Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-12-31
CENTENNIAL BIRTHDAY.
Commemorative Beneficent and Time
HonOred Life.


All the civilized world has joined in the
one hundredth birthday anniversary of
Montefore, the great Jewish philanthropy
list still living. Born Prince, the baron
etey bestowed upon him during the Queens
visit in 1916 could give him no additional
honor. For the betterment of the Jewish
race in Palestine, in Poland, in Morocco,
in Algiers, and everywhere, he lived.
When he spoke, Queens and Emperors and
Sultans and nations listened. His name
shall stand as synonym for wealth merci-
fully expended, and for high-born position
sympathetic with the most downtrodden.
All the synagogues Of Europe and Ameri-
ca have sounded his praise, and Gentiles as
well as Jews have recognized his mag
nanimity, his self-sacriiice his greatness of
soul, and his glorious longevity. There is
nothing admirable in long life unless it
be consecfated to some purpose. One hun
dred years of sin, 100 years of Selfishness,
100 years of arrogance 100 years of OPP
pression-who ever kept such an ami
versary! But one hundred years OF
attempt 10 bless others-well may
synagogue and cathedral and church
at home keep festiyity. Bad men
live not TO celebrate their centennial.
They do not live out half their days.
Their wickedness Stays them. They totter
along a few miles ON the road Of life and
then stumble into the grave, and whatever
may be the dishonest epitaphai commemo-
ration, the world is glad that another NUS
ance has been abated. Long life is com
pliment to ones good habits. Peter Oar
tan, the Hungarian peasant, lived 1S5
years, but only through the blessing of
God in simple and regular habits. Be
tween the Apennines and the Pc the
morals Of the people were so good that
there were 81 persons who reached 100
years, 40 persons who lived 135 years, and
30 persons who lived $40 years. The cen
| Gus taken by Nespasian records these facts.
In our time the centenarian is 4 wonder,
and the wealthy centenarian whose life
has been devoted to making the world
better and happier stands out alone.
Where has this Jewish philanthropist OF
London a compeer? Fortunate for the
world selfish men never live one hun
dred years If they did they would put
the world in their pocket. \ century
of grip and gouge and absorbing and self
appropriating would make them intoler-
able. But they die in time, and the boys
get the estate, and they make the money
! fly, and the fortune goes back into the
| hands Of men who shall make better use of
| it. The sooner selfish men die the better,
| and the longer good men live the more is
! the world to be congratulated. What a
grand thing it is to have on earth man
| like the one whose birthday has recently
been celebrated among all nations, and
who, though perhaps product of a differ
ent religion from your own, displayed those
| qualities Of heart that must be admired
under all religions. When, TWENTY-FIVE
years ago, his wife died, he built and en-
dowed as her monument the Jewish Col
lege at Ramsgate; but his monument shall
be the imperishable gratitude Of many
nations, Protestant and Roman Catholic,
Gentle and jew. | thank God that amid
all races there are noble men men worthy
of eulogium men whose names are the
common inheritance Of all nationalities.
But how they all sink into comparative
insigniticance compared with the jew
whom we worship? \ Jew on His moth
er's side, a Jew on His fathers side. the
Christ of history, the Christ of the world 5
redemption, lHe ClitlSI OF our pest cOnl-
dence and warmest love. Did others spend
their lives to help their own race? lie
lived and died for all races. Did Others
break particular bondage? lie came for
the overthrow of all oppression. Did 9th
ers provide home on earth for the suf-
fering? He offers for all who will accept
| it an everlasting home in heaven. Well
may Handel and Haydn and Beethoven
roll his name in oratorio. Well may Ra-
phael and Rubens and Titan and Ghirlan-
daio put upon canvas and wall the Adora-
ton Of the Magi and the Descent from the
Gross. Well may Cowpcr and Watts and
Wesley and Krumacher and Bonar set in
song for ages the doxology Of His worship.
My Lord, my life, nay peace, my comfort, my
heayen.-[D Talmaee, in LeaIie's sun
day Magazine for January.