Psalm 128:1-6 Blessed is every one that fears the LORD; that walks in his ways.… Prevailing distress among the poor, calamitous conflicts between Labour and Capital, call for earnest thought, and wise and faithful utterance from the Church of Christ. Working-men claim their right "to secure the full enjoyment of the wealth they create," and they certainly have a right to a larger "share in the gains of advancing civilization." How is this to be realized? I. Not by Socialistic revolution and Communistic confiscation and redistribution. These methods are contrary alike to nature, reason, revelation and experience. II. Organization, bureau registration, co-operation, arbitration, legislation, etc., are largely empiric and artificial expedients, productive at best of only partial and superficial amendment. III. The Christian religion will secure whatever is good in the above, and, besides, will produce the only radical and permanent cure. 1. It teaches and realizes a Brotherhood of Humanity, embracing rich and poor, in which, it one member suffer, all suffer. 2. Its golden law strikes at the selfishness of the rich in refusing to consider the poor, secures the immediate relief of Christian philanthropy, and the permanent improvement of "things just and equal" (Colossians 4:1). "A fair day's work, etc., fair day's wage." 3. It gives best promise of regulating the labour-market by checking over-crowding in the easier callings, substituting conscientious choice and providential guidance for the unreasoning selfishness which makes time and means for pleasure the great consideration — e.g. City factory and sewing-room always crowded, farm and domestic service rarely if ever fully supplied. 4. It imparts dignity and self-respect through union and fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ, a brother mechanic, and the only perfect model of what the working-man may be and ought to be. Thus alone can he realize his ideal aristocracy of "industrial and moral worth," instead of wealth and birth. 5. It secures him the best of all help, Self-help, and puts him in the way of working out his own salvation. The fruition of such culture will be, from his own stock, trusty and efficient representatives who "shall stand before kings." 6. It will make his home the scene of highest comfort, purest and most stable domestic happiness and family welfare. (W. M. Roger.) Parallel Verses KJV: {A Song of degrees.} Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways.WEB: Blessed is everyone who fears Yahweh, who walks in his ways. |
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