This section contains material on social ills, on the Church's relationship to labor, on industrial relationships and on migration. It also includes a conference dealing with a spate of issues.

1. Social Ills
a. Public Entertainment
b. Literature
c. Dancing
d. Gambling
e. Alcohol
f. The Church and the Working Man
g. Industrial Relationships
h. Migration
i. The Betterment of Society

1. SOCIAL ILLS

      The social ills concerning Churches of Christ during this period were connected with the theatre and the cinema, pernicious literature, dancing.

      a. PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT

A. R. Main, A.C., 1916, p. 745.

      For some time past the state of public amusements has engaged the serious attention of religious and social reformers in the Commonwealth. A serious demand for a censorship of plays is being made by those who have the welfare of our youth at heart. In the interests of both decency and morality, it is essential that some action be taken speedily. Picture shows and theatres are both in need of urgent reformation; the former, by reason of the fact that so large a number of children frequent them, constitute the more serious menace by the moral well-being of our country.

Jas. E. Thomas, A.C., 1918, p. 145.

      We have received several letters recently asking whether something could not be done to protect our young people against the vulgarities and obscene exhibitions that are permitted to be shown in picture theatres throughout the Commonwealth. It is a monstrous thing that men are allowed to exploit the public with these sordid pictures on such sacred-themes--for the sole purpose of making money. It is a sad commentary as well on our humanity that so many flock to see these pictures, and seem to revel in the passionate and carnal atmosphere thus produced. We have a most worthy Federal board of censors who can prevent the importation and exhibition of such pictures if they are imported, but what is needed is a more energetic censorship and oversight by State Governments concerning pictures manufactured in the Commonwealth. The time is ripe for drastic united action.

The Menace of the Picture Show

      The problem of the cinema, like that of the poor, threatens to be always with us. At the Victorian Conference of Churches of Christ, after a short discussion which showed unanimity of opinion regarding the need of reform, the following resolution was carried:--

      "That it be a recommendation to the Social Service Department to exert its influence to effect the elimination from the picture theatre of objectionable films, and to secure the exhibition of films of a clean, educational and morally wholesome character, and that a report on the matter be presented to next Conference."

      It may be said that at any rate we might as Christians ban the use of picture shows for church members. Well, we might--if we had authority to do so. We are prepared to admit that there are many Christians who have been harmed by attendance at picture shows. We shall indicate some evils presently. But we do not think that the wise way to win our young people (though we suspect that many old people are also concerned) from an undue indulgence in picture shows and other amusements is to go to the extreme of denunciatory opposition. We are not trying to utter a pleasantry when we say that it is a pity to manufacture new sins, especially when there are already in existence a sufficient number of genuine ones. The fact is that Christian folk who occasionally patronise the cinema do so without the least consciousness of sin. When such hear a denunciation couched in language fit for the condemnation of the most loathsome of vices, they are not disposed to accept correctness of the description or to acknowledge the authority which claims to rule their conscience or conduct.

      It must, we think, be gratefully acknowledged that, thanks to our Commonwealth Board of Censors, the quality of the pictures now shown is better than it was some years ago.

Cinema evils

      There are some unquestioned evils in connection with picture shows, and all Christians can unite in seeking to remove these.

      The advertising of films is often objectionable. It is true that in many cases children are having their school work interfered with by frequent attendance at picture shows. The late hour at which picture programmes close accentuates the evil.

      There should be a regulation passed forbidding the presence of unattended children of tender years.

      Christian teachers and preachers might well note the danger and the evil. If frequent attendance at picture shows is against the best interests of education, then obviously it is also against the best interests of the church of God. Over-indulgence in any form of amusement--not only pictures, but even cricket and football--is bad. When indulgence reaches the point of interfering with Christian service, impairing spiritual power, lessening our appreciation of the things of God, then it has become a sin.

      b. LITERATURE

A. R. Main, A.C., 1928, p. 405.

      Our readers will have noted with pleasure the campaign which has been inaugurated against pernicious literature.

      It is a dreadful thing to corrupt the pure mind of a child. An evil picture, obscene phrase or indecent act may leave an impression whose defiling influence remains for years. It is horrible to think that there are men who for the sake of gain will lend themselves to this kind of business. It is a traffic in vice as surely as is that against which the civilised nations have agreed to wage war. The writer, publisher and seller of impure literature are all guilty. It is a marvel to see how shops owned and run by respectable and professedly Christian men stock and sell some of the newspapers and magazines which obviously owe their allurement to the suggestive indecencies which are kept just within the law.

