The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1885-07-18
JEWISH HISTORY.

In this happy country the descendants of
Jacob increased and fourished and became
so, numerous and prosperous that at length
the envy and fears Of the Egyptians began
to be excited against them. To check their
prosperity rigorous measures were pursued
by the rulers of Egypt. Their lives were
ernbttered by hard service, and all tholr
children were ordered to. be drowned at
birth. Till the time of their residence IN
the land of Goshen the Hebrews led a pas
toral life and had not been subject to any
form of government. Children were obedi-
ent to their parents and servants to their
masters. Religion appeared i'll its most
simple and amiable form. One God, the
creator and governor of the world, was
worshipped. Equal purity in faith and wor-
ship, in principle and practice prevailed
among the people. But in proportion as
wealth and luxury increased, the religion
of the Hebrews became more sensual.
Like oil Eastern nations they were prone
to the worship of the heavenly bodies.
The history of the Hebrews during the
patriarchal eges is related i'll the first book
of Moses, with simplicity, minuteness and
apparent fidelity. There we: read descrip
ton of ancient customs and manners in
the lives of the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac
and Jacob. The story of Joseph and his
brethren has always been admlreI for the
simplicity of the language and the affect
ing circumstances which it exhibits. As
the numerous facts and incidents in the
| early periods of the history of the Hebrews
are familiar to every reader, and are be-
sides of little importance In the political
annals of the nation, it seems supertnous
| to enter into detail of theln- After much
oppression and suffering God raised up a
deliverer Of His chosen people who rescued
| them from a state Of servitude and brought
them out of the land of bondage. This de-
liverer was Moses, the most distinguished
parsonage of ancient times, born in 1861
BIC In consequence of Pharaoh'a inhu-
man decree, Moses was exposed by his
mother on the banks of the Nile and was
found by the Kings daughter, who com
tpassionately adopted him and thus saved
his life. Before their departure from Egypt
and in their long Journey Of forty years
through the wilderness many extraordinary
and supernatural events occurred which
are recorded in the Bible and e5cribed te
the miraculous interposition Of the Lord il
behalf of His people. During their wander
ings in the desert they received from thei
illustrious guide, with many other sigma
proofs of divine favor, q system of religion
and laws under the sanction of God.
The Mosaic code,. though the most an
cient that has been transmitted to posterlty
contains the best maxms Of legislativ
wisdom. It is an admirable summary O
our various duties to God and man: and
enforces the observance Of those duties b
the powerful motives of gratitude, hop
and fear. It directs our alteration to on
God, the author of all blessings: command
US to reverence His holy name; and ce
nounces dreadful vengeance against thos
- who shall transfer to idols or to the crei
= ture that worship which is due only to tt
. Greater. To prevent the neglect of tho;
sacred obligations, it ordalns g. Sabba'
: every week 10 be set apart for rest anc p
= !. Gus raelitations on the works and the b
5 neficence of God. -Four Of the statutes
e the Etos4ig code comprehend the primo
p,ss OF nriversa! jurisprudence:
i. Thou shalt not kill.
= >. Thou shalt nos commit adultery.
u 3. Thou shalt not steal.
!. TEoa shalt net bear false wines.
They have formed the basis Of cF1n:ii'