The Rebel (Hallettsville, Tex.), Vol. [4], No. 194, Ed. 1 Saturday, April 10, 1915 Page: 3 of 4
four pages : ill. ; page 20 x 14 in. Digitized from 35 mm. microfilm.View a full description of this newspaper.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
•.. Sermon.
"
life
uai
A
March 28th, 1915
Subject: The Class Struggle.
Te*t: Tkf Bible," Kile, to Kiver''
JSvery society that man has for-
med since the beginning of time
*M been baaed on the claw strug-
4f*e- P trician and plebe, Lord
*nd serf, freeman and «Uve; aP
ways oppressor and oppressed.
The Bible teaches, "Kiver to Ki-
ver", that this class struggle must
eeaae if we would 1* "pleasing to
the Lord." The socialist teaches
this; the average preacher and
priest, fails to preach it. The so-
cialist knows that it can be elimin-
ated only by the class-conscious
workers; the average priest, or
preacher, like his prototype the
lawyer, does not. Many times
their lack of sight is through utter
inability, by reason of their "eco-
nomic-determinism." Prov. 23 7.
Is. 44:20. JJech. 7:9-12. Mat. 6:24.
Lu. 10:25-37; 11:46; 12:34. 1
Cor. 6:1-8; 13:2-3.
Inasmuch as none of you have,
as requested, sent in any quota-
tions showing me where to find a
kindly word in the scriptures for
the rich man and idler, or harsh
word for the worker, I might be
justified in Concluding that none
can be found. But unlike lawyers
we care nothing for judgment by
default; if judgment is ours we
want it full, free, honest and
truthful; on the actual, merits of
the case. Hence, it follows, I must
have expressed myself poorly. Try
this: Ask your preacher, or priest,
give you all statements found in
s Bible wherein the rich man
and idler is well spoken of, or the
working daqs is given harsh words
that you May /send them to a poor
finner—for such I know I am—
that his soul may be saved from
error. Insist on this information
from your priest, or preacher, for
your oWn will have a kindly desire
to teach you the scriptures correct-
ly for Prov. 24:17-18. Because
he is your "Shepherd", and 2
umbers 27:16-17. 1 Kg. 22:17.
Chr. 18:16. Mat. 9:36. Mk.
6:34-42, he will be forced to an-
swer you, unless Is. 56:11. Jer.
50:6. Mic. 3:11. Bz. 34:1-10.
Write down the quotations that
your preacher, or priest, may give
you, and 8ee if a postal card will
not still hold them all. Before you
leave him get hiip to read Is. 1:3.
1 Kg. 22:22, if he will.
I may be'ih error in Riving you
so many references when your
"Text" is already so long, but we
just MUST get this class-struggle
clear in our mind. We MUST
learn which class the Bible is with.
We dislike to take mere human
words for this; we want GOD'S
word, The BIBLE. But if — Jer.
5:13, we must 2 Tim. 2:15-16., so
here goes. Prov. 26 :25. Jer. 29:13.
Lamv 3:40. John 5:39. Acts 17:11.
Pj. 119:99. Is. 30:20-21. Hab. 2:
18. Rom. 2:21/1 Cor. 13:12. 1
im. 1:5-7. Jer. 13-14, 6:13. Ez.
14:10-11. 22:25-26. IIos. 9:7-8.
Zeph. 3:4. Mat. 24:4. Lu. 6:20.
Acts. 20:29. 2 Cor. 11:13-15. Acts
4:32-37.
j l both
>he p
pty
Comrades, I commenced this
sermon with a different intention.
Pour separate instances, bearing
on the clang struggle, have been
brought to mind recently. These
were exact happenings, in real life.
Pour exceptionally honest and
well informed men — all anti-so-
cialist — had shown the weight of
both heredity and environment, as
great-reason for their present
pflyjical views. All four of them
are as clean-minded rts men can
well be, who are master-class. I
had intended writing of those four
incidents. Before I realize it, I was
well into the body of the above re-
ferences. Taking a "breathing
spell" for a moment, I looked over
what I had written and mw its
usetanness for the purpose intend-
ed. Re-reading it, I s w at once
that it was utterly worthless for
that purpose and I did not feel
equal to doing more work and de-
cided to ''sleep over it,"
'"When Comrades Hickey and
Meitzen disagree over any idea or
expression — "strike a snag" —
they 'generally "deep over it."
