The New York herald., 1869-06-22

Lecture by Rev. Raphael DSC. levin.
The Rev. Raphael DC. Levin began series Of
three lectures at the temple Of the Mishkau Israel
congregation in East Twelfth street last evening.
Notwithstanding the condition of the weather-the
clerk thereof having been engaged all the afternoon
in Illuminating Q thunder storm in four volumes
which, like hebdominal sensation, was continually
continued-the house. though not congested with
listeners, was practically and payingiy wen filled;
and, after the usual preliminary hymn the reverend
gentleman announced the thesis OF his lecture the
Jewish pulpit.
Tho lecturer opened with an exordium, detailing
something Of the history Of the Jewish pulpit from
the old Rabbinical days down and nineteenth CEN
turyward though so rapidly az to be meagre, neces-
sariy meagre In details He depicted the spread of
the Jewish influence among European nations, trac-
Ing 1t historically, though brieny; and from this be-
ginning went on with q more detailed analysis OF
its present condition. Undoubtedly, reasoned the
speaker, there had never been time, since the de-
struction OF Jerusalem, when the Jewish pulpit was
offered so large scope for practical discussion. For
century 1t had been rapidly amassing influence, In
ratio as the ban had been removed from the race That
ban OF prescription had been removed, not only pO-
liticay, but socially and in both at about equal
ever had been that the Hebrew race would be sub.
jecJed to strong influences tending to its fusion with
this country for there was no fusional influence SO
powerful as social recognition, reception Of the
race as cltZenS INTO the great D0dy pOltc, as men,
bers into the great body social. Under this infu-
ence II under any, the barrier must be broken downs
but yet, though 1t had been at work for half CEN
tury, the Jewish race in the United States was CON-
paratively what it always had been everywhere, an
Integral unit not subject fusion and very generally
From these reasons 1t might be concluded that the
biblical prophecies concerning the race were yet to
be fulfilled; and, from them, too. might be drawn
an argument against the symbocal system Of inter-
pretation In the light Of which the literal result OF
the prophecy was supposed to unfold profound
metaphysical or alegorical facts The lecturer pro-
ceeded to Illustrate the present state Of the Jewish
pulpit IN America from its statistics, the culture ana
learning of its representatives and the tone and
spirit of Its uterances Judaism In the United States
had assumed the phase OF religion rather than OF
caste, which was Its condition In earlier ages-was
its European condition still to considerable degree,
and year by year the notion OF caste was being sunk
in that OF religious sentiment. The national notion
was being lost in the religious notion. Jews were
becoming Americans OF peculiar religion, but Anne.
ricans, nevertheless, In all their instincts.
1t was time, therefore, for the Jewish pulpit to
assert itself as thought force and as moral force,
modern culture, appealing more powerfully to the
thought and literature OF the age and in more con.
crete sypthests Herewith. 1t was time for the Jew
lsh pulpit to begin to make its culture felt In the
thought art and literature Of the country In tta re-
lielous feeling and social sentiment.
The speaker predicted these conditions fulfilled
brilliant future for Judaism In the United states,
brilliant literature and literary culture centrtng
thereabout, brilliant philosophy ana powerful
innuence upon the thought OF the century.
He then proceeded TO subject the current thought
OF the Jewish pulpit to somewhat more minute
analysis exhibiting in the treatment Of the subject
unusual philosophical acuteness and unusual Keen
ness of insight.
The next lecture OF the course will be one Of per-
tinence to an agitated question OF the day, VIZ "A
discussion OF the Bible view OF woman.