SOCIAL REFORM ACCORDING TO CHRIST.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 478, 7 June 1890, Page 5

SOCIAL REFORM ACCORDING TO CHRIST.

Auckland, June 2. A lecture on tlie above subject was delivered in St. Peter’s Church last night by the Rev. R. Sommerville. He took for the basis of his lecture, Matthew, ch. xx., v. 28 —“ The Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister.” He said it was of grave importance that public discussions on questions of social reform generally proceeded on the assumption that they can receive no countenance or support from Christianity. There was no ground for such an impression. In all questions affecting the highest well-being of the people Christianity is always in sympathy and support. In no period of the world’s history can mention be found of a social reformer to be put in comparison with Christ. Any social question involving the true wellbeing of the people has an element of strength imparted to it, that could not otherwise be derived, when it is guided and controlled by Christian principles. Look back to the first century of the Christian era, and see the changes introduced by the greatest reformers of that or any other period. He was not a man of great ancestry or noble birth ; not a talking adventurer who had anything to gain by persistent agitation ; nob a place-hunter, nob a member ot any of the governing classes who had broken with his fellows, not a broken-down politician striving to raise himself by sowing the seeds of discontent among the loyal subjects of the State. He was one of the people of poor but respectable parentage, and in subjection to that law “By the sweat of thy brow shalb thou eat bread.” Quietly he stepped on to the platform that was vacant till he appeared and began his mission. He claimed that he was sent from Cod to regenerate the world, and His method, teachings and works supported that claim. He laboured for the well-being of the people intellectually, morally, socially and spiritually. He taught that in God’s sight all men are brethren ; that the beggar is brother to the man of wealth, that their Heavenly Father recognised no superiority of the one over the other. He no one or class. He never spoke so as to catch the popular vote or set class against class. His reward lay in righting the people’s wrongs and relieving their burdens. He fearlessly denounced the hypocrites who devoured widows’ houses, and for a pretence made long prayers, and He yielded up Hislife in the liighestinterests of thepeople, after His judges had publicly declared that He was a man without a fault. After His departure His cause was carried on with such success by His apostles that they were spoken of as the men who had turned .the world upside down. Church, a social Che great tions of the world.

an ignoring of Him reform is attempted measure due to sentiments of writers on Sociology. It was Auguste Comte, in his “ Philosophic Positive,” who first used that term to designate the science of life in society. John Stuart Mill also wrote much on the subject, but it was Herbert Spencer who of late years had given it chief prominence. He seems to assert that a theist cannot accept sociology in any scientific sense of the word. To him social reform and Christianity are antagonistic terms. He maintains the necessity for a new birth in man to the end that society may be reformed, but he maintains that Robert Owen was right when he taught that this new birth could only be brought about by favourable social circumstances. It is no wonder if under the influence of such teaching social reforms arc carried on in antagonism to Christianity. No one will question the right of the labouring classes to agitate for any improvement in their social condition ; every right-think-, ing man w-ill rejoice in success obtained by legitimate means. What has Agnosticism, of which Spencer boasts, done in the way of alleviating the sufferings of the poor? Has it gone down into the slums witli a loaf of bread ? Has it felt its heart pulsate with sorrow at the cry of the destitute, and has it hastened with its contribution to feed the hungry and to clothe the naked ? Such services are not of its spirit. On the other hand, look at what is done in keeping with the spirit and teaching the Great Reform. Innumerable philantropic and benevolent institutions testify. Instance the Bristol Orphanages, where thousands of orphans are fed, clothed, educated, and fitted for fighting life's battles. The Barnado Homos in London, where over 3,400 children, the waifs of society, many of them crippled, blind, deaf and dumb, are cared for with the solicitude and care of which pious guardians and teachers are capable, and kept until suitable spheres in life are found for them. It is to the disadvantage of any social reform that it is not in harmony with Christian principles. As a matter of policy, if from no higher consideration, the churches must be in sympathy with social reforms, for in proportion as the masses are raised socially are the churches benefited. But the true Christian has nobler impulses, loftier and purer motives. He desires social reform because of the benefits to begained by those who are the subjects of it. Viewpd in what light we please, it is much to be regretted that Christian influences are not more confidently recognised in the work of social reform. In proportion as the teaching of iSpencer influences such movements will they prove miserable failures. There is a Providence that shapes our destinies, rough hew them how we may. Christ taught the great value of man, and the great capabilities he possessed. As He was, such is His i religion, ever ready with its offer of help in any work carried on in the real interests of the people. Some movements now on foot, in the name of social reform, give evidence of running to ruin and proving disastrous to the interests of those concerned. There are some phases of them that are fraught with great danger, and if not wisely guided will most surely lead to civil war. The attempts to set class against class will so eventuate unless wiser counsels prevail. No true Christian can look on unconcerned, and it should be the earnest desire of everyone to bring all pueh movements und6r the guidance of Christian principles; then they cannot fail to be for the true profiting of people. Unreasonable demands will be avoided, unwise agitators will be disregarded, and movements of real merit will be commended to the support and sympathy of the world. To the end that it may be so Christ lays down this rule : “ Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.”