The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-11-17
The Jews at Prague.

Apropos of Jews, about $4,000 Of them
live in this city. They inhabit a particular
portion of the city, where the streets are
crooked, narrow, angular and not as pleas
ant for odor as "Araby the best" The
shops are small and the door ways are crowd
ed with old clothes, hats, shoes, old iron, &c.
The houses in this Ghetto swarm with a
dense population. In this neighborhood iS
an old Jewish burial, ground of eight centu-
rieg. 1t is full of gray, moss covered, dilap-
dating stones, with Hebrew inscriptions
Figures Of lions, fishes, &C., my guide said,
indicated the names of the deceased. Sym
bols marking the tribes of the deceased-as
Two hands for Aaron, a pitcher for Levi, &C.
were carved on many Of the monuments
The graveyard, not now used. for sepulture,
is not kept as neat as Goods acre" deserves
to be. To-day was an annual feast, and "all
Judea' was in holiday attire, in the syna-
gogues or on the streets. l visited three
synagogues There are nineteen IN the city,
'wo Of then twice, and found them crowded.
One of them, gloomy Gothic pile, is the
oldest in Europe. The interior, small and
dark and divided into pens, is "begrimed
With dust and smoke of ages" There was
large flag, presented by Ferdinand Ill, IN
recognition of the bravery of the Jews, dur
ing the seige Of Prague by the Swedes, in
1913. q can we'll credit their courage, be-
cause some Jews, az know, made gallant
soldiers in the Confederate army The men
worship in the maiF -~-ace room Of the
synagogues. The women are showed aside
in the galleries, and the Accommodations fol-
them were quite disproportionate to those
provided for the lords of creation. B" AL
the men and boys had on their usual hats OF
white linen caps, and some wore white tunics
| and sashes more or less embroidered. In
the old synagogue, while | remained, the
service" was in Hebrew, and consisted Of
chanting or informing by the priest or leader
and very general responses BY the cougrega
ton. In newer and finer synagogue, TINS
responsive "service' was interlarded with
most excellent music from choir Cin which
were female voces) and organ. The Wor
ship was solemn and impressive. The Older
men exhibited devout reverence and prayer
fulness. l have much respect for the Jews
To them were committed the Oracles OF God
They we're the chosen people from whom th'
| Saviour came Their sublime monothelsm
amid untold prosecutions and wrongs, is al
indignant and eloquent protest against pan
theism. and idolalry in all forms. Then
| e.. 10 lay
and prophets" stops short of Him of WHOM
"Moses in the law. and the prophets dl'
write" but cannot withhold from then
much respect and admiration. Their pro
senitors .crucifed Jesus Christ; but hoy
many thousands, professedly Christians, b.
love of the world and lusts of the flesh, cru
city him afresh and put him to an opel
shame. Well that the prince of poets ha
so much merit; for his Shylock was crue
injustice to Jews. If the Romish doctrin
of supererogation applies in literature, Shak
speare has an excess Of merit to atone TO
his guilt in this particular.
Lotteries are sanctioned by law in Austria
and, believe, controlled by the government
l saw number of persons, mostly women
and poor, judging from their garb, around
lottery office, anxiously scanning the mum
bers and investing their pittances. Thi
gaming, so demoraliziDg, furnishes kind o
excitement, and, where wages are low an
the restraints of religion sit loosely, many ar
tempted to try what chance and luck may d
in lettering their condition.-Rev. DR.. =
L. NJ. Cwry's Letter an Religious Herald