THE TEN-HOUR SYSTEM by Jos. Clarke

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 10, 1867

THE TEN-HOUR SYSTEM.

By Jos. Clarke

AGRICOLA owns a large farm, and often hires laborers to till the same; and being desirous to excel in his business, and lay up for a rainy day, he has formerly been in the habit of exacting of his laborers as many hours of labor per day as he could, without actually driving them from his employ.

From early dawn till dewy eve, his laborers toiled on; and then, when it was practicable, a job was on hand in the barn or shop, so that his men often worked fourteen or fifteen hours daily.

The consequence of this course was seen in the ill feeling of the employed toward the employer; work badly performed; frequent changes of workmen; implements broken by carelessness; teams ruined by bad management; and all very trying to Agricola.

Neighbor Benevolus calling upon Agricola, and finding him greatly agitated about the loss of a very nice plough, which the team had just annihilated by conveying it too swiftly across a newly-cleared field, thus addressed him:

Friend Agricola, there is a cause for the loss of thy plough. The teamster whom thou hast employed, and entrusted with thy team and plough, is, if rightly treated, an expert ploughman, and faithful in caring for his team; but since he was in thine employ, he has become dull and neglectful from want of rest; so that he inclines to sleep in the day time; and thus while resting a moment, he fell asleep, unconsciously; and at this unfortunate moment, the team thou didst entrust him with became alarmed at the sudden flight of a flock of birds; and now blame not thy servant, who is already sufficiently ashamed; but blame thyself for thy great desire of gain, which has taken the sleep from those who need it most.

Allow me, friend Agricola, to advise thee, seeing I am the older man. Once I proceeded as thou hast done; but I found it a losing business. For many years past I have required of my men but ten hours’ labor daily. I find my laborers alert and ready, faithful and true, as a general thing; and they often continue in my employ for many years. My farming tools are cared for, my teams are kind and gentle, and my mind is at peace.

Neighbor Benevolus, responded Agricola, I had intended to inquire of you why it was you led so happy a life, and always seemed so prosperous. I will do as you have advised me. From this time forward my men shall not be overtasked.

Agricola was as good as his word. From that time he required but ten hours’ labor of his laborers daily. Quiet succeeded confusion, and good will increased between the employed and the employer. His ploughs were no more smashed by runaway horses, nor were his colts spoiled in breaking. All went on prosperously and profitably for all.

Let this illustration also set forth the advantages resulting from giving proper rest to the digestive organs.

The man who eats three meals daily, causes his digestive organs to labor on fifteen hours each day, thus producing a general mutiny in his whole physical system, ending in disease and premature decay.

The man who eats two meals per day makes peace with nature, by obeying her laws, and his physical system cheerfully runs its wonted course, and like an old and faithful and tried servant, will do its very best in your behalf, so cheerfully, so quietly, that you think it strange you ever had a pain or an ache.

JOS. CLARKE.