A Christian Appeal by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Mar 11, 1903

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 29, No. 10.

A Christian Appeal.

By Editor

In another column will be found a facsimile appeal, somewhat reduced to adapt to our space, of the Dennett Restaurant people of this city. The matter is a local one, but the principles involved are world-wide and eternal. Upon their acceptance or rejection in this and a myriad other cases rests the weal or woe, the continuance or ruin of the republic. Surely, no unprejudiced person can find fault with Mr. Dennett’s appeal. It is American in the best sense of the word. It pleads for equal liberty to all and special privileges to none. It asks nothing which it is not willing to grant. It concedes to all the right and privilege of joining whatever organizations they may desire, but it pleads for the exercise of the equal right and privilege of refraining from joining any. That the restaurant company is not prejudiced is shown in the fact that its circular which it presents to the public is printed in a union printing office, and bears two union labels. The principles set forth in the circular to the public are Christian. Jesus Christ said, “If any man hear My words, and believe not, I judge him not; for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.” In other words, it is no principle of Christianity which condemns a man for pursuing a different course from what we believe to be right. The true Christian believes in letting his enemies, even, go on in the same path of liberty as himself. Against the opposite of this the circular in question pleads. We do not know Mr. Dennett, or any of his company or employees. We do not know his religious belief or to what denomination he belongs. We do not know as we could endorse his business principles, and we know nothing about the manner or appointments of his restaurant; but we do know that, under the Golden Rule uttered by Jesus Christ, he is entitled to the same liberty from the unions, from us, and from all classes, that the unions, ourselves, and all classes, would ask, if circumstances were reversed. Surely, are there not enough fair-minded men and women in the waiters’ union to see this? and is there not enough of true nobility of soul to grant it? If there are not, we truly hope that there are enough American men and women in Oakland who patronize restaurants to make Mr. Dennett’s business a success. And may God give him power to stand by his principles. Better to go to defeat with Truth, than to seem to win with Error.