The New York herald., 1871-12-01
The DAY In THE SYNAGOGUEs.

True Greatness und National Prosperity
Sermon by DIR. vidavcr.
The services in the synagogues yesterday was
well attended, and there was more general sym
ra'hy with the thanksgiving occasion than is
usually observed. In the Thrty-fourth street syna
gogue DR.. vidaver preached from Isaiah Kill. g
~ the Lord nave called thee IN righteousness and
Will hold thy hand and keep thee, ana Will
give thee for o covenant OF the people, for O
light or the nations" The Doctor called
attention TO the Presidents proclamation under
which they had assembled TO worship God and give
thanks Tor His mercies. This annual THANKSGIVING
custom, he said, speaks volumes IN favor Of the
intrinsic worth Of our American institutions, and
the whole nation, rs one man, promptly respond TO
the invitation OF the Chief Magistrate of tins great
aud grateful Union. Ana none are more willing to
respond to this call than Israeltes; not only be.
cause they form an integral part OF the American
people; not only that they firmly believe tnat all
our joys and blessings come from our Mcrcilul
Father In Heaven, but because, above ALL they be.
ieve that Israel's institutions the beacon light
10 all nalions, directing them 10
DUTY, VIRTUE AND CIVILIZATION.
lsrael's Feast Of Tabernaclcs was feast of
thanksgiving. and on that day Israel acknowledged
that "not by might nor by power but by the spirit
Of the Lord" were Oil tner successes secured and
this republic walking in the light OF Israel thus
day Raises its voice IN thanksgiving and halleluahs
to the most Hign whose ever-watchiu eyes and all
powerful arm hath guarded and projected US during
the year past. II was not our skil Ia tlng the
ground winch enabled us 10 such rich harvests
so much as The blessing OF Hun "wno vlsretn the
earth and watercst IT, who 'prcparest our corn"
and ''crownest our years with goodness.o Neither
was II our political snrewdness so mucn as Coils
blessing winch has given US peace In all our bOr-
der5.
Tne Doctor then referred to the disasters which
have prevailed III different parts Of Tile worlds ihe
CNE war in France ana the international war be-
tween that country AMI Germany; the famine,
empire ana the rcvalemce Of choiera ia some pors
0nu Giles OF EurOpe-these have passed by our 1alr
land. And now, IN view OF these BLESSINGS and our
escape from Wars ana tumults and ianllncs and
pe-t ences, must we not ieel compelled, as ma
ton, blessed by Gods peculiar smile, to give thanks
u Him among The nations and sing praises to lis
hoy name2 Verify, II was Gods protecting hand
and watchu eye tnat secured these blessings lor
oS ar nre history seps US unto s a And on evers
OIL our American history we can trace 'he words OF
the text-"I have called thee IN righteousness ana
viii hod thy hand anu keep thee and will give thee
for o covenant OF the people for
LIGHT or THE MATT OSs."
Ninetv-hve years have elapsed since this republic
was called INTO lie by those mmora men VINO,
Ike the ancient prophets or Israel, Eiadc heroic
aud aporcd, and ioughI ana died for liberty truth
aud justice. The boc,or then Traced the growth
anu progress Of th,s nation: unparalleled as y = ~
amazing prosperity ana It's wondrols influence
before the world. And in view Of TINS national
prosperity and greatness our hearts should feel a
ihiili Of gratitude to God, VINO has thus wonderfully
blessed MS, But The Doctor would nof have his con-
gregalion look upon material greatness and power
as anything else than means 10 higher
sDd nobler end, Wisdom, strength and riches
are blessings only SO long as those VINO possess
them receive them as from God and use them lor
ms glory and the good OF humanity The Doctor
then gave instances of wisdom ruinihg Ba'aam ana
Ahlthophel OF strength destroying samson anu
Goiah, and Koran ana Haman Dcing ruined by tneir
richcs. And thus 1t 10 with liberty IL may be per-
vertcd into
TI,E MOST DErEsrABLE DEsrOT1sN;
but as long 1t IL sed tor ,lle pencnt OF mankino
n Is au lnest,mable bessilg. Nature IS Tree be-
cause 1t acts according to the law oi Goa, ana
nations are free when tnev act III Ike manneI.
AM, woe INTO the nation or tho Individual 10 whom
liberty IS not means tending toward tle develop
ment and elevation Of virtue, truth, faith anu rea-
son. 1nis idea was illustrated 10y u brel reference
TO The ousted Tammany rulers who mai deheu law
and conscience and pubic sentiment uhder VIC
greatest Professions Of liberty aud INDEPENDENCE.
lie cncuuI aged tie nation To cllnI 10 It's past history
ana leaders, to trus IN Tic Cod oi our iathcfs lId'
we may still lie light to al nations.