THE CHURCH AND LABOUR.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 5, Issue 178, 1 July 1914, Page 6

THE CHURCH AND LABOUR.

Sir, —I have read the article with interest and pleasure that appears in the issue of "Tne Worker" of 17th inst., under tbe above heading. From personal experience I fully endorse its contents as a whole, and with your permission would add a little i'urtlieV comment. 1 ,-un ; perfectly convinced that the Church as an institution' has not only blundered, hut it has sold itself to the rich and privileged' classes and has. become the stumbling block in existence against tlie progress of tho race. It cannot, be refuted that its Icadors. as a whole, misrepresent tlie actual facts- contained in tho teaching'of the Carpenter of Nazareth, : for it" absolutely condemn* tlie poor, and in many cases vigorously, denounces them simply because they rue the victims of a'system'of grab and grind. The Church of this '20th century delights to be honoured with the patronage of these, selfsame moneygrubbers. The result'of this is-te produce a tendency towards educating tho workers in tho direction of Socialism, a true Christian doctrine, and as'such, dreaded and denied by the'- Church. History sometime* 'repeals itself, and may do so in this cisc, as tho workers arc beginning to detect, tlio fallacy contained in the policy of the Church. It cannot be gainsaid that the churches (and in many instances the clergy as a class) arc really a celestial police, which tho privileged classes use in-the same manner as they use the terrestial police and the army. Even now tho clergy and the powers that bo aro advocating a. plank to further their interests—that of tho Bible in Schools scheme. This little game must be apposed by all right-thinking people, for ft will only strengthen the bond of'the clergy. When these so-called spiritual defenders disappear, then the working class can strike for their own betterment moro effectively and moro fatally. Socialism is purely a .Christian ideal and doctrine; it must and docs take the field against tho colossal ignorance that exists and is still taught by modern churches, and Socialism will stand and remain at the head of the democratic movement. In ,tho denunciation of tho false teaching of the clergy is a powerful lever for agitation, and an incomparable means for recruiting our ranks for propaganda purposes. In doing this wo remain faithful te our Christian watchword, yet by this rule of revolutionary action wo will disarm tho enemy and arm Socialism. The working class will then have tho arms necessary for tbe uplifting of humanity which the churches to-day make no real attempt to rcdocm.or protect, be it,.said to their shame.—T am. etc. , ' . J. SMITH Waimate.