THE SOCIAL ASPECT OF RELIGION 445 



are toiling that are proud of their patrimony of freedom and alive 

 to its obligations, the Sabbath has been the most blessed influence 

 and institution to bring this about. Perhaps it is no exaggeration 

 to say that the Sabbath has made American workmen the superiors 

 of all others. It has enabled this nation to forge ahead, to reclaim 

 a continent to the uses of man, without lapsing altogether into com- 

 mercial and industrial greed and egotism. As the Jewish Sabbath 

 saved the persecuted Jews from annihilation and moral decrepitude, 

 so its American copy, if on another of the seven days, still no less 

 beneficially has affected the destiny of our young nation. 



These instances tell the story. The merely economical interpre- 

 tation of social possibilities neglects vital factors. These are ener- 

 gized by religion's message. If hunger drives man toward ever 

 higher levels, it must not rob him of that which is more precious 

 than gold and silver. Religion reminds us that man cannot live 

 by bread alone. The struggle for bread would turn men into beasts 

 of prey were it not that religion urges by teaching and institution 

 upon the strugglers the consciousness of their essential unity and 

 equality. It evokes in them the assurance of their brotherly destiny 

 and duty. It converts competition into cooperation, the strength 

 of one into a blessing for all. 



