p. 8 | A SIGNIFICANT EVENT by S.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Sep 10, 1902

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 28, No. 37.

A SIGNIFICANT EVENT.

By S.

It has frequently been pointed out in these columns that the increasing power of labor organizations, whose members are smarting under real or fancied wrongs, is bringing about a condition of things fraught with terrible consequences for the great hoarders of wealth; that a time was fast approaching when labor, with all the powerful accumulations of years of discontent and longing for a portion of the riches it has helped to produce, would strike at the capitalists of the world a powerful and staggering blow. Whether they will be able to capture and divide the spoils for whose possession that blow will be struck we do not know. It is certain that if they should accomplish their object, the period of possession would be short. In the first place, re-accumulation would begin, and the strenuous, scheming ones would soon possess again the portions of the weaker ones, while in the capture and distribution terrible scenes of bloodshed would be witnessed. In the second place, God’s Word tells us that when that condition does occur, Christ’s coming is at hand.

In view of this an action taken at the recent State Convention of the New Jersey Federation of Labor is full of significance. The action of the coal trusts in closing their mines, refusing to arbitrate differences with the miners, and then steadily advancing the price of coal, increasing their wealth while the miners existed as best they could,—all had combined to make this convention of the Federation of Labor one of unusual interest and spirit. So, “amid violent demonstrations of delight,” says the report, the federation passed unanimously resolutions calling upon the Federal Government to “confiscate the anthracite coal mines and operate them on public account.” Whether the convention would have the government compensate the companies for any part of the properties was not stated. It is sufficient that the demand for the confiscation of the properties was made. The Springfield Republican declares that this action “has an ominous ring;” and that “such a demonstration from representatives of a strong voting element in the State can not strike the coal corporations very favorably.” It is not to be expected that it would. It is a menace to their possession of their own property, from which they have reaped their millions, their prestige, and their luxury. But the demand will continue from time to time, and will become more frequent, more powerful, and more insistent; so much so that even if their wealth is not confiscated and dispersed, the conditions will be such that they will be in the most anxious perplexity. It is well described in the book of James, and the reason for it is also given there.

“Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. Behold, the hire of the laborers 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. Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts as in a day of slaughter. Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you. Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord.” James 5:1-7.

It is a terrible indictment which the Lord here brings against the money kings of this generation. There never was a time when money was being hoarded as it is to-day; never a time when men and women were spending so much money for costly raiment; never a time when there was so great dissatisfaction among laborers with the wages they receive, and so great a cry for a division of the wealth which their labor has produced; never a time when there was so much living in pleasure and wantonness. All these things are actually taking place to-day in direct fulfilment of the inspired Word. Therefore we are rapidly approaching that condition of things which will cause the “rich men” to “weep and howl” for what they see coming upon them; and the demand made by the New Jersey Federation of Labor for the confiscation of the anthracite coal properties is among the first muttering of the oncoming storm. We will hear more of it from day to day until it swells into a cry that will be heard and repeated around the world, causing the kings of finance to tremble for the safety of their lives and the security of their possessions.

We are not espousing the cause of either party, as against the other. We know there is wrong and oppression. But we see the conditions that are coming; and seeing them, we can not fail to warn the world. We are living in momentous times. We are privileged to see God’s Word fulfilling before our very eyes. We can not afford to sleep now.