The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-03-24
FORTY-F0UaTH STREET SYNAGOGUE.

The Feast of Purim-The Power OF Prayer
JOY and Gladness, Instead Of Sorrow and
Death.
The ancient Feast OF Purim, which began to be
observed 0y all orthodox Israelites yesterday ana
whose observance VIII he continued to-day, was
the theme OF discourse by the Rev. MIR. Isaacs In
the synagogue In Fory-fou street. The reformed
Israetes do not pay any attention religiOusly to
this festivals but socially they keep it, the ortno-
dox do, by sending presents one 10 another and
giving portion to the poor and the needy. Mr..
Isaacs said he would not undertake to repeat the
story in which the Feast OF Purm originated, nor to
comment very extensively on It one way or another.
1t mad been commented on hundred OF years ago. IL
Is a time OF JOY and gadness Of wearing DISCUSSES
and OF general social mirth. An ancient Hebrew
writer states that the reason why people do not wear
Scrptura DISCUSSES is that nothing Is said about the
Supreme Being III the Book or Esther. Mr. Isaacs
would not talk about Humans wickedness for
though he was a bad man there was power ABOVE
him; but he would speak about the cause and the
effect Of the festival. In the times OF old when
Israel became high and exalted they forgot God aud
HIS great mercies and lelIverances to them When
Jeshuran waXed fat he kicked. King
AHASUERUS MADE GREAT FEAST,
10 which IL, 500 Jews sat down. This was large
neved that II the President OF the United States
should give feast IN this city he could md that
IN Itself was not and would not be wrong. The
trouble arose because there was division IN the
camp, and the ncn held themselves wholly aloof
from the poor. there was, however, one poor
orthodox Jew who refused 10 partase OF the feast OF
The King Anasuerus-Mordecai by name lie knew
the plans and plotttngs OF the wicked Hannah to
destroy all the people OF Israel scattered throughout
the Kingdom and he clothed himself In sacKclotn
and ashes and sat at the Kings gaze and cried day
alter day. Had he desired TO 20 into the Kings
presence Mordecai would not have robed himself In
~ fhp trat,h Ain
that was coming upon his people he took this
method OF showing them by example how great
was their danger and now Important IL was That
they should humble themselves before GOD and call
upon His name. Mordecai saw that there was only
was 10 trust III and pray to God. He aid not know
how far he could depend upon Esther's influence.
have made her careless OF the late OF her people.
CIRCUMSTANCES DO ALTER CASES.
Bat she heard That her uncle sat at the Kings
gaze clothed III sackci0th and ashes and crying, and
she sent her cnamDerlaln TO know what was the
matter, and Mordecai returned answer and babe
her 20 in unto the King and If failed to do IL
enlargement should come from another quarter,
while she and her lathers house should be desplsed
IN Israel ana they should not escape destruction In
the general slaughter. At her command the people
were gathered together TO last and pray, and they
all with one accord united IN that petition. 10 mat
ters not how lnucn the house OF Israel may be di.
vide1, IN the time OF sorrow and distress they are
one The moment the people put their trust In the
Almighty, and not In Esther nor Ahasuerus, they
were saved, and Haman tneir enemy, was de-
stfoyed. But not only Oh this occasion, but on all
OCCASIONS God saves Ills people. he VIII not
forsake HIS people whom lie naih redeemed for His
own names sake. lie saved them In Egypt and lie
saved them In Snushan, and He saved them then as
He saves them now, in answer to prayer. There has
been always a Mordeca at the Kings gate 10 pro-
tect the honor OF Israel, often through agencies
which we cannot see. There Is a Mordecai sitling
there now and pleading for Gods people. We lost
one sucn last week. said Mr.. Isaacs, a mother III
Israei-Sarah by name. she gone the world
above. The one great lesson taught us by TINS mar
rave is That we should put our trust IN God In the
hour OF danger and not forget Him IN the time OF
prosperity. The result OF Israel's prayer 10 God
was tnat they had light and Joy ana gladDess and
honor. We have not these In day. Many q
Mendelssonp Is pnng away In secret for lack OF q
helping nand TO brlng nm forward. The people are
DYING FOR LACK OF SPIRITUAL KNOWLEDGE.
They can have JOY and gladness only In God and
In Ills Word. We lmbiDe our instruction from
habit anu not from conviction. Israe was honored
by the people OF Persia because they stood up for a
principle. But now they eat ana drink ana even
pray with Others not OF our ancient ialth How can
otner people honor us, asked the preacher, when
we don't honor ourselves?
Mr.. lsaacs then gave some special ADVICE TO q
young man who nad just been admitted to the read
Ing oil the law, and made few general remarks 10
the congregation on the Importance oil apIding by
the ancient landmarks Of faith, and not running
away alter the novelties OF the present day, and
closed " hoping that TINS Festival Of Purtm would