The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-10-26
FORTY-FOURTH STREET SYNAGOGUE.
ABRAHAM THE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. BIZ THE

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FORTY-FOURTH STREET SYNAGOGUE.
ABRAHAM THE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. BIZ THE
REV. DE. DE SOFA MKNDEs.
Rev. DR.. De Sofa Msndes gave yesterday the
third Of interesting series Of sermons ON
Bible characters. at the rorty-fourt Street
Synagogue-the Coates Of Prayer" He spoke
hrst Of Abraham . discoverer, and said -
'Men pay the highest honors to those whose talents
perceive what Is hidden to Others What title can be
conferred HIM who discovered the truth Of great
eat Importance to the universe. its government
by God? Speak not OF the benefits to hu-
manity OF tho discoveries Of stea electricity and
the ike here is discovery which underlies society
in all ages and like giant grasps this world in
hand and futurity in the other. Other discoveries
may be improved on. superseded; the truth Of
Monothtsm amid the crashing OF tho creeds to-day,
and beautiful"
Abrahsm's mission Genesis xix. 10. which he thus
translated 1.-THE nations OF the earth shall be
blessed in him. becsuse have revealed myself unto
him in order that he may command his children
and his household to do charity and justice"
Abraham" he said. discovered the absurdity Of
countless gods manufactured at wiz. and was In
spired with the idea OF spiritual Deity, to be
worshipped by works OF love and justice. God in
spired him with the true discoverer's spirit
which rests not until il prociaims the new
truth Like many another reformer he had to leave
his home circle. for men will not recognize merit m
they have seen born and reared among them. He
had to 20 abroad to receive respectful attention;
the Medrash likens him to y balsam flask the scent
them and leaves its fragrance the air." The
Doctor then spoke Of the method Abraham used,
which. ~ the text mentions. was family example.
JEWISH MISSIONS IN NEW YORK
WHAT THE EpIscopAIIANs ARE DOING TO
AMONG THE LATTER
1t is known that the Episcopal Church in this city
and diocese has . society for promoting Christianity
among the Jews. Its name and aim identical with
those of the venerable and very society of
London England but it has neither the age nor the
success that its British namesake can look back
upon. 1t is not wholly untruitfui however has OK
tended its sphere of operations to other docoses and
cities where Israeites reside. and whore It cannot
ind employ missionaries the local church clergy
do what they can in its interest. 1t 10 supported
mainly by collections In the churches on Good Fri
day. but according to tho report issued few days
ago this source gives but meaere help. the
amount thus contributed during the last fiscal
year being only s3.867. With this small sum
the society supported two missionaries here
ut the centre Of its operations-Yfr Lerman, lay
man. and the Rev. j. G. Tleschhacker. IN ex-rabbi.
1t has also sustained u mission school, In which
thirty three boys and nfy girls were instructed IN
industrial school and q Hebrew mission Sunday
school. in which from thirty to nifty pupils are
taught every week. Eight of those pupils received
Christian baptism during the year. and several
others preparing for baptism and confirmation.
The missionaries distributed upward OF thirty thou
sand circulars relating to their work among Jewish
families. Mr.. Lernan also extended his missionary
aud meg hborng localities. During the year hc Wis
tied 100 jews ut their homes, held between
seventy Ave aud one hundred missionary converse
lions IN public places and thorou distributed
large number OF Bibles. Test ments prayer books
aud tracts. by sale ft. and relates many interest
tween forty and nifty inqurers under in
struction. Of whom fifteen (ono formerly Q
have stood Arm in their new faith amid many trials
The assistant missionary. lsboring a part of the
year. made 297 visits from house to house. circu-
iatod books aud tracts, which generally found q
ready acceptance. and iectured to assemblies Of
Jows with seemingly good results. The report
TO Jews in all parts of the United States aud records
encouraging results OF the labors Of missionary In
" DEcADEScE or RELIGION AMONG JEWS
The society has !, received encouraging reports from
Mnns.o,a New nar a nj Mis,is
State, where local clergy have preached to
Israslites and have gathered many jewish chiidrcn
into Sunday schools. and secured the attendance
more or less regularly. OF their parents ON the
ministry OF the Gospel Tho object OF this class of
missions-to bring the Jews as far possible under
the direct influence OF tho Church In her ordinary
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. thus. partly Ut least, begun to
| dem nstrste its prsctcabilty.
The report concludes by calling attention TO the
dccadcnce OF religion among the Jews with the
rapid progress OF rationalzing principles and tendon
| cies, aud pleads the mood Of earnest missionary
work among them. Whatever difficulties and preju-
| dccs may lie In tho way "the Church cannot
| place herself In antagonism 10 the great hnsl
| commission delivered to her by her Lord
| to preach the Gospel to every creature. The
reality of these missions ia our day." II declares,
needs not to DO atested in the of the tour
| Jew sh bishops who have adorned the Church, and
have consecrated their lives to the foreign mission
| held." The work has been enlarged for the next
ecclesiastical year. Those Interested In this work
may obtain all needed Information about IL from
the Rev. g. Ellis Stevens. No. 9 Cooper Union Tho
Episcopal Church has this hold all to herself to cul-
| tivate, the other denominations working without
| organization through local churches and ministers.
1t remains to be seen whether the methods now
being adopted by rabies aud their congregations of
insttuting Sunday lectures and circuit preaching
will stop this decline and falling away and rebuild
and establish Judaism on her ancient foundations.