EUROPEAN RELIGION ON WANE, SAYS WHITEHEAD

"There has been a gradual decay of religious influence in European civilization," said Professor Alfred N. Whitehead, Professor of Philosophy, at the nineteenth meeting of the Phillips Brooks House lecture course in religion held in Peabody Hall yesterday.

"Each revival," continued Professor Whitehead, "touches a lower peak than its predecessor, and each period of slackness a lower depth. The average curve marks a steady fall in religious tone. In some countries the interest in religion is higher than in others. But in those countries where the interest is relatively high, it falls as the generations pass. Religion is tending to degenerate into a decent formula wherewith to embellish a comfortable life.

"Religion will not regain its old power until it can face change in the same spirit as does science. Its principles may be eternal, but the expression of those principles requires continual development. . . . The great point to be kept in mind is that normally an advance in science will show that statements of various religious beliefs require some sort of modification. If the religion is a sound expression of truth, this modification will only exhibit more adequately the exact point which is of importance."