The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-07-15
THE FAST OF Ar

There is probably not another or nation on tho
globe that does or would commemorate its own dcfoat
and dispersion except f1e Jews Next Thursday their
annual last Of the ninth day OF Ab, July TO- CON-
mcmorauve OF tho destruction Of the temple Al
Jerusalem, will DO observed Pious lsrnetes must
abstain from food drink Tor twenty -four hours
The past history OF the Jewish nation is reviewed In
the synagogues and in the homes OF the people aud
the Lamentations Of jeremiah rccited To devout
Jews It Is time for sadness, for thoy reflect
that through the sins OF their fathers they
were driven from their land, lost their national
independence ana were scattered over the face
OF the globe, and In humbiing themselves ply 81.
caly and mentally, thoy acknowledge Divine
justice and prayertuly invoke their Heavenly Father
in the words Of the careworu prophet, 40 renew
(their our days AZ OF old" The pious Jew deems Il
his best and wsss. course to regard e sacred writings
not 10 these days OF reform the hold upon the hearts
and the p.ey Of lsractcs that had AS 80 me
other lasts and festivals OF Judaism still have Many
lsraelitcs refuse 70 commemorate defeat. National
and ecclesiastical PRIDE forbds keep avo tho rcco
lection Of national humiliation. No ono thinks Of
commemorstng events which wound tho pride aud
humble the vanity OF an entire people The religious
REASON why tins last IL observed TO
the punishment for Offences committed against
the God who with suen mighty hand and 0utstretchcd
arm had brought them out OF Egyptian bondage and
protected them 10 gracousiy through many centuries
OF their national existence. They could not en-
tuelr own greatness and they
all TO God, and hence when At this tiino they com
mcmorae dofeat and dispersion their PRIDE aud vanity
cannot DO wounded, but heartfelt gratitude DO
pressed to their great and glorious Delivcrer.
Ono oil the sins OF ancient Israel time OF the
frat temple consisted In neglect OF religious worship
They withdrew themselves from places where they
might hear the law expoundcd rho Prophet Zacha-
rah tosti1es that they made their hearts claimant
lest they should hear the law" and this the same
principle the JeWish Messenger SUGGESTS as
israeliies do to-day negecting tho synagogues
and tho sermons lest the preacher should
denouncc some crime OF which they arc guilty. II
cannot be denied tho Messenger that We arc not
as religious US We should be. Tue spirit OF the age
has affected our sprits-it has warped our spiritual
duties. Granted that We have seats synagosues,
even in some. shrincs fashioned TO suit prevailing
tastes; allowing that VIC have eloquent preachers and
made such preparation Tor the iuiure that when We
dlc our remains may DO deposited with kindred
allowing that We arc members OF some
Of our social and religious organizations-al
thcEe preparatory stops may be OF some
guide TO OF bi,ss but our onward
course TO reach future Eden Will be inpedcd II, IA
our last memsnts, we shall DC forced reflect that
wo have neglected TO inst the balm OF religion INTO
the hearts oil those we wero commanded by the HIGH
est oil all authorities 10 teach in Our fasts
viii only be turned into feasts when the words OF
the prophet, we shall love "truth and peace" In the
words oil the Psalmst when ENERGY and truth have
met, righteousness and peace have embraced each
othor