Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 3.djvu/355

 THE MEANING OF THE SOCIAL MOVEMENT 341

to assert that the latter is peculiar to our day. The migrations of Semites and Mongols and Teutons would disprove that. The history of industry and commerce and war ,and science would disprove it. The study of every great nation would disprove it. Men have always tried to improve their condition. Neverthe- less the modern social movement means that there is a new note in men's purpose to better themselves. , It has new force. It has a changed outlook.

Specifications must be understood in a very general sense. They sketch broad outlines of comparison. They would not apply to minute details. When I say that there is a new note in men's purpose to better themselves, I mean this : men used to accept the situation and tried to make themselves as comfort- able as possible in it. Today they propose to change the situa- tion. Men used to try to better themselves within the condition in which their lot was cast. They now try to better the con- dition itself. We may illustrate the earlier temper regarding progress by the attitude of Paul toward certain relations about which the Corinthian Christians wanted advice (i Cor. 7.) What had the apostle to say about celibacy or marriage ; about Chris- tians whose marital partners clung to the old faith ; and about slaves ? Paul's advice was distinctly against staking all upon attempts to secure improvement by changing the condition, and distinctly in favor of contentment with trying to do better within the conditions. "Wast thou called being a bond servant ? Care not for it ; but if thou canst become free, use it rather. Brethren, let each man, wherein he was called, therein abide with God." And it was entirely in accord with the policy of better- ment within the conditions when John the Baptist, in answer to the question "What shall we do ^"advised the people in general, " He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none : and he that hath food, let him do likewise." And he advised the publicans, "Extort no more than that which is appointed you;" and again the soldiers, "Do violence to no man, neither exact anything wrongfully, and be content with your wages." ( Luke 3:10-14). That is, "adjust yourselves to the proper