Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1906-06-15
ORGANIZED GUILDS
EXISTING AT THE BEGINNING OF
THE CHRISTIAN ERA.
Saint Paul the Apostle-The Relations Sus.
tanned by the Apostles and EARLY Disciples
Of Jesus Towards the Labor Movement in
the Early Stages of Christianity.

tanned by the Apostles and EARLY Disciples
Of Jesus Towards the Labor Movement in
the Early Stages of Christianity.
BY BYRON MILLETT.
Shortly after the crucifixion OF Je-
sus there appeared at Jerusalem a
young man of large frame and fine
presence by the name of Stephen. He
was head-waiter of a large fraternity
consisting of some three thousand
persons, who were recent converts to
the Christian faith. it is recorded in
the Scriptures and by commentators
that the members of this brotherhood
held their meetings at private house
at Jerusalem. Historians OF advanced
scholarship have been greatly puzzled
how to explain, that any single indi.
vidual supposedly poor, or in very
moderate circumstances, was able to
provide a meeting place for such a
large concourse OF individuals. In its
early history it should be kept in
mind that the new dispensation did
not gather within it's folds to any ap-
preciable degree rich and well.to do
individuals.
The testimony is somewhat obscure
but the inscriptions on the rocks and
walls OF caves show that at that period
and for centuries prior to that time,
vast secret organizations Of working
people existed and had places of meet
ing, which for the most part were un.
known to the ruling classes and the
governmental officials; more especially
was such the case in times of persecu.
ton. We find the manner of organic.
ing those fraternities described in the
Acts of the Apostles:
And the multitude of them that be-
lieved were of one heart and of one soul
neither said any of them that aught of
the things which he possessed was his
own, but they had all things in COM
mon."
Neither was there any amoug them
that lacked; for as many as were pOs-
SCISSORS of lands or houses sold them and
brought the prices OF the things that
were sold and laid them down at the
Apostles feet; and distribution was
made unto every man according as he
had need"
At the time mentioned, the Roman
emperor was not unfriendly to such
organizations. Therefore, it may be
presumed their meetings were not at.
tended with the usual secrecy; that at
that particular time they had an audi
torium sufficient to accommodate the
above number OF people, wherein they
might assemble, commune among
themselves, and partake of the benefits
OF the common table.
About the year A. D. 36, this young
deacon, Stephen, was stoned to death
in the outskirts Of Jerusalem for loud
ly proclaiming bis faith in his Lord
and Master, became the first martyr
to the new dispensation after the death
OF Jesus. Prominent in this blood.
thirsty mob Of prosecutors was q young
man named Saul OF Tarsus, afterwards
known as Apostle Paul, who in con.
sideration of his residence at this city
had been enrolled as Roman citizen.
The Bible says Tarsus was 90 mean
city. This man had some chronic iu-
trinity. the nature of which can only
be guessed at; but it is doubtful about
his having been the blear.eyed little
cripple as claimed by some hostile
critics. He was Jewish scribe, which
meant a man versed in the law; was
also tent.maker by trade, which i'm
piled something more than the max.
ing Of cloth or canvas tents simply fol
the purposes of physical convenience
and shelter; included screen and ar
tistic work as we'll. Paul records he
knew Jesus in the flesh. 2Cor. v. 16.
1t seems that at that period men oI
the learned professions followed some
particular trade in connection there
with in order to develop their mental
and physical being. This young man
possessed splendid education in con-
nection with great energy of body and
mind imbued with matchless enthusi
asm.
At the occasion of the death oI
Stephen, his mangled body and clothes
were placed at the feet of Paul, who
doubtless felt elated at the distinction
proffered him; for soon thereafter We
note he was on his journey to Dsmas'
Gus to continue in the work of the
persecution OF this new sect. As he
drew near the ancient city he had that
remarkable experience Of seeing the
strange light at midday above the
brightness OF the Sun, and hearing the
strange voice, which changed the di.
rection OF all his future efforts from
that time onward. Having been led
into tho city while blind, his eventful
experience in Damascus, his travels
and many vicissitudes, matters which
have engaged the attention of the
Christian. world for centuries are ably
narrated in holy writ, tho writer oil
this brief sketch in this connection
feels that it is unnecessary to refer "a
the same in detail, further than max.
ing few detached references in gen
ersl way, which have been verified and
explained by more recent researches