“The laborer is worthy of his hire.”
RIGHT OF PROPERTY. (Continued)
The value of labor, like that of wheat, corn, and articles of commerce, is subject to the same laws, rising or falling according to the amount of work to be done and the number of hands to perform it. The two relations which we sustain with reference to labor are either those of employers or workers.
As employers we may endeavor to secure the best services for ourselves, and at the same time do no injustice to those whom we employ, by requiring of them unusual hours of labor, or work exceeding their strength or ability, or by paying less than a reasonable rate of remuneration. Nor have we the right to take advantage of the necessities of laborers to force them to work for less than their services are really worth, and thus “grind the faces of the poor.” Such conduct is not in accordance with the law of love.
Nor, on the other hand, has the laborer any right to give less than a full day’s honest work for a fair day’s pay; nor is it proper for him to take advantage of the necessities of the employer to compel him unjustly to pay more than the services are really worth. The moral law says, “Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbor, neither rob him;” and the command applies alike to the master and the servant, the employer and the laborer.
Nor does this law apply alone to those who engage in the humbler kinds of toil. Every laborer, whether public officer, minister, lawyer, teacher, or doctor, is bound in honor to render his best and fullest service to those who employ him, without any reservation, except that which was distinctly understood when the engagement was made. The same rules of right apply to all kinds of service, whether it be performed with the head or the hands. The law of love requires perfect justice in respect to labor and its rewards.
Renting or Hiring
A limited or temporary right of property may be acquired by renting or hiring. A wealthy man cannot live in all his houses, or employ all his horses; so, if he would make them profitable, he must rent or hire them to be used by others for a given time, at a proper price.
When a house is rented, or a horse is let out to service, it is done under an implied condition that the user shall take the same care of the property that he would under similar circumstances if it were his own. If the house be injured, or the horse abused, the careless party is morally and legally accountable to the owner for the damage. Inhuman people sometimes misuse a hired horse, under the impression that because he is hired they have a right to overtax his strength or speed. Such conduct is a wrong to the owner and an outrage against an innocent, uncomplaining animal.
Borrowed Property
Persons are sometimes placed under circumstances in which they cannot buy or hire property, and are obliged to borrow. When it is thus obtained, if there be no agreement in words, there is an implied obligation, which every honorable person will be careful to observe, that the borrowed article shall be promptly returned in as good condition, quality, or measure as it was received, and at such a time as was agreed upon, or at such time as would cause the least inconvenience to the lender.
If loss or damage occur to the property when in the possession of the borrower, he should make it good to the lender. Thus, if a boy should borrow another’s penknife and break it, he is in duty bound to return as good a knife to the owner, or render satisfaction for his loss. If he borrow a defective knife, and it breaks in his hands, he is not responsible for the injury or loss if he used it with proper care.
There is no class of persons who suffer so much annoyance from borrowers as those who lend books. It is often a kindness and a compliment to receive the loan of a book, and the least acknowledgment of the favor that can be made by the borrower is to return it promptly, unsoiled and unabused, to the owner. In order to preserve friendships and prevent misunderstandings, it is better never to borrow if it can be avoided. This is a good rule to observe even among friends; for, though it is very kind to lend, it is sometimes very unkind to borrow.
Borrowed Money
Money may be loaned upon the same principle that other property is rented or hired. If a man may hire his horse for profit, he may also loan his money for gain. When it is thus loaned it is said to be at interest. Sometimes money is more plenty than at others, owing to the demand for it in business. When it is plenty the interest is low, but when it is in great demand men will pay a higher rate for its use.
When a man borrows money he gives his note, which is a written promise to pay the lender at a certain time the amount loaned, with interest. The borrower procures the signatures of one or more persons to the note, who promise to pay it when due if he fails. These persons are said to be the sureties.
When the note is due, it is presented to the borrower, who will pay it if he is able; but, if he cannot meet it, the surety will be obliged to do so for him. It is a very common business transaction to secure money in this manner, but it sometimes happens that men’s plans of business miscarry, and they are not able to raise the funds to meet their engagements. When such accidents happen, their sureties have to pay.
Several principles are to be observed in transactions of this kind:
First. The money lender has no right to take advantage of the real or supposed necessities of the borrower, and to charge an extravagant rate of interest for the money loaned. It is written, “A good man showeth favor and lendeth;” and, “He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker, but he that honoreth Him hath mercy on the poor.”
Second. No one has a right to borrow money unless he has a reasonable prospect of paying it according to promise at the appointed time. Many a thoughtless speculator, desirous of acquiring wealth suddenly, has ruined himself and his sureties by investing borrowed capital in some uncertain business which failed to make the expected return, and has found to his sorrow the truth of the saying, “The borrower is servant to the lender.”
