The New York herald., 1870-09-19
CONGREGATION s8AARM TEFLA.

Sermon by Rev. Henry 8. Jacobs, Of New Or
leans-Thc Jewish Faith the Foundation Of
Ethics and Modern Civillxa atiOn-The Pro-
pitiatory Week.
A rather slim congregation assembled ON Saturday
morning at the synagogue Shaarai Tefla, on Forty
fourth street. near Sixth avenue. to attend divine
worship according to the orthodox rtual Of the He
brew faith In this synagogue the very ancient Gus
tom OF dividing the sexes Is still rgdy adhered to,
the ladies' being seated in the gallery and the male
portion Of the congregation. with their heads COW
cred and each decorated with the Taleth praying
robe, occupying the seats on the main noor. The
choir consists OF male voices only, the
altos and sopranos being supplied by boys
OF good voice. There was one, o master
Harris, who sang the soprano solos, the force VOL
ume, purity ana sweetness OF whose voice, particu-
larry in the higher tones, were indeed remarkable.
There u no organ, nor any other instrumental ac-
compartment OF the choir and occasionally at
tempts at congregational singing pe,ceptible.
Saturday morning, after the usual devotional ser.
Vices the Rev. Henry s. Jacobs, of New Orleans de-
livered the sermon Of the day. He said that astound
Ing signs attended Israel In Egypt and scarcely
ceased when the Divine win announced its purposes
nounced from Mount snai IN the he DecaoTas the
braced in the Ten Commandments Herein Is to be
70 be erected for. the benefit Of the whole
world. But the exalted purpose remained incom-
pete till provision was made Tor the worship OF Him
VINO was Ruler. Legislator and Judge. This provi.
sion was contained In Exodus XIV. Sand let
them make nue. sanctuary that may dwell among
them" The sanctuary therefore. is the dwelling
place OF the Holy One dedicated to His worship and
alteration. and sanctded by prayer and praise. Tho
high priest OF Old. IN his sacerd0tal robes was the
national representative OF religion, distinguished by
light and truth the Um and Tunn. Hence all wOr-
ship should be distinguished by light and truth.
Wherever religion unfolds It's banner light is Its first
necessity the light which Is heaven born shall stand
forever. To distribute and nourlsh this light was
and is the mission OF israel and through the people
OF Israel all the nations Of the earth shall be blessed
for the teachings OF their faith the foundation Of
ethics and OF modern civilization. Whoever Obeys
their precepts has attained the utmost OF human per.
fectibility.
But religion is also founded TRUTH the corner
stone of faith Truth is an attribute OF the Deity. for
Gods Word Is truth. Hence religion Is not IN opp0-
stOn to reason, but when reason runs riot aud de-
grades to ratiOnalism and says with the fool there
is no God," then religion becomes its adversary.
Reason Is the intelligence OF the soul and the direct
cause Of mans superiority over the lower animal
creation, and, properly used leads us to reach the
most exalted night Of wisdom by comprehendlng
IL oVT s
Ing but conceaiment, and hence Judaism
fore fore u the sanctuary, @ I where God Himself may
dwell must be the abode Of light and truth. The
people of Israel should be governed by the tnstruc-
lions OF the Word Of God, and make their life test
of their opposition to both falsehOsd and ignorance
In the beauty OF their public worship. BY the light
and truth OF the Word OF God they should teach
all nations the common brotherhood Of humanity.
It was announced from the reading desk that Sat
urday commenced the prOpitatOry week, ending on
Sunday next and that during this time services will
be held diay at six O'Clock in the morning in the syn
agOgue This 'PrOpisatory week. is observed by all
the more less orthodox synagOgues, being in the
nature Of self.lmpOsed pentence at the close OF the
Jewish religious year, which ends ON the 10Th OF