Morning journal and courier., 1890-11-17
LECTURE IN ENGLISH By Rev. pr. KIeeberg at the Court
 Street Synagogue.

By Rev. pr. KIeeberg at the Court
 Street Synagogue.
 An occasion of unusual note and inter- est at the Court street synagogue yester- day morning was Rev. Dr. Kleeberg's first discourse in English before his people. A large audience, composed chiefly of the younger element of his congregation, was present. He took his text from Deuter- onomy, iv, 6: "This is your wisdom and your understanding before the eyes of the nations that shall hear all these statutes, and they will say: Nothing but wise and understanding people is this great na- tion.'"
 The preacher began by saying: The de- livery of lecture on Sunday morning must not be considered as new depart ure in our congregation. This day is for us a secular day of rest; it is @ convenient day for religious and spiritual instruction, and am glad to see that there is desire among the young people to satisfy their thirst for religious knowledge.
 The objection which formerly has been raised against Sunday services of any kind must be considered as unfounded in our enlightened age. As long as Judaism and Christianity maintained one common plat form in so far as faith is concerned the fear was justified that Israelites might easily become enstranged from their re1ig- ion. As long, as for example, the ascen- sion of Elijah was taught as . fact, the way was paved to a belief in the resurrec- ton of the founder of the Christian relig- ion. But when now this story of our Bible is taught to be mythological how should an Israelite put any faith in the mythologies of the New Testament.
 It is reason and not faith that forms the basis of true religion. It is true that there must also be faith. We could not get along without faith. Children put trust faith toward our physician, lawyer and friends. But, after all, beneath faith lies reason. We can see that when we are clerk, etc., then we employ our reason. And what calls out our suspicious, our doubts against e friend, clerk, etci Is i, not reasonf
 It makes no difference whether oul reason comes into play in secular or relig ious matters. It is reasonable to believe we believe; if otherwise we withdraw oul belief Faith follows spontaneously There is no merit in faith; it follows a, | surely as conviction, as the shadow fol lows & form.
 In all departments of life, in our scien tific researches, in discovery, everywher, reason reigns supreme, and God has givei us reason to employ it. In religion alone we are told to dispense with reason ant not trust it. But it can be left out onl, partially. For any doctrine of faith, an, statement of faith, must be put into for mulas, which must be grasped by reason How much nearer are we then permitted to employ. And if faith should form th' basis of religion, we may ask: Where Ii the boundary line between faith, credulit. and superstition.
 But why has reason been impugned | Why has it been considered as dangerou to our religious faith? Because there ar
 statements in the Bible which clash witt reason, hence faith assails this God-givel faculty. And the result of this lsmentabl
 strife is that the profoundest scholars am
 men of science drift away from religion If, however, we should admit that the Bibl
 contains historical and mythological storie
 we should do real service to religion an
 bring about lasting reconciliation betwee
 faith and reason. -.