The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-12
ETHICS OF CHRISTIANITY,
Rev. M. j. Ferguson Makes
Practical Application
of Doctrines.
The Institute of Applied Christianity
Discussed Economic
Teach ings.

There were ministers of various de-
nominations business men and women in
terested in philanthropic movements at
the meeting of the Institute of Applied
! Christianity, which was held at the Third
Congregational Church last evening. In
the words of fair-faced French woman
who is identified with Christian industrial
| work among her people of this City: 1--WE
are they who want to work outside as well
as inside the church. If we work inside
entirely we are stifed for air."
Rev. T. Flawith presided, and the
speaker of the evening was Rev. NJ. J.
Ferguson, whose topic was "Social and
Economic Teachings of Jesus" He said
in part:
| eve believe if Christians applied the
teachings of Jesus there would be neither
want nor injustice in the world. We
should have the courage to follow those
they will do that if applied.
"The great all-inclusive principle enun-
ciated in the New Testament is love- This
| is the whole duty of man. 1t is the test of
the true in life. Love to God and man are
so interviewer that you cannot do one
without the other. We are to study So
ciety, not to establish new code so much
as to learn to what extent the rules OF
society are in conformity with the law.
Love says the apostle, can do no
wrong 1t is want of love that does the
wrong. Another says in substance: TO
love is to live; not to love is to die Love
is as impartial as the rain and sunshine.
1t seeks no reward-not even gratitude. 1t
Is Christ's aim that consciousness of the
need of our neighbors will lead us to a
spirit OF love and helpfulness. 'Whatso-
ever We would that men should do unto
you do We even so unto them This is the
sum of scriptural teachings as to the duty
of love. Hence the principle as applied to
business means benevolence. In transact
ing business it is a mans duty to consider
the good of the other party in bargain
equally with his own.
"Service is duty. It is mans bust
ness to shine as much as it is the business
OF light. There are no limits. as to SER
vice, except the competency of the giver
and the needs, or ability to receive, of the
recipient. Service where it is needed is
not charity. 1t is justice.
"Love enjoys the duty of giving con-
slant and willing service. Honest per-
Torrance is required by the law of love.
He who does not give this honest service
is a hypocrite.
Property is not the right of man, but
man the right Of property. A greater part
OF our life is in relation to property, and
just as that relation is right or wrong our
lives are moral or immoral. A man who
devotes his life to getting on violates the
law of love, righteousness, Justice, the
golden rule-whatever you choose to call
it. We have biblical authority for calling
such a man a fool.
Another principle l want to call your
attention to is that of democracy. Do
not, because of your measure of compe-
tency permit no man to call you master.
Such is the teaching of the Scriptures.
'l,ac nf ,Cle
his social life. That is the sum total of
the teaching of Christ"
Rev. F. Flawith, F. Underwood ]. S.
Clark, Rev. E. J. Dupuy, Mrs. J. T. Nc
Donald, Rev. ]. E. Scott, N. Sodenberg
and others shared in the general discussion
Of practical nature which followed
1.-THE law of society is that we must live
selfishly or die. How shall we reverse
that law ?" said one of the speakers. ut
is the purpose of this institute to solve
that problem" was the answer. sIf we
cannot solve it now, we study its solu-
ton" The membership of the institute
is about forty, and there have been a num-
Der of applications upon which action will
be taken.
Rev. J. A. Cruzan will address the in
stitute at the next meeting, on the 18th
inst, on the subject of 'fChristianitv as
Applied to the Employer" and on the 18th
inst. E. B. bennett will speak of Chris
tianity as Applied to the Employee"