The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-18
GRIGGS LECTURE
 SERIES IS ENDED Resolutions Thank Him tor h.
 teIIeCtuaI Feast
URGED TO RETURN SOON
Final Lecture Last Night Was Discus sion of "The Modern Religious Problem"-strugeIes Bring
 Out Best In Man.

Dr. Edward Howard Griggs gave the last two lectures in his series at the au- ditorium of the High school yesterday The Pardiso and the Beatifio Vision," from the Divine Comedy" was discussed in the afternoon, while the subject for the night lecture was "The Modern Re- ligious Problem This lecture was a masterly discourse on religious beliefs, and an eloquent appeal for men to make an attempt to solve the problems instead of lying dormant.
 What We do for our culture.'' said Dr. Griggs, flor our pleasure, and for our life. largely depends on our belief. Be- lief is not a matter of indifference. for toleration of indifference Is a tolera ton of the ideals of the dark ages
 No matter what you may pretend to believe, what you really do believe at heart will show itself by your actions. Thefefore. just as belief controls con- duct, so conduct reflects belief
 God, immortality. freedom, and duty are the four problems of religious be- lief.
 Many men attempt to go through lifo asleep, but this is not possible, for life itself is the great awakener. In propor- ton as we awaken just so much in pro- portion We have to combat its problems However, no heroic soul will choose to sleep through life but will attempt to awake and fight.
 Our time of all periods is the time when belief is the most difficult, for we are in touch with 50 many religions and philosophies of life, that the prob lems Plato and Aristotle had to solve are nothing in comparison with ours.
 The great scientific discoveries of to- day have revolutionized our beliefs more than anything else. We all have to accept these discoveries no matter what our needs, and therefore, we must sturggle with the question, What shall be my faith?
 Among the solutions offered are these: First, the solution of pessimism. This is impracticable for pessimism destroys it. self. The second solution offered is for us to put our minds into the care of the mind which rules the world This is impracticable for retreat would mean
 
 offer is that instead of trying to solve infinite questions We should devote our selves only to earthly things. This is agnosticism, but Is impracticable because the infinite problems refuse to stay away
 'aThe most important problem then Is the question, On what foundation shall I place my religion?' What shall be my faith?' However, the solving of this problem would not be the best for hu- manity, for the struggle brings out our heriosm, our strength and our belief. Although we may be defeated in the struggle, the defeat that brings out hero ism is a defeat with more than a coward ly victory"
 The evening lecture was pronounced one of the most scholarly ever heard here and was enjoyed intensely by the audi ence.
 The raradiso," the speaker said in the afternoon lecture, teaches us lessons of love, freedom and spiritual life.
 For soul that has not attained the highest heaven there can still be oontentment and happiness, for the hope of reaching this high stage encourages them to strive further.
 Life is the basis of all great art Therefore, art, the expression and inter- pretation of life, should be for life's sake"
 So pleased has the public been with the lectures of Dr. Griggs that after the lectures last night Attorney John P. Till man came to the stage and expressed the thanks of the people of this city to Dr. Griggs and introduced the following reso- lution which was unanimously adopted:
 During the past week the citizens of Birmingham have had within their reach one of the rare opportunities of lifes time. Those of us who have had the privilege of listening to the inspiring course of lectures given up by MT. Ed- ward Howard Griggs, recognize the fact that we have been sitting at the feet of great master, not only of art and literature but also of the deep mysteries of the human heart and of human life.
 ITO the simplicity and deep sincerity of the man and to the inspiration of his earnest words, many of Us are indebted for better and nobler insights into the purposes of life. and for higher asplra- tions to realize for ourselves and for the community in which we live, the nobler ends of human existence.
 Be it. therefore, resolved, That we extend to MT. Griggs our sincere thanks for his splendid course of lectures and that we hereby express to him our warmest appreciation of the inspiring intellectual stimulus, and of the moral and spiritual uplift he has given our city by his earnest and loving mnistrations"
 In a short, but eloquent speech Dr. Griggs thanked the public of Birming- ham and assiired them that he would | always have warm place in his heart | for them.
 | movement has already been started to bring Dr. Griggs back As suon as possi- | ble.
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