New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1845-11-17

fortv nineteen legitimate sons belonged 10 David
Rehoboam had twenty eight sons and sixty daugh-
lers and Abiiah twenty-five soas and sixteen daueh-
ters We have already alluded 10 the ancient prac-
,ice of poly cav and the privileges accorded to con-
cubnes-concessions justly prohibited By our pres.
ant laws and in themselves debasiug and democrat
izing II vas however considered 4 heinous OF.
fence for aDv person 10 attempt 10 ALLEVIATE their al
iecrons or violate their persons. The whole nation
Of Israel revenged themselves on the Benjamites for
countenancine the nsulters OF the Levites concu-
bines Crest as was the number in the haren of
King Solomon. 700 wives and 300 concubines, mod
arn dsapoisof the East exceeded il; The Sultan Sc
lin had two thousand; Achmed, the eighth Empe-
ror of the Turks had three thousand; the Shah Eus-
sim. of Persia had still greater number. The
only apology offered Tor these sensual indugencies
was the desire 10 have q numerous progeny. Ahab
had seventy sons in Samaria Priam. King of Troy
t;ftv sons and twelve daug htersi Artaxerxes Mem
non King of Persia had but three sons By his wife
and one hundred and fifteen by his concubines; Mu-
lev Abdalah had seven hundred SONS by four wives
and many hundred concuolnes. The entire laws,
ceremonies and rites OF Marriage among the Jews,
proyc the high estimation in which that institution
. t,-es held II was solemn and sacred ceremony,
and le IN impression on the minds of both husband
and wife which whole life could not obliterate-
The law impressed him with the obligation OF the
duties which Marriage imposed and hence the Jews
have right 10 feel proud o. The devotion shown 10
y
ouent tenderness and affection they feel for their
children. All honor, pomp and ceremony were at
,sched 10 the determination OF nuptas in order that
the great nunctions of the Almighty might be fu-
filled, and this affirmative and impartial precept be
carried into execution, as II was originally designed
10 be by the Sovereign Architect oil Heaven and
Earth.
Ii has been alleged that. under the civil and rel
cious polity of The Jews women always held an IN
ieror rank and by some il was contended that the
early Jews considered the women as being without
souls-always in stale OF servItude and degrade
ton. There is abundant evidence IN Scripture, par.
ticularlv relating 10 illustrious Hebrew women, 10
prove the contrary Some circumstances. how
ever nav have given rise TO this impression In our
daily PRAYERS The man saws, " Blessed art thou, q
Lord King ofthe Universe, that thou hast not made
me o woman; - while tie woman says. Blessed art
thou Lord. King of The Universe, thar thou hast
made me according 10 thy will and pleasure. The
meaning of the prayer directed be said by men is
not to be construed into srespect and disregard for
women i, is 10 render thanks 10 an all-wisc and
gracious Providence. that He has exempted men
from the pains of childbirth and other distressing
diseases incidental in women which construction ls
borne out by the subsequent prayer of the woman,
who humbly returns thanks TO God for having crea-
ted her according to His Divine will. II should al
so be noticed as sustaining this position, that the
pain OF child. bearing was punishment OF sin,
and the mother of all living brought sin and sor
row into the world hence the thanks OF the men
in The Morning Prayer 1t has also been alleged
that men and women do not SIT together In the
Synagogue, but are compelled To worship alone
in the galleries shut OUT from observation by close
lattices In this there are good and sufficient rea-
SONS the separation between men and women at
times rendered necessary in domicils, Is required
with greater force and for moves equally pure IN
places of worship. Being concealed behind lattices
was intended to prevent the attention OF men being
byth mr. at-
fractions of women
Women, among the Baby lonians, Egyptians, Per
slams Greeks and Romans. did not enjoy the rank TO
which they were entitled, and were mere slaves 10
the will and pleasure OF men. Some were OF dlstln'
guished talent and wonderful energy, bat at the
same time without reputation and slaves 10 avar1ce
and ambition. The pure religion of the Hebrews
assigned higher rank TO women and considered as
they were worthy Observing in the Temple, and pos
sessing positive rights and ntuencethey
treated with due respect and affection In the early
periods of history, when their lives were entirely
pastoral women tended their fathers tiocks. Jacob
met Rachel al the well. in the performance OF this
duty and the daughters OF the Priest indian were
so EN- poved when met by Moses. They mixed to-
geher in pastoral pursuits, IN the gathering OF the
harvests, and such labor as was light and feminine.
In commercial cities they had separate apartments,
and even at this day. in the East do not ningle pro-
miscuously with men. The first duty OF the poor
mans wife and the slaves OF the rich, was 10 grind
the portion of meal at early dawn required Tor daily
consumption.
We see. Mr. Editor, in all these ceremonies, laws,
obligations pains and penalties, the high estimate in
which the institution Of Marriage and is held by
the Hebrews throughout the world. We see, also,
the omen reioicngs-the avoidance OF all conceal
ment which marked these ceremonies. There we're
no secret marriages-no runaway matches-no rid
ing to the house ofthe Minister and after few min
utes of ceremony and d certificate, the parties re.
pairing 10 steamboat for weeks excursion. All
was parental, pa,ernal-joyiul, though decate-fnll
of honorable ceremony, and day otiubilee 10 be
celebrated to the latest ages.