      It will be difficult to get legal action which will meet the need and remove the evil. Too strict a censorship or prohibitive would defeat its own purpose. But that difficulty cannot be regarded as a sufficient reason for doing nothing. Either the existing laws should be more rigidly carried out, or the law should be amended in the interests of public morality and decency. Whatever law is passed, there will be people who will get to the very edge of illegality and yet remain on the safe side. More than law is therefore required. We require the creation of a healthy public sentiment. Motives drawn from religious and moral principles, as well as the interests of public order, should be inculcated in season and out of season. The home, the school, the church should be in alliance so far as the interests of morality are concerned.

      c. DANCING

A. R. Main, A.C., 1927, p. 453.

      A correspondent brings before us a modern problem and asks our opinion of the neglect of his suggested solution:

      "As it is admitted that dancing by church members is wrong, such being 'disorderly walkers,' is it right for those so doing to be permitted to come to the Lord's table, unless previously admonished, or exhorted before the whole church, not to attend or take part in such? Does the omission of such discipline betoken the fear of offending?"

      In reply, we may say that obviously not all agree that dancing is wrong. If they did, there would be no problem for us. Those of our people who trip it "on the light fantastic toe" (if Milton's words apply to modern dancing) do so without consciousness of wrong, and numbers of others who do not themselves dance, would decline to give an unqualified condemnation. If newspaper accounts are correct, then there seem to be some dances of so ugly, vulgar, objectionable, suggestive and even licentious a nature that they are wholly to be condemned. There are some dancing parties, again, which are associated with drinking habits, or where the associations are decidedly bad, where a promiscuity exists which cannot but have a bad effect. Participants in such might be regarded as "disorderly walkers." But doubtless any of our church members who indulge in the terpsichorean art would be able truthfully to deny that the amusement indulged in by them was of the kind described. They would say they know it is not so, and moreover they would seriously doubt the truthfulness or the Christian spirit of the man who would bring their practice and this low revelling under the one general and indiscriminate condemnation.

      For ourselves, we should say that our correspondent's proposed disciplinary action is so unwise as to be impossible. It lacks even the appearance of a Christian solution, helps nobody, and (however well motived) has no authority behind it but the opinion of individual Christians. It is ludicrous to suggest that it is a species of moral cowardice, a weak fear of giving offence, which keeps churches from ostracising or branding as unchristian those who in the exercise of their right of personal judgment do things of which we cannot approve. Where the Scriptures do not directly legislate or instruct, let us seek a better way than that suggested.

H. G. Payne, A.C., 1923, p. 408.

      Of the many dangers and temptations which beset them, none are more serious and potent to our young people than the dance.

      So few young men and women abstain from dancing that they are in a despised minority. Our own young people are strongly leavened by the craze. While officially the Church of Christ is hostile to dancing, so many younger engage in it, and so many older condone it, that not infrequently the young abstainer is regarded as peculiar.

      When religion is spiced with questionable amusement to make it attractive, great spiritual strength and courage are required by any young man or woman to withstand the appeal of such a combination of Christ and Belial.

Supposed Biblical sanction

      I have before me an article which appeared in a recent Sydney periodical, which in defending the dance says: "David danced before Saul, and many others are mentioned in the chronicles of that quarter of the world long ago." Such an argument is empty, and he who advanced it should have known that, for "social dancing as we understand it was almost if not altogether unknown in ancient times."

      How many husbands, lovers and fathers would permit elsewhere the liberties with their wives, fiancés, and daughters, which they accept as a matter of course on the floor of the ball-room?

      The dance allows postures and movements which convention, hardened as she is, prohibits outside of the dance-room, with its seductive music and other sensuous charms.

Evil accompaniments

      It would be idle to deny that the primary attraction of the dance is in the sense of relaxation from the serious affairs of life, the congenial company, the atmosphere of enjoyment, and all that contributes to the delight of any social gathering, but insistence must be placed upon the inherent dangers. Prof. Hugo Munsterburg of Harvard, speaking as a psychologist, said, "The modern dance is erotic and sex exciting. The love of excitement expresses itself in the dance and the dance heightens the love of excitement."

      It is not suggested that all who dance are in danger of its evils, nor that all are even cognisant of them, but it is emphatically iterated and reiterated that they are there.

Unspiritual atmosphere

      The atmosphere of the dance is unspiritual. Could we picture Christ in a fox trot?

Our duty and privilege

      The evil of the dance under some conditions being admitted, what of the duty of Christian love and the privilege of the liberty we enjoy in Christ Jesus? What of the apostle who said, "If meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend." What of the love that denies for the sake of another the liberty not to do as one pleases, but to abstain from that which may harm another? If the dance at home or abroad does not injure you, what of those who justifying themselves by your example are led to disaster?