Third. No man has a right to become surety for another unless he is able and willing to pay the debt in case the principal fails. It is written, “Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts. If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?” Many a man has lost his all, and become penniless, because he became surety for money he never expected to be called on to pay. It is very kind for a man to become surety for his neighbor, but if the kindness be performed at the risk of his own business, it is of questionable propriety. It is written, “The wicked borroweth and payeth not again.”
Collection of Debts
The business relations of society are so various and complicated, that in many cases it is impossible to prevent the contracting of debts. As far as it is possible this should be avoided. It is written in the moral law, “Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. Owe no man anything but to love one another.”
The habit of permitting small debts to accumulate is very injurious to the interests of the trader, as well as to the individuals who secure the credit. The trader is damaged on account of the unproductive capital lying idle in the hands of his customers; by the time and labor necessary to make his collections; by the losses that occur from giving credit to dishonest people; and by the annoyances arising from disputed bills. These are serious inconveniences, and add materially to the expenses of business.
The buyer is often injured by getting a credit for goods he does not really need, and would not purchase if they were to be paid for at the time; by the habit of running accounts without knowing their extent; by insensibly becoming more and more involved until he is astonished and almost, if not entirely, overwhelmed by the discovery of his indebtedness; by the loss of credit, and possibly of character.
One of the best methods of preserving our credit is to use it sparingly. He who pays as he goes is never harassed by debt and always knows the extent of his means.
There are several rules of business life which it is especially desirable that the young should learn and practice:
First. Never buy what you do not need because it is cheap.
Second. Never purchase on credit if you can pay the money down.
Third. Do not buy on credit unless the goods are indispensable.
Fourth. Never get goods on credit without knowing their precise cost and fixing the time at which you will cancel the debt.
Fifth. Never lose your temper or exhibit annoyance at the presentation of an unpaid account.
There are many occasions when, from sickness, misfortune, want of work, or failure to receive expected money, a person is unable to pay his debts at the appointed time. Under such circumstances, one may be vexed that he is not ready to meet his engagements, and should make such apology or explanation as the facts will justify; but if he exhibit anger, it is very strong presumptive evidence that he is not honest, and should never have been trusted. The least that a gentleman can do is to state his condition kindly and frankly, and to make the best efforts in his power to pay the debt.
“Owe no man anything but to love one another.”
LESSON QUESTIONS
What is written in the moral law?
Why is a man happy that hath mercy on the poor?
What is the subject of Chapter XVI?
Repeat the text.
What is the law affecting labor?
What are the two relations that we sustain to labor?
What is right for us as employers?
If the laborer is worthy of his hire, should the hire be worthy of the laborer? Why?
Is it our duty to get all the work we can for the least pay?
Is it the duty of the laborer to get all the pay he can for the least work?
May the employer take advantage of the laborer?
May the laborer take advantage of the employer to raise his pay?
What does the moral law say?
Do these rules apply alone to those who work with their hands? Why?
What kind of a right may we acquire by renting or hiring?
What is the implied condition of the transfer when we rent or hire property?
How shall we take care of rented or hired property?
Is it right to abuse a horse because we have hired him? Why?
If we borrow an article, what are the implied obligations of time, weight, measure, care, etc.?
Give the illustration.
What care should be taken of borrowed books?
Is it wise to borrow? Why?
Why may it be unkind to borrow?
When money is loaned, as a general rule, what is expected of the borrower?
Is it right to loan money for gain? Why?
What is the increase called?
Why do the rates of interest vary at different times?
When a man borrows money, what does he give the lender?
What is a note?
What is a surety?
Why do men have sureties for their notes?
What is the first principle to be observed in transactions of this kind?
What is written of him that oppresseth?
What is the second principle?
What is written of the borrower?
What does that text mean?
What is the third principle?
What is written of him who becomes surety for another?
Under what circumstances may a man become surety?
When should he refuse to go surety?
What is said of the wicked borrowing?
May debts always be avoided?
Should debts be avoided when possible? Why?
What is written about rendering to all their dues?
Why are small debts to be avoided?
What are some of the injuries arising to the trader?
What are those arising to the buyer?
How shall we best preserve our credit?
Why, if possible, should we pay as we go?
What is the first rule?
The second rule?
The third rule?
The fourth rule?
The fifth rule?
Sometimes debts cannot be paid; what must be done?
Should a man ever show anger on the presentation of an unpaid bill? Why?
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