Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1879-04-09
THE PASSOVER.
Some Changes Have Gene TO the Pee
pie of Israel with Time. hut the
PaschaI Feast Is still KepG
DeVOutIY, and the 1Ien-
CRY Of Gods Mercy
Remains.

New ! ork Hebrew Ledger: ''Once more
| the rolling years brings around the festival
which commentaries the release OF our
| fathers from Egyptian bondage. In the Olden
tine when Israel was royal nation among
| the peoples Of the earth, the lamb was slam
| according to sacerdOtal law and its blood was
sprindled on the doorpOsts and llntels Of
every house, Just as had been doue On that
dread night Wnen the destroying angel saw
tie sign Of the Almighty and passed by the
homes OF Israel. With unleavened bread
sd bitter herbs the lamb was eaten by our
fathers, and on that night whose memory the
feast perpetuated, the deyOut Jews partOok Of
Il with lOinS grit, slaves in their hands and
shoes on their feet. Some changes have come
with time, but the Paschal feast Is still kept
devoutly, and the memory Of Gods nercies
remain. It is the witness Of His care for
His people, and Of the gratitude we owe
Him. Moreover, the institution and con
tnued observance OF the Passover IS the
strongest possible cO1rGboratlOn OF the reality
O. the facts it commentaries. No man could
persuade nation TO com uenCa and perpe-
tuate SUCH an observance were it not
grounded IN truth. But before Rome had
any existence or Athens had reached any
culture the command had been given to.oUr
ancestors TO keep the feast with the admoni-
ton: Thou shalt show thy son in that ga,
saying: This Is because Of that he LORD
Id unto me when | come forth out OF
Egypt" Again they were tclG: 1t shalt
be when thy son asketh thee in time 10 come,
saying: What Is this?" then shalt sag unto
hjm: by strength OF hand the Lord brought
u out from Egypt from the house OF
bondage. - We do well, therefore, to keep
with due solemnity, and with all cur hearts.
this solemn feast. It is ours IN these latter
days to eat the passover with the bitter herbs
Of shame and sorrow for the sins we may
have committed; with the staff of our con-
tlnued faith and the Almighty to lean upon;
with our loius girded-haUng ourselves
gyded With the irrnness OF clear conscience,
and with our feet shod with a readiness to do
the divine will in our vocation IN life. If we
enter upon TINS holy season with such We
need not fear that we shall fail to receive its
blessing. There Is one more thinz necessary
IN order that we may keep the Passover IN
the spirit that I3rael'S God intended. While
We take care that our own feet are directed
toward the promised land, VS. should also see
to 1t that we strengthen cur weaker brethren
and assist those who are poorer. What bet
ter gItG can we now present TO the Almighty
In remembrance Of all his mercies ID the
past-than the best0Wal upon some destitute
family OF the means TO enter upon the Pas
chal season properly. When Israel came out
OF Egypt, the stronger Comforted and helped
the weak. The same law of mutual assistance
holds good to-day. There are many who
need help, and there are also enough who
have the means TO supply what is lacking.
As we look oack upon all that God has done
for our people IN the last forty centuries
surely no one can so far harden his heart as
to refuse helping hand to the Iaraelite who
Is in need -