Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-19
IN socIETYs DOMAIN.

IN S0CIETY'S DOMAIN.
Felix Adler Talks In Carnegie Hall to q
Large and Fashionable Audience-The
Days of Miracles Passed and Gone
Social Notes and Chatter.
A large and fashionable audience greeted
Prof. Felix Adler at Carnegie Hall last night
when he lectured upon the Limitations of
Religious Radicalism." Prof. Adler is the we'll
known ethical culturist whose reputation is
world wide. He talked last night under the
auspices of the Young Mems Hebrew Associa-
tion. After some musical selections Prof. Adler
was introduced by Isadore Israel. The lecturer
mas clear, strong voice. which he uses without
any effort at oratorical display.
De plunged at once into the heart of his sub
Ject by saying that radicalism is broad in spirit.
and does not confine itself to any close line.
he said that radicalism has pretty we'll served
lts purpose, and having pretty well served its
purpose would die out In course of time. The
lecturer said he spoke as a man who had passed
through radicalism, and had not lost all his be-
lief In everything IN the course of the expe-
rlence. There were many who had never felt
the Keen edge or skeptic1sm and TO those.he de-
sired particularly to speak Radicalism had
done much good. 1t had saved people from
many ignoble beliefs, and in that had accomp-
lished great work.
Miracles Out of Date.
The speaker then cited miracles as something
that was not believed in nowadays He said
that in former times there were many sensible
people who believed the Bible literally. when
1t told that voice spoke to Moses out of the
burning bush. that the sun once stood still to
surprise Joshua, and that many other 1mpos-
sible things took place In the sight of man.
There were many who believed these things
without question. Now there were very few
mtelhgent men in the pulpit who accepted
hnf fou In he N n
would say Amen if the minister did express
MS belief In them. The disbelief in such things
must De credited to radicalism. And this
skepticism was really orthodoxy.
The professor went into the consideration of
Wnat constituted miracle. and drew a parallel
IN the case of chemist who had been ship
wrecked In tropical region where only savages
lived. The chemist was treated kindly by the
savages, and partly to amuse them, and partly
as an interesting experiment, he mixed certain
chemicals and produced ice. The savages saw
this, to them, Inexplicable substance. and they
stralghtway pronounced it miracle. They
mad never seen ice before, and they could not
understand how water could become hard save
through some supernatural agency. SO they
Worsn1ped the chemist god. This was a
miracle to them, said the professor. and yet we
kno" tnat It was nothing butt natural product.
The Bible Story of Creation.
Going back to radicalism, the Professor said
that it had taught people that the Bible story
or the creation of the world in six days was not
to be taken seriously. The Bible chronology
made the world only about 5000 years old
whereas science had made it apparent that it
has existed for at least 100000 years, and that
the solar system has been in being millions of
years. Radicallsm has enlarged the boundaries
OF human thought, in religious as well as in
other directions.
Prof. Adler went into the subject of atheism
pretty fully. Although a great many of his
arguments were not new. they were put in such
an interesting way that they seemed new. He
referred to Tom Paine, Voltaire and other
famous skeptics. and told many.facts concern
ing them that were enjoyed by the audience.
The lecture throughout was pleasing and full
7 oung Mems Hebrew Association that had
charge of the affair last night consists of
Messrs. Herschel Benedict, Ralph Jackson and
lsadore Israel. There was to have been re-
q Hebrews of the city, but owing to his being in
disposed. it was dispensed with. He did not
eel strong enough to accept a formal receP-
lion, but he met a number Of the audience in
,he hall at the conclusion Of his address.
Franz RummePs second piano recital in Old
City Hall last night was attended by an au-
Hence which, if limited in numbers. was appre-
'iative of the high ability Of the performer as
In exponent Of classical composition. An
injury to a finger did not seem in the
accurate execution, and his in
,erpretation of the several numbers COM
posing the programme met with sympathetic
ions selected-ten in number-afforded the
Artist opportunity for displaying his great
power over the instrument, and the wonderful
phases and changes which the character of the
work required were illustrated in manner
which proved Mr.. Rummel as a master in his
Inc. The melodious. yet sombre Funeral
March" in ChopIn's Opus 35 was executed with
feeling. delicacy of touch and accurate inter-
lrafQfin1 xuh eurr aad, Il
md the artists rendition Of Liszt's venezia
Nopoli-a composition in which an italian love
ong Is woven into the measure of a weird
lance-received the warm acknowledgment
which it merited.
The engagement Is announced of Miss
Margaret Brokaw to ]. V. Mccormick The
marriage will take place some time in June
Vhen the roses are blooming. Miss Brokaw is
he accomplished daughter Of ex-Chief of
Police N. s. Brokaw. of the Southside She is
beautiful young lady and Is prominent in
ociety. Mr. Mccormick is son OF the genial
,aptain j. j. Mccormick, the steamship agent
nd what his father doesn't know about the
business he does. The young man
as hosts of friends who will wish him and his |
ride much Joy and prosperity.
THIS evening will witness the wedding of |
fiss Jean Alexander and DR.. w. II. Urling. |
he ceremony will be performed by Drs. Meal |
ster and PurHes The attendants upon the |
ride and groom will be Misses Lille Wattles |
nd Bessie Alexander. and Messrs j. W. Alex
nder and Weiser. The arrangements will be |
nder the general direction Of Messrs. W. n.
orte and Linford Smith
AN organ recital is to be given this evening
the Southside Presbyterian Church. by Prof
. D. Carter, assisted by Miss Taylor, of Nc
.eesport, a former pupil of his. Among rhe
ocalists are such well-known artists as Miss
1lla Beach. DR.. W. 7. English and Messrs.
[orris, Stephens, Clifford and Rorah.
ETHELBERr NEvIN will give piano recital
the home of Mrs. Walter McCIintock.
idge avenue, on Saturday evening. Mr..
evin is going to Paris to study two years, and I
lis recital is to be farewell to his friends
sre. 1t will be under the auspices of the AL
gheny Musical Society.
AN interesting Easter-tide wedding will be
at of Miss Emma Wettach, granddaughter
]. C. Lappe, and Frank Czarmecki. The
remony will take place at the Lappe mansion.
orth Canal street, on Thursday evening, April
: The young people are well-known and
,pular Alleghenians.
RELIEF CORPS, No. 60. auxiliaryto
cP herson Post. No. H. g. A. R., will give an
tertainment at Masonic Hall, East End. this
-ening Prof. Byron w. King will be the
rector He will be assisted by his pupils
ora Marshall, Belle Davis and Hannah Baxter.
MRS. W. D. HARPER and her son, Willie.
q to sail for Europe on the Etruria March 21.
hey will remain in London and other Euro
AN cities until next autumn. Mr.. Harper
10 is manager at Joseph Horne q Co.'s, will
Europe to bring his wife and son home.
Social Chatter
A LITERARY and musical entertainment will
given tomorrow evening by the students OF
,rry School of Elocution ar the Mt Wash |