Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 53:209 (Jan 1896)
Article: A Point Of View
Author: Edward W. Bemis

BSac 53:209 (Jan 1896) p. 145

A Point Of View

Edward W. Bemis

So many caricatures of the attitude of the writer on many social and economic problems have lately appeared in the press, that, while the editors of the BIBLIOTHECA SACRA have no doubt of the facts, they have thought that some of their readers might like a brief statement on the subject.

A skilled swordsman has declared that with two cuts of his rapier he could so disfigure a man’s face that his own wife would not recognize him, and a Chicago editor claims the ability to do it with one “cut.” The story is credible, for of late the writer has even been unable to recognize himself in the distorted mental image left after these strokes of some of the writers for the press.

It seemed fitting, therefore, that in assuming part of the sociological editorship of so strong a magazine as this, the writer’s real attitude should be made plain toward some of the great questions that will subsequently require, from time to time, more detailed notice.

Private Property To Be Respected

In the first place, the writer wishes to emphasize his indorsement of the main features of the established social and industrial order as the best for which the present generation, at least, is fitted. Private ownership of most of the capital and of other forms of property of the world is a necessity today, and will undoubtedly be so for a longer period than we are able to look forward to (or than the lifetime of any now on this planet).

BSac 53:209 (Jan 1896) p. 146

Existing Evils To Be Remedied

To point out serious defects and injustices in our existing social and industrial conditions, and to suggest practicable improvements, must never be confounded with the revolutionary desire of some to overthrow our institutions altogether and break with all the traditions of the past. Not a thinking man, however, of any school of thought can be found who will seriously defend all existing conditions. Every political and religious organization, every benefit-club, trade union, civic federation, or good-government club is proof of discontent with existing abuses, and of a determination to make things better. All progress comes from efforts toward an ideal that is superior to past or present realities.

The Crisis In America

America has hitherto been regarded as “the land of opportunity,” where each one might develop his individuality and the powers that God has given him. But to-day the practical exhaustion of good government land, the increasing amount of capital needed for business success, the problem of the unemployed, the degrading conditions of tenement-house life and child-labor in the poorer parts of our rapidly growing cities_? an...