The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1908-04-19

meetings about thirty we're present and an
hour or 80 passed in conference, everybody
meeting everybody else.
In a few weeks persons OF distinction
commenced 10 drop in, writers. Teformers,
labor leaders. representatives Of the cap
itaist class. and as a matter Of course we
asked them to say a few words 10 the
Others before they went. In the process OF
time an incipient Peoples Forum which Mr.,
Irvine had in the chapel was consolidated
with these after meetings. 80 that in add
ton TO the accidental and informal speeches
there we're eXtemporaneous speeches from
the floor and brief remarks by any one
who wished 10 speak. II is worth while
making this somewhat detailed e1plana-
| ton, for it shows that the meetings have
been ar evolution and not the carrying out
Of a premeditated programme. As can be
inferred from what has been stated, the
primary object Of the meetings war to give
religious opportunity and offer hospitality
10 workingmen who for some reason or
other we're outside the churches, As a
matter Of fact they did attract this very
ClNbH, IHtn VIZ hhd " bOCh hnAN hAo
portals Of a church for many years.
THE two things that keep wordngmen
out Of the church to-day are, first, their
inability to have any confidence in the
Christianity which is a belief, an emotion
or a mystic attitude. but which is not keen
10 remedy social and economic injustice,
which is not concerned 10 all empty stom-
aohs and to provide work for idle hands.
The absence Of the wOrhngmen from the
churches is the EXTREMIST challenge OF the
sincerity Of Christian profession. They
will attend only the church which shows
an intelligent sympathy with their position
in this matter.
THE second reason that 10 keeping them
away is the narrow theology. They are
not interested in a religion that comes from
the past. One cannot listen TO an open
meeting OF w~orkingmen such as takes
place in our parish house every Sunday
night without Immediately discovering that
they are modern in every fibre,
THE spirit shown by these workingmen
in their new sense Of vital brotherhood
toward the propagation Of better social
conditions is absolutely religious, indeed
it ia sacramental; it is largely associated
too with almost an ascetic ideal. | find
that many Of these men are vegetarians by
principle, total abstainers and ~non-smokers,
simply by reason Of the new sense OF human
values that has come to them through this
more intimate Interpretation OF the mean
ing Of universal brotherhood.
The workingmen Of this description,
and it is this kind that fll the Church Of the
Ascension. have an enormous gift and bene-
At 10 confer upon the Church, On the other
hand the Church has much 10 give the
~workingmen. There is danger that in their
new perception of ways and means toward
material improvements the more remote
and vet fundamental needs OF the soul may
De overlooked or at least skght0d.
As for socialism, | have talked for the
last six months with many avowed Social
lists Of all sorts and descriptions. | was
very ignorant Of what the word stood for
and had considered II a dangerous doctri-
naire and revolutionary propaganda. What
ever the earlier writers and speakers on
the subject may have described il TO be,
am convinced that here in America IL is
at the present moment a peaceful and cVo-
lut onary economic programme, Although
not a Socialist, | can see what a man means
when he describes socialism 10 me as a ra-
ti~onalzing Of social and economic living.
! can see what he means when he describes
it as the next step when competitive proc
esses have run their course and have e1-
pended their force. | can understand the
social ideal which is one Of cooperation