The New York herald., 1871-11-26
THIRTY-FOURTH SYNAGOGUE.

The Power OF tho Spirit Over M0terialism-
What Has Kept Judaism Alive for 4,0OO
Years-Sermon by Rev. Dr. vidavcr.
Yesterday large congregation assembled In rhis
synagogue, to whom DR.. yidaver expounded the
story OF Jacob hight from his brother Esau and
his dream OF the ladder On which the angels
assembled and descended and above which the Lord
stood. The story Is found In Genesis Xxx vtL
LA to which the Doctor called the special atten
ton OF his people. In opening he referred to a
sermon preached before the French Senate
years ago, by the Able Lacordaire, on the
history and vitality OF Judaism. that accomplished
scholar and divine pointed TO the Jews as the
greatest social and religious nation OF antiquity.
and called upon France, which mad changed her
government and her religion fifty times in many
years TO take a lesson from Judaism and seek
thereby national stability. Without q country a
home Israel lives and maintains its separate exist
ence and nationality, through the indestructble
power Of an idea. The Jews are the only people
who can show a history Of 1000 years and yet
manifest no signs OF decay. Bury Israel down as
deep as you can, said the Doctor and build your
massive walls around her and set your guards
around about her, and even then she will arse and
SPIRIT LIFE CANNOT BE BOUNDED,
or bound down by materallsm. And IL Is this very
supremacy OF spirit over matter which keeps Israel
alive and compacted. Not after Abraham or Isaac,
6u aer aTe we Gaed ae aso the
whom mis- motners pi0us teachings were more
precious than riches. His onlv ambition was to see
his stream OF life glide smoothly and evenly along
10 the end. But here he Is an exile ana stranger,
sore-footed and weary. Alone and destitute he
upon certain place where he tarrled all night
the sun had set and the dim shades OF
heavens smiled above him, and the zephyrs blew
gently around him ere he gathered the stones OF
to sleep. As nc slept, no doubt the past Of his lie
came in review before his mind. HIS mothers love,
ms aa nus sgs, wam ana ms
fore him. And The outlook from this point was not
encouraging. lie had not imbrued his hands In q
brothers. blood. He had simply been more shrewd
than his brother and made the most OF his circum-
stances. But as he slept ne dreamed, land behold
reacned to heaven; and behold the angels Of God
ascending and descending on It, And behold
He walked up from the vision newer and better
man. fresh lustre possessed his soul, and sor-
row and sadness @ Ned , away Y. lie might De do down IN
standing above IT. 1t 10 hard for some men 70 reach
that apex OF iaitn, where tney can see the Lord
event OF life into blessings, aud every temptation
into assurances Of love and regard But angels
them the we too shah reach that eminence IRON rom
ana aease a Iss oar nope ae
destiny, aud light aud peace our reward. surely
knew II not HOW dreadful Is this place This is
none other than the house OF God. and this Is the
God God 4 Is here Away then, with all regrets and
lamentations, since He, my father's God. my Re-
deemcr, lives aud can see Him and tax with Him.
Wnile lie stands above the ladder and look up to
Him there all spiritual blessings shall be mine.
While do my DUTY TO God. to my fellow men and
10 myself though storms rage without there shall be
peace within.n Like our father Jacob the people
or Israel have become
NATION OF WEARY FOOT
and wandering breast but like Him, too, our faitn
has that glorious ladder whose top reaches TO
N
labor. but rather 10 attain the richest blessings Of
the mind. And wherever they went tney exclaimed.
"Behold here IL God. We are not fugtttves Dor
exlles since our God Is with us.n And tnat con-
seriousness Infused new life and vitality into tnem
especially since the destruction OF the second
temple. Their wanderings are unparalleled, and
they have been pariahs OF society, and exposed TO
wind OF persecution. And what has been their
extracted money by usury from them, yet Jacob
was y poor wanderer, while Esau was rich man.
Durng The Middle Ages the Jews accused OF extort-
ing money In this way, while receiving no protec
tion from either Kings, emperors or princes, were
yacked and tortured 70 obtain possession or this
wealth. The King OF England extracted the teeth OF
the Jews that he might force money from them.
Tney were oppressed for being poor, and prosecuted
Tor being rich. In the OF the Maccabees there
was no name SO noble and honored as that or Jew,
and Gentiles were glad TO call themselves by that
na1Ia Su, ne soInlinn tes IN ine tact ,hat
they are the ladder upon which the race Is ascend.
ing 70 get gilmpse OF the LORD who stands above
Jewish literature yielded lis choicest fruits, aud with
NO MOVEMENT OF CIVILIZATION
has taken place IN the world. They are At work In
spain, In Germany, IN Russia IN England, every
where, and the Jewish mind Is ever active because
the spirit Of truth dwells In their hearts and raises
them above the grossness oil materalism and all the
Ills OF lie. Down TO this hour the Jew has worked
aud lived Tor the benefit OF mankind, and mis- position
has now come 70 be recognized by Genliles. And at
our New Years festival we read In
THE LEADING JOURNAL OF THIS CITY
sentiments written by non-l -lsraete worthy OF the