Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1910-09-08
LABOR SUNDAY
WELL OBSERVED

Labor Sunday was observed with
special sermons at number of our
churches Sunday. Even where no
theme was announced in most inst
ances there was something in the
| thought advanced morning or evening
to dignity and exalt labor, to inspire
in the toiler, hope, and to convince
him however humble, that he is not
despised.
The clergymen of Danville are con-
scientious and hard working men, i'm
bued with the love of humanity and
there was nothing needed but the op-
portunity to bring out their best
thought on the subject of labor in its
various relations and to show their
sympathy with those who do the
worlds work. All were greeted with
good sized congregations including, in
response to invitations many not reg
ulaI attendants. Following is brief
synopsis of the sermon at each of those
churches where Labor Sunday themes
were announced.
The Rev. James Wollaston Kirk,
pastor of the Mahoning Presbyterian
church, founded his remarks on Mat
thew 90 IS: "All Ye Are Brethren -
This service is not so much for the
study of a text as to come to the mu-
tual understanding of principle. The
Church" is an organization of people
on divine or revealed plan to express
an attitude towards God. Labor" is
an organization of people to express
an attitude towards society. Both the
Church and Labor are appointed of
God and are as old as man.
The principle to be recognized and
the one essential to the proper adjust
ment of all difficulties and strife be-
tween labor and capital is the brother.
hood of the race. The text asserts it
and the Apostle Paul confirmed it
when he said to the Athenians that
God had made of one blood all ma
tions of men for to dwell on the face
of the earth " On this principle the
Church is working in her far reaching
missionary efforts. Out of this prin-
ciple also grows the mutual depend
encies and helpfulness of life and So
ciety. Then what is labor? One per-
son in the seclusion of the most pains
taking study plans and details a great
bridge. Others in the open lay the
masonry, forge the steel and construct
the bridge. The one has toiled and ex-
hausted brain power and the others
have toiled and exhausted physical en-
ergy 1t has required both to do the
work Both are toilers. All are BIRTH
ers.
The present attitude of the Church
to organized Labor is not learned from
a local church but from the church in
her official capacity. In recent years
there has been formed THE Federal
Council of the Churches of Christ in
America - What this council says is
practically what all the churches of
this country say and is to be so in
treperted. a little over a year ago
this is what that council of the church
es said-"The Church must stand
First. For "a release from employ
ment one day in seven. that it is the
right of every man to have one day in
seven for rest and recreation of body
arJ mind auI cnuI nnl tba oh
legation of every Christian employer
so to arrange his business that each of
his employees may have one day holi-
day in. Seven, without diminution of
wages.
Second. The gradual and reason
able reduction of hours of labor to the
lowest practicable point. and that de-
gree of leisure for all which is con-
dition of the highest human life
Third, a living wage as a minim-
um in every industry, and the highest
wage that each industry can afford. Z"
THE ONLY SOLUTION
The Rev. George S. Womer, pastor
of ST Paul's Methodist Episcopal
church, took as his text, Ruth ? a:
" And Behold Boaz came from Bethle-
hem and Said unto the Reapers. The
Lord Be With You. And They Answ-
cred him, The Lord Bless Thee" The
theme of the discourse was: "The
Only Solution of the Labor Problem. F"
We are in the midst .of....oneEof the
great wars of history. The war for
industrial freedom is being waged not
in our own country only or on the
continent of Europe but it has reach
ed Asia and the Pagan peoples. The
race has attained unto religious free
dom. The struggle for political free
dom is sure to win and now following
close on this is the struggle for in
dustrial freedom.
Capital and Labor are the.two forces
that have divided the millions of the
earth. The struggle has gone on long
enough. Enough lives have already
been sacrificed. 1t is time for settle
ment.
That settlement can come only on
A