The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-29
CHRIST A SINGLE TAXER,
James E. Mills Talks on the
Subject of "Christian
Economics"
Practical Meaning to Society of the
Gospel of the Man of
Judea.

Evidently James E. Mills, the single tax
advocate, had in mind the parable OF
Christ on the Talents" and the fate OF
the man who "buried his talent in the
earth" when he addressed the thoughtful
audience which filled Justice hall in the
Pythian building, on Market street, last
evening. Mr.. Mills believes that there is
a great deal more involved in the Christian
religion besides mere ethics, and he enter
tains some very practical views of the
teachings of Jesus Christ as to sociological
questions. The subject of Mr. Mills was
christian Economics" and he said in
substance:
Some one has said that Christ preserved a
perfect silence on the subject OF economics, but,
the fact is, the teachings OF Christ are so silent
only to those who cannot hear.
The struggle for freedom has been formulated
in a thousand different ways. Once it was
ssFreedom of Conscience" then it was mo
Taxation Without Representation again it
was, Freedom of Speech and so on to the end
of the list of human struggles for greater lib
erty, but all pointing, when analysed, to the
solemn truth that all men stand equal before
God.
Every step in the development of freedom
has been taken along this line. Herbert Spen-
Ger defined the land of equal freedom to be
that every man shall be at liberty 10 do what
he will so long as he infringed not on the right
OF OIneF, DuL ne ulQ NOT 20 lar enough.
His definition is but the outward expression
of what is more fundamental, namely, that all
men are equal before God. The conscience of
the whole world is becoming aroused on this
subject of economies, and there can be no rest
or quiet until the truth of it is recognized and
reduced to practice.
However we may differ as to spiritual truth
and doctrine, there are certain vital principles
about which there is no differing. These are
the declarations of equal freedom embodied in
the commandments, OF Glove to God and thy
neighbor." These are the central laws OF
human existence. 1t is declaration not only
that every man should love God, but also that
God loves him.
This law OF equal freedom and equal rights
also necessarily involves equal duties. 1t
teaches that the law of service is the law OF
human life, which in plain words is that every
man shall do his share OF the worlds work.
This excludes idleQeSS. But it also means that
every man shall have his share of the product
of the worlds work. Service for service is the
law OF equal freedom, the law OF normal
human life, and only service entities any man
to share IN the benefits of the worlds work.
The idea that religion is mere matter of be-
liefis passing away, and in its stead is growing
up the idea that it consists in living in obedi-
ence TO the dictates of an enlightened con-
science. So also there must be public con-
science, and it is q hopeful sign of our times
that there is beginning to be public con-
science
We all know very well that all men have not
their equal share in the product OF the world s
work, have not an equal opportunity OF access
to the earth, where alone they can perform
their share of the work The fact is every
where recognized that many of the workers
fare worse now than many of the slaves did in
the days of chattel slavery. This shows the
beginning of public conscience on the sub
lect of economics.
The law of equal freedom is inconsistent with
all forms OF privilege. The idea that any man
can exclude his fellows from equal access with
him to natural opportunities TO supply his
wants is at war with Christianity ana is pre-
posterous
Natural opportunities are all comprised in
the term land. Christianity therefore demands
that every one shall have his equal share OF
GODS earth. There is no escape from this con-
clusion. This equality of opportunity the sin
gle tax viii provide. because it win efectually
distribute to the comm unity the rent, which
Is the economic value of the land in use, and
leaving to the worker the full product OF his
labor above the rent.
Mr.. Mills devoted half hour after the
address to answering questions from the
/ audience to show that the present system
OF taxation operated as burden upon and
check to industry and is all in favor of the
landowner.
Next Sunday the Single Tax Society will
meet at the same place and discuss the
question, How Not to Do It." the discus
sion to be led by James S. Reynolds.