The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-02-17
OLD GREEK LIFE.
Prof. Wheeler Spoke of the Attitude OF
tho Greek Toward His Gods.

The Greek Toward II 'souS.
The third of the delightful lectures of
the Thomas Course. now being delivered
= at Richmond College by Professor Ben
janin lde Wheeler, was delivered last
night. The subject was 1.-The Attitude ct
the Greek Toward His Gods.
II il be true. said Professor Wheeler,
that the religion OF 4 people is the sum-
mary Of its outlook and attitude toward
the world of things about us, then 1t
must be true that a knowledge OF its re-
ligion is essential to an understanding
of the mind of any people, hut in pecul-
lar sense is this true of the Greeks. whose
religion on the one hand was the moving
power In all their higher achievements,
and. furthermore, by the very freedom
OF its organization and the absence OF
ecclesiasticism adapted Itself with great
est suppleness to every outli1fe Of the
national life, and did not fetter it or
overawa il.
This religion cannot, however be under
stood from the mythology alone. The
lecturer sought to characterize the Greek
religious altitude in terms of a contrast
with this modern. The individual ac-
copied his religion as he did the style of
dress, without thinking why. Religion
was feature of the body social Per-
soma! religion did not exist. 1t was not
teach morality. Morality was part and
parcel Of social oruer, as was religion.
Morality and religion were not distin-
Euished from each other. There were
no crecds. Even the mysteries cid NOT
teach a doctrine, they assumed the eNis-
tence Of faith. Ritual as a correct form
or etiquette in dealing with honored per-
sonages such rs the gods. constituted
the body OF religious observance. There
- ,.,si..A. 800 VAC, il ia
in common Between the priests OF differ
ent temples. and, therefore, nothing TO
form the basis of a professional union
The duties Of the priests were so simple
that no preliminary studies We're neces-
sary. There was no sermon. and no re-
ltg!cus instruction TO be given. The priest
had only 10 maintain himself as a sort
OF specialist In divine etiquette. Ortho-
doxy and ActrrodoNy We're unknown. be-
cause there existed no philosophy of the
srbjec; matter,
The only form Of impiety would he lack
OF resnect for those elevated personages,
the honorary members of the State,
Nnowr as the gods. linpiety was treason,
and 500 also. indeed. was treason imptety.
Religion did not restrict itself 10 certain
Tines and activities. II WAS everywhere
present. Everything that stirred the
life. everything that moved belonged to
tht hoaN. i-oNN, i%NNiSs JOY, lio
r!rairies OF the arena. all were OF the
gods. done at their instance. full Of their
spirit. redounding to their honor.
The Greek felt his gods. therefore. near
TO him and his lie. He was not an abject
worship,>er under the rule Of an abso-
lu.e lord. as was The Semitic. The god
was a g,einS of flesh and blood. One OF
his kind. one OF his race, with desires and
instincts litae his own. only he was more
.F..i - n.xl~.. ~
self Ia The presence OF his god but to the
Greek the Temple was merely the home
OF his god. who was his friend and coll
league. Hence much that seems irrerelence
IN the Creek religion is only such In con-
irast with the attitude Of Oriental reii-
g.ons.
Tha lecture wss illustrated by views