The New York herald., 1879-09-28
NINETEENTH STREET SYNAGOGUE.

THE MOUNTAINS IN The DESERT OF LIFE
SERMON BY REV. II. p. MENDEs
Rev. Henry p. Mendes yesterday preached in the
Nineteenth Street synagogue. toking his text from
Psalms, cxxi.. III lift up mine eyes the hills,
from whence cometh my help" The reverend gen.
tlemen said:-I find myself In the midst OF q wild
desert; it is called the Desert OF Human Lfe many
adverse influences bar my progress. many causes
distract my attention; compelled by fate inexorabe
to march ever forward proceed toward where in
the distance heaves a mysterious sea, tbs u source
of terror to some. but it is welcomed by others;
some call it the the 'Sea Of Annihilation" others
term it Temporary Separation" but all
know 1t the ''Sea Of Death" What
land lies beyond is the problem of prob
lens. With u strong. an irresistibe instinct
that l am destined one day to be there. would
derstand what rules OF life should adopt here that
II may he well with me there. Many man has ven-
tured his opinion. but all have failed. for all
needed help. And If in the hope of seeing beyond
tho mystic Saa of Death, IL lift up mino eyes the
mountains" and consider which to climb to seek
thence more extended Wow. Yonder is one-the
mount of fphlosophy-towering high and lost amid
the clouds Of speculation. Could ascend its top
most crest perhaps could obtain glimpse Of the
wonderland. Nay" says my companion. 'it is q
strange mountain and dangerous; its atmosphere
intoxicates, makes all climbers dizzy. unfolds
new problems to their mental vision IN bewilderng
succession, aud when they grasp. not the sought
Tor kno owIedge, but disappointment and learn, not
the coveted secret, but their own weakn ness
OF intellect, they disappear, followed by others
who tread the very footsteps with like results"
Another mountain looms before me--beautiful IN
aspect mass OF flowers interspcrsod with verdure,
seemingly ever blessed with bright armament; its
surface Is bathed by glorious sunshine aud gently
chated with bamy winds. Snail seek from its
heights my solution? May" again whispers my
monitor, Conscience, ''lt is the mountain OF
pleasure, its atmosphere IL poison; be not OF those
who seek the solution OF LIES work in self-in-
diligence, who enthrone their desires, and
whose loud NO is final to clashing restriction;
be not OF those who attempt that noun
tain Its fruits chase pity away, its waters
dry the hearts tenderest feelings 30 that
sickness may be at its last gasp and poverty shver
in the very clutch OF death before the votary Of
pleasure shall pause in Pleasures whir" Thcn
turn from pleasure; but still %" lift mine eyes to the
noun tains, still cry. "whonce cometh my help?"
Shall ascend yonder gloom coaked hill? 1t is iull
of pitfalls aud strewn with encumbranccs-a total
contrast to the last mo- no." saith my mentor;
't is the mountain of tribulation. Life is surely
not to be solved there To hope to Mt ones self tor
the journey beyond the by lite of modification
and penance; to shut out all sunshine and brood
seli-iinposcd disappointments as IL future life
were one long purgatory aud eternity to realize a
medimval Catholics ideal hell, is wrong earthly
life not worth livingi" Then whence comcth
my helpY" Where can 4 obtain glimpse of the
approaches to the coveted solution Of this problem
the rules Of existenceY And ~ 1 behold . lowly