The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-24
AN APPEAL TO THE CLERGY,
Disciples of Marx Would
Teach Them What Social
ism Means.
THE TEACHINGS OF CHRIST.
Heroes of the Past We're in Their
Day Known as Rebels and
AgitatorS.

A meeting of the Fabian Club was held
for the discussion of sociallstic doctrines.
The club, of which the Rev. NJ. ]. Fergus
son is president anG Miss Van Davis secre-
tary, was organized for the purpose of con-
sidering socialism and endeavoring to
bring about desired results in lawful
manner, and not by violence and the de-
struction of the foundation on which the
Governments rest. The principal topic
discussed was Chow Values Would Be
Determined Under a Cooperative Com
monwealth." Among those present and
who took part in the discussion was Lau-
renee Gronlund, author of "Co-operative
Commonwealth" and Sea Ira."
Before adjournment letter, of which
the following is a copy, was read. The
club will have it printed and sent to every
clergyman in the city and State:
SAN FRANCISCO, April %, 1895.
To the Clergy Of San Francisc0-DEAR SIRs: In
view of the necessity for correcting very
common error and in order to make the teach
ings OF the true Christianity more universally
observed, we very respectfully address you.
The error which we refer to is the general
misunderstanding OF the aims and purposes or
socialism and socialists. Socialism means
system of government wherein the means of
production are owned and operated by the
people for the benefit OF all. 1t means uniyer-
sal cooperation.
The aims of the socialists are to attain this
result, which they think is good, by peaceable
dlawful methods They are opposed to war
and violence and they believe that the advent
of socialism will Danish both internal and ex-
ternal warfare, socially, financially and politl-
cally. Socialists not revolutonists or an
archists in the sense that those words are used
by those who oppose their doctrines. Above
all things they advocate peace and brotherly
love between men and nations.
Every hero of the past whom sincere Chris
tians hold up to glorify and honor was an agi-
tator or rebel against the conditions that ex-
listed in his day. They were all more or less
denounced and maligned by the conservatives
OF their day, just as socialism and socialists are
now traduced and vilifed by those who know
no better or whose hearts are vicious. Every
writer and prominent leader OF the socialists
advocates peace, law and order.
Now the other hand we note a tendency
among the followers of Jesus Tor rather those
who profess to be followers of him) to preserve
a condition (sucn as now exists wherein every
man is warning, financially If not violently,
against his fellow-men. We note also that in
many churches and schools the children are
being taught the tactics OF actual warfare and
the use of arms.
Can il be possible that the church of Christ
has so far departed from his kind and loving
teachings that rebuke must come from those
who believe in his teachings butwho are with
out the temples? We are teaching peace and
good will, cooperation, equality and freedom.
We are asking for the eradication of methods
of business which encourage selfishness and
dishonor. We aim to make this earth's affairs
as God wills it should be. We hope our Chris
tian brethren will in turn use their greatest in
huence and efforts toward the Punishment of
war and against all teachings which will make
the children able to and ready to kill their fell
low-men.
Socialism is not religious doctrine, but
claims to be a practical system of applying the
teachings of the Old and New Testaments to
our individual life. 1t was first outlined for
modern use by Hebrew, Karl Marx. 1t shows
way of replacing competition by cO-opera-
ton; selfshness and inordinate greed by jus
tice; wage-slavery and poverty by freedom and
opportunity.
Does not the church want these reforms +?
We believe all true Jews and Christians do,
that all true men do also, and we respectfully
urge and implore all to help in the propagation
of such doctrines as these upon which socialism
is founded.
We believe that it was intended that such
commands as these should be observed among
men:
"Thou shalt not kill" We do not think men
and children should be taught to kill.
"Thou shalt not coYet thy neighbors house,
nor anything that is thy neighbors"
We believe that no system should be sustained
(by those who adhere TO this command), which
takes from the laborer what he has produced
without giving him full equivalent for what
he has made to grow or produced. Business
can be conducted so that each shall receive
just and full equivalent. And this is the aim
of socialists.