THE ANTI-SOCIALIST UNION OF THE CHURCHES.
[TO THE EDITOR 07 THE " SPECTATOR."1
SIR,—We invite your attention to the work of this Union, now established for just over a year. Its principles are non-party and non-denominational. We regard Socialism, viewed in the logical development of its essential principles, as a force counter to properly Christian progress. The word Socialism is vague and elastic. It is used with good intent by many earnest Christians. But considered as collectivism of possession and distribution, carried out thoroughly, we not only regard it with• dread, but appeal for confirmation to utterances of its whole-hearted exponents, in the Press and on the platform, to justify our attitude. We venture to affirm that the force so expounded would be, if victorious, fatal to the Throne, home, and faith. The object of this Union is to unite all God-fearing citizens, not in acrimony but with decision, against this system. We think that in so doing we are true to the example of Him Who in His whole action and teaching was (in regard to common life, society, and the State) always the reformer, never the revolutionary. For the work in view help is needed, financially, and in the form of voluntary effort. Will you allow us to ask for both through your columns ? We cannot close without a special appeal to Christian ministers to aid this non-political and non-sectarian effort. Their message is the faith of Christ, and that faith in application is the one adequate answer to the deepest needs of man, individual and social, alike in his luxury and in his need. Particulars concerning this Union may be obtained from the secretary.—We are, Sir, &c.,
H. DUNELM. DINSDALE T. YOUNG. H. W. WEBB-PEPLOS. J. G. GREENHOUGIL GEORGE FREEMAN, Secretary.
88 John Street, Bedford Row, W.C.
[The appeal of the Bishop of Durham and of the dis- tinguished clergymen, Anglican and Nonconformist, who are associated with him will, we trust, meet with the support of a large section of our readers and of the public generally. We do not doubt that there are plenty of deeply religious men who advocate Socialism, and believe it to be consistent with Christianity. Those, however, who hold, as we do, that the result of the victory of Socialism must be the destruction of the family, of freedom, and of character and independence in the individual, and therefore of Christian morals, have no option but to oppose Socialism with all the power at their command. They must be just and reasonable to their opponents, but the determination to be so must not paralyse them as combatants in a battle where the enemy give no quarter and fight to win.—En. Spectator.]
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