The New York herald., 1873-11-02
FORTY.FOURTH STREET SYNAGOGUE.

Abraham the Model OF Modern Israeli
ites-New York jews Neglect OF Their
southern Brethren-Sermon by Rev. 5.
Nj. Isaacs.
The Rev. Mr.. Isaacs yesterday preached on the
characteristics of Abrahams call and his prompt
answer thereto, and contrasted the Old patriarch's
career with that OF his descendants in America at
the present day. He remarked that though sew
eral centuries have passed away since the Deca-
logue given to Israel still the world knows not
what Judaism is. The Evangelical Alliance, which
recently met here had one set OF opinions concern
Ing 1t and the Free Religion Association had another
set which they presented as the faith OF Judaism.
1t might be profitable, therefore, in the midst Of
these conflicting opinions, to go back to first prln
clpes and review the call and the subsequent ca
reer Of Abraham, the father OF the faithful
and the friend Of the Almighty. 1t was to
him that Isaiah referred when he wrote that God
called the righteous man from the East, &c. And
the exalted opinion that the Lord had OF his faith
ful servant may be inferred from the statement
81 know Abraham that he will command his chill
dren and his household after him that they may
walk in my statutes and do them" We love to
think OF Abraham. He was q Jew and though
raised in the cradle OF idolatry and poytheism he
became the father OF the faithful and the minister
Of the one living and true God, and the means OF
propagatiug the knowledge OF the one God who
created all things that are in heaven and in earth.
He also showed the Jolly OF worshpping any other
God.
CALLED OUT OF IDoLArRY,
he started on mis- mission, everywhere procaiming
the name OF the Lord, the Creator OF heaven
and earth, and everywhere building affairs TO His
name. In such times as these. when our doctrines
and laws are erased IRON the tablets OF stone 1t be-
comes have them engraven on the tablets OF our
hearts. Look at Abraham, the first missionary.
As soon as he heard the call he obeyed and went
out, not knowing whittier he went. He became
fhn nf frn nf fhn
Almighty and thus gradually ascended TO the
height OF inspiration, by which he was led INTO
told HIM should be given to him and his posterty
for possession We have In him model Tor our
emulation and imitation. Some OF us, too. like
strange land where the Lord has greatly blessed
us and given us possessions OF houses and lands,
and we have been name and place among the
people OF the land. But alas how many OF us are
recreant to our duty and our trusts. We fail to
educate our children In the fear OF the Lord our
temples are dcspiscd, and our services neglected,
and
OUR sABBATHs DESIGNATED,
while men think tnat Unitaranlsm embraces the
whole of our religion and all other commands ofGod
are passed over or ignored. Abraham built his
affairs OF stone,. and there and then called
trials, but he triumphed over them all. The law
proclaimed from Sinai bade the people not serve
or otnsr sods p1s & WE % atn 70 nv, MOT
gold and silver and stocks and bonds. We have
heard the voice OF God calling to us, but wcehave
IL lately from our coreligionists In the South who
have been afflicted with the scourge and the pes
tienceY Shall we turn deaf ear to their cries or
to these voices OF God? Let US take Abraham for
our model There was famine In the land In hs
time, but did he despair No; he trusted in God,
and then tried to save his fellow men, Let US, said
Mr.. Isaacs,
LISTEN TO THE DIVINE VOICE
when 1t is well with US when IL Is vi with us; in
prosperity as well as In adversely. LOOK at the
idolatrous age in which Abraham lived, and yet,
whenever he called, ~ was upon the nemc OF the
Lord Mr. lsaacs prayed that his people might all
SO love God as Abraham loved Him.
He then addressed a lew words OF counsel TO a
youth VINO had Just been admitted TO read the
Torah. The lad Is member OF the choir, ana
through him Mr. lsaacs took occasion also TO re.
prove the lightness and rlvolity that Is practised
by the choir boys between the singing OF their
parts OF the services Indeed, there Is very little
evidence OF common respect Tor religion, not to
say want OF pIety In the choirs OF more than this
synagogue and during the sermons they some
times run on the streets and amuse themselves,
returning In time for the next song. II any thing
could appeal more strongly than another Tor
change In the choral music OF TINS and other ortho
dox synagogues such conduct as Mr.. lsaacs refer
red W yesterday ought To dQ1t.