The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-05-30
THE SOCIAL PROBLEM,
The Subject Of IN Interesting Sermon by
Rev. II. j. G~roeneveld.

nov. LIE - 0HOcuSveIO.
Last evening at the First P~resbyte-
rian church the pastor. Rev. E. j.
G~roeneveld. spoke from the text. Thou
shalt love the Lord with all thy heart,
and thy neighbor as myself
The speaker represented the principle
OF the text as the God-given remedy for
the social ills of the human race. The
address was suggested by the death Of
Mr.. Edward Bellamy, which occurred
on the 22d inst, at Chicopee Falls. Mass.
As the author of Looking Backward"
and founder of the New Nation" Mr..
Bellamy became well known as a hu-
manitarian and an advocate OF a
scheme of social regeneration, spoken
OF as "Nationalism."
Mr.. G~roeneveld related several pa
thetic incidents from the annals Of the
very poor and very rich. as found es-
pecially In the large cities. and then
asked whether by a readjustment OF af-
fairs such inequalities and SORROWS
could not be made impossible. The in
terest of the age Is In this problem. The
aching heart Of the race will not be
content with achievements In physical
science alone much longer. Thousands
are puzzling themselves over the great
unanswered riddles of social science.
The search for the ideal state has re-
ceived the earnest attention of men
from the earliest times. Plato's repub-
lie. Cicero's commonwealth. More's
Utopia represent efforts in the direction
of social Improvement. The Bible also
gives lessons on sociology, for, as Law
eleye says. from. Jerusalem came the
first protest against inequalities. the
most ardent aspiration after, justice.
hat raised humanity out of the actual
into the ideal. We feel its effects to-
day. job saw evil triumphant. yet be-
lieved in Justice. Israers prophets.
while laundering against i%niauity, an
nounced a good time coming. There
are many books In our day upon that
subject. Frederic Harrison speaks OF
the growth of interest in social studies.
II colors poetry, literature. art
and philosophy. Generally speaking,
social themes have absorbed religious.
ethical and p~oetical literature.
There are three books in our own
country which have had great influence
upon this movement. viz: Georges
Progress and Poverty" Warmers "A
Little Journey Into the World and Bel
lamy's Looking Backward" All are
filed with a portrayal Of the social per-
ills Of America. And as these perils
are real. and not imaginary, the church
should take a deep interest In their
discussion. The key to the problem Is
in the hand of the Carpenter Of Nazar-
eth. the Son of Man, who, though He
was rich. for our sake became poor.
This is a prosperous age. and yet
no one can fail to observe evidences of
a growing discomfort, Evils are abound
ing. We feel the powerlessness OF
many reforms. They are so superficial
and disa ppointing. Christs great gos-
pei. the golden rule. is the only panacea.
IL thoroughly applied. II sincerely as
cepted. II will renew the individual and
regenerate society.
Bellamy's conceptions are higher than
those of Mr.. George. He Is impressed
with the and moral unworthi-
ness OF this age. its awful ~selfshness.
its Internal methods. its dog eat dog
policy. His writings have enlisted con-
siderable enthusiasm and excited faith
and hope. His thoughts have taken
shape I'm an organized movement called
"nationalism," which means the ma
tionslization OF all industries for the
benefit of the race. such as those which
operate under public franchises. as tel
egraphs. telephones. railroads., light
works. water works, ferries. etc. Its
maxim is not quite that of socialism,
which is, from ach according to his
ability, to each according to his need,
hut from each equally. to each equally.
Nationalism is not exactly p~aternalism.
but a cooperative administration. with
benefits TO all as equal partners. Ma
tionalist clubs have been organized all
over the country. whose motto Is:
Spread the Book"
All the books I have mentioned have
been widely INC seriously read. ! do
not believe that nationalism would solve
the social problem. though many Of the
reforms suggested should he introduced.
at least as experiments. The mistake
is to think that one social panacea. man
made. will cure all ills, and turn con-
stitutional selfshness into brotherly
love. Mar Is not entirely the creature
OF environment. You must change the
individual IL you would change society.
Christianity says. character first. en-
vironment next: socialism says. environ
ment first and character will take care
Of itself. q n gospel Of Christ throws
the best light upon this whole subject.
II has q social as well as an Individual
mission. II is fitted to regenerate so
ciety as well as its members. 1t. takes.
or ought to take into account both the
individual and his surroundings. Some
times. in his zeal. the Christian forgets
that his condition affects the man. He
and the reformer should get together.
The church should be alive to all pos
sible social improvements. and the re-
formers should see that an Improvement
In environment. without an inward
change. will avail but little.
We should be thankful for Mr.. Bel
lamy's life and great book. which has
much good. though I'm ar essential
respect its foundation principle Is a mis-
taken one. not so much in what IL ac-
tually teaches. but in that II leaves out
Of the greatest regenerating
power in the world.
All these lei Plato. More. Cicero.
Spencer and Bellamy. have adventured
in search of the golden fleece of social
reform. Thousands OF others are put
ting out OF many ports. and Drawing
every storm. 1t II a holy mission. II
we canno go with them. because We
do not fully approve Of the craft by
which they sail. We can at least stand
upon the shore and bid them o voy-
age.
Love thy neighbor as thyself.
Men,s susnenders LIZ cenfa al Cans 4