The Bible Echo, vol. 14

June 15, 1899

“The Labour Struggle” The Bible Echo 14, 24.

E. J. Waggoner

The following is taken from a leading daily paper:- BEST June 15, 1899, par. 1

The Trust system in America has attained gigantic dimensions since the close of the Spanish-American war. So rapid has been its growth and so widespread its operation during the last year that a complete change has been brought about in the industrial system of the United States. Today in America all the chief industries of modern life, except farming and banking, are concentrated into the hands of fifty-four great combinations, controlling between them some three hundred and sixty-six million pounds of capital. Such enormous aggregations of wealth and the power that wealth brings in the hands of a few may seem to be a direct menace to labour all the world over. But the amalgamation of millionaire interests promote as nothing else can the real solidarity of labour. BEST June 15, 1899, par. 2

And when millionaire interests are consolidated, and the solidarity of labour secured, what will be the position? Each will form a powerful army, and there will be war to the death. “Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries: gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces.” Isaiah 8:9. BEST June 15, 1899, par. 3

The Scriptures recognise that there will be oppression of the poor by the rich in the last days. But the Lord judges the cause of the poor. In this is their only hope. “Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.” James 5:4. The Lord hates oppression, but when the labourers organise, that they may oppress their oppressors, they take their case out of the Lord’s hand. He cannot approve or support their course. BEST June 15, 1899, par. 4

“Shall men sit down tamely then under oppression?” If they commit their cause to God they may be quite sure that all that God can do for them will be done. “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord.” “For the Lord spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying, Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid. Sanctify the Lord of Hosts [the Lord of sabaoth] Himself; and let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread.” Isaiah 8:11 13. Labour organisations may have good objects, but they often work hardships on those whose interests they seek. There is only one Union which will never fail to secure its objects, and which will never work an injury to its members, its resources are sufficient for every struggle, and no applicant for membership is refused. “And the glory which Thou gavest Me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are One: I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be made perfect in one.” John 17:22, 23. BEST June 15, 1899, par. 5

E. J. WAGGONER.