A Trades’ Union we understand to be a number of men, of some particular trade, united together, or organized for the purpose of resisting oppression, or supposed oppression on the part of their employers, and for the purpose of conserving their own interests as members of the Union. Of these there are many different orders, as Printers’ Unions, Bricklayers’ Unions, Stone Cutters’ Unions, etc., etc.
There are also many orders of another kind, which may be called Benefit Societies, into which monies are paid by the members at stated times, with the understanding, that in case of sickness or death of a member, a certain benefit shall go to the sick one, or to the widow and family of the deceased member. Among these may be classed Free Masons, Odd Fellows, Woodmen, and the like.
These orders of both classes, are numerous, and differ in various respects; but they all have one common object, and they all agree in this, that the motive appealed to for joining them is one of self-interest. This self-interest is the principle by which they are governed from first to last, so that in a Trades’ Union not only do they seek to promote the interests of their own members, but in many cases they seek to exclude from the field of labor those who are not members. If a contractor has union men employed, and employs others, the union men refuse to work, and the contractor must either dismiss the non-members, or have his work suffer. This is mentioned only to show the motives which underlie the workings of these organizations: the motives are essentially selfish. The organization may have selfish motives to contend against in the employer; but even so, it is, after all, only selfishness in a struggle with selfishness, and this is not Christianity, even though Christians may be involved in the struggle.
It is not the purpose of the writer to take up the cause, on one side or the other, of those engaged in this struggle.
There may be wrong or right, on one side or on both sides, viewed from a worldly standpoint; but this is not the question. And, viewed from the same standpoint, there may be fairly good arguments presented both for and against the existence of such organizations; but neither is this the question. As to these things we have no contention at all; they belong to the world, and to those who are of it, and there we leave it. What is put forth in this paper is for Christians, with the desire that those to whom it is applicable may see what should be their attitude, as Christians, toward these various orders. And that the Christian may know what to do, it is essential that he should see what is the origin of these orders.
Need it be said that they are purely of the world? It is indeed within the sphere of Christendom they chiefly flourish, but this is no proof that they are of God. Their source cannot be found in Christianity, nor can one word be found in Scripture for their support. They may, with other human organizations, be referred to in the “bundles” of Matthew 13:3030Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. (Matthew 13:30); but, if so, it is only to show that they will come under the judgment of God: they are to be burned.
Another scripture shows us what will be the full development of the principle underlying these organizations. This will be manifested in him in whom man’s will, unrestrained, and energized by the tremendous power of Satan, will have its full embodiment — the man of sin, the willful king, the antichrist. “He cause th all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads; and that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the number of the beast, or the number of his name...” (Rev. 13:16-1816And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: 17And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. 18Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six. (Revelation 13:16‑18)). The principle is that of self-will using force, legally or otherwise, to further its own selfish interests and ends regardless of the feelings, or consciences, or welfare of others. This principle will be found largely operative in all these combinations of men, whether combined in the interests of capital or labor.
Can, then, a Christian hold membership in one of these organizations, without compromising the name of Christ by which he has been called? Surely the honest answer of every intelligent and truehearted Christian must be, No.
But while admitting that all these orders are of the world, and that membership in them places the Christian in a false position — a position in which he is uncomfortable, and unhappy, and hampered as to his Christian testimony — nevertheless, there may be not a few ready to ask what they are to do. They have spent, perhaps, the best part of of their lives in learning some trade, and they have their wives and families to support, and the time has come when, unless they join the Union, they will, without mercy and without appeal, be thrown out of employment; and they ask, “Must we refuse membership in the Union at such a cost? May we not hold membership, and, while remaining passive as to all the active operations of the society, simply pay our dues, in order that we may be permitted to pursue an honest trade, and thus support those dependent on us?” For such as have households dependent on them for daily bread, these are not mere idle questions; and they call for a serious answer, in a spirit, too, which knows how to enter into the trials of those for whom labor and money and bread are failing. To the meeting of these questions we desire to give ourselves in the fear of God, and as He may give help. The difficulties are admitted. And our desire is to encourage the Christian to take ground where he can meet them, and go through them, without weakening as to the maintenance of divine principles, or compromising the name of Christ.
In the first place, let it be remembered that, if membership in these orders is contrary to the Word of God, no amount of reasoning, nor plea of suffering, can ever make it right. And if it be admitted, as admitted it must be, that these orders are of the world, it must also be admitted that, for a Christian, membership in them is contrary to Scripture; for the blessed Lord, speaking to the Father about the disciples, says “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” (John 17:1616They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. (John 17:16)). Thus for a Christian to join one of these orders, would be to do exactly what the Lord prays the Father he might be kept from doing. Nor will refraining from active participation in the workings of the society relieve the difficulty; for, if a member, you pay for its support, and are in your measure responsible for its actings, to say nothing of being under an unequal yoke.