      Dancing at least is questionable. Better far the sure high road of abstinence than the doubtful side track of indulgence. The whole spirit, principle, and aim of the gospel is with that one who abstains from all appearance of evil.

      d. GAMBLING

A.C., 1925, p. 229.

      3. That this conference, representing the Churches of Christ in Victoria, views with concern the increase of gambling in Australia. It is considered that the time is ripe for a special effort on the part of the church to arouse the national conscience in regard to this great evil, and that definite instructions as to the evils of gambling should be imparted in our churches and Sunday Schools.

A.C., 1929, p. 654.

      3. The Conference views with deep concern the increasing tendency among the churches associated with it to depart from the Scriptural principles of Christian stewardship; and that it expresses its unqualified disapproval of fairs, bazaars, and all similar purposes of raising money for church purposes.

      e. ALCOHOL

A.C., 1914, p. 228.

      A notable Conference of Temperance workers has just been concluded in Adelaide. Delegates from various Temperance societies and Alliances gathered in the South Australian capital to the number of about 60. Our own churches were well represented. James Manning, of Mile End, was elected President. J.G. Barrett, of Moreland, Vic., was elected a Vice-President. F. McClean and others from our Melbourne churches were delegates. J.E. Thomas gave an address one afternoon, and led the discussion on "The Church and the Liquor Traffic." It is gratifying to see that our brethren are taking an interest in the fight against the great drink curse that is in our midst.

A.C., 1917, p. 588.

      The following resolution was adopted:--

      "In view of the wide-spread evil caused by the use of alcoholic beverages, this Conference affirms the principle of the prohibition of the sale, manufacture, and importation of intoxicating liquors in the State of South Australia, and heartily commends to our churches the work of 'The South Australian Alliance for the Abolition of the Liquor Traffic' in its efforts to secure this object as speedily as possible. We furthermore urge the members of our churches to do all within their power to assist the Alliance in securing a referendum on the question of Prohibition, and when that has been granted, to assist to the utmost of their ability in securing complete victory."

      f. THE CHURCH AND THE WORKING MAN

A. R. Main, A.C., 1918, pp. 73-74.

      There are those who deny the alleged alienation of the masses from the churches. Such generally point to the way in which some preachers attract comparatively large number of the workers, or content themselves with saying that the evil is no more apparent now than it was at some stated period in the past. For ourselves we believe that, while churches of Christ have perhaps less difficulty than others, and while the great majority of members are workers, still there is evidence of such a breach between men and the church, to the detriment of both, as to make it foolish either to ignore it or too quickly to declare its cause and publish a remedy.

      Why are so many men uninterested in church? Reasons abound; they vary with the men. It seems to us that just because the man in the street is persuaded of the church's lack of interest in him, it behoves us not so much to argue about the truth of his belief as to give overwhelming proof by our actions that we are interested.

      When we study the New Testament and its story of the life of the Founder of christianity, and of the establishment of the church, we find one of the outstanding things to be the appeal which Christ and Christianity made to working men.

      The attractiveness of "the man Christ Jesus" can only be the possession of the church which has a compassion for men and a sympathy with them in all their troubles such as Jesus had.

      Space forbids a detailed statement of specific causes or remedies. But a few hints may be given, as expressive of our personal opinion. (1) "Churchy" tones, styles; places, do not appeal to men. See the

comparatively greater success of tent missions than of efforts--more decorous, but more dull--in church buildings. (2) The leaving of the church's message to men exclusively to a preacher or minister (who is open to the charge, wrongfully laid, we are convinced, of taking a merely professional interest in people), is a great mistake. Two things Churches of Christ greatly need--a large increase in the number of preachers wholly devoted to and supported in the work; and an immense increase in the number of business brethren who can and will preach the gospel to their fellow-men and be manifestly beyond the reproach of professional interest. (3) The man in the street who is not a Christian is still profoundly of opinion that churches and preachers are more interested in his money than in him. (4) We are sure that working men at times think that churches through their preachers have taken sides against them when the issue was a purely political one. Where this belief is founded on fact, we can at once say the preacher has erred. The preacher of the gospel is profoundly interested in the relation between capital and labor; but as a preacher he takes no political sides. He believes the gospel of Christ rightly accepted will so influence the hearts of men that all may work together as brothers, counting mutual service as rendered to their Master in heaven. (5) We believe that men are sometimes uninterestedin church because they have nothing to do; Most people like to be at work. A careful study and development of the talents of members, and the finding of opportunities of usefulness whether in the church service, in school or other society, or in work outside, would probably go a considerable way to a solution of the problem of how to hold men.

      g. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONSHIPS

A. R. Main, A.C., 1919, p. 201.

      No Christian man can be indifferent to the condition of modern society. One of the most ominous features of modern times is the threatening of a class war. It is undoubted that a spirit of class hatred is being generated which, if unchecked, will issue in incalculable harm to this favored land in which we dwell.

