CHURCH AND LABOUR.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 319, 5 October 1908, Page 8

CHURCH AND LABOUR.

RESOLUTIONS OF THE LAMBETH CONFERENCE. The following are tho resolutions passed by the Lambeth Conference of Anglictn bishops under the heading "Socialism":— Tho conference recognises tho ideals of brotherhood which underlio tho democratic movement of this country; and, .remembering our Master's examplo in proclaiming the incstimablo value of every human being in the sight of God, calls upon tho Church to show sympathy with tho movement, in so far as it strives to procuro for all just treatment and a real opportunity of living a true human life, and by its sympathy to commond to tho movement the spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ, in Whom all tho hopes of human society > are bound up. The social mission and social principles of Christianity should be given a more prominent, place in tho study and teaching of the Church, both for the clergy and the laity. Tho ministry of tho laity requires to be more widely recognised, side by sido with tho ministry of tho clergy, in tho work, tho administration, and the discipline of the Church. A committee pr organisation for social service should be part of tho equipment of every clioceso, and, as far as practicable, of .■very parish. Tho Church should teach that the Christian who is the owner of property should recognise the governing principle that, like all our gifts, our powers, and our timo, property is a trust held for tho benefit of tho community, and its right use should bo insisted upon as a religious duty. The conference urges upon members of tho Church practical recognition of tho moral responsibility involved in their investments. This moral responsibility extends to — (a) Tho character and general social effect of any businoss or enterprise in which their money is invested; (b) The treatment of the persons employed in that busiiloss or entorpriso; (c) The due observanco of tho requirements of the law relating thereto; (d) The payment of a just wage to those who aro employed therein.