The Shasta courier., 1867-07-27
SHASTA COURIER.
The Children CT Israel.

The pronunciamento issued by the Ameri.
can Israel'tish Government, from its head.
quarters in New York city, has attracted
considerable attention, il being to most per.
sons 10 the Christian community the first in
timation Of regular and extended political
organization Cor the accomplishment of n
fayorite and leading idea-the return to
Palestine. None Of the propheses more
clearly indicate divine purpose than those
which declare that Z" the remnant of Israel
will surely be gathered together No
national tradition was ever cherished with
stronger affections or greater tenacity.-
Scattered through GENTLE lands since they
were bereft Of their Inheritance, and every.
where subjected to ever recurring per ,ecu.
tions and local prejudices, thev have still
had this beacon light to cheer their pathway.
In the whole range of civilization, from It's
dawn to the present, there is no phenomenon
like the history of this people. With no
common he'd, and no political union, they
have for ages preserved separate vitality
apd distinctive nationality. This they
have done by persevering adherence 20 their
language aud literature their peculiar GUS.
toms and their religious o5servances. They
have several times been so nearly extermin-
ated that their history for thousands of years
appeared to have been one long continued
struggle for self preservation.
But what is more remarkable, the nations
By whom they were most completely over
whe!med, the Egyptians, Assyrians. Baby
lonians, Syrians and Romans. have all pass
ed away, while they, the chosen people, !"
have survived the wrecks and ruins, and
have come down to our day to bear witness
to a degree of civil and religious liberty in
America and Europe which proves for them.
as for others, the most effective safe guard
from persecution. In the darkest hour Of
their humiliation, when they were crushed
as nation, despised as a people. socially
ostracized, burdened. degraded martyrized,
they clunS to their faith, their ceremonies,
their traditions and their hopes. They have
emerged from this long night of persecution
into the light of religious liberation. They
have become great merchants and great
financiers. They are the money lenders of
kings and princes. They not only sit in
pariaments, but they are Prime Ministers
Of State. They have taken the patriotic side
in great revolutionary movements. They
helped to sustain the Union in its late con
fct. They have taken high rank as schol-
ars, and have won enduring names not
merely as theoiog;ans. but in the walks of
natural science, of philosophy, Of mathemat-
les and music.
Whatever may be thought of the religious
con, ctions of the Hebrews, all credit must
be awarded to their persistent aud courage
Gus devotion to a great central idea. The
practical realization of their hopes is vigor
ously aimed at in the present movement A
comprehensive political organization, shaped
and established nearly three years ago, is
already in active operation. 1t has its high
executive officers and its diplomatic function
aries. Its business is vast, for it does not
exclusively contemplate protecting care over
its American interests, but is in earnest CO,
operation with kindred efforts and alliances
over the world. Il is a governmental bond
Of national union. and as such exercises
authority to call for loans, and to issue bonds,
and in every other way to promote its OBJ.
iiccts. Among the six millions of its own
people scattered over the earth. there is
abundant wealth to spare for the fulfilment
Of their fixed purpose. The great hope of
their lives-the ultimate ingathering upon
the plains of Judea, the rebuilding Of the
lemple, and the coming Of the Messiah
seems TO be nearer attainment than was
ever possible in the past The tendency of
the points involved in the Eastern question
is evidently such as to facilitate this move
ment. The Turk must give way before the
advancing tide, the gilded Mosque of Omar
is doomed to fall, and the threshing floor of
0rnon the Jebusite is once more destined to
be the site of even fairer temple, and the
scene of purer worship.-BaltiGsore Com
17srci1J