"UNIONS OF THE WORLD"
or
"FELLOWSHIP OF THE DEAD"
by E. J. Potter
To whom it may concern,
This is an open letter to the people who work at General Cable Corporation and to the personnel manager to authorize you to do whatever you deem necessary to stop deducting union dues from my check and to make sure that you know how I, as a Christian, feel about the Word of God, the Bible.
One of the main reasons I am writing this is to keep rumors from getting out that may dishonor the Lord Jesus Christ who deserves all honor. Some will call me a fool. Another has said, "I am a fool for Christ's sake", (I Corinthians 4:10). For whom will you be a fool? King David was inspired to write, "The fool has said in his heart, There is no God." (Psalm 14:1). By His grace I am no longer that kind of a fool.
I know it is not possible for one who has not received Jesus Christ as his personal saviour to "receive the things of the Spirit of God." (I Corinthians 2:9-16). I am sure those of you who are saved and who have a little respect for the Bible as being the Word of God can understand what I mean when I say, "It is not a matter of what I think or what you think, but it is what God has said that is important': Therefore, this settles it for me. Many of God's children are yoked together with unbelievers (fraternally) against the Lord's will and against His commandment. (II Corinthians 6:14 to 7:1). That does not give me (or them) the right to do so. Therefore, if I join or stay joined to something that does not even claim to be Christian, then I am not showing forth "the fruit of the Spirit", but rather, that of the "seducing spirit," (I Timothy 4:1-2, Galatians 5:19-26).
I am sure that there are many "masters after the flesh" or earthly masters (employers) that are froward and unreasonable, but God commands believing masters (employers), "Give unto your servants (employees) that which is just and equal; knowing that you also have a Master in heaven," (Colossians 4:1).
Therefore, if they (saved or unsaved masters) choose to disobey God, that gives no child of God a reason to do likewise. "Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord," (Romans 12:19).
Now let us contrast some things and see whether a Christian who is "endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace", (Eph. 4:3), by "walking in the light as He is in the light", (I John 1:7), can have a clear conscience and support labor union principles. "Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward," (I Peter 2:18). In Labor Unions prominent principle is: "I think we should turn in more grievances. That will show how strong we are and make it easier for us to get our next raise. It may save us from having to go out on strike." Any union man who has been with the "Higher Boys" knows what I mean. We are told in Galatians 6:10, "As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good to all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." The Union attitude is, "Do good to all Union members especially those whose dues are paid up."
As a Christian I am commanded in at least five different places in the Bible to obey my "masters after the flesh" (employers). In the gospel according to Matthew there is a parable given during Christ's earthly ministry which is a perfect picture of the greed and the hatred that unionism breeds. Because the household-manager in Matthew wanted to pay the last hired servant who worked only one hour the same wage as the first servant who worked much longer, the first servant murmured for higher wages than he had initially agreed upon. The household-manager said, "Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is your eye evil, because I am good?" (Matthew 20:1-16).
I thank God that through His grace and the truth of His word He has shown me that anything contrary to His Word is of Satan, "the god of this world," (II Cor. 4:4). Because Satan is the god of this world, James writes by divine inspiration: "Ye adulterers and adulteresses know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God. Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God," ( James 4:4; see also I John 2:15-17). "Thus saith the Lord: Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord," ( Jeremiah 17:5).
I have a longing in my heart, and a prayer, that you will come to know my Saviour who is able to give you peace. The only way to have eternal life and spiritual rest is through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul wrote by divine inspiration to the saints at Rome explaining the faith that saves the soul: "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be SAVED. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto SALVATION," (Romans 10:9-10; see also I Corinthians 15:1-5).
Paul wrote to Timothy: "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto ALL GOOD WORKS," (II Timothy 3:16- 17). That omits every "no good" effort and includes EVERY GOOD effort being put forth in the world today. Let us see what is good. In Matthew 19:17 Jesus Christ said, "There is none good but one, that is, God." I am sure James really believed that when he was inspired to write, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning," ( James 1:17).
I am sure Labor "Unionism" is not of God because its purpose is to "unitize" or to make one all its members. Some Christians ignorantly or stubbornly have 'joined affinity' with the god of this world's Golden Image in the form of an harlot, (see I Corinthians 6:15-20). Labor "Unions" are not authorized by Christ; therefore they are not according to His Word, the Bible.
Before accusing me falsely please remember that I, a Christian, am commanded to obey my masters, "BUT NOT WITH EYESERVICE, as men pleasers; BUT AS A SERVANT OF CHRIST, doing the will of God from the heart; with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men," (Ephesians 6:6-7).
