Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 9.djvu/48

 34 THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY

dox ground, and is in closer touch with church circles than the Congress and has more direct practical aims. It has not the strength of the Congress in thought, great names, and scientific economists; but in practical work it has already accomplished more than the Congress.

Last summer friends of the Congress freely said among them- selves that the task of the Congress is done, that there is no longer any necessity for keeping it up, and that the obstacles were too great for its further action. This feeling is now over- come, and the members are taking hold with new zeal because the name of the president is a strong basis for further labor. But other difficulties still exist and give occasion for serious thought as to the future purpose and method of the Congress.

It is certain that the association cannot unite on a political program for agitation and action, and just as clear that mere appeals to enthusiasm will not long hold men together. Mem- bership will not grow on such ground. In order to sustain the organization the Congress must discover some specific aim which will compel interest.

The socialist finds stumbling-blocks in Christianity. He knows that society develops according to law; that it is impos- sible to apply to our capitalistic economy legal and ethical norms which had a good meaning in times of the small and local industry; that moral ideas change from age to age with economic conditions; and he carries in his own heart an unshaken belief in the righteousness of his own battle for eman- cipation and the struggle for political power. But the Christian church introduces into its sermons and teachings a series of principles and norms which arose out of past conditions and do not fit our own. In the great cities numerous pastors feel the stress of these objections; they look to the Congress to show them a way to reconcile traditional ethics with contemporary moral feelings. In their Sunday sermons, their religious teach- ing, their voluntary activity in societies and care of souls, they need standards of judgment, principles, general rules which they themselves are not able to work out, because they have not the time for profound reflection nor the necessary knowledge.