FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES. CONVERSATION I. Definition of terms and appellation-Generic meaning of Socialism-Who are Socialists, and who Anti-Socialists-Different kinds of Socialists-Unjust to lump all together-Why retain these oft misunderstood terms, Socialism and Socialist-What the terms Christian and Practical denote, as designating our kind of Socialism-Essential principles of the Christian Religion the basis of our Socialism-What Religion is in general, and what the Christian Religion is in particular-Whence the Christian Religion is to be learned, viz., the Scriptures-Why Christ left no elaborate Writings, and why we have such brief records-The Christian Religion a universal, perfect and immortal one. Inquirer. You have promised me an exposition of what you are pleased to call Practical Christian Socialism. When will you commence it? Expositor. Immediately. In doing so, your inquiries must lead the way. Inq: Well then, I wish first to understand clearly and fully what you mean by the appellation, Practical Christian Socialism? Ex. I will endeavor to give you satisfaction. Socialism is a Theory of Society. It may be stated in the following consecutive propositions; viz: 1. Mankind are by nature social beings. 2. No individual alone possesses all the capabilities of human nature for happiness. 3. One individual supplies the deficiency of another. 4. Individuals can realize their highest good only when rightly associated. 5. In true association all the essential interests of individuals and families will be harmonized. 6. Such a harmonic order of Society is possible here on earth, and ought to be instituted. This is Socialism. It is a Theory of Society. Inq. Then I am to understand, that all who embrace this Social Theory are Socialists; and that all opposed to it are Anti-Socialists? Ex. Yes. These are the two parties. But you will not thence conclude, that all Socialists agree in other particulars. They differ as widely as do the Anti-Socialists in respect to principles, opinions, plans of arrangement, morals, forms, methods, ways and means. Ing. But how is this? I always hear Socialists spoken of and denounced in toto, as one homogeneous class of visionaries, fanatics, disorganizers, levellers and destructives, against whom the friends of religion, the family, the state and the present order of society, ought to be on their guard. So I supposed them to be all very much alike. Ex. It is not strange that you fell into this error. It is a very common one. Anti-Socialists, like all other anti-progressives, are sometimes very ignorant, prejudiced and undiscriminating. Whatever evil such may know, suspect, or imagine of the most exceptionable Socialists in any part of the world, they ascribe to Socialism per se, and so denounce all Socialists together as infamous. We might with equal justice treat all Anti-Socialists in the same manner. The most notorious murderers, pirates, robbers, oppressors, extortioners, &c., &c., have been found among Anti-Socialists, from Cain to our modern kidnappers. What then if we should represent all who are opposed to Socialism as one common gang of murderers, pirates and robbers! Would it be truthful and just? No. But it would be quite as truthful and just, as the indiscriminate denunciations thundered from many pulpits and presses against Socialism and Socialists. Inq. I admit it. And now I should like to have you name some of the principal classes, sects, or schools of Socialists. Ex. In ancient times there were the Pythagoreans, the Platonists, the Essenes, the primitive Christians, the Egyptian Cœnobites, &c. In modern times there are the Moravians, the Shakers, the Rappites, the Zoarites, the Owenites, the St. Simonians, the Fourierists or Phalansterians, the Icarians, the French and German Communists, the Church of England Vil |