The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-05-19
Special drive in crockery at Atkinson's
The Churchman'S second Response.

The Churchman's Second Response.
To the Editor Of the Press:
In response to NJ. S. Daveis's commun-
ication published in the PRESS of Nav
18th, the Churchman would reply that
while apparently the principles Of Chris
tian socialism therein Endorsed seem in
deed feasible plan to pursue in adjust
ing the social problem of today they will
not be found on rigorous examination
to be sound philosophy OF the best ex-
pediency. If the principles of the Chris
tian socialist were adopted c. ulent peo-
pie must give universally Without dis.
elimination, also the cultured must give
OF their possessions, and the final result
of such course would collapse into
state of anarchy, financial and mentalpov-
erty. Again all the varied enterprises.
such as trade. commerce and the arts.
which now stimulate mankind and cause
the well being of society while promot-
ing good order would ere long languish
If the incentive to labor were taken
away. But beyond these considerati ons,
socialism as advocated in the communi-
cation of M. S. Daveis. is opposed to the
genius of our Lords teaching, for has
He not instructed us that mankind shall
labor and that each one has received
talent specially designed for him which
he is required to multiply? Christ de-
clares that we are not to enjoy paradise
while in our material condition. The
writer in the limited space allowed can
not discuss to any extent the great social
question, but he is at one with the senti-
ments expressed in an article published
in the Atlantic Monthly for February,
1890, entitled AMr. Bethany and tile
New National Party by Francis A.
Walker, in which he reviews with
marked ability Mr.. Bellamy's book
Looking Backward" Mr.. Walker il
Illustrates the entire impracticabilitv to
put it mildly, of Bellamy's premises,
and shows that were they put into action
we should have state akin to starva-
ton. Also, that on his principles, socie-
ty could be covered by that class known
as convicts for life. Thus he says Mr..
Bellamy assures us that it is not neces-
sary that human nature should be
changed, but only right organization of
existing forces secured. Mr.. Walker
puts the question: do the people of
India, whose custom and public opinion
are almost the sole law, and where com
petition is scarcely solnuch as knewn by
name, suffer no hardships? Are they
not devoured by crocodiles, drowned in
rivers, swept away in millions by period
ical pestilences, decimated by famine
and famine fevers?"
We are told that if Mr.. Bellamy had
appeared sooner, then Christ need not
have died. Once more Christian social
lists would overturn society and each
one desire to rule, while the worthless
would indeed welcome state of things
in which they would not be compelled
Matthew Arnold in his work on ''Cul-
ture and Anarchy" is not in sympathy
with the populace doing as they like.
Emerson said that for those to whom
he was related he would spend, if need
be, to the extent of his last dollar, but
did not consider that he was bound to do
for others outside of those mentioned,
we think, in his essay on ''Self Reliance
Doubtless what Emerson, Lowell and
Ruskin mean to imply, that each should
do their part in helping the progress of
humanity.
1t must be apparent that the Church
mans view as published in his first re-
Spouse, issat one withthe true spirit of
Kindness and charity which finds it's
best expression in the Man of Nazareth.
j, G, b.