Omaha daily bee., 1917-04-12
The Greed of Ethical Culture
BIZ Frederic J. Hdskin

Philadelphia, Pa, April 80 console the
suffering, to bury the dead and to lead the living
to higher way of acting and thinking-that is
the whole story of ethical culture, creed which
is growing and fourishng, true child of the age.
You may belong to the ethical culture society
and be lew or Gentle, Catholic or Protestant,
spirtualst or atheist-the society does not trou-
bic itself over what you do or do not believe, so
long as you are willing to act in accordance with
what it sees as the true morality. 1t upholds
characteristic twentieth century creed, at once
broad and liberal, yet lacking in the fervid pas
sion of other religions, cooled with dash of
skepticism.. 1t is interesting both in itself and
because it is significant Of the times
The Philadelphia society holds its services
every Sunday morning in the Broad Street theater
here, which may account for the fact that while
maintaining such broad-minded policy, the or
ganization has but few church members on its
list Of patrons. There is usually excellent music
contributed by some of the members, who are
also members Of the Philadelphia orchestra, but
it is not religious The rest of the service con-
sists of lecture on any subject of ethical inter-
est, given by speaker chosen from any part Of
the country for his special knowledge on that
particular subject.
For instance, in going over a list of lectures
given by the society one finds such diverse topics
as "Tolstoi and the Social Message of Christian
ity," THE Drama as an Influence on Society"
"Ruskin and the Ethics of Wealth" and Intel
lectual Honesty" The list of lecturers includes
such names as William James, Margaret Deland,
Josiah Royce. Jane Adams, John Jay Chapman,
Thomas Davidson, and many others
The speakers are, Of course, paid to speak,
and the expenses Of the services are betrayed out
of the membership dues, which are not fixed, but
contributed according to the individuals ability.
Many persons who are not members come to
hear the lectures, however, and silver offering
is collected, which adds large sum to the re-
sources OF the organization. In the summer, when
the heat of the weather interferes with the popu-
larty Of the lectures, the Sunday morning services
are discontinued, and instead the members go for
long rambles in the country under the guidance
of some local authority on interesting places
about the city.
Like other religious organizations, however,
the activities of the society are not limited to its
morning lecture courses 1t has its regular con-
tngent of mems and women's clubs working in
cooperation with it; there is also the girls fra
ternity, and civic committee which meets in
conference with other religious societies to dis
cuss opportunities for lettering civic conditions.
Just at present there is strong anti-vce crusade
going forward in Philadelphia, directed particu-
larry against the saloon cabarets that have grown
UP so extensively during the last two years
throughout the city. And in the foremost ranks,
leading the churches, is the Ethical Culture So
ciety, preaching no god and not at all sure Of i'm
looms closed for the benefit of the morals Of the
day.
The socety's belief in ethics, however, is not
all theoretical. 1t has great deal Of practical
work. Sixteen years ago, when the Philadelphia
organization was yet in its infancy, it established
a settlement house. This place, known as South
wark House, was opened in the center Of the
city's slums, which were badly in need Of some
system Of organized charity. At that time social
service was in its experimental stages, and had
but few apostles There were no mothers clubs
no boys clubs no free kindergartens and milk
stations. The Ethical Culture society was largely
responsible for all Of these.
In the dispensing of charity the organization
has unique place. 1t is able to bring about an
amiable cooperation among the various religious
Notwithstanding which is distinctly de-
srable,. but rarely attainable. The churches
themselves have long recognized the stumbling
block. They did not trust each other, feared
each others proselyting tendencies. Hence, for
years Methodists, Baptists, Episcopalians, Roman
Catholics Presbyterians and the rest maintained
their charities separately but they could never be
induced to cooperate on any one charity. Under
the auspices of the Ethical Culture society, how
ever, this remarkable feat has been achieved The
society stands for absolute freedom in religious
creeds and does not permit any PROSECUTING. So
In its settlement work at Southwark House it has
the help and cooperation of both clergymen and
priests.
The Philadelphia Ethical Culture society is
but branch Of the original society, which has its
headquarters in New York City. There are also
other branches in Chicago, Newark Wilmington
and St. Louis, all of which draw their lecturers
and written material from the New York office.
This is in charge Of Dr.. Felix Adler, the founder
of the movement, who is worthy of separate
story.