The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-09-25
University Extensi n i'm a Novel
Form.
An Outgrowth of the Famous Worlds
Congresses.

An Outgrowth of the Famous Worlds
Congresses.
We are in receipt of the first number of
the new course of lessons on Universal
Religion, contained in Progress, pub
lished by The University Association of
Chicago. The publication is not monthly
magazine containing sundry heterogeneous
articles, but strictly series of lessons
issued monthly, corresponding indeed to
what a university professor would dictate
to his students in college course on the
subject. Courses in History and Litera-
ture have already been published, each
covering full years work.
Each number of Progress is divided
into twentyfour parts, each representing
a daily lesson or reading. AT the end of
each week is a review with questions COW
ering the work accomplished Even the
University library is represented in the
unique feature of quotations from (not
merely references toy standard authorities
which are appended to each lesson, and
indeed generally equal the text in length
Again, an illustration on well nigh every
page brings the University museum as far
as is possible within the reach of the
reader. Finally, it is college and univer-
sity professors who are specialists on the
subjects treated, that have been secured
to prepare the various lessons; usually
one professor contributing for not more
than two weeks, in order to secure the
highest efficiency. 1t is plain that in this
manner the most trustworthy material
has been secured; and it is no surprise to
us that the University Association is al
ready able, at the close of only two years.
work, to report membership of about
30, 900, meeting in some ! 400 centers in
different states of the Union.
Besides this general information, our
readers will wish to learn something more
in detail of the course on Universal Re-
ligion beginning this autumn of which the
first number lies before US. First, comes
a statement made by the Hon. G. G.
Bonney, LII. D., President of all the
Worlds Fair Congresses of 1898 and
President of the International Council of
the University Association, concerning
the connection of tie Association move
ment with the Worlds Congresses, and
especially concerning the dominant inter-
est accorded the Religious Congress (the
so called Parliament of Reigions) among
the others. DIR. Bonney furthermore en-
phasizes the impartial character of the
Religious Congress, without which fea-
ture it would plainly have been simply
impossible. This parliamentary equality
has often been COMPOUNDED by hasty de-
tenders of the faith with equality in value,
though the latter was never allowed in the
Parliament and indeed should form the
conclusion and not the beginning of dis
cussion on the subject On the other
hand, that which cannot endure COMPARE
son must indeed be in a suspicious condi-
ton.
After this, in itself interesting reminis-
cence of the great Worlds Fair, the les
sons proper begin The first three lessons
were prepared by the famous F. Max
Muller, Professor of Philology in the Uni
versity of Oxford, England, whose versa
tile mind seems equally at home in the
connected science which Professor Muller
styles Comparative Theology, and dis
cusses in these lessons. The balance of
the first weeks six lessons are occupied by
an Introduction from the pen of the editor
in chief, Edmund Buckley, Phi. D., Decent
of Comparative Religion in the University
of Chicago, which throws much light on
the subject to be treated.
The second week is occupied by an ac
count of the "History of Culture (Civili-
zation),'' from the pen of Otis 7. Mason,
Ph. D., Curator of the Department of An
thropology, National Museum, Washing
ton, D. c.
The third week proceeds to treat actual
religions by describing the native 'Relig
ions of North and South America, - which
is admirably done by George A. Dorsey,
Phi. d. Assistant Curator of Anthropoloey,
Field Columbian Museum, Chicago.
In the fourth week Professor Leon
Marillier, of the University of Paris,
France, presents in picturesque fashion
the native "Religions of Africa and
Oceanica Following is an interesting
treatise of the Religions of Australia
by C. S. Wake, Elk Director of the An
thropological Institute of Great Britain
and Ireland. Finally comes excellent
Side-lights and a complete pronouncing
Gazetteer and Glossary of the proper
names used in the lessons. The whole
number is profusely, and fittingly illus
trated, and with its 100 pages of printed
matter, without paragraph of padding,
surely affords the best months reading
studious people can desire.
The course as a whole will form the
most complete treatise of the religions of
the world ever issued, and will prove both
interesting and instructive to people of all
denominations. We commend the plan of
Progress" to the attention of our read
ers interested in the history and develop
ment of universal Religion.