Modern Socialism.

Sever 11 was crowded last evening with the audience that assembled to hear Rev. John G. Brooks on "Modern Socialism." Mr. Brooks announced that the first two lectures in the course were to be expositions; the last two, criticisms. The special topic of the lecture last evening was "The Revolutionary Type."

Socialism, the speaker said, is indefinable. In one phase it aims at making the state all powerful, in another utterly to destroy it. The general tendency of socialism is to cause growing interest in present life. It is an expression of despair. The present industrial system is said to be a mere struggle for a prize that goes to the mightiest and most influential. But in studying socialism we must look at its best as well as at its worst sides.

History shows a change in the character of Socialism. From being mere cries for freedom and other abstractions, it has become now a system of definite working organizations. There is still the old cry for equality of rights and privileges (not for absolute equality of property); but Socialism's most sober aim is the preservation of all variety in talent, ability, etc. Inheritance is opposed, as giving the rich an unfair advantage, as giving the rich an unfair advantage, encouraging quarrels, and idleness, and vice. Let every man have what he earns, no more. Society should not be based on money, but on actual labor, whether mental or physical. Land, labor and capital, being differently apportioned, result in an exchange, which is controlled in the interests of the few. Also competition is a foe of the socialistic.

The revolutionary type is a growth from early German philosophy. The early leaders of socialism were students of Hegel. They had no desire for revolution, but wished all to come about by evolution. Socialists in general are not revolutionary in their sober theories, but under severe legislation or financial crises the great present evil makes them cry for immediate change. Socialism in its just demands can be met by us only gradually, and with the spirit of sacrifice.