The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-12-12
CHRISTIAN SOCIALISM.

adapted to the social nature and
wants of man. 1t is adjusted to
mans social affections and relations.
1t teaches equality, liberty and fra
ternity. Its doctrine Of the Univer
sal Fatherhood of God, and the
brotherhood of man, pres ents basis
for social unity, affinity, sympathy,
and cooperation as broad as human
ity. Here we have the ground for
the Christian law of love which en-
braces morality and religion, benevo-
lence and worship, and sums up
mans duties to God and to his fell
low men. "Thou shalt love the Lord
thy God with all thy heart and with
all thy mind, and with all thy strength,
and thy neighbor as thyself." This
law of love, so universal and all en-
bracing, is based upon, and the duties
it enjoins grow out of, mans rela-
tions to God as his Father, and to
his fellowmen as brethren. This
great law, as we'll as the divinely
revealed relation upon which it is
founded, is peculiar to Christianity.
1t is presented in the teaching of
Christ with sublimity, strength and
beauty that is not to be found in the
doctrine of any other teacher, and
with an authority such as we find in
no other system of religion. But the
doctrine of Gods Fatherhoo1, and
mans brotherhood, and the law of
universal love growing out of it, was
not only taught by Christ with au-
thority; they were recognized in his
life and enforced by his example.
In this relation and under this law
there was developed in the early Chris
tian communities form of socialis
which their peculiar circumstances
demanded and justified. 1t enabled
them to meet and overcome the fear
full persecution they were called upon
to face and endure. This 1t did by
the destruction for the time being of
the spirit of individual selfshness
which has always proved an element
of weakness in every great crisis that
has arisen in the history of the
church. The community of interest,
the unity of faith, the bond of divine
love, and the spirit of Christian char
ity were the essential elements of the
Christian socialism which enabled
the infant church to meet and over
come the worlds hate.
These essential principles of Chris
tian life and Christian character, if
generally possessed and practically
applied, would as effectually overcome
the social evils that now threaten the
peace, safety and prosperity of So
ciety as it did the spirit of persecu-
ton that assailed the early church.
These are Christian and not politi-
cal principles; they belonged to a
Christian, and not political social
ism; and they did their work by Chris
tian and not political methods. Mod
ern reforms, if brought about by the
practical application of the principles
of Christian socialism, must be ac-
complshed in the same way. The
Christian method is to reform society
by reforming individuals. Personal
reformation must precede social refor-
nation. Reform men and society
will be reformed.
Christianity begins with the heart
and works from within outward into
action, conduct, politics, legislation,
laws and institutions. This method
is the only one that will secure per-
manent reforms. To be enduring
they must begin in the heart. The
well spring of human action, life
and character must be changed.
There must be a moral revolution
wrought in the very nature of men
by the truths and principles of Chris
tianity before any great moral re-
form can lift society up to higher
plane of thinking, feeling and action.
The very nature of God, Christ and
Christianity is love, and love always
begins with the heart. 1t does its
first work there, and then works out
into thoughts, words, deeds, habits,
character, society, and laws. This
is the philosophy of Christian re-
form. 1t is the method in which
true Christian socialism always works
for the improvement of society and
the elevate on of the masses.
This method is not push from
below, but pull from above. 1t is