U. S. LABOR DAY 20110830

Dear China Friends,

U. S.   LABOR DAY

��The first Labor Day in the United States was observed on August 26, 1878, in Boston by the Central Labor Union of New York, the nation��s first integrated major trade union.  It became a federal holiday in 1894, following the deaths of a number of workers at the hands of the U.S. military and U.S. Marshals during the Pullman Strike.  So President Grover Cleveland put reconciliation with the labor movement as a top political priority.  Fearing further conflict, legislation making Labor Day a national holiday was rushed through congress unanimously and signed a mere six days after the end of the strike.��

The first Monday in September was chosen by the CLU of NY rather than the more widespread International Workers�� day of May 1st.  This was so it would not become an opportunity to commemorate previous labor riots.  However, throughout most of the world May 1st is a national holiday in more than 80 countries.

This holiday is often regarded as a day of rest and parties.  Labor organizations feature political themes and appearances by candidates for office especially in election years.  Celebrations include picnics, barbecues, water sports, ball games.  Families with school-age children take it as the last chance to travel before the end of summer recess.                                                         (Information from the internet)

Man was created to work.  ��The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and take care of it�� (Genesis 2:15).

However, later Adam and Eve believed they could become ��like God, knowing good and evil�� (Genesis 3:5).  Because of this God threw them out of His beautiful garden.  Now work became much more difficult for mankind.  Thus God declared, ��By the sweat of your brow will you eat your food�� (Genesis 3:19). 

The wise man Solomon declared, ��This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them��for this is their lot.  Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil��this is a gift of God.  They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart�� (Ecclesiastes 5:18-20).

                                                                          

��She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness�� (Proverbs 31:27).

��Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need�� (Ephesians 4:28).

^��For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: ��The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.��  We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies.  Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat�� (II Thessalonians 3:10-12).

��Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever�� (I Timothy 5:8).

In the above quotations from the Good Book you can see that labor is both a blessing and a responsibility. Our society is dependent on good workers.  Although I am retired, I still use my time for the benefit of others.  Our jobs enable us to support our loved ones.  I hope you are finding fulfillment in your job.

Your friend,

Tom Atkinson