The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-10-19

THIRTY-FOURTH STREET SYNAGOGUE.
A RIGHTEOUS LIFE-sERMoN By REV. HENRY s.
JACOBS.
Tho Rev. Henry 8. Jacobs preached before his con-
gregation. In the Thrty-fourth Street Synagogue,
yesterday. the subject Of events connected with
the life OF Noah. The threatened deluge he said
overwhelms the world and sweeps away nearly ali
its denizens. 1t is stupendous calamity, depicted
in glowing colors, which to reproduce the
startling events vividly before minds eye Such
Is tho Bible story. which you know has been dis
puted by the opponents Of revelation. who
deny the fact possibility of o universal
deluge. Tho discussion of such q question
must. in q great measure. be conducted on q
purely scientific basis, and therefore it would bc out
of time and place to attack defend the various
propositions involved in such an argument. It is.
therefore, Of the moral phase OF the Scripture mar
rative that would speak to-dsy-of the principle
propounded that the Greater and Ruler OF tho uni
verse. whose providence is everywhere perceptibe,
In also the God OF justice requiting evil aud
ing goodness. These are the lessons which are of
enduring interest, aud which established in tho
incidents before us and In the character Of the
patriarch Of whom wo road:-"Noah was righteous
man, perfect In his generations. Noah walked with
God. VII, o.
NoAH's PURITY or LIFE.
The tenor OF the narrative, OF which tho text
strikes the keynote, presents Scriptural defence
OF the justice as well us tho mercy of God the
"
lsraton made in advance of the urity of his lifc
which rendered him worthy OF deliverance from tho
general catastrophe. Say some of commentators,
he righteous" in act and perfect in heart
that decd and thought, practice and sentiment
combined to render him righteous and perfect. and
therefore deserving of the grace and mercy of Prov
idence. But further. This Righteousness and per-
lection were exhibited Gin his gcneration;" what
some exegetists construc in meritorious sense;
others to his discrcdit, advancing the plea
that was only by COMPARISON with
his corrupt contemporaries that he was con-
wc cannot agree for virtue certainly not merely ap-
pears to greater advantage whom placed in contrast
with vice. but rs absolutely greater and nobler when
It withstands the evil Influences with which IL may
be surrounded and rises superior to all temptations
Men VINO have mover engaged in such struggles may
undcrrate the moral strength IL requires 10 cououer
the gided passions which assail our but Il
Is those woo nave passed through tho fire who can
best realize the potency of such assaults on integrity
OF character. He who goes through life on a path
way sfrewn with roses, sheltered from tempests and
secure against calamties. cannot adequately under
stand tho SORROWS and msfortunes the passions aud
temptations which besct tho road OF less favored
wound"
pErnAvITr or rHE GENERATION OF NOAH
- The extent OF the dcpravity "f the generation OF
Noah must have been terrible. We have enough on
the sacred record to indicate that IL oven went be-
You'd moral corruption. aud yet the face of this
which Is stamped on his character, and so we can
understand the meaning OF the snthropomorphistic
phrase, ne walked with God" IL capped the climax
to us Tor our guidance.
ADVICE TO THE PRESENT GENERATION.
DO you aspire after great and nobio n title an
the text conicrs on tho patriarch? Then in your
generation be conspicuous Tor your purity of life
and ntcadfastncss TO principle. BE resoute in main
tanning the right IN the fncc of al opposition. A
word IN arms against YOU should not tempt you to
dehcct from the path of Justice and integrity Main
tain these Ms behtting your character men and
OK Israclitcs. remembering that the eyes of the
word--and too often they ~ of pref udicc
are hxcd with steady and critical gaze on your life
ana deeds In your families, too DO noted for your
worth. cain tho respect as well as the
love OF your children by your practical cxenpli-
hcation at home we'll abroad OF all that Is
lovable noble and good. In you let them see bright
and attractive examples of all that deserves their re-
spect so that your name be embslmcd on their inom-
DRY and your best praise survive Won, inscribed Ms
your highest epitaph that measurably and according
to your aud opportunities you strovo after tho
sacred distinction of being "a righteous man. per.
feet In generation who Walked with God"