The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-03-21

PAUPERISM AND CRIME.
These Things Do Not Come by Chance.
the Children
w. CRISPIN.


is not this the trouble with our
social doctors, our lawmakers and the
custodians of society in general
Have they not all along been treat
ing the effects of social disorders in
stead of trying to remove the causes
of crime and mendicancy7 How is
it when a crime is committed9 Does
the public stop to inquire how it came
about and remove the cause? Why,
no, they usually concern themselves
about the event and the punishment
A few may think of trying to reform
the offender, but almost none thinks
of trying to prevent the cultivation of
the offending classes in our midst;
while vast numbers look upon these
things as something that can not be
provided against.
Now l have very little sympathy
with such very pessimistic ideas. And
it is these ideas which stand squarely
in the way of the needed reform. l
believe vast improvement can and
ought to be made in these matters.
Society can be lifted up in these worst
sections.
But the most difficult part is to in
spire faith in those who have infu-
ence that the thing can be done. We
are too easily satisfied. If we are
but just little better than Hotten-
tots we hug ourselves with congratu-
lations, instead of pressing forward
to higher attainments. Then we
lack faith in ourselves, in humanity,
in God. Society, I say, busies itself
about the overt act, and affects to
wonder why the criminal committed
the crime, when in fact, society itself
has done, or neglected to do the very
thing which invited the crime and
bred the criminal. The guilt of the
culprit is iterated and reiterated by
the public, but that same public
seems never to have dreamed that it.
self is party to the crime. Having
incarcerated the criminal or melted
out such other punishment as it
deems protective of public good, it
folds it's hands with pietistic air and
permits the criminal mills to go on
forever grinding out their woful
grists and grinding out the hearts of
Gods people and debauching So
ciety.
Now the logic of the situation is
that humanity, with all it's tendency
to evil, has vast powers for improve
ment And we are to very large ex
tent our brothers keeper. The very
nature and intent of Christianity
binds this duty upon US, deny it as
we may. And it is not to be mani
tested chiefly toward our special
friends to the neglect of others.
Even the publicans love those who
love them. If ye love them only
which love you what reward have
you? The Christianity of Christ en-
courages no mutual admiration So
ciety; it does not glory chiefly in the
fine churches, wealthy people and fine
clothes. But it bristles all over with
helpfulness toward the weak and de-
fenseless, and even toward the GRIM
inal, because he is largely the victim
of heridity and environment.
Can Not Christianity Save the Masses?
Some years ago the Methodist
Times of London, Eng, said: "While
thousands of London families live,
each in single room, virtue is impos-
sible. If Christianity cannot alter
all this Christianity will be rejected
by the goth century. * Men are
at last aware that the existing social
conditions of millions of people would
have been impossible, if all who pro-
fess and call themselves Christians
had carried out the instructions of
the Master
"The time has come for courageous
believers in Jesus to undertake the
salvation of society as we'll as the in
dividual." But, my friends, to do
this the masses must have an envir-
onment favorable to virtue and un-
favorable to vice. If we can not take
the child out of his evil surroundings
let us make his surroundings the best
possible. and let us supplement this
with every education and training.
Creches or Day Nurseries.
In Paris a philanthropic Associa-
ton has established AZ Creches or
public Day Nurseries, to take care of
the children during the day while
their mothers go out to work. Other
wise these children must either be
locked in all day, or be allowed to
run at large in the market-pla and
exposed to untold dangers. These
creches have done a vast work in
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