The New York herald., 1873-10-12
TEMPLE EMANUEL.
Another Addition 10 the AnglO-America AN
Rabbins-Inaugural Discourse of DIR.
Feiix aler.

Another Addition 10 the Angio-American
Rabbins-Ina Discourse of DIR.
Felix Aalcr.
Yesterday the magnificent Jewish Temple on
Fifth avenue was filed with a congregation gath
cred together to listen TO the inaugural discourse
Of the Rev. Felix Adler, DID. (son OF the venerable
DR.. Samuel Adler, the senior preacher OF tpe Tenn
ple, VINO has just completed his theological studies
in Europe and now comes home TO find place in the
puipits OF American reformed Judaism. Mr.. Adler
is young man about twenty-four years OF age, q
fluent speaker and thorough reiormer. His dis
course yesterday can hardly be called a sermon.
IL rather an address on the necessity of build
ing up something that shall stand the influences OF
modern society and free thought upon the ruins Of
the Old Judaistic theology He did not, however,
very clearly point out what, or what manner OF
structure he would erect on these ruins. He took
no text and his preface the portraya Of vision
OF the past, when the venerable rabbi wehded his
way to the Temple ut Jerusalem and needed not the
flight of time the majestic form OF EllJah, the
prophet OF the Messianic age Judaism now finds
It's temple and its priest in the home,
THE SCHOOL HOUSE AND THE SYNAGOGUE.
While ali else has changed these have renamed
showing the wisdom OF those wnO framed our
sy stem. Dr. Adler next traced the progress OF re-
form in France, Germany and other parts OF
Europe, the leaders OF which were not swayed so
much by affection for tie memory OF the dead as
by love i0r the lIVlng 1ncy nave dOne Ihelr work
faithfully, and history viii say OF them that they
have deserved well Of religion. But what, he
asked, remains Look at Europe, where the light
has oeen turned down, but not lost. lndlfier-
ence and stagnatl0n are there the ministers
OF religion. Whlca has lost the confidence OF
the people And the question IS now one OF
le and ueath Is religion about to perish or is it
notY Giving an Illustration of agriculture carried
on under the old methods as compared with the
more mode II methods, DR.. Adler remarked that
religion, like the earth itself. is to-day produc-
tive as it ever was put the old methods are not as
suited now as formerly 10 Ing out the iull lrui
tion oil It's purposes and aims. Old tllngs
passed away, though some AFFECT 10 think the old
are still good enough for the common nerd, but are
not fit ior the cultivated. Ii religion IS not grow
ing old 1t must be our mode oil cultivatlng 1t that
has become antquated. But bring in new forms
OF cultivation, and you Will enjoy the reward Of
your labors In waving fields
HAS JUDAISM NO PLACE
among us he askedY How Is II in this landf IL is
revlled, despised and illuminated by many. But
let her unsea her lips and all the world will listen
and believe. The Doctor referred to the reformers
religious structure OF the future upon the ruined
forms OF the past are now directed toward America.
We ne said, must give them ta another Decaraon
llgion and lie, and let these SO long
discovered be again united. The bark of
religion will be stranded unless this is done, but
united and with gallant officers and crew she will
come sale to shore. Judaism can't stand still.
sac must progress. We must give the people close
arguments instead OF fosslllzed forms OF belleI.
Most men can't tell you to-day wnat are their
bellies or their disDelies. We must create among
release them IRON the old lorms. The old forms
OF prayer, Tor instance are losing their hold upon
the masses. New forms must come; let them lind
hearts ready TO receive them.
RELIGION CAN NO LONGER Pc CONFINED
to the synagogue or the church, but 1t must go
into our counting houses, sit beside our judges on
the bench and go into all social and civil insti-
tutions and lie. IL is not the believing in, but the
acting out OF our belief that Is most needed 1t Is
not the creed but the deed that will be looked at.
And with you, he sad rests the responsibility,
and future generations will call you to account for
what is transmitted to them. We must not melt
ike the hoar lrost under the morning SUMS beams
and leave no trace behind. He would
have lasting union between duty
and religion, and also between religion and the
best nlerests OF humanity ana OF our kind. 1t is
the knowledge, he SAID, Of what we have been and
OF what we may be tnat has given wings TO my
words, and emboldened me, a young man, to thus
speak. Judaism was not given to Israel alone, but
was intended for all humanity. The Doctor ap-
peaied to the young men to do what they can to
defend and Illustrate the spirit and the truth of
Judaism IN their lie and conversation.