The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-03-11
TEMPLE EMANUEL.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AscETIcIsM AND
SELF coNrRoL-sERMoN BY DIR. oorTHEIL
Dr. Gotthel delivered the second OF q series o! lee
lures ascctcism before large and fashionable
dience yesterday morning
The reverend speaker began by sayIug:-lhe SUBJ
jcct which engages attention Is the difference be-
tween asceticism and self control ! endesvored to
show In my first discourse that Judaism OF all res ions
that ever gained any marked influence the develop.
ment Of the human race, has best succeeded
ing middle course. checking the unnatural tendency
toward self abncga,on and on the other hand helping
its professors to acquire self control and subj usaton
OF the natural lus,s TO the higher laws
Judaism, II Il were to remain ITSELF could not shut
the door 10 doctrine that essentially dilere
its own, containing element which, If IL had been
allowed to difuse Itself through the system would
have wrought an entire change That this Is not
gratuitous assumption on my part proven from
the New Testament ITSELF The question Ia pointedly
presented to us in narrative Of dialogue between
Hebrew youth and the founder OF the religion.
TIKI PARABLE THE RICH YOUNG MAN.
We are told that wealthy young lsraclite came 10
the new teacher and nquired-"what good thing shall
do. that may have eternal liie. Az thar time
men spoke frequently OF life that called,
vaguely enough, 'eternai- this lite did not refer
to an existence beyond tho grave; but Il
on earth, in Palestine We read that the teacher
assured those who would follow him in the regenera-
on that 1.-The Son OF Man GU the throne Of his
glory and that they shall sit upon twelve thrones
judging tha twelve tribes OF Israel" This can refer
only TO the political regeneration of tho Hebrew
monweaith TO The time when the Messiah shall
back TO earth bringing the order of things,
the dead rising from their graves to live III undis-
turbed blissfuncss in what was surnamed the king
dom OF God. The young lsraelte, learn The
truth about this addressed himself TO the herald OF
commandments" What are thew "rnou shalt do
no murder. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou
shalt not steal Thou shalt not bear false witness.
Honor tiny father ana thy MOTHER and love they neigh
Dor rs thyse. I"
This excellent answer, but that the cere-
monal law mas been lett out entirely. Not that It
meant to condemn or disparagc by silence, but II
was not pertinent to the answer sought 1t was a
truly jewish answer. You VIII notice that the Naza-
rene teacher accepted the laws given by Moses,
Honor thy father ana thy mother" and love Thy
neighbor thyson; only he put them instead OF
first, Moses did. He did cavil at it, as some OF
his followers bavo because they 10th to accord
to JUDAISM the honor OF having propounded tho two
Hottest laws OF moral doctripc The cavaliers SAID
Moses moant by neighbor only their fellow lsraelites
II this be &c then the founder of the religion
either DID not understand IN this way accepted
In it, more limited Specification.
But to return The young lsraelite answered, ..All
these have kept from my youth up; what lack
yety II was no scifrghteousness that showed itself
10 that answer; II was single statement OF TACT.
was "lf thou wilt DO perfect sell all that thou
hast and give TO tho poor and thou shalt have
ures IN heaven and come aud follow mo-" But when
the young heard this saying he wen: away sor
rowing, Tor he had great possessions This incident
terance TO the familiar saying THAT II for the
camel TO 60 through the eye OF needle than rich
man 10 enter the kingdom Of God" Now,
this is not merely tale to point q
moral 1t is lar and infinitely more. II declaration
oi the religious IDEAL conceived by the school,
and is placed IN sharp and striking contrast with the
existing and recognized faith. II SAID, Young man, II
you want to be good lsrselitc keep the command
ments but you cannot enter the kingdom OF God but
ifyou would enter heaven rcnounce thy possessions
and follow me. The poor lsraeite turned away IN
sorrow; and so did Judaism with him. Tor it was an
n WOrI as
It was ana as It Will always be- will find favor.
the impulse OF civilization. IL is the innate desire
OF man 10 raise himself out OF state OF pow
er.y TO aaIusnce Why should IL be hardor for
rich man to be saved than the INDECENT? Do
know do we not all admit that the temptations TO
evil are infinitely greater and more powerful with the
is. IL not Justification at least mitigation Of crmeY
POVERTY
suppose that by some magic plenty were brought to
the homes where now hunger aud want ana cold |
reign, would not the visible effect be apparent all in
the dlmnution Ia the calendar OF crime the next
norningy The new teacher who offered this advice |
occupied high position; he even educated,
according 10 the standard OF education in those days
and his hrst disciples we're humble fishermen, and |
yet this rich young man went to him, willing
to take good advice from any source but
he acted wisely in not acting the offered.
What would nave been the resul: he had followed II?
The distribution Of his wealth would have given relief
for few days. and then there would have been n re.
lapse aud ings would have been than before,
1nasmuch as the rich man, dcspoled Of his
wealth, would DO added to the list of the poor while
by keeping his possessions his hands he could save
hundreds by providing work for them. The young |
lsraelite has unustly been made the prototype
righteousness We do not hesitate 10 accept him AZ
worthy representative OF Judaism, brought lace TO
face with the doctrine, Justly appreciatng |
the value Of large property for which he
would be held responsible. The young Hebrew and |
not Judas scarot represents The true spirit OF Jnda-
ISM Let II not be said this is merely hold up
before us-the general deductions held up before us
FORBID that Wealth Is held up as a hin arauce 10 the
attainment OF the kingdom Of God, and an unatain-
able ideal is fatal TO any regon but bring religion
down TO everyday lie, then how well her teachings
consort with each and all Of the legitimate OBJECTS OF
human cndeavor-show that sacrifice is demanded |
Of any one save such as will be productive OF some |
tangible good lniuse an almighty faith IN Just aud
living God; enjon above all things reverence Tor his
commands and assume that there outcasts in |
the true kingdom OF God, and then all ears must listen
and all hearts consent, aud all minds light and
none VIII turn away sorrowing, Tor all snail walk In
hat light to be blessed by It,