The Labor enquirer., 1885-12-26
nIn1srERs IN THE MOVEMENT.

Considerable interest is manifested by
all classes, sectarian and non-sectarian,
religious and secular, in the fact that 30
many preachers are at present concern
ing themselves upon the Labor ques-
tion." During the past year. and par
ticularly within the last nix months, q
: large percentage of the clergy of this
country have been discussing this inn
portant subject in their plllpits. There
is scarcely city of any pretensions in
the United States without one more.
ministers who frequently deliver dis
courses upon "The Labor Problem"
"The Industrial Question 7 Social Ten
.dencies,n etc, and number Of the most
prominent divines have progressed 80
far as to take up the question of Social
ism.
As yet there are only few who have
announced themselves as Socialists. but
many of them endorse the doctrines of
Socialism entire, while they still lack
the moral courage to don the colors
bravely which are 60 bitterly fought by
the powers that be; while they cannot
but endorse the principles and can real
ize that these principles are in thorough
accord with true Christianity, they fear
the wrath of the rich and cannot stand
the SCOTS Of ignorant aristocracy--oi
which their congregations are princi.
pally composed. These are not yet
ready to trust to the beatitude BLESSED
are they who are prosecuted for righteous
ness sake" ReYerends ]. Coleman
Adams, of Chicago, and Lyman Abbott
of New York, are of this class and
Denver has two or three of the same
character.
Lyman Abbott speaks Of Socialism al
The Danger Ahead,n and yet he en-
dorses everything advanced by tht
Socialists. His article which appeared
in recent issue of THE ENQUIRER attest,
this fact; and at meeting held in Gin
cinnati, not long since, be said: "Thert
: is menace to our modem civilization
in the hell of enforced idleness there II
another and more dangerous element :
the unscrupnlous wealthy men," The
reader can follow out the logical results
Of reasoning from such beliefs. Mr.
Adams, while refusing to acknowledge
himself Socialist, said recently thai
Socialism cannot be removed without
removing the very evils of which Social
ism complains" such men as these
will sooner or later be compelled to &c
forward or backward; they cannot lons
maintain their balance in their presen
position.
Rev. Heber Newton. of New YORK, ii
pronounced Socialist, aud 30, I believe
is Rev. Oscar Mccullough, of Indianapo
lis. That Rev. Thomas Van Ness, o
this city, is such, Is not questioned BY
anyone who has read his recent sermons
and he manfully admits it himself
There are scores of others, belonging te
one Of the classes mentioned, but 1t Il
not necessary to name them now.
What viii be the rei1nlt of this new
move on the part of the clergy is tn,
question being asked by many Social
lists {; and there are some old-line advo
Gates of the doctrines Of s'olicialism wht
are not disposd to welcome with oper
arms the clergYmer into Che propaganda
movement. They are not to be made t.
believe that anyone who teaches the
doctrines of the present church, and who
is In its employ car be consistent So
cialist and that such q one must therefors
at some time or other prove an imped
iment to the progress of the cause.
It is further said thss the church Il
never willing to take leading part in
any movement which anticipates radi
cal change in earthly conditions. bu1
that it always catches on when the agi
tation bids fair to succeed, and then
claims Ill Tho credit;.
Be that = It may. it cuti no figure. u
4 y true. than ther, begins to b prool