The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-07-10
PRACTICABLE SOCIALISM,
DR.. SCOTS Address to the
Institute of Applied
Christianity.
II. J. McCoy's Reason for Refusing
Shelter to the Institute-COm-
ing Speakers.

DR.. J. E. Scott addressed the Institute
of Applied Christianity at the Third Con-
gregational Church last evening. His sub
ject was, "Is Socialis Practicable?"
Socialism, as l understand it, 3" said he,
sis caring for society and its needs
righteously. 1t is an Interpretation of the
text, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thy
self There is no reason that socialism
shall be deemed other than in conformity
to the letter as well as spirit of the gospel
of Christ
DR.. Scott traced briefly the history Of
socialistic movements in this country, and
spoke OF the Brook Farm as the most i'm
portant of those attempts.
lone reason that efforts in that line have
failed is that they have been as much COM
munistic as socialistic," said DR.. Scott.
There has been an invasion into family
life and that cannot be brooked. II was
a pernicious element and has no place
in socialism. Another difficulty has
been disagreement about the distribu-
ton of values. Socialism claims that
labor is the cause or source of value.
There is a cloud upon the title of those
whose wealth consists in interest from bust
ness or investment, and it is a cloud that
is more real in the sunlight of modern in
teiligence. Society is knit together as an
organic whole, and an effort to withhold
property as belonging entirely to an in
dividual or class is sure to fail.
ITO say that socialism is impracticabe
because human nature is selfish is to say
that socialism is impracticable because it
is needed. We hear that men cannot be
legislated into unselfishness. That is true,
but neither can we legisate men into hon
esty, yet we would not repeal our laws
against theft.
The social problem of the future is to
unite individual liberty with a practical
interest in the good of the community.
England is demonstrating the practical
bility of socialism. America IS following
close behind the mother country. 1t is
question of a great fraternal community
as opposed to conflict OF fraternal inter-
ests."
One of the audience inquired how long
DR.. Scott thought it would be, If present
conditions continued, before there would
be a revolution. The doctor replied that
he hoped there would be peaceful revo-
luton soon. If a more formidable revolu-
ton occurred it would probably have few
harbingers, but come like lightning out of
a clear sky.
the fact that all the money of the world
was owned by fifteen persons.
Rev. E. J. Dupuy said the young people
in the so-called university at Palo Alto are
taught that life is a struggle in which the
means of success is downing others"
He believes that education is the chief
agency of advancing socialism.
1t was announced that Rev. E. ]. Dupuy
would address the institute on the subject
of christianity as Applied to Society,""
on Tuesday evening. Rev. +. 3. Pullan
will speak on the subject of Emulation
and Competition" ON the 23d inst. Rev.
G. W. Henning will give his lecture, ga
Fallen Nation" before the institute on the
Goth inst.
Rev. E. J. Dupuy, secretary of the In
stitute, had written Secretary H. J. Nc
Coy, asking why the Young Mems Chris
tar Association had denied that body a
place of meeting in it's building. The fol-
lowing letter, in response to the inquiry,
was read:
E. J. Dupuy, Secretary Institute Applied Christi
dnitu-MY DEAR SIR: Your esteemed favor of
June % reached our Office during my absence
from the City, and take this, my earliest OPP
portunity, OF replying to the same.
1t has been the rule of our association for all
time to have nothing whatever TO do with any
thing that created division in public seEti-
menI, or where there were points of contro-
versy involved. This was the only reason your
society was refused permanent headquarters at
our building.
Wishing you all possible blessing ard sue
cess IN your good work, remain very sincerely
yours, H. j. Mccoy, General Secretary.
No action was taken in reference to the
matter.