The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-10-07
WAS JESUS \ soCIAgasTs'
Subject of pr. SyssIHss Address at
 South Church Vesper Institute.


 South Church Nesper Institute.
 The first of a series of -tesper ser wees to be held at South Congre- gz1ional church at o'clock Sunday afternoons was inalIgJIrsbteCf yesterday with a most excellent musical pro- De Nike of New York, a celebrated .ceIiSt rendered the following selec- rlons:
 L Evening Star. Wagner: Aria, St. 5sens.
 IT. Sweet Repose. shubert: Barcar- pile, Alcock: Trauneri, Schulnann.
 MT De Mikes rendition was excep- honauy good, especially his interpret Ation of Wagner's Evening Star, in which he exhibited great technique Mrs. Beardsley accompanied him on and unison of the instruments made a most excellent combination
 After the musical numbers and the reading of the 133rd Psalm by the pas tor. Dr. Richard L.. Swain, the topic .-WaS Jesus a Socialism, was very ably discussed under the following heads:
 Was the Salvation Which Jesus Taught, Individual or Social Salva4 tiOn? Was He Primarily Interested In Theology or Sociology? What Was Ch-ist's Conception of Man?
 pr. Swain began his discourse by stating that this was vital topic, was of great importance to the peo- pie He referred to the delving into scientific matters by scientists as .-their field and stated that it was Their right to make these dnvestiga- tions, and that the ministry should take the scientific facts as presented ana give them careful study and con sfderatfon, be able to discuss vital topics according to these facts, and intimated that it was the duty of the clergy. to do this
 He referred to Jesus as deeply and widely social to his brother1iness as --pre-eminent,' but that he was not a
 
 plies. He dealt with the teaching gS of Christ concerning the individual and society, stated that every man who studies society is a sociologistt. to the extent that he is interested in the bet te-ment of society He said also that Jesus did not teach systematic soci- Dlogy, that the great books used in the Theological serninaries were the result of the reasoning power of man, neither. continued Dr. Swain, did he teach systematic theology; He felt that he had definite and accurate Knowledge regarding the individual and society and never attempted to teach systematically. He touched men with his life used common words in a simple way, made known the mean ing of those words in His daily liv- ing
 As systematic theology has resulted through zh--the-.taechings of Christ, so also Dr. Swain maintained, systematic sociology has begun to assume many of the teachings of Jesus He re- 1erred to Jesus "a most normal man, natural-the highest type of ma ture;' believed that no other man in history who had influenced people through their teachings, had ever --equa1led Jesus in social results and his teachings, both capital and labor, that great good to the great social rabric of man would have resulted.
 tss es,siea. ss1sqtFozs tIsr ts1o i his reference to the trinity of man the body. soul and spirit. He said: --One can only learn of Jesus as you need him, meet the Knocks and dis csourag gennents as he met them;'' that those who proved. traitor to Him in conduct of body or spirit. misrepre
 .-JesHa's he continued, did not en- gage in descriptive sociology, did not gather stifistics, did not try to study into the causes that affect the body of man, he referred to This as ttthe work of every man. and con tinIsed, Sociology is a scientific study. large Teachings were of the Spirit-Ila ture, this was pTe-eminent in his mind the great problems concerning the body were left others to solve-it was ChriSt'S work to inSpire-he was not informed as to field work t'It is the duty continueds the preacher, flor men to go out into the field and bring fin the facts, and my duty to test them with the most exacting scien- tiTic study If man sacrifices his character or that of any man in his employ. he puts body above. spirit, directly in opposition to the teachings or Jesus. If I am to get riches and forego being a good man. must fore go riches; I must assume the attitude of Christ on the cross, must not destroy my character for any material things-any man who destroys his character or indulges in character de tsriorating practices. destroys society is destructive to the highest good to the social fabrir.''
 Tn conclusion pr. Swain said that the discussion will be resumed next Sunday evening when he hoped to get more deeply into the root of the sub ject and invited all, whether a mem Der of the congregation or not, to send written questions to him, and promised to answer them one and all 10 the best of his ability.
 The Vesper services have proven very helpful in the past on account of the practical and helpful discussions given by the pastor and while they are somewhat abbreviated they are el- oquent with sympathy and feeling and apparently a sincere effort on the part of Dr. Swain to help the people solve I11e