The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-05-07
THIRTY.FOURTE STREET SYNAGOGUE.

Superstition and InHdelity the Monstrous
Enemies of Hlnnlsind-The Pressing Duty Of
the Ministry-ScrmOn by Rev. DIR. vidaver.
A large congregation assembled In this synagogue
yesterday, In whose hearing was read the portion OF
the law contained in Levicus, chapters twenty-one
and TWENTY-FIVE. and from the eighth verse OF the
nrst named chapter DR.. vidaver subsequently dis
coursed-"Thou shalt sanctify Him, therefore, for
ne ofrereth the bread OF thy God: he shall be holy
unto thee: for |, the Lord which sancty you, am
holy" The priesthood, he said, Is an Institution
whose origin Is lost amid the hoary ages OF antiquity
Just rs In the sacrifices find the priesthood among
all nations. II was introduced into the Mosaic
economy from the >ncients but 1t differed vastly
from any other. The foundation on which the
Jewish priesthood exists is, that latter the manner
of the land OF Egypt ye shall not dor Though
Egypt was house OF bondage 1t was also
LAND OF LAW,
and God delivered the Israelltes, not only from
physical, but from spiritual bondage. and gave them
laws free from the defects OF Egypt's. The Egyp-
tians boosted o; mighty priesthood. They were
the wealthiest men in the land and owned about
onehalf the property OF the country. Their power
was absolute. They ruled over Kings. and their
cash pierced even TO the very soul Of the people The
their blind tools and were led like cat
tie TO the shambles. They were not able to ask for
light In the dark labyrinth into which they were
drawn. The priests appropriated the treasures
or knowledge to themselves. and held the keys or
wisdom and power IN their own hands. While they
stood on the highest emlDence of glory the masses
stood cringing in ignorance below, meekly bowling
10 their pretend infaliible sway.
How vastly different was the priesthood OF
Israel They were commanded not TO do as the
priests OF Egypt did. While The priests,
THE DEAD IDOLS,
themselves became OBJECTS OF worship to the masses
the priests OF Israel were to be servants IN the house
or the Most High and could not claim any other title
nfh Ia OH nUa Tho nnltn
were not to assume any prerogatives above their
fellows, for all Israel was 10 be kingdom OF priests
truth. In Israel first proclaimed the great truth
that God had created man In His own image and TO
ayman was ACCORDED every right to study and to
know the law OF the Lord and 10 do II. Israel was
commanded TO exat wisdom and she would promote
was mot 80 easy for their priests TO oarken the
minds Of the people or TO
ASSUME INFALLIBLE AUTHORITY.
The mission or the Jewish priesthood was twofod
as teachers Of the people True. every one was TO
be priest unto Cod but the people VINO attended to
their daily avoca,ons could not study His law
thorouoly, and distinct class OF priests were iEst
tuled, whose duty 1t was 10 teach the people thus
law. Illustrations OF tins were given by The Doctor
IL was the mission OF the priests, he continued. to
to in yite The people 90 come and walk in the ,ignt ~
the Lord and 1t was the privilege OF the priests to
walk In perpetual light Their lips were TO Keep
knowledge, and they were TO be angels OF God. dis
penslng mercy pht and knowledge. While tie
Egyptian priests kept all to themselves the priests
OF Israel were 10 dispense knowledge But secondly
they were 10 teach faith by active personal piey by
deeds OF love and mercy. They were 10 search, to
learn, TO know and TO do. The realms OF salvation
were TO be thrown open to all corners. Irrespective
OF
CREED OR NATIONALITY.
In Israel the priest had 10 make faith pcrceptble
10 the people. lie was TO be the physician bodily as
wen a. spiritually and TO spread healing and peace
and good Will among The people. Aud thus alone
could he teach faith. IL Is only full faith In the God
or mercy, the everlasting fountain OF love- that can
melt IN heart and make us truly human. Thus The
priest has 70 show that faith, the blessed religion
from whence springs all things That bloom IA the
garden or the Lord. And now, dear friends, said
the Doctor, you Will comprehend tile meaning OF the
Urim and the Thuminim which The priest carried on
his breastplate. The Urim was light and the Thum-
MIN faith. and he was TO teach the knowledge OF
God, the true tight, and TO lead TO faith In HIM.
This was the duty and tho privilege OF the priest.