- What did we celebrate?
Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, laws and well-being of our country. This is promoted by the labor movement, or labor union as it’s now called, to celebrate the eight-hour workday, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours of rest. The labor unions during the 1700’s and early 1800’s tried with all their might to improve working conditions of the people, many who were children, working 10 to 12 hour days. The early labor unions were unsuccessful because often times the government supported the businesses instead of the workers because it increased the nation’s wealth. Because this was the time of the industrial revolution, it was cheaper to hire children than adults who required a higher wage rate. These children who were often seven years old worked 10 to 12 hour days in horrific work conditions. In the coal mines children would sort coal, and if they did not work fast enough they would be reprimanded with a stick. In the milling industry they found children could crawl under machines and retie a thread if one should break, thus providing them with the advantage of not shutting the machine down to be re-threaded. In the coal mines the dust would be so thick that light would barely penetrate it, and the dust from the thread and the mill-work would often cause respiratory problems for the children.
These children worked to help the family afford food and housing. They did not have to be coaxed to go to work or threatened to get out of bed. They never heard of an iPad, Xbox, television, or fast food. These children were happy to have shoes and a winter coat. Quite a contrast from children of today who have a tantrum in the store if their parents don’t buy them $100 tennis shoes or $60 jeans. When was the last time your child cleaned their room, washed the dishes, or mowed the lawn? Luckily the labor unions were more successful later in securing favorable working conditions, child labor laws, and reasonable workdays. Because of the union’s eventual success, we now celebrate a national holiday called Labor Day.
As parents we work hard to provide for our children, offering the best we can afford. Unfortunately sometimes we get those things we cannot afford which is something we each should rethink. It is very important for us to teach our children a good work ethic, to be responsible for the privileges and possessions they have been given, and to realize these are blessings that God has made possible through the work their parents do. Take a good look around your home and at your children, do they have any concept of how hard you work to provide for them? Do they take care and appreciate what you do for them? Do you require them to help in any way around the house? If the answer is no to any of these questions you are doing your children a great disservice. Celebrate Labor Day and all it means and what people went through to secure the celebration.
We as authors, fail to bring into the light the plight of the children of the 17oo’s and 1800’s. While it is true there were some spoiled and pampered children at the time, rule of thumb is, most were not. If we can shine a little light on teaching children of today how to appreciate the blessings of not just having the right to work, but the freedom to do so in this country, then we have done them a great service.
And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
Colossians 3:17, 23
The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute. The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat. In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.
Proverbs 12:24, 13:4, 14:23
For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.
II Thessalonians 3:10-13
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
Ecclesiastes 9:10
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Galatians 6:9