The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-04-30
OUR CONSULTATIONS.

THE SOCIETY FOR ETHICAL CULTUgE-PRo-
FEssoR ADLERs DISCOURSE.
As is usually the case when Professor Felix Adler
lectures he had yesterday morning very large audi
ence at Standard Hail. The lecture Was preceded and
followed by vocal and Instrumental music. The Ice
lurer said heard the words Of anguish spoken
where externally all seemed the surface calm aud
fair We go abroad in the glorious sunshine and wit
resurrection OF nature in the green dclds the
blooming flowers and the fragrant blossoms that sur
round our path and wo remember that summer
has come and all that is joyous existence is here
to point golden future which may lie before
II we listen TO The mclodious charms of nature the
earth is outlying province OF fairyland but beneath
all these alluring beauties to be found disharmony
and confusion. Only short time ago heard that
sudden and unexpected invasion OF the sea had swal
lowed up 100000 human lives. The destructive elc-
ments, riding in triumph the wings OF the
hurricane, exertng unknown might in the force Of
the unquenchable volcano or devouring whole prov.
by the ravages OF the grasshoppers teach the
terrible uncertainty OF life and the utter insignia
canoe OF man as factor IN tho economy Of nature.
Wars OF conquest that have not yet, alas become
anomaly, though shaded undor the shallow prctence
OF some diplomatic fiction, ut this very moment shake
Europe it's CENTRE and icver-the starvation fever
OF battles amine-has broken out In Silistra- Ono
Of dcspotc and most bigocd Of the Christian
sects arraycd Itself IN arms against the Moscm,
ana hundreds OF thousands OF lives TO be sacr
feed aud the God OF justice invoked in aid oil both
sldcs, who claim 10 ignt under His special and gui-
ing care
the BELiEF IN IMMORTALITY.
But man has the happy faculty Of looking on distant
evils with comparative calmness single railroad
accident taking place IN our midst would move US
more to grief than The slaughter OF thousands the
East This is because IT would touch ourselves and
our hopes and fears more nearly. We have sustained
financial injury; we are harassed by domestic dscord
worse than ali, we placed at tho bedside OF sick
parent friend, and do nothing bat look upon his
nights OF sufcrings TIL death 10 relieve him.
When at the struggle over ana he IS land under
the sod, what hope Is there for us-whither shall
| NO turn Tor comfort or solace? The only remedy
that can DO offered IS tho consoIing thought
that healing cured, IN redccmlng there re-
demption. The hope OF Immortality by lar the most
prominent among mankind II IS said that In the
world to there are crowns oil glory and meetings
to part no more. IL is undcnabIe that this beautiful
idea the most consong thing upon earth to those
who can bclieve it. II is not al variance with PM
losophy is beyond the sphere Of science and as 10
the certainty OF the theory Christianity claims 10 have
settled that point Has not God interviewed TO save
man has not Christ suffered on the cross, and did Hc
not rise from the dead on the third day. All this is
very ne and fact could tho doctrine OF the rcsur
recIon be nrmiy established, II might be well TO be-
cannot believe the accept the other
PROMISES on HEAVEN ARE FAILURES
The belief in the Immortality OF the soul mas been
held by some Of tho most profound thiakers o. our
race; yet who tell what phases oil new existence
shall greet in tho other unknown eternal world
whittier arc all journeyingY IL We are TO 20 W
CHRISTIAN belief the cnurch-gocr should hail the day or
his death OF life, restoring, as he claims u docs
his spirit INTO regions oil perpetual delight; but no
does not so hail the hour OF his dissolution; natural
feelings overcome the force OF reveaicu re-
ligous promises and reward hereafter. Loss
ia felt 10 be loss and suffering humanity Is
not consolcd even Dy promises OF future happiness
| Mystic religion has ensnared many noble mnds INTO
tts dark Dypaths, aud fearful mental immortality has
foil owed adoption. The ascccism OF the Pilarists
like that OF the hindoos, has impressed us dogmas on
human thought. This cruel idea teaches man TO not
desire, and thus kill pain the sensation OF desire being
but longing tor pleasure. IL IS contenaed inat oy
killing the wants and desires OF body ana mind the
edge vi pain is blunted. To act upon this doctrine
would DO 10 do like the madman who pulled down his
mousse IN order Danish The rats; he got rid OF the
pests but ,ct himself without a home Here lec-
turcr went show how jealous nature Is 10 have
her laws obeyed how she ressts their transgressons,
| and that man violates them physical ana
mental chastlsemcnt must follow his transgrcssion
| SEEK NATURE
II is only by discovering natures laws and obey ng
| them that man hope to be happy. TO resist the
aggressive forces in nature man has his Intellect anu
| reasoning powers to ard him. When he understands
| the secrets Of nature he ovcrcomes them, becomes
their MASTER lashes them TO his CHARIOT o progress
and triumphs Great progress 10 bong made; lie u
now much easier than IN past ages there - more
Justice in governments; we now possess wiser laws,
and above n ENJOY lar better physical development
The condition all progress Is experience; We mus'
seek thousand tunes for the right path before hndihp
it, Pam, therefore, becomes necessity; ~ ID inc
price which humanity pays Tor an invaiuaoo tuie.
The cry OF the martyr is like the creak'ng OF we
wheels Of the great chariot OF progress. Here the
professor showed tho necessity Of selfcultnrc and
dilaed upon the pleasure 10 bc found IN an inter.con
munon OF allied natures He claimed Una, CHART!
means love- ana that the rcn cannot brioc thor way
into heaven by amsgivng; that the poor ncea no
aims, proper training as TO now tncy couo "ort
Tor themselves, and the treatment OIL prothcrs, 40
ina, OF wretches should be extended TO them. IL
making charity q part Of our lives II leads US 10
wiser aud purer loyalty to that great comnand-er
r,is,or Not in creed out In decd mus, our solace
salvation be found. Let US therefore heip ON
anothcr-oos into each others eyes for sympathy, a
| We tourney toward the grcat unknown goal Help on
anothcr; this is tho acmo Of our WISDOM