Our Industrial and Financial Situation [pp. 517-529]

522 OUR INDUSTRIAL AND [July,
the production of matenal objects. The labor of the author's
mind in producing a book which sells by the hun~lred thousand,
is more than that of the paper-makers, printers, binders, great
as that doubtless is. The publishers, clerks, and book-keepers,
too, are laborers in its production and circulation. The superintendent of manufactures and commerce, or the capitalist who puts his talent to good aiid productive use, who does
not stir a muscle, but so organizes and plans that all the
laborers under him are thrice effective; the lawyer, physician,
preacher, pastor, teacher, editor, all whose exertions promote
the security of property and person, the increase of intelligence,
the health and vigor of the body or the soul, are of all laborers
the most intense and effective, for they render all manual
labor more productive, and uplift and expand the soul itself,
the noblest end of all exertion under God himself, who is glorifled thereby. And hence it is often the highest economy of
labor to supply to the superintending minds and master-spirits,
that guide the labors of others to their highest achievements,
that subsidiary service of all kinds which enables them to concentrate their whole powers upon such instruction and guidance. To this end the heavy salaries and rewards often paid
such are the most economical of all outlays.
Now this labor since the Fall has something in itself of the
element of toil and sacrifice, the "sweat of the brow." It costs
something. It involves a pain or sacrifice which men prefer
not to undergo, if they can avoid it. They like play better
than work; they prefer the easy, uncontrolled, spontaneous
exercise of their faculties to that which is self-controlled, persistent, disciplined, at once tiresome and untiring till it accomplishes its end. Long practice may overcome this repugnance. It may make labor a second nature, and turn work
into play, so that the man will find it a spontaneity, a recreation, and all protracted leisure intolerable. But the natural
bent of men is unquestionably towards ease, idleness, or sport.
They are first induced to labor only by its rewards, otherwise
unattainable, just as those who abstain from spending their
earnings upon present indulgence are moved by the rewards
they~crave and hope from such abstinence. The verdict of
humanity accords with scripture, that the laborer is entitled to
the fruits of his industry, is "worthy of his hire," and that the