The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-01
LEXINGTON AVENUE SYNAGOGUE.

Rhetorical Remembrance In Anttcipa-
ton OF the Festival OF Purim-Dis-
course by Rev. DIR. Huebseh.
The Sabbath preceding the festival Of Purim Is
In the Hebrew calendar called 'Zachor." which
means remember" DR.. Huebsch's sermon yester-
day was therefore, OF historical character and was
based on Psalm cxxix. 1-2-"Many time have
they afflicted me from my youth up may Israel
now say; many time have they afncted me from
my youth but they have not prevailed against
me,n lsraes history, the Doctor remarked, found
it's way into the writings the prayers the creed Of
the people, and has formed and still forms the
pth OF their private and public devotons. Israel
has twofoid history. That which narrates the
wars waged, the victories won and the conquestA
made by distinguished persons, the increase and
dimnution OF power and the rise and decline OF
kingdoms.
The second class shows how in the mighty
stream of events the intellect and spirit OF nan
rose from the depths OF ignorance almost to the
pinnacle of knowedge-from the darkness OF error
to the light Of truth. This is what makes the aitt
Of history. From its cradle the Hebrew nati0r
was devoted to serve spiritual purposes. Ever
before the revelation on Sinai
THE HISTORY OF THE PATRIARCHs
and the events in Egypt pointed them out as
people destined by God to exert great IL nuencs
on the mind Of mankind. The patriarchs were the
pioneers to break path through the wildernesf
of spiritual degradation, and the great drama II
the land Of Ham was the undeniable proof that an
extra-mundane power has right to NEEDLE In
human AFFAIRS and that the nations OF the worH
are under the control Of a Most High Commander
These ideas were sanctioned and solemnized on
Sinai The truths were designed for all men and
for all time, but one nation was commissioned %
propagate them. To be a messenger OF God Is
great privilege, and must be dearly bought
Tor the message Of truth challenges the dark
innicted on the valiant champion ere victory
rests upon his banners. Not until he had wrestled
ness OF the night Jacob called Israel. And his
posterity was to pass through many hard strugs
fheir suferines were so many blessings for theme
selves and for the great mass OF their brethren.
who m YET ss es
the nation for its great work, and for the rest 81
mankind they became the living exponent o. Godl
! never sumDering providence This song OF israeli
which have chosen for my text, said the eloquent
rabbi, is IKE the sublime hymn offered up daily "a
their existence proclaim God as creator; the old.
est people Of history by their vigorous iie after SO
and Ruler Of mankind. The Doctor then depicted
the situation of the Jews under Ahasuerus, whom
he identified with Xerxes, for, as ne remarked,
NOT TWO SUCH FOOLS IN HISTORY.
foolish king and malignant minister cast Inc
| lot OF a nation OF peaceable and Industrious cit
! izens whose only offence was that they belonged
to the creed of the one poor man whom the valn-
! glorious Minister hated. The Doctor portrayed
| the character OF Mordecai and Esther. and res
| marked that they met the danger with no other
weapon than prayer TO God and trust In His strong
| arm to bring deliverance to their people The
! name OF God does not once occur IN the book Of
| Esther, and yet that book Is speaking teSti-
monial OF Gods justice and mercy. Truth and piety
| will prevail over folly and wckedness, though the
| latter may be clothed III the spendor and magnin-
| cence of earthly pOmp and be protected by the
| arms OF material might. The Supreme Protector
of truth and piety sits omnipotent on His celestial
! throne, and by His strong hand and mighty
! arm are the cords Of the wicked cut asundcr.
! The Doctor then contrasted the cOndt-
! tiOn OF the Jews IN this blessed country
! where freedom and not oppression, love ana
lights that guide the souls OF men to salvation,
! with the condition in other countries where these
characteristics do not prevail. Yes! he exclaimed
| the
REMEMBRANCE OF PAST sUFFERINGS
and trials must make doubly sweet 70 us the eu-
joyment OF beloved homes and undisturDed peaco
among brethren. And our thanks to God, ne saiu,
ought to go forth from flial hearts. Admonisnlns
his congregation faithfully to ab1de Dy Hill Wmo
! has been always the watcher OF Israel ana 10 nve
according His holy Will, the Doctor Co1cst t;i
by reminding his people how tue Putin ie s h
was celebrated in other times, and po:nteu y. mvm
them DAYS OF feasting and OF 10Y, ana o. senuinx
portions to another and gus ~ ve ,o pvv,.
Emphasizing the last phrase, ne sa1I no ISseung
heart could rejoice in such Time vi PoVveIV az
this unless it has rst added It's mite 10 reneVe Tue
suffering and the needy. -, ~.., ~, t.
Tomorrow evening the fuIiH ies.IVaI VIII 10
observed by Israeiites here ana elsewhere