Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1883-03-22
RELIGIOUS
EEAsr OF PURlA sels. a. 4.

AV@.- SOeSs - =
Some Account ee ls BY jewish Rabss-
THURSDAY of Holy week-AsssrnssA
OF Methodist Oonlsrsnes.
Rev. Samuel n. Laski, pastor Of the
Hebrew congregation, in this city, sends
Us the following account of the festi sal Of
Purim
We. the Israelites, celebrate the feast
of Purim, on the thirteenth day
of the twelfth Hebrew month Adar.
corresponding with the ESD of March
g. G. Its object is to thankfully
remember Gods kind Providence IN
having saved the Israelites, in the Per-
sian empire, through Mordecai, the He
brew, and Esther, from utter destruction
designed by the wicked Haman. Il ID
celebrated as . day Of Thanksgiving,
feasting aud rejoicing, and distinguished
by the custom of sending presents to
friends and especially gifts to tho poor.
The name Purim, from the Persian ''Pue,"
originates from the fact that the SUPER
stitiOus Haman cast lots to ascertain the
day on which his wicked plan would best
succeed.
The history of Purim (Esther) must in.
spire US with the truth that the Eternal
is Israeps guardian and protector at all
times. ''He slumbereth and sleepeth
not, the guardian of Israel" It should
also teach us that in prosperity We should
not be overbearing, and in adversity not
despair, but try every reasonable and law.
full means for our relief and, above all, to
look up to Him from whom alone help is
possible, if all human assistance be of No
avail.
1t is especially fitting this year, in Wow
of the condition Of our people in moro
than cne European land, that we keep
prominently in mind the significance Of
the event We commemorate. There is al
ways danger in the celebration of Purim
and other anniversaries, of the observance
degenerating into meaningless form, in
which the origin and initiation of the custom
is lost sight of in the eDjoyments of tho
present.
Especially is this danger possible in the
festival of Purim. because its Observance
is not enjoined by either Moses or the
prophets. 1t is an institution established
in the spontaneous gratitude of people
for marvellous deliverance from imminent
peril, and as it is appropriately celebrated
with demonstrations of Joy, watchfulness
is needed lest pleasure and recreation sink
into mere frivolity and thoughtless gaiety.
Our happiness will be no less thorough
for being based on an intelligent percep.
tion OF the meaning of the festival, and
there will be less danger Of reaction, if in
the midst of our enjoyment we remember
how happy yet how solemn was the cir
cumstanco which separated Purim from
other days and made it time of rejoicing.
1t is profitable. therefore, il We recall on
the eve of the festival some of the features
OF the deliverance which to us, al peo-
pie, give it special significance and while
We indulge in the recreati0ns and pleasures
of the day and make glad the hearts of
the poor by appropriate bepefactions, take
to ourselves the good cheer which flows
from tIustful confidence in our God, in
whose hand are the destinies of His peo.
pie.
Bali To nighT,
This evening the Hebrew social union
will hold ball in their rooms in Grant
hall. These affairs are always largely at
tended by people from abroad as we'll al
those of the city, and good time is ex-
pected.