Restaurant Work
499
Care of the Helpers
The managers of our restaurants are to work for the salvation of
the employees. They must not overwork, because by doing so they
will place themselves where they have neither strength nor inclination
to help the workers spiritually. They are to devote their best powers to
instructing their employees in spiritual lines, explaining the Scriptures
to them and praying with them and for them. They are to guard the
religious interests of the helpers as carefully as parents are to guard
the religious interests of their children. Patiently and tenderly they
are to watch over them, doing all in their power to help them in the
perfection of Christian characters. Their words are to be like apples of
gold in pictures of silver; their actions are to be free from every trace of
selfishness and harshness. They are to stand as minutemen, watching
for souls as they that must give an account. They are to strive to keep
their helpers standing on vantage ground, where their courage will
constantly grow stronger and their faith in God constantly increase.
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Unless our restaurants are conducted in this way, it will be nec-
essary to warn our people against sending their children to them as
workers. Many of those who patronize our restaurants do not bring
with them the angels of God; they do not desire the companionship of
these holy beings. They bring with them a worldly influence, and to
withstand this influence the workers need to be closely connected with
God. The managers of our restaurants must do more to save the young
people in their employ. They must put forth greater efforts to keep
them alive spiritually, so that their young minds will not be swayed by
the worldly spirit with which they are constantly brought in contact.
The girls and the young women in our restaurants need a shepherd.
Every one of them needs to be sheltered by home influences.
There is danger that the youth, entering our institutions as believers,
and desiring to help in the cause of God, will become weary and
disheartened, losing their zeal and courage, and growing cold and
indifferent. We cannot crowd these youth into small, dark rooms, and
deprive them of the privileges of home life, and then expect them to
have a wholesome religious experience.
It is important that wise plans be laid for the care of the helpers in
all our institutions, and especially for those employed in our restau-
rants. Good helpers should be secured, and every advantage should