inequalities. 4. Socialism and extension of powers of State.

Laissez faire abandoned. An ethical character conceded

Powers of State more freely used to promote

to the State.

social happiness.

But socialism more than this. What

is it?

196-221

CHAPTER XI.

THE POSITIONS OF SOCIALISM.

The great variety of societies. But the common idea. Modern

socialism. Attractive, at many points, to earnest men, who

yet have no fellowship with its ulterior aims. State-

ments relative to socialism differ. Dr Schäffle referred

to as an authority. His exposition. The Fabian Society

publications. Karl Marx. An attitude of scepticism

must be assumed, as to the views and tenets on labour,

land, capital. First, The labour question "the burning

question of the Europe of to-day." The assertion that

"labour is the source of all wealth" criticised. The

measurement of value by manual labour criticised. The

right of the labourer to the whole produce of the labour

criticised. Second, Property in land-" Private property is

theft"-
'—a fundamental principle. Two points to be made.

Is the distinction between land and other material-viz.,

that land is God's gift to all, and therefore not property, but

that the fruit of labour is not gift but property-justified?

And, Is the right of property a right to abuse as well as

use? Differences in socialistic theories as to land. The

nationalisation of land: how is it to be carried out? Third,

Capital. Socialism a revolt against selfishness in capitalists.

But all capitalists not selfish. All capitalists not million-

aires. Capital represents the investing of any sum in means

or instruments of production. Facilities for realising shares

in business profits desirable. But difficulties in the way.

The reduction of the personal element in the relations of

employer and employé, by syndicates on the one hand,

and trades-unions on the other. Competition pronounced

the curse of civilisation. Emulation offered as its substitute.

Would it be a substitute? Co-operation: a Christian idea.

The growth of co-operative societies. But socialism would

make co-operation a compulsory method by which all re-

sults are to be realised. Socialism takes little account of

the wealth and variety of the elements of civilisation

222-259

CHAPTER XII.

MORAL AND RELIGIOUS ASPECTS OF SOCIALISM.

Socialism cannot be regarded merely as an economic system.

Its claim is that the polity is the morality. Its moral and

religious bearing must be considered. First, the spirit of

discontent which it fosters. It has an international propa-

ganda. Thus, the influence of Continental and American

sentiment is communicated, and, although views of an

extreme character are not widely received, thought is

coloured by them. The passion for equality. Equality of

condition and personal merit inconsistent standards. A

right and a wrong discontent. Second, the relation of

socialistic systems to the moral law. Systems often adhered

to by those whose moral attitudes are right. But tenden-

cies relating to the family need to be watched. Socialism

meets one selfishness by developing another. Its brother-

hood too much a class brotherhood. It does not sufficiently

realise the need of personal regeneration. Third, the hos-

tility frequently expressed to the worship and the ministry

of the Church. The root of this a radical divergence from

the religious ideal. Earthliness in prospect and in motive.

Labour-churches. The duty of the Church towards social-

ism. The Church must make its aim fully manifest.

Patience is required. Sympathy and co-operation in all

honest effort are required. Study of social life required.

The Church should be cautious in pronouncements on special

issues. The outflow of a spiritual force needed

260-283

CHAPTER XIII.

SOCIAL-ETHICAL TRENDS.

Tendencies of thought in which sympathy with some of the

ideas embodied in socialism is expressed. First, work,

with a moral end, the mark of worth and dignity.

Ruskin's distinction between work and play. Carlyle

and his Gospel of Work. The two men, and no third,

whom he recognises. A new ethical ambition stimulated.

Second, the ethics of wealth. Wealth a problem as well

as poverty. How is it made? used? distributed? Com-

mercial immoralities. The office of wealth. Waste of

wealth is sin. Responsibility to God and to society for its

administration. Another view given by Ruskin. His

attack on political economists. His distinction between

wealth, money, and riches. His principle that life is wealth.

A conception which has infused an ethical element into

political science. Third, the Altruism of the day. Comte

and Comtism. Altruism has its religion in itself. But,

sometimes, it has a religious hue. Count Tolstoy and

Tolstoyism. The influence of these ethical trends apparent

in the politics of the day. The promise of a harmonious

development of national life. Pessimistic views. But the

character of dominating ideals and aims is a hopeful

sign.

284-307

CHAPTER XIV.

THE SOCIAL WORK OF THE CHURCH IN THE PRESENT DAY.

Internal rectifications as well as external readjustments needed.

Attacks on Churches as having neglected their temporal

mission. The answer to this partly in former chapters.

In Scotland, the Church has been in the front rather than in

the rear of the onward march. The many social impulses

Contents.

given by the older race of parish ministers. In the more

modern time, social utilities promoted by churchmen, and

by agencies of churches. Signs of increasing social activity.

The social and the spiritual cannot be absolutely separated.

Evangelism and philanthropy. Some instances of organisa-

tions aiming at social reformation cited. These settlements

bring the more cultured and opulent into direct touch with

the needs of the poorer population. They interpret also the

breadth of the Christian spirit. Labour colonies. The

Salvation Army

xix

308-330

CHAPTER XV.

EFFECTUAL CHURCH MINISTRY.

The Church represents a faith, a society, a propaganda. First,
it holds a faith in trust for the good of man. The spread
of socialism said to be a token of the decline of religion.
Not so.
But a decline of Church authority. How can the
scepticism as to the message of the Church be disarmed?
The part of the answer, relevant to the matter in view, is
that the victory must be the victory of faith. One reason
for any failure may be uncertainty in the belief of the
Church. Reflected in the hesitancy of its voice. The
teaching may want in strength, and it may want in wisdom.
No reason more widely operative than the separation be-
tween the faith and the conduct of Christians. Second, the
Church a society, whose calling is to represent its social life
to mankind, and to train and give direction to the spirit of
citizenship. The evidence of its calling obscured by divisions.
Unities in spite of divisions. But the existing outward
condition of the Church hinders the effect of its action.
Unity in action. Four points essential to this indicated.
Third, such union would give new momentum to the social
propaganda of the Church. It would develop aggressive
work, and make Church life more complete. The desire
for complete life and order evidenced in England and in

Scotland. The Commission on the Religious Condition of

the People. All Church life is marked by three purposes:

(1) To make the house of God more hospitable; (2) to

develop, not mere agency, but the contact of person with

person; (3) to call forth all resources of energy and vitality.

"The rights of man and the rights of God." The fulfilment

of the Church's social mission

331-357

INDEX

358