The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-03-26

labor movement His Holiness Plus TX,
designated under the general title Of social
ism when. on the 18th Of June last. in his
allocution 10 the Cardinals, be said
THUS, to day we see on one side re-
volutisn, bringing in her train that social
ism which repudiatss morals and religion
and denies God himself; while on the other
side we behold the faithful and true, who
calmly and firmly expect that good princi-
pies will resume their salutary empire, and
that the merciful designs Of Deity will be
realized.
The plain duty Of Topping off socialism.
and Of casting il aside, being performed,
there remain ~ reform through just legis-
lation (2) legal contracts for mutual re-
lief; (3) cooperation or association Of
work-fellows; and a. the realization Of
perfect Cbri-tian charity.
We think we could prove that all the
purely secular remedies-such as co-opera.
ton, mutually, and the like-are delusive,
and in themselves inadquate; but it is not
our present purpose to examine this branch
Of the subject. A volume would not suf-
fee. II is only necessary to remark, en-
PEASANT, that there is nothing in the orgsni-
cations included under the general name Of
cooperation contrary to religion but at the
same time there is nothing in co operation
that springs from religion; it is a mere
economic continuance. Il is not religious
solution Of the problem Of social distress /;
and since we have argued that religion
must be able to give temporal as we'll as
spiritual answer to the complaints Of the
poor. we will pass by all minor and transi-
tional questions, and consider only what the
earthly Utopia Of faith and charity would
be; and inquire what method might now
be adopted to inaugurate the practical reign
Of Christian felloWshin in which the laborer
would necessarily reap the reward he il
justly entitled to.
Yes, religion has also its earthly new
Eden, that will give fun satisfaction to the
over-burdened aud under-paid workman.
Let us try to picture it in our imagination,
in order to Judge from a study Of the ideal
whether it woull be possible to make it a
reality. To do this, we should begin BY
stating the principles on which this ideal
should be founded; and we should also
mention such historical facts as may serve
to enlighten US on the practical application
of those principles
The Scriptures and the church teach that
there are degrees of merit, beginning with
that minimum Of Righteousness sufficient to
save us from damnation. From that point
the degrees rise one above the other, till
they ascend beyond tho regions of prOhibi-
tiOn and precept to the realms Of counsel
and pertection. There is the man who is
willing 10 obey God SO far onlya as to re-
frain from violating the ten commandments.
Then there are those who, besides this,
give aims and do other works of mercy for
Christ's sake; and finally, there are those
who, seeking for the holy Spirit, labor for
and do works necessary to attain perfec
tiOn.
Excuse this posting Of doctrines familiar
to US all TheY are stated a. parts Of our
argument
Among the immediate disciples of Christ
there were not only shepherds. mechanics
fishermen, physicians, and farmers but
SO tradesmen, and even lawyers and
soldiers Some were rich, and neverthe
less were regarded as having merited
heaven. Zaccheus is an instance Of this
class to please God, he gave as much as
half of bis goods to the poor. He went
only halfway in perfection. 1t is clear
that if people generally refrained from com
hitting any Of the offences mentioned in the
ten commandments, justice would reign
and therefore many social grievances Of the
worst kind would disappear. True, thi'
would not suffice to give ifirmative happi
ness, but it would be the negation of posi-
tive moral wee WORKS of mercy are
necessary to dry all tears and charity la:
the genial warmth that makes the smile
bloom again on the countenances Of those
who have wept. Now, charity is first pity
and sympathy; and then it is sacrifice. i
has beautiful demonstrations Of love il
words and demeanor, but It fully realizes
itself in sacrifices and these sacrifices arc
of every extent. Soma are small bn
cheerfully offered, as the widows mite
Some are proportlonately large, as the ap
portionment Zaccheus made but some are
unlimited, as the triple vow Of poverty
chastity, and obedience Of the regular
clergy.
Jesus said to him, If thou wilt be perfect
20, sell what thou hast, and give to th'
poor; and thou shalt have treasure il
heaven: and come, and fellow me. Matt
xix. 2l.) Blessed are ye willingly poor
for yours is the kingdom Of God. H.nk'
vi. 20; Matt. v. 80 Where thy treasure
is, there is thy heart also. Matt, vi 81,
You cannot serve God and MammOn
Matt. Vi. 24.) He who hath left house
etc, for my sake and for th'
gospel, shall receive a hundred
times as much, no,1 in this time; i. anC
in the world to come life everlasting
MARK K 20, 30.)
From these and numerous simila
speeches Of our LORD, and from spirit o
gratitude, bis disciples were inspired witt
the desire of attaining perfection. Thos'
who remained steadfast notwithstanding th'
cruci6xion, or rather7 ecause Of the cruel
fxion, gathered around the apostles and pro
nounced the vow of poverty. All the.
that believed we're together, and had al
things in common" facts ii. A.
This il the first instance Of real com
munism that ever occurred in the world
and it was the logical product Of the teach
ings of our Lord and his apostles. That
was the logical product, could be easil.
shown BY argument on the language 0
Scripture but it sufices that it was ap
proved by Peter and the other apostles
They knew best !; and, indeed, gave ex
ample by becoming members OF the com
munity. That it was the first instance o
real communism, we assert without for
getting the Essences, the Lacedemonians
and the like, from whose systems it is cas-
to distinguish the apostolic community q