The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-04-19
F0RTY.FOURTH STREET SYNAGOGUE.

The Leprosy I'm the House and What It
Signiies-Sermon by Rev. DE. Mendes.
Yesterday DR.. De Sofa Mendes preached IN the
synagogue in Forty street on the plague OF
leprosy in the house. The portion OF the Penta-
teucn read as the Sabbath lesson had reference to
this terrible disease, and contained, as Dr. Mendes
said, series OF medical law for the treatment OF
this disease on men things. These laws incul-
cate holiness, cleanliness, purity. There Is not he
slightest support for presumlng that they origi-
mated in Egyptian or Jewish supersttions They are
described with marvellous exactitude They were
necesstated. by the character OF the lands
through which the people OF Israel jolrneyed BY
the change OF food, climate and other things they
must have been liable to attacks OF this disorder
Hence very repressive measures to rid themselves
and their homes OF it were needed. Three kinds
OF leprosy are mentioned In the Pentateuch to one
OF wnich-that which exists In the walls OF the
house-Dr. Mendcs called his congregations atten-
ton. Former generations ridiculed the idea Of
this disease Affecting any one, but modern science
shows that it is really dangerous aud that 1t arises
from low vegetation and maiarial causes. IL must
have
DAMAGED THE LIFE OF THE PEOPLE,
and hence required some attention. The Doctor
then considered this disease nguratively. He de-
scriDed the natural appearances OF the house IN
which the leprosy existed. and tnen remarked that
II we enter sncn house, though dazzed and sur.
rounded with It's splendor, we may easily perceive
that the plague Is there. 1t ID the house OF unhap-
piness and contention among It's inmates. Discon-
tent turks there and the members Of the house,
Ike and indulge in mutuar recrmnatlon.
The growing spirit OF Jealousy Is seen IN the
house turning family affection into GOODNESS
aud hate For every action an evil motive IL
sought and, being sought, Is easily found, and from
the highest to the lowest in the house the prague
spots are fonnd in each. Tney spread rapidly
until the building ias, crashing to the ground and
lies q mass OF ruins. Tnis Is the end oil the house
tat weakened by family dissensIons. 1t tott srs
ana falls, the pillars break, because the hands OF
the inmates were outstrel cned to destroy rather
than TO help each other. The house Is Iuil OF dis
become bitter shame to his family and the victim
Of the laws OF the land because he found not .
nome m MS. nus own family lie was treated as o
stranger tnere, as ne was nowhere else.
Look now at
THE HOUSE OF CONCORD.
Contentment and love are there. No one creates
Ill humor; every LOOK Is Iull Of love and every eye
Is expressive OF pleasure True concord must
for very other hearts, Comfort ana veal. One
honor and one interest must animate all. Them
should earthly business fail and waste away, there
home. should divers calamIties and troubles
break upon this house there would still be lett
faithful hearts and willing hands TO Guild 1t up
again, and to say, as JOB said, the Lord gave and
the Lord hath taken away, and blessed be the
name o. the LORD. How goodly are tiny taberna.
Ces U, Israeli IL there cure for this disease OF
leprosy IN the housef The priest Ia to look
at the house and to take out the stones In which
the disease appears, that 1t spread not. Mutual
lorbearance must take the place OF watchlul sus-
piclon. Happy Is the man who stands ever In awe
OF the Most High, who Tears God and keeps His
commandments-this 10 the wnole duty Vi man.
Addressing himself more particularly to couple
OF youths who were admitted TO read the las pub
hcly the Doctor remarked You have heard me
speak OF happy homes. was speaking of Jewish
homes. Fulfil your duty In your home and you
Will iulnl your public duties also faithfully. Ine
good brother or son VIII be the gool citizen too
lt IS your duty to cast away every stone OF STUN.
bling and rock OF offence. You are now admitted
into the nation OF priests. snow, therefore, that
you are worthy OF this honor aud privilege, ana
may the blessing Of the Most High go with you
forever.