Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1915-09-09
CHAPTER w.

| IOWnley rev Gays later on
meeting Allan Rutledge. Il
do not see Mr.. Nelson very much. He
has become q member of your church.
has he not?'
NO." responded Allan. II do not
seem to be able to get him to con-
sent to a public avowal Of his faith
In Christianity, but he Is a regular at
tendant at the church and he mingles
to certain extent among our young
people"
II have a peculiar interest in the
| young man." said Mr. Townley. HE
came to Bronson at my invitation in
the first place. and feel that there is
moral power in him IL it could find an
outlet"
"He has accepted new position
which he assumes the first of the year.
answered the other HE told me yes
terday that he is going into the Office
of the Courier on Jan. l. and he will
be the city reporte:."
Good" exclaimed Mr.. Townley en-.
Enthusiastically. THAT Is a better place
for him than the railroad office. We
shall hear from him In the newspaper
world. predict"
Having reached the Peoples church
Mr.. Townley unlocked a side door and
ushered his friend into his handsome
study.
Allan Rutledge looked around In ad
miration.
"You have a fine den here. my broth.
err" he exclaimed
| still, | am often lonely here" an
swered the other. with sudden pen.
siveness. II seem like a hermit shut
up In my CELL When I want a real
sermon ! have TO go out among the
/ people who are lighting life's battles
Since my return from Europe | have
been studying the social question with
a new enthusiasm. was formerly In.
terested in Biblical criticism. and |
learned German so that might read
the authorities in Germany more readi-
ly. but my visit to Europe has entirely
changed my outlook"
"What do you mean?" asked Allan
Rutledge
"ln Europe. TO my surprise. found
the leading thinkers and scholars turn.
ing their attention more and more to
the matter of social reform In such
matters Europe is far in advance of
America. Some of the recent legisla.
ton In Germany and England would
be called rank socialism with US.
"You mean the laws giving the gov.
ernments control Of monopolies and
the legislation providing for state in
surance. old age pensions. minimum
wage and such likeg
"Yes." answered, Mr.. Townley. II did
/ not know you were interested IN these
things at all. | am delighted to know
| It, DO you know | think that the
church must stand still until we can
Christianize our social institutions In
America? | have been devoting more
and more thought to this phase Of the
work Of the church. We have been
spending too much time with the in.
dividual and overlooking our duty to
society"
There is truth In your statement
that we need social reforms in our
American life." answered Allan Rut.
ledge earnestly. Il have studied the
subject Of sociology for years, and ever
since my college days have been con-
WINGED that our economic world needs
! to be saved. The church. the school
/ and politics have all been democratized
and Christianized In our modern life
but the business world of modern time {
is neither democfatized nor Christian.
ized."N
! "Those are exactly my beliefs" re-
piled Mr.. Townley enthusiastically. 81
have Just been reading in regard to
that investigation In Pennsylvania
where the great steel industry has a
plant The report showed the darker
side of our prosperous country" He
took up pamphlet. from which he
read:
Here are the facts about the big
strike In Pennsylvania. Nine thousand
men are employed In the immense
plant making steel for a wealthy cor
poration which is paying 40 per cent
dividends. These enormous profits are
In part possible because more than
half Of these workers toll twelve hours
day. most of these working seven
days in the week. Over 80 PER cent OF
these men earn less than $1.6S for this
long day Of labor Three men protest
ed to the management against the Sun.
day labor. They were at once dis.
charged. and this caused the strike
The wage scale makes the herding OF
men together the only method of living
possible for them. Under such condi
lions decency is impossible. to say
nothing of Christianity
"a report like that" continued Mr.
Towney. gives rise to serious
thought"
my blood boils hottest" responded
Allan Rutledge. when learn of the
exploitation Of women and children by
modern industry"
'That Is just what We have on a
small scale here In Bronson" respond
ed Mr.. Townley quickly. Il feel there
Is no regeneration possible for Bron.
son until we have some social readjust-
ments."
"You remember you diagnosed the
spiritual condition Of Bronson for me
a few days after | arrived here" said
Allan Rutledge. changing the subject.
81 remember our conversation very
WE'LL" said the other "Have you
found my diagnosis correctw
"Your diagnosis. according to my In
vestigations. was absolutely correct
said Allan Rutledge. with determine
ton. II am now ready to apply the