Theophilanthropy
in comparative religions, the name given to a system of natural religion which arose in the time of the first French Republic, and which had for its cardinal doctrines the adoration of God and love of man.
In 1796 five heads of families-Chemin, Mareau, Janes, Haüy, and Mandar-as THEOPHILANTHROPHY THEOREM sociated themselves, and in December library, and to name him his successor. held their first meeting at a house in the Theophrastus had extraordinary success Rue St. Denis for the purpose of divine as head of the Lyceum, and was attended, worship and moral instruction, accord- it is said, by 2,000 disciples. Among ing to the dictates of natural religion. them were Demetrius, Phalereus, and Their services consisted of moral dis- Menander. A charge of impiety was courses, singing, and prayer. One of brought against him, but he successfully their adherents was Revellière-Lépaux, a member of the Directory, who allowed them the use of the 10 parish churches of Paris, which they fitted up and adorned with religious and moral inscriptions, an ancient altar, a basket of flowers as an offering to the Supreme Being, a pulpit, and allegorical paintings and banners. In 1802 Napoleon I. forbade them to hold their meetings in the churches, and after this time they no longer appear as a body.