New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-05-26
PALESTINE AND HEBREW THOUGHT.


GRAPHICAL SOCIETY.
Prof. Felix Adler of Cornell University de-
vered an evening before the American Geo
graphical Society, 1.-THE Influence OF the Physical
Geography OF Palestine Hebrew Thought" Before the
delivery of the address the regular election OF Fellows
occurred and the following were elected:
en mSe IT. c TSF & j.
Meredith Read Charles Tanning, Titus b. Eldridge Rcn-
ard Ch e Pey e. pod e Wn E lewis
Delaied, George H. Bssel, John d. Van Buren, John d.
tine Charles Elmer, VIM Toel, Abraham Disbecler
Adoph Engler, G; L. IIoppcnstedt Herman UNI, Henry
Rant, Frederick setback, Henry Best VIM +: Helms.
WIN. Pohlman. Louis Wlndmtiller Charles A. Hc,pich,
Charles Lung, Edmund BOhn Aug Weisnan, Anton
Pfund, Adoph Poppenhusen, Carl Magnus, Hugo
Peppers, L. f. Dommelick, H. C. Won Post, H. T. Moiing
Prof. Adler began with description of the River
Ganges its surrounding country dwelling upon the
ndoent habits Of the inhabitants and the causes leading
thereto highest aim OF the Hndoo religion, he sad
is rest The supreme hope of the Hndoo, as regards
future existence is hope of unbroken rst-of sleep
from which there shall be 10 awakening Turning from
India valley of the Nile. it is that the charac
ter of the geographical life has the influence of impress
ing upon the inhabitants the stability Of worldly things
and teaches them to nrust everything TO future ages
without passing fear that they will be disturbed.
Palestine is hemmed in on every SIDE and free inter-
course with the surrounding countries impossible Its
inhabitants isolated from their fellow men, thrown
entirely upon their own resources. and thus
acquire O certain hardness OF character, an
a1istocratic pride Of race, q strong sense OF
superiority which continually challenges the hatred OF
mankind. 1t is certainly remarkable fact that even
those physical features which accustomed to re-
card as the natural highways of human intercourse have
In the this wonderful land tended rather to retard
foster the spirit of enterprise and the desire for
communications The sea elsewhere proved the great
carrier Of the Of nations, and thus bringing
them together, has often washed out their mutual
diversions and anmosities But in direct opposition to
recognized rules governing the commercial inter-
of nations the only two water approaches to Pal
estine offer opportunities for entrance The Mediter-
ranean Sea does not possess single harbor and the
river Jordan is not to be navigated.
Palestine is the or Greece, hardly
commensurate with its Importance. The whole country
so in breadth. And yet. within this small territory, what
diversity of character! Even vegetation assumes the
district its people race of mountaneers Jerusaeml Is
situated at elevation of $500 feet above the Mediter
ranean and of about 1000 feet above the basin OF the
Dead Sea- The hills Of bare limestone rock rising in
concenric circles, and everywhere displaying the
conditions of existence in Palestine are .preca-
rious and unstable In the first place the inha6tanis
but for bare n Of @ Twice in the
pected TO descend II they come in good season the els
terms filed the watercourses repenshed the dry soil
are covered with abundant verure and plenty reigns
But woe they fall even for few weeks Then vegeta
droop and men perish amid all the agoes of thirst and
the horrors of starvation. Thus by year the inhab
of this land made to feel the uncertain tenure
of their being. Death before the gate aud life
gift bestowed or withheld at the pleasure of a
mghtier will
The influence Of the domestic life Of the Hebrews
their religion only be briefly indicated here. The
family, moral institution the creation Of the He
brew people II this were their sole achievement for
mankind, IL enough to insure them the high posi-
ton in its history which the general voice has accorded
them. When the Hebrews were forced to abandon the
land of their fathers they left 1t with character fully
formed Lonely they had been, they continued this
through the erect scfposed secluded from
the intercourse Of men. The love OF the miraculous
quite died out in their midst But above all their
faults shines forth this one great virtue-the haowed
purity Of their homes