The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1891-07-14

A---SO@- $1,000
social movement. With much thath he
has said on the subject of State Social
ism we cannot agree. From his point
of view, taking Europe as the point Of
observation and monarchy as the repre-
sentative of the State, his assertions
are profoundly true. But if we under
stand the State to be simply the people
governing themselves, there is no foun-
dation for much Of his assault upOnthe
modern Socialist.
WHY HAS HE DONE SO?
The question arises, why has the
Pope been led to consider
so carefully and so exhaustively, in the
exercise of his functions as spiritual
director and father of the Catholic
millions-why has such a functiOnary
been led to give such earnest attention
thus to the labor problem? Itseems to
me there are several reasons that are
at once evident.
BECAUSE OF MILLIONS.
First, he was driven to its COnsidera-
ton because it so profoundly concerned
the masses of the world. He could not
escape it, because the Catholic Church
is a church of the masses. 1t has be-
come the question of questions of the
masses. He recognized the fact that
to lead the hosts of common people he
must come in vital touch with their
life and life thought. He has, there
fore, been led to this exhaustive study
and this clear and powerful deliver
ance, because the millions who look to
him for spiritual direction are pro-
foundry moved by the problems in
vOlved.
THE VERY ESSENCE OF RELIGION.
Second, he has thus given it careful
and thorough consideration, because
he has been wise enough clearly to see
that the social problem is a profound
religious problem; that it is of the very
essence of religion. He has seen that
it is impossible to separate religion
from this question. He has seen that
every social question is in its last
analysis a religious question of the
most vital import.
MUST LEAD THE WORLDS THOUGHT.
Third, he has given it this careful
consideration, again, because he has
recognized the fact that it is the true
function of the Church of Jesus Christ
to lead the thought Of the world upon
all such problems. He knows that if
the Church does not lead, the devil will
lead. He knows that the only power
that can really at least solve the great
social problem is the power of vital,
applied Christianity. He knows that
it is the function of the Church to
make that application and to lead the
hosts who are now being misIed by
sham refOrmers.
PEACE, PEACE.
What response has the Protestant
world to this deliverance of the Pope?
Can we not discern the signs of the
times? Shall we sit with folded hands
and say ''peUce, peace" when there is
no peace? Shall we sit down, fold our
hands and say, it is nothing to us what
becomes of the social problem? We
are not here to be interested in such
questions. VIII we say with some,
that the Church has nothing to do with
any social or political problem? Will
we say to the restless millions of the
earth who are moving forward a new
ono in c0Oi0t- "hN 0rn hOior IrI--0,0
whether they will or not by the resist
less tide Of the new life of a new cen
tury-shall we say to them, the prob
lem of your existence is of no import
ance to us? We 7 here to keep the
faith.
TOUCHES A AT E POINT.
What is faith2 What is religion?
The religion of Jesus Christ, if it is
vital, touches man at every possible
point of contact. There isnot thought
or a deed to man, there is not a field
Of exertion in science, in philosophy, in
economics, in politics, in society, with
which the question of right and wrong
is not mingled with it's eternal freight.
What is right, what is wrong, what is
true, what is untrue, is of religion.
~RESISTLESS SWEEP OF THE WORLD MOVE
MENT.
Let the Protestant world read care
fully this letter from the Pope of Rome.
In some respects it marks a new era in
the history Of Catholic Church life,
and If is worth the while of every
Protestant to ponder we'll its every
word. Say what you may of the i'm
portance Of this social question, the
time is now upon the world when you