New-York tribune., 1909-07-23
ELIOT ON NEW RELIGION
PREDICTS DOWNF1LL OF
DOGMA AND CREED.
Cornerstone Of Tuentieth Century
Belief VIII BE Lore of God and
Service to FeLlO1C Men.
NV Telegraph to The Tribune. l

Boston, July 22-It seemed fitting that Presi-
dent Emeritus Eliot, who has always taken
great interest in the Harvard summer school
of theology. should make the concluding ad-
dress to-day of this years session His sub
ject The New Religion" and with ap-
propriate metaphor he described what might
be expected the coming religion, one based
the two great commandments. the love of
God and the service Of fellow men. 1t much
in the nature of prophecy, and II is not out of
place to say that President Eliot will be a
leader under this twentieth century faith.
You have been studying this year" he said.
about changed views Of religion and increased
knowledge. new ideas Of God as seen along
many lines: you have learned that social pro-
gress has been modified, and that energy is
being conserved
From these and other Indications you must
believe that religion is not fixed. but fluent. and
that it changes from century 10 century. Such
indeed has been the case. The progress in the
nineteenth century far outstripped that of sim
liar periods. and 1t IS fair TO assume that the
progress of the twentieth century will bring
about what l call the religion First. shall
tell you what this new religion will not be-, and.
second. what 1t will be.
The new religion viii not be based upon au
thority. either spiritual temporal; the present
generation is ready to be led but hot driven.
As a rule. the older Christian churches have re-
lied authority.
But there is now tendency toward liberty
and progress and. among educated men this
feeling is irresistible. In the new religion there
will be no personihCation Of natural objects;
there Will be deifcation Of remarkable human
beings and the faith will not be racial or tribal
The new religion will not afford safety pri-
uarily 70 the individual; is Will think first OF the
common good and will not teach that character
can be changed quickly
THE new religion viii not think of God as a
large and glor!hcd man or king or a patri-
arch II will not deal chiefly with sorrow and
death. but with joy and life It viii believe in
no malignant powers. and 1t will attack quickly
all forms Of evil
Now let US consider the positive elements
Of this coming religion. new thought OF God
will be It's characteristic. The twentieth century
religion accepts literally st. Paurs statement;
In Him We live and move and have our being.
This new religion will be thoroughly monothe-
istic
cod VIII Do $40 immancnt that no intermediary
viii be- needed For every man. God will be
multiplication Of inhnities. The humane and
,,.arth,. idea Of Cod then win he the central
Thought - the new religion This religion re
iacts the ldea that man IS an alien or fallen
being. who is hopelcsslS wicked. II finds such
belief. inconsistent with "a worthy idea Of God.
Man has alyavs attributed 70 man spirit
associated with bat independent of the body
SO the new religion viii take account Of all
righteous persons-it will be- a religion OF all
saints. II VIII reverence the teachers Of liberty
and righteousness. and viii respect all great and
Inv.r,- human beings. II viii hav" no place for
obscure dogmas or mystery l; will comprehend
ONLY persons OF good WILL for after all they
alone are civilized.
eft will admit no saCramcntS. except natural
baroved customs and II will deal with natural
irtorpretations Of such rites Its priests Will
strive. to improve social and industrial condl-
tions
".The new religion will laud Gods love ana
will not teach condemnation for the mass OF
mankind Based, on the two great command
,ncpts Of loving God and ones neighbor. the new
religion will teach that he is best who loves best
a,d serves hest. and the greatest service will be
T., ircreasa the stock Of good will. one Of the
greatest evils to-day is that people work with
hearts full Of i'll will TO the work and the en-
ploycr.
There are now various fraternal bodies
which 10 many persons take the place of a
church II they are working for good they are
belpCul factors Again. different bodies of peo-
nile such as SpirituaIists and Christian Scien-
fists have set UP new cults There are already
mann, signs of extensive cooperation; democ-
racv indIviduasm. ideasm. tendency To well
come the new. and preventive medicine
FINALLY | believe the new religion will make
o,brist's revelation seem more wonderful than
ever us"