Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 1.djvu/509

Rh 1. Needed social reconstruction depends upon a new conception of life and duty (p. 3).

2. It is the object of the book to point out some of the changes in men's thinking which the present conditions of Christian society most clearly indicate (p. 15).

3. The relation of man to God, i. e., the meaning of the Fatherhood of God, is a subject concerning which there is need of clearer ideas (p. 19).

4. There is need of clearer ideas respecting the brotherhood of man (p. 33). "Before the kingdom of God can fully come a great many Christian people will have to change their minds concerning the true nature of charity" (p. 37). "Beyond all controversy this pauper class owes its existence, in large measure, to the subtle selfishness of the almoners of charity, who are more willing to bestow a dollar than to give a helping hand" (p. 40).

5. There must be reconstruction of ideas concerning the independence of the individual as related to the solidarity of society (pp. 63-96). "In large sections of the Christian church the crucial question respecting the Christian life is 'How do you feel?' Salvation, or at any rate the evidence of it, is, according to this view, a satisfied and pleasurable feeling. ... Those who make the most of their own personal moods and tenses in the matter of religion are the kind of persons who can easily convince themselves that they could be happy in heaven while their next of kin were weltering in everlasting torment" (p. 65).

6. There must be revision of our ideas of the sacred and the secular. "There is no kind of work in which any man has a right to engage that is not in its deepest meaning sacred work" (p. 116).

7. There must be reconstruction of our ideas of property (pp. 137-162). "It may be supposed that such a conception would call for the bestowment of all we have in almsgiving and charitable work. ... I can conceive that a man might not give one dollar in what is known as charity, and yet might use his whole wealth in consecrated ministries" (p. 158).

8. We must clarify our views of the relations of religion and politics (pp. 165-187). "We have a service, in some of our churches, preparatory to the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, and we are wont to spend some hours of reflection and prayer in making ourselves ready worthily to enter into that solemn service. ... There is quite as