This Ifloes not necessarilly mean
they go to bed. T. A. generally
out in the backyard and puts
is «9Mws on the fence, or goes up
U the Owujt" House square and
tand&jftkeje-wan. without friends,
"Heavens",
to sonje otb-
Or, he may bury
wspapcj- and
Tom 'comes
d! They have
Nam
they get down
to their work without a hitch on
this great religious paper, for
«4:4 "quench not the
Spirit". 1 Thes 5:19
But wb«' | retired jeep refus-
ed to come to my eyes. The more
I ««w the useleasuieNs of my copy
for the intended purpose, the more
clearly there came to me the his-
tory of the church and its perse-
cutions of all prophets who taught
an advanced idea of Ood! Clearer
,nd clearer there rolled before my
eys. the inability 0f the "Priests"
(both Roman and Protestant) to
K^p pace with the progress of
thetr age; all the fearful and
neath-caling enmities they have
engendered; all the |H?rsecutions
and poverties they have premed-
itated when they could have pre-
vented. But, 1 determined to des-
troy the copy and go back to my
first intention : Life Occurrences.
All the morning I worked at oth-
er things and went to the office in
the afternoon fully decided that
the Comrades would not look up
the references furnished and, as
a consequence, the copy was worth-
less and should be destroyed. The
overpowering "hunch" in this in-
tending was, the fear that the
Comrades would not look up the
references furnished. That they
would not "search the Sript-
ures.". This was the great element
of doubt; it has been ever since
the time, long since, when the five
minute sermons were first begun,
and especially pince the beginning
over again. Would they, could
they; be depended on to use their
own initiative sufficient to, at
^■ast, take their 'Bibles and —
Matt. 1{}:14-15. Mk. 4 :11-12. Acts.
28:26-28. And so I wobbled along
in the "darkness" and had de-
termined to destroy this. But the
"hunch" was strong the other
Way. As the psychic claims, there
seemed a "psychology" on the
line, and this copy sccined to be a
nort of "S. O. 6." call.
On opening the mail after din-
ner the first letter was one from
Comrade C. W. Shepherd of
Greenville. He mentioned having
looked up every reference in last
week's sermon and what he
thought of them; the effect it
should have on every preacher, or
priest, if they could be prevailed
on to read them. HERE WAS A
LITERAL ANSWER TO MY
FEARS (?), and that settled the
whole thing (Lu. 21:14-15; 'the
"hunch" was 0. K.; the "psy-
chology" was waiting;the "sleep"
was over; "thug saith the Lord"
John 3:8.
Our share of the work is over; it
is now up to YOU!
Prom one end of this country to
the other, Socialism has been
damned by all kinds of people.
The master-class has hidden its
economic-determinism beneath all
kinds of skirts, but the most ef-
fective has ^ee'1 the skirt of the
church, which the Bible teaches
should always be a source of sol-
ace to the worn and weary work-
ers. It has been heralded broadcast
(instigated by the idle rich and
the possessors of useless occupa-
tions) that Socialism opposes the
church. A more contemptible lie
was never told in any age, and if
church people would read even the
"Communist Manifesto", they
would know better. They, as al-
ways, refuse to investigate; and
for this, and other, i-easons, (just
as the idle rich. ct$ the church
has opposed Socialism. It is "up
to us" to prove otherwise and wfe
have been negligent in not doing
so, long ago. Therefore, Comrades,
CHARGE THE CHURCH!
Let every Comrade who is a
member of any church go to his
preacher or priest, and aRk that he
read with him, the quotations in
this sermon. Insist on his reading
aloud*to you, every Scripture re-
ferred to. Then ask him to sup-
port the Word of God as those
Scriptureg show it to be. If you
have last week's sermon, take it
along and have those references
read also. Don't be rude or rough.
You will find that many of them
will open their eyeff in wrprise at
what they see (if they read it to
yon) and many of them will grasp
your hand and tell you that they
are glad that you are waking up to
a realization of the fact that you
need the church in your work.
