The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-12-10
CHRISTIAN SOCIALISM.
Rev. w. ID. Il. Bliss Explains 1t to a
Crowded House.

Tuesday night az Theosophcai hall Rev.
w. u. T. Bliss delivered "a lecture on
Christian Socialism" Mr.. Bliss is one
of the founders of Christian socialism in
this country. He is an ardent believer in
his cause, and states il strongly. He is
travelling secretary of the Church Social
Union. and has presented his cause in
churches and halls In almost all the cities
of the United States. The result is
great interest in the subject.
The hall was crowded and Mrs. Alvah
Glover Salmon. at the plano, and Miss
Barrager, the singer. furnished some beau
ffful music. Mr.. Bliss defined Christian
socialism as socialism In obedience to and
in the spirit of Jesus Christ. The phrase.
he said. was sometimes used In a looser
sense. but as originally used by Rev. F.
D. Maurice forty-eight years ago. and as
still used accurately in England and
America. it means full socialism, hut in
the spirit of the Carpenter of Nazareth.
What IS socialism? II is not anarchy,
but It's opposite Anarchy cries. away
with the law away with government. So
cialsm magnifes law and Christian So
cialism is the law of love. Nor is social
ism paternalIsm. Socialism Is not the mere
expansion OF government. To turn the
railroads over TO Uncle Sam Is not neces-
sarily socialism. Socialism is not the
coddiing of the dear laborer. Socialism,
by the derivation of the word by It's his
tory it's philosophy. its traditions, Is es-
sentially fraternal and democratic. II the
government be fraternity. II IL be really
democratic. then to extend the function
Of government Is socialism. Otherwise II
IS not. For the United States 10 run the
railroads and for the corporations TO run
the government would not be sociaiistic.
Socialism IS as Laurence Gronlund has
defined II In the Cooperative Common
wealth IL is the ownership and opera
ton Of industry by the community fra
ternally organized for the good of all.
Christian socialism Is the Christian CO.
operative commonwealth, Why Is IL
Chrlstian7 First, because Christ COM
rnanded It, what is the foundation stone
OF individuallsrn7 The search after indi-
vidual development. This Christ denied.
He said, If any man come after me. let
him deny himself and take up his cross
and follow ma, He that ioseth his life for
my sake shall find IT.
"Christ's method was the reversal OF
self-seekiug The cross ia the symbol of
Christian socialism Secondly. Christ's life
teaches this. Christ was a Jew. The
foundation OF the Jewish church was the
thsocracy, the divine kingdom Under
the Hebrew law, no man could own land
In fee simple. The land belonged TO all.
Every man was entitled 20 the use OF ;and,
but only 70 its use SO with capital. The
tools. They could not permanently De
taken from him II mortgaged. shey must
be returned before night. Now. Jesus
Christ distinctly De slared that He came
10 fuliil the law. He 0beyei II every way.
He was always taking about the Fing-
dom 81 God. Yet modern Christianity
has forgotten this it has made Gods
law OF justice Of no effect Through is ira
ditions. Protestant traditions, Roman ira
dstonss Episcopal traditions. II has put
q heaven beyond IN place of justice now.
Hence. workinEmen des1ise tne church.
They see Christians talk about heaven
snd on earga gamble and seal n railway
bonds and real estate as much AZ any
wording This may not wholly be Tho
church's fault. The times are inaisiauol-
is,ic.
Eve IN America have learned TO dexp.ss
government Our theory has been each
for SELF The result f. that the weak hare
eaten up the strong. We ara hayisg great
carpoTa tious ard crust and ynaaeppi %
oa the one hand and TIE dowa-iroAiden
people on The other The result s. class
hatred, aud strikes and social EAr. What
We need IL fratevna} c0-epsra stJn. ruuzici-
psiisn. na5.onaitsm. fratcrrzl 0FSauiza-
tions o. every kind x MIST cone ug 5v
s1ow growth hur above al ~ Iorai
growth and Christian character. SELF
seeking ard self-incerss: VIII never brIIg
ia fae kingdom % hove.
The i&hor movement Reeds conversion
ara the church needs reEersl1a- Back %
Christ. back TO TIE CarpeassT g ths p
psT Caam1ey ThIs "a Carlsriau socialism
T. s. coming fast Ia Euzlau3 .i1e-st Al
me younger men q the csur-a u Epglanl
ara Christian socialists. iE AmerlcA bssa-
ops Ike B4saop Potter. % %eS York. and
Bishop Huntington % Syracuse cieTzy-
ner Ike Or. R4insfor6 and Dr. Gladden.
rnen Exc Prot Ely and Dr. Herr : a-e
leading 81 tnss movement. X Is daybFsak
every here''
Last "a; n re sane haIl NJ. Bliss lee
tured on ~Fso.an Socialism, Or Hos 70
mrnk fa the C1-0neTsE dive C41msgn-
zea3ta.'