The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-07-15
union OF SOCIALISTS
NATIONAL CONVENTION TO DE HELD
HERE LATE THIS MONTH.
One "Christian Socialist" Already Ex-
planning His Theories on the.
Streets OF the City.

A Socialist unity convention will be held
in this city in Masonic Hall, July %. The
meeting is called by the two branches or
the Social Democratic party, the independ-
ent State organizations of Socialists and
Socialists interested in the movement that
are not connected with any organization.
Circulars have been sent to all parts Of the
country and it is expected that a large
number of representative Socialists of the
country. including ministers and reformers
interested in socialism and industrial and
social betterment, will attend.
This convention will differ from any that
the Socialists have ever held. The adher-
ents of Christian Socialism" such as is
taught by reform preachers in the pulpit,
will be a factor in the convention. The
meeting is no political move, merely beiEg
a congregation of persons interested in re-
form movement to discuss the various
phases Of socialism and do what they can
in bringing about more united effort in ac-
complishing the reforms they advocate.
Among those that will attend the conven-
ton are Eugene V. Debs, Job Hartman,
Prof. George d. Heron who gained much
nOtoriety recently by being expelled from
the church of which he Was pastor on &C
count of his socialistic views and was later
married after his wife had secured d.
vorce; Max Hayes, of Cleveland, and the
Rev. William Thurman Brown, of SYRIA
cuse, n. Y, who is pastor of the Universal
list Church OF that city. 1t is not yet deli
nitely announced what other prominent
men will be present, but efforts are being
made 10 present large number of men
identified with public reform movements.
CHRISTIAN SOCIALIST HERE.
An advance guard of the convention has
already arrived in the city. He is Adolph
Grethen, of Chicago, and represents the
Christian Socialists. He began a series of
meetings on North Meridian street just
above Washington street, last night and
will continue regular evening meetings un-
til the convention. He is a violinist of con-
siderable ability and occasionally breaks
into his talk with a popular religious or
patriotic air. Many of these pieces are
played on all four strings OF the instru-
ment. giving 1t the sound of church
organ.
Last night he talked to a crowd upon
"Cl1istian Socialism" and in speaking Of
the present century said ''All things are
done to the glory of God. The substitution
of the community for the family as the
larger unit has given all ideals chance to
develop into their full glorification,
whether expressed in their old terms as
school, church or state home. Even in the
twilight of the nineteenth century these
community homes were in existence In
primitive way but natural selection, hav
ing no freedom to work out its larger
spiritual family, the results were only the
poisoned fruitage of mannons parasites.
In referring to churches he said: "One
secret of the triumph of the saloon over the
church is that II is always open except
when closed by law. If you behave your
self passably well you are always welcome,
never turned away, never have 10 think II
ii is prayer meeting night, or choir prac-
tice. or a sociable is going on. or we'd
ding; you are always at home-no admis-
sion. The children Of the world or of hell,
If the truly good so please, are ahead OF the
children of light (candle) in many things.
The continuous show feature for instance.
CHRIST TAUGHT SOCIALISM.
1.-The Christian Socialist is the martyr of
the present. The churches don't want him
because he is a Socialist and the Socialists
don't want him because he is Chris
tan." And yet he has the main mission
the double burden of clearing the religious
(educationaD field as we'll as the political
jungle. His rainbow touches earth on two
vital spots The holy city, as white
winged dream Of perfection hovers over
the dismal darkness of the present system
waiting TO be incarnated by the seers,
prophets, geniuses of all kinds.
AT the present crisis nobleSse oblige
would seem to require that the movement
to place God into the constitution and In
the schools should eliminate in a concerted
effort to place Him in the churches which
bear His name first.
His argument was not against churches
but for unity of action by religious or
CARNATIONS and those interested in reform.
He said socialism is the brotherhood of
mankind" taught by Christ, and that
such brotherhood would be the Kingdom
of heaven on earth" That he said was the
sum and substance of his whole theory of
.isn1 Hem md hTi