The Negro Laborer: A Word to Him
9781465649874
118 pages
Library of Alexandria
Overview
Nothing in the Holy Scriptures is more prominently set forth and persistently impressed than the duty of man to labor. In the quotations above made, it is clearly seen, That labor is ordained by God, and therefore dignified. There is nothing dishonorable about labor. The man who is ashamed to put his hand to any kind of work which will bring a support to his family, has the wrong idea of labor, and will soon or late come to poverty or the prison. None are exempt. All are commanded to work, and the idler is an enemy to the state, a burden upon society, and a dishonor to his God. That the labor of man is to be methodical—with an object in view, viz: building up the earth for pleasant abode of man, increasing both animal and vegetable life, and reducing wild nature—animal, aerial, mineral and plant life—to useful and comfortable forms for the children of men. This is a grand work! He is to be a constant builder! No where is he told to be destructive and cruel. But he must be fruitful, and multiply, replenish and subdue the things on and in the earth. The great God never gives a command to do without conferring the ability to do. The command is to every man, from the lowest to the highest—not to lawyers, doctors, philosophers and great men only, but to all men, and God has given every man the power of performing his part in this great work of multiplying, replenishing, subduing and making the earth more fruitful. And that great, wise and good God will hold each of you as much responsible for the exercise of your physical powers, your working powers, as for the exercise of your intellectual and moral capacities in the replenishing and subduing the earth. How many will make up your minds that you will go forth in the strength of heaven and endeavor to do your full duty in the great and grand work which God has given to man? That misdirected energy and inordinate ambition are displeasing to God, and will surely be punished by Him in His own time and way. The people who set about building the tower of Babel had been told by God to be fruitful, multiply, replenish and subdue the earth, and He gave them the power to do it. But they misapplied that power, and let their unholy ambition lead them in the wrong way. Hence God came down from heaven and scattered them abroad, thus setting his everlasting law against such folly: for bad ambition and power misspent are the same thing as destroying property, and God abominates such. Then it is our duty to see that our abilities are not only employed, but usefully employed, not only to our advantage, but not to the detriment or hurt of any other person. It is cruel and wicked to seek riches, or fame, or honor by destroying the property or the reputation of another person.
