Man must believe that all misery
is the result of wrong - doing; he must believe that man is a
free agent to work out his own redemption by right-doing. To get
from poverty to progress, you must, at once and for all, give
up the prayers which falsely teach you that God will do for you
the good work which is to be done by "yourself" or not at all..
Ancient sages have taught "that he who failed to teach his son
a trade was as though he had taught him to steal." Men must live,
and if not trained to earn their own living, they must live by
taking from others. The lesson needs enforcing in the most strenuous
manner by all who take an interest in humanity, that it is the
duty of every parent to train his children to some useful handicraft,
as, by placing within their reach all needful wants and comforts,
we indirectly conduce to their rectitude and moral welfare. By
starting all in the race of life with some theoretical and practical
knowledge of the handicraft or avocation they intend to earn their
living by, they begin the battle of life better fitted to compete
with their fellow men. Omitting to do this, we practically handicap
them in the com- petition. In the past it may not have mattered
so much; but at the present time, to hold their own needs the
utmost skill and technical cunning which the handicraftsman can
command. The practical training of the workshop must he supplemented
by a sound theoretical education. There must be in every parish
classes adapted to the locality, for cabinet-makers, carpenters
and joiners, metal workers, practical engineers, bricklayers and
builders, and in every branch of manufacture that the nation depends
upon for the maintenance in comfort
