The New York herald., 1877-01-07
SYNAGOGUE WORSHIP.

THE VITALITY OF JUDAlSM-IAE VALUE AND
MEANING OF THE "BAR-MITzvAH' Ex-
POUNDED By DIR. MENDEs
Dr. Mendcs has just completed three years. ministry
with tho synagogue in Forty-fourth street. and has
not yet been elected because of the intervening
holidays and the fair which the congregation
interested He did not, therefore, expect to preach
yesterday, and explained to tho people assembled.
Philadelphia congregation has been looking after the
Doctor, but It. Is not likely his present charge Will
allow him TO depart easily. The Congregation
Shaaray TenIa has prospcrcd under his ministry and
the Sunday schools been well attended The fair
which recently closed at Masonic Temple nclrcd the
congregation $13 600, which will go far toward rciev-
ing tho society the debt which hangs their build.
ing. Certain reforms and notifications arc
likely TO be made by and by which will
still more largely increase the interest IN this
congregation a couple of lads having umed the
religious obligations OF the synagogue yesterday Dr.
Mendcs' sermon had more immaculate reference TO tho
onice OF "bar-mizvah," as those ooiisations arc
the world. His text was taken from Exodus VI, O.
"Thcy tthe lsractcs in Egypt hcarkened not to
Moses from shortncss OF spirit and hard labor" He
had always dcplored, he SAID, as one OF the great
wants OF the Jewish ceremonial the indifference to
bar.mitzvah. How shall the weightness OF the obi-
cations DO imprinted on tho boys minds' This
question has remained unanswered here but not so
in Europe. There II isa day OF gladness and rcJoIc-
ing; and here II should be ended with some moro
spiritual and solemn ceremony than that of being
called to road the 'tOrah." Tho end sought by bar
mltzvah is not and cannot be attained by confirm rma-
ton. What Is wanted ~ something special
and particular for every child who comes to barmitz
vah Referring 10 the text the Doctor said he won-
dercd whether Moses AS he pcnned those words,
thought they would become true OF hrs descendants
as they have proved. Yet they have Tor many gen.
people have not nearkcnod to him. To harmonic the
TWO clements named IN The text is The most prominent
duty OF the times.
How came IL that the people refused to hcarken
unto Moscsy Tho Doctor thcn briefly sketchod
the change OF dynasucs in Egypi, whereby
the shepherd kings were urivcn away and another dy
nasty arose, which oppressed the people OF Israel
Years oil oppression hai rendered the Hebrews inca
pab.c OF high and noble ASPIRATIONS What cared they
for happiness or freedom OF which they knew 50
httleg And yet that the nation who, few
months later, expressed their readiness 10 obey all
that tho Eternal should say Who cannot see
from this the clcvatine influences OF the writ
ngs and words OF Moscs-liilng up the soul
by the sanctities OF the Sabbath and by the right
oil his prcccpts and his laws aud the sanct
rcaton OF the human heart aud mind by the truth.
open any part of the Bible you VIII feel the
inspiration OF .hc divine ISSUING from every page fom
the vigorous prophecies OF Isaiah and the Psalms Of
Dayid--the prayer book OF the world. IL Is "A peren.
nal fountain oi living waters. Take up any of the
pondorous volumes of the Polish raobs TWO or three
centuries ago; they contain plenty OF writing, but
they dead aud elcss For decades that process Of
congealing until the spirit VI tie people had
been crushed and they could not hcarkcn unto tho
law OF Moses Tor shorincss OF spirit and hard labor
But that tendency has ceased, and no one Is now
annihcnatzcd who fails TO read and 10 mind
the Polish books But IN this country We
have to contend, said the Doctor, against
the opposite extreme Here men have seen the alb.
surdty oi giving hue upon line ana precept upon pre-
ccp adding ritual TO ritual, and supposing that that
was Judaism. Hence many persons have concluded
that Judaism doomed 10 die--that It's days were
numbered ana they therefore refused to hcarken TO
the words OF Moses for shortness OF spirit Was that
right or just or human Would any OF us like TO see
al old friend aud refuse to givo him medicine that
would heal aud restore him? Would we refuse 10
bearken to his words and allow hm to die OF neglect
and then glory in his dcathy And yet hs Is what tho
rcformiss OF to-day dong with Judaism ana with
Moses They look upon Judaism as monument to
their shame; but thank God Il Ia not so mortally
sick as these people would have US believe
JUDAISM NEITHER SICK
Al no time ~ It's history has Judaism been more
powerful than II s to-day Witness the cabinets and
tho pariiamens Of Europe. the literary and business
circles OF the world. The human, the man made part
OF Judaism may porishndced, IL perishing, ana that
supposing that Judaism itself Is dying. But II
keep 1t alive the change to family pcws would not,
would tho addition Of female voices to the cho
prolong its days. The true reform that is needed
must come through the education OF the young In ali
that distinguishes II from other faiths and in what
others have borrowed IRON Judaism. Tho young
should be taught 10 take notice of controversies that
shake the Gentle churches and OF the gradual comm
together OF all men toward the law of Moses TO
common centre OF aith and action. The Doctor then
briefly and personally addressed tho two lads who had
been admitted to the law, and badc them promise him
there not to deny tho God OF their fat hers, nor the
faith OF Israel, nor to seek TO argue II ayay