New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-05-12
WHATETHICAL CULTURE MEANS.
FELIX ADLEI'S CLOSING ADDRESS Fur THE
SEASON IN CHICKERING HALL

The closing address of the season before the Society
for Ethical Culurc delivered in Chckerlng Hall
yesterday morning. before a large and enthusiastic
audience, by Felix Adler In beginning his address
he said that tile burden Of the criticisms AGAINST the
society that it was not founded upon specific
principles. In to that the society said, how
ever, that all who desired moral elevation. whatever
their opinions, were welcome its members. There
were ample why the society should not be
tied to any special theories Of morality philosophy.
There was first, no philosophy accepted by men as
the best. 1t would be necessary to decide between
that of spencer of Darwin, Of Kant OF sciopehlaucr
There could only be subjective preference ii \
single system of philosophy were accepted 10y ue so
ciety, all members and Others who did not bcIeVc III
that system would be ruled out The society would
becAne a philosophical sect, which was always inc
most contemplate and ntolerant OF all sects. 1t
would be as difficult bring all truth into inc hns
Cf one system as for the savage TO eaten tle rsh~
sun by mounting to the hilltop. The society h"u ucui'
Gated itself to the whole truth, however ana not TO
any one mans view of it. "But IL IL Sdu'
the speaker continued that II is necessary 20 accept
some theory because must be tod reaSonS Ior
moral law before they will do what Is right lhal Is
false You might as well say that men would ho'
see without understanding the laws Of sight tAat men
would not prefer the beautiful u the ugly "I'Iou'
understanding the laws of beauty. These laws "OIA
from within. They compel Us u DO. The man al 'he
LIES station leaps INTO the wafer l" S"'O
diving man without any theories upon the sanctiy OF
ne 4 man dies for his country without exalted
theories upon patriotism. Conduct Is always NiNt'
theories come aferwaId. There is something known
in The world natural conscience TO tha we appeal
Ne should have a code OF contact. We must hNc III
our Institutions not in belief We must nave
new school, "a new homo founded proper relations OF
sexes and the rights OF children associations Joy etu
Of character ana for moral study aid cooc OF Se!
discipline. Our movement is now seed under ground
II Will grow. We have repressed IL CROWN IA iact'
II K he of Of Of
plain. Ii is its Office to expand.
Ii has ofjcn been used an argument against
us that exercises bare; that we lack an M
posing building, that we lack liturgy that We ;a'k
adequate music. We must afford TO do wthout tirsc
adjnncts if We that have actual rum.
We cannot do better than follow tho method OF me
founder OF Christianity. He could not replace thc
noble Temple or the thousand symboisms Of he Fhal
sees. lie simply said They represent theories per
feet in their way, but not my theories we must 20
lack to the spiritual fountain. and live spiritually
That is IL 60 back the fountain head ana wall Tor
forms. They will come. and 50 we echo, aiteF nun
Work and wait work for the ideas IN reheion
and walt for it perfect bloom. With these "erus
close the portals of another year,