YOUR PART IN POVERTY _By_ GEORGE LANSBURY [Illustration] _FOURTH PRINTING_ New York B. W. HUEBSCH Mcmx _My thanks to Gerald Gould for his valued suggestions and his help in the reading of the proofs._ _G. L._ _First published January 20, 1917._ AUTHOR’S NOTE TO FOURTH IMPRESSION This _book was written at the time of the Church of England Mission of Repentance and Hope--a fact which “dates” some of the references in the text, but does not necessitate any modification in the argument. In sending out a new edition of it, I would like readers to remember that it was written mainly to help Christian people to understand what a Socialist member of the Church of England means by Socialism, and also to explain why an agitator like myself believes religion must play an important part in the social and industrial redemption of the world. It has been urged against me that I have produced no statistics, evolved no scheme of reconstruction. This is true. Of books of statistics and schemes of reconstruction there are no end; they come pouring out from the printing presses in a steady stream day after day. My faith for the future is built on what I conceive to be a surer foundation, which is what the Churches call a change in heart and mind taking place in each one of us, making us all understand that salvation is from within, that heaven is here or nowhere, that hell and heaven on earth are of our own making--which in turn means that it is within the power of each of us to help redeem mankind, and that without our effort, our work, the redemption of the world from social and industrial evil will never take place. The war has destroyed much, swept away many illusions, but has left untouched the eternal truth--that those who sow selfishness reap what they sow, that nations who base their power and might and majesty on materialism and force reap also what they sow, in the ultimate ruin which inevitably follows injustice. As the war draws to a close men are discussing what may happen “when the boys come home.” One thing is certain: they will return with a bigger idea of their own worth and the relative worthlessness of mere property as against life and liberty. It will be the duty of Christians to meet them with open arms, to join with them in building our society on a surer foundation than that of “class supremacy”--a foundation of brotherhood and love. Women and men have sacrificed a great deal in the hope of winning the war; it is now time to sacrifice everything in one supreme effort to rid the whole world of the spirit of domination, whether of class or race, and establishing the true kingdom of the people, which is the kingdom of God. If this little book succeeds in making ever so few people think, it will have been worth while. If it makes one young man or woman enlist in the great silent army of the people, willing