The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-11-21

That the chief function of govern
ment ought to be to administer indus
tries, and properly divide and reward
labor.
In examining this from a Christian
point of view there are several obser-
vations to be made:
First, Socialists are not the only
ones seeking an improvement in So
cial conditions and intensely desiring
the lifting of the laboring classes.
Second, the agitation for many years
has accomplished good by developing
thinkers on the subject and resulting
in labor legislation at several points.
Third, it cannot be adopted by
Christians in its essential elements
because some of those elements have
not always been Christian nor are they
yet sos Anarchism has separated from
socialism and been renounced. Per-
riage and the family have improved.
and now they leave out planks on this
subject. But there remains the fact
that in opposing the social order, So
cialism has included the church as one
of the institutions of society it is OPP
posing. This has been modified and
even denied. OF late years statements
have been more guarded and religion
has been regarded by writers as a
private matter" following the Ian
guage of democracy as it appears in
the constitution of the United States.
Fourth, but there remains the idea
of class distinction. 1t would array
the laboring class against the others.
Nothing could be more foreign to the
gospel of Jesus.
All scientific economists are against
it. improvements in the present or
der are more promising than revolu-
ton and experiment with such a radi-
cal change would be. Evolution of
society is not in the direction of the
in the revolution contemplated. 1t
arrays classes against the Christian
scheme of solidarity.
Competition has always been the
principle of progress, and private own
ership the incentive to noblest labor.
Under Socialism control Of property
would at last pass into the hands of
certain individuals and open all the
flood gates of ancient tyranny.
Christianity contemplates a better
and more workable plan. That of the
rich and the poor, the capitalist and
the laborer, cooperating for the highest
mutual good. Nothing but the leaven
of Christian kindness can bring this
about The methods are more natural
and are actually working. The race
has risen by degrees under it's influ-
ence, gross wrongs have been righted
wars have been made more humane,
and united sentiment may yet see the
world at peace. A growing altruism
is chara cterizing the age. Men are
not so selfish as they have been, and
the church is better understanding her
mission.
The Curse of DeIusion of IdIeness.
The ideal so prevalent of laying up
enough in youth 20 enable one to spend
the evening of his life in idleness is a
false program of life. Adam found it
disastrous to be long idle, and his
descendants likewise. An idle brain
has been the DEVILS workshop from
then until now. 1t is common TO point
out the causes of crime, as alcoholism
and other sins, but back of alcoholism
is this monster delusion that men can
live without working. Why else do SO
many of our girls walk the streets or
sit with folded hands? Why are there
so many men who have time to hans
around public houses and on street
corners? They are idlers, and need to
go to the ant for lessons.
It is still more pernicious to accu-
muIate that the children may grow
up without having to work. One man
told me he had made up his mind