After considering this, some still may accuse me; however, God knows my heart in this matter. All Christians are commanded, "And whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him," (Colossians 3:17). That eliminates a lot of names, doesn't it? Yes! All but one: The name of THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.
I am connected with no sect or denomination. I am a member of the body of Christ, the one and only true Christian church, "Which He wrought in Christ, when He (GOD) raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: and hath put all things under His feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body," (Ephesians 1:20-23)." "And He (Christ) is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence," (Colossians 1:18 and 24). "For as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body (the true church), whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into on Spirit," (I Corinthians 12:12-13). "And all that believed were together . . . continuing daily with one accord . . . praising God . . . and the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved," (Acts 2:44-47). Now, Christians, "let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called IN ONE BODY; and be ye thankful ... And whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him," (Colossians 3:15, 17).
With open Bible I will be glad to sit down with those who are Christians, with any who might disagree. Those of you who are not Christians I pray that you will accept Christ as your personal Saviour. "Behold the Lamb of God and live forever."
Sincerely,
(Signed) E. J. Potter
This "open letter" was written and delivered personally to the employees of General Cable Corporation at Los Angeles Plant, November 3, 1949.
I am still rejoicing in the truth given in it; and, of course, I have learned more truth, some of which I shall share with you, my fellow traveler to Eternity. So let me admonish you, "Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud: for the Lord hath spoken," (Jeremiah 13:15).
"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In ALL thy ways acknowledge him, and He shall direct thy paths," (Proverbs 3:5-6). Not the "Business Agent," not the "Local President," not the "Chief Steward," not the "Shop Steward," not any child of Adam, but trust in Christ, the Lord. God declared through His prophet Isaiah approximately 2800 years ago: "Associate yourselves, 0 ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries: gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces. Take counsel together, and it shall come to naught; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God is with us (His own children). For the Lord spake thus to me with a strong hand, AND INSTRUCTED ME THAT I SHOULD NOT WALK IN THE WAY OF THIS PEOPLE, saying, Say ye not, a confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid. Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself; and let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread. And He shall be for a Sanctuary, (a Holy or Hiding Place)," (Isaiah 8:9-14).
And God has spoken thus to his people down through the ages, and if they are obedient to his word, they will refuse all unequal yokes, whether RELIGIOUS or FRATERNAL. "As for God, His way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is a Buckler to all those that trust in Him. For Who is God save the Lord? or who is a Rock save our God?" IT IS GOD (not labor unions) that girdeth me with STRENGTH, and maketh my way PERFECT. (Psalm 18:30-32).
As for me, I refuse to continue to sit in the congregation of the wicked or "dissemblers", or with "bloody-handed men whose right hand is full of bribes." Some have said, "Look how much money you could make if you would join up." My answer is, "The Law of the Lord is perfect . . . More to be desired are His righteous judgments than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb . . . and in keeping of them there is GREAT reward," (Psalm 19 : 7-11 ) .
I do not plan to participate in a voluntary way in any "Protective" corporation started by man, because "Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD DELIVERETH him out of them all," (Psalm 34:19). So what need have I any more of a GOON squad? I have Insurance from the only insurance company started by Christ, (Philippians 4:19). I belong to the only Union started by Christ, and the membership is free and eternal (Romans 5:15, John 5:24).
Some Christians have thought that if a person would just pay dues but not attend their meetings that he would not be a member of the union. One could just as easily be born in America, pay taxes, obey the "powers that be", and try to believe that if he refused to attend a political campaign rally, he would thereby cease to be an American citizen. When Christians stand before the judgment seat of Christ we will quit kidding ourselves; so why not walk in the simplicity that is in Christ now, voluntarily.
Saints, let's be like the servant of old after he had worked for his master six years, and had earned the right to be free. If he loved his master, he could tell him, "I will not go out free." Then the master would take an awl and would bore his ear to the door and he was his servant forever. Now, we have a MASTER who has BORED our ears, figuratively speaking, to the DOOR, so "let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith". In so doing let us "obey in all things our masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God: and whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not to men." We are to obey them in all things, "NOT ANSWERING AGAIN; not purloining (stealing), but showing all good fidelity; that we may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things." "Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the Name of God and his doctrine be not BLASPHEMED. And they that have believing masters, let them NOT despise them, because they are brethren, but rather, do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort. If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: FROM SUCH WITHDRAW THYSELF. BUT GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT IS GREAT GAIN ..." (Exodus 21:1-6, Colossians 3:22-23, I Timothy 6:1-6, Titus 2:9-10).