The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-22
DR. BROWNS HOT SHOT,
He Attacks Professor Herron's
Well-KnoWn Themes on
Sociology.
WILD CONCEPTIONS OF ORDER
Agitators Who Are Frightening Cap
ital and Paralyzing
Trade.

Nearly every seat in the First Congrega-
tional Church was occupied last night by
people interested in the somewhat defiant
stand taken by the pastor of the church,
DR.. G. 0. Brown, concerning the teachings
of that great disciple of sociology, DR..
Heron. The majority of the vast audi
ence expected something in the nature of
bomb, and they were not disappointed.
The following is the full text of DR..
Browns address as delivered last night:
Eight months ago it was proposed that the
Bay Association of Congregational Ministers
should invite hither Professor George d. Her
ron to deliver a series of lectures, as he is now
doing. That proposition was defeated by an
almost unanimous vote. When it was renewed
in the Monday Club it was opposed on the
as those of the "sand lots" though he comes
with the sacred phrases which are sanctified by
centuries OF association with the cross OF Jesus.
l would not impugn any mans motive.
Professor Heron has all the apparent en-
thusiasm which usually oharacterizes one who
has espoused great error i'll the belief that 1t
is great truth He is sometimes caught I'M
consciously in the tolls which charm the dema-
gogue, as when in the same column he appeals
to the mob by decrying competition and to the
stockholders of the valley road by commend
inb il as q new incarnation of Christianity.
On the whole, however, he is doubtless sincere,
though utterly wild in his conception OF social
order.
Processing to speak for a social order which
should realize the teachings OF Jesus Christ,
he, in fact, invites revolution, which would
result in anarchy. Calling upon individuals
and the State for a reign OF self-sacr1fice, he
would in fact, introduce carnival OF plunder.
Demanding new economic system, based on
benevolence, his proposed revolution could
result only in such expressions OF selfshness
as would carry us back to the days OF the
Caesars.
Decrying wages as slavery" his theories re-
allied could only introduce a system wherein
department bosses and "labor checks would
represent such tyranny as the world has not
seen since the Pyramids were built. Thunder
ing against competition, he derives his 1mpor-
lance from the fact that he is a leading COM
petitor among those who would make our laws
of sea foam and rule us with crank. Decry-
ing property as q prey, he would encourage
barbarism, which would leave no social order
TO prey upon.
But sincerity will not excuse any man for
such wild utteTances as characterize his printed
works: as have characterized his lectures in
this city.
The following are but a few of them-samples
from great numbers: ave are fallen nation
an apostate people" ''As nation we have be-
trayed our trust; our economic system is
Organized social wrong; Christ is becom-
ing the social ideal of the mob" He sneers at
our public schools: "Christ spent the entire
first year of his ministry in trying to get con-
troll of the State; Society is moving quickly
TO revolution; politicians will be fuel TO the
burning that is coming: "The blood of that
revolution VIII be laid at our Doors; "NOth-
ing in the past that viii compare with the
awful anguish to come" (unless we ac-
cept Professor Herrons views; "Our
boosted liberties were born not in the
faith of our Puritan fathers, but OF the
atheism of France; "This nation is to-day in
a state of awful social anarchy; This is the
most critical hour in all human history;
"This is the day when the Messiah has APP
peared. He is here in this room now. Him
hath God raised up in the social movements OF
20 lox-1 rn he
getting ready for the social baptism OF the
Holy Ghost; "Forces are marshaling for
their supreme agony; The he only way in
tice is to possess the State" "a new holy Cath
Ole church is yet to be realized"
With the exception of the last quotation all
OF the above were in my hearing.
Look for moment at the bearing of such
words with others that follow quoted from his
books on the public mind at a time when gen.
eral business depression strains the relations
between employers and wage earners. Feeling
is already sufficiently tense. Unless there is
distinct and deliberate intention to stir up
mob violence, is this the time to affirm that
"our economic system is organized social
wrong" that society is moving quickly to
revolution; that politicians will be fuel 10
the burning that is coming; that 'forces are
marshaling for their supreme agony? say
that we have reason TO be devoutly grateful
that this young professor was not here with
such sayings last July, when this city and
Oakland were trembling on the verge OF riot.
easily be fire and blood.
/ opposed his coming, both before the as
ISOLATION and before the club. While l love
my country and its sacred institutions, shall
with whatever influences have oppose the ut
terances of any man who makes war on its in
situations. | tried to show that the institutions
OF this country are the unfolding of Gods
thought, working upward to the light through
ages of struggle. AS result we are free. The
man, who, though Internationally, would
frenzy the mob against these institutions ap-
70 70 lnn TATTI rtyl,,.
casts reproach upon our constitution as the off
spring of French atheism is not only untrue to
the religious life and heroic self-sacrifce of
our fathers-he is guilty Of contempt for the
nation.
Yes opposed this mans coming. did not
want such things to be said in San Francisco
especially under the auspices OF Congregation
alism. / thought the time had come for some
man, at whatever cost, TO say that such utter
ances are largely the cause OF our present dis
tresses
with the sufferings of the poor and the burdens
OF earth's toilers. Born into home of toll
and reared to trade which learned while
still boy, know the heart and the aspira-
lions of the toiler.
Let this newcomer, who is here to tell us how
TO relieve all poverty, keep step with me few
days amid the homes OF poverty In san Fran
cisco and he will learn the difference between
theoretical and practical relief of the poor. 1t
is because want the present distress of the
unemployed relieved that oppose the agita-
JOfS WIZ are Cdpltdl anu
trade.
/ am well aware that DR., Herron's lectures
are full of references to Christ and his gospel.
He means well; but, it seems to me, the most
fearful and dangerous element of this whole
matter is his use Of the name of Christ to give
weight to such destructive teachings. Our
liberties are all from the spirit of him who
said, "Call no man master" The touch of his
nail-pierced hand is on our freedom-giving
constitution. 1t embodies the heroic Christian
sacrifice of immortal past and the fragrance of
names that will never die. 1t is the embodi-
ment in secular form of a great and divine
truth. To invoke its destruction in the name
of New Redemption" in the name of the
holy Christ, seems to me little short of bias
phemy.
Let us ask for q moment what would be the
result if at the close of DR.. Herron's lectures
here we should gather about him and say, .'All
right, professor, we believe. Now we are for
you and your scheme" Suppose we should
destroy our national Constitution and our eco
nomic system and say: ''Now for your dream.
We have as nation sacrificed our national
life and destroyed.our Constitution. AS indi-
viduals we are ready to sacrifice ourselves for
this New Redemption Now put us to work
along the lines of this cooperative and sacri-
fetal system of industry. The factories are
silent The railroads are waiting. The mills
are not grinding. The mines are asking for
orders. The lunatic asylums and orphanages
want to know what shall be done with their
empty larders and their occupants. Law and
the courts have SACRIFICED themselves, and
want to know what to do with their prisoners.
How shall we go at all this? How can sacri-