a
303
SOCIALISM IN ENGLAND.
a society which was started some seven years ago for the purpose
of making the Church a more living and potent force among
the people. In a letter which I have recently received from
the Rev. Stewart D. Headlam, who is the warden of the Guild
he says “ Our position towards Maurice and Kingsley is that
of enthusiastic disciples. We know that some of their experi
ments were failures, but we think we are carrying out their
principles more faithfully than those who merely go in for
V^^edkdmminga^rmitWn^M^sp^kf^
Christian Socialists generally, Mr. Headlam continues •—
^ Christian Socialist believes
that the Church—the whole body of the Baptized—is intended to be an
organized Society for the promotion of righteousness, and that when the
officers and members recognize that, the distribution of wealth will be
absolutely different from what it is at present. Meanwhile, believing in the
Sta e as also a sacred institution, we use all our efforts to get such laws
made as will tend to bring alwut a better distribution : e.g. to get rid of
private property in land eventually ; at once to re-impose the four-shilling
ax on present value, and claim all unearned increment ; prc^ressive incometax
; free schools with free dinners, etc. We show to all Christians who
would suffer by these measures that they are really measures to help them
o live the life of brotherhood, which, in the present complicated state of
civilization, it is very difficult for them to do, even if they wish to do so •
for we believe that all little societies, whether Co-operative or Communistic’
are really only helping themselves at the cost of those outside, while the
present anarchy lasts. ... I always find that the first thing wanted is to
convince an ordinary Christian that Jesus Christ was a secular worker and
that the Kingdom of Heaven of which He spoke meant the Church on
earth. If you can once get rid of the ‘ other worldliness ’ which forms the
religion of so many people, half—more than half—the battle is won " *
