The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-09-02
AND LABOR
FORMER BLAMED FOR MEN
DRIFTING AWAY.
The Rev. Thomas G. Spencer, of East Or
ange, Claims Workingmen Are Not
Made Welcome at Services.

That the church Is not doing enough
toward leveling social distinction in the
United Suites so as TO settle properly the
labor problem and bring back the per-
centage of the laboring class which fgures
show has left the church, was the claim
of the Rev. Thomas G. Spencer. pastor
of the Sanford Street NJ. f. Church, East
Orange, In his sermon last night on "The
Church and the Labor Problem"
The very pew system of the churches
YVES against the working man, he said.
The working man is not welcome In a
great many churches sailing under the
Christian banner. he averred.
Mr.. Spencer praised highly the work
of labor unions, which he outlined, and
also praised the work of the philanthropic
rich who had made large contributions
in the past few years for something that
tended 10 help in the nplift of man.
Mr.. Spencer stated that he had made a
long personal study of the labor question.
sary, he said, but more justice should
be shown. That there was now existing
a great labor problem, he said, could not
show that during the last seven and one-
half years in the principal cities of the
United States there were 5000 controversies
large enough to demand a place in re-
ports, and which resulted in the expendi-
ture of many millions and when the loss
of life. and property was figured some
sort of an idea regarding the existence
of a labor problem could easily be gained.
This is called an Industrial age. said Mr..
Spencer. but an effort should be made TO
have 1t n Christian age. There should
be a proper adjustment of the difficulties
that are constantly arising. so as to
stop the, social unrest among employers
and employees that is now so prevalent.
The personal touch that should exist be-
tween the two. he said, had been taken
away by capital.
from the church and religious strength by
the laboring man. said the minister, and
there was no question of a wide division
between the two. Many labor leaders have
been interviewed at length on the ques-
ton. and the only conclusion TO be drawn
from the answers to a set series of ques-
lions ON the matter was that there is a
widespread dissatisfaction against the
church, and this showed the need of an
meet this. Christian principles should be
applied, he held, so that the employer and
employee will be brought into a irmer
bond of friendship. The reason for the
asnl. he said. was because of the principles
the workingman was c~ontending for, and
IN q measure obtaining.
TRACE unions" continued Mr.. Spencer.
have been very helpful in the obtaining
OF better wages and hours. and no one
ought 10 question the right to organize.
1t is my personal opinion that a union
is the only means for self-preservation,
and Il Is just as lawful as is the COM
bination of capital. The church should
be earnestly in favor of trades unions and
49, 80 - IhR ~ A13 p AAARA1 VIII
10 the steady prog ess they have made.
say In the past twenty-five years. Through
Legislative action the unions have compell-
ed a lessening of child labor and condi-
tons have been improved. A wide SYM
Dathy should be shown for labor's con-
t~entions by every Christian man and the
Church of Jesus Christ. We hear and
read reports that the labor question will
only be settled when a revolution comes.
but this Is Misrepresentation and is done
TO array class against class. There has
been a big increase of betterment made.
THE workingman is crying for Justice.
NOT charity. He wants his rights and
feels that he should receive all that is
coiniug to him and be recognized In the big
century. He wants to be recognized as n
man that Is deserving of the right to
educate his children and enter into the
things of life just as those do who enjoy
pleasures because they have more money.
He does not want TO he considered inferior
made up purely of dollars. He does not
like social lnferiority and will not be so
considered because the sense of manhood
il In his breast. Capital must be Just to
the workingman. and vice versa. A good
many people pooh-pOoh the idea of the
possibility Of the church solving this prob
lem. 1t is the mission of the church to
enter into the moral question that is at
the bottom of the trouble and show that
ii Is q friend of the workingman. And
there exists n feeling in some quarters
that the pulpit and the pews are owned
and controlled by the rich and that the
ministers are afraid to steak out for the
workingmen. This feeling will have to
be removed, hut there are some churches
where the workingman is not welcome, and
for this reason he keeps away. The church
will have to level social distinction"