The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-05-03
THE PRINCIPLE OF CO-OPERATION.-
The Discourse of Rev. o. @. McCulloch at
Plymouth Church, Last Evening.

The Discourse of Rev. o. @. McCulloch at
Plymouth Church, Last Evening.
Before beginning his sermon, last night. at
Plymouth Church, Rev. o. G. McCulloch said he
had spoken his first words in Indianapolis just
nine years ago. He referred briefly to his
friends in the church at the beginning
of that time Like Brutus, he could
say that no one had been false to him.
He had believed and had preached that there
was something more in Christianity than
scheme of redemption. It touched life at every
point. 1t had seemed to him that what Jesus
meant by THE kingdom of heaven" would
come, that the golden rule might be lived by
here.
Cooperation was the application of the princi-
Piles of Christianity to trade and business.
Everything was religious In laying brick
wall Gods law Of retitude was applied. No in
fuence was ever lost. The society founded by
Robert Owen at New Harmony had been in
many ways an influence for good.
zone accent of the Holy Ghost
The needless world has never lost
In 1874 seven men had met together in a weav-
er's shop in England, and put into practice the
principle of cooperation. Each earned hardly a
dollar day. They saved up what they could in
pennies till each man had about So. Twenty
eight men put their small savings into
grocery and agreed to divide the profits They
had only hundred pounds of sugar, some corn,
a few hams and other articles People laughed
at them. Last year this co operative society had
grown in membership to IL, 161, and the annual
profits were $3.50, 000 There were now fifteen
branch stores and factories. The society had
large library of $4,000 volumes, with reading
rooms, and night school, in which the more
practical branches were taught. The 1000 CO.
operative societies in Great Britain to-day
saved and distributed $l40,000,0O0 among
their members One store had an
annual trade of 1926, 0O0,O O0 The best result
was in the habit of economy induced, the pru-
dence called forth. The liquor sold in England
last year was $1,000, 900 less than that Of the
year before. This reduction WAS said to be
largely due to the effect of these societies.
Giving the cooperative movement a local ap-
plcation, Mr.. McCulloch said 5000 900 had been
saved last year in this city in buildings erected
by the building associations. Five years ago
there were only five of these associations here;
now there were about seventy five Of them
The times were ripe for men to work
together. Members of the knights of
Labor should take part in the cooperative
feature of their order. Thus the habit of self
control would be formed. the mans admins
tratiye ability would grow. and there would
gradually come the ability to use large trusts
At the conclusion of the sermon. Mr. McCul-
loch said ne had arranged for course of me-
chanical drawing to be taught in Plymouth In
stitute, beginning week from tonight, and
invited young men to enter It. He had also
sent copies of the following questions to various
citizens and he intended to preach a sermon
from the answers received on 1.-THE Church and
the Workingmen." H. To what extent in your
judgment, are the workingmen in attendance
upon any churchl ~ What reasons may be
given for their not attending church? 81 What
can the churches do to place themselves in closer
relation to the working peoplel He invited any
one interested in the matter to send answers.
names would not be divulged.