The New York herald., 1873-12-21

ttochus tber nigbt tnto tne wilderness their sus-
sequent light for freedom and the success OF their
pledge thencef0rth to keep festival OF commem-
Grafton OF these events Tor eight days evesy year.
These are records OF the past Iae s;, hero,sm Of
these WORTHLESS OF 1000 years ago NIL our hearts
with national and religious PRIDE ana cause US to
grd ourselves for the battle. Therefore it - that
we remember the days or Old aud call 20 nind th0
years OF former generations. 'Tis true That
Israel does not go into battle for a. narrow
strip or land, out rather for knowledge and the
freedom and enlightenment OF the intellect. The
war OF the Maccabees was holy war Tor God ana
religion against oppression And vet though bat
ties have been waged and won, and though
these heroes nave lain in their graves, are their
victories won Is Antochus deads fear s0t.
Let US see to-day how the modern ADtiochu5 OPP
presses US. DR.. Mende5 then read from Zecharirh,
lii, !. 4, IN which Joshua. the high priest. Is made
70 appear before the Lord clothed IN vile rament
while satan and the angel dispute about hun. DO
you know, he remarked, continuing that this high
the power TO fulfil his mission Israel is this high
priest. lie stands before mankind as the legate
oi the skies by whom the law utters It's tnnnders
10 the world. lt binds up the broken hearts aud
railes TO glorious war the sacramental host OF
Gods elect Bnt the Antiochus OF indifference
stands at Israe's right hand to turn him away
rom ms great work. What the iires and persecu-
lions oI Greece and Rome and the more modern
oppressors OF our could not 40 TINS Antiochus
away, but
ISRAEL STILL LIVES
because we trust in the Lord. Ii is not by might
nor by violence, but by my SPIRIT saith the Lord or
Hosts, that TINS work can be accomplished. But
vile raiment which must be exchanged for the hoiy
garments OF education. We loster the growth OF
our children's mind with the histories of Greece
and Rome-the warrior nanons Of old--but the
history of our own people is neglected. we teach
them Languages, but are they familiar with the
tongue OF their lorelathers the language in which
Isaiah aud David wrote and the language from
poets OF the world nave drawn their Inspiration
But we seem TO care not so long as our children
are like the children OF the strangers among whom
we live. Antiochus OF old destroyed the CANDLE
sticks OF the temple, but modern indifference does
more than that 1t would have the whole fabric
consumed 1t would make shipwreck OF the faith
and priesthood of Israel. But priest is still at
MS post. His garments are, however, covered With
blood and scorcned with naIne. Is ne not brand
plucked rom the burningg And yet modern Jews
are content to appear in these garments. They
are all too ready TO hear and TO
DO WHAT THE STRANGER BIDS,
ana 10 transplant his creed into our own and to
accept innovations that are discountenanced by!his
Israel should not do after the manner OF the ma
tons among whom they dwell and continued
the idlscarded sanctuary, and are clothed IN un-
seemy garments, should go up and purify the
temple, and take of their strange ralment aud
clothe themselves in the prlestly garments OF
purity OF life. Then shall they have more respect
from those whom they seek to initiate than they
now have Away with this indifference to the his
tory OF Israel! Has the name OF israelite become
shame th 70 you Iurn your eyes inward and recog
OF majesty. You have leaders, heroes, poets
statesmen the equals. If not the superiors. Of any
as You viii have naught to fear rom competiton
but, wherever you are, remember you are Israel
ties. And not unto us, but unto. Gods great name
be all the glory. To us was given the law and the
legislation. We must extend the hand OF friend
ship to the stranger, for we were once strangers.
ISRAEL IS A MISSIONARY
to the nations and must show them all that Is good
in men, and lead them to higher thoughts and
direct their minds to God. This Is your mission:
do It,. But don't think you can DO this in sort OF
hybrid fashion. And see that all your temple IN
struments are kept in good order. Teach your
children the language OF religion and OF prayer.
Teach them how, when the world was sunk In
ignorance, the Jews had literature. grand
future awaits US IN this great Republic as well as In
all the world. 1t not for naught that Israel has
been kept alive tor ages. Our course is not run.
nor is our work done until the world shall believe
in the one living and true God who deals out HIS
gifts and graces TO all His creatures without re-
gard to rank, station, color or creed.
DR.. Mendes Is TO preach in the same synagogue
next saturday, and IL s likely that his services
may be secured permanently by this congree alton.
The weight OF threescore years and 10, and OF 40
years OF pastoral labor in this city, together with
literary and other abors of Rev. Mr. lsaacs calls or
his retirement from active duty, and the discharge
OF the same Dy younger and more active man.
Should the congregation secure the services OF
Dr. Mendes they would probably find in him man
after their own heart, and who would hold this
synagogue in the foremost rank among Its coreL
glonlsts in New York.