Evening journal., 1911-05-24
Peoples Column
LABOR AND CAPITAL.
Question Considered From the Point
of View Of Scriptural Iniunctions.

or view OF Scriptural lnlunctlOns.
Editor of THE EVENING JOURNAL.
Very much has been written on the
subject of the issue between capital
and labor. and much more remains to
be written The controversy Is still in
the realm of academic discussion, for
the reason that its settlement is still
in the dim distance. There can be no
permanent settlement until the ele-
ments of right. equity, and justice
shall have been recognized to be neces-
sary factors in leveling all parties to
the controversy.
There is no need of pointing to the
fact that the issue between the capi-
talist and the producer is on; that
there is distress. that trouble between
capital and labor is always brewing to
a greater or less extent; that all wit
nesses to the struggle agree that
closer and more cordial relations
should exist between these forces; and
that panaceas galore for the anchor
alton OF conditions are being proposed.
But, Mr.. Editor, are there not some
fundamental principles to be consid-
cred? Does not the law of compensa-
ton enter into the case? Does not the
Bible statement, Whatsoever a man
soweth, that shall he also reap ap-
plyY Let us inquire as to the causes
Of distress. These are many and
varied
In a great many instances il comes
as result of incidence. Wastefulness
and improvidence also bring on want
and distress lntemperance may also
be held responsible for much of the
want and distress in the world. The
wise man says, THE drunkard and the
glutton shall come to poverty" Money
| spent for alcoholic drinks, as we'll as
that which goes for tobacco, is worse
than wasted.
On the other hand, there is inordi-
nate boarding of wealth and corrupt
securing of special privileges through
public laws.
These conditions develop trusts and
unjust combines.
The Scriptures give plain and ex-
plicit instruction for both rich and
poor, for capitalists and laboring men,
which, If followed, would bring peace.
prosperity, Joy, and contentment to our
world.
First. to the rich they say: Beware
that thou forget not the Lord thy God,
in not keeping His commandments
lest when thou hast eaten
/ dnu dil lullt anu ndol bulll 6oOuiy
houses, and dwelt therein; and when
thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and
thy silver and thy gold is multiplied,
and all that thou hast is multiplied;
then thine heart be lifted up, and thou
forget the Lord thy God. But
thou shalt remember the Lord thy God;
for II is He that giveth thee power
to get wealth." Deut S:11-18.
For the love of money is the root Of
all evil; which while some coveted
after, they have erred from the faith.
and pierced themselves through with
many sorrows." / Tim. 610.
Not money, but the love of 1t, the
idolizing of It, the inordinate desire
for It, the tenacious holding on to 1t,
the never-satisfied craving for it--in
a word, covetousness, a violation OF
the tenth commandments the root of
all evil; for covetousness leads to
selfishness, and selhshness to the dis
regard OF the rights Of others, and this
to every sin and crime possible for
man to commit.
After the great fire in Rome in A
d., GA, Nero appropriated a large pari
Of the burnt region for the buildings
and grounds of an immense palace
called the Golden House As he en-
sconced himself in its luxurious apart
ments, he said, "Now ! am housed as
man ought to be-" But he secured
money for his enormous expenditures
by murders and confscations. He was
even accused OF firing the city him
self to make room for his palace, to
divert which he accused the Christians
Of the deed, whereupon a terrible per
secution was inaugurated against
/ nd nort1 fa11fnrr trfaffVac c
to his rage But his tyranny and dis
grace became unendurable The Ro-
man Senate finally declared the EN-
peror a public enemy and condemned
him to death by scourging, 10 avoid
which, aided by a slave, he took his
own life.
Not until men learn that we receive
to give. and that 1T is more blessed &c
give than to receive" will the capita
and labor problem be solved. God SC
loved the world that He gave" II
every soul who receives that love 4
will manifest itself in like manner. i
we love with His love, we too shall
give. We shall be co-workers with Hin
whose mission it was to preach The
GOSPEL to the poor; to hea
the broken-hearted, to preach deliver
ance TO the captives, and the recover
ing Of sight TO the blind, to set a
liberty them that are bruised, Z
preach the acceptable year Of tn
Lord" Like Him we will "go abou
doing good"
II is evident, therefore, that God de
signed that both classes should be Il
the world, and that the one should b
a help to the other; the rich to re
lieve the wants of the poor, and tn
poor to minister to the rich, and 70
i such ministry to receive a just recon
pense. If Gods design in this respec
were carried out, wonderful blessin
would come to every land.
! 20 prince, in the pride Of thy million
Who cans't by a nod, or breath,
) Decide for another, brother,
= The issue Of life or Of death,
Remember not thine is the power,
: Thou art but a steward divine
, OF the share Of that other. thy brothe
& Whose hand lacks the cunning
thine"
VrytIffo,,, n nouue