Article June 23, 1923 Issue

Capital and Labor

JOHN R. BROWNE

Mankind seems often to be lost in the reign of controversy,—in the confusion of conflicting human beliefs and of many forms of human selfishness. These qualities of mortal thought are shown in the lack of accord often observed between capital and labor. Each side has contended, and still contends, that the other is endeavoring to dominate it for selfish purposes: and both sides, no doubt, have employed and, perhaps, still employ some worthy of some unworthy means to win their respective points. Yet, as points are won or compromises are made, it appears that the seed is sown wherefrom new crops of controversies take root, each succeeding crop seemingly being quite as full of the tares of discontent as those which have grown up before.

Many classes assert that they have remedies which will solve all industrial problems. Students of schools of economic thought advance numerous arguments to sustain their several theories. Legislative bodies have repeatedly enacted laws intended to be helpful. Commissions of various kinds have been created to regulate this or that business or industry, or to adjust conflicting claims arising out of economic and industrial relations. The labor unions resort to the strike method to coerce capital into submission to their demands; and capital in its turn organizes to compel labor to submit to its demands. So controversies go on continuously, with no final solution, and regardless of seeming consequences to the vast body of mankind not directly interested.

The lesson that must come from this medley of confused and contending thought is that it never will be healed or reformed on any human basis. It never will be settled by human wisdom. Mortal methods of solution have failed. Mankind must learn to look above itself, above its false beliefs, prejudices, and selfishness, for the remedy. It has been said that "man's extremity is God's opportunity." As human efforts and human wisdom fail to solve their problems, mortals must look to God and His wisdom for correct solutions. In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 275) Mrs. Eddy says: "All substance, intelligence, wisdom, being. immortality, cause, and effect belong to God. These are His attributes, the eternal manifestations of the infinite divine Principle, Love. No wisdom is wise but His wisdom; no truth is true, no love is lovely, no life is Life but the divine; no good is, but the good God bestows." Hence, the first steps necessary for progress out of the contending beliefs of mankind are to know, reflect, and demonstrate enough of God's wisdom and power to raise us above mortal modes of thinking. We never can do this by thinking humanly. We must learn to think divinely. Learning to know God as divine Principle enables us to demonstrate His wisdom in the solution of all problems.

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