he sought to bring about.

Obscurity in a teacher is a great defect, especially when he glories in
his ambiguity. If any Christians wish that Jesus had been more clear,
then Jesus does not appear perfect to them, and they should admit his
imperfections.

FOOTNOTES:

[1] Matt. xxii, 41-45.

[2] John v, 31.

[3] John viii, 14.

[4] John viii, 17-18.

[5] John x, 30.

[6] John xiv, 28.

[7] John v, 22.

[8] John viii, 16.

[9] John xii, 47.

[10] John x, 39.

[11] John vi, 53-58.

[12] Matt. xi, 25.

[13] Mark x, 15.

[14] Matt. xi, 30.

[15] Matt. v, 16.

[16] Matt. vi, 1.

[17] Matt. v, 17-18.

[18] John xvi, 8-11.

[19] John xvi, 25.

[20] Luke viii, 10.

[21] Mark iv, 11-12.

DEFICIENT INSTRUCTIONS

In a number of instances the teachings of Jesus are so incomplete, or so
inappropriate, as to render no assistance in meeting similar situations
in modern life. Either his meaning is not clear, or his instructions are
too primitive to be applicable to our civilization.

_Labor_

The relation between employer and employee is one that requires
practical guidance. Let us see what information Jesus gave on this
important subject.

The parable of the laborers[1] relates that an employer hired men to
work in his vineyard for twelve hours for a penny, and that he paid the
same wage to other workers who toiled only nine, six, three and one
hour. When those who had worked longest resented this treatment, as
modern strikers would, the employer answered, apparently with Jesus'
approval: "Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for
a penny? Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this
last, even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with
mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? So the last shall be
first, and the first last."

This parable may be a comfort to autocratic employers, sustaining them
in their determination to dominate labor, but the principles enunciated
are lacking in social vision. Equal pay for unequal work is approved,
and the employer is vindicated in regulating wages and hours as he sees
fit without regard for justice or the needs of the workers. In the
manner of modern employers, the "goodman" calls his worker "Friend" but
treats him with contempt. Jesus taught that the workers were wrong in
demanding justice, that the employer was justified in acting
erratically, as the money paid was his. He presented