South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-03-24

the church who are addicted 20 the
habit, il leads one 10 the conclusion
that we are not ready for such
campaign.
Again, there are others who favor
the throwing OF our moral power into
the struggle against the social evil
Perhaps now, with the saloon elm
mated. we are in a better position
to enter this crusade: yet / am per-
suaded that even this vice is not
the imminent battle-ground.
Nottingham is Problem
What then is? FRANKLY, let me
say that many reasons lead me to
believe the future battle-ground will
be that presented to us by the work
ingman. Problems here face us. We
can now hear the rumblings OF boil
shevism in our ears. We can see
even on this side of the horizon a
spirit OF unrest here; and challenges
that are far sweeping demand our
But what has the church
to do with this? Briefly this: The
church Of God is made up Of work
ingmen. They constitute its moral
force; and with the aid of the work
ingman the church Of Jesus Christ
has always been the largest factor
in these reforms. Now the time has
come for the church TO prove itself.
We must now, beyond any doubt,
show that we are worthy the sup
port. allegiance. and devotion Of the
working classes. We must lose sight
Of our finery and remember that we
are to battle for the right
Now what are some OF the prob
lens suggested in this imminent
campaign? First, 7 believe if the
church wants to play fair with the
worlxingman, it must declare for a
reasonable, fair and humane work
ing day of eight hours duration.
May IL not be that Divine Providence
the "a hours to be divided
for work, recreation and
rest? In these days Of hurry rush
and machinery. when things are
geared so high anything beyond an
day saps the life's blood
out Of an individual. Let a man
work 10 hours a day, and besides
having denied his family his pres
ence, he has worn out his life in a
few years. Give him an eight-hour
day and his family can have his
presence. he will see some good of
his own life. and he cannot but last
longer in years.
should Demand Fair Wage.
The church must not be back
ward in demanding for the working
man a fair, honest wage. Every man
who pours his blood into any of
these factories has a right TO more
than a living II that's all he will
get. what about the time when his
hair is gray, and the employment
agent turns him off? Shall he go
over the hill TO the county farm? 1t
is only right and just that in the
days when he is pouring his man
hood into his work that he hould
be getting enough TO help him in
the day OF white locks and shaking
limbs. Can he do IL on two dollars
and a half per day? Can he clothe
and feed his family. educate his
children. buy his fuel at fancy prices.
and take care OF multitudinous de-
mands? Ask the heads of these
II they could SC man
age. 1t is not hard TO guess their
answer They could have no eXpen-
sive limousines, no Packard autos,
and trips to California would be
few. If the church means
real business it is time il should de-
clare itself, and demand a fair re-
turn in wages. for the expenditure
OF bone, blood and muscle.
Might Ask Share.
Then again. perhaps the church
would be wise in declaring itself as
favoring and demanding a share in
the profits of the corporations into
which he honestly pOurs his life. OF
course we are told in this day that
brains are worth so much more than
Drawn: but when man puts in
everything he has. perhaps there is
not such a marked difference after
all. cannot but believe that the
man who makes the profits has a
right TO share In the same. The in
in an adjoining county
which sets aside 80 per cent Of its
gross earnings for the employees will
never lose by their generosity.
Furthermore, the church must
take a stand declaring for clean.
surroundings in our fac
tories and shops Light. air and a
healthy environment are a necessity.
Unfortunately all the comforts and
mostly all the conveniences are
placed in the Offices with little
thought OF the men and women who
toll with their, hands. Rest rooms
are needed and especially in factories
where women labor is employed.
Is Future battle-ground.
These in brief constitute the
OF the future. and the
church OF God cannot afford 10 stand
idly by. II Jesus were here ] fancy
He would lift His hands so marred
by the saw. plane. and hammer used
among those Galilean hills and bless
such a struggle. Were those rough
but mighty fishermen Of Galilee's
troubled waters here. they would
lift their voices in support OF such
n movement. Were Paul, the tent
maker here. he would support and
work for such "A program. There
fore the church OF Jesus Christ must