They will all (who read to you)
probably ask, what you expect
such as Rockefeller, Morgan, Bel
mont. Long,Gary. Perkins and the
like in the National field (Matt.
18:16-7), and that the same be
done all along the line dowyn to
Perguaou, Kirby, Slsughte> and
th« horde of Texas exploiters that
have enslaved and degraded the
people with ease, beeause, able to
sit in the councils 0f the "God-
.1)0 not forget to bring to' his
mint! that many of these men have
developed into what they are be-
cause the priests, and preachers,
have failed to teach them (Gen.
1:26-28). They have allowed them
to grow up under their very eyes
and never taught them (Jer. 3:23-
25) or it might have been other-
wise. Don't rant and row; merely
talk with your "man of God" as
you would with any other man
whom you discussed the serious
problems of the day with. If vou
can prevail on your preacher, or
priest, to start a series of ser-
mons along this line, the chances
are that many of the veriest of
these exploiters may change their
ways. The failure to properly
teaeh 1 Pet. 2:1-3 has ruined many
of them permanently, but proper
teaching may yet bring them to
the beauties and promises of Acts
26:18.
If he refuses to read; or read-
ing, refuses to preach? Take an-
other "brother" with you (.las.
5:14) and ask him again. Should
he again refuse, ask if lie will read
when alone and discuss it with you
later. He urgent, for the times are"
full of Portent. "The time is at
hand", Rev. 1:3. Men, women
and children, regardless of Gen.
1,27-29, arp not only hungry, but
mSmlly st'ifring (regardless of Is.
55:1') in a land that has produced
more than it could possibly con-
sume. And starving is among the
very workers who produced the
abundance. Under such conditions,
this is no time for quibbling.
The preacher has posed as a
man of God. He may be, but Je-
sus tell8 you how to judge him by-
Matt. 12:34-35; Lu. 6:44-45 If
tie is hoivst it seems from these
scriptures he should come with
you. If he is not honest enough to
DO the Word of God, expose him
to the world. These men have po-
sed as your fricnd8 and shepherd ;
if they arc let them prove, if they
are not let them prove it. Have
him read what Jesus said about
their kind and yours in Mat. 2:5:
3-5
The church has the power to
"throw" any election ever held in
this country. They have opposed
your political faith, which is iden.
tical with their Hible, at every
turn; officially and unofficially.
Now make them come out in tin-
open and make them either es-
pouse your political faith or show
they are no longer worthy to tca<4i
you the scriptures. If the preacher
refuses after your second plea,
send us his name, denomination,
address and an outline of what In-
said. We will, at least, "sleep"
over it.
If any reader is not a church
member and would not cure to ;:■>
to a priest, or preacher, himself,
let him ask some Comrade, or
friend, who is a church member to
read the Scriptures with him
When he has done so, asl: th •
friend to take the matter up with
his preacher, or priest, and get a
report in tbat way. The GREAT
thing is PUBLICITY. Howl,
loud and long. Howl, continually
and continuously. He like Job.
Howl, chordant or dischordant;
MAKE A NOISE. Oct busy.
Comrades, the day is here for a
"showdown" on the Word of the
Lord! Remember Lu. 18:5 and
follow the example and keep the
good work going.
If any of these saintly (7) men
of God (mind you this is regard-
less of creed) suggest the custo-
mary "let ns pray", have them
read, 1 Kg. 18:29; 2 Kg. 4:33:
Ecc. 5:2; Matt. 6:6-8, to see what
God thinks of it, iu both old and
new testament. If he still wants
to pray let him say the only pray-
er Jesus authorized, or taiught,
HIS disciples to pray Mat. 6:9-13.
When he finishes that prayer, de-
mand that he preach what he has
prayed; for the Kingdom to come
—not be given us after we die;
for daily bread, not bread after
otyr digestive apparatus is perma-
them to do? If this happens, Inga, mently disabled by death.
up to last, week's Scriptures
ask; for Matt. 7:7, L. 11:9,
mnd that they preach from tbfeir
pulpits "The Word of the Laird"
they have just read and you" must
never take 'no' for an aaswer.
