New-York tribune., 1874-03-09
COYSTANCY IN RELIGION.

On Saturday morning Dr. NIdaver of the
Thiryourth-st Synagogue preached from the text in
Exodus xxx &c Then Moses stood in the gate OF the
camp and SAID, Who is the Lords side let HIM
come unto me- And all the Sons OF Levi gathered them
selves together unto him."
short time prior to Mosess inquiry, "Who is on the
Lords side !" tho Jews had been made recipients Of
wonderful revelations Of divine truth they were the
identical people who only two months previously had
been gorIously redeemed from Egyptian bondage. As
if on eagles wings they had mounted from slavery TO
the OF freedom. Ii was, moreover, through their
own voton that they had accepted the distinguished
destiny of becoming kingdom Of priests among men.
Yet the great prophets question was OccasiOned be-
this prestlv people seemed TO have forgotten the
miraculous events which only yesterday had taken
place among them. The race whose God mad COM
manded "TnOu shalt not make unto tysef any craven
image" already kuet IN preference TO Egyptian idols
What unparalleled corruption What revolving derec-
tiun Such heresy after such wonderful reyea-
tons We OF the present In pOnderng upon the SUI
preme Beings to his chosen in Mosess time,
uembe over Moses chdings to MS recacltrdut bleth-
How could they have turned ASIDE from the path OF
recttuGe and forgotten the depth Of the impressions
they had recently recevedf How can We account for
such eXecrabe conduct We the descendants OF those
very jews. cannot comprehend, cannot fathom their
gult IL hau' however source, ana ihe sA DeloIe US
this morning il, the discovery OF tbat source. NV
friends, If carefully study Jewish characteristics
we hnd among them INCONSISTENCY ana Vaclliatlou IN
consistency and Inconsistency have been the cause Of
many external and internal evils among the Jews
Even today these Daneul characteristics are ghastIy
specers IN our camp. The man chosen By God TO lead
the Israclites from bondage ioscs the great son Of
Amrdm) received ls pIinceiy education III The house OF
Pharaoh. From the palace he went :Orth among the
Pariahs of Egypt. Though reared in the very lap Of
royal uXury ana splendor ne dld not shun the israeli
es but extended to them the hand OF brothery love-
aud whispered in their ears wordsoi consolation; The
sight OF Moses must indeed nave reoiced their suffering
hearts and awakened among them cheering
hopes SO, of a glorious glorious & future ,;o,- They ,ooh do
And why notl 1t is only natural when OF OPP
pressed is elevated TO powertO look upon him
the pefsoDaOn Of the brightest possibilities Tor his con-
freres. We have an illustration OF this III Persian his
Tory conspicuous instance IN the regard In which the
Jews OF Damascus hold MOnlenro. Moses presented
himself before the dOwn-iTodgen Jews as father,
jews who YESTERDAY hailed him as bcneiactor today
threaten his life What inconsistency Of principles what
Inconsistency of mind Moses in his sorIow and despair
leaves his people ana seeks desert preterng 10 be the
guide Of dumb beasts who at least trne to their in
stincts rather than tho leader Of Vacillatng race
How could " nave hoped Tor a paradise when lts
members would have been composed Of men who would
one day heap upon him demonstrations Of friendship
aud on the morrow asperso his name paradise OF
men who to-day chant the praises OF virtue, and Omor
row steep themselves IN vice A paradise OF such
men in the dreariest of deserts. Two years from
the beginning OF his settlement IN the desert
Moses afforded another opportunity OF experiencing
the Inconsistency of his people. Remembering the God
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob they sighed and prayed
for mitigation OF their suferings, and behold the
Bible says, God remembered them in His love. He sent
Moses back to Egypt, and because His messenger had
TO deal with slaves He endowed him with the power
work miracles. Because OF his supernatural ability
these Pariahs received Moses a servant OF Coda
herald OF salvation Fora time Moses and Aaron are
surrounded win all the influence winch respect and
confidence give but Pharaoh, exasperated
by the Demands OF Moses for ms people, Treated the
Israeitsh b0ndsmen more hercely, they cover their
chosen leader with vtperatiOn. Alas. that to-day,
well in the remote century IN which Moses lived
there slaves to degrading characteristics. We meet
to-day slaves Of Egypt in business marts and on the
streets OF New-YOrk Whoever is swayed by his i'm
pulses. by the passions OF his heart, wretchcd
Egyptian slave but he who has mind to control his
heart and faith TO control his mind is freeman.
Let us review this Characteristic Inconsistency OF
the Jews displayed during Moses's absence
Although only yesterday pledged 10 obey Moses com
mandments Today they dance before the molten calf
of Egypt and adore IL with the zeal with which
they wOrshipped God. When Joshua said Moses,
There is the camp" Moses replied, No; for
do not hear the voice OF frmness and determination.
hear the OF confu5OD the voice OF infuriated
mob, OF those who ready 10 proclaim In favor OF
everything and against everything. because they know
nothing, hear the voice of people who follow not
conviction but fashion who posses not reflection, but
passion" The Jews were indeed redeemed from Egypt,
hut they not spiritually redeemed. Moses an
nOuDced WhOsOever does not with every wind OF
doctrine whOsOever not huctuatiDg but constant in
principle honest In conviction let him be my follower
Moses lifewOrk TO teach consancY. He himself,
their vacillatiOn, constant in his
love to his people. Ny friends, Judaism calls unto
through Mosess words and hoses's life to be con-
sistent. Have firm CONVICTIONS Away with all fash
ionabe ideas OF religion. BE not today for God to-
morrow for Baal. At time they seek "a God In
abstraction at another, all gitening and material
Whoever wishes 70 become vOtary OF Moses, let him
possess sound principle let him be true to his
lions let him not seek this teacher that, but let
him consul. the writings OF Moses and the law of God