The New York herald., 1879-03-30
NINETEENTH STREET SYNAGOGUE.

INCONSISTENCIES OF THE DAY-SERMON BY THE
REV. HENRY p MENDEs.
Having occupied the winter Sabbaths by series of
their national history and the lessons in
cucated by it Rev. H. P. Mendes yesterday took his
text from Kings. xviii, 33, and described the first
scenes. the Assyrian invasion. the carrying away
of the ten tribes and the settlement of col
onists from various parts of the Assyran kingdom.
Having noticed the attempts to identify tho lost
ten tribes with the English speaking nations, Mr..
Mendes then introduced the subject Of the day. the
condition of the Assyran colonists. who according
to his text feared heaven, and yet revere their
GODS" He said-Upon reading this passage was
struck with the resemblance between these nconsis
ent colonsts and Jews and Christian of to-day. who
heaven fearing men. but who, just as inconsist
emily worship their own gods too. cursory glance
at the events Of the day will suffice. Look at the
scene being enacted in Brooklyn. the beautiful
and edifying display of cordial feeling manly senti
ment brotherly love and Christian charity The
actors all heaven fearing men. but whether the
idol worshpped there is malice or jealousy noto
rety certain 1t is that such one is among them.
Is not that inconsistency? Recall too the equally
ey ing spectacle of recent conference of ministers.
where reverend brother was troublesome
to the others. They all heaven fearing men,
but the fear Of heaven involves peace and concord
here below-then was not that inconsistency? Wit
ness too. a high church functionary who. through
carelessness or incapacfty in business matters. is
tho doubtless innocent cause of that suffering
which ever attends such. He and his advisers fear
heaven surely; but the lear of heaven involves
brotherly solicitude. Then is there not inconsis-
tency there also? Behold, again, Jewish minis
ter, who lends his temple built for the honor of a
Unity. to be used by Christian congregation for
the worship of Trinity. OF course he IL heaven
fearing man. but is not that inconsistency? Cite.
again. those ministers, also jewish who signed their
names against tolerstion. with the memories fresh
in their minds of the intolerance and disabilities
that pressed grievously upon their fathers. Is
not that nconsisteDcyf It IN ~ be said that these
are isolated instances. 1t matters not; we have 30
guarantee that they will not happen again. The
very fact that they and others do occur shows
that the practical effects Of neither Ju-
daism nor Christianity to-day are per,
further proof? Some of the horrors Of the tenement
system are published; We are told how the inmates
poisoned by the atmosphere Of those institutions
which outrage decency, destroy health. make CON-
fort name and ruin morality. We are virtuously
indignant and wonder how such can be consistent
with the sentiment of such age as this. Then
again. besides pious but fraudulent bank directors
VINO and anon appear. look at those standing
rebukes 10 the chief faiths of this city, Christianity
and Judaisn-the societies. for the Prevention Of
Cruelty to Children and the other the Prevention
of Cruelty to Animals; alas that they should be
necessary. that Jews and Christians should be Offend
to both that Jews and Christians should have to
support them Yet are told by the latter that IL
is Christian age. by the former that 1t Is age of
progress. Then ask IL it be Christian age. which
truly peace ahu HOOu WILL Wnut neanetn Wlue-
spread vicoY Where is the peace, with millions OF
armed men supported and ready to march to scien-
tifc murder and legalized slaughter and robbery?
Where Is the peace with socialism and nihilism
banching the faces OF honest men with the thought
OF whose turn next to be assassnatcdg And whore rs
the good will with every Power Watching with lynx
eyea vigilance the slightest demonstration OF another?
| And II our people assert this Is progressive
| age. what means the vice among our lower orders
the irreigion and apathy among higher classes?
Is it all progrcss? Perhaps IL is and we know 1t not
Doubtless all heavcnfearing men, but II must
be confessed that like those old colonists. VIC. too,
| guilty of gross Inconsistencies.
The question In, How these inconsistencie to
be removed7 They are OF two kinds-phblic or gem
cral and personal. The former be corrected but
gradually. All do to help IL to give moral
support always and active support whenever oc-
cason requires. The latter can be removed by striv
ing after greater carncstness First among the infiu
most antagonistic to that purity ut which as
| intellectual beings aim, they force them
selves into lives and natural result OF our
| human weakness. But by practice OF honest self
examination eliminate much of the incon-
| sstent from nature and unless exercise this
constant vigilance upon ourselves our sincerity In
the pursuit of that purity which, as ! have said s
the Legitimate and proper aim OF our ambition. must
| be call ed question.