Ethical Addresses and Ethical Record (1912) Nineteenth Series

 

William H. Lewis

The Nineteenth Series of Ethical Addresses and Ethical Record (published in 1912) includes information about Ethical Societies outside of the US, the Summer School of Ethics, the American Ethical Union Convention, and a conference at Glenmore.  Some of the addresses are reprints; other articles are reports and proposals for various new programs for the AEU.  The whole volume shows continued work to refine the definition of Ethical Culture and expand its capacity in regard to both personal development and expansion of the Movement.  

Two new programs were discussed at the Glenmore Conference and then approved at the AEU Convention.  James H. Leuba discussed "Symbolism and Ceremonial Expression in the Sunday Morning Meetings of the Ethical Society" (pp. 4-10) at the Glenmore Conference and then at the AEU Convention, held at the New York Society on November 20, 1911.  In response, the AEU delegates appointed a committee to "inquire into the desirability and feasibility of taking steps towards the enrichment of our meetings, a committee that should collect material already used and make it accessible to our inspection." W. H. Lighty similarly proposed "A Correspondence Bureau for the American Ethical Union" (pp. 11-23), which was also adopted by the Convention along with an appropriation of $2,000.  The Correspondence Bureau (lending library and point of sale for publications) was to be sited in Madison, Wisconsin, and managed by Professor Lighty and his wife.

Gustav Spiller, Secretary of the International Ethical Union, provided several reports for this volume.  The Union of English Societies (which included multiple independent Ethical Societies throughout the country) and the German Ethical Society (which included several local affiliated discussion groups throughout the country) each provided statements of their Principles.  

A substantial portion of the volume provides practical resources for Society programs.  A naming ceremony is presented with no author, but an introductory note says that it is based on ceremony originated by Stanton Coit and modified by Charles Zueblin (pp.146-148).  The curriculum for the St. Louis Children's Sunday Assembly includes several "charts" created for exhibits at the Religious Education Association and for a Child Welfare conference.  Again, no author is identified, but Percival Chubb, St. Louis Leader, also served as Superintendent of the program.  Of note is the emphasis given to making the Sunday "School" an "Assembly" to distinguish it from the weekday schools.  Interestingly, Alfred W. Martin's presentation on the "Non-Sectarian Sunday School" given at the Summer School of Ethics, raises the issue of how to promote the continuous participation in an Ethical Society from childhood on to adulthood.  His suggestions may be apt for present day consideration (p. 56):

1. By introducing into the constitution of the Sunday school under the article "objects" a clause to the effect that one of the purposes of the pupils shall be to fit themselves for worthy membership in the adult society, thus giving the scholar from the start, the conviction that the Sunday school is in this sense the means to an end.

2. By occasional Sunday exercises in the adults' auditorium for and by the school.

3. By the organization as a connecting link of a class of the young men and young women graduates to study the principles and ideals of the organization they have fitted themselves to join.

4. By providing for pupils of this class a share in the responsibilities of the adults' society, for nothing is so conducive to the fixing of interest in a cause as practical participation in its activities.

Two addresses in this volume stood out for me.  One is C. Delisle Burns' address on the "Misuse of the Bible." It's on my "to read" list.  The other is Henry Neumann's address "The Spirit of Persecution and Prejudice" (pp. 149-165).  William H. Lewis was appointed by President Taft in 1911 to be an Assistant US Attorney General.  There was opposition from Southern Senators, but Taft refused to withdraw his nomination, and Lewis was approved.  He was, soon after, also nominated for admission to the American Bar Association.  Once his "race" was discovered, a massive effort to remove him ensued.  Henry Neumann took this issue as the opportunity to discuss how prejudice and persecution affect both the victim and the perpetrator.  While his reasoning may be dated, his conclusion is spot on.