Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 15.djvu/33

 CHRISTIAN SOCIALISM IN AMERICA 19

at all. The name is a misnomer, and, in the opinion of many of its members, should be changed. "Fellowship of Socialist Christians" would be much more nearly descriptive of the aims and spirit of the organization, but not entirely so. For there are Jews among its membership, and even agnostics and atheists. The object of the organization is to "permeate churches and other religious institutions with the social message of Jesus" — by which socialism is understood. All who agree with the neces- sity of that are welcome to membership.

The position of the fellowship has been clearly and unequivo- cally stated in a "Declaration of Principles," adopted at the national convention last June. This statement, written by a prominent socialist writer active in the socialist party, sets forth that the fellowship "does not stand for a socialism that is dis- tinctively Christian;" that it has no connection with, or relation to, the so-called Christian-socialist movement in Europe which antagonizes the socialist parties ; that it stands for uncompromis- ing socialism as represented by the great international socialist movement and by the socialist party of the United States; that its aim is "not to christianize socialism," but simply to spread a knowledge of, and belief in, socialism among people of religious belief and affiliation.

In this spirit, the fellowship has held meetings all over the United States. Many of its most active members are equally active in the socialist party itself. Just prior to the last election, some two hundred ministers, all in actual charge of parishes, and representing all the leading Protestant sects, signed a manifesto pledging themselves to the socialist cause, and it is said that upward of two thousand other ministers have signified their general sympathy and support.

Whatever one's views of socialism may be, it cannot be gain- said that this development of socialism in America is a most remarkable phenomenon. Will the union of socialism and Christianity continue, or will a split inevitably occur upon the religious issue? Time alone can answer that question with cer- tainty, but it must be said that there are fewer signs of such a split today than at any time in the history of the movement. Rash, incautious, tactless men on either side may provoke a