Oh Friends, it’s Monday! But a Monday with a difference! Happy Labour Day! We’re not going to sing the Monday Morning Battle Hymn due to lack of time and space, and I have to renege on my promise to continue talking about obeying God, because this was too auspicious an occasion not to say a few words. (smile) Luckily for some, today is a holiday in honour of our forefathers, who toiled long and hard for a mere pittance for so many years. But on April 15 1872, in good ole Toronto, a group of dedicated workers put on a ‘Workingman’s Demonstration’ to protest against the incarceration of some typographic union workers for advocating a nine hour workday. Being a union member then was still a criminal offence in Canada. Then, on September 3 1872, another workers demonstration was held in the nation’s capital of Ottawa. Later on that same year, those harsh criminal laws were repealed. Some ten years later, on September 5 1882, the first Labour Day march in the U.S. took place in New York City, based on what had been done in Canada. Thus began the annual celebration dedicated to the social and economic improvement and progress of the working man. And the ole fella took part in many of them over the years, partying heartily down the Eastern Parkway. Remember them days Friends! They certainly were good times. But it’s important to realize my people, that the process from degraded, menial worker with no rights or recognition, to a fairly worthwhile member of society, hasn’t all been wine and roses. In fact it’s been more like the sweat and blood that the Lord promised our forefather Adam, when He kicked him out of the Garden of Eden. ‘In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.’ (Gen.3:19) And that’s exactly how it has been since mankind began hiring out his labour for reward. Those with the economic and military might have controlled the labour market from day one, with harsh, greedy conditions, either through slavery, feudalism, indentured servants, or very, very low wages for much heart and back breaking labour. Living in hovels and slums was once the norm for the hired worker. And though the Lord in His wisdom decreed: ‘Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work,’ (Ex.20:9) many of the wicked wealthy forced their workers to work seven days straight without any days off. The coalmining industry in the U.S. during the early 20th century is an example of some of the most hideous atrocities that man has ever committed against supposedly free men. You might have been free physically, but once you went to work for them, they owned you lock stock and barrel by having to live in their shacks and purchase your foodstuff from their shops. Your life was also considered very expendable and consequently mine safety was not of much importance. Unfortunately, it’s still like that in many places of the world today, China is a good example. Until the birth of the Trade Union Movement, less than two hundred years ago, the ordinary worker had no rights whatsoever. He simply did what the owner decreed, for whatever wage, or was summarily fired. And don’t think the Trade Union Movement was built easily either; much murder and mayhem took place, and many innocent lives were lost to build the rights and privileges we enjoy today. And believe me Friends, in this current economic downturn, if we allow the greedy, heartless owners a chance, they’d revert to the old ways in a heartbeat, without a qualm. Such is their greed and lack of respect for the dignity and well-being of their fellow man. But Friends, work is essential; both for us to earn a living and to be fruitful for the Lord. That’s why Bruh Paul specified to the Ephesians: ‘I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel. Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto (provided for) my necessities, and to them that were with me.’ Though he went around preaching a lot, he still worked as a tent maker and did not depend on hand outs from anybody. (Acts 18:3) He said the same thing to the Thessalonians: ‘Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought (free of charge); but wrought (worked) with labour and travail (toil) night and day, that we might not be chargeable (a burden) to any of you. Not because we have not power (authority), but to make ourselves an example unto you to follow us.’ (2 Thess.3:8-9) The verse after our Bit is equally as important. ‘I have showed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ (Acts 20:35) On a point of interest, the scholars claim that this is the only quote attributed to Christ that’s not recorded in the Gospels. Oh Friends, the labour scene has been atrocious from the beginning of time, possibly the best example of man’s inhumanity to man making countless thousands mourn. But as life is won’t to do, the pendulum swung during the mid to late 20th century right to the workers side. The Trade Unions became powerful, with their own big bureaucracies and began making excessive demands on the providers of work. They also fought amongst themselves for power and members, while the owners seeing their cost of doing business rising and their profits receding due in large part to labour costs, began moving their money and production to cheaper sources of labour, where they could re-enact their old inhumane ways and reap enormous profits again. Now the unions have fallen into disrepute, with many no longer considering them useful. But Friends, we still need them, we still need an organization to fight for worker’s rights, because the day we loose the say over our lives, is the day the wealthy capitalists will revert to their old ways, taking serious advantage of their workers. Friends, we cannot allow this to happen, though sadly, some are already laying the groundwork in these hard economic times by downsizing and having one person do the work of two, plus the lack of full time hiring, just mainly part time, contractual positions, where they don’t have to pay benefits. And don’t forget the all powerful business lobbies who grease the wheels of government to get their views enacted into law. Today it’s all about the needs of business, not the ordinary man, except when it comes to taxing him more heavily on less income, while the greedy, incompetent supposed titans of industry screw up the world, but get richer doing it. My Friends, the world has never been fair, and probably never will be, but let’s remember that our God is a good God, and will always be. Those of us who are lucky to be gainfully employed this Labour day, let’s be thankful and do them competently, as unto God, not man. And as Bruh Paul says, let’s help those who don’t have. Again, as unto God not man, for all we do should be to please our Saviour, not man. But please, don’t ever give up the fight for your rights and dignity as a human being and a worker. It’s the difference in being a serf or a proud, free human, able to sell his labour to whom he desires for a decent wage. Enjoy the Labour Day celebrations, but don’t forget we’ll always have a fight on our hands to retain what we’ve so arduously won. Much LOVE!…let him that stole steal no more…but rather let him labour…working with his hands the thing whish is good…that he may have to give to him that needeth…(Eph.4:28)
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