AT the late convention of the Knights of Labor, a representative of the Christian Union "talked with those who seemed to be the thinkers of the movement" in regard to the goal which the labor organizations have in view. The following conversation with one who "had the manner of a sober, sincere, practical thinker," he says shows the "conscious goal," "in the majority of cases, among the real thinkers." Thus says the Union:—
"After we had talked a while, I said to him: At the present time labor receives about fifty-five per cent. of the product of industry. You intend to organize so that you may receive sixty-five. Will you then think that that is a 'just proportion of the product'? He hesitated for a moment, and then said, 'No.' I then asked him, What would you consider a 'just proportion'? After a moment's hesitation, he said frankly: 'If labor produces it all, I do not see why it should not receive it all.'"
But if labor receives all the product of labor, then there can be no employers; and if there be no employers, what then will the unemployed laboring man do? Such a scheme is sheer socialism, and that can only end in anarchy. This may be a conscious goal, but it seems to us a very queer one.
The Union representative then asks, "Will it in fifty years be avowed by the entire organization?" If in fifty months it is not avowed by the entire organization, we shall with pleasure confess ourselves mistaken.
Camp-Meetings for 1886.
INDIANA, Worthington, Green Co.,........Aug. 3-10
VIRGINIA Harrisonburg,....................“ 3-10
ARKANSAS, Springdale,....................“ 4-10
CALIFORNIA, Eureka, Humboldt Co.....“ 4-12
TEXAS, Midlothian,..........................“ 10-17
VERMONT Vergennes,.......................“ 10-17
NEVADA,........................................Aug. 31 to Sept. 8
CALIFORNIA, Woodland, State meeting—
Sept. 22 to Oct. 5
CALIFORNIA, Los Angeles Co..............Oct. 14-25
CALIFORNIA, Santa Barbara Co...........Nov. 4-11
The Brewery Boycott
By Editor
WE learn that a boycott has been placed on a prominent New York brewery. At first thought this may seem to be akin to suicide on the part of the boycotters, but the matter is explained when we remember that there are plenty more breweries in the city. Boycotters do many foolish things, but they never will entirely cut off the source of inspiration for their work.
The One True Zion
By Editor
THE clerk of a Baptist Church in this State closes as follows the report of the ordination of a young man who is to be a missionary: "It is a source of joy to this Zion that from our ranks go forth this noble young man and his devoted wife as missionaries," etc. This leads us to inquire how many Zions there are, and where they are located. The Bible recognizes but one. The psalmist, in describing the coming of Christ to Judgment, says: "Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined." Ps. 50:2. But we take it that our friend had no reference to this one, true Zion. The use of the terms "this Zion," and "our Zion," with reference to a local church or a sect, is an illustration of the frequency with which religious people use words without any idea of their meaning.
God’s Blessing Leads to Repentance
SAYS the apostle Peter: "God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities." Acts 3:26. This is the end and the sum of all blessings. The goodness of God, whether manifested in temporal blessings or in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, is to lead us to repentance. The test of whether or not a man has received a blessing, is his after life. If a man claims to have received a blessing from God, and is afterward no stronger to resist evil than he was before, it is certain that he was mistaken in supposing that he received a blessing, or else that he lost it through lack of appreciation of it. God does not bless us in order that we may feel happy, neither does his blessing consist in simple good feeling. But we are blessed whenever we have such a sense of God's goodness that we are enabled to better fight the battle of life. A turning away from iniquity is the evidence that one has received and held the blessing of God.
The Signs of the Times.
By Editor
OAKLAND, CAL., FIFTH-DAY, JULY 8, 1886.
Papers Sent Only With Payment
By Editor
We send no papers from this office without pay in advance, unless by special arrangement. When persons receive copies without ordering them, they are sent by other parties, and we can give no information in regard to them. Persons thus receiving copies of the SIGNS are not indebted to the office, and will not be called upon for pay. Please read the papers and hand them to your friends to read.
Remember the Sabbath Day
"REMEMBER the Sabbath day to keep it holy."
Hebrew and Christian.
By Editor
A NEW book, which we see is very highly commended by the religious press, is entitled, "Scriptures, Hebrew and Christian. Arranged and edited for Young Readers." No doubt the book is a valuable one, but we are sorry to see that no one thus far has objected to the (perhaps unintentional) slight placed by the title upon the Old Testament. The term, "Hebrew and Christian Scriptures," applied to the Old and the New Testament, tends to strengthen the already too prevalent idea that the Old Testament is not for Christians,—that it is to be studied, if studied at all, merely as ancient history, and not as something which contains doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness. This is a grave error.
The Old Testament is very properly termed the "Hebrew Scriptures," if reference is had only to the language in which it was written. In that case, however, the New Testament should be termed the "Greek Scriptures," since it was written in Greek. But "Hebrew" Scriptures cannot with any propriety be used in contrast with "Christian" Scriptures. If the New Testament is the Christian Scriptures because it contains the life of Christ, then the Old Testament writings are equally entitled to that appellation; for, says Christ, "They are they which testify of me." John 5:39. Paul, who had no Bible but the Old Testament, declared that he had said "none other things than those which Moses and the prophets did say should come; that Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should show light unto the people, and to the Gentiles." Acts 26:22, 23. And so thoroughly Christian are the Old Testament writings that Peter, speaking of Christ's work from the beginning of his ministry till his second advent, said: "Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days." Acts 3:24. Let us take heed that we be not carried by the popular drift away from the old landmarks, but let us, with the New, search also the Old Testament Scriptures, which are able to make us wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus.