CHURCH & LABOUR.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1785, 25 June 1913, Page 7

CHURCH & LABOUR.

SOME REMARKS BY A CLERGYMAN. Tho Rov. J. Kocd-Glaason lectured on ''Church and Labour" nt David's Literary and Social Club last evening. Tho Rev. Mr. Thompson was chairman. Mr. ReedGlasson said that Ministers who endea.vdural to solve tho groat labour question would find thomsolvos drawn into party politics. Tho tendency of the Labour party in England, as well as on the Continent, was a complete antagonism to Teligion. In some quarters it wis said that, among tho working-classes, tho name of Christ was received with groans. Speaking of tho cities of America, he quoted authorities with a view to showing that the workers were fast dwindling away from the Church, and from what they termed "organised Christianity." Ho took tho occasion to state that Christianity is a religion that stands for the uplifting of man, whatever social class' no may bolong to. Ho quoted from Scripture, in several instances, and added that lie had heard that tho rich were alienated from .the Chnrch. The Scripture stated that 1 it was hard for a rich man to enter the Kingdom, but it could at least be said that both Tich and poor had an equal chance. The "labour problem" seemed to be on endeavour on tho part of . some to gain rather more than was just but of the world's wenlth. What could the Church do ? It could not touch the question without becoming political. Tho function of tho Church was not poll, tical in any way. Its duty was to create an atmosphere that would tend, to uplift all mankind, and once the nature of the human heart was changed, these problems would become surmountable, but not until then. In conclusion, he wished to niako it clear that.though (upon analysis) tho workers wero gradually being drawn to tho Church in the- main, yet the Church had much to do ere she reached all mon. , 7 The Rev. Mr. Davis (Melbourne) supplemented the 'speaker's remarks, and agreed that if tho Cliureh could remove tho lovo of monoy from people's hearts, and sub- ' etituto the lovo for fellow-man, it would parry out tho great mission which it wcis Jindcmbtedly ordained to.