New-York tribune., 1885-01-04
DIR. GoTTHEIL ON REFORMED JUDAISM
THE QUESTION OF SUNDAY NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
ITY OF ITS OPPONENTS.

THE QUESTION OF SUNDAY OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
ITY OF ITS OPPONENTS.
At the beautiful Temple Emanu-E -El in Fifth
ave- yesterday the impressive service was participated
in by large congregation The musical portions OF tne
worship were as usual especially noteworthy
when the Rev. DIR. Gottheil, who con
Quoted the services, began his discourse
there was an expectant hush among his hearers
for it was expected that he would touch upon the ques
ton which has of late agtated the congregation te au
visibility Of holding services Sunday as wen as satur
day. Taking his text from Genesis. xv; After these
things the word Of the Lord came unto Apram III
vision, saying: Fear not Abram."
DIR. Gottheil pointed out that Abram had ootalheu
great victory over the four kings and that in the very
flush Of the victory the word of God came 10 MN
saying: Fear not" Was 1t not strange SAID IN tne
preacher. when he had shown nn,c o 80 tbs nm Sy
promise of protection He had asked Ior no reT, an
had dsdaned to accept phats6e dro e6e was not
strange, however, when 1t was considered Una. & 10
achieve victory y %a nOtg noohsr Ot thng no In the height
Of his success Abram needed an nS nssa,'noo a, as
surance also that he would gain that which he had had
hoped gain. This was truth OF wue Dearins; h hi
Dr. Gotthe And though God did not appear to ms y,
hearers in the same manner to Abram. He spoke TO
them just ntclligbly and every one or tnem, en- a,co
achieving victory should be sure that he heard he same
voice saving Fear Not !" and promising them that te
expected advantages should be theirs and their triumph
Continuing the preacher said that question of great
moment had recently been discussed among thcm ana
he had hesitation in referring TO IL, 80 sio rS vas M
The question of whether 1t was advisable Tor mem 20
have public worship on Sunday had been settled % ana
those who were opposed to 1t conld boast OF great
sSgSonls aS RsT Them onSn'nti s they hear
voice In plain hnra nnm g1SsS ia an Infusion n Of ne%
life into the old Sabbath day The congregation a ~, W
CURED solemn obligation before the whole world ana II
was his duty press home the fact OF tho serious
sibity which rested on them: suppose INA. ohiy
small number say twenty thirty had desired 70 wor
without danger Of the rest of the world coming to tue
conclusion that the congregation did not care
a man worshppcd or not Their only lusuhcau9n
was the deep reverence which they vr
were instituted the Sabbath would suffer INJURY lhey
had upon themselves to say 10 tnosc u
with them in common brotherhood " on cannon woI-
shin on the day you wish" 1t ought to have been I'M
derstood that In that negative was implied solemn
Of this Affirmative, unless they sad this day
OF ours must be saved, nc caa aa and noi the sbc
world and deny people that which they had right
to ask They had he repeated. incurred q new ana
solemn obligation. He would do hisvery BEST give OF
his very best and do all that he could to make IL rea
victory , ,..,,, T., ..,,,
There was other point, said Dr. Gotheil In conc-
sion Utterances had been heard which EXTENDED iai
beyond the moinentsary interests OF the day olter,
scetca as to the success Of ther a
that the reformers themselves admitted that Reformed
Judaism failure. He thought II was Timely 10 look
the straight In the face. Reformed Judaism
failure 1t had achieved the most glorious successes
Those spoke against 1t who were enjoying at thst very
moment the light and freedom which the reforntr, had
brought them Reformed Judaism had made Judaism
Judaism in the cultivated classes was due to Reformed
Judaem