p. 1 | SOCIALISM IN GERMANY

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 16, 1878

SOCIALISM IN GERMANY.

The Socialist movement in Germany is assuming somewhat alarming proportions. In some of the large towns it seems to be approaching a crisis. In Berlin Socialist artisans are daily declaring their determination to leave the church, and it is thought that still larger numbers would secede were it not for the fine exacted from persons declaring such an intention. Socialists in Germany are atheists. The movement in its religious aspect is the outcome of the infidelity and formalism that have been for a long time growing within the church. Politically, it is only another phase of the French Commune. Its strength and sudden growth may be judged from the fact, that, whereas in 1871 the Socialist party could command but 120,000 votes and two members in Parliament, it registered last year 497,000, nearly one-tenth of the whole voting population, and returned twelve members to the National Legislature.

Of one of its recent rapid strides the conservative community seems to have been almost unaware. On a late Sunday, however, a demonstration at the funeral of one of the Socialist leaders has done a great deal to arouse public sentiment and disclose the grave dangers that lie hidden beneath the surface. The deceased was one August Heinsch, a foreman in a semi-Socialistic printing-house, and a successful propagator of Socialistic doctrines. His death was supposed to be occasioned by excitement, and overwork in this cause. In the funeral procession fully ten thousand persons took part. Every one wore the red badge of the Commune. As many as a thousand women were among the number, and even little children, decked with crimson scarfs. Six Members of Parliament, also ornamented with red, headed the line and lent official dignity to the occasion. In all the streets a vast multitude of astonished spectators were gathered. At the cemetery, belonging to one of the atheistic societies, very concise and informal ceremonies were held, consisting only of revolutionary and eulogistic speeches, and, singularly enough, a Lutheran choral, there being as yet no distinctively Socialist hymns or music.

An ill-judged attempt was lately made by some of the clergy to establish a counter movement by organizing a party of “Christian Socialists.” As the fundamental doctrine of Socialism is disbelief in Christianity, and the two are absolutely irreconcilable, of course the effort was a failure, and only brought contempt on its originators. Thoughtful people are awaiting further developments of the movement with no little concern.—Christian Union.