30 THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY
indeed, unanimously passed which asked that the professors of theological ethics should give more attention to these subjects, but no important results have followed. Whatever solution of such problems may be found, it is already clear that no scheme of social reform can be derived immediately from the New Tes- tament. Not merely the constitution of the Congress, but its leading idea, forbids the hope of a common practical program of demands.
A third fact must be noted which has importance for the development of the Congress : the cessation of zealous interest for social questions among the Evangelical clergy. This is the principal cause of the difficulties under which the Congress labors. The cause of this decrease of social interest of the clergy lies in their external and internal relations. Interest in the labor ques- tion has diminished generally in the educated classes of the nation. The new imperialistic policy of Germany and the com- mercial questions of recent years have absorbed all other inter- ests. The official policy of the government from 1894 to 1899 was directly unfriendly to the laborers, and the rise of tariff on food under the law of 1901 has injured the labor class econom- ically. The emperor has sharply assailed the Social Democrats, and that has been taken as an attack on the labor movement itself. The superior council of the Prussian church in 1895 recalled its message of 1890 and warned the clergy against social activity. This explains the cooling of zeal among the clergy.
Furthermore, the pastors must have regard to the conditions in their parishes. If they are active in political strife, they cannot serve successfully as consolers and counselors for all members. Here and there a pastor is found who has kept up his former social enthusiasm ; but the desire to maintain peace- ful parish relations restrains them from public discussion. As secretary of the National Social Society I constantly met such pastors, and I grant that, from their standpoint, they were justi- fied in the position they took. Those who most cling to the church are usually officials, who share the views of the govern- ment, and the small manufacturers and shopkeepers, the lower
