The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-12-23
ETHICAL CULTURE SOCIETIES.
Are They Incapable sf ralsins h Rlacs sI
ReIfgious m~stitutionsr

To THE EDITOR or THE suN-Sirs What 70
apparently the most earnest and systematic
attempt that has yet been made to satisfy
the moral needs Of those who have drifted
away from Christianity In seen In the ethieal
culture societies. They aim to fulnl a
prophecy made by Emerson OF O future re-
ligion: they invite 90 membership all who
desire to work for moral ends; they claim
to be religious societies in the essential sense
OF the word"
At this time, therefore, when liner easing
numbers on every side are severtng their
conRection with the Christian scots. IL is
entirely pertinent to INQUIRE whether the
ethical culture societies rightly apprehend
the moral needs OF humanity and whether
they perform tho essential functions Of re-
ligious Institutions. with much regret, for
the sake OF myself and others In whom this
need IL becoming more and more urgent,
| am forced to believe that they do not. and
furthermore, that they have achieved prom
inence mainly in activities that are outside
the proper field for religious institutions.
The fatal weakness Of this movement IL its
attltnde toward science. The leaders Of these
societies will not admit that moral phenomena
can he defined and classified. and that prin-
ciples can be derived therefroml a. In any
other field Of observation. They contend
that moral knowledge is Beyond the realm
OF science, that IL il intuitive that the un-
tutored. active conscience can discriminate
between right and wro=s.
II this be true il would be exceedingly in
teresting TO know when mankind acquired
this remarkable faculty. None OF the prophet.
and writer's OF the Bible observed it. All
their utterances accord with the idea that
conscience lie not an Unborn faculty, but ia
rather the product OF inculcated principles;
that Righteousness consists not in following
personal opinions. but in conforming with q
code which they clearly expressed.
As a result Of its basal assn mption the
ethical culture movement fails to furnish
a code OF morality. 1t recognizes in the in
dividual conscience the only criterion. Men
come TO it from amid the thousand conflict
ing beliefs and interests OF the world: they
are virtually advised to get enthusiastic about
themselves or adopt the personal opinions Of
the lecturers.
The prophets OF old were more scientific
than is generally admitted. They observed
that the will OF God, or what il practically
the same. the welfare OF mankind. requires
the regulation of conduct They observed
that individuals commit some acts that are
detrimental and omit others that are re-
Quired. They classified these as best they
could, showing causes and consequences
society Endorsed their work and devised means
TO effect the necessary regulation. The same
method applies to-day.
do not advocate the direct teaching u
ethics In the public schools. / advocate the
establishment by the different States OF .
separate class OF institutions for the purpose
of exerting a systematic influence over the
individual from the cradle to the grave so 40
TO secure those conditions Of character and
forms Of conduct that are demanded by the
will OF society for the general welfare. Vol
untary associations such a. the ethical Gull
ture societies are undoubtedly beneficial 60 .
ttpo sfol axHank h.f fhav naanaN hA AvnArfAA
to furnish the authoritative moral code and
the systematic regulation needed to cope with
the tremendous forces that will for all Tins
to come menace the very foundations OF 60
ciety. CYRUS II. EsHLsMAN. q
HARRISBURG, Pa, December u.