MINISTERS' CONFERENCE

The morning's proceedings were devoted to a paper on "The Relation of our Churches to the Social and Political Questions of the Day," by the Rev. F. E. HARRY, of Sydney, The following is an abstract: —


" 'The greatest of all questions for statesmen and Churchmen, wrote Dr, Chalmers in 1823, 'is the condition of those untaught and degraded thousands who swarm around the base of the social edifice, and whose brawny arms may yet grasp its pillars to shake or destroy.' The same problem, the same possible danger faces us, but with this difference. The multitudes around are no longer untaught, for Education Acts have been in operation, and public schools abound. But their spiritual destitution still remains the greatest of all problems. Shall we be candid with ourselves to-day and admit some of our short comings ? Shall we acknowledge the existing and manifest need for improvement in our Church life and organization? We cannot overlook the fact that there is a deep-rooted suspicion in the minds of many earnest men that the pulpit is gradually losing its power—that this is owing to a defective culture, to the repetition of stereotyped formulas, and to tho lack of interest in the affairs of this life manifested by those who stand up to plead for God. We have only ourselves to blame if the masses of men turn away from us because we are merely 'sky-pilots,' because we keep heaven far away instead of bringing it down to earth. Some of us have yet to learn how to interest men as veil as to instruct how to apply moral and spiritual principles to the details of daily life; how to present old truths concerning God, eternity, life, duty, with freshness, freedom, and power. Enthusiastic dreamers have drawn pictures for us of probable social life a century hence, and it is perhaps our own fault, the penalty of past neglect, that in these pictures no scope is given for the work of the pulpit. No consideration is permitted to the claims of a higher life and Christianity, which has really contributed so largely to all great social achievements. Christianity, which alone could make such a harmonious system possible, is left out in the cold. It will have had its day, for the millennium of luxury will have dawned. Individuality will have been repressed, and every man will be only a helpless fragment of a gigantic piece of mechanism. All true advances have come through the simple earnest preaching of the Gospel of Christ. Many run to and fro in these days with now legislative schemes and social inventions and political dreams. Doubtless God will use them to some purpose. But all social, political, and financial remedies not born out of the redemptive heart of God are but new Babel towers, from which men will flee in dispute and confusion to renew their sad and vain efforts towards a peaceful millennium. Shall we confess to having too spasmodic an interest in passing events? Of course we don't want to be 'down criers,' and it is not given to some of us to announce sermons upon great calamities; yet while we may not be able to discuss such themes as 'strikes' without giving offence or without falling between two stools, we can wisely teach principles which must influence those who are directly interested in such social questions. We are not to echo public opinion, but to lead it. If we are not keenly interested in the movements of the day how can we bring the spirit of Christ to bear upon the laws and customs of society? Ethical principles may be taught, but the application of them to the details of daily life and to the conduct of public affairs must be left to the individual judgment.
In some cities it is left to the pulpit and to that alone to counteract the insidious influence of a poisoned Press. You know what I mean. The new journalism, with its great interest for us all, with its piquant paragraphs, its personalities, its anonymous articles often with subtle insinuations approaching the very verge of libel, with its titbits of society news, its news concerning the turf and various sports, constitutes almost the sole reading of thousands of men and women to-day. And will any one dare say that such reading has no penetrating power for evil? It is for us to counteract this evil influence in every possible way by creating a healthier literary appetite, by fostering a pure taste, by training tho young to read only those books and periodicals which minister to their intellectual and spiritual welfare. Ministers are often advised to keep out of politics, but no reasons of any weight have been given for such a strange course. Ministers ought to take their share in public life like merchants, lawyers, tradesmen, and other citizens. Let us keep party politics out of the pulpit by all means, unless the questions in debate have a direct bearing on the religious life of the people. Then speak without fear of man. We must show how religious principles bear upon social and national life, for nothing is outside the scope of Christianity. When all men strive to be alike progress is impossible, for the world moves forward in proportion to the clear expression and impression of separate individualities. I know that this doctrine is not largely held in these days of levelling, in this 'millennium of Smiths.' Yet if the pulpit is decaying it is owing to cowardice and conventionality.
Let me briefly touch upon some of the chief of our social and political problems. I believe that our attitude towards the poor will be ever an index to our character, whether as individuals or Churches. Let us impress upon our Churches in these days of distress and destitution the need for considering the poor, not in foolish ways of indiscriminate giving, but with a wise charity. Let each family in comfortable circumstances take a destitute family in charge, not in a patronising way, but with wise love. What attitude should the Churches assume towards Socialism ? Who can look at the sufferings and struggles of men, the anxieties of the poor over food, the terrible social inequalities which prevail, without feeling that a change must come soon. Apart from all the frothy and foolish talk of Anarchists and political demagogues we must recognise the discontent that prevails among the masses of men. We must consider the schemes of social reform put forward by thoughtful and earnest men. Now, Christianity utterly disagrees with the methods of socialism. Christianity maintains that all cardinal changes must come from within; the mischief lies in the heart of man. Let us build soup kitchens for the starving; let us give as God has blessed us to every worthy object; but let us not imagine that passing an Act of Parliament, digging good drains, or creating a protective tariff will destroy human selfishness. Let us improve social conditions in every possible way, but at the same time remember that the permanent and powerful reform of society can only come from the leavening influence of the spirit of Christ. Christianity ever strikes at selfishness as the root of earth's evils; it cannot be silent before the greed and cruelty of men. At the same time we must beware of being hard upon the rich merely to please the poor. There is that in the gospel which can rectify all ills, and 'make the wilderness to blossom as the rose.' Christ, and Christ alone, can solve every social problem.
 In concluding let me briefly allude to the relation of our Churches to political questions. We ought to have more influence on legislation than we possess at present. Our indifference accounts largely for the fact that atheistic agitators secure seats in our legislative chambers. If we want good legislation we must send better men to Parliament. We used legislation against the terrible and unblushing vice of our streets. One can hardly move in this matter without feeling assailed by that large section of the Press which sneers at virtue and condemns as prudery every attempt to check vice. There are those in our community who try to overwhelm with slander and abuse the men and women, who make any sacrifice to save the young and the wretched from doing down to the pit, who endeavour to break down the present agreement with death and covenant with hell. Our Churches must speak out plainly in this matter. Dr. Parkhurst, of New York, has illustrated what can be done by a man of vigilance and courage to purify the horrible dens of a large city. We must have legislation against all places of questionable amusement, where the innocent are allured by those three allied curses—gambling, drink, and impurity. It is a matter of life and death to thousands that our places of public amusement should at all costs be kept pure and free, from all incentives to vice and crime. Those devil's dens for the promotion of loose living must be abolished. We ought not to tolerate so many places of temptation in our cities — hotels and private bars at every street corner, betting-rooms, and foul music halls. In spite of all the sneers of a worldly and cynical Press the ultimate analysis of all history is that which we find upon the sacred page, and upon it all the history, of the nations is but one continuous comment that 'Righteousness exalteth a nation, and sin is the reproach of any people.' "

Adelaide Observer (SA : 1843 - 1904), Saturday 28 October 1893, page 14