New-York tribune., 1897-11-22
DIR. ADLER on RELIGION.
HE SAYS IT IS THE RELATION OF MAN

HE SAYS IT is THE RELATION OF MAN
TO THE INVISIBLE.
DR.. Felix Adler continued his course OF lee
lures before the Society for Ethical culture IN
Carnegie Hall yesterday morning. The hall was
crowded to its utmost capacity
What Is Religion?' was the subject chosen by
Dr. Adler Introducing the subject. he kened
mans life TO a clearing in a dense forest. I'm
lfe" said he I'VE in clearing In dense
forest. Surrounding us is a darkness into wnicn
no human being has ever penetrated. ms is
the great unknown Men have given us variety
OF definitions for the word religion one mas tod
us that It is a belief in a divine God Arnold says
that II is ethics plus feeling for mortality. touched
by devotion.
I'm their way these definitions are all very well,
but they do not cover all For instance where
would the religion OF the Buddhist. OF the old Greek
come In under these definitions? These definitions
are all true but that is not all that Is required
To be complete definition all the surrounding cir
.umstances must be taken into consideration and
embodied The man who defined man as oiped
without feathers told the truth. but such wouid
hardly be accepted a good definition TO my
mind the best definition would be: 1t is the re-
lation OF man to the invisible reality This is a
definition which is broad enough to cover all ma
,ions and religions from the lowest forms 10 the
highest II fits mans mind TO what the In
visible IS.
'There are three phases In the advance OF re-
lieon First the earliest. when II meant the utter
dependence upon superior power. II was reng-
ion born Of fear and slavery Even to-day there
are those who will tell you that religion Is the
outgrowth OF abect fear. 1t is true that fear plays
an important part, but as an accepted truth this
statement is gross exaggeration.
with the advance OF religion human life has
becoms more secure But even to-day witness
the horrible ravages OF famine in some OF the back
woods countries In the civilized countries, how
ever, famine has ceased to be menace. We are
rot dependent upon the success OF our crops as as
,oss extent, medical science has given US a safe.
guard against the ravages o. pnysieal iiis . out
These are out temporary and uncertain at best.
Religion alsc teaches men 10 help themselves In
tho oden times res9n was slavery IN its me,hods tb
caprces OF the gods. The gods were swayed oy I'M
:'rhe second period marked a great change II
was when the Hebrew combined all the spirits
into one and began e2GhnE the law or 1sss u
the advancement of the world Il marked , the end end
OF the reign Of the cqDcos or sOas ascorg gf"ee o the
laws OF the prophets. the people could anticipate
d9fs ss a'rs sson TO also % did away
idea that God could be won over by gifts and nat,
short OF Insults to the Almighty: But with all
rea, adya9ce mars mas not %
Re accomplished. We know that a lie or con-
S, nj, IS nS enough g o do And right
is where OF US turn our backs d;s in fear
T 5byssG 70 saf ills 81 shall H Become
Shall we make believe that which We do not feel
or believe? Decidedly no Let us raee the proD
Guer the physical Ills with the spiritual instincts
that are strong within all o. US what Is IT. Il mat al
smile with contentment? 1t IS because he has dis
covsred an ideal He has discovered that he has
a soul something which physical ailments cam
not touch. .,, ,,. ..., -
deems, and consoles man in times Of need Within
ali OF US there Is great spiritual force. put We
must have Gods help In brinsing II forth 10
a wondrous change feeling OF the nearness with
In closing. Dr. Adler took exception to certain
public criticisms that he was trying to teach a
THAT I. not so' he said II only draw sharp
limo between ethics and religion. have found that
while the sustaining power Is Invisible. II is real