THE CHRISTIAN ATTITUDE TOWARDS DEMOCRACY.*
SIR W. ROBERTSON NICOLL explains at no great length what should be—in his opinion—the Christian attitude towards democracy. His little book is very readable and very moderate, both from the religious and political points of view. We do not know if he would call himself a Christian Socialist. The designation is vague, but it suggests broad Church Christianity and a Socialism far removed from logical extremes, and would seem to lit the case. "The root idea of Democracy," he writes, "is that the moral right is with the people, that it is they who ultimately possess the world, and that their betters in wealth, or in learning, or in wisdom, have the privilege of advice and nothing beyond it." "The era of charity is passed," he tells us, "and the era of justice has begun." Further on he admits that charity will always be needed, " but there is something beyond, and that something is legislative action." Meanwhile he speaks very .cautiously as to what should be the attitude of the Church. -"Political preaching as such is wrong," he asserts, but " there are questions of morality so overwhelming in their importance that the preacher who is under a deep conviction cannot always keep silence." As a whole, however, he concludes that the Church can only speak with assurance when she can
• quote the words of her Founder, and must, therefore, remain silent on three important subjects. "One of these -subjects is the value which ought to be attached to particular kinds of labour. Another is the fixing of exact justice as between master and servant. A third, as we believe, is the definition of the ultimate Christian form to be assumed by society."
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