Spiritual Evolution of Society 177 



ethical evolution originated by the Founder of our 

 religion. 



After consideration of these ideas of Messrs. Wells 

 and Machen, we are forced to conclude that the present 

 "labour unrest " must be allowed to work itself out, with 

 the assurance that the altruistic influences of Chris- 

 tianity will raise men by slow steps and sure to a higher 

 spiritual plane, the chief feature of which will be an 

 increase in the spirit of self-sacrifice, of the love of 

 one's neighbour, and a desire to raise the comfort and 

 well-being of the race to a higher standard, and thus 

 secure for succeeding generations a gradual better- 

 ment in the conditions of existence. At present it 

 must be accepted that the only method is combination, 

 and as long as the workers are asked to work for in- 

 sufficient reward, their only resource is to refuse to do 

 so until their demands are granted. Before long 

 Parliament will find it necessary by legislation to 

 enforce a minimum wage in all industries. All who 

 possess abundant means must accept the fact that 

 money won't go so far, as everything will be dearer, for 

 the reason that the existence of the workers must be 

 made tolerable, and no one need ever regret the 

 extra expenditure when it is realised that " la miser e " 

 is no longer the spectre shadowing our trade and com- 

 merce. As a matter of fact the altruism possessing 

 our minds is urging on with all possible speed the 

 betterment of these deplorable conditions, and the 

 demands for reform are acquiring momentum which 

 ere long will prove irresistible. 



Considering the long period during which the workers 

 have been compelled to toil in conditions of poverty 

 and misery, it is no wonder that at last, realising the 

 power they possess, they should use it somewhat 

 ruthlessly. When men are aching under a sense of 

 injustice and convinced beyond all doubt of the 



