The New York herald., 1870-06-05
Church Services To-Day-Persecution Of
Jews In ROumnuia.


No day in the week exercises SO tranquilliz-
ing an effect upon the mind and body as the
Sabbath. Even to the mere materiaiist il is
welcome, not, of course, because Of its asso-
citation with religion, but because the calm and
quiet springing from an almost total cessation
of labor lends to the day geniality and ten
derness which cannot be found in any other
day of the week. To those who believe in
Christianity the Sabbath day is one inexpressi-
bly, dear. Enemies lay aside grudges for
the time being, even though-and we regret to
say it-they do not become reconciled to each
other. Men who have been fortunate In busi-
ness during the week feel lght-hearted and
happy over their success, while those who
have been unfortunate dismiss for the time
being their cares and anxieties. AS for the
ladies, none who have seen them entering
the churches, their countena noes expressiveof
seraphic joy, but must feel assured that to
them Sunday is, indeed, day of rest, and, in
many instances, artistically as we'll as spirtu-
ally, day Of triumph.
But above all other feelings which the Sab
bath inspires is that which arises from q
knowledge that on this day we offer up prayers
to the good GOD fQg manifold blessings
vouchsafed Us during the past week. Ought
we not, then this morning. in supplicating the,
Divine grace to be imbued with the charity
which forms 50 great part of true Christian
ity? Ours is the religion Of gentleness and
love, and when we hear of the repeated fright
full massacre of Jews in Roumania ought We
not to have deep sentiment of sympathy for
them and to breathe prayer for their deliver.
ance from the hands of their oppressors? For
though it is true that the perpetrators of the
massacre are ostensible Christians, theirs ID
the religion of Christ degraded by savageryr
and not the religion of Christ In all it's wonder.
full charity, leading us on to yet more exalted
civilization than we now possess. Undoubtedly
the sufferings of these Jews will form the sub
ject for more than one discourse to-day. The
coreligionists of these unhappy Roumanian
lsraelites will meet in their synagogues
in this city to take into consideration the case
of their prosecuted brethren. Yesterday at
the Temple Emanuel sermon was delivered
on the subject, which we publish this
morning, and to which we call attention,
as it reflects the views of American Israelites
and expresses the righteous indignation of the
liberal-minded everywhere. But it is from the
pulpits of Christian churches more especially
that we desire to hear words of sympathy for
the prosecuted Jews. Count Montalembert,
the great defender Of Catholicism, once de-
clared that he Regarded the ST. Bartholomew
massacre with no less horror than he did the
persecution Of Catholics in England and Ger
many. In like manner every Christian not a
fanatic must look with horror upon the recent
reported prosecutions in Ronmania. The
question is one Of humanity not less than of
religion, and that religion is aloSe the most
acceptable to God which Is the most humane:
Thus we expect to-day that our Christia1
clergymen will preach in the spirit of Christ
and express their abhorrence of religious per-
secution, whether the victim be Christian or
Jew, Turk or Inlidel. Charity for the opinions
of others, in the broadcast sense of the word,
is the noblest pillar in the edifice of our nine
teenth century civilization. Christianity never
gained anything worth possessing except by
tolerance. Intolerance is the fiend born of
fanaticism, which stabs Christianity in the
name OF the faith. And it is thus due to the
cause of Christ that his ministers on earth
shall to-day condemn the barbarity which op-
presses human beings because of their reli-
gious opinions