thus does superstition cloud
the intellect and degrade the character.

KEIR HARDIE ON CHRIST.

For some time the Labor leaders have been assiduously courted by the
Churches. It is reckoned good business to have one on exhibition at
Congresses and Conferences. Ben Tillett is in frequent request as a
preacher. Tom Mann, who was once heterodox, is now declared by the
_Christian Commonwealth_ to be a member of a Christian Church. "We are
not aware," our contemporary says, "that John Burns is opposed to the
religion of Jesus Christ."

This appropriation of the Labor leaders is an excellent piece of
strategy. Churches have seldom had the harmlessness of doves, but they
have generally had the cunning of serpents. They often stoop, but always
to conquer. And this is precisely what they are doing in the present
case.

A year or two ago a leading Socialist, who is also an Atheist, remarked
to us how the clericals were creeping into the Socialist movement.
"Yes," we observed, "and they will appropriate and stifle it. They will
talk about the Socialism of Jesus Christ, bamboozle your followers,
and get them out of your control. Then the Socialism will gradually
disappear, and Jesus Christ will be left in sole possession of the
field. The clericals, in fact, will trump your best cards, if you let
them take part in the game."

We warn the Labor leaders, whether they listen to us or not, that they
are coquetting with the historic enemy of the people. All religion is a
consecration of the past, and every minister is at heart a priest. The
social and political object of Churches is to keep things as they are;
or, if they _must_ be altered, to control the alteration in the
interest of wealth and privilege. Fine words may be uttered and popular
sentiments may be echoed; but history teaches us that when the leaders
of religion talk in this way, they are serving their one great purpose
as surely as when they curse and damn the rebellious multitude.

The course of events will show whether we are right or wrong. Meanwhile
let us "return to our sheep." Not that Mr. Keir Hardie is a sheep. We
don't mean that, though he is certainly being attended to by the wolves.

Mr. Keir Hardie has been interviewed by the _Christian Commonwealth_.
"His father," we are informed, "is a very vigorous and militant Atheist,
so that the son was brought up without any religious belief." To some
extent we believe this is true. Mr. Hardie's brother, and