The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-11-19
CHURCH AND SOCIALISM.
THE TOPIC UP BEFORE THE EP.S-
COPAL CONGRESS.


Urges Adhesion to the Present Sys-
tem-Prof Gould Cheracterizes Bust
ness as a Fraud-Democracy Fol
lows Christi anity.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 1S.-Rev. Reece F.
Alsop. D. D., of Brooklyn, N. Y, opened
the second days proceedings of the Protest
ant Episcopal church co ngress this morning
with an address On socialism.
THE FEELING ON SOCIALISM
The discussion of socialism showed a
great difference Of opinion among the dele
gates, but developed the fact that quite a
number of them we're ready to ayow them
selves socialists.
DIR. Alsop, the first speaker, urged ad-
hesion TO the present system of social econo-
mics. He did not believe that the present
conditions were so bad as they were rnade
out to be. Thrift had its reward, enter
prise rarely failed to reap its profit. Labor,
thrift. capital and enterprise had wrought
wonders, seconded by inventive genus.
| Under socialism he believed there would be
a diminution in the productive power OF
the world.
A FALSE THEORY.
Every one Of the socialistic authors were
bitterly opposed to investment. Mr.. George
was the leader In that movement To ex-
pect thrift and well-being to result from
such theories would be to expect a stream
to rise higher than its source. He combated
the cry that the rich were growing richer
| and the poor poorer. Interest and profits
were steadily diminishing The tendency
OF capital was to push down prices
and so help the consumer, who was the
laborer. While admitting abuses of trusts
and vast monopolies, which should be
checked, he said that out of every 100 eggs
the goose laid, 30 per cent. at least went to
the workman and not more than ten to the
capitalists
| THE WRONG SPIRIT.
Prof. Gould of the P .iladelphia Divinity
School did not believe this thing of trying
in business to get all and leave your COM
| petitor was a proper spirit. The COM
| munlty which consumed dealers products
| was steadily pressing for cheaper prices and
| the dealers gave them cheap products, cheap
and nasty. Adulteration was general. Bust
mes was a deception and fraud and labor
/ suffered, wages tending to a bare living rate
with nothing but work and sleep for the
laborer. The great evil was not that part
| OF the people were made to be poor, but that
| those who came together in the church were
80 poor in spirit. Socialism sought to have
the community take all business into its
own hands. There were advantages in it =,
but its serious evil was the destruction Of
individuality.
DEMOCRACY FOLLOWS CHRISTIANITY.
Rev. H. N. Bartlett of Montehonin, Del,
the next speaker, declared that given
| Christianity, democracy was sure to
come. After democracy, socialism would
come. The writing was so plain that all
| could read 1t was only within
the present century that the
worlds fourth estate, labor, had come to
be appreciated. 1t was impossible to say
what forms socialism in its development
would take. 1t might be sometimes ridi-
| culous and sometimes dangerous That had
been true of religion and of all reformatory
growths.
SOCIALISM NOT UNDERSTOOD.
Rev. P. W. Sprague of Charlestown,
Mass, said great number OF objections
against socialism were based upon absolute
misconception of its principles. He was
himself avowedly and openly
socialist. His belief was founded, not on
| political economy alone, but upon
his faith in Jesus Christ. He
| felt that the fundamental principles of
socialism were Identical with Christianity.
The fundamental principle of the old sys-
tenn was seltishness, every man was to look
out for himself ard think only of himself
That was a business maxim. Socialism
said We were not to carry on business for
individual profit, but it demanded the best
service from all. Socialism insisted that
God had not stultifed himself when he
said: Love thy neighbor as myself"
JUSTICE THE AIM OF SOCIALISM,
Rev. William Prall of Detroit, Mich.
spoke of tie prevailing discomfort among
the laboring classes, based on the belief that
they failed to receive their share of the
worlds wealth. The aim of socialism was
justice. equality of opportunity and posses
sion. The duty of the church was not to
teach men to be good for nothing,
but good for something; good to help
their fellow men. Not only were political
economists going over to socialists. but SO
we're jurists Chief Justice Coleridge had
delivered most significant opinion, which
showed the trend of the judicial mind The
principles of Christianity and socialism
were the same. except that Christianity
went further than socialism: went further
than justice, and even TO mercy.
DIR. KIRKUs ON THE OTHER TACK.
Rev. DIR. Kirkus of Baltimore said he was
sorry to find himself In an almost hopeless
minority. The audience had been told that
they were all selfish, all covetous, all guilty
of the basest meanuess. Competition did
not mean seltishness. Everybody knew
that the seller filled as useful q
part as the buyer. Most radical and
stupid Interpretation had been given
to the scriptures. Religion was never less
| than common sense. 1t never taught that
A must give if B asked, and B in turn must
give to G, and so on back and forth. Peo-
pie could not live a week on that principle.
| When people did not understand the sermon
on the mount they could not be expected to
understand John Stuart Mills political
economy. He did not believe that anybody
knew what he wanted as we'll as he did him
self, .or that any considerable number
of people knew better than him
self what was good for him. Was 'brother-
hood" such potent word to conjure with ?
All the preachers called each other brother,
and Of course, they no longer had any diff
ferences. [Laughter.] What would bee me
of all the fine arts under socialism, You
could not butter your bread
with fine picture, so YOU
would not be permitted to paint
pictures, but must go to work in the fields
What would become of the freedom of the
pressl Under our excellent President would
Puck be permitted to appear, say, every
Tuesday! Would not religion be taken
charge of, and marriage and every indi-
vidual right?
HENRY GEORGE ABSENT.
Henry George of New York had been set
down as the next speaker, but as he was
prevented attending the congress from do
mestic reasons Rev. j. O. s. Huntington of
New York took the platform. He said he
agreed with what DR.. Kirkus had said,
but from exactly opposite reasons.