A BISHOP'S PREDICTION,

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 46, 18 November 1907, Page 9

A BISHOP'S PREDICTION,

A striking speech on Socialism-was made by the Bishop of Stepney in addressing a crowded men's meeting in connection with tho Church Congress at Yarmouth. "Vfo see tho titlo of a groat movement, which, whether we. like it or not, is going to be tho master current of tho life of the people of England in tho twentieth century," said tho Bishop. "Thorn is abundance of luxury, but there is appalling abundance of poverty. The nineteenth century forgot it is not enough to products wealth lavishly; it is important how it is distributed. A reaction was bound to come, and some of us welcome it. The nineteenth century wns tho period of individualism and competition. Tho twentieth century will take its plnco as the era of Socialism and co-operation. ' "What is to be tho attitude of the Church? It cannot bo one of mora opposition. The question is not whether wo can arrest it, but whethertlio influence of Christ can lead and guide it; whether it can lie made a movement which will come ■gradually and fruitfully, or suddenly and dangerously; whether it will bo a movement of pence of , of violenco, of justice or injustice." The Church, ho added, could belong to no party. They might sympathise with tho labour movement, but tlioy must remind it that labour has its duties as well as its rights-