The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-11-05
PROF hDLER's LIBERALISM.
The Thing. that he Thinks have been Len
Urdono by the Orthodox Religions.


Prof Felix Adler began his lecture to the
Society for Ethical Culture yesterday by saving
that the liberal cause IL slowly but steadily
growing and is undermining many beliefs that
have been held very sacred in the church and
the synagogue. This is n very great RESPONSE
bility. and the Liberals ought to understand 1t
fully. One proof of the success of their work Is
the general admission that reforms are needed
In the Church; but tho latter claims that tho
work of reforming should be left to be done
from within. This. Prof. Adler said. Is impos-
siblc. Some OF the teachings of tho Church de-
mand reverence, such as the existence OF the
Deity. and the immutability OF the soul. The
Liberals, however. are ut issue with the scope
and limit OF some of the teachings OF so-called
religion, and some OF the doctrines themselves
are very balcful. because they rctard the moral
progress Of men. and also intellectual advance.
As an instance Of the moral impcdments that
the errors OF the Church cause Prof. Adler
referred to the waste and friction caused by the
disscnsions between sects, and said that II IL
not strange that there is hatred when they set
up for worship thc image OF colossal hatred.
into which they have fns hioned God, VINO; as
mcnt.. and then brought people into tho world
to suffer that torment. But Christians say that
without faith? No. for Socrates was virtuous.
and had not faith. Therefore he must be pun
ishcd. viii filth savc without virtue? such
seems to be the effect Of the doctrine, and We
have such evidence daily OF men who have
abundance of faith and no yrtuc,who have
faith and yet rob banks and crush the poor.
Their faith IL to save them. while their poor
victim. who may have virtue but not latin. can
not be saved. Such q doctrine is monstrous,
and tho morality OF the world is every day en-
fccblcd by II.
The errors that pass under the name, OF re-;
llgion are doing great harm to the intellectual
that the public SCHOOL, have been kept. to n
great extent. secular. The highest institutions
Of learning. however. are sadly reprcssed by
theological influences. Even the professors are
thcologically tested. first Of all, 10y boards Of
trustees. and. If they are not orthodox; thfy are
tainmcnts They dare not. II appointed, explore
70 the. lurthest the, truths Of science. Even
the rich fields Of modern philosophy are only
partially taught. and therefore falsely or not
taught AT all. We have no freedom Of uttrrancr
here as in Germany, There the Government
does not dare nor desire TO reprcss investga-
ton, and professor may. under the shadow Of
the Emperor's palace. claim that the form OF
government is wrong. Absolute liberty OF IN
vestigation and thought is allowed there in the
schools and that is one reason why so, much Of
the best thought and intellect i found III Ger
many The Church limits and binds up intel
lcctunl progress in this country. for progress
cannot be- made without the utmost liberty Of
thought and Investigation. .
The Liberal movement seeks to counteract all
this. and the time has come Tor soething nf
sides agitation. we must nave - ,lerma n,,
for the moral education OF the young
The Professor announced that an ethical
school was about To be- started of which he
would tako active charge In 1t not a re-
lgion." but religion Will be taught. lnstruc-
tion Is to be given in religious history; u me
younger scholars IN the biographical elements
Of religious history. and To- more advanced
scholars In the philosophy OF ethics, In TINS
way powerful influences are expected 10 come
from liberalism.
Prof. Adler said that he predicted in Boston
two years ago that. ms the nnt-slhNrry ag'ta,
ton had stimulated liberalism. SO the social
movement would be one of the most powerful
factors in extending il. Only 10y the carrying
out OF liberal doctrines can that great question
which the experience OF last summer shows
cannot be- avnrted. be- pea Gully aud properly
solved. Liberalism ahhors riot ana revolution
but there are grave wrongs in our social sys
tenn for whose origin We are net rcspons iole
but tor whose continuance We shall be. Lett tt
the Church alone 10 regulate. will not that socia
| system degenerate with demaco-ism and re
| volt z The true religion OF love and charity
which liberalism ten hes. is the only poarcabl'
| solution for this great question. Inc cr SIS i
| sure TO come. This most important matter 4
right ut hand for the Liberals to seize and al
| lusL They cannot now ~ back. They have
| gone too far. They can fcniy 10 firmly for
ward and success. with its happy results. mus
| follow.