Industrial freedom. [volume] (Edison, Wash.) 1898-1???, 1898-06-18
Practical OhriStIdnitu.

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The Christian Commonwealth sends
kindly greetings to the B c G and re-
joices in its rapid growth and the un-
selfish spirit of its leaders. A coop
erative commonwealth must be q
Christian commonwealth. The Christ
ianity of Christ is brotherhood
Therefore we should have, and hope
do have. one spirit.
The c c and the B c C were con-
ceived about the same time. The
compressed statement above this let
ter may draw attention to whatever
differences exist between our society
and yours, or others. We thought it
would be wrong, unchristian, con-
trary to the brotherhood spirit, to de-
mand any entrance fee that would
exclude the propertyless class. We
thought each should give all he has
and all his power of service, as Christ
did, as his real disciples must do, and
this not to gain heaven beyond, but
to make heaven here, for others. We
call upon all men to be saviors, sons
of God, at cost of all they have, and
for the JOY of serving.
We cannot see our way clear to ap-
peal to self-interest or to attempt
union of the selfish and unseltish, be-
cause the selfish cannot he united to
the unselfsh to do a self-denying
work. And it is only by self-sacrifces
that the poor, oppressed and enslaved
can be delivered. They can only be
saved by our taking their poverty,
their burdens, their weakness, and
sharing our all with them. They
who would love cannot cease to share
what they have with brethren in need
till all suffering has ceased: till all
needs are met, and all good comes to
all.
1t has required faith to keep open
doors at Commonwealth. 1t has kept
us on short rations and the food of
the poor, much of the time. but we
have not had to go hungry at all.
And we are getting on. Our big or
chard of nearly forty acres of peach
plum. pear, prune, apple, cherry, APP
ricot. ounce and Japanese persim-
mon trees is growing finely, as are
also grapes and other fruits. We
have large nursery stock to add to-
it. We are putting up new buildings
our l, 900 acre farm is increasing in
value. We have secured a railroad
station and postotiice on our own land.
We have a fine school of our own, in
which are taught the common and
higher branches, including the Ian
guages, music and drawing.
We are earnestly, spiritually Chris
tian, and by uniting in life in all the
works Of brotherhood, we escape the
formal divisions and disputes of sec
tarianism on Sunday.
In preaching repentance of all self
ishness and squaring our lives with
!. our preaching. we are reaching the
c0nsciences of men. We are search
ing and winning hearts wherever we
r carry this word of God. wherever the
r Social Gospel is read: and it is being
= read in Canada, England, Scotland,
France, Belgium, Germany. Hungary,
] Switzerland, Russia. Japan, Africa,
! Australia and New Zealand, besides
by the people of our own land.
; We are encouraged. The people
, are prepared for the whole truth of
t love. The age of love is upon us.
. The kingdom of Christ is here.
We of the Christian Commonwealth
are very imperfect people. troubled
more or less with selfshness and self
ignorance. We have obstacles to
meet that are hard to overcome. We
have many lessons in ethics and eco.
Monies yet to learn. But we believe
III love. We are determined to have
no other law no other defence from
, selishness. We think Christ a safe
leader to follow. We dare not depend
for harmony on the possible balanc-
ing Of the individual interests of the
self-centered. The tendency to dis.
harmony and the strain of contendinq
interests is great enough between
, those who acknowledge a perfect
standard but who in weakness or
ignorance of themselves fall away
from the Christ spirit
T. - -
economic features of our organi.
' cation. Yours for Humanity,
GEORGE HOWARD GIBSON,
Cor. Sec'y @. c.
Commonwealth, Ca, June 6, 1898.