Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-05-13
Many Phases Of Church Life to
Be Discussed at Four Days
Session.
CANON HENSON PRESENT,
VIII Speak on Relation 81 the Chu rch
10 other COmmunions-"Socia liam
In Relation to Christianity"
Discussed nj Last Nights
Meeting.

Boston. May 11.---With many Of the
leading bishops, rectors and laymen
of the Episcopal Church present from
all parts of the country. the eth an
nual national Eriscopa Church con
gress was opened in this city to-day.
1t will he in session four days, dur
Ing which the many phases of church
life will he discussed by noted clergy
men of the denominati ton and promi
nent laymen.
Canon n. Hensley Henson, canon of
Westminster and rector of St Mar
garcts. London one OF the strong
est advocates in the English Church
Of the doctrine Of closer relationship
between the Episcopal and other
churches NJ the Protestant denomina-
tions. is in attendance and will speak
before the congress on the relation
Of the church To other communions.
Except for to-days meeting In
Trinity Church the congress sessions
Will be held in fremont Temple
The attendance was large at the
first actual session of the congress
held In fremont Temple tonight.
Socialism in Relation to Christian
ity," was discussed at length By
half dozen speakers. Among tho
papers on the subject read was one
by Si.as McBee OF New York, editor
of the Churchman.
An abstract of Mr. McBees paper
follows:
Throughout the history Of humanity
there has been struggle tn escape IN
dividual responsibility. To this
struggle against individual responsibility
is now added the struggle to escape social
responsibility Look back re-"
years. II was then accounted reasonable
and even conductive to sodllness' that
churchnen as such should not take part
in political. social or industrial REFORM
To-day there is less and less OF this
painful effort to Isolate the Christian
| Church from the life of humanity. The
incarnation Is less and less regarded as
| partial II Is more and more accepted
and believed in and acted upon as com
p,ete In humanity. It embraces extensive
" all that man is. feels and does. al
that he hopes and loves. And there
l. one phase in all the schemes Of social
! ism that contains deep and aoidins
truth an unmistakable lesson for the
churches
sn.akinx generally and broadly or
Can,zed Christianitr especially In Its
| endless visions has distinct tendency
to become the religion Of the classes as
they arc called. of the more or loss
nrosperou< and well-to-do. while the
nrincinle Of social solidarity In socialism
Is ever dealing with and con'endns for
the masses of humanity. SO long as
this IL true. so long this great oh
iect lesson Of concern on the part al
the socialists for the masses as aEalns
the neglect of the masses BY the or
ganized churches. is allowed to stand
lust SO long Will the churches not ONLY
fail n reach the masses ana rail u
be assimilated by the masses but m
churches will be ignored where they ar
not despsed.
Rev. Elliott white Of Worcester
gave an address on the same subject
saying In part:
The socialist movement Of the worl'
expresses the most important fact y
modern social evolution, the securing
OF political control Of all nations ~
the producers of wealth. These are e
be the arbitcrs Of the times that are
not far on What Will be then thei
esteem Of church which refuses Il
aid, or oven opposed. their tolsome as
cent to power9 Christianity mus
choose between the producers an'
those who by force ~ ownership nov
exploit them.
IN the face of tine inioutous cc-exis'
cree to-day in America, OF multi-niilion
aires and starving seekers for opportu
n.ty to earn bread; OF wealthy oilers an
child laborers: OF monopolzed naturi
resources and public utilities whose owr
ers dwell in palaces, and crowded Stun
WI ere $4,000 oabes die every year fro'
, Ills directly traceable 10 polcrty.-Chrt'
tsns who declare for socialism. an
= churches who give II open heaNn'
, should not 10 condemned until II
4 shown to he adverse to the practice
> Christianity in personal and national III
MS well a. inadequate to diminish IN
t rrievous burden and minatorN peril
2 our social problems.
A1xyADD MA NrYTNYCT %1 500