The herald., 1898-02-27
Rev. Mr.. Bliss Again

followed Mr.. Bliss in his writings, his
sermons and informal talks that any per-
sons of cultivated intelligence and fair
mindedness can describe him as "a pestil-
ent fellow" and IAN anarchist" Such per-
sons display at the outset strange ig-
norance in these days of abundant die
tionaries and acute discussion of the two
terms, socialism and anarchy, which are
now accepted as at opposite poles of the
social program.
Socialism, as defined by the sober and
thoughtful, and as urged by Mr.. Bliss, is
cooperative, constructive action, by dis
cussion and ballot, along the lines of our
present social and political development
1t Is truly evolutionary and not in any wise
revolutionary.
Anarchy is the doctrine of those who seek
to abolish present evils by the overthrow
of all organized government, and this by
violence, If not otherwise possible.
1t is the spread of this doctrine and ef-
fort which Mr.. Bliss would arrest and
prevent by league which should rally
all who realize the present dangers and
who would unite for the understanding of
the problems which confront us to secure
by the freeman's weapons their safe and
peaceful solution.
The term christian is correctly ap-
piled to this modern and conservative form
of socialism, by those who believe that its
spirit and purposes are in harmony with
the golden rule" of Christianity.
In his appeals for membership in this
league Mr.. Bliss has repeated and enforced
the fact stated in his constitution, that
membership does not demand nor involve
acceptance of his own personal convic-
tion, or even, of the various planks, So
called, of the platform itself, but only a
desire to organize for a campaign of edu-
cation along social lines, and of such later
effort as the majority may decide upon by
full vote
AS to Mr.. Bliss career and record, It is
open to all. He is no novice in this work,
and has had the endorsement of eastern
bishops and clergy In his own church and
ministers of other denominations and of
eminent laymen, not few. OF such men
as Bishop Huntington, who says: THE
lectures and sermons of Rev. w. p. ID.
Bliss are in their matter, method, style
and spirit admirable. The study of years,
ample experience, a profound Christian
faith, Joined with excellent common and
uncommon sense. qualify him eminently
for the kind of evangelistic work to which
he has been called" Rev. Rainsford of
St. Georges rectory, New York: HE has
facts to give, things to say, which all
Christians need to hear and give heed to-"
Rev. Robert Holland of st. Georges, st.
Louis: "A prudent, careful but very Wig
orous presentation of the social duties of
CnufCnIneH. ONe OIL our ledulnB manu1QC-
turers and the employer of many men said:
The sermon was the most sensible and
satisfactory statement of the needs and
prospects of social reform which 1 have
ever heard "
These views were reinforced by such
men as Rev. Heber Newton and other pro-
gressive ministers; of Richard Ely, pro-
fessor in the University of Wisconsin, and
by critical reviewers, who say of his en-
cyc1Ona6a n that tsit 10 mn oil
an epitome of the social and economic con-
ditions and the state of human progress in
the last decade of the nineteenth century"
Mr. Bliss has earned thereby the hearty
thanks of all students of economic and
socia. questions, as well as of all jour-
nalists, clergymen and hosts Of intelligent
readers.
In this volume Mr.. Bliss has secured
the work of experts in each line, so that
the statements may be authentic and just
and has spent four years or more in its
preparation.
Those who candidly wish to understand
him and his work, can best do so by hearing
him at such free meetings as the Tuesday
afternoons at st. Paul's Guild hall, where
he covers all phases of his topics with
skill born of his thorough familiarity with
them, and with a serenity born of his
faith in the ultimate triumph of truth.
He welcomes questions and objections
and difficulties most Hospitality. Indeed,
Mr.. Bliss resembles among modern re-
formers most nearly in spirit Rev. Sam j.
May, who was for many years in the
Unitarian church at Syracuse, N. V, and
who was lkened to the beloved disciple, a
man in whom there was no guile. 1t can be
truthfully said by those who have fol-
lowed carefully other reform campaigns
that in none have there been advocates
more able honest, fair and philosophic
than Mr. Bliss.
A word or two as to the Sunday mass
meeting at the Los Angeles theater. 1t
was so fine spectacle, to see brethren of
all faiths and of none, so far as dogmatic
theology is concerned: of all circles and all
political parties, met to show their interest
or their curiosity-in an honest effort
to meet the evils which all thinkers admit
now threaten to engulf our fair city and
our land as they have done in other times
1t was so representative in its speeches of
a sincere desire to understand those prob
lens and rally to their safe and peaceful
solution that some of us said 1T Is a mod
ern Pentacost See how these brethren
love each other and their fellows" And
Mr.. Bliss said of it later: "It was not
locking of horns, but locking of arms"
1t was therefore surprising that differ
ent Interpretation of 1t could be given to
the press or public.
To none who heard the speech of Bishop
Montgomery at that meeting did it seem.
or attempt to be. "a refutation of the ar.
guments OF Mr.. Bliss" After hearty words
of approval of Mr. Bliss spirit and aims,
of meetings like this as means of better
fellowship, of his wish for an honest gov
ernment and belief in civil service reform,
he expressed only doubt whether CO.
operation would remove the present evils.
and his faith still in private ownership of
land; but If the initiative and referendum
were proved remedies by actual experi-
ment, let us have them!
The objection limited by the bishop, and
so constantly made by others, that the
present selfishness of human nature NAV
make these new reforms impracticable
has been convincingly answered by Mr..
Bliss elsewhere, by the fact that man has
made all his gains thus far while still i'm
perfect and selfsf>-not waiting passively
Gods time,' under the old theologic dog
ma, nor mans promised state of perfection
in distant era and higher order of being.
This objection has also been laughed ont
of court by our brave and gifted. Charlotte
Perkins StetSon. in her rhymed satire
"Our Human Kind" where she puts into
the mouth of the huge creations of the
eocene period an indignant protest against
the coming change into higher order of
development, which came, nevertheless.
Being as this movement is, an effort to-
ward applied Christianity it is sad that the
old story must still be true of so large n
portion of the church, that coming to its
own it should be scorned and disowned.
1t can, however, like all truth before our
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