Evening star., 1929-12-14

Jesus left the carpenter shop in
| Nazareth to become the founder of a
| faith that was destined to change the
character of men and the destiny of
empires. An eminent teacher of the
social sciences has pointed out that
| when Jesus was born. secret labor
organization ran throughout the Roman
Empire. 1t was the brotherhood of
toilers, whose great ideal was the or
ganization of the world of work on
the basis of the family, with common
ownership and mutual service. This un-
foreground organization became, later a
channel for the spread of Christianity.
Its complete suppression by imperial
edict is intermingled with the persecu-
ton of the Christians. So complete
was the suppression that among the
features of Roman civilization, which
was carried over into Western Europe,
there is not a trace of its labor Or
ganiZation."
If the religion of the Master appealed
so strongly to the toilers of His day,
when every worker could live apart
from his fellow workers in that period
of industrial independence, it should
appeal with greater force to modern
toilers and industrial leaders. The in
PRODUCTION of steam engines, the de-
velopment of electric power and the
Harvesting of waterfalls has trans
formed industry and civilization. Power
has become centralized 1t has built
great centcrs of population where there
existed demand for workers. In
duStry has been organized. Power has
ceased to be individualized. 1t no longer
depends upon muscular force.
Christ's Social Program.
We are facing conditions that call
for new application of the teachings
of the Lord to modern life. The prin-
ciples are the same, but the changes in
industrial relations are such that all
men should remember that we are all
'laborers together with God" The only
solution for the problems that our in
duStrial civilization" is compelled to face
is found in the introduction of not only
the Christian spirit" but also the prac-
tical ideals of our Lord Jesus into in
dustry. If we are to help the social re-
adjustments of our age by introducing
the Christian spirit" into industry to
help aid in making the necessary social
and economic changes we must under
stand the Masters social program, or
His messages concerning the kingdom
of God.
There is a general agreement con-
corning the fact that Jesus came 70
seek and to save the lost.
There ought not to be so much diff
ference concerning His program to save
society. Too many see only the saliva
ton of souls and many have studied
His gospel of the Kingdom of God
without learning anything about His
message of hope for lost sinners. Flint
has pointed out that the germs of all
modern socialism can be found in the
Masters teachings. Attempts have
been made, as in the case of the
Soviet's program in Russia, that have
neglected the basis of His plans to save
society by the salvation of the individ-
ual. Jesus is seeking to save society to-
day by the redemption of individual
men. In changing the character of in
dividuals, He is planning to transform
society. He expects that every saved
soul will carry, through his redeemed
life and Christian efforts, the Christian
spirit not only into industry, but into
every form of mans activities.
The Law and the Prophets.
Jesus used the law and the prophets
as the source books of His teachings.
When we turn to the law and consider
the portions selected for our study this
week, we find in the first passage deal
ing with labor the sad story of the
suffering of the Jews, as slaves under
their Egyptian taskmaSterS. Pharaoh'S
plan to prevent the development of the
Jewish race called for the humble He
brew midwives to commit murder. They
refused to carry out the atrocity that
the Egyptian ruler commanded. Je-
hovah rewarded them for their love of
humanity that they demonstrated by
their refusal to destroy every male
born child at their birth. Upon every
! life born into the world the law teaches
us that God has placed a value that
religion and industry must consider in
their programs. When these Hebrew
! slaves become free we find Moses, the
| founder of their commonwealth pro-
vided protection for the wage earners
| by law. Both Jew and Gentle work.
ers had to be free from oppression and
because of thsir needs, as poor people,
! the employer had to pay them every
night the wages due for that day.
Amos, the shepherd prophet, fearless
| ly condemned the northern kingdom of
Israel and predicted its doom. He
pointed out that the strength of the
nation was being sapped by the iniquity
of the rich and the hard lot of the
poor. He was champion of the down.
| trodden and oppressed working people.
He sought a higher standard of living
for all and demanded in the name of
| justice that the workingman be given a
square deal. He prophesied the judg-
ment of God would be poured out upon
all who oppressed and dealt dis
| honestly with the ill-to-do. Zechariah
in the chapter of his prophecy that
pictured the coming golden age pointed
out the essential conditions for prosper
ity. He insisted that the people hao
something to do. He called for all tc
live lives of truth and justice, ceasing
from perjury and thoughts of evil
against each other. He insisted that
one must do an honest days work II
they expected to receive square treat
ment in return for their labor. In his
vision of the golden age he saw mer
living to a good old age and children
playing safely in the city streets.
The Gospels and the EpistIes.
We are asked to consider two para
bleS in the Gospels and saying O
John the Baptist Jesus has expressed
His program concerning life and In
duStry in one word, Love. If men de
sire to carry His spirit into the field
Of business, commerce and 1ndustr!
they will practice the Golden Rule. Nasl
and others have tested this practica
application of the Christian spirit int
their business. They found that !
worked. They had no failures, strike
; or business reverses.
, In the Masters parable of "The Vine
, yard Laborers," He taught us that W
should make the most of our opportu
mites to serve The laborers held tn
/ householder to his contract and he KEEP
it, paying what he had promised. Jesu
r taught us that God is always doin
3 what an exceptional employer of labo
3 frequently does at this season of tn
3 year-gives to his employees, whom h
j knows are in need, a present, while t
5 others there is given in recognition c