In the second place, we need to remember that suffering is part of the Christian’s heritage in this world. We need not seek it, but we may expect it. “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for My sake, the same shall save it.” “If any man come to Me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after Me, cannot be My disciple.” “So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be My disciple.” “If ye were of the world, the world would love its own; but because ye are not of the world,... therefore the world hateth you.” “In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (Luke 9:23-24; 14:26-27,3323And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. (Luke 9:23‑24)
26If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:26‑27)
33So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:33); John 15:19; 16:3319If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. (John 15:19)
33These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)).
These passages show not only that we may expect suffering in this world, but that for Christ’s sake we should also accept it. And the Scriptures show that the saints in early days did accept it, taking joyfully the spoiling of their goods, knowing that in heaven they had a better and an enduring substance (Heb. 10:32-3432But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; 33Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. 34For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. (Hebrews 10:32‑34)). Many, also, suffered unto death for the name of Christ. Even in Old Testament times, when far less light was enjoyed than we now have, they accepted suffering without question, for the testimony which they held. “They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented, (of whom the world was not worthy): they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth” (Heb. 11:37-3837They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 38(Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. (Hebrews 11:37‑38)). Ah! my tried and fainting brother, you have not come to this yet. You may have thought you saw hunger and want just at the door; but you have still been supplied, and have better than a sheepskin, or a goatskin for clothing, and better than a den or a cave for a home. Why then should you faint? “My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him; for whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth” (Heb. 12:5-65And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 6For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. (Hebrews 12:5‑6)). Every trial that God sends is sent in love, and has a purpose of blessing in it; and instead of despising the chastening, or fainting under the rebuke, we need to be exercised by it; so that it may yield “the peaceable fruit of righteousness,” and that we may be made “partakers of His holiness.”
If called, then, to suffer in being faithful to the Lord, is it not vastly better to accept it cheerfully and without hesitation, looking for His sustenance in it and His blessing through it? “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6-76Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6‑7)). We are not living in days, or, at least, in lands, where faithfulness to Christ is being tested by fire and sword. Those who for Christ’s sake, refuse to be members of some Trades’ Union, are neither burned nor beheaded. They may suffer inconvenience; they may be hindered from earning good wages; they may be tried in their circumstances; be it so, this is not yet resisting unto blood, striving against sin, and it should only cast the tried one upon God, whose faithfulness will not fail.
In the third place, God pledges Himself, in the most blessed way, to care for all who in faith refuse the unequal yoke. In this connection, special and earnest attention is invited to the last five verses of 2 Corinthians 6. “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? and what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel [or unbeliever]? and what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”
Every sentence in this scripture shows the utter inconsistency of Christians holding membership in these worldly Societies. By reasoning, and by command, God appeals to the Christian to be “separate,” and not to touch the “unclean thing.” The language is clear and unmistakable. God calls His people to be a separate people, as was said of Israel, “The people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations” (Num. 23:99For from the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him: lo, the people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations. (Numbers 23:9)).
But there is also the blessed encouragement to be separate: “I will receive you, and will be a FATHER unto you,” is the pledge the Lord gives. It is not here a question of how we enter into relationship with God. As Christians we are already His children. It is here being a Father to us; that is, acting a Father’s part to us. On condition that we keep ourselves separate, and touch not the unclean thing — a course which may involve trial and suffering — Jehovah Almighty pledges Himself that He will act the part of Father to us, and treat us as His sons and daughters. Yes, you may refuse to be a member of what would put you in touch with the unclean, and as a consequence you may be forced from a certain field of labor, and hunger and want may threaten you and your dear ones; but He has said, “I will receive you, and will be a father unto you.” And will He not, my brother, redeem His pledge? “He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” Has He not said, “Every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills”? Has He not said, “The world is Mine, and the fullness thereof”? Are not the silver and the gold His? and the wealth of the universe? Does He not love us with a measureless, endless love? And has He not power to carry out the dictates of His love? Ah! yes, He has given us abundant proof of all this; and why should we not trust Him? Why should we appeal to a selfish society governed by the god of this world, rather than leave ourselves in the hands, and under the care, of such a Father? He has not promised us wealth, or luxury, or ease in this world; but He does assure us He will be a Father to us in our need, and what is good for us He will surely give.
Be sure, dear fellow Christian, He will never fail. He cannot fail. He may allow you to be tested; He may allow you to suffer for Christ’s sake; He may allow you to feel your dependence; He may teach you that gain is not godliness; He may pass you through needed discipline; He may allow the poor earthen vessel to be broken, that Christ the Light of life may shine out; but He will never leave nor forsake you, and He will give strength for the day, and make you to know that underneath are the everlasting arms.
I would appeal, then, by the Word of God, to every dear Christian brother who may be tried by these questions, for the sake of Christ, for the sake of the truth, for the peace of his own conscience, and for his spiritual joy, to keep himself free — absolutely free from all these defiling links with the world, and to trust Him who forgets not even the sparrows, and who, numbering the very hairs of our heads, says, “Fear not therefore; ye are of more value than many sparrows” (Luke 12:6-76Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? 7But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. (Luke 12:6‑7)).