The New York herald., 1876-09-24
SYNAGOGUE WORSHIP.

THE JEWISH HOLIDAY sEAsoN--PREPARATIoN
For THE DAY OF NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
By REV. H. 8. JACOBS.
The Jewish holiday season being still In progress tho
synagogues are well filled at every service This
the with the synagogue Thirty fourth street
yesterday. The Rcv. II. S. Jacobs preached sermon
appropriate to the season. dwelling In his preparatory
remarks especially upon the time intervening between
the New Year Day and the Day of Atonement, which
occurs this week. These intervening days solemn
ones and are intended ms preparation for the Fast OF
Atonement, when tho people are to make their peace
with God and practically and personally apply the
words OF the text Proverbs xviii 12-sHc that cover
eth his sins shall not prosper; but whose confess
eth and forsaketh them shall have mercy" Ono OF
the greatest ollies of mankind Mr. Jacobs remarked
is self deception. We impose ourselves much moro
than others. We disguise from ourselves the cx-
tent OF our dercctions of duty, and oiton con.
cevc that vcnal and not worthy OF punish.
ment Aud thus We seemingly apologize and excuse
ourselves for the commission of deeds at which our
better judgment revolts. But let others commit tho
same acts and we very readily condemn the cvdoer
and cast him from us THIS sefdeceit is a mistake
nay, it is worse, II is crime. But warned In
the text not to cover up our SINS Int TO confess the
We do not ana cannot prosper IN wrong doing For a
time all may seem to 60 wcl and pleasantly but the
season ot darkness comes and the days draw nigh
when conscience calls out IN loudcst tones watch
man, what OF the nightr' and disaster and dismay
follow and find us un2rcpared to meet eitho We then
realize cannot do now, the truth OF the warning
contained in the text But let no man laugh
to the wise warning, place too
great confidence in his security and i'm
munity from peril, If he only OF all SAFE
But how often are VIC deceived by the calm which
is merely the prelude to the storm that bursts upon
our uncovered heads. We try 10 hide our sins from
very thoughts, and In doing so lay ourselves bare
to the hurricane OF wrath and judgment that IS to
follow. But the second part OF the text places within
our reach
HAVEN OF SAFETY
Whose confessoth and forsakcth his sins shall have
mercy BY confession the overburdened heart Is re-
leved and the first step IS taken toward amendment OF
life. This was fully understood and enforced by the
ancient rabbns aud 1t is hardly necessary to say
that this confession must be made TO God Tho Bible
and Jewish teaching discountenancs confession TO
men, because the Supreme alone has the power OF
mnting SINS Yet this verbal confession, however
quircd by Jewish docrina instruction. becomes often
times another means OF seli-decepton How many are
very prolific in tho Acknowledgements OF their sinful.
In the set formulas Of the liturgy They beat
their breasts with seeming conriiion, and are
loud in their yoceration OF Dcnitcnce aud confession
but are no better morrow when 1t comes than they
to-day or were yesterday. This 10 because they
give so little heed to the warning OF tho text Mr..
Jacobs then gave extracts from the rabbInical writer's
in expication Of the text, and remarked that the for
sakng OF our evil ways, and not the mere formal
urgical acknow ledgment OF our sins, IS what 10
Quired of Let this be the lesson for Us, said the
preacher In this time honored and solemn season.
let keep it well in mindts duties its warnings ts
responsbilities-that we DO not observe these days
theoretically but practically, assigning to each its
proper part and duties. And especially Nr. Jacobs
urged his congregation not to make their crminaity
greater by pretending to confess and yet continue in
their sins. The offers comfort and
the sinner and while IL dcnounccs his sins it points
out the means for his escape. 1t bids him not To
discouraged by any contemplation Of the enormty of
his misdeeds. He must not say have snned too
deeply the road to repentance is too diicult have
offended the Lord too grovously to hope Tor mercy
What!
SHALL VIZ MEASURE GOD's LOVE
by tho pummct Of human judgment? Dare any OF US
question how far His compassions extend, or limit
Him who has proclaimed himself the Lord God merci-
u aod gracious, forgivng inquity transgression aud
sin? . Hive sounded tho depths OF His grace? or
have wide knowledge OF His torbcarnnce and
when II ceases to DO ablo to contradict Him and
TO limit His power? No. And let US not think act
foolishly. In denying His mercy we should be de-
nying God. He Is love, and VIC must not bring Him
down from His exalted throne to the level OF human
passop which should do II rejected the idea OF
His all-embracng compassion, forgiveness and good
Let us, tnen said the speaker listen to the call
Of this OF preparation and penence, and mako
II and its blessings ours Delay not but be instructed
and warned OF the consequences OF impentcncc and
perversity.