The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-03-11
.CLERGYMEN DRAWING
NEARER TO LAbORERS
KARI, POERTNER WRITES INTER-
ESTINGLY ON SUBJECT,
German Laborer Advances Opinion that
American Preachers Are Too Practi-
cal to Be in Full Sympathy with Toll
ing Masses-Takes Strong Men to-
Resist influence of Dollars. 49,

Karl Poertner, who needs no intro
-duction to the members of organized
labor in Minneapolis, and who has but
recently returned from long visit in
3 Germany where he made a study Of
conditions among the working people,
y writes upon subject which has always
{ been of great interest to union workers.
Z The attitude Of the clergy to the
labor organizations has been watched
with keen interest, more particularly of
late, when the preachers have seemingly
taken more active part in the welfare
Of the. toilers. AS is well known, the
various ministerial associations have
representatives in the central labor
bodies in most Of the large cities, and
Minneapolis is no exception.
There is, however, at this time a more
& general opinion that the church and or
ganized labor have much in common,
and Mr.. Poertner 8 views will be in
teresting. His letter follows: s.r
Clergy's Interest Grows.
The, position Of the clergy in matters
Of public concern has always been con-
sidered, in this country more than in
any other, as one Of the most import
ant influences, and we often pride our
selves on the fact that our clergymen
are interesting themselves more and
more in questions affecting the material,
as well as the spiritual Welfare, Of the
toilers, r-,-: - -. r>.zG .;":>.s -.'sl
The statement has been made that
3 the great mass Of the church going
people is made up of the people thai
work for wages, and it has been said
in explanation, that it is the poor man s
brightest hope to find a heavenly home
after life, where the discrepancies OF
this world s struggle for existence are
unknown.
Taking it for granted that the work.
ingman is the church-going man, as he
is represented to be, the Question nat
urally arises, whether the Relationship
between the toilers for wages and thei1
spiritual advisers is such as should be
desired.
Is there that mutual confidence and
strong bond Of sympathy that should
underlie cause which deserves the
@ best and most persistent of gooo
man IS efforts3 -. +
Too Practical for To1lers.
"A German ~workingman made the
statement to me that the .America1
clergyman is far too practical in his
calling to help the great mass Of the
. toilers. In answer to my question fol
a more explicit statement, he remarked
II that he considered our clergymen too
much OI7 UuS1ucSS Iucu" 11oI1 WI dIt
considering their ability to draw crowds
II and to build churches of imposing ex
& teriors, as well as interiors, more thar
g the love of God and neighbor. [ thought
81 at that time of many good clergyman
s that I have known to take advantage
& Of every opportunity to foster the poo.
8 man $ cause, and many another mai
would have given much the same an
& sWer as / did: 'They are human her
as well as in America,' and his rotor
brought to my mind a sad controvers,
/, about tainted money.
81 His statement was, that we can de
nland of priests and ministers that the,
should be less influenced by worldly con
siderations than men Of other callings
How many of our ministers would hav'
the religious strength to refuse j. d
RS money donations and ask him t.
give away everything he has and liv
over new life?
Approve Of No Wrong.
But should we blame these men 0
the clergy too much on account OF
fault that is rather national than in
dividual? Our heartstrings are at faul
in quite general way when we ca,
sympathize with man that steals !
loaf of bread, because he is famished
but we cannot sympathize with a poo
workingman who commits some &C
s against the law thru sheer desperation
Not that we approve Of either stealing
or lawlessness no means!
I honestly believe that Workingme,
as a class would sooner cut off thel
right hand than to stoop to either; bu
want to call attention to the fac