Page:Studies in the Scriptures - Series I - The Plan of the Ages (1909).djvu/318

 3 r* The Plan <f the Ages.

the wealthy on the other) could be easily and fairly adjusted j and no doubt they feel that were they wealthy they would be very benevolent, and quite willing to love their neighbors as themselves. But they evidently deceive themselves \ for in their present condition very few indeed manifest such a spirit, and he that would not be faithful in the use of a little of this world's goods would not be faithful if he had greater riches. In fa<S, circumstances prove this; for some of the hardest hearted and most selfish among the wealthy are those who have risen suddenly from the humble walks of life.

Oft the contrary, while by no means excusing but re- proving covetousness and grasping selfishness on the part of all classes, it is but proper to notice that the provision made for the sick and helpless and poor, in the way of asylums, hospitals, poor-houses, public libraries, schools and various other enterprises for the good and comfort of the masses, rather than of the wealthy, is maintained mainly by taxes and donations from the rich. These institutions almost always owe their existence to the kind hearted and benevo- lent among the rich, and are matters which the poorer classes have neither the time, nor generally the necessary education or interest, to bring into successful operation.

Nevertheless, to-day sees a growing opposition between the wealthy and laboring classes a growing bitterness on the part of labor, and a growing feeling among the wealthy that nothing but the strong arm of the law will prote6i what they believe to be their rights* Hence, the wealthy are drawn closer to the governments ; and the wage- working masses, beginning to think that laws and govern- ments were designed to aid the wealthy and to restrain the poor, are drawn toward Communism and Anarchy, think- ing that their interests would best be served thereby, and not realizing that the worst government, and the most tk- pensive, is vastly better than no government at all

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