Responsibilities of Employers and Workers in Moral Reform
By D. H. Lamson
Every employer knows the difference in the real worth of men engaged by him for labor. Between two individuals, there may be no perceptible difference in solidity of muscle or weight of brain. To the casual observer, their prospects for success would seem to be equal, yet the capacity and ability of the one may far exceed those of the other. One may possess qualities that, if applied, would render success certain, yet lack disposition to do; another may be well-disposed, but deficient in calculation. The one needs energy and force of character; the other, a mind to mark out the channel to be followed. There are comparatively few who, with will power strong enough, could not overcome most difficulties and apply themselves. Of course, those who possess capacity, ability, and will, accomplish everything but impossibilities. In the work of moral reform, how sadly such men are needed! A few years since, a friend of mine was in need of employment, to gain a support for himself and family. He went among a class of farmers who had made life a success, and, calling on the family of one to whom he had been referred, made known his wants. The man was not at home; but the lady wished him to stay until her husband's return. He did so; and, in the meantime, under the partial direction of the lady of the house, did the ordinary chores about the premises. The gentleman returned late, and was not a little gratified to find all in perfect order, a large stock well cared for, and nothing to do but to supply the needs of the team he had driven. Perhaps it is needless to say that he was in a happy temper. Upon inquiry, he said he wished to employ a hand, and, said he, “You are just the man I want.” The one wishing employment replied: “Perhaps you will not want me when I state the conditions under which I can perform service. I am a conscientious observer of the seventh-day Sabbath, and can work for you but five days in the week, unless you would allow me to work on Sundays.” “Well,” said the gentleman, after a moment’s thought, “it is something of a drawback; but I will give you work; for I know you will suit me.” An agreement was entered into, and work provided for every Sunday in the season. Being able to adapt himself to circumstances, he gave this man a place. There is many a good servant who would not be a good master, but there is no good master who does not, in his sphere, subserve to the interests of all the world. The man mentioned above, not only found employment, but, by his integrity to the faith he had espoused, was able to obtain and keep the esteem of his employer, although a man of the world. Suppose principle had been sacrificed in this case to what might have been made to appear a necessity. There might have appeared a present good; but his feelings would have become known sooner or later, and he have been made to bear the justly deserved contempt of men of judgment. “He that gathereth not with me,” says Christ, “scattereth abroad.” There is no half-way ground, and no man, however humble his sphere of action, is without influence either for good or evil. The pure life and consistent course of a man, little in his own eyes and comparatively unknown, will naturally arrest the attention of some one, it may be, in a sphere above him in the eyes of the world, who may also profit by his example, and carefully follow his practices. In the words of another, “God will not only hold us responsible for the evil we do, but for the good we might do and do not.” This being true, it is a fearful thing to live, i. e., great, exceeding great responsibilities are placed upon us. It is far more fearful to die with a mission unfulfilled. The moral acumen of some is not remarkable. A young man says, “I believe the seventh day is the Sabbath, and that there is a complete harmony in the whole Advent faith; yet I cannot well keep the Sabbath, nor accept the faith practically, as it will seriously interfere with my worldly prospects.” What a terrible mistake! Yet how many have, virtually, only this lame excuse. This man advocates the truth with his lips, yet denies it in his works, thus making his arguments quite as weak as his moral courage. Being a scholar, he might exert a strong influence for good; but, alas! he scattereth—his talent is hidden in the earth, and the Judgment approaches. Another man, in middle age, with a family on his hands, and engaged in quite an extensive business, being proprietor and operator of a saw-mill, employing a number of hands, comes into our Sabbath meeting, and, though he feels his affairs may be for a time disarranged, confesses the truth and lives it. With a diminished force, his mill is next day in motion, and from that time onward he has felt no inconvenience. The very men who left his employ soon seek their place again. The person last mentioned has a gathering influence. His words are weighty, and, as his practice corresponds with his faith, he commands respect. He is laying up treasure in Heaven, while the former, seeking worldly gain, is hastening to his ruin. “For to him that knoweth to do good and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” It is not seldom that persons are found who are willing to become conscience for others, taking upon themselves, as they say, the responsibility for their actions. Could such a transfer be made, it would perhaps do; but no such hope is held out in the word of God. In the Judgment, all will stand upon their own record. “For every man shall receive according to his works.” It is a saddening thought that many who would delight in an earnest Christian life are restrained, either by parental authority or other undue influences in the family relation. The day of God will reveal the fact that husbands and wives, parents and children, have worked hard, it may be unwittingly, to lose their own souls, because they have been stumbling-blocks in the way of others. It is no small sin to hinder any from following their honest convictions as to religious duty. There are some noble examples of sacrifice of personal feelings, when those under authority have been allowed to exercise private judgment in matters of conscience. God will respect such magnanimity as this, and it is what we would all desire for ourselves. Thousands of men have yet to learn the thoroughly unselfish lesson taught in what is so generally known as the golden rule. It cannot be denied that often in embracing what is known as present truth, no small amount of sacrificing is required. A friend writes: “We virtually sacrifice all our friends, do we not?” I answer, Those who have professed to be our friends may turn from us, and we thus lose their society. We need not, nay, we should not love them less, though they forsake us; but that friend whose esteem is lost because we follow a clearly marked line of duty is doubtfully a friend, to say the least, and hardly worth the keeping. If we seek for worldly honor, we can have it; its friendship is within our reach; but at what a terrible cost! “The friendship of the world is enmity with God.” “His hand will find out all his enemies.” He will “make them as a fiery oven in the time of his anger.” But to the “poor in spirit” is the precious promise of the kingdom of Heaven. “He that forsaketh not all that he hath, cannot be my disciple.” Dare we ask ourselves the question, What have we left behind us to follow Christ? Upon how many crosses by the way have we willingly fastened what were once dear, but forbidden, pleasures? Is it hard to believe what Jesus has said: “And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundred-fold, and shall inherit everlasting life”? To doubt, even, is sin, and “the wages of sin is death.” I have in my mind this evening two friends, young ladies, accomplished, and, in social position, no difference between them; yet in taking and feeling responsibility, what a contrast! They are one in sentiment—both outspoken for the truth indeed—but only one is faithful. One looks longingly back; the other hopefully ahead. One scatters, and results already appear; the other gathers with Christ, and, if faithful to the end, will be rewarded. It takes some courage to say, as one has tremblingly said, “Though my raiment be scanty and my feet shoeless, I cannot forsake this truth that I love, and I will not, God being my helper.” These words were wrung from a heart already suffering the keenest pain. Oh! tried, and tempted, and smitten ones, take courage. Coronation day is just ahead.39 If we suffer with Christ, we shall reign with him. A short time after the crown of thorns, there came to Jesus the seat at the Father’s right hand on the throne of the universe. To us is promised as joyful a transition. In the company of Jesus and the angels, and in the presence of the Father, all earthly sorrow will be forgotten; for his hand shall wipe away all tears. “Light afflictions” will cease to be remembered in an eternal weight of glory. Peaceful, happy, glorious day, begin. “But hush, my soul, nor dare repine;
The time my God appoints is best.
While here, to do his will be mine,
And his to fix my time of rest.” D. H. LAMSON.
Armada, Mich.