The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-03-06
In Greater Social Equality
Lies the Hope of the Church
Prof Bristol Tells w Y. u School of Religious Train
ing Students Sunday Schools Must Help
Male Democracy Safe for the World.
inc Students Sunday Schools Must Help


speak in no uncertain tones concern
ing the grave problem that confronts
Christianity now. and that will con
front Christianity even more seriously
when our boys return from the battle
fields OF France. They are giving all
for q socisI cause 10 make the world
safe for democracy and democracy
safe for the world. They are fighting
for what they believe are eternal prin-
ciples OF right and truth and justice
among men. They are enduring fro
zen feet and TIE agoniZins wounds OF
shot and shell and the even worse tate
OF prison camps IT the belief that by
so doing they arc Fastening the coming
of Gods; kingdom on earth. They have
had social vision. But If they return
and hear from the pulpit and Sunday
School teacher OILY 4 message Of iHdi-
viduaI salvation they viii be repealed"
But the church will not fail in this
crisis" continued Prof. Bristol he re-
ferred briefly to the books OF Josiah
Strong. Richard Ely. Washington Glad
den LYMAN Abbott, and a score OF
others.
In March. 1905. the General Con-
ference OF the Methodist Episcopal
church adopted a social creed, with a
Council of the churches OF Christ in
America at its first meeting. This
council Is made up of thirtyone DC
nominations. which together include
1900. 900 communicates. and, in so Far
as the delegates are official represen-
tatives of their denominations We have
in this social creed the Official pro-
nouncement Of the most important so
caI problem OF the day. At the quad
reNnial meeting OF the Council. held in
1912. the creed was readopted with a
few more additions and at present con-
sists of the following articles:
The churches must stand:
For equal rights and complete jus
tice for all men in all stations Of life.
For the protection of family, by the
single standard Of purity. uniform di-
vorce laws, proper regulation OF mar
riage and proper housing.
For the fullest possible Development
OF every child. especially by the provis-
ion OF proper education and recrea-
ton
For the abolition of child labor.
For such regulation OF the conditions
OF toll for women as shall safeguard
the physical and moral health Of the
community.
For the abatement and prevention
OF poverty.
For the protection Of the Individual
and society from the social, economic
and moral waste Of the liquor traffic.
For the conservation OF health
al diseases and mortality.
For the right OF all men to the oppor-
tunity for self maintenance, toS safe
HI
ments OF every kind, and for the pro
OF enforced employment.
For suitable provision for the old
age OF the workers, and Tor those in
capacitated by injury.
For the right of employees and en-
ployers alike to organize in industrial
disputes.
For a release from employment one
day Ia seven.
For gradual and reasonable reduction
OF the hours OF labor to the lowest
practicable point, and for that degree
OF leisure for all which is a condition
of the highest human life.
For a living wage as a minimum In
every industry, and for the highest
wage thar eaca industry can AFFORD.
For new emphasis upon the apph-
cations OF Christian principles to the
acquisition and use of property and for
the most equitable division Of t-lc pro-
duct Of industry that can ultimately be
devised"
"This, then, Is the platform OF the
Protestant Christianity concerning its
relation to certain aspects Of the pres
tent social order, and recent gather
ing Of religious leaders called by the
Federal Council worked ont. a most
ehepRiye QEQszam fox: the church: