THE GOSPEL OF INDUSTRY by W. A. Alway

Oakland, California · May 10, 1899

FromThe Signs of the Times, Vol. 25, No. 19

THE GOSPEL OF INDUSTRY.

By W. A. Alway

THE Gospel of an earnest Christian industry, from a physical as well as a mental standpoint, is beginning to receive considerable attention as an important element in the education of the youth of to-day. It is being more clearly seen that no influence is so potent in the development of a courageous, well-balanced character as the infusion of a spirit of earnest physical labor, performed under the inspiration of a worshipful service to the Creator, who demands not only the loving service of mind and soul, but of the strength as well.

It is through the medium of an earnest physical service that the inspiration of the divine mind that works upon mind and soul is assimilated and becomes interwoven in the texture of human character. It is through this medium that love instead of selfishness becomes the actuating motive of the life, and human lives are most securely bound together.

The Industrial Christian Home, Ogden, Utah.—Front View.

May there not be a cause for the prevailing lack of parental respect and obedience that characterizes the childhood and youth of our present age? May not the secret lie in the fact that the parents of to-day do not lay down their lives and strength in the service of love, as they did in former days?

The Industrial Christian Home, Ogden, Utah.—Rear View.

The sound of the ax and the rhythmic music of the scythe are heard no more; they live only in poetry. The pegging hammer is silent; the card, spindle, and loom have all been left behind, or are seen only in the home of poverty; busy fingers ply no more the knitting needles of yore. There is no vision of a faithful mother toiling into the small hours of morning that she may have the coveted pleasure of laying the completed trousers and coat before her sleeping boy where his first conscious thought will be gladdened by this product of a mother's loving service. All this is gone, and now, while mother has so many social engagements of club and call, some servant-girl, who is considered good for nothing else, cooks the food, scrubs the floors, and does all this “awfully distasteful” work; and the unifying influence of a service of love is destroyed.

And then, to patch over this domestic rent, we hold before the children the self-developing fact that we carry, for their benefit, a heavy life-insurance policy. And as that seems to them the highest parental devotion, they naturally begin to count the gray hairs and note the faltering step that seem to give promise of the early realization of this prospective service.

These, with many other influences, have conspired to produce a class of dependent ones who, without courage or hope, are fast being driven to despair. Back of these are a multitude of children who, unless rescued by energetic effort, will soon swell the ranks of this parasitic army.

What shall be the help extended to these neglected ones? Shall it be the doling out of a paltry sum of money, or of clothing ready-made, or food already prepared, which serves only to crush out all lingering feelings of self-respect and independence, and confirm them in a course of vagrancy and pauperism? Is this all?—Certainly our responsibility does not end here. It is the gospel of industry that is needed to-day; the infusion of a spirit of heroic toil into the aimless life. It is the emancipation of labor, not from its tax upon bone, brain, and sinew, but from the contempt of drudgery with which it has so long been branded.

The mighty influence of diligent, helpful physical employment upon life and character must be emphasized by voice and pen; and not by precept only, but also by example.

Strong, earnest, intelligent hands must grasp the trailing banner of industry, and by sacrifice and toil raise it to its heaven-appointed place in the education and reformation of mankind.

Greed and mammon have well-nigh crushed life and love and hope out of common toil; it will take sacrifice and tears to win back the heritage.

It is with the hope of emphasizing these great principles of industry, economy, and temperance, as taught in the greatest of all books—the Bible—and especially of bringing the uplifting influence of these truths into close touch with the daily life of the neglected classes, that the Industrial Christian Home has been established in Ogden, Utah. The blessing of the Lord has attended the work of the home from the beginning. Almost all kinds of physical labor have been consecrated to its establishment.

Brother and Sister M. T. Johnson, of Minnesota, and Sister Libbie Bronwer, of Logan, Utah, were moved by the Spirit of the Lord to consecrate their services free of charge to the work of the institution, and the Lord will abundantly reward these faithful laborers.

The industrial departments of the home consist of a kindling-wood yard, shown in the rear view of building, carpet weaving, a sewing room, and a farm of twenty acres. The home also conducts a free employment agency. The institution has become known throughout the city as the center of practical aid for the poor, whether in the person of the homeless man or the deserted mother and children. The great need at present is means to equip the farm with agricultural implements, team, etc. If any of the readers of the SIGNS feel in sympathy with the purpose of the home, and would like to aid in a substantial way, we can assure them that any such aid will be most gratefully received and faithfully used.

Address all communications to M. T. Johnson, 260 Twenty-fourth Street, Ogden, Utah.

W. A. ALWAY.