THE NEW RELIGION.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 11, 12 March 1892, Page 249

THE NEW RELIGION.

The socialistic idea manifests itself in various ways ami under diverse forms. It shows itself stronger in the ten dencies of municipal and national politics. It calls to its cause many of the purest and most cultured men and women of England. It is making itself felt in the land question. Perhaps the most remarkable thing in connection with this agitation is that comparatively few voices are raised in anything like active and complete opposition. In all this work of reform an important part is borne by the university settlements. The scholars of Oxford and Cambridge have left their academic shades and taken up their quarters in the slums of London to aid in the elevation of the masses. Women from Girton and Newnham, as well as University men take part in the movement. University and college missions have been organized.

The celebrated Toynbee Hall is, perhaps, the most typical of these establishments. Arnold Toynbee was an Oxford student who seemed to gather up in himself all the new inHuences rising at that university. He spent his vacations in Whitechapel and like neighbourhoods lecturing to popular assemblages. He died in the harness in 1883. His friends at Oxford resolved to commemorate his name and work in some permanent way. Toynbee Hall is the result. At first it was one room in the East End of London. Now it is a large building arranged university fashion, around a quadrangle. It provides accommodation for a numerous body of regular residents, and for a few occasional, who come from Oxford to see what is going on and lend a hand. There is also a large body of associates of both sexes who come at intervals to take care of classes and chibs. Each resident has his special work. One looks after charities, others, severally, make specialities of labour organisations, children’s holiday funds, etc.

A great deal is done in local politics. During the outbreak of crime in 1888, Toynbee Hall organized a Vigilance Committee and patrolled Whitechapel. Some residents manage schools ; others supply dinners to ill fed children. There is a great deal of social life at Toynbee Hall in the way of dinners, receptions, entertainments, lectures, discussions, etc. The evenings are taken up with regular class studies, in which political economy is a prominent feature. Space is lacking to even mention the many other ways in which Toynbee Hall acts as an educational and elevating centre. Oxford House, Bethnal Green, does somewhat in a religious way what Toynbee Hall does in a secular way for the people. Numerous other similar establishments testify to the activity of the cultured and well-to-do classes in behalf of the masses.