The wageworker. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1904-????, 1906-04-13

the Methodist Episcopal church, repre-
sent the views of the great body Of
Methodists on the subject of labor
unions? The Wageworker refuses to
believe that he does, but If he does
represent the views of Methodism on
that question, then it is time for Meth
odism to rid itself of lot of barnaeles,
get nearer to God and step forward a
few centuries into the light of modern
intelligence. Last Sunday morning,
April s., Bishop McCabe delivered a
sermon before the East New York con-
ference at Brooklyn, and in that ser
mon declared that the Methodist
church was opposed to labor unions
and would use its influence to wipe
them out or reform them. He said:
I'VE are opposed to having small
percentage of labor men run the entire
laboring class in a high-handed AMI
authoritative manner. AS now consti-
tuted, labor unions cannot long stand.
Either they must reform themselves or
they will cease to exist, as they are
now unfair and unjust, and the honest
workingman cannot long be subjected
to oppression without rising in revolt.
81 want every one of the 800 minis
ters here to accept this as his creed
and preach it. l am stating the posi-
ton of the Methodist church today at
this conference, as the members of the
church do not seem to be disposed to
state 1t themselves. l want the state
ment to be published broadcast, SD
there can be no doubt as to the attitude
ci Methodists toward Lonest labor.
believe this should become part of the
creed of every Protestant church"
We might retort upon Bishop Nc
Cabe that "the Methodist church as
now constituted can not stand. Either
Il must reform itself or it will cease
to exist" And again we might retort
that honest Methodists cannot long
be subjected to such tommyrot as
Bishop McCabe's." And we have just
as much authority for our statements
as Bishop McCabe has for his. The
tIdutS uic OiuCi W SS'SieA AAuAA
dred years than the Methodist Episco-
pal church. And again we might retort
that I'VE are opposed to having small
per cent of Methodist preachers, ele-
waited to the bishopric by political ma
nipulation, running the entire body Of
Methodism in a high-handed and au-
thoritative manner"
What's the matter with Bishop Nc
Cabe? Haven't union men as much
right to select authoritative leaders
like Mitchell and Gompers and Perkins.
as the Methodist church has to select
authoritative leaders like McCabe?
Il am stating the position of the
Methodist church," declared Bishop
McCabe. Is he? Since when was
Bishop McCabe inspired? Since when
did he become greater than the scrip
lures or better than the Master whom
he pretends to serve? Il believe this
should become the creed of every Prot
estant church"
All right, Bishop McCabe; now let
us see along what lines we can reform
the labor unions.
Firstly, shall the labor unions begin
teaching the doctrine OF infant damna-
ticn? That was taught for centuries by
one or more great branches of the
Protestant church.
Secondly, shall the labor unions be.
gin advocating slavery as a divine in
stitution? That was taught by very
large proportion of the ministry and
laymen OF the Methodist Episcopal
church less than fifty years ago?
Thirdly, shall the labor unions be
gin advocating burning at the stake I?
That was practiced by portion of the
Protestant church at one time, If his
tory is not at fault.
Fourthly, shall the labor unions be-
gin advocating fine salaries for the
leaders and starvation wages for the
men in the ranks? II we mistake not
Bishop McCabe's salary is something
like 1900 per cent higher than the
average salary Of Methodist preachers
And there isn't labor union leader ir
America whose salary is equal t.
Bishop McCabes.
In what respect are labor unions un
just? Bishop McCabe will answer tha
they deny the right of the non-uniol
man to work That is not true, bu
suppose 1t were true. Doesn't Bishol
McCabe preach that non-Christians
cannot go to heaven? The fact is thai
labor unions are not as unjust as thu
average Protestant church. There ISM
labor union in existence that denie.
the right OF the non-unionist to work
There isn't an orthodox Protestan
church in existence that admits thu
non-C Christian to fellowship or admits
his claim to a home in heaven.
To lie sure, labor unions must re
form themselves. So must everythin:
else that is not perfect Does BiShOl