The New York herald., 1879-02-23
FORTY-FoURTH STREET SYNAGOGUE.


FORTY-FOURTH STREET SYNAGOGUE.
wAsHINGToNs BIRTHDAY-THE LESSON OF
ANNIvERsARIEs-sERM BY REV. DIR. +. DE
soLA MENDEs.
At the Fortyfourth Street Synagogue Rev. Dr.
Mendes preached yesterday Proverbs H.. 9-20-
"Ihen shalt thou understand righteousness and
judgment and equity; yea every good path. that
thou mayest walk in the way of good and keep
the paths of the righteous"
The generous and enthusiastic nation among
whom it hath pleased God to cast lot. said DIR.
Mendes. celebrate to-day the natal anniversary Of
their great general and statesman who efficiently
tributed to the foundation and maintenance of thu
Republic of liberty equality and fraternity. Ameri
cans not. generally speaking prone to live in tho
past. The pressing present. the uncertain. sll
sible future appeal strongly to bothehe practi-
cal and the imaginative elements of their mental
composition. Such birthday celebration is hardly
in keeping. perhaps, with vigorous and progress
sivc a temperament. Now Judah might be called q
retrospective nation; we have a long series
of glorious centuries behind us. We have
fought against such foes ignorance, cruelty and
oppression; Judah is the nation which should OBJ
serve abundant anniversaries. and calendar in hand.
point out to each new day lesson from its antece-
dents. So one would say who knew not the facts.
proclaim lofty ideals and bow down before petty
mockcres of them The rigid censor might find
fault with Israel on this head. Few nations are so
unmndful of Its past. In none other perhaps s
the cultured mans acquaintance with the authors,
statesmen and warriors of his people confined to
few names. While sterny practical America to-day
honors her lustrious dead. how many of RETROSPECT
tive Israel know that the 7th Adar. week hence ia
the birthday of Moses-our hberator, leader and
legislator?
We must plead guilty to this indictment Of calous-
ness and ignorance, but the will come with
time Americas comparative youth in the roll Of
nations deprives her OF the patriotic satisfaction Of
long line of ancestry. Israel old naticn is yet
young on these shores. Freed from the hamperin,,
restrictions of the Old World it feels itself here new
born and must for the first century bend its best
erges in the first place. toward the necessities of life
and leave ornament and polish for gradual and
ondary acquisition. II we neglect our history in
other lands it is because have to make ourselves
nation here first. Culture and intellectually take
time to develop out of ordinary intellect, like the
full prize blossom Of the hortculturst from the
simple wayside flower. Give US but a few more dec
ades OF the liberty and prosperity these hosptable
shores afford. and in golden age Of learning will
again. in the Middle Ages be the priests OF know
edge and while studying with the most devoted the
science OF the age. will disclose to the world the
treasures Of observation and experience our Oldest
books contain and introduce the poets the philoso
piers and men OF science of past history to tho
world OF the day.
Dr. Mendes next spoke of the part imitation had
played In the world. The floating tree gave tho
bling the traversibe of the globe The lines Of
the hshs body are the best example of form where
naval speed is to be attained. The earthworm
taught men to surmount mountainous distractions
by piercing them In the moral education example
il or the utmost Importance. Parents and teachers
permit themselves license of deed and speech in tho
presence of their children which in glaring con-
tradcton to the doctrines OF charity and pety they
attempt to inculcate. There keener critics
than children; their unsophisticated fearlessness
and frank guilelessness furnish forth many scath-
ing criticism would be teachers. I would remind
parents strict and precise they may be In
sation with strangers in the world outside. to be
fold more in department before the little eyes and
busy brains of the household. Injury is inflicted
irrctrevabiy by carelessness At the time this
initiative faculty may be cultivated for blessing.
Many has felt the lessons learned ut hts mothers
knee. or when the father with reverend head asked
blessing his dear to be preservave against
the worlds temptations-a prcservatve which timo
enhanced. This Is the force of example-thst un-
Willingly do take on the habits. modes and thoughts
OF those around. good evil be they, and do incor-
porate them III nature. Therefore patriotic
names celebrated that their lessons may excite
imitation. Happiest the nation that has most such
anniversaries: its unconScousy reflect tho
virtues of their sires like the annual taper OF
households the spark engenders each year the holy
flame OF ardent admiration and imitation. May tho
time come when lsraels illustrious dead shall
be rescued from torgetfulness. that renovated
Judaism, pure in the authors first conception.
founded on the firm pediment of the past and con-
secrated by the living example Of those who
for its maintenance shall be heritage OF all tha
world.