The Connecticut labor news., 1921-09-23
LIBERAL THOUGHT GRIPPING CHURCH
 IN GREAT BRITAIN
Swelling Movement Among Religi- ous oWrkers Everywhere Amer
 ican Clergyman finds.
By REV. RICHARD w. ROGUE Executive Secretary, Church League
 for Industrial Democracy.

At the close of last weeks article on this subject was asked: What IS the attitude of organized religion and it's leaders, in England, toward the aspirations, claims and coming pow CT of labor?
 There is no one fixed policy, but there are many evidences of larger understanding of the problem and a readier championship of he asplra- tions and rights of labor.
 Of outstanding significance IS the report of the archbishops' committee of inquiry on religion and industry. This searching document contains clear analysis and a strong condemna, ton of some of the fundamental ethical conceptions of the present 1n- dustrial order. It was followed in June of last year, by the resolutions of Lambeth Conference "a body com posed entirely of bishops ot the Anglican and Protestant Episcopal \ churches of the world These reso- lutions are categorical Tn the1r con demnations and unequivocal in the1r demand for change not only III the spirit but in the working ot industry.
 But after all these are only expres- sions of a conviction, and faith with out works is as dead today as Til New Testament times. These ex- pressions are in the language of pen itence for the churchs' past neglect, but where are the fruits ot repent ance" and the works ot atonement: What are the churches dolng?
 Movement Within the Church.
 Very little in the way of united, organized, concentrated action. Very much in the way of individual lead CTS and definite movements of and within the churches
 Here is a bishop in Australia, with ofhcial eminence and large prlVate means, resigning his office and giving up every dollar he has in order to live the very life and serve the utmost needs of the lowest and least privil- eged.
 Here is Bishop Gore of Oxford, distinguished scholar and prelate, re- signing his office to offer his mind and his life more freely to the serv- ice of the working people in their struggle for justice and for freedom.
 Here is the Bishop of Manchester, identified with the labor party and president of the Workers Education al Association.
 I preached last night in the church of young Church of England cler- gy1nan who is, an active member ot the labor party, as are numbers ot his fellow clergy and of non-con- formist ministers. The most out standing among the latter is Dr.. Harry Orchard. Then there are the League of Faith and Labor GnteT- denominationaD and the Christian England). The latter is very siml- lar to our own Church League for Industrial Democracy.
 Work Recognized by Labor.
 Its work is recognized by labor leaders to the extent of allowing 1t to have official permission to display its literature at the coming Trades Union Congress.
 The most comprehensive recent proposal (with every assurance of being carried ouD is the formation of a Christian Parliament to discuss and to act on industrial questions; It will be called into existence by the Archbishop of Canterbury and of all churches. One cannot pro- phecy how long it will be before or ganized religion as a whole will be converted or captured by these lib eral and progressive and earnest forces. There is sufficient ground for renewed hope and faith. Dramatic evidence of this was seen recently Tn the remarkable Hyde Park demon stration, when 4o speakers from sev- en platforms presented the social message of Christianity. They came from every branch of organized Christianity and almost every great department of labor. They support ed a common statement to which their hearers gave unanimous en- dorsement. The statement IS far reachip0 and iS as follows.
 'ln face of the complete collapse of our existing economic, industrial and social order, and the bankruptcy of European statesmanshlp, this meeting calls upon all men and wom- en of good will to recognize that the solution of the present deadlock can only be found by the practical appli- cation of the principles of Christian ity to al the departments of human life.
 Denial of Christ's Teachings.
 "It declares that a persistent re- fusal to apply these principles Of truth, justice and brotherly love is a denial of Jesus Christ, who, on Cal vary, died in their defense.
 "It further records its conviction that the existing system, being large 1y based on unrestricted competition for private and sectional advantage, must be ended, since it fosters the sins of avarice and injustice Jays a yoke of thraldom and poverty upon masses of men and women and makes war practically inevitable.
 "Therefore, it urges all Christian people to recognize, in the collapse of the old society, God-given op- portunity of building up new order founded on brotherly cooperation in service for the common good"