An Utter Inconsistency.
By Editor
In the quarrel between Dr. Mains, of the Methodist Book Concern, and the American Citizen, of Boston, we have no special interest. It is over the matter of the employment of Roman Catholics in the Concern, while Methodists go unemployed. But here is a matter of interest; it is stated that "their establishment is under the control of labor unions, and that in New York City union help is Roman Catholic help." But what could be more inconsistent than for a great religious and denominational publishing house to place the control of its printing in the hands of a secular union? It is the church putting its organic work under the control of the world. We have no objection to religious institutions giving employment to worldlings and aiding worldlings if it can consistently, but to place itself or any part of its work under the control of worldlings is utterly foreign to the mission of the church. What if the union refused to print a document which the religious corporation believed to be the Gospel? Who would be responsible? Of course the world, the worldly unions, do not see the incongruity of such a course. They do not know the true nature of religious work, and are blinded by self-interest. But what shall we say of a religious body which will willingly place itself under such control? But it is this same tendency which is actuating the churches to ask Congress and State Legislatures to enforce religious dogmas, and so fix or make creeds by statute law. It is the church trusting in the arm of flesh and being controlled by it.