Bridgeton pioneer., 1909-01-28

LABOR TO WORK
WITH THE CHURCH.

In Saturdays Philadelphia Press,
in the Layman's Corner, the following
interesting article appeared
When D. A. Hayes, president of the
Glass Bottle Blowers Association of
America, and fifth president of
the American Federation of Labor was
seen by a representative of The Press
and asked to give the reading public
his ideas on 'The Church's Opportun-
ity at Her Very Door,, p" he said
''This subject Is such a broad one
that hardly feel capable of giving it
the treatment it deserves. The Sun
day School lesson deals with the man
at the temple gate. 1t is significant
that the early apostles saw the chance
for extending the helping hand imme-
diately before them, and were quick to
grasp it. Gradually the church seemed
to drift away from that early princi.
pie, and it is hardly to be wondered at.
Our civilization is described as being
very complex and many people are alb
sorbed in commercial pursuits; conse-
quently their minds are diverted from
the man at the temple gate.
However this may be, the conven.
tion of the Federal Council OF Churches
of Christ in America, so recently held
in this city, rose to its great opportnn-
ity, and its ringing declaration on this
subject will do much to impress upon
church members who have not given
the matter the thought it deserves a
proper appreciation of the great prob
lem-of the Man at the gate. Trade
unions have already recognized this,
and are trying to help their fellow men
when sick or out of work.
I fear there is widespread mis-
judgment of the great fundamental
aims of trade uDionism. The princi-
pal part of its work is to help men to
help themselves; to lift them to a posi-
tion where they can become self f-sup-
porting; to see that the man who is
able and willing to earn his living be
given chance. We are trying to
establish condition of industry where
practical Christianity and real broth,
erly love will be the impelling force,
where honest men sscan live as Chris.
tians in Christian land, and not be
at war with one another or in constant
fear of one another lest they be taken
advantage of.
Looking at this matter in a broad
sense, the recent action of the council
did wonders in inspiring in the work
ingman's breast deep confidence ir
the church. 1t showed that church
members have been studying, and in
vestigating, the many big questions
involved in the problem of labor an6
poverty.
II have heard gratifying expressions
of this awakened confidence on all sides
since that declaration. Men are be
ginning to feel that the churches really
desire and are earnest in their endeavo1
to make Christianity practical anG
apply its principles as taught by the
Saviour to every day life and condi.
tlons.
these men recognize that there is
cause for poverty and crime, and,
whilewe do not expect these to be
eliminated from our National life en-.
tirely-c certainly not in this age-the
causes which led to them can be cor
rected. Everything done in this direc-
tion is bound to bring men closer to-
gether and to give society healthier
tone.
when the working man sees some
of his fellows idle. destitute or poorly
paid it is bound to arouse spirit Of
resentment against those whose short
sighted policy may be reponsible fol
such a state of affairs. 1t tends II
embitter him not alone against indi
viduals, but against institutions will
which they are connected.
Il am sorry to say that there arr
still some who stand high in churcl
circles, and who give literally to it,
needs, who pass by the man at thu
temple gate, who is waiting for tht
helping hand, who wants but wore
of encouragement and touch of tina
humanity which makes the Who'll,
world kin.
Il wish 1 could impress upon thu
minds of all your readers the inspira
tion it was to us to hear that Council
representing practically all Protestan
denominations, declare in no uncertain
tones and unanimously adopt the fol
lowing:-
To the toilers of America, and tx
those who, by organized effort ani
seeking to lift the crushing burdens o