "fervent in spirit'-let the
spiritual life be as intense as the business
life. Come into all business relations ana
activities with a fervent spirit. That will
increase the business ability and put the
whole business world in new light, lifting
It from care and drudgery into the realm
of higher purposes and holier plans
Let no one suppose that spirituality and
business may not be associated. They
may be mutually helpful. The business
man. striving to be spiritual. is sure to
be real and practical. and Is saved from
mysticism. from vagaries and visions.
The spiritual man who enters business
sees the relation between the inner and
hidden life nourished by the spirit of God
and the outward life that touches his fell
low men. and thereby he comes to the
realization of the true and normal life.