Insist on his armipg Mfrh- 6:11-
13 and that when fce %* done so,
he preach the saml Gospel to the
rich and poor that Jesus preached;
that he demand the immediate
withdrawal of the church from
Another thing, don't eoncedc
for a moment that he knows any
more about prayer than Jesus did,
or can improve on what Jesus
taught about prayer. And remem-
ber. when Jesus prayed he made a
srteak-off by himself; when he had
had his "Sleep", he came back
and business picked up again; the
hungry were fed and the "Scri-
bes and Pharisees" (lawyers and
preachers) were excoriated *> bad-
ly that they finally murdered th<-
One Great God-Comrade, the
first sacrifice to the International
"Movement.".
Last, but not lesst. try to get
your local papwrg interested in
these Scriptures. Most of the own-
ers in town, are your ueighhors
and friends. In the larger cities
there is little chance. The dailicw
are (mostly) profit-making ma-
chines. and gold, not God. occupies
the most space. Try them, how-
ever, for we must not forget Is.
29:13-24 and Ps. 77:14. from
which comes the saying, "While
yet the lamp holds out to burn"
etc. Do not get angry if the smal-
ler pajH-rs say they have not space.
They may not have it.
You will note that Hickey and
Meitren did not have room for this
last week, but were preaching
God's will in another way. But
you may prevail on them to carry
a portion of the references, even i!'
they can do no more. You will ac-
complish a vast. kood if you can
merely get the preachers to lo- k
up the references; remembering
Job 32 :8.
For fear all thi8 "hunch",
"sleep", ''intuition", or whatev-
er you may individually call it,
may prove too Strong for some
Comrade, you should bear in mind
that in every instance where the
church has progressed heretofore,
it has been a preacher who has
done the Trading. Luther, Knox.
Wesley, Calvin, Campbell, every
step of the progress of the church
has been though the leadership of
the preachers. Sec the Icachinys
of the church today. Its silence
where it used to blazcu from the
housetops and from the thrones of
Kings, is as enlightening as its
former tidings.
Take either its teachings or its
silence, and it iH as far in advance
of 100 years ago as a motor driven
gang plow is above the old forked
stick. Every mite of this progresA
has been made by the leadership
of the preacher, or priest. It mat-
ters not that they were far in the
rear of the people of that day;
tile great thing is that the hides
and the lives of priest8 and prea-
chers paved the way, wlu-n the
church did finally move.
It is time now that the people
started the forward movement of
the church. It is an easy time al-
so, for the people have not much
hide left for them to lose. Get
next to the preachers. Many of
them have already seen the light
and are anxious to move. They
look around and see men d< prived
of the opportunity to care for
their families because of their po-
liti^l beliefs; they look around
and wonder what will become of
their familieg should they make a
declaration for a forward move-
ment of the church.
On cvefy hand tin y sec the ma-
chine robbing men of work because
individuals have them operated
when they wish and idle when
tiny wish. They see the workers
standing idle and destitute in
want of the product of the very
machines their own hands made.
They see millions idle when So-
ciety's work is not half done. If
the workers are unwilling to care
for themselves and their own fam-
ilies. how much can these "men
of God" expect t.hc workers will
do for them when the master-class
kicks them out of his organized
church institution,and cuts off the
food and shelter for wives and
babies? Catch the point f There
is hut one way out. If Mr. Priest
and Mr. Preacher refuse to confe
out with you, he must be forced
out. The workers must organize
their own churches, man them
with their own preachers and sup-
port those. preachers until we can
g^t possession of such Government
as Woodenhead Wilson leaves us
after his war is over—for the war
is coming.
We must have churches that will
teach us what Jesus taught—our
Daily Bread. Who will give a
sensible economic interpretation of
God's word!
Just one thing more, remember
that these men know absolutely no-
thing about Socialism. The mas-
ter-class members of their congre-
gations have poisoned their minds
with lies, and perversions of the
truth; because, it is to their inter-
est to do so first, and also because
they arc equally ignorant of the
Socialist Philosophy. When you
go to thise men take with you at
least a copy of the "Communist
Manifesto". Paper bound copies
can be had for ten ccntg from any
Soialist house; the Rebel can fur-
nish if you wish.
