Christian Socialism and the Ballot
By Editor
THE editor of The Dawn, Rev. W. D. P. Bliss, of Boston, has recently been in Chicago, addressing large audiences on "Christian Socialism." As a remedy for existing evils, he advises a return to the early teachings of Christianity, and to the methods practiced by the early disciples of Christ; and as a step in this direction, he advocates Christian Socialism. The Union Signal quotes him thus: "We do not expect this to come in a day, nor in a year; but if you live the doctrines you profess, and vote as you think, the day is not far distant when the ballot will make this a nation of Christian Socialists." With the advice to return to the early teachings of Christianity, we are most heartily in accord; but it is strange that the good men and women who are depending on the ballot for the accomplishment of needed reforms cannot think that the condition of things in the days of the apostles was not brought about by the ballot. That had nothing whatever to do with it. Moreover, there were but a few who followed the teachings of Christianity, and they composed a sect that was "everywhere spoken against." And further, these few earnest souls made no effort to advance the cause of Christianity by political methods, but "went everywhere preaching the word." Why should people think that different methods now will secure the same results? Christians cannot be made by vote.