Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-06-01
THINGS IN GENERAL.

| I1lNUO lN VtlN Ehhus
| A Nevv Society Known as the Christian So
cial Union-rhe Anticipated Work OF
the organization-op Opening for aBranch
In Pittsburg.
WRITTEN FOR THE prsPArcH.l
| Prof. Richard T. Ely, Of the Johns Hop
| lxins University, has sent me statement of
4 the purposes and an outline of the antici-
| pated work of the Christian Social Union.
"Our primary aim," the directors of this
new society say, sis educational. We begin
with no elaborate programme, but with the
| intention of striving earnestly to know
| what are all the actual economic and social
| facts which confront us to-day in our own
| country, to ascertain the nature of the un-
| deriving principles, and to seek to discover
| the methods which must be followed to
bring about improved social conditions.
\ Our desire is not to stir up strife, but to
promote peace among all men. We come
before the public. not as those who claim
| that they have the truth, but rather as
those who are earnestly seeking for the
truth. But this is not all. We wish to urge
and help all members Of the church to put
| into their actual life such truth as may be
| known on social and economic topics. Our
| ultimate purpose is the establishment Of
| righteous social relations"
The Christian Social Union was organized
| not long ago in England, where DR.. West
cott Bishop of Durham, is the President
Its most active branch in England is at Ok
ford University, where it has leadership OF
| energetic and progressive professors and q
membership OF enthusiastic students. 1t
came over to this country on the 3D. day OF
April, at which time meeting was held In
New York, and an organization was ef-
fected, with Bishop Huntington for Presi-
dent, and Prof. Ely for Secretary. What 1t
wants now is interested men.
Education Is the Watchword.
The aims of the Union are formulated In
its constitution under these three heads:
l. To claim for the Christian law the ulti-
mate authority to rule social practice. =.
To study in common how to apply the moral
truths and principles of Christianity to the
social and economic difficulties of the pres
ent time 8. To present Christ in practical
life as the Living Master and King, the
enemy of wrong and selfishness, the power
of righteousness and love. The Economic
Review has been adopted as the organ of the
association. The first book recommended
for reading and study is Prof. Ely's "Social
Aspects of Christianity"
What the organizers of this society desire
Is to get thoughtful men together all over
the country for quiet study. They would
have branches formed in towns and VII
lagos, at which a course of reading should
be carried on, such as the directors shall
fIom time to time commend. They would
have occasional general meetings, which
would attract general attention. They would
have lectures given and leaflets printed.
Educate, educated is the watchword OF this
society.
The Need Of the Hour.
Nobody, 1 think, can dispute the good
which such campaign of education should
effect. What we want more than anything
else is to be informed. For the most part
our hearts are right; but our heads are
puzzled. We don't understand the situa-
tion. We know in q vague way that there
are labor troubles, and that good many
people are living in very uncomfortable
sort Of fashion. We read about strikes, and
shootings, and eviotions, and difficulties be-
tween unions and operators But exactly
where to put our sympathy we know not.
And yet we ought to know, and we really
want to know. But how to knowf That is
the question. For between us and right
Judgment in these matters there seems to be
a big wall of political economy, exceedingly
hard to climb and thickly strewn along the
top with broken glass. We despair of getting
over it. Truth and the right of things are
on the other side but here are we on this
side, and this big wall between.
The Christian Social Union proposes to
help us over. Here are two men who have
national reputation for understanding the
times, especially on the social and economic
side. One is Bishop, the other is profess
sor. And the Bishop and the professor say
to US by means of this society, If there Is any
man who honestly wants to get as near as he
can to the heart of this matter we stand
ready to do our part to help him. We will
tell him what we know. We will direct his
reading. We will be his counselors.
Not sectarian Society.
It seems to me that here is an oppor-
tunity. Its open to anybody who will put
himself in communication with Professor
Ely, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore,
Nd suppose that ought to say just here
that this Christian Social Union is mainly
made up of members of the Episcopal
Church. 1t seemed best to the managers to
secure themselves that sort of backing. But
that need not hinder anybody. There are no
lines nor limits, nor anything seetarian
about the Christian Social Union.
was speaking last week in this Monday
Meditation about the three elements of the
new era, as outlined by that Dean
of the Faculty Of Professors of
Things in General, Mr. Stead. The
three characteristics of the new age
into which we are advancing are, Q) The
universal dominion of the English speaking
race, (2) the reorganization of society on q
socialist basis, and (3) the recognition of the
equality of women with men. The discus
sion of the second Of these great matters has
been greatly increased during the past few
months, not only by the need shown on the
part of workingmen of better understand
ing of their position, but by recognition of
that need on the part of people in authority.
There are not many greater men engaged at
present in addressing the Inhabitants of this
planet than the Prime Minister of England
and the Holy Father at Rome And the
Pope has just published an encyclical deal
ing solely, as we are informed, with the
labor question; while Lord Salisbury has ap-
pointed Labor Commission to investigate
the labor question. The labor question GER
tainly needs discussion and investigation.
We have got to know more about It than we
do. The Christian Social Union is timely.
This, OF something like it, is what we want.
A local branch of such an organization, If
there should be one in Pittsburg, would do
well to provide during its first year for at
least three public lectures, one at the begin
ming. one at the middle and one at the end of
the session. These lectures might be given
by Prof. Ely, by Bishop Huntington and by
Mr.. Carnegie.
An Ideal Programme Sketched.
At the monthly or semi-monthly meetings
there might be some such programme as
this: The meetings might begin with the
reading of paper on a subject previously
announced, The text or topic for such a pa