A DOUBTFUL PROPOSITION
By G.
A circular letter from H. P. Beck, 2080 Harrison Street, Chicago, Ill., proposes the formation of a union of Christian workmen, the membership to “consist exclusively of Christian men now members in good standing of some evangelical church.” The reason for such a union is thus stated:— “The Christian working men have been driven from their respective trades in pursuit of other men’s work, much to their disliking, until at this time it is almost impossible to secure the services of such men in the construction of buildings in the city. To be quoted as a non-union man is indeed an unpleasant thought to the workman; and on the other hand, the belonging to a labor organization as it now exists is no less a disgrace; their dissension and riot, their constant friction of union against union, the unjust demands of both of these upon those who would desire their services, who, in most instances, are men of their own type and household, do not only discourage the Christian, but form a barrier also to the industrious lad who would otherwise learn a trade. Under these circumstances, the boy, after serving a few years’ apprenticeship, on his return has contracted more bad habits than skill or merit in his trade, and in many instances is a wreck for life.” The truthfulness of the foregoing presentation will not be denied by any one at all conversant with the situation; but the proposed remedy is not so clear. Would the existence of a Christian union and a non-Christian union side by side be likely to lessen the “friction of union against union”? Would not a Christian union working in business rivalry with, and in antagonism to, a non-Christian union, have a tendency to antagonize members of the latter class of unions against Christianity itself? Christians can not afford to adopt the world’s methods in order to defend themselves against the world’s aggression, and in order to avoid the imaginary disgrace of being in non-union ranks—not of the world. The world is not favorable to Christianity; it never was, and never will be. Therefore its methods will not help the Christian. Union against the world for a spiritual warfare against sin and its influence is essential to Christian life and Christian work; but union on the world’s lines for pecuniary competition with the world is a different proposition. It is a line of operation on which Christianity can not hope to succeed, altho professed Christians may achieve a measure of temporal success in that way. “For tho we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh.” 2 Cor. 10:3. That is, we do not adopt the world’s mode of self-defense. G.