The Evening Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1917-1920, 1920-08-13
THE NEW BOOKS
.Christiaa Inlnstrial Orier..

@Christian Industrial OrieR.s
/ The world has now come to !,
a point where neither the system q
John Stuart Mil nor that Of Kar
Marx can longer push human prugrss.
forward. Henry Sloane Coffin. a.
sociate professor IN the Union Theo
logical Seminary Of New York, ppints
out in his book, "A More Christiar
Industrial Order" that the world has
wandered astray from the road b
progress indicated BY the guiding spir.
1t of the Christian religion.
Nothing final" he says, and fixed
can be reached in the statement Of re-
ligious belief or in the formulation Of
the principles that should govern in
dustry." But II we are willing to
search for guide. let go the perver-
sion Of the commercializing spirit, and
follow the lead of our Christian con-
sciences, we would listen to the call
of a higher spirit Before the chaos
OF industrial order we would now
pause and ask in an unselfish fashion
what is our Christian duty as pro-
ducers and consumers. as owners and
investors, as employees and employ
es."
Christ did not preach for any indus
trial order. In his age there were
other problems that engaged mems
minds and for each He pointed out a
solution He left US His teachings
and His examples so that for all ages
to come, mankind will have no need
OF prophets. What, therefore, is the
road Christ would have us follow in
the present industrial order!
I'VE take the situation in which we
find ourselves" says Mr.. Coffin, "and
seek to permeate them with the mind
of Christ. We do not deal with the
ideas of democracy as though demo-
cracy were the crowning arrangement
Of human history; but democracy is
the issue which confronts us today.
Our ancestors. q century hence, may
face other aspects of the problem We
are not asking what Is the Christian
Industrial order, and hoping to see
and, II possible. establish the final
economic organization Of mankind
We are asking what the Spirit OF Je-
US would create out of the existing
social system in order that we may
be led into a more Christian indus
trial order. This Is our task assigu-
ed us in this momentous day"
All industrial laws must therefore
be humanized and all economic rela-
tionships Christianized. Hence, Mr..
Coffin formulates certain basic prin-
ciples as the key to the new order.
Christians as producers wish to
put themselves into their work." he
points out, Until the humblest Ia
borer says instinctively. we, in our
business, there is not the morale for |
production. What Is wanted in an |
Of the creative spirit, and that |
is the task Of religion. for the crea-
tive spirit is the Spirit of God" This |
he would like the Christian as produc-
er to observe.
OF the Christian as consumer, he
says: The main point to stress is
that luxury and want cannot exist
side by side in any community which
called itself Christian As q COM
munity we must determine a minimum
standard Of living. and consider II q
public obligation to see that no fam
ly lacks the chance to earn that"
The Christian as owner, Mr. Coffin
would have this to consider: Our
next concern as Christians Is the es-
of the principle that
property exists for people and not
,eople for property. Possessions are
excellent servants but ruinous mas
ers."
He would have the Christian as in
'estor go ahead in his investments /,
,ut: "A right attitude of mind essen
ial to the creation of q right system:
We must Christianize our thought Of
'ur relations to business questions
'efore we can see a system In opera
ion that will satisfy our consciences."
For the employer and the employe,
hey will have to bear in mind that
A first criticism Of ourselves Is with I
ur attitude as employers and en-
'loyes towards the public; we are too
competing for private gain :,
instead of cooperating for public
ervice."
People must have faith in demo-
racy. Democracy makes a vast de-
land upon faith-faith in the capa-
tiles Of ordinary men and women,
nth in power Of spiritual ideas, faith I:
/ the universe as friendly to brother :
ood."
It is an order we have longed to see :
But will It come?
(The Macmillan Company; So :
ages.)
The Last Straw
For those who enjoy western ro-
ance. The Last Straw" will meet &
ith the usual favor. The setting Is e
either original or convincing. There &