The New York herald., 1875-12-26

the sword and did IL 70 its scaboord unti
they had conquered their enemies and israel eoua
again worship the living God as their fatners before
them The lives Of the Maccabees afford the best evi
dence Of what people accomplish when Ihey
carry God In their hearts and are determined 70 serve
HIM faithi fully and gealously-
cnANURAH And CHRISTMAS
Notwithstanding the annual recurrence OF Chanukah
and the periodical remembrance Of IN the synagogues
or the land by and songs and prayers and "a
Jewish homes BY lighted candles, indicative o. the
cleansing of the Temple and the discovery Of hallowed
oil from which the sacred hgats renewed II has
Of late years, n America especially fallen into desue
tude Not wax candle ls seen IN many jewish homes
remind the occupants OF the deeds OF their progen
tors previous to the Christian But II the Chanu-
kah tapers do no longer illuminate the windows OF the
Jews there is no good reason why the Chanukah tree
should not illuminate the paTlor and bring with itJo
pleasure and The spirit Of good will toward all men
Yesterday the several Jewish rabbs IN this city dis
eourscd 70 average congregations on the great event
which they were called TO commemorate. In the Tenn
pile Emanuel Dr. Gottheil made Abraham's battle with
the kings Gen XIV and his Of Lot especially
the patrarch's refusal accept any present from the
King Of Sodom the basis Of his remarks. The Doctor
discussed the various excuses that men some.
times make 70 avoid Sometimes
is question or moro or less wealth.
But this not the with the Maccabec His
religion vilined and his townspeope we're thrown
into PRISON for refusing 20 accept pagansm He there
fore put his armor drew his sword and divided his
soldiers into three bands and rested until he had
put his enemies and tho enemies OF his religion 70
fight Those who constantly crying peace
peace, are a cancer to the society to which they be-
long Where truth saffers violence and haughtiness
lords IL the humble and the innocent there ls
field OF battle where duty the and the peo
pie take their places in the ranks Those who refuse
TO fight lest kings should be scratched craven II
man takes away my property, &C. IL is only my inter
est that suffers, and lay down ana sleep; but
wherever my country and my religion are AZ stake,
there will
JOIN THE RANKS OF WARRIORS
said the Doctor. Toe preacher then referred to the
selhshness which characterized successful gene
rails, but which not seen IN Abraham nor in the
Maccabees The liberated King OF Sodom offered Abra
ham all the booty but he declined il and would not
cept shoe latche lest il should be said that he
the general results OF giving and receiving presents
under such circumstances The seeds Of dscord
very often sown thereby. Abraham, therefore acted
wisely In refusing any present from the King or
sodom Some persons may think he was very foolish
for letting any such opportunity slip for receiving
presents from the richest man IN the country Fore
sight and forethought are by no means very common
Let then strength be reserved for the noble cause
such as that which we lsraeites are called
TO commemorate to-day When the moment
had the trembling hand Of age seized the
sword and overthrow the foreign tyrant and his
heathenish abomination. or all the religious commem-
orations known this Chanukah Is the only in which
patriotism appears pre-emnenL In all other instances
the power and interposton OF God throws man into
the shade This is pre-eminently feast of human
patriotism The spirit In which this festival should be
observed is the spirit OF the Maccabeea II Is the true
spirit of peace that makes take up the sword when
necessary. We need not sacrifice charity, love, for
bearance The strongest are the most forbearng.
II s only the that have these graces The
religion that teaches cowardice is not 1T for Re-
lgion should teach ts worth and give such con-
victon of its living reality and such fOrtitude that
shall be the friends OF every good The office Of
religion rs not merely TO make that which is
their own but that also which Is Gods that they
do all In their 70 make His law their rule OF
life and thus TO triumph every opposition and
send their down TO posterty as savours OF their