United labor bulletin., 1910-09-29
The CHURCH AND SOCIAL REFORM.
(sy the Rev. Charles steIzIe.)


According to Bulletin No. 1O3 of the
Bureau of the Census, on religious bod
les, there were in the United States in
1906, when the study was made, 1856 re-
| ligious denominations. One hundred fif
ty-four were grouped in 81 families and
80 were elassed as unrelated or separate
denominations. There were in these de-
nominations 212,230 church organiza-
tions; 1858 or 1922 per cent. are re-
ported by the 164 Protestant bodies, 49,
40S or So per cent. by the Roman Cath
olic church and 41,130 or about per
cent. by the remaining bodies, including
Jewish congregations, Latter-Day Saints.
Eastern Orthodox churches and II other
minor bodies. These combined congre-
80, ,936,445, and 164S3O ministers. About
| 80 per cent. of the churches reported by
sex, showing that of males there are
43.1. per cent. in the churches and of fe-
males, 569 per cent. They reported
192,7s5 church edifces with seating ca
pacity of 5S.536830. The value of the
church property was reported as amount
ing to 57,575,S67.
| If we were to add to the actual mem
bership of the churches those who are
directly affiliated with it, we would fino
that the church really controls or intiu-
ences the great majority of the people in
the United States. Whether or not t--e
people of the churches are in the major
| ity, it is undoubtedly true that they have
| it in their power to determine the social
and ethical standards which shall govern
the nation. And this being SO, it natur-
ally follows that they may be held re-
sponsible for the standard of ethics
which prevails among the people.
| But what is the function of the church ?
| Is it the business of the church to con-
fine itself merely to the preaching OF
spiritual truth, hoping thus to develop
the characters of men who shall rightly
administer the affairs of business and
the state; or shall the church, as an Or
ganization, become active in politics, in
the solution of the industrial problem
and in the righting Of the social evils of
the day; or shall the church perform
both functions? 1t seems to me that the
latter is the true mission of the church.
The early church SO regarded its rela-
| tionship to the world. For time, it ha
| relatively a larger part in educational
and philanthropic work than it has hao
since. Then followed a period when
confined itself very largely to the preach
| ing of salvation for the individual. But
always has the church had a part in the
social movements of the times.
| The world is now on a verge of a great
social revival The forces which have
been at work for generations are about
| to see the fruits Of their patient seed
sowing. Almost unconsciously the church
has had the largest share in this evolu-
tionary process. Without realizing It,
I the church mas been preaching the doc
trine of social unrest. With this mes
sage of divine discomfort. its ministers
and missionaries have been stirring up
the people. The vision of the possibili
ties in Jesus Christ has made them for
ever dissatisfied with their former physi-
cal, economic. social and moral estate.
AS a result Of this preaching the churcl
is soon to enter into its larger inherit
ance.