The New York herald., 1876-07-30
SYNAGOGUE WORSHIP.

THE FAST OF AB-THE FALL OF JERUSALEM
HISTORICAL DISCOURSE BY REV. DIR. MENDEs.
Last evening the fast commemorative Of the destruc
ton of Isracs iarest city and in memory OF various
other caamtics which occurred on the ninth DAY OF
the Hebrew month Alb commenced 1t will continue
to be solemnzcd by prayer and fasting until dark this
evening. Dark indeed the time when, through
the sins of our ancestors Israel lost temple ma
onalty, and sad the reflection that those who in
possession Of Heavens choicest boon should so far for
get the gratitude they owed to that good Being who
had for many centuries protected them against all
enemies from without and within. To-day the people
will assemble in their places of worship as they
bled yesterday, and, with prayers and lamenta-
tions, make mention of the downfall of He
brew independence Every nation records in
its annals seasons OF great public calamity
and suffering, times when the scourge of
anc,ion weighed heavily on the land aud day IS when
the divine justice exacted the penalty of crime and
misconduct but these unfortunate live but in
history; the generation by whom they witnessed
may preserve the memory of what 1t has undergone,
out their children, and still more their grandchildren,
have of sulcrngs which they themselves have
experienced National pride orblds to keep alive
the recollection of nations humiliation. while the ami
versares of glorious victories and other happy
are celebrated with joyous pomp while vanity de-
lights IN the splendid commemora'ion OF events which
bear testimony to q nations prowess and success
attention is paid 10 the anniversary OF Illuminating
defeat lsraelcs alone OF all the nations OF the earth
commemorate their greatest de eat and the destruction
OF their grandest monuments OF glory and oil power
sALEM's SAD PATE
Judahs mournfu captivity and unparalleled dispersion
were the results oil her own deep crime and transgrcs
sion but AZ the same time a iuhlment OF prophecy.
The former Is mourned by lsraees, who, by lasting,
show penitcnce and shame tor past ingrattude, and
pray for strength TO be kept from similar error. But
the certainty OF prophecy affords AT the time
glorious hope Just as surely as those dark days of
Tamuz and Alb ioreseen and forciod by Gods in
spiralion IN the mouths Of the prophets, SO surely
shall other great predictions come TO pass "rhe last
of the lith month shall be turned to season of JOY
and gladness If We but love the TRUTH says Zacharah;
truth the spread OF the truth among their leigh
bors, the vcneraton oi the truth among themselves
fasting shall disappear and days oil mourning be no
known.
In the orthodox synagogue Forty y-fourh the
Rev. Dr. Mendes yesterday gave some historical rem.
OF the event and drew appropriate and
practical lessons Tor hs hearers thercirom 1t would
scarcely be nttng he thought to allow the occasion 10
pass without a lew words OF rctrospcction OF the
mournul day when lsracrs transgrcsson received due
punishment The Doctor then narrated The events
connected with the captivity of the Jews for seventy
years in Assyria as prophesed by jeremiah. After
period permitted TO return Palestine
ana TO rebuild their destroyed city and temple But,
aasl for Israels backsldng crimes great the
again evckcu the Divine punishment and TITUS
carried remnant into captivity, destroying their
towns and strohgholds, and burning the holy temple
on the 9th day OF Ab exactly the day which
the nrst had been destroyed and since that period
Jews have lost Iher existence as nation. As the
prophet Amos graz lhicay describes the condition.
they knew not how To &C, uprgh,ly even II seemed
and the position Of Israel between mighty
often nled the land with hostIle armies one King OF
Syria tried to force Israel INTO idoatry aud to destroy
their religion and their nationality at the same ,imo
But history records how ANONYMOUSLY he failed and
how he defeated by the Maccaboes But prosper
Ivy led again to decay; aud when The Jews allowed
Herod foreigner, TO lord u Judahs throne, their
was eomplce. Retrlbution was mot long coming.
They we're subugated by Rome, aud Israel went from
bad 10 and thcn the revolt came and Tor i've
years the Roman power shattered by Hcprcw
bravery. The jews might have gained ,Acir ndepcnd
ence had they qusrrelled among themse Ives But
they made the WORK OF capture anu destruction easy
tor thor enemies and on the 9th of Alb the city and
temple Law ashes 1 he lesson oi this mournful
chapter IN our history said the Doctor is plain
once more the sun OF liberty and prosperity shines
upon In this lair land. Atthe mart the Exchange
III all the haunts 81 business
OCCUPIES pSvIAnLE POSITION.
But these things should not ,xalt ana pun up.
Let US respect the rights OF our Gentle neighbors
We have duties OF moderation aad OF to perform,
and We should bury all our differences and forth
one army to light the Romans al gates And let
us write banners the noble words spoken by
one OF our faith that whoever stands IN the way
OF the unity ot Israel deserves to be crushed
should not wonder u he is God grant that IN all
mourning morrow (io-dayl said the Doctor we may
hear the voice OF union and moderation, aud following
It We shall see that glad day when the Jaw shall again
Jerusalem But all this fasting and prayer Tor day
will prove avail " We DO not give bettor tone
to our feelings other days We must avoid the sin
which caused ruin fathers who abandoned their
God and served idols and tho result was He forgot
them Let US DO warned by what beiel them, and
main faithful TO our God and Hts laws.
FEAST OF ST. IGNATIUS LOYOLA.
Tomorrow, July 81. tho day Sc, apart by the
Catholic Church TO commemorate the life and deeds
and death of lenstius Loyos, the founder OF the
famous Society OF Jesus, which has been the buwarg
of the Holy See for three ccnturics the o
nattons the educator OF youth the mother and guide