When you show them their Bi-
ble lesson, show also thb Socialist
lesson; the inevitable evolution of
society into cooperation if it
would escape barbarism. Bear in
mind that the church can bring
.4 DOS'K S<'II KM K.
About twenty crooks and
dupes, only five of whom had lat-
ely been dues-paying meml>era
and fourfiftha 0f whom are Dal-
las men, met in Dallas la«t month
and organized a ucw "party",
They "elected" a state secretary
and other officials, none of whom
are red-card Socialists. The sole
purpose of the affair is a capital-
istic trick to confuse the member-
ship of Socialist party of Texas
which however knows u thing or
two by now. As in the east; of the
Socialist-Labor party they know
which party they will support.
This 'ittle coterie of plotter,, are
merely sawing the limb off be
tween themselves and the treec. as
complaint will be made against
them for obtaining money under
fals«' pretenses the moment they
collect funds in the name of the
legally recognized Socialist party
of Texas of which T. A. Mickey
and I'atton MeUord are the leg
ally recognized state secretary
and state chairman. This is a fair
warning lor these Dorik schem-
ers.
AN i(VPPRECIATI0N~
( Hie following brief note from nn
editor of Ili<> St. r.oiiiti I'ont Diifpafi-h
ia ho much tip|>re<-iiit«<c| that think
our Rebnla ought to hpo it too.)
P-D Office, St. I,., March :il, 1015.
Dear Tom:—•
1 've just read your broadside of
Saturday, March 27. Vou are ah
out the only real editor inTexaa—
1 mean the only old-fashioned
hell to-hreakfast, editor handing it
to 'em hot from the fire and plate
heaping. Your little land move-
ijient is getting to Is? some si/e
now. Ferguson, I judge from your
report of Meitzcn's interview with
him, won't rise to his opportunity.
0 well, the man don't matter; so
the job gets done—and it will get
done.
But you and Henry Watterson
ought to organize an association
composed of the only two editors
iu America that can write a 15-
coluinn editorial and make your
readers like it.
Yours. l<\ p.
Oit of a jobf Keel like there
ought to he a change? Peel like
thia is a hyena of a world that will
not KH'e a man a job who is will-
ing, yea hungrily willing to work?
This panic may slacken up and
mayhap you'll find some sort of a
job. Mut if you are a man, you
will swear by all you hold holy, by
your wife, your children, yes by
your own precioug hide, that you
will never omit an opportunity,
regardless of how you may pros-
per hereafter, to drive another
nail into the coffins of the politic-
al parties and of the social system
that was responsible for giving
you this jobless nightmare. This
also goes for the land slaves who
have voted starvation upon them-
selves and their loved ones.
The peanut politicians of the
old parties who have been running
things so smoothly for themselves
in the past are as helpless as
babert in a cyclone in the present
crisis. Their pottering and patch-
ing is of no avail. The entire in-
efficient crew will soon be swept
aside as chaff before the wind,
and men of mind and of spirit will
take their places as representat-
ives of an aroused working class,
that sees it must act or starve.
Starvation threatens America
bccause it has produced too tuuch
food and can not sell it abroad.
What mockery to the hungry and
jobless is this word of "tverpro-
duction."
help if it will; to get it you must
bring the true teacher, preacher,
priest, to see the full teachings of
the Hible. He is merely a hundred'
years behind in his economics. The
false teacher yon must EXPOSE,
and then ADVERTISE just as
long as you have voice or pen.
Charge the church! CHARGE
THE CHURCH!
Before closing we will read in
unison that greatest of Psalms, the
2Hrd: "The Lord is my Shepherd;
I shall not want"! See how David
interpreted the Lord?
Now let Us sing that great pro-
phctie song, which foretold the
International Socialist who is
preaching God's word to the peo
pie of every corner of the earth:
"From Greenland's icy moun-
tain; from India's coral strand."
And we will be dismissed.
The Religious Editor.
P. S.—Don't forget to visit with
your pastor. He often complains
of neglect. Beat him to Matth.
