The Outlook by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jun 24, 1897

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 23, No. 24.

The Outlook

By Editor

"I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will look forth to see what He will speak with me."

LABOR-SAVING MACHINERY.

WHILE much of the machinery invented in these last days is considered to be of wonderful benefit, and man having used it would not like to dispense with it, yet it seems to us that its curse has been greater than its blessing, used as it is by capital and trusts. Its present use makes man a part of the machine, and takes away his independence. A workman rarely learns a whole trade now. He is forced to be part of a great factory machine, to which part is attached the proper number. There is truth in what Bishop Potter said in a recent address, with reference to the use of machinery:—

"It is doing away with intelligence in labor. It is turning the laboring man into a simple idiot. Not long ago I visited a large factory in this State, and was much impressed with what I saw. The owner proudly showed me around, pointing out the manner in which labor was simplified. I saw a young man sitting before some sort of a large hammer. He sat with his legs crossed, and all his work consisted in shoving into an opening in the machinery a small piece of iron. He would turn the metal two or three times, throw it into a large box, and take another piece. That was this man's work day after day, week after week. No wonder that at night-time he drank, gambled, and fought. He had to; otherwise he would go mad. How many of us would stand this and not cry out? Not one of us but would become a striker, myself among the first."

One of the great evils of the introduction of labor-saving machinery is the artificial, unnatural social life which it creates and fosters. The little home, the little shop, the individual tradesman, are all gone; the great corporations have swallowed them up. But is the world better or happier? And yet we do not believe that it is necessary to drink or gamble or fight or strike under present circumstances. The power of Christ is sufficient to keep men; and the admonition of the Spirit in these days of inequality and abnormal conditions is, "Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord." James 5:7.