Benjamin Fish Austin - Political and Social Views

Political and Social Views

Descried as a liberal, B. F. Austin was always a very strong proponent of social change to alleviate the condition of the poor in society. In 1884 he published a sermon called The Gospel of the Poor vs. Pew Rents in which he argued that the ability of rich families to reserve specific pews created un-Christian divisions between congregants. He argued that the church should be a place for all people to gather, and reminded the Methodist authorities that Jesus of Nazareth had himself opposed the mal-treatment of the poor.

While Austin denied that he was an anarchist or a socialist "in the sense that most men understand the term" he did admit that a "new social system' was required xiv. It was also written about him that he "Strongly supports the Public ownership of all utilities and of Nature's resources" iii.

In 1890 he wrote a pamphlet that opposed the creation of Jesuit schools. He claimed that the Jesuits were an illiberal group who wished to impose their values onto 'British' (Canadian) society. Enlightened and tolerant British society, in his view, had to stand up for its principles and reject the encroachment of oppressive foreign ideologies.

Perhaps B. F. Austin's most important, and most progressive, social views were on the status of women in society. He wrote a book in 1890 called On Woman in which he argued that women should be equal members of society and should never be forced into marriage for economic or social reasons. B. F. Austin was the principal of two prestigious colleges for young ladies and viewed the education of women to be of pressing importance. "Christ", he wrote, "has declared Woman's equality with Man" xv.