The New York herald., 1872-12-08
IHIRTY-FOURTH STREET SYNAGOGUE.

The Heroes OF the Bible Only Human
After All-Their Virtues, Not Their
Vices Should BE Imitated-Df. vidaver's
Tribute TO Horace Greeiey's Worth.
Rev. DR.. Vidaver preached yesterday from
text contained in a portion OF scripture read by
the overwhelmingly, Genesis Xxx. 10, And
Laban went TO shear his sheep and Rachel went
and st0e the images OF her fathern Speaking in
parables the Doctor said that when the astronomer
discovered black spots upon the SUMS surface he
expressed his surprise that even that luminary
was not spotless and pure. But the sun rephed
that without It's light the astronomer could not
Aave discovered those spots He was ready 10
censure the faults, but not TO approve Inc
virtues. There is tendency. said Dr. Vidaver TO
look for black spots on our neighbors character,
TO be ready TO Judge others and be glad to see them
faiL This il an evil in society, and it is as destruc-
tive IN its results as fire and tempest are to our
homes and property. VINO can compute the vast
number who daily fan victims TO this evil For
while the robber will take away that which sup
pOrts life, the slanderer viii deprive us OF
THE LIFE OF OUR LIVES,
shat which is dearer to us than h1e Itself, our
honor and our good name. The serpent IS not
here you may escape his venomous bite. But the
traducer is here. He bites at Rome and kills at
Jerusalem. What motive can be given for those
who thus destroy beings who do not touch them
What motive shall we assign for the sneers OF those
VINO SCOT at the heroes of the Bible What use is
u 10 scon at those words indelibV written mere in
tins book by the hand o. God Himself?
Jacob is presented here as perfect man, but the
ScOifer sees in him man VINO robbed his brother
OF his birthright and his blessing, and who now
steals away from his father-in-law Laban. Rachel,
400, IL presented here as woman OF true piety.
but the scofer sees in her one who stole her
father's teraphlm. He tthe DOetor did not want
TO stand up as the champion OF Jacobs Raches
OF the sins OF other heroes OF the Eibe. This book
never hides nor palliates the crimes OF men. God
gave not His law to angels, but to men- imperfect,
Mniu men. Thus God sets before for our
ample men like ourselves. The patriarchs and
prophets are placed before us as pillars OF wisdom
TO guide as III the way OF lie. But Judaism has
never adored these men as mediators or as demi-
gods, but looks upon them simply as men, like our
selves. They lett the battle field OF life heroes and
victors, while many OF us have been conquered in
the strife. And from them we have TO learn
LESSONS OF FAITH AND TRUE HUMANITY.
Hence the sacred writer says plainly III our text
that Rachel stole her fathers images. The Bible
calls things by their right names We 100 often
polish and gloss over crimes and make them APP
pear respectable when they are vile But no, so
Sarah's character, she was still woman. Jacob
on his dying bed, with all his sons gathered about
nation. He did not In that solemn hour praise
them or extenuate their faults, but plainly de-
clared them. The heroes OF the Bible are true as
The Bible itself. The Doctor then referred to men
who look INTO the Bible for the sole purpose OF find
ing black spots on the character Of the heroes.
They see in David, the man after Gods own heart,
u sinner OF the deepest dye. He killed Uriah and
eeduced his wife. And the Bible tells us that
David snned thus else how should we know it.
David was a man OF flesh and blood, as we are, but
the scofer opens the Bible to find his sins, but
MS repentance or the evidences Of his virtues.
But even from the sins OF David can learn
many lessons OF good to ourselves. The real ma
ture OF the royal psalmist is manifested IN his deep
penltence when the prophet OF God came to him
and 1earlessly proclaimed, 'ThOu art the man,
David confessed his sn and fell on his knees TO
ask pardon OF the God whom he had offended. No
other book save the Bible tells the truth the whole
truth and nothing but the truth Its character
ietiC IS to state facts they are, and long the
soul OF man resides in his body he is iallble but
when he dies Judaism calls him holy. II has moth
ing but good to say OF him. Referring to the
DEATH OF HORACE GREELEY
Dr. Vidaver said they had seen a few days ago.
whole nation robed in grief and mourning Tor
the loss OF one Of our greatest citizens But a
short time before the opposition press OF the
try had found many black spots in the brilliant
Of his mortal career; but all this was hushed at the
grave, and only his brilliant example and sterling
character were held up Tor our admiration and imi-
tatiOn The death OF Horace Greeley is a marked
Illustration OF the truth of the proverb that "a
good man is better than ointment, and the day OF
onc's death better than the day OF his brth.' Such
Q name had Horace Greeley-a name which will
never be forgotten while this nation lives. Let us
see III those heroes OF humanity only sons of God.
He 1; is who fOrgveth our sins because He knoweth
our frame and remembereth that we are but dust.
A. He deals with us so let us deal one with an
other.