New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-05-04
IeRAFI.S PAST
Dr. VpdaDer at Bnas Jsshur,n Synagogue.


DR.. Vidaver of Bnai Jeshurun, in West
Thr,y-iourth-st, in his sermon Of Saturday, called
the attention OF his congregation TO the observance Of
days and especially the 40 days beginning from the
offering Of Omar. They by their observance OF
these 40 days putting themselves in frame OF
mind that would better enable them 20 contemplate ana
appreciate Gods gracious governance in blessing their
crlps God opens hands and satisfies every living
thing By studying his benedcence we have daily proofs
OF Gods love FOR his people Beside the wisdom " the
command iu calling attention TO Gods mercies 1t has
another lofty meaning The observance OF the ~ days
prepares the jewish mind for the festival Of IsraePs
spiritual nativity the revival day OF Judaism. Israels
redemption began the month of Pashur but reached
lis acme al the conclusion Of the 40 days.
II the month Of Pishur, Israel released externally,
but in the day u Chebur she became internally free AS
one counts days hours even the minutes when ex-
pecrlng the arrival OF friend so Gods people should
count che mIuutesr divisions or the times and the seasons
of hs appolutmcnt. lie Intends them Tor race That IS
to .peuse light everywhere. Ihe lsrdeiltes are 10
count days OF their pasta past whose nSIoIy Sl
braces period Of almost 1000 years past Whch, IKE
"a mighty ODc.isk, reared ~ the hahd OF UAe GU
ureme Architect and constitutes HIS nOOiest work
Il very sfoue speaks q volume every atom rclteTates
Gods WORK rs enumerated by the prophets, a1u can,
not change" There "a time when the Jews needed
no reminder OF their nat Ona dignity aud Importance III
the days OF Abraham, Isaac ana JACOB because, 0p-
dressed bv misery hardslps agOnizng, they III
sncyty turned their attention 10 their early history.
and IL hoZluua5 Tor past mtrcy ufeW utiA5 WaeIs vi
ever strong aud uudsrDed, was the promise that pre-
served the faith Uf fathers IN God OF love ana
mercy. Their faitn, brIcCd and IuygOrated by their
past refreshed their hopes Tor glorious Iuture HOW
Is i with US happy present ab5OrD- our minds ana
makes Us comparatively fOrgettul OF incompatible
past Ia these halcyOn days OF political freedom, many
Israeltes know nothing OF their past history NY
house jacob! Thou hast fOrsaken the house or my
people; thou hast sought the house or the stranger
what shall We study relating to the pasUt Asa many
Isaetes espec ally young men Can man sever nllnsell
from the past l. he not link between the past ana
the fullref MANY Israee VINO has found II deslr-
able and pleasant TO understand Tie Languages IN Whch
the praises Mars aud Jupiter are chanted nave no
knowledge ard no desire for knowledge or the Ian
gtase ia v hich the sublime hymns ever composed
are written. 4 Jew, II he 90 sever himself from tle
part OF his people the compact made between
Israel aud There 81 another thought 70 De con-
sldered with regard Israels past We, people,
the consolation found IN the Chronicles or our
ancient spiritual greatness. There are young
men who tell me that they draw inspiration
rom present. that the past Is dead 50 far as they are
cOucerut 4. II period OF jewish history mas there
been time comparable 70 tile present regards the
prevalence OF atheism among our people. New
tangled" science Is ravdglug many a jewish nome ana
desrroying many Jewish heart Such state OF affairs
mast Jew 70 understand his calling IN history, must
believe ia Cod and his mercles; and lie DC conversan
with annals OF his race he cannot be ItAIess " MS
people hle GOD.
our text farther is OF Importance TO not only az
Israeltes Dut human beings. We are TO number our
DAYS OF lives. Time, the consumer OF all
things Is by many crimuaIly wasted Our days are
fleeing the wind. Every man, most VIII tell you
that lie short. Le is not short. One moment may
down 10 the depths OF misery elevate
II 70 the loftlest scale OF humanity mans life Is
counted by deeds, not by days He may die young
| Alexander the Great and yet have con-
quered wOrld-cOnquered II, not battle but in
| deeds Astounding IL mercy.