The San Francisco call., 1897-11-14
IS FEARFUL OF CRANKS.
Rev. Marshall Law Is Not in
Ecstasy Over Christian
Socialism.
Will Cooperate if Number of His
Congregation Favor
League.
OAKLAND OFFICE SAN Francisco CALL.

OAKLAND OFFICE SAN FRANCISCO CALL
908 Broadway, Nov. 13.
Rev. V. Marshall Law has his own ideas
of Christian socialism, and he has ex-
pressed them very clearly in an article in
his church magazine. The number that
will be handed 10 his congregation to-
morrow will no doubt arouse good deal
of comment 1t will raise the question
whether Christian socialism as proclaimed
bv Rev. W. D. P. Bliss is Il desirable
branch of church education.
Last Sunday Rev. w. D. P Bliss sroke at
the Church OF the Advent. aud the result
wasnot exactly what DR.. Law desired or
expected. He is evidently afraid that
there is a possibility that ''cranks'' may
take advantage of the Introduction of
Christian socialism to appear at church
gatherings and rldlcule the church and
Christianity.
The article OF the reverend editor will
say:
The series of sermons on 'Christian Social
ism, " gwen by the Rev. W. ID. 7. Bliss, an
Episcopal clergy man OF Boston, last week in
the Church OF the Advent, were we'll attended
on Sunday and Sunday evening and only
fairly attended on Monday and Tuesday even
lngs! 1t would be hard 10 tell just where the
cause OF the lack OF interest lies. Sunday
evening some of the most careful listeners
were heard TO say at the close OF the service:
III this IS 'Chrstian Socialism we have been
| Christian SOCIALISTS all along, oh1y we did
not know H.
| on Wednesday evening a meeting for the
uurpose of effecting IN organization along the
lines proposed by Mr.. Bliss, WAS held in the
chapel and several mmittees appointed to
enlist cooperation among the people or the
parish, to I'm me constitution AID TO consult
with the vestry. All are 20 report on the
Saturday evening following Thanksgiving
day Personally, the rector is willing 10 &C.
ope "a lie with anything along this line desired
by nny considerable mum ber OF the members
OF tins parish. and will give time aud SYM
pathy to such movement and preach at least
one Sunday evening each month upon the
lines defined by Mr.. Bliss as Christian social
ism.
But he is not willing to help organize n So
ciety TO mix up with any other church, or to
afford scope for professional soclallstic cranks
to air themselves and make fine filings al the
church and at Christianity in general.
Herein will lie the whole difficulty of the
Union Reform League, so-called. The church
is to-day The most perfect organization for
promoting Christian socialism which the
world ever saw, or ever Will see.
ANYTHING which VIII help this parish to
bring the church into better touch with the
social wants of the age Will be encouraged by
the rector and doubtless, by The vestry. ii the
Union Reform League can demonstrate its
usefulness along this line, and If we can keep
the eranks out OF it. or thoroughly subjugated
TO the main purposes of true Christian nity we
and good five cannot do this, we can at
least fall back on the grand old church of
Christ and try through its magnificent ma
ch hinery 10 do the work of Christian Social SIN
even better than 1t has done this IN the past
The question is likely to become one of
great in terest at DR.. Lewis church. J. J.
Valentine is senior warden at the Church
of the Advent and II few weeks ago lie
delivered lecture on "Social Evolution,