The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-09-22

the Sabbaths to call your attention to the
theme Of the everlasting Je,cess tn Judaism,
and in doing 30 was prompted by the mo-
BILE example of our rabbis, who have selected
portions Of the Bible for the reading or our
present holy season, where our mothers Of
Israel are by their pious actions prominently:
mentioned. '5
"One word I shall mention unto you,
without which our whole Jewish history
Weuld be q perfect riddle-a mystery lit Is
FJEwEss. Repeat it-JEwEss--for it embraces
mother, wife, daughter, friend, the dearest
and sweetest nouns in human language. Re-
peat it often--Jewess, the heroic mothers
and maidens Of Israel. Repeat it In time Of
joy or trouble, and at once your Heaven will
brighten, your horizon will expand, and
you will feel that your life has still value,
for it is link of that God-chosen people Of
that classical nation, which has preserved to
mankind the greatest, dearest, imperishable
treasure-the Bible.
| The Doctor paid an eloquent tribute to
Homanhood. and continuing, said:
Not long ago, at public examination in
church, a minister of the Gospel accused
our Judaism of W-mindedness and ha-
tired of women, because we have in our daily
prayers thanksgiving for males that they
had not been made females. Such conclu-
sion Is based or ron-acquaintance and nom
familiarity with Judaism, and is erroneous;
but it had its little effect on the many ladies
and girls then assembled. It was little
Wandering Jew starting now from
Christian pulpit"
This accusation he answered with various
apt illustrations from the Jewish history,
proving the high estimation in which his
people held their women, and he cited
"from the Bible, Talmud, and real life that
Judaism rejoices in the welfare Of our
women and daughters, and that they were
always honored for the task they have to
perform, to revive, like Serah, our hearts,
and to inspire US with love for and obedience
to God" Further he said Gin Jewish house
holds the highest tribute of respect, honor,
and love has always been paid to noble
women, who took the harp and sang songs
of hope, of trust and praise to God, and of
consolation-the eternal Serahs, who never
suffered a degradation of IsraePs high mis-
sion--and then, friend, judge if hatred Of
women is or can be Jewish sentiment"
81 can safely say could quote thousands
of sentences and maXims full Of the highest
devotion, tenderness, and respect to woman
hood, but this one may suffice: sWho loveth
his wife more than himself and honoreth her
more than himself, and educateth his children
in the right way, of him says the Bible, Eand
thou shalt know " there is peace in thy tent
Job v, 24). Says the Talmud, Such are the
opinions and sentiments of the Rabbis con-
cerning women
"But above all, our behavior in life is the
best witness for U.s."
"But, friends, what means the daily thanks
giving of the Israelite, that he was not born
q WomanS To see women helpless, depend
ing on others, living life devoted to the ia
mRy, full of self.denial and sacrifices, born
to tears and prayers. to watch over the SICK,
and to take care of the household, excites
our love, our sympathy, may say pity, and
daily eXcites such thanksgiving. But
Serah is still living-the eternal JeWess-
with her songs and consultations. Still a
pearl-to find her you have to dive into the
depths of the ocean of life; on the surface
you cannot appreciate her.
"Thou o God wilt make us kno W the path
of life; fulnesS of joy Is in thy presence !;
pleasures are at thy right hand-Eternity." !"
Friends, the great lesson Of the day Is to
appreciate noble woman among all nations
and in Israel. Believe me, Serah, the eternal
Jewess, is still living.
Repentance and its Satellites.
The text of Mr.. Mendes's lecture was " Re-
turn. 0, Israel unto the Lord thy God Tor
thou has stumbled in thine iniqultles."
The exhortation was to repentance and the
lecturer dealt with the subject with great
thoroughness and ability. To gain the ap-
proyal of God he held that it was necessary
to perform with the utmost eXactness the
several duties and commands, the solemn
occasion demands, and he said "Let US
then proceed to prepare an atonement sacrl.
flee, and, like the high priest of old. clothe
ourselves with the snow-white garments OF
sincerity and truth, piety and uprightness."
".The first duty this most important occa-
sion requires of us is Repentance" "The
ladder of repentance contains three steps,
which we must ascend ere we can hope TO
reach its highest summit. Upon the first we
NAV be able to read the magic word COMES
sion,' and here it is our work of repentance
is to commence " When we stand before
God and recount with sincerity all the evil
actions and misdeeds in which we have In
dulged, we will be led to think of the mo-
tiyes which induced us to offend in such
manner, and these will be the means OF pre-
venting q repetition of the same sins. Con-
fessiou. then, can suggest to Us that we
should profit by that most noble lesson, Ex-
periepce'- experience, whose doctrines
cannot be disregarded without pain and trou.
bic; whose past cannot be recalled TO mino
without deep and heavy sigh." during
the past year have we not drunk deeply from
the intoxicating cup of sin and Wickedness;
and who is there that can ackno Wledge WIN
truth that the "reminiscences OF these are
pleasant aud agreeablef 0, there is not,
cannot be one.
.sThe heart must reecho with the utmost
sincerity every word and sentence uttered
by its sister organ, for our Confession is 10
be offered up to one who searches the heart
and investigates the sins in orderto give man
according to the fruit of his doiDgs. Then,
brethren, be diligent and hasten TO the step
of confession, for the day is short and feet-
ing, which, if we are not careful, Will soon
leave us behind, with our task unfinished
and our sins unacknowledged."
The second step of repentance, Mr.
Mendes said, was 'coutrition, and It was dls-
cussed very fully by him. The Ialmud,
says sins between man ana MS nelghDor
the Day of Atonement will not atone unless
he have satisfied his neighbors.' Ihen, my
brethren, let us not close our ears to this
,,sefnl vet severe admonition. O.! let us not
cast from beneath us this the stepping stone
TO sincere repentance, but rather let US lake
fast hold of it and reap the many benefits 1t
offers" -
The third and last step in the lad der OF
Repentapce was held to be conversion, /" and
IFS head reacheth towards heaven" The
sneaker said: ssLet US use our best en-
deayors to clothe ourselves with the armor
of Conversion. Let US know no rest until
we shall have found those ways Wnicn are
ways of pleasantness and those paths Wbicn
are peace.'" "Hearken, then, to Coos
summons to Repentance. Take unto your