Article November 21, 1901 Issue

The Laborer and his Hire

Dayton (O.) Herald

In almost every vocation, from the standpoint of justice and right, it is a recognized fact that "the laborer is worthy of his hire." The manufacturer, the merchant, the farmer do not expect men to come and labor for them for naught, neither do the laboring class of people expect to get their necessary supplies without giving proper recompense in return. This the employer and employe agree is just between man and man.

In case of illness or injury, when it is deemed wise to summon a physician, it is not expected that the doctor shall give his time helping humanity and not receive in return a just remuneration. By nature the physician may be a philanthropist, but this is no reason why he should not receive a recompense for his labor of love. The mass of the people are almost a unit on this point, and right it is.

If a body of people organize themselves into a church society, and call some one to officiate in the capacity of pastor, it is not just that this individual, while attending to pastoral duties, should live as a pauper and beggar, but the congregation whom he serves and to whom he ministers, should realize that he is entitled to a compensation, that he earns it as much as the mechanic or the merchant. Paul wrote to the Corinthians, "Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel." This recognition is becoming more universal, and well it should be, Jesus establishing such a precedent when he commissioned his disciples.

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