Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-02-08
CHRISTIANITY'S RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE
INDUSTRIAL CONDITIONS OF TODAY SHOWN
Rev j. W. Graves of Des Moines Told Men at Forward
Movement Banquet What Was Due to the La
borers of the Commercial World.

i the parents misconception Of life, o.
the child's nature and need, or his greco
too for gold. At any rate child labor
was going on for years under the eyes
of the Christian forces, and no voice
was lifted against it, or against the low
wages, unsanitary conditions, Ions
hours. every day grind, or the Selfish
greed which made it necessary.
I'VE are now hearing and beginning tc
apply the message of Christianity to
some Of these problems, and men are
seeing that it is not only principle but
these evils, and apply these in dealing
with each other.
The message of Christianity to the
men of the industrial world is that
every man is entitled to the privilege
of working six days in seven and that
no one has the right to deny him that
opportunity. While men have a right to
cause, and strike, they can have no
right to force another who chooses 10
labor to cease from his toll.
Property rights and personal rights
must be safeguarded by all, labor and
capital alike. The methods OF the NC
Namaras can not possibly be justified
by an intelligent public. The destruc-
ton Of life or property will never WIN
a victory for either side in the present
struggle. The righting Of these abnor-
NAL conditions will come, not by de-
stroying the rights Of each other, but
by q rational consideration Of each
others needs and rights, and mutual
concession Of privileges.
"Another message which Christianity
has for the commercial and industrial
conditions is that every man who in
vests capital and engages in business
is entitled to a living income from
that industry or business, and to rea-
sonable interest on the money invest
ed and the risk involved, but that he is
entitled to no more unless he share 1t
with the people who make possible that
income. He is just as much a laborer as
the man who works chiefly with his
hands, and is therefore as worthy Of his
hire. Unless the economic law recog-
nizes a reward for economy, saving,
thrift and leadership the foundations
of economic endeavor will crumble. To
one man Christ gave one talent, to an
other two, and to another five. To each
of them he said occupy till l come, and
the reward for proper investment was
not withheld. Human society owes a
debt to such men which it can never
fully pay. On the other hand that con-
dition in society which makes it pos
slble for man to be a millionaire in
the production of the common COM
modities, or in handling the necessities !
of life while the men who help to pro-
duce those commodities, and the people |
who give value to them barely exc out !
an existence is absolutely unjust. A
man may invest his money in a grow
ing town, or in a frontier country, and |
because the people come into that town
Or country the value Of his investment
IS multiplied many fold. He is entitled
% a reasonable income from his risk
etc, but he has no right to ignore the
people who made his investment of
value. They have been chief agents in
his wealth, and must be given consider
alton.
christianity is coming to see that it
S not only Christianity's business to
oe interested in the way which capital
:reats it's labor and labor conducts it.
self toward capital, but that it is a
part of Christianity's religion to know
and be interested.
"The public conscience approves now
If the actions of the millionaire in di-
1iding his wealth with them In found
ng colleges, universities, hospitals and
pipe organs; but the time will come
when the public will not give to him ii
clear bill of conscience, even though he
10 these things. If he neglects to share
With the laborer in the oil fields, or the
steel mills. or the work shops, whose
Ives are pinched by poverty and whose
children Cry for bread If a law can be
enacted which limits the rate Of interest
one may charge on money loaned, why
S 1t not within the bounds Of POSSIBLE
ty to limit, even by law, the amount Of
profit q merchant, or manufacturer, or
artisan may appropriate to himself in
he commercial and industrial struggles
If life?
christianity can not champion the
ause of any organization as such, but
t Is being aroused. No questions COM
nand so much interest today as those
elating to social service. 1t comes for
ward to demand a Square Deal for all.
t>insists that the only way the alb
formal conditions can ever be righted
S by a faithful application of the
principles Of justice, virtue, equity and
love. The message of Christ
anity is demand for a quickened
ocial conscience, especially as to COM
'licity in crimes and sins which seem
ar removed, but which after all have
heir first cause in the common injus-
commercial and industrial conditions of
oday. There are attitudes and actions
which develop class hatred, injustces |
nd suggestions which open the door {
D prostitution. and oppression and dep {
ivation which incite to destruction
nd bomb throwing and murder. .
"Christianity is awake to a sense of :
he responsibility resting upon it, and
IS message is even now being en- l
hasized, and more faithfully applied. {
len everywhere are catching the Wis {
IN and better and happier day shall +
oubtless soon be ushered in" +
LEAVE FOR ELDON. I