The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1910-09-02
LABOR SUNDAY.
Rev. Charles Sickle Offers Suaass-
tions For Its Observance.

At the last convention Of the Ameri-
can Federation Of Labor. held In To-
ronto, resolution was adopted setting
aside the Sunday preceding the first
Monday in September as Labor Sun.
day" and that the churches Of Amer
lea be requested to devote some part
of this day to IA presentation Of this
question. 1t was further resolved that
requested to cooperate In every legiti-
mate way with the ministers who thus
observe Labor Sunday, seeking with
them to secure as large an audience Of
workingmen and others as possible. 1t
was stated that 1t would be an advan-
tage to both church and labor to select
special day upon which the attention
Of all classes may be concentrated on
the questions which concern the toll
ers.
After the adoption of this resolution
by the American Federation of Labor
the Federal Council of the Churches Of
Christ In America adopted similar
resolution recommending to the
churches of America a hearty compli-
ance with the request Of the American
Federation of Labor and suggesting to
the churches that they SO observe this
day with sermons and other exercises
appropriate to the occasion.
During the past week the ministers
In nearly 700 cities were requested by
the social service commission Of the
federal council to appoint committees
to cooperate with similar committees
to be appointed by organized labor, SO
that they may together work out a
program which may be carried out In
their localities. Similarly President
Gompers has sent out communications
to the central bodies asking for their
cooperation In this matter. Mr.. Com
pers suggests that the central bodies
appoint committees to walt upon the
clergymen Of all denominations with a
view Of calling their attention to these
matters and requesting them to deliver
addresses from their puipits on Labor
Sunday.
Now it is up to organized labor to
make good. This should be the biggest
Labor Sunday in the history of the
church and labor There is not the
least doubt that If the ministers are
given the assurance of support by the
workers they will open their churches
and conduct q service as outlined In
the recommendations Of the two great
national bodies representing church
and labor. This service will be OF val
ne to both the workingmen and the
church, for. whatever OF value may
come to the workingmen through this
service-through the preaching OF the
principles of labor-it will also be or
great value to those In the church who
need the broader outlook upon the eco
nomic world which this occasion will
undoubtedly give them. i would there
fore urge upon individual trade un-
ionists the importance Of having com
mlttees appointed to take hold OF this
matter at once II might be good
plan to have your regular Labor day
committee handle the Labor Sunday
meeting. as the two may easily be
worked together Indeed. the mass
meeting of workingmen on Sunday
night (Which. by the way. should be
service composed of all the churches In
the city wherever possiblel might well
be made part of the general Labor day
program. And II 1t Is possible to use
the preachers on Labor day. either in
giving addresses or In marching In the
parade. as has frequently been done. 1t
will add value to the entire program
Rev. Charles Stelzle.