THE CHURCHES AND THE "BED, FEDS."

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1909, 18 November 1913, Page 9

THE CHURCHES AND THE "BED, FEDS."

. Sir,--That the present strike calls for the serious .cons.id.eratio.n of everyone who can see a little farther than the immediate present is an . indisputable fact. It m-fllso a fact that any action, however. well intended, that tends to flbseuro tie real issue, and give hope and enGouragfement when there is none calls for the • severest condemnation. The facts causing the strike and everyday events since it began havo been so thoroughly rcntihffced in the Press of this city .that everyone must be conversant with them, and naturally has formed li.is or hei' opinion as to the relative position. One thing stands out, and that is the admission of the Labour men. themselves that the watersidcrs ■hrofce their agreement, 'and. the strike Was ill-advised, and a very regrettable occurrence. Since the commencement many things have occurred that arc, of course, open to argument . from both standpoints, but one of tho events that has caused this letter is the attitude of certain ministers of tlic churches. Let us consider the class of' men who are the loaders in this Fetleration of Labour movement, Tho leaders, mark yen! for I am thoroughly convinced that t'hero is fully 90 per cent, of thfj working men who are as good as any other member of the community, and who tho churches should cater for. Any attempt on. the part of ministers to improve their spiritual and material wcl> fare can only bo praiseworthy, hut I contend tlie attitude of tho ministers.

. while the present lawless, godless loaders are in control, can only work mischief in tho ranks of tho workers, and cause, dissension in the ranks of tho churches. I say tbeso men are godless, that is, judged by the Christian acceptance of the term, an;? tEo public ■can judge them ont of their' Own lips. Some two years ago, when tho Federation of Labour held a conference in Wellington, I went to listen to their speakers 011 a Sunday night. Messrs, ■ Webb, Semple, Howard, 'Eraser, and one.or two others were,the speakers. 1 think it- was Mr. Frascr Who used j words to this (.'tfect: —' 'History records tho fact'that about 2000' years' ago a. star appeared in the east. Certain alleged wise men crihie frofti Somo distance and reported that a child wis born. This child wfts named Jesus, tho Christ.! the Messiah, .the Jeffs were looking for, the One Who was to bo; tho ■ Emancipator of the World, lii ( this present day a How star has appeared, another child has bcea born, the Federation of Labour, we are tlio Christ I Wo are the Messiah I Wo are going to emancipate the people!" The arrogance of such a statement is truly amazing, but the blasphemy of it is awful. Yet these are tho men whn Mr. Brainsby is assisting. Do you wonder that laymen are'crying out against such actions of our religious'leaders? What do they care for Mr. Brainsby,' the Baptist Church, or .his religion? Let anyono who has a doubt on tho sub-ject-go to one of tTieir .Socialist meetings, arid see and hear ■ for himself. Why, they would use • Mr- Brainsby much as they would Use : a ladder hi climb a wall; and when tliov were at the top tliey_ would give the ladder a kick, to got it out of tho road. Fancy tiio, e 'Feds.*' a resolution that the action of the ministers would mean the bringing together of the workers and the churches!' It is almost enough to make a eat laugh. Let the ministers use their influence to get the men to appoint as their leaders me.ii who recognise the l»ws_ of 6od and man, and lot them do their utmost to improve their 'moral, material, and Spiritual conand they will have with them men who are iirin believers in the brotherhood of man, but who will not tolerate an alliance such as the above events would give rise to.—l am, etc,, LAYMAN.