The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1913-01-06

That the theory of socialism and this
aim of true Christianity have much in
common, and that each can be a VAL
liable ally to the other. is the con-
clusion reached by Rev. E. r. PEN
dleton. pastor Of the First Baptist
church, who last night finished a Sc
rtes Of sermons on the subject of the
relation of Christianity and socialism.
Another striking feature of his dis
course is the statement that under
present conditions and social wrongs,
no man can practice the Golden Rule.
In his morning sermon, Rev. Mr..
Pendleton said in part:
THE WoRkINGMAN'S REVOLT.
Socialism is the workingman's re-
volt against the present social order,
and as a part Of this social order ha
is on the point of including the whole
Christian church as his enemy.
TT is unfortunate always for great
forces involving thousands of men, and
which are seeking identical ends. to
be arrayed as opponents because they
have not taken the trouble to under
stand each other. This misunderstand
ing is not the antagonism of infidelity
but a sort of new reformation attempt
ed. The only reason the workingman
is opposed to the church, is because
the church is opposed to him, or he
has been led to believe it so.
Like all human teachings pure So
cialism has to be differentiated from
it's corruptions, just as pure Chris
tianity has to be studied in its sources
and not through monstrous perversions
OF 1t.
Some socialists have espoused the
cause of Christ and have written books
claiming him as a socialist, but that
is nothing, for he has been claimed as
a sptritualist, as Christian Scientist,
and what not! Many of these same
socialists are openly hostile to the
church.
GRIEVANCE AGAINST CHURCH.
Why is it that the church is not
recognized as a friend to the labor!ng
man?
Passion and prejudice apart. still
there is the unwelcome fact to face,
namely, that there is some ground for
his grievance. Many men of educA-
ton, many of them in our best colleges,
many holding Offices under other pay
ties, are seeking to point out the
charges and their foundation, and so
there is a widespread airing Of the
matter, and We cannot IL we would,
shut our eyes at them Let US look
briefly but frankly into some Of tharn'
'First-Leisure, security, culture,
wealth, are some of the ideals of civil
lization, but as vet these are unequal!v
distributed The people who do most
Of the work of the world have least
Of the benefits. The lack OF work
brings more misery to the toiler today
than slavery ever brought in ancient
Rome! Distribution is like swiiI
poured out to swine; the strongest
hogs get what they want, and tho
weakest take what is left. For in
stance, in 1900, the census showed
that less than 1 per cent of the popU-
lation of the United States owned
7o.1 per cent Of the people owned
AZ per cent of the wealth!
THE workingman has come to look
upon the men who have gotten such
control, made prices OF living almost
prohibitive, kept him poor, his family
hungry and half-clad, and uneducatei,
as robbers. When they deal ont char
ity in millions to build hospitals or
colleges, he considers 1t blood money.
not giving at all, but restoring to So
ciety a tit11e OF what they have stolen
to keep them secure and prevent them
from wearing stripes.
How does all this involve the
church? The workingman has learned
that many of these millionaire rob-
bers are members Of churches, that
they give in the name Of the church.
Continued on Page Three.)