The New York herald., 1877-11-04
NINETEENTH STREET SYNAGOGUE.

MENDES FIRST SERMON IN HIS NEW FIELD.
Rev. Henry p. Mendos the newly chosen rabbi OF
tho above congregation aud tho iatc Row.
J. J. Lyons, preached yesterday on tho text ..Say
Lttlo aud Do'Mucn," from tho etnlcs Of the Jewish
Fathers, chapter l. Turning to the Scripture OF
tho day. he compared tho opening episode Of
last weeks lesson. Abraham, he sald, wishes to
buy burial place In which to place
Sarah, just dead, and for this end addresses
the children OF Heth TO obtain from thom Macpelah.
Describing himself as stranger and q sojournor
among them, no makes hts request. With true East-
poitepess he Is assured that far from being
stranger no 10 considered prince among them and
any sepulchro no may select, oven the best tho
land Is at his disposal He acknowledges tho attcn-
tion, but tests the good will they profess by asking
them 10 interccdo IN his behalf with Epnron tho
owner Of the cave, and Offering to pay Tor Ephron,
having heard what had passed. At nrst offered give
him tho neld but at tho same time no was ANXIOUS TO
take the opportunity OF selling IT advantageousy to
tho rich stranger. Ho we'll knew Abraham would
cept gill, and mistaken, lor tho patriarch
again expressed his determination to pay. Ephron Dy
pretending 10 dcprccate u, dcxterousiy named his
price, proceeding that Abraham al once under.
stood-ior he counted oct the money and paid IL
Nor do We mud that any further demand was made.
In spite OF nll tho compliments and protostalions
In last weeks portion, continued tho Doctor, wa
story Of Abraham ana the Angels. He "a
offer his hospitality, aud invited them
and takc IiitIc morsei Of bread, while lis
OF bread. little wa.s., he offered. but he gave
substantial meal While Sarah hurried ~ make cakcs
OF ane flour be ran himself 10 nls herd and "a
q choice cali aud had IL cooked for his guests, 10
whom no brought, besides tho choicest viands NJ hs
disposal. These two episodes arc contrastcd the
Tamud With EphrVn much pronercd ana
nothing given WIN Abraham little pronered
aud much gwen. Did you ever meet any modern
Ephrons-psopic who say muoh and do httef Quo
will speak OF what he done In a manner that
II we believe him. would stamp him as tho greatest
Another will boast Of limo ana money expended on
worthy projects or OF charsabie deeds performed
'Du,o no. unircauonty happens there ss is
truth Ia thom Never trust tho boastcr.
ansnor ,oo.. wn dopreca,S loudly ana sSaeuy
other object than TO claim motives TO which he
has no ttc but let tho test come, let tho pocket be
touched OF ono and tho convenience OF anothcr IN.
irngcd upon by another, and boDoid tho dincroncol
A "small coin In large Jar makes grea, noise" AZ
n general ruio the Icss brilliant the piumage oil bird
tho swcctcr Its song ,he less coored aud tiutcd
mans conversation tho moro Is ho ikoy TO DO relied
world.
IL Is doubtless well known to you, said tho row
crend gentleman, how certain nations Of antiquity
favored short sentcntious pnrases-the very term
'iaconio" is from tho name Of tho people who
specially delighted In u says tho wise King "A
fool B known by a multitude Of words" and our
saees echo 1t In tho words OF our text, Say ttlc aud
do much.n Tho reason Is obvious; speech the OK
as u IL called. Nov, our thoughts couchcd
IN howcry language; SO WHOM a man expresses them
him RoduneaDsy Of lsnsuase say: our Xmer,san us
author, 'is never found with dccp reflection"
| THE MAIDEN SERMON
| Doubtless few words expected from me. said
Dr. Mendcs, concerning the peculiar position when
am placedtbat oil hinng this pulpit for tue nrst time
after you have conferred upon the ministry youI
| congregation-a congregation whose status IN Tho
eyes OF It's sister synagogucs IL OF honor 70
| spcct, whose traditions arc the most anc,ont ant
whose age is lar grcscr A. tho outset OF my du.,r
asked you 10 AID me with your countonanco- not /,
regard thc preacher as mere speaker, but upo
hs words. "Say little and do much" our text.
| would wish you 10 Judge oi my discharge IT IN
duties when they are done; not from any promises
say little, but nope 10 DO much-ior there is muc
10 be done "ro root out, to pull down, To dcstro,
TO throw down, TO build and 10 pianr Is the inn
tcr's duty IN tho words oil tho prophet; 10 root ou
apathy, 10 pull down tho tower OF unbc,ivI, 20 uestru
tho stronghold OF irrcverencc, TO throw down u
edihco oil sclnshncss, TO build up true worship al
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