The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1889-02-14

points OUT l. Wv must support lht "
listing order Of things, 2, Champion
the cause Of the poor and oppressed, or,
3, Investigate the question AZ issue
with q firm determination 10 follow
wherever the doctrines Of Jesus may
lead, Win regard Ia the hrat q policy
OF neutrality or silence IL q virtual ap'
prOyal Of the thing complained against
for whatever church does not condemn
Is held 10 DO by II rs just All wealth
is tho result Of the applieatlonof labor
10 natural opportunities they who Gre
ate II occupy the lowest ana most
wTetched level Of existence, The
few who do not create wealth,
but who take possession OF ~
by means Of indirect processes, eonstl'
tute the highest class IN society nud the
church, II the system which produces
such results rs sanctioned by religious
teachers, they who suffer because Of ita
operations will reject tle teaohera ANA
tho religion they profess, 10 cham
piOn the cause OF labor, would ALLEVIATE
NJ once tho majority of those who
possess wealth and OF the large class
who hope ut some time TO secure riches
The reasons for rejecting the thlrl
course are somewhat difficult 10 define,
says Rev, Morse, but no makes the
attempt oh convictions OF religious
teachers may perhaps DO stated aa fol-
lows The religion Of Christ Is the
only agency lOr the salvation Of SOULS
II would DO uuwife 20 ADOPT any Hue OF
policy that would create m%tagoulsmb,
for such action might limit the useful
ness Of the organization, Leaders ~
religious enterprises, ~ well 10 poll
tlclap6, are open 70 the suspicion Of
waiting until Uu Issue becomes popular
before adopting H. The hesitation a.
the present iuuGture, may possibly bo
owing 10 the fear that an impartial In
ye6tigation Of present vital questions
In the light Of the Word OF God might
result In struggle, that while adyone'
Ing righteousness, would Involve the
loss Of sympathy and adherence OF The
wealthy class,
GLOW" asks Rev, Morse, "con the
church regain influence with the work
iugmcu," and thus ho answers "liy
teaching Gods viii concerning social
questions, while inslsting upon purely
spiritual matters, by presenting Christ
~ the Son of Man 40 we'll 90 the Son Of
God, by preaching morality along
with religion, For what purpose did
God M the store houses Of natureY
Are toll aud poverty the outcome Of
Gods intention, or are they the result Of
violations Of divine lawaY DID Christ
intend that his doctrines should burn
a%elAshness out OF the human heart, &c.
cure Justice Cor All, and abolish inyolun'
tary poverty from the worldY Are
present conditions unjust, and II 30
where does the Injustice luhereY Shall
the church BIO supported by u better
class aud DO constituted the protector
of the rights Of property, or shall II DO
the champion Of the poor and holplessY
The church has been reaching down In
TO u sin polluted pool 10 rescue indiyid'
uala, but has given little attention 10 the
causes which render the pool impure
The tiine has come when these queg'
tionS must be investigated, Unanswered or
ignored, If they are ignored the labor
Ing men win ~resolutely spurn the inyi'
tations Of u gospel that has u promise
Of eternity but does not compel j%usticein
tho conduct of It's professors here, The
church may refuse 10 hear the cry that
comes up out Of the depths Of poverty
and suIioringi may prefer Dives to
Lazarus, may attempt the reforming Of
the individual without regard TO his IN.
yironment, claiming that II has 10 do
solely with spiritual matters regardless
Of the temporal well being o. humanity
Such q course Ia open 10 the church."
But, concludes Rev, Morse, with n
warning, replete with truth, "let II be
remembered that no civil or religious
system eau long survive, that permits
without protest, the oxaltatlon Of the
few NJ the cost Of The many, And In
the goeat heart of universal humanity
there can DO no moro hOrrid iulldulity
than the assertion that such inyOlun.
tary poverty that now exists IL In har'
mOny with The will Of God,
'WaAhlHglOn GLADDEN. ChaulAuquan, May 1883,