The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-21
PROGRESS OF THE JEWS.
ysrrB rsTTyG sUNDA YsBRVICEs FOR
ETHICAL CULTURE.
A New Move by Those who viii Not or Cam
not Observe the Jewish sabbath heltsio"-
Meeting. without Worship Of any Kind

A View Move by Those who VIII Not or Cam
m, oh.ervc the Jewish sabbath-Keit siou-
Meeting. without Worship Of any Kind
The inter estiug project Of holding regu-
hr sunday morning meetings, that has been IN
itiated among the progressive jews OF Ne"
York, mas already gained q arm footing ana is
likely to be carried into practical execution ~
an early day. The movement originated win
three or four gentlemen who had long been ''n-
pressed with the desirabilty OF some such step
Thew conferred with Prof Felix Adler oil
Cornell University, gentleman who was
recommended to them by the liberaty Of Ills
views and his accomplishments, IA wei as
by other considerations, and secured his attend
ance al a meeting in Standard Hall on MONDAY
evening last. Mr.. Lauterbach, Of the law arm OF
Iautet bach g. spingarn, called tho meeting 10
order. and Mr. Joseph seneman, the banker
was chosen Chairman. Mr. Lauterhach be-
longs to Dr. Enborns Lexington avenue Con-
eregation. and Mr.. Seligman Is one Of the most
Influential members OF the congregation OF the
Finh Avenue Temple Emmanuel. But neither
of them has habitually attended services III
those synagogues. These two gentlemen indi-
cate pretty fairly the character Of the attendance
~ the meeting.
Prof. Adler delivered an address, In which no
set forth In detail the reasons that made the IN
rttution Of SUNDAY meetings desirable. and his
views IA to what their character should be. His
hearers were In warm accord with his views. and
he received a hearty response. committee WAS
appointed to receive signatures for membership.
anu to make all other necessary arrangements
fur bringing the project into ractcal existence
a early rs possible. Some sixty gentlemen sub
scribed their mes previous to the meeting.
Tue names numbered nearly hundred by the
cose Of the evonng, aud the list has been
steldily growing since.
ne REASONS for the initiation Of this move
ment, the Views Of it, projectors Us 20 the man
ntr In witch II should be conducted and the
expcctations that they have formed Of ITS re-
suits have been very clearly expressed. IL Is not
proposed that the Sunday meeting. shall clash
IT, any respect with the observance of saturday
A. the Jewish sabbath nv such as stu wish to
continue TO observe that Il ~. These meetings
are To- offer no occasion for alarm nor u REASON
a lie mark Tor assault even 10 jewish Otthod Ky.
But the services IA the synagngues on Satur-
Gay are attended, especially Ia the reformed
synagogue. mainly by women AID chidfen.
Very few men are able TO abandon their bust
ness occur ATOMS on saturday, aiu take part IN
divine worship, and many have n inclination 10
d. so. NJ nv are Deistc IT, their views some
tend o. materi ism some are unsettled. and
snme are inclined to become entirely Indifferent
tOquestiOns OF religious belief and observance.
7 such persons II IL very desirable that the re-
should be an opportunity to hear discussions OF
the great spiritual aud ethical lestions OF the
day regularly and frequently; to have their
Tuundings to the more elevated themes and
more ser Gus problems: and To receive exposi-
son who devotes special study to them.
Most Of those who participate IN this move
mont have felt want of such an o. portuniiy
aud desire to have IL supplied. 1ney are not
attracted in any degree to the Christian
churches. They do not believe the Christian
vices that consist Of PRAYER. hymn singing, and
preaching from the Bible. no matt or what the
doctrine on which these services are based.
INen the sunday schools attached to the mo-t
advanced Of the synagogtsvs are unsatisfactory
o. many. one gentleman said:
" do not wish to send my child to one OF
these sunday schools, where IL IA taught, for In
stance, that the seventh day IL to be sacrsdly
Observed as a Sabbath, tand the most advanced
teach that and kindred doctrines,) when all the
while II sees it's own father constantly violating
that command"
These reasons for Sunday meetings also in
dictate the character II Is proposed to give them.
There are to be no properly religious services
OF any KIND, DO prayer. no worship, no sssump-
Iespect in which they will differ from MIR.
frothingham's meetings. This feature is also
Rogues. DIR. Adler, father Of Prof. Adler. and
for many years the rabbi OF the Temple EN-
manuel where, on his retirement, DIR. Gottheil
succeeded HIM Ia understood to have been
much opposed to having his son take part In
tbese meetines of prayer In any form should
constitute a part Of the proceeding. for the rea-
Son that they would produce tendency IN that
case 70 impair the continued observance of sat
uraay a. day Of religio9, Worship, 70 which ,s he
fathers views that there sncnld be no rrayer.
but for the entirely different reason that hs ~As
opposed abstructly 10 prayer as part OF the
proceedings.
The meetings are to be not much else than
series of lectures on ethical themes. Religion
II To be treated historically and phosophically,
and all disputed questions are to be considered
In Ia scientific spirit and with the broadcast liber-
allty. But appropriate s.cIed music Is to form
part OF the services, and Prof. Adler has sug-
Rested that songs be written to accompany ~.
which will be adapted specially to the character
oil the meetings. lie Is said To propose writing
some himself, having long thought upon the
subject and maiured designs rs to their form
ana character tnat will ut them for their pur-
pose.
The Committee on Organization Is to meet
sRaln within a fortnight. 1t IL thought that
sitntr Cnickering or standard Hall broadway
nnd Fort second street. may be taken. Prof
Adler i 10 be engaged as lecturer. A member
hhlp II 20 20 80 Is expected 10y the close Of tue
GUNNER. Young men are especially looked to
Tor PARTICIPATION. Is II not only jews will Ike
pat Membership il To tie open to PERSONS Of
every creed, and non-Jews have signined their
Intention to ilin.
This movement will not materially modify the
developmcnt Of the Jews In the United States.
IL VIII doubtless give All upward impulse, ami
exert an important ana valuable Influence. but
ne current had set irr,slstlbli in the same d-
TctiiOn before.