The New York herald., 1879-09-07
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION.

SERMON BY REV. H. s. JACOBS, IN THE THIRTY
FOURTH STREET SYNAGOGUE.
There were two bar-mitzva COMBINATIONS In the
Thirty-fourth Street Synagogue yesterday. which
suggested the topic of religious education as the
pulpit lesson of the day. Rev. Mr.. Jacobs In di-
lating on the importance Of the proper culture OF
the young essential to the formation Of the char
acter Of the selected the text Proverbs. XIII.
6-"Train up the boy in the way he should 60. and
even when he is old lie will not depart from it,
"I have quoted" said the preacher, almost YER
bat.m the phrsseology of this passage OF Scripture
with which many OF you are familiar; but the mean
ing of the text goes far beyond this customary
lation. The initial word you must recognize hav
ing loftier spiritual signifcaton. for it is often
employed in the sense Of dedication consccra-
ton; hence the command to parents those
who. II the place OF parents. are intrusted
with the rearing of the young implies the using Of
every endeavor to make their lives consecrated to
every noble and religious purpose. This end is 10
be gained by education. and one of old COM
mentators expounds the word chdnoch as teach;
Tor it is by timely and persistent instruction at
homo and abroad, by prcccpt and by example, that
the childs character will take the mould of virtue.
According he is taught will he mainly develop,
leaning toward good or evil.
PRACTICAL EDUCATION AND DEFINITE PURPOSE.
"Ihe text is susceptible of a extended eluci-
dation taking the practical form which those who
are intrusted with the education of young often
fail to perceive. The words in the way he should
GO do not express the OF the Hebrew original
They imply the education which accords with the
disposition and nature ot the boy. He be ftted
for the great work of life not according caprcous
fancy false ambition. but in the manner best
suited to his talents and capacities, and
in which he may best fulfil his mission.
In other words. practical education which mas in
view definite purpose, within tho reach of reason
able success must be aimed mt. But whatever it's
scope, to be blessed, 1T the foundation
of religion. Remember this. or you build sand.
Except the Lord build the house. they labor vain
who build it,. To strengthen this mode of laying
the basis of future let say that not only
must there DO direct and unmistakab'e instruction
in the ways of righteousness but you must be vigi-
liant in withdrawing the young-whose mental facul-
ties yet i'll u crude state-,rom those pcrnicious
influences which spring from wicked associatons or
infiicl dogmas 1t Is unjust to intrust your chill
drcn to contact with those who will under
your good endeavors. contcntipg yourselves
with the unsafe belief that evil will
come of it: that they too well bucklercd in
faith to be wounded by such weapons. would az
accustom them to the society OF drunkards and
gamesters as would to the influences of the materi-
alistc teachings and pseudo morals of nihilsm J.
der the masinery security that they will not be
taminated and that they will be able to separate the
wheat from the chaG. The best safeguard against
danger is its utter avoidance.
"Whcn you have taken all these prudent precau-
tions, and cndeavor faithfully to fulfil your duty in
religiously educating your children and guiding
them in the way of right. you have assured your
solves of reasonable method of providing for their
spiritual welfare; and you may have every just and
well founded hope that 'whcn they old they III
not depart from it.