The New York herald., 1875-11-28
SYNAGOGUE WORSHIP.

REV. HENRY 3. JACOBS ON THE DUTIES OF THE
AaED AND THE LIMITATIONS OF THEIR
KNOWLEDGE.
From the words Of Isaac as recorded In Genesis
XVII the Rev. Mr. Jacobs yesterday instructed his
congregation in the Nineteenth synagogue in
the duties and obligations or the aged Isaac remarked
in that text that he old and knew the day OF
his DEATH but he nevertheless felt that he had duty
to perform toward his and his God Too many
men and women consider old age period OF mac
tivty II not Of imbeciuty We look upon its totter
ing steps conducting only to the tomb
We see in IL only tho nickering Of ex-
prng lamp and all its chickering's are but the separa-
ton Of the worlds Joys and pleasures and pains that
It's repose is that from the tolls OF active manhood
and womanhood and that ii has nothing Of occupation
TO employ IT, But the text condemns this false idea
and offers the proposition that age has its appointed
duties as well young manhood. The Hebrew word
translated 'old age" has beautiful meaning. Who is
old9 According 10 the Jewish idea the one who has
profound wisdom and ripeness OF knowledge He is in
the Jewish idea old IL is the age which has thus gar
nered wisdom and fulhls its obligations that most
commands our respect and veneration and before
such commanded to rise up before the hoary
head and honor the face OF the old man. But age
in It's nearest Is not exempt from all
religious requirements II must have its fervor Of
tiyity and It's obligatory duties What the duties
vanced period of life II us ALL fer every one
OF US will want to live TO ripe old agean age which
shall command the respect OF all civilized lands and
people. Behold now ] am old,n words that
even the young may learn from. Abraham,
his old age, not excused from duties and obiiga
tons and scarcely had he buried his beloved Sarah
out of his sight ere
Hs SOUGHT TO PROVIDE WIFE
FOR his son Isaac one who to be congenal to his
religious and spiritual life And Isaac too sought
make similar provision for his Thus, from every
point Of view we have a lesson that we should not
igola from hntG
the fruits OF our wisdom TO those who younger than
The nearer such old age approaches 70 the
fines Of existence the more Will become beautiful and
glorious and, like the setting SUM- its declining days
viii be surrounded with halo OF glory and bessedness
Age, then, which has the ripest wisdom owes debt
70 the rising generation, which 1t should
pay by its bright example. This was Isaacs purpose
and his example Mr. Jacobs then called his hearers
attention 70 striking example OF the duties and SER
vices rendered by old age to the rising generation
in our own midst, and pointed to the venerable
Peter Cooper devotng his time and money and energy
and ripened wisdom TO the advancement or the young
in this great city We may not have the means TO do
this kind of work but we should do what we can and
we shall then have better epitaph than any tna
be inscribed on marble. But there is limit to the
wisdom Of old age u know not the day OF my death"
says the patriarch None Of US know that day; but
though we may not know this while time is still
should labor God spares And the very fact
that don't know should inspire greater efforts
The Bible does not present death to a
compel usto be good, and Judaism does not teach any
such thing
DEATH MEANS REsr AND PEAcR
II opens the portals OF bliss 10 and suggests
thoughts OF better and happier state, where the
wicked cease from troubling and the weary rest
Death gives TO the presence Of Father and
our God in the smile Of whose countenance shall
bask forevermore The text appeals to the religious
sentiments and not TO terror How shall We improve
tho opportunities given they lost forever
This limitation of human knowledge 70 the future
state has its uses. IL appeals TO 70 labor and
labor still and steady for kind summoned
into the presence OF our King and God II is well
that recognize duties which touch not merely
period OF life but all Let this instruction make s mark
hearts and consciences, and let II be guide
that may feel that the Bible brings the Lesson OF life
10 every man, woman and child And while have
the time and opportunity should realize that though
old not exempt from the duties that owe TO
God and TO mankind There Is something for TO do
In all the relations Of life, and we should aim 70 do II 10
Gods glory and the benefit OF our race