      What shall be the attitude of the Church of Christ to such questions as confront the world? Shall it label the issues "political" and refuse to touch them? For the church that would be equivalent to an attempt to commit suicide. Should our attitude be that whereas an individual Christian may as a citizen interest himself and work for the amelioration of social conditions, the church as such should stand aloof? This attitude seems a right one when applied to the purely political aspects of the questions concerned. But he is purblind who regards the questions now agitating the world as merely political. They are moral and religious as well. God forbid that the church should take sides on questions of party politics. But it would be equally regrettable if we were to keep our religion in a closed compartment, separate from the realities of everyday life.

      It is not the church's duty or the preacher's duty to take sides on matters of industrial policy. But it is the church's duty to set before all--both employer and employee--the need of mutual consideration, forbearance and sympathy. A Christian must in the nature of the case condemn on the one hand as unchristian abominations such things as sweating, profiteering to the extent which it is notorious it has been practiced during the war and is now being practiced in our midst, and miserable housing conditions which make comfort, decency and purity well nigh impossible; and on the other hand just as readily and vigorously denounce the "go-slow" policy, sabotage and such like modern excrescences which bring discredit upon some of the workers.

      Great masses of men are not only holding aloof from the church, but are hostile to it. The fault is not on one side alone. But it may safely be said that in bygone days there has been some ground for accusation against the church. Workers often set the religion of Christ over against the religion of the churches.

      It must not be overlooked that most of the churches--even the least democratic--are largely composed of those frequently styled the working class. Churches of Christ make their chief appeal to such; the plea we love makes its way with them in a remarkable fashion. It has been made a reproach to us that we have failed to reach those of higher social position. Were it the case that we had to make a choice, we should infinitely prefer our present clientele. But we would do wrong to confine our attention to one section of men. Christianity is for all; its principles are for every grade of society; it seeks to bring high and low, rich and poor, employer and employee into the family of God, where class distinctions should not enter. "One is your Master; all ye are brethren"--the realisation of this ideal is the world's great need.

      h. MIGRATION

A.C., 1926, p. 521.

      The Social Questions Department of our British churches is keenly alive to the possibilities of the group nomination scheme, under which whole families may migrate. The Victorian Department, cooperating with this committee, requisitioned for 48 families, as far back as May, 1925, the first of which is arriving by the "Jervis Bay" as the "Christian" goes to press. The photograph of this fine family will surely go far to establish confidence in the type of migrant coming, as well as in the Department which is primarily responsible for the venture. It is not amiss to again refer to the fact that Bro. C.R. Burden originated the requisition system of group nomination which is sometimes called the church scheme. The Department has made no promise other than that made by other religious bodies, viz., that we undertake to find employment and accommodation for our nominees.

      i. THE BETTERMENT OF SOCIETY

A.C., 1920, p. 155.

      We the representatives of Churches of Christ of Australia, in Federal Conference assembled, view with deep concern the general unrest and discontent abroad in the world, and particularly the strife and bitterness which have entered into our political, religious, and industrial life. And, believing conditions are the result of the failure to apply the principles of Jesus Christ to the common problems of life, individually and socially, we, as disciples of Christ, take this opportunity of reaffirming our unsectarian and non-partisan attitude on all these questions, and of restating our belief in the great social principles of Jesus as the basis for all right human relationships and as the ultimate guide for national and international policies; and in the gospel of the Cross as the divine and only means whereby human reconciliation can be accomplished, war can be abolished, and the wounds of the nations can be healed. To this end, therefore, we earnestly appeal to our brethren throughout the Commonwealth to give themselves in prayer and unselfish devotion to the ministry of peace and goodwill, and to the disseminating of the teachings of Jesus in word and in deed. Furthermore we would respectfully and earnestly appeal to followers of our Lord Jesus Christ of all creeds and communions to discountenance the spirit of sectarianism, and turning back to Christ and the simplicities of His religion as set forth in the New Testament Scriptures, to stand together as one united army of God against the hosts of evil, that His will may be done and that His Kingdom may come.

F. T. Saunders, A.C., 1926, p. 684.

      We wish to record our conviction that the principles of Jesus Christ provide the only hope of world peace, and to urge all men to cultivate his attitude of brotherly regard for the people of other races and nations. In particular we pray for the realisation of the aims of the League of Nations, and desire that those who represent Australia on the League should endeavor to have all its deliberations and decisions permeated with the spirit of the Prince of Peace.

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