September 1

Labor Day, the Guru Granth Sahib, and Charles Beard

Author

David Barnhart
September 01, 2025

Mural in Belfast, Ireland, 2022. Own photo.

In 1894, the U.S. Congress recognized the first Monday in September as Labor Day. In 1908 and 1909, mainline American churches promoted the first Sunday in September as “Labor Sunday,” and many denominations adopted positions supporting the rights of workers to unionize. Some politicians and preachers saw the September date as a more capitalism-friendly alternative to the May 1 holiday celebrated in Europe. 

On this day in 1604, the holy scripture of Sikhism, the Guru Granth Sahib, was installed at Harmandir Sahib, the “House of God,” which is also called the Golden Temple, in Amritsar, India. 

Today marks the death, in 1948, of Charles Beard, pacifist and historian who, with his wife Mary Ritter Beard (see August 5), taught history from the perspective of class conflict instead of a series of names and dates. 

Reflection:

The Social Creed of the United Methodist Church, approved in 1908, includes the following:  

We believe in the right and duty of persons to work for the glory of God and the good of themselves and others and in the protection of their welfare in so doing; in the rights to property as a trust from God, collective bargaining, and responsible consumption; and in the elimination of economic and social distress.

We dedicate ourselves to peace throughout the world, to the rule of justice and law among nations, and to individual freedom for all people of the world.

We believe in the present and final triumph of God’s Word in human affairs and gladly accept our commission to manifest the life of the gospel in the world. Amen.

Charles Beard summarized four important lessons from history this way: 

Whom the gods would destroy, they first make mad with power.
The mills of God grind slowly, but they grind exceedingly small.
The bee fertilizes the flower it robs.
When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.

Prayer: God, change our society into one that values the well-being of all people. Amen.