Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-09-04


Mr. Coons in welcoming the labor
organizations 10 The church expressed
his gratitude a. The cordial manner in
which his invitation had been feceiV-
ed and acted upon. Continuing heI
said
We have no hidden design in ask
ing yeu here. We have no purpose or
patronage or patefnalism. We will
not trouble you with our doctrine or
denJninationalisIn. We want you to
feel just so self respecting and COM
fortaklo as you work in your halls and
Your homes. The simple truth Is,
that two of the mightiest factors In
modern life are here face to face ana
neither need be antagonistic to nor
suspicious OF the other. Neither
should undertake 10 criticise the 9TH
er: the one criticising might fairly be
asked to look to the record of his own
side. Ideal as the Labor Union prln-
chile may he and divine AS the Church
in principle may b.. both are admin
istered by faIlhie human beings who
grope their way by many mistake.
This is I, church. a Christian church.
and as such it seeks TO be guided by
the stitlL .ffid Tie itiEtItBuo VI III -,Sttt'
of Nazareth Now one Of His out
standing Characteristics was His hon
est attempt II fit His kingdom into
the life Of His dag and place. Thines
were not as they ought to be. II"
talked little about the sweet bye and
bye and much about the bitter here
and now.
I'VE believe in the spirit of Jesus
that our business is not so much TO get
men into heaven rs it is to get HEAVIER
into tho hearts and doings of men to-
day Your organizations bespeak
pressing present day situation ana We
ought to have something clear ana
definite 10 say about it. The Church
has been quick To pass beanufuii
werdsd resolutions upon these condi-
tions Then generally she so quickly
forgot. SO far as temperament is con-
cerned we ought to have no great diff
ficulty in getting together.
we may cooperate in the work oil
emancipating and redeemirc sofi.i..,
The labor union socks S.,g.t-f aouts
for the end oil el..aang life. 1t asks
the ahplition of child labor; 1t seeks
the deviation of woman; it labors 70
suapce SIS the sweating system 1t
strives for release from employment
one day in seven: it attempts to abate
poverty and provide for those IN
capacitated from work. 1t stands Tor
national and interna tionai peace. 1t is
a chief factor In Americanizing the
alien who comes to our shores In
| earnest fashion it is broadly attempt
| ing to uplift its own. The Church
started away off on another line It's
| large business in the past has been
| hare and there 10 pluck a soul out OF
| the common mass. while the rest went
on 10 doom. NOV the church is wax
ing in the spirit of its leader to its
greater mission 10 society.
| Again, these two great factors
may cooperate in their desire and
purpose to elevate and dignity the in
dividl,al man. We have talked great
deal about helping the people. The
/ Church has gone down to them on d
mission of helpfulness. And the prof
| fer is often spurned, and this too. be-
cause what is desired is not aims but
a chance.
in America we are pledged to the
general principle of democracy. 1t is
our political hrthrigfit and 1t is pre-
co.'s 20 us. 1t was wrung from Klns
/ John AZ Runnymede; it was confirmed
/ ia our Revolutionary couiet, II was