The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-04-16
THE TRIUNE GOD.

LECTURE BY PROFESSOR FELIX ADLER ON THE
CHRISTIANS BELIEF IN THE TRINITY.
Professor Felix Adler leciured yesterday morning in
Standard Hall before the Society for Ethical Culture
The largo hall filled by very intelligent audience,
who listened with much attention to the teachings OF
tho lecturer. Mr.. Adler said that for many centuries
past certain forms OF religious belief had been pro-
posed py thcologians for the worlds acceptance They
were to-day recommended to our thought, and IL too
frequently happened that we put them away in the
memory without examining their principles or think
ing deeply about them As we must BIO mentally
equipped doicnd what teaches IL true,
should anayze our thoughts tortify them by argu-
mcnts and correct them by reflection II would
convinced In the truth OF what proesscd to believe
our reason often compelled US directly assail pro-
yai,ng systems OF belief; oil the moro because
they claimed the immunity due TO heaven descended
doctrines Were wo justified In opposition or,ho-
doxyf II said that all religious questions should
be exempt from the prying eye OF critical investga
ton. II this meant federation hc was in favor oil II;
but II It meant that all religious and dogmatc qucs
tons were 10 be shielded from examination by the aid
of reason he was opposed to It,
DOCTRINE THE TRINITY.
Tho theological idea of a trinity In the individual
God was the main support upon which Christianity
was founded. Its propoundcrs and expounders
serted that TINS principle must DO received on tho
strength OF faith alone, for the human intellect was
too feeble 10 grasp It's mysteries. II was contcnded
that the idea heaven revealed to and the
Christian world refused 10 believe this. The speaker
at this point took his audience back TO Palestine
in the days Christ, and drew graphic picture oil
the suerngs Of the Jews under the tyranny OF Rome.
Tho children Israel cried to Heaven Tor "a deliv-
crance from their bondage. John the Baptist came
He was speedily followed Ivy Jesus, who rejected
by His own people, rcvied prosecuted and slam In
HIS lifetime Christ probably never aspircd TO be more
than the Messiah OF His people. At that time the
oil Abraham had extended its branches outside tho land
of Palestine. Some oil ils wise men had read Homer,
studied Plato and were acquainted with the teachings
OF an exalted Greek civilization Pho took
offence at many parts Of the Hebrew Bible;
no could not admit that God had talked
familiary with man in the manner set forth by the
Bible; but he did believe that tho Iogos, or word,
comprehcndcd all energy and wisdom OF thought MT.
Adler here went into an exposition OF the subtle DIFF
icrcnces between the natures OF matter and OF mind,
and III continuation saiu that the Iog0s fgura-
lively called by PhilO the Son oil God, and this gave
us clew the fiction OF the divinity Of Christ Ihc
Alexandrians refuse Christ. When the sages OF tho
Alexandrian school OF philosophy heard OF Chrst's
teachings they asked oil themselves what manner oil
man lie was, and, ator learning HIS doctrines, they
concluded among themselves that lie must be tho Logos
I OF Phiio, that tho Logos must have appeared
unprecedented in the Jcsus, the Messiah. lie was
the mcdiatortnc Son OF God mot now nguratvely as
iirst indicated ny milo, but He was tnnt III rcay
| Had not HIS words been hoard had not the apostles
felt HIS wounds; mad they not witnessed HIS glory
The realistic teachings OF the early Christians and inc
Jewish ogicians' ideas blended with facility ana .
belief IN the divinity OF Christ was the tremendou!
result Thus, in brief, explained, In his opinion
the relations between the Father and the son
| During HIS lifetime the apostles depended upoi
third person OF the Trinity. tie Holy Ghost
was said to be the visible manifestation OF tho spri
| OF God upon the Church. IL descended upon TIT
APOSTLES In the form Of fiery tongues. and the influences