The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-09

JEWISH EDUCATION SERMON DY REV. HENRY
p MENDES.


p. MENDEs
The Rev. Henry p. Mendes yesterday preached be-
fore his congregation in the Nineteenth syna
gogue, taking his text from Deuteronomy w. z
intoxicating the duty of education. Treating the
subject historically the reverend gentleman showed
how from the very tins the Hebrew nation orig
mated education q special feature. Abraham in
structed his children and household The rabbi then
quoted Maimonides and said AFTER describing how
the patriarch Abraham commenced the grand world
work OF nation. Maimon declares that he handed
1t to his Isaac. who in turn appointed ia ID.
Jacob instructed all his sons. but especially Levi
whom he established III u kind of academy, thus
commencing the constitution of the Lcvtes the
Repositories OF learning. In Egypt the Hebrews
gradually initiated Egyptian worship, for it seems
Unborn conviction OF our people that the worship
OF whatever people we happen to live with is to
be better than ours, which must accordingly be
modified To resemble it. But the tribe of Levi"
says the sage 'persovered in the commands OF the
fathers so that they never worshppcd Idols" MIR.
Mcnes then noticed the appointment OF the Levites
as the presty tribe but observed that it does not
follow that learning entirely confined to it, for
home instruction was inculcated upon all.
4ow education was regulated in the days when
our hers resided III Paes prior the destruc-
ton of the first temple not clear 1t is in their
| subsequent rehabilitation i'll the days OF the second
temple and the centuries succeeding. 1t is manifest
that parenta instruction still in vogue. not that
there other means. for find that the PEG.
pie rcsorted to eminent men for instruction Sab
baths and moons. Certain 1t Is that in he bibi-
cal ages that is while the schools OF the prophets
existed learning asSluuOusly cultivated their
attendants and IN those ages the parental iustruc.
tion supplemented by such afforded by tho
Levitcs located in al the tribes, doubtless
sufficient. But new days da~ned, and transp ted
to the banks OF the Euphrates. tho people found
comfort and relief in the study of their law. From
that day "study was the password of Juuaism," tho
cons. ant exhortation of the rabbis whose emncuce
WIS wholly based upon IL. Whatever the motives
that impc you first, will very love study
TOR its own sake.
FLAME LEARNING.
With ever increasing brianco the flame of learn
ing illumincd the age. even tor the rebuilding OF
the temple the schools must not be interrupted; u
scholar is greater than prophet Honor tho
the body. the former for the soul. The body for
this world. tho soul alone survives in tho next.
Train many disciples. for they future teachers;
procure thysclf an instructor; let thy house be a
house OF assembly for wise mon; thyself with
the dust OF their feet and quench thy thirst with
thcir words. Jerusalem was destroyed because tho
instruction of the young was neglected. These arc
among tho aphorisns OF the times and we'll
illustrate the spirit. The children taught read
ing. writing music, dancing and oven gymnastics;
the girls were specially educated in domestic duties
the boys assisted the father The general rule ap.
pears to be that ut hvo years the child intro
ouccd 10 study IN its simple form, though soino
teachers objected. for. says Hab, elf thou sondest
received. but after that age him and urge
him on. while others recommend to instruct ac-
cording to tho pupils powers. Mr.. Mcndcs en-
largcd upon tho system Of education then developed
and quoting 1t as incentive to religion cducat
to-day, urged its necessity i'll emphatic terms Tho
continuation OF tho address will begin next week.