The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-06-30

GOD, VIRTUE AND IMMORTALITY THE THREE
PILLARS OF RELIGION SERMON by REV. DIR.
KoHLER, OF CHICAGO. Ma
The Rev. DR.. Kohier, OF the Congregation Sinai, OF
Chicago yesterday preached by invitation in the Tsm-
pie Emanu-Ei, Fifth avenue (Rev. Or. Go,then,sl
Tho Doctor took his text from Deutsro nomy w., 2l:
s.Add nothing and detract nothing from tho word,
command thee I" and also from Isaiah H., 16:-ssTo
plant heaven 10 lay tho foundation oil the earth
ana 10 speak Zon, my people, art thou" Alter al
Iuson to the Emanuel (''God with us') In tho
introduction OF mis- sermon, DIR. Kohler proceeded
Al frs. sight. said be, tho former verse, being
the watchword Of orthodoxy, seemed 10 impede
any progress or reform measure and to render
Judaism merely monument oil the past resem-
bling tho palace shown ns the dwelling place Of
Frederick the Great. At Sans Souct But the very
tendency OF the excel all other religions
In humanity ana wisdom, we'll AZ the fate OF tho
jewish people, OF It's Temple and STATE show that the
destiny OF Judaism Is not 20 mouder away behind
totterins walls mere "reminiscences oil antiquity.
pul TO take part In the perpetual struggle and ex-
change OF IDEAS ana breathe the fresh air OF life AS
amid ts ncessan changes manifests the spirit
that lasts renewing and rsviving; as the very
cob and neod OF worlds and ages couhrm the divine
szpr essed IN tho words "Nothiny 10 added 10,
nothing detracted FROM. ruling the matter and force
scattered along tho innnties oil the universe, the
moral world likewise IS ruled by Interchangeable law,
which nothing cun DO added 10, nothing Distracted
ffom
ApAMANffNE RELIGION
The belief In God Is the adarnantine pillar OF re-
igion; without It religion Is an impossiblty. Old
neathensn also perceived the existence OF higher,
invisible power ABOVE the visible merely It's childish
conceptions directed It's alteration 10 objects lar be-
meath man. But the very Same Jolly causes modern
heathenism 10 revere blind nature Tor Its beauty and
harmony 10 say - The protopissm or 10 the worm
and ape "thou art my athsr" Is rs lar from Judaism
a. old idoiatry liz the faith In the one God as the
rock OF eternity amid tho waves OF ume, the con-
Ruler Of revolving stars and blood molecules 10
tho cond,to sine qua non OF JUDAISM Rooted every
huu nos 4 IA net
the boIdest minds. Atheism Is not an execrabe
crimc ba. piaeis state 49, 2, m'na an, nna 500,
laurie OF HE where but mute and relentless
objects meet his pau;ng heart Only the warm pulse
natures beauty. the perceptions 81 It's law and wis.
dom, tho scI-controi OF man liftng him above the
brute merely the reflex OF superior grandeur,
an nexnaustbie source Of bliss and elevation. Faiih
plans heaven i1to tho human breast. though God
The vital element OF the soui IN which alone grows
aud rises 10 ever higher perfection Judaism pierced
heavens Only with Him men rise 10 s,in higher
and nobler ideals. without Him they sink into
VIRTUE AS A DIVINE OBLIGATION.
Virtue a DIVINE Obligation lays tho foundation OF
the In spite OF all perversons soon IN history
the moral compass always points 10 the right and
good. Inc child always sympathizes with virtuous
lives and turns away with disgust IRON wickednsss.
The criminal stands IN awe before moraiiiy's law
THIS Is because God's image Is reflected upon man.
From HIM issues the thuneering, "rnou oughtest"
Hts law is engraved upon the human heart, although
IL Is soen gradually developing and unfolding
az a divine seed into ever wider spheres
on course the letter Of the S,naic Law,
which leveilcd ami elevated humanity, has been sur
passed by these 5000 years Yet It's spirit its
IDEAL Jewish ethics produced ,he CHRISTIAN and
modorn morality. Ncither Buddha nor any other
moralst philosopher has reached the standard SET
the prophet WHO max righteousness charity and
humbeness before God tho thrce car inal principles
OF virtue and religion. Holiness being the insuperabo
ideal OF Judaism, every morality offered as new
STANDARD ~ only liant oil that religion ana III
DO siienced by succeeding theories OF similar
character
THE IMMORTALITY THE SOU.
As the third pillar OF religion the speaker named m-
mortaiiy OF the soul Although Judaism Of old hest
taed 10 unveil the mysteries VI the beyond IN order
not drag from the stern duties oil LIE, .
denial OF I'm mortality DO brought into unison
spark OF the in1nte. Tho mysterious problem has been
variousiy Illustrated anu solved by Jewish thinkers
FROM Moseg 10 Maimonides ana TO Mcndeissohb but
through all tho clouds enwrappng u Gods maJesty
shines as the sun OF eternal lie, TO turn away from
winch 10 10 plunge into night anu terror. Immor-
taiity is echoed IN the human breast through all
the ages anu nations aud sealed by the martyrdom
OF ali those who sacrificed their lives Tor
Coz and humanity, while pointing 70 world which
oullasis the earth and sun. THIS threshold cord bind
ing man 10 the throne OF God Is TO DO guarded by
Israel Tor mankind. one God and one Father Tor all
one morality aud one eternal salvation Tor all The
good aud righteous of whatever race aud fath-ths
The temple OF humanity Judaism Is working al; us
dome high enough 10 overshadow all systems OF
thought; IT'S pillars strong enough TO rctis modern
nihiIIsm and matertsism, as well as all me hostile
powers OF Dygoue ages. The Sinai covenant Is 10
grow into u covenant OF humanity, and only alter hsv
lns bed God Of Israel on its banner VIII man
amos atm and the Messanic hope OF Israel be real
ized.