Labor-Its Import by E. C. Jager

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 6, 1908

Labor—Its Import

By E. C. Jager

(Concluded)

To-day many hold the same opinion regarding toil as did the ancients, although not in so marked a form. “Young men are anxious to become teachers, clerks, merchants, physicians, lawyers, or to occupy some other position that does not require physical toil. Young women shun housework and seek education in other lines. These need to learn that no man or woman is degraded by honest toil. That which degrades is idleness and selfish dependence. Idleness fosters self-indulgence, and the result is a life empty and barren,—a field inviting the growth of every evil.”

The success of most of our great and noble men is to be attributed to the fact that they possessed a knowledge of practical things, and had, at some period of their lives, been craftsmen. The apostle Paul, so successful in his ministry, was a man of this type. “When not actively engaged in preaching, he labored at his trade as tent-maker. This he was obliged to do on account of accepting unpopular truth. Before he embraced Christianity, he had occupied an elevated position, and was not dependent on his labor for support. Among the Jews it was customary to teach the children some trade, however high the position they were expected to fill, that a reverse of circumstances might not leave them incapable of sustaining themselves. In accordance with this custom, Paul was a tent-maker, and when his means had been expended to advance the cause of Christ and for his own support, he resorted to his trade in order to gain a livelihood.

“No man ever lived who was a more earnest, energetic, and self-sacrificing disciple of Christ than was Paul. He was one of the world's greatest teachers. He crossed the seas, and traveled far and near, until a large portion of the world had learned from his lips the story of the cross of Christ. He possessed a burning desire to bring perishing man to a knowledge of the truth through a Saviour's love. His soul was wrapped up in the work of the ministry, and it was with feelings of pain that he seated himself to the drudgery of the craftsman that he might not be burdensome to the churches that were pressed with poverty. Although he had planted many churches, he refused to be supported by them, fearing that his usefulness and success as a minister of the gospel might be interfered with by suspicions of his motives. He would remove all occasion for his enemies to misrepresent him, and thus detract from the force of his message. “Paul appeals to his Corinthian brethren to understand that, as a laborer in the gospel, he might claim his support, that instead of maintaining himself; but this right he was willing to forego, fearing that the acceptance of means for his support might possibly stand in the way of his usefulness. Although feeble in health, he labored during the day serving the cause of Christ, and then toiled a large share of the night that he might make provision for his own and others' necessities. The apostle would also give an example to his brethren, thus dignifying and honoring industry.”

The worker who labors as Paul did, putting his whole heart into his work, will be a blessing anywhere, and will preserve self-respect and win the respect of others. Instead of being a slave of labor, he will be the master of it, and will take pleasure in performing it. He will have the satisfaction which comes from faithful and efficient service.

The great educators of this country and Europe have long recognized the good of manual training, and have nobly endeavored to place in our schools systematized courses in manual art. They have been rewarded for their efforts by seeing in the last few years school after school providing workshops and tools for the boys and girls, that their talents in mechanical lines might be developed. The teachers in these schools found that the training affords valuable discipline, and also provides facilities for physical development. Many a boy, bent on leaving school because he was tired of his algebra and Latin, took new delight in his studies after the manual-training course was introduced. The old idea that education consists of knowing a great many facts, whether or not these are of value in active life, is gone, and in place of this we have the higher and truer ideal—the harmonious development of the mental, physical, and spiritual powers.

E. C. JAGER.