EDINBURGH T. CONSTABLE,

PRINTER TO THE QUEEN, AND TO THE UNIVERSITY.

TO ALL

EATING THEIR BREAD IN THE SWEAT

OF THEIR BROW

WHO

IN THE BATTLE OF LIFE

FIGHT BRAVELY, ENDURE MANFULLY

AND

OVERCOME.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

WHAT TO AIM A T.

Working Men's life not a martyrdom-Dark side of every life-The Times

on the miseries of Dukes-Burdens of working men, however, are

heavy-Providence encourages us to try to lessen burdens and lighten

the curse of toil-Condition of working men greatly improved-Their

condition in former times-Improvement in this century-Less gaiety

but more enjoyment-Improvement of their condition less rapid than

might have been-They should aim at improvement (1.) in SoCIAL COM-

FORT.-Individual effort-United effort-Health-Would enlarged wages

increase dissipation and recklessness?-(2.) In INTELLIGENCE-This

procures respect-Opens new pleasures-Increases intellectual wealth.

Popular education-Evening classes.-(3.) In RELIGIOUS AND MORAL

ATTAINMENT.-Importance of right relation to God-The Son of God-

This path the highest, and open to all-Luxuriant beauty of Nature-

Type of what should be found in the moral and spiritual world,

CHAPTER II.

"AUSPICE CHRISTO."

Is Christianity really a friend to the working man?--The working classes

polled on this question-Spirit of workshops-Hugh Miller's experience

-Reasons for distrust of Christianity-Impressions derived from wrong

sources-From what passes current under that name-And from the

natural feelings of men's hearts-True representation-Christianity

claims to be a Divine remedy for all the evils of sin-Things out of

order-Paradise lost-Christianity proclaims the remedy, and provides

it-Unreasonableness of dislike and distrust-Specific benefits to work-

ing men-(1.) Steadying and strengthening influence-(2.) Protection

and sympathy-(3.) Aid in schemes for mutual help-(4.) Sunshine and

serenity-Home sunshine-(5.) Spirit of hope, .

PAGE

31

1

CHAPTER III.

THE SWEAT OF THE BROW.

PAGE

Hugh Miller's reflections on his becoming a mason-Unpleasant aspect of

a life of toil-Temptation to break from its fetters-Blessedness of

loyalty to labour-Work followed by dissipation-Value of self-denying

spirit of industry-Mayhew on London prisons-Dignity of labour,

wherein it lies-"No work the hardest work"-Observation of Mr.

Mason of America on the working classes of England-Connexion be-

tween labour here and service hereafter-Example of Christ-Value of

steadiness and perseverance-George Stephenson- Anecdotes of him-

Truthfulness and integrity-Sympathy between employers and employed

-Sunshine and frost in a garden-Sunshine and frost in a workshop-

Sir Walter Scott-Price's Patent Candle Company-Spirit of Christianity

-The golden rule-Benjamin Franklin-Autobiography of a Working

Man-Specific counsels-Good temper-Value of prayer-Irritation of

others-Profane and rough language-Anecdote of Stephenson-Tyranny

-Spirit of kindness,

53

CHAPTER IV.

A FAIR DAY'S WAGE FOR A FAIR DAY'S WORK.

What is a fair day's wage?-Answer of Political Economy-Wages often

insufficient-Illustrations-Plans proposed-Trades'-unions and strikes

-Their tendency-Two questions, economical and moral-(1.) Econo-

mical-Social Science Association's inquiry-Strikes, etc., beneficial

economically to a limited extent; but (2.) Morally injurious as usually

conducted-Their existence springs from uncomfortable and unchristian

relation-Often attended with persecution-Leaders often tyrannical-

Experience of Hugh Miller-Desiderata-" The man must become wiser

and better"-Improvements-CO-OPERATION-Origin at Rochdale-

"Equitable Pioneers"-Opinion of Mr. Hill, Recorder of Birmingham

-Elements of success and of difficulty-Views of Dr. Chalmers about

workmen-Dangers of a worldly spirit-Remark of Mr. Henry Taylor

as to money-Degeneracy of economy,

83

CHAPTER V.

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR MONEY.

Importance of attending to expenditure-Delicate ground-Money wasted
on stimulants-Mr. Clay of Preston's calculation-Railway navvies -