In order to fulfil the need for a strong active socialist club at Victoria, the Labour Club is sponsoring a series of lectures on socialism.

The first speaker, on April 12, was the Reverend Lance Robinson. He spoke on Christian Socialism.

Christian Socialism

Socialist elements were apparent in Christianity right from the beginning. To the Jews "rich" and "evil" were synonymous. The early Christian communities rejected class barriers and private property. In the Middle Ages monasticism was regarded as embodying the pure communal life in contrast with the worldiness of feudelism. After the Industrial Revolution came the heyday of Christian Socialism—the term was first used in the 1830s. Since 1860 however, Christian Socialism, in spite of the Christian Socialist League (1906) has depended on individuals rather than organised groups.

Basis of Christian Socialism

The Christian believes that God created. No individual can claim ownership of any material thing. He has only the stewardship of God's property which is for the benefit of all men. Hence distinctions of class are not to be found among Christians. The Christian also disagrees with Marx's materialism—material things are only part of man's make-up, and must be used according to the will of God.

God Before the State

Christianity has always claimed to be a religion which covers every particular life. The Church and its sacraments are the instruments to extend these patterns to the whole of life. Hence the Christian will put allegiance to God and his Church before political ties. On the other hand a Church political party in power and corrupted would bring about the reverse of Christian Socialist intentions.

This is an essentially theological approach to socialism: again the Christian is at logger-heads with Marx—man is not to be considered as a "complicated animal" but a spirit.

—J.D.