The New York herald., 1876-10-01
SYNAGOGUE WORSHIP.
MOSES GREAT EPIC POEM AS INTERPRETED By
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MOSES GREAT EPIC POEM AS INTERPRETED By
REV. DIR. NENDEs.
1t Is remarkable how quickly Israetos desert thor
synagogues whom tho holidays Edhces which
for a couple OF weeks past could not hold tho multi.
tudes that fockcd to their affairs and shrines were
yesterday with scarcely corporals guard. This was
especially noticeable in Forty street synagogue
at which the slim attendance accounted for in
part by tho OF tho weather. which tho
ladies' from airing their toilets Hence galleries
almost deserted. But 1t admitted also by q
tntcman Of tho congregation that Israees visit the
synagoguos on New Years Day and Atonement
who arc not seen in those places again
until the annual return OF those days Those
who present In Forty fourth street
synagogue yesterday missed an interesting commen-
tary IN the lesson Of the day-Dcutcronoiny xxxiL
Moses great epic poem, written shortly before his
death. Dr. Mendes gave very perfect English trans
ation OF the original rendering 1t In blank verse and
dividing II into parts the subjects treated called for
anu commenting on the he went along.
Moses, said the doctor, OF his appro ach-
him. Six years OLD WAS hc but his eye not
diDmed nor his strength impaired still he felt him.
self unequal to the task of further directing and
trolling Israel They had now reached the boundaries
OF Canaan, and the wise legislator give place
the intrepid warrior God had decrecd he should
not even witness the camping OF the people in that
which has not been cquallod That hymn tho sddso
Of to-day and IL is proper to the that has just
passed TO examine II this morning Tho invocation Is
striking and Characteristic. Tho prophet con-
icssed 10 God the peoples SINS and his words fell
upon The ears OF his audience After quoting in poetic
measure the
INVOCATION or THIS PSALM
DR.. Mendcs contlnucd:-Moses feols now that his
prophetic g viii lead him TO speak OF fearful things.
He therefore assigns them TO tho rebeous OF his
plea iathess and crooked nation. After this invo-
cation Noses prophetcay describes the history hts
people, Israel Tho land OF Canaan thor rghtful
inheritance. II was given to them by God when He
divided the earth among the children Of men. Tho
n Wnra hnr fnr frAc
Moses details Gods mcrcles to his people IN the
wilderness, and describes, too, the land OF
Canaan-a land flowing with milk and honey. But in
their prosperity, tho prophet goes relate Israel
forgot God-Jcshuran waxed fat and kickod They fell
into idolatry, which Moses also describes, and pro-
voked the Almighty to anger, and he poured out his
wrath and Indignation upon them. And II ever pco-
pie had occasion 10 cry out unto God In Their
that people was Israel few quick touches tell OF
Gods Judgment The people. War is added and tho
strong mcn are ailrlghted and cut OH But Gods
sa,sSed The enemy thinks that mis- sunremacy o~ar o,
Israel Is the result Of his own superior prowess But,
continues the poet, tho hcathen are addicted to
should take such interest the people OF Is
rae. Therefore they cxclaim Our hand hath sub
dacd them our own sword hath gotten US the victory
The Almighty cries out to tho avcnging ma
tions to stay their hands, and for their glory
ing in destruction they too shall be punished
and Israel will be welcomed back to divine
favor. Tho fate OF the prosecutors OF Israel there
fore told The wnrlIkc description OF tho trouble aud
vengeance that Is 10 ovcrtako them can only be do
pc,ed in Imagination as tho prophet saw ali tho ma
lions fallen And in all the past and down even TO
our day, that prophecy has been fulfilled; and
isRAEL's LAND WILL cLEAxsED
last while Israel shall last this sketch OF its
glory and fall shall be n lasting warning against the
dclirum OF prosperity. IL is true shall not wor-
ship golden statues idols OF silver and Of or
wood; but there are other idols that many will worship
But lct be guard against orsaking the living
God aud the religion which 10 has indorsed--that Is
Judaism pure anu simple. Mako not TO yourselves
gods, for they will lead you worship the sun
the moon which give light TO tho earth, and tho
clouds which ulStil the rain. anu the winds which
drive clouds hithcr and thther We must not trust
TO reason alone. We taks that which good men OF
old have received from heaven and have transmitted
10 us. Let us hold fast to this and In 1t trust,