The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-09-28
LEXINGTON AVENUE SYNAGOGUE.
The Prophet md the Panic Calling tho
People to Return to the Lord-Interest-
ing Discourse by the Rev. DIR. Huebsch.

inc FfOpnet onO the F0nIC C0I11nR tho
People to Return to the Lord-Interest-
ing Discourse by the Rev. DIR. Huebsch.
Next Tuesday evening begins one OF the greatest
and most important religious festivals in the Jew
tsh calendar, namely-the Day of Atonemcnt. The
rabbis yesterday in view OF its approach preached
more or less directly about 1t. The lesson read in
the Lexington avenue synagogue was Hosea xiv,
which calls upon Israel to return to the Lord, and
which gives this day the name Of ''Shebuhah," the
Hebrew word for "Return." The second verse
Of this chapter was made the basis for an
interesting discourse by the Rev. DR.. Huebsch.
1t reads 40 Israel, return unto the Lord
thy God, for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.n
The invitation contained in this and subsequent
verses OF the chapter, the doctor remarked, are
important to us at all times. but more especially
at this season Of the year, which Is pre-emnently
consecrated by Judaism to the holy work OF
sELF-PURIFIcATIoN AND REUNION
with our heavenly Father. The prophet exhorts
the people to consider earnestly how deeply they
were ensnared in sin, and how far astray they had
points out to them how they shall escape from the
arrangements Of their sins,sand directs them at
unto all who cali upon Him. But the
sinners return to God Is conditional He must
view his iniquity In its true and proper light
No man likes sin, but many do enjoy It's benefits
They look upon sin In much the same light that q
builder looks upon his scafrolding it helps to raise
the structure. II their work does not succeed, II
the walls of their building tumble down with
crash. OF course they are sorry, and are ready,
perhaps, TO acknowledge the laultlness OF their
building and It's appurtenances. There are many
penitent stock spectators in the market to-day.
They regret the collapse of their houses and their
fortunes; but nevertheless they prying. II not
praying, for the occasion to use the old scaffod
and TO rebuild after the old style again. II their
edfce shall stand or ii it shall lal they will equally
discard the scaOld by means OF which 1t reared
In one case it would be useless; In the other it
would be disagreement and a nuisance. 1t
IL not however, ultimately destroyed. 1t Is stored
away to be kept for future use II 1t should be re-
CURED. You can find many man. said the
doctor, who has climbed to the pinnacle of wealth
on the ladder OF iniquity. In his exalted position
he assumes the roe OF the saint for sin would mar
the pride and pleasure OF his glorious exaltaton.
But in some corner OF his heart turks the thought,
''sIN IS MY OLD, GOOD FRIEND.
owe to 1t all have" This is not the way that
leads to God "Woe unto him that buldeth his
house by iniquity," says the prophet. He does not
mean woe unto him when his house falls down,
but when 1t stands in oil Its strength and
thousands and tens OF thousands Of natterers-
woe unto him even them For sin, whether
1t be successful or not is the mephitc atmosphere
around the sinners head. sinner, said the doctor,
speaking parentheticay, whether thou standest
conscious that thou hast fallen by thine own in
iquity.
THE SECOND CONDITION
OF an acceptable repentance earnest purpose to
deserve forgiveness for the past by an untirlng
endeavor to lead pure, uncontaminated lifein the
future. Not by empty ceremonies but by life and
conduct representing In all things the sublime
spirit OF the commandments OF God, Ii His favor to
be won. Say unto God, take away our tniquity
and receive US graciously, 30 will we render unto
Thee the calves OF our lips. In contrast
to the prescribed sacrifices Of the Temple, which
the people offered, while they retained fnquity In
their hearts, the prophet bids them render unto
God the calves OF their lips, as an evidence or SYM
Dol OF the sincerity Of their hearts. They should
deserve the grace and mercy OF God by faithful
adherence TO His words. Thou hast fallen by
iniquty; try to rise by equity and virtue and God
Will mercliully forgive thy iall.
me third condition is to cut OF the root OF the
evil "Ashur shall not save US; we will not ride
upon horses, neither Will we say any more to the
work OF our hands, Ye are our gods for in thee the
1atherless nndeth mercy" 1t was their intimate
connection with Ashur and with Egypt that led
the lsraetes to desert their God. That they might
secure the good services OF these nations they
| adopted and initiated their dolatry.
| WANT OF CONFIDENCE IN GOD
produced apostacy therefore their return to the
| Lord was to be characterized by entirely breaking
| OF their perncious connections and trusting alone
| In Him In whom the fatherless nndeth mercy.
| The Doctor demonstrated that most OF our sins
are the results OF pernicious connections formed
without true faith in God, and the ultimate con
dition for mercy Is to break or all sinful alliances
| however profitable they may be. and trust only In
God, our everlasting hope Whoever, said the
Doctor In conclusion, will carefully observe these
| conditions In returning to God Will find the prom
| Use uhlled, al will heal their backsdnRs; | viii
love them freely, for mine anger Is turned away
| from them.U