The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1921-10-01
SATURDAY EVENING, OCTOBER |. 1921.
THE CHURCH AND LABOR
BIZ Baird Mitchell


rT7 HERE is an important difference between the
z ~ Church and every other human society. If not,
kerc is no reason for its existence his difference
lies broadly in the fact that other societies exist TO
promote the social physical, or financial welfare OF
1eir members the Church exists TO develop Character
ID All Men, 10 supply those wants which cannot be
net By bread and to emphasize the Higher Interests
& 3f Life. Whatever else tic Church may do. or may
not do this it Must do, cease to exist and this 1t
must do, simply and only by the power of its Moral
influence This the only nslrumcntality the Church
NAV use in all its work for the world. here are
some things. therefore, which the Church cannot do
has no right 10 attempt. First 1t cannot Diserimn-
ate among men its message is for All, and is Needed
by All. It's just as true Of the worker as OF the
employer that it will profit him nothing to gain the
whole world and lose his Higher Self 1t is just as
imperative upon tic one as upon the other to seek tirs
The Ideal Kingdom. In that kingdom there IS no
class distinction In it every has just the same
rt that other citizens have and nothing more or dit
fercn.. The laws that apply 10 other men apply
equally 10 him. He is subject to the same regulations.
He must ask no privileges and claim exceptions he
has responsibilities as well to
The other individuals that make up the community.
The Church. therefore. demands of organized labor
breadth and not exclusiveness. If that organization
breaches Bro.srhood let it justify its attitude toward
The worker who prefers to remain outside The Church
demands of capital Service 10 others well as to IT
SELF the practice in all its dealings OF the principles
upon which wishes labor to act, the cultivation OF
Ike spirit towards others which it wants exercised to-
wards itself.
Secondly. 1t is not incumbent upon the Church to
Push the Interests Of any trade profession, bust
ness, any further than to Insist upon justice and equity
in the relations between and man established BY
such activities A physician might say, Il have no
use for TIE Church; what has it ever done to advance
medical science7" A railroad manager might say,
what has the Church ever done to encourage rail-
road buildns9" And so on just the labor unionist
demands, What has the Church ever done for me7"
Not to be more specific this time. tic Church has
done for all these interests, and for thousand Others
IN large and permanent way that which makes them
and the civilization in which they flourish, possible
Thirdly there are some things the Church cannot do
h the industrial world 1t can not arrange the details
81 any business 1t can not dictate wage scale to
either manufacturer union. 1t notforce the
recognition Of a union upon employer, anymore
can force the recognition Of its existence
Inns upon a union. The ministers Of the Church
not make themselves masters of the methods and
Requirements Of business. so that they know the cost
81 productou. He wages that wisely be paid, the
Hours that should be devoted to the task, any Of the
thousand details. The utmost they can do is to
rsate.- however feebly and often with such disap-
pin6ins success,-a spirit among all men which will
uie the adjustment of these matters. among thote
know how to do 1t, upon basis of justice and
4hhood.
TtaIy, the Church Cannot countenance Lawless-
- matter BY whom committed. Against all
efviolencs the Church must thunder its protest
vate organization may exercise the functions Of
dent If one may do this. another may do it
right to unite in demand for better In
adiGons and to unite in refusal to work
sconeitions are supplied they have right
other men from taking The places which
xaeated; and toslss all ths, mora. influence
Command % this end; but when they resort to
and violence n enforcing this demand they
5nd die limits Of liberation and become enemies
sT1itfe q no loomSm American civilization
Is off Ibis nature; and the unions have no
b theiFA hands more urgent than that OF put
nd 10 coercion. and violence no matter az
S,fheaselyes They can psyarS Nin by these
Fss61 only IN a1Symg against
ned opposition Of
p9Ett seaps