Evening capital and Maryland gazette., 1913-03-12
CHICAGO AND THE
CHRISTIAN SOCIALISTS
National Conference of the Fellow
ship in the Western Metropolis
PLANS FOR HUMAN UPLIFT.
SermOns, Addresses and Banquet In
spire All With United Purpose
for Social Justice.

tof GOCldA @u&AiCG.
From February rs TO March 2. in
elusive, the Christian Socialist Fellow.
ship held its eighth national confer,
enee in the city Of Chicago, the husi.
ness session being in the Masonic
Temple.
Ths Annapolis center of the Fellow
ship was represented by the Rev.
James L. Smiley. Last Monday
night at the regular meeting of the
Annapolis center in the Chamber OF
Commerce Hall, Mr.. Smiley gave
an account of the conference.
1.-The city of Chicago impresses
one as the New York of the Middle
West. It's rushing traffic, its ele.
waited railroads, its sky-scrapers and
other gigantic features all combine
to suggest bewildering bigness.
Fortunately two of US delegates de-
cidec to do some sightseeing on
the afternoon before the conference
opened. After the opening we were
kept continuously busy with confer
enee matters.
We visited the University of
Chicago, its mammoth stadium for
athletics aud its groups of buildings,
| contenting ourselves with a birds
eye view of the architectural styles
and designs. Thence to the site of
the Worlds Fair, where the Field $
Museum, a once handsome pile of
masonic art, is now apparently
crumbling to ruin. Just beyond,
Lake Michigan stretches out it's
great expsnse of fresh waters, a
marvel to the eyes of all who asso-
ciate such extensive waters only
with the briny deep.
But now for the conference.
1t assembled on Wednesday morning,
little company in a giant city.
Yes, we must still plead guilty of
smalness, like the Apostolic band
that assembled in an upper room in
the great city of Jerusalem. We had
more comforts than the early Apos-
ties, however, for a group of modern
elevators was always ready to rush US
up to the ninth floor where we
met in beautiful lodge-room. The
Chicago comrades were most hospit-
able, taking US to an excellent lunch
room for lunch and dinner, and enter
tanning US in their pleasant homes.
''It is there in the home that a
mans character and that of his fam
lily is largely discernible. / was as
signed to the home of one of the man
ayers of The Christian Socialist
Breakfast was regularly preceded by
TQfhia - adm, nj
tian atmosphere of love and refine
ment pervaied everything, and made
one long for that Spcialistic state
when all homes may be like this type,
instead of the eXtre mes of goddess
opulence or dire poverty, such as are
produced by our present vicious sys-
tenn of capitalism. The father of
this home holds a responsible position
with an automobile company, but is
also writer of Socialist songs and
music. He has sacrificed much for
our national paper, "The Christian
Socialist, and his example should
spur US all to greater efforts in secur-
ing subscribers for it.
"The other Christian Socialists in
Chicago are likewise men and women
of lofty ideals and noble Christian
character. Such people are invincible
when contending fer the right; they
are the bone and sinew of American
freedom. OF such people the confer
ence was made up. Seven states were
re presented, viz: New York, New
Jersey, Maryland, FLORIDA, Iowa,
Missouri and Illinois. We also had as
fraternal delegate from the Brother
hood Welfare Association Of St.
Louis, Mr.. J Eads How. a man who
has surrendered the comforts of a
wealthy home to live among the so.
called 'hoboes and uplift them.
Besides the routine business and
work of committees, a number of
public meetings were held. More
than thirty churches were opened to
US for addresses through the week and
sermons on Sunday. Deuominational
lines were obliterated as we proclaim
ed the one burning message of Chris
tian Socialism. This fact suggests
the strong probability that church
unity Will be effected through the
medium OF social service rather than
that of credal adjustment. 1t was no
compromise of principle for me, as
an Episcopal minister, to lecture OF
preach in succession in a Uniyersalist
Church, Presbyterian, Episcopal and
| Congregational. The same social
message of the Lord Jesus had equal
acceptance. And it was great JOY
at the close on Sun lay night to have q
1 Socialist eomrade, a workingmad,
grasp my hand cordially to express
his appreciate IN of the Socialist mes
sage coupled with the Gospel Of Jesu:
4 Christ.
1.-The committee on the State oi
the Fellowship reported the organiza
tion in good financial condition, hav
ing no debts and with a balance il
the treasury. 1t reported the out
come OF this years confere nee mos
encoraging and urged ali to work zeal
ously placing the emblem Of Socialism
next to the Cross of Jesus Christ anC
1 thue n 90 forth cououerinO aud :,