American watchman and Delaware advertiser., 1825-10-04

Judges.
The authority Of the Judges extended to all re-
ligous, military and civil concerns-they were abso-
Iute and independent, like the Kings Of Israel and
Judah, without the ensigns Of Sovereignty. The
Judges were Immediately from the people, mingl'ng
in their deliberations, directing their energies, com
manding their armies, and executing their Laws.
The Office, which was not hereditary, conforms IN
some respects to that of Chief Magistrate, and is
in accordance with the genius and disposition oi
the people Of this country.
1t is difficult this period to decide with certainty
on the manner and forms adopted in choosing the
Judges of Israel. Most Of the distinguished men
who had filled that station "raised up' by
divine influence. Their skill in war, and wisdom
IN peace their valor and experience their capacity
to govern and incidental and necessary qualhctions,
calculated to excite public confidence, were pass
ports to Office.
Dispersed as the nation is, and no possibility
of concentrating the general voice. there can be no
Just power to grant--no right to withhold-lhe
Office must be assumed by divine permission, and
the power exercised by general consent and ap
probation He who assumes this power, who takes
| the lead in the great work OF regeneration, and
Judges righteousy, will always be sustained by pub
lie opinion. By this test wish to be judged.
| Born in free country, and educated wlih liberal
principles, familiar with all the duties OF govern
ment, having enjoyed The confidence OF my fellow
10 the principles of our holy faith and having de-
voted years oil labor and study to melorate the con
don ot the Jews, with an unsullled conscience
and firm reliance on Almighty God, offer my
self as an humble instrument OF his divine will, and
solicit the confidence and protection OF our beloved
brethren throughout The world. Ii there be any
possessing greater facilities ana more ardent
zeal in attempting TO restore the Jews 10 their
rights sovereign and independent people, 10
IL .fl,rt tha frstgf
cannot be insensIbe to the many difficulties
which may present themselves in the successful
progress of the great work OF regeneration. The
attempt may be pronounced visionary and lmprac-
cabe the reluctance oi some to countenance The
eifor-the timidity of others, and the apprehen-
sions of all, may be arrayed against an enterprise
extraord dinary and interesting, but always feasible.
indulge in no chimericai views. know this coun-
try, its SOIL climate and resources, and confidently
embark in the undertaking. Firm OF purpose, when
the object is public good, allow no difficulties to
check my progress. Urged to its consideration by
s'rong and irresistible impulse, the project has al.
ways presented itself TO me in the most cheering
light, n the most auriDg colors and 1t the attempt
shall result in melorating the condition OF the
Jews, and shall create generous and liberal feeling
towards them, and open TO them the avenues OF SCI
euce learning, fame, honor and happiness, who
shall say that have failed ask the trial-and
will abide the result.
! The Hebrew nation, with its sublime Theocracy,
its moral laws, its warlike character and powerful
government, originated in family OF shepherds.
From ancestry not more ustrlous, arose the he
roes and sages of Greece, and to the neglected chill
dren OF the forest was Rome, once mistress OF the
world, indebted for existence. From origins the
most humble, and from projects the most doubtful,
The world has been indebted for signal benefits and
blessings. few pilgrims, driven to our continent
by European persecution have laid the foundations
of splendid empire. We have less difficulties to
encounter, because we are surrounded by clvllza-
tion 4; and lew Jews in this happy land admoD.
ished by the past and animated by anticpations of
the future, NAV increase rapidly and prosperously,
and, under good government and wholesome laws,
may fall back IN time towards the Pacific Ocean, and
possess country the most fertile, is capacious
and valuable. We have long been captives in
land Of t'angers: we have long submitted patient
ly tD oppres ssion have lon- anXiOusly expected
a temporal deVerance but throughout the most
terrible periods OF calamity we have done nothing
| for ourselves, The Almighty, who has covered US
with the shield OF his paternal love, has given US
moral agents. by whch, with his divine aid, we are
to effect our own deliserance. We have senses,
/ judgment, powers Of self government energy,
pacity and wealth. If, with all these great requi.
sites still hang harps upon the willow"
We s'ill cover ourselves with sackcoth and ashes
and do not make one effort for independence, how
can reasonably continue to supplicate God for
our rcsloi alton, who made man in his own image,
and proclaimed him free Why should the pa
rent OF nations, the oldest of people, the founders
Of religion, wander among the governments of
the earth, intreating succor and protection, when
we capable OF protecting ourselves?
Il The time has emphatlcally arrived to do some
thing calculated 10 benefit our own condition, and
excite the admiration of the world, and we must
commence the work in country free from igno.
Bile prejudices and legal disqua6catons--a country,
in which liberty be insured to lhe Jews without
the loss Of one drop Of blood.