Principles of western civilisation

374 WESTERN CIVILISATION CHAP.

elemental barbarism which the modern consciousness cannot be expected to continue to tolerate. The soul of the social question, asserted Professor Graham Taylor,' speaking recently of existing conditions in the United States, which will not down, and which will have to be met, is the rising revolt of the general conscience against the present ethical dualism in trade and competition. ‘‘ Those who live protected lives under the shelter of assured incomes can little imagine,” said the same writer, “‘ the stress and strain of an increasing multitude who are exposed to the frightful struggle for economic existence both in the ranks of capital and labour” ;* and the result of the prevailing conditions he distinguishes to be, a definite and increasing tendency towards a condition of self-stultification which, already profoundly felt, must in the end become insufferable.* It is impossible, points out Professor Shailer Mathews, that the religious consciousness should not sooner or later see the inconsistency between its teaching and prevailing forms of economic oppression and corruption, by whatever euphemistic synonym such acts may be described.*

What we must duly note on all hands, is how the personal sense of responsibility, transcending the demands of any political Utilitarianism of the kind imagined by Bentham and the Mills,°® is be-

1 American Journal of Sociology, vol. v. 3, “‘ The Social Function of the Church.”

9 Jéid, ; compare also Wealth against Commonwealth, by H. D. Lloyd.

3 Jbid.; cf. * Relation of Wealth to Morals,” Morld’s Work, No. 2.

4 «The Church and the Social Movement,” 47. Jour. Soctology.

5 Cf. An Inquiry concerning the Principles of Morals, by David Hume, pp. 237-431 (Works, vol. iv. 1826); Principles of Morals and Legislation, by Jeremy Bentham, chap. i.-ix. ; U¢ilttariantsm, by John Stuart Mill, chap. ii. ; 7%e English Utilitarians, by Leslie Stephen, vol. ii. chap. vii., vol. iti, chap. iv.-vi.

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