The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-20

IN last Sundays Age-Herald, under the
 caption Socialism and Sociology, by \ F. L Monks,'' the writer, without at tempting to define clearly the meaning of the two words, launches into abuse of both socialism and sociology. Through the entire paper the two are named synony- mously, or nearly, whereas the two can in no intelligent sense be treated on the same ground. Any good modern diction- ary defines clearly enough for all gen. eral purposes what ilese factors stand for and the purposes of each.
 What was said by MT. Monks of 'So- cialism" evidences that he knows some what of the intent of socialists Socialism stands for common ownership of all lands, it's advocates believing earth to be gift from their Creator-a natural gift, just as water and air and sunlight are gifts Now of socialism, radical though it's creed may be- there is much to be said pro and con.
 But what does sociology stand for? Mir Monks concludes that sociology, an alluring and attractive subject, is the same old serpent in a new role Under the guise of seeking the betterment of so- ciety and the alleviation of human ills this modern python insduously insinuates itself among those whom socialism has already inoculated with the venom of dis content To arouse the sleeper from his lethargy, to open his eyes to his situa- ton, to drop the spark among the finder and fan the flames of passion are the progressive steps toward the demolition of the towers which morality has built around the human heart"
 Such statement of sociology is made from a limited view-certainly not after a study of the science and more prob ably after reading the work of some prej- udiced person. The aim of sociology in fact the literal meaning of sociology is "a study of tht laws governing society If the writer of that diatribe were fa- miliar with the rudiments of liberal re- search into the complex organization of society this correction of an obvious CT TOT would be unnecessary.
 Sociology as defined by a modern dic- tionary is the science of the evolution and constitution of human society. The subject of sociology embraces all social phenomena under their statical and dy- namicai aspects Social statics Is the study of the conditions of existence and permanence of the social state social dynamics studies the laws which govern the evolution of society. Herbert Spencer in tine plan of his Principles of Sociol- ogy.' proposed to begin with the data of sociology and to give the empirical gen. eralizations arrived at by comparing diff ferent societies and successive phases of the same society; next to deal with po- litical ecclesiastical, ceremonial and ln- dustrial organizations; then to treat of the evolution of language, knowledge, aes- thetics and morals, and lastly, the nec- essary interdependence of structures and functions in each type of society and in the successive phases of social devel- cpment.",
 For my part it seems that such a study, such a pursuit, is one of the noblest, highest we could set our minds to-sureiy rot a modern python" On what ground can the writer state that study cal oulated to make us better know ourselves Is 'inoculated with venom?"
 Sociology teaches no vicious thing, tends not at all to anarchy or lawlessness is a. serious inquiry Into the nature and constitution of groups of the hu- man family. It is indeed vexing to see such an unwarranted lot of disagree q ble words in reference to study N bich bids fair to suplift the human r.lce into wiser, saner living. MT. Monks would have us believe that st5dy calculated to make us better know ourselves is serpent at the bosom of society" Whatever teaches us to better know ourselves is dis tinctiyely educative, moral, to my mind, and the condition of premeditated blindness to such an influence Is es- sentially immoral.
 may add that Herbert Spencer. the