18:16-17 and "church him" as
our fathers used to be"churched".
OUR RHUS.
VIHCILA Tloy DEPA H T M VST
Sub cards have been revived
the past week from Crowell, Tex^
Dalby Springs, Tex., and Lott,
Tex., on which no names are shown
Do you know whose cards?
• • •
Comrade W. W. Young sends in
four subs from Dunlap with a
cheery:
"Good morning, Comrades, we're-
st ill in the ring,
And here' four more to hear you
sing."
• • •
Comrade W.H.Talley of Burke-
vilh\ sent list of |(X) names in
thr -e different, states for the great
write-up of the Federal Investiga-
tion of the Land question.
• • •
From Thalia, Texas, comes U.
H. Harris with seven sul s, prophe-
sying their conversion into"gowI"
KcIh-Ih, Me forgets that in all his-
tory there was never another kind.
All rebels^re better than their en-
vironment, else there would l>e
none.
• • •
Gatesvillc, Texas, is oil the map
by Comrade S. H. Tucker's order
for a bundle of f>0 of the "Federal
Hearing" issue and-three subs.
• • •,
"The Ix-st paper in .the South",
says Comrade Rums Brazxel, of
Randolph, La., with two scalp
locks in the shape of subs,
* * •
"You are doing a noble work,"
says Comrade B. F. King, of
Sweetwater, and sends in a dollar
to insure against missing any cop-
ies for the next three years.
• •
"Put the 'light' to these poor
starving donks," writes Comrade
L.CIoninger, of Wvlie, with a list
of eight.
• • •
'*1 never saw 8uch a harvest in
my life." "Money i8 scarce."
Talking about cotton and finance!
No. Just Comrade S, G. Carnes,
of Ballinger, billing us the effect
of The Rebel up his way us he
sends for a dozen sub cards and
says he is applying for a local
charter.
• • •
jftComradc S. S. McCrary 9f Joa-
quin, sends sub of four and has-
tens with a letter to add another
and get the benefit, of the club
rate.
• • •
Comes .1 M. Anderson, of Gar-
rison, with a "God bless you in
yo^r work" and a year's sub.
• • •
"I am with the S. P. until II—
(guess he tneuns Heaven) freezes
over", chimes Comrade S. D.
Shuler, of Gouldhusk, with a club
of four.
• mm
"I have missed two Issues. I
feel lost", is the way Comrade P.
M. Rahb of Klgin, sends in re-
newal.
IS ACQUITTED.
The trial of the Democrat city
■marshal, tax assessor and collector
of IlallettHville, who shot E. to.
Meitzen last July as a result of
Comrade JMeitzen's activities ill
exposing certain facts regarding
the marshal's defalcation of pub-
lie funds to the amount of #12,000
or more, was had in district court
here last week.
The jury, all of whom were non-
Socialists, found a verdict of ac-
quittal in the face of very conclu-
sive evidence.
Two issues were raised hy the
lawyers for the defense, either di-
rectly or by inference, viz.: "Self-
defense" and the fact that the
complainants and main state wit-
nesses were Socialists. These tac-
tics together with the fact that the
entire legal machinery is ag yet in
control of those opposed to Socia-
lism, all operated in the verdict.
However, there is no dobt from
expressions heard, that it will
nuike many more people investi-
gate and espouse the Socialist
cause in this part of the state next
year.
Men will go wild over a base-
ball game, or the Johnson-Willard
brusing match, that have no ear
or eye for the most stupendous
movement in the world's history,
affecting as it does their welfare
like nothing else conceived in the
mind of man — the Socialist
movement. As yet there are rail-1
lions that, have ears that hear' not
and eyes that see not, but in*
little while they will come into the
light, so the'signs of the times por-
tend. So on with the fight, com-
rades, for we always make head,
make head.
/
■ m
fjfw
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
Hickey, T. A. The Rebel (Hallettsville, Tex.), Vol. [4], No. 194, Ed. 1 Saturday, April 10, 1915, newspaper, April 10, 1915; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth394856/m1/3/: accessed June 20, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting UT San Antonio Libraries Special Collections.