The wageworker. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1904-????, 1908-12-19
(By Rev. Charles Stelzle.)

eighteen million church members ana
fifty million adherents, spoke off
cially with reference to labor in the
First Conference of the Federal Coun-
Gil OF the Churches of Christ in Amei-
lea, just closed in Philadelphia. This
is the first time that the churches i'll
America have had an opportunity to
express their attitude concerning the
labor question. The Rev. Frank Ma
son North, ID. D., of New York City,
reported for the committee on the
church ard modern industry, which
report was unanimously and enthusi-
astically adopted. The report followa:
Statement.
/. This federal council places upon
record its profound belief that the
complex problems of modern industry
can be interpreted and solved only
by the teachings of the New Testa-
ment. and that Jesus Christ is final
authority in the social as in the indi-
yidual life. Under this authority and
by application Of this teaching the
contribution to human welfare by the
church, whatever it's lapses and its
delays, has been incalculable. Out
of the sacrifice and fervor of the cen
turies has come fund of altruism
which enriches today a thousand pur-
poses for human betterment, some of
which do pnt rno>v tho ORIGIN of thair
impulse. The interest of the church
III men is neither recent nor artificial.
No challenge of newly posted sentries
can exclude it from the ground where
II has its credentials and knows the
watchword.
2. Christian practice has not always
harmonized VITA Christian principle.
social custom individual life has
been, at times, swerved from the
straight course, ana the organized
church has not always spoken when
It should have borne witness, and it's
plea for righteousness has not always
been uttered with boldness. Chris
tianity has created both the opportun-
i;y and the principles of life. In the
mighty task of putting conscience and
justice and love into Christian
civilization, the church with all its
splendid achievements, has sometimes
faltered. But it has gone farther and
suffered more, thousand fold, to ac
oomplish this end tIran any other
organized force the world has ever
known.
3. The church now confronts the
most significant crisis and the great
est opportunity of its long career
In part its Ideals and principles have
become the working basis Of organiza
tons for social and Industrial better
ment which do not accept it's spiritual
leadership and which have been es
ranged from it's fellowship. We be
lieve, not for its own sake, but in the
interest of the kingdom of God, tht
church must not merely acquiesce il
the movements outside of it which
make for human welfare, but mus
demonstrate not by proclamation bu
by deeds its primacy among all thu
forces which seek to lift the plan'
and better the conditions of human
life.
This council, therefore, welcome
this first opportunity on behalf of tn
churches Of Christ in the Unite
States officially represented, to en-
phasize convictions which have bee
in fragmentary ways already e'
PRESSED.
4. We recognize the complex natur
OF industrial obligations affecting en-
ployer and employe, society and goN
ernment, rich and poor, and mos
earnestly counsel tolerance, patienc
and mutual confidence; we do nc
defend OF excuse wrongdoing in hig
places or in low, nor purpose to adaI
the ethical standards of the gosp'
: 10 the exigencies of commerce or tn
codes of a confused industrial system
5. While we assert the natural rigf
of men-capitalists and workingme
to organize for common ends, W
hold that the organization of capit'
or the organization of labor came
make wrong right, or right wrong
that essential righteousness is not
termined by numbers either of dc
lars or of men; that the church mu
meet social bewilderment by ethic
lucidity, and by gentle and resolu
testimony to the truth must assert fl
the whole gospel it's prerogative
the test of the rightness of both inc