The New York herald., 1871-02-19

religious zeal was waterproof against the moisten-
ing influence OF the weather.
The exercises OF this reformed Jewish temple bear
great resemblance to those OF the most advanced
Unitarian sect, and the choir ia one or the best In
the city. After series OF prayers and singing Of
hymns the Rev. Dr. Gutheim dscoursed on the text
Exodus, xxxi, 3O-3a. He SAID The words Of the
text present the character OF Moses In all Its gran.
deur and teach us
THE CARDINAL DOCTRINE
OF our Religions doctrine by which Judaism stands
conspcuously distinguished amidst the prevailing
creed OF the civilized world.
Great, indeed, was Israel's SIN, as related in the
passage before US. For although they had recog-
nized the utter vanity OF the pagan deties in Egypt
and had witnessed by the most striking manifesta-
tions the supreme and omnipotent rule OF the God
OF their fathers. although a few short weeks had
proclamation from Horeb, yet, prompted by, an
Impulse lncomprehenslble TO u.s. they compelled
Aaron to make an idol that they might offer to 1t
divine henors after the manner and custom Of the
Egyptians. But however great the offence greater
still is the mercy Of God with which he pardons the
repentant sinner. The pardonlng mercy OF God so
signaly displayed to Israel in this instance must be
ENCOURAGING TO THE SINNER
by holding out to him the possibility OF regaining
the favor ol his Maker. But we must beware OF
seeking to attain this end BY false means. Every
Is individually held responsible for his acts. III
like manner has ne the power TO restore the DIS
turbed relations between himself and his Maker by
his own individual exertions. The Bible sanctions
no vlcarOus at0ncment,
NO ExPIATIoN OF SIN BY PROXY.
1t Is distinguishing feature OF Judaism and well
deserving our attention. With deep anxiety we
follow Abraham to Mount Moriah, where he is
ready to testify his unlimited devotion to God by
sacrificing his only son. But how does God receive
the magnanimous offer OF his chosen servanty
. s.Whosoever hath sinned against me- him VIII
blot out OF my bOoks.n This sentence Is Of the
highest importance. II involves q doctrine which
TO this very day s the
suIBgoLETH or THE JEWISH RELIGION
Judaism teaches that the Lord our God does not
require the life Of the sinner that His wrath might
be appeased. Much less Goes He inlict punishment
the innocent Instead Of the guilty No other per-
son can be accepted as substitute, and were 1t
THE BIBLE Rejects THE vlCARIoUs AToNEMENT
offered by Moses. And as no man can be wise or
yrtuous by proxy 1t Is reasonable to assume that no
man can eXpiate his sins by proxy. The Bible In
ssts on a return to God as condition OF regainlng
God's favor. The idea OF u vicarious atonement as
being necessary to the salvation OF MANKIND or OIL
single individual Is i'll direct opposition TO the letter
and the spirit OF the Bible We hold tnat every man
Is justified by his own acts and may rely on
the mercy Of the Heavenly Father. Five thousand
years this has been our drm BELIEF and neither
cruel persecution nor bland allurements could ever
shake this conviction. And as long as
THE BIBLE WILL BE OUR GUIDE OF FAITH
we cannot but look up to the God OF heaven and
Earth as our sole and everlasting Saviour, of Him
alone ask forgiveness OF our sins TO Him alone turn
III our gries, 10 Hlm alone offer thanks In our joys