M. E. Socialism

M.E. Socialism

The New York Herald Tribune last week headlined its report of a violent day in the Central Methodist Church, Brooklyn: METHODISTS RUB SOCIALIST TRACE OUT OF PLATFORM.

But had they? Scarcely one Methodist knew.

The Social Service Committee had brought in a report to the Eastern New York division of the Methodist Church urging government ownership of natural resources, railroads, banks, steel, cotton and woolen mills. Said the report: "We must of necessity face frankly the fact that Capitalism is un-Christian and unethical, and then consider ways and means of replacing it." To this end, churchmen, were urged to take up politics.

When the report was read, conservative delegates demanded the floor. Dr. John William Langdale, editor of the Methodist Book Concern and a specialist on hymns, cried out that this was Socialism and "I believe this is not the way out. . . ." Most of the other 500-odd Methodists agreed, at length solemnly sent back to the committee for its further consideration the following question mark: "May we not have reached the time when we must replace Capitalism with a system that is more in conformity with our religion?"

Presiding over the Brooklyn conference was Bishop Francis John McConnell, famed Liberal. Said he: "You can't be a Methodist without putting things strongly." Later, admitting he was for pinking Capitalism and did not care who knew it, he said: "If I had resigned the office of bishop as many times as I have been asked to, I'd be like a small boy hopping on and off a freight car."

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