Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1886-04-10
THE FUTURE OF ISRAEL.
The Religious Destiny OF the Hebrew Race IN
the World.

the World.
From Louis j. Cohns Baltimore Lecture.
"rrom the very moment when the emsn-
cipated race went from Egypts yoke under
the guidance OF their inspired leader, they
have been peculiar people. Few in num-
ber compared with the rest of men, and a. q
grain OF sand upon the seashore, they have
exercised upon the history of the world an
influence as great as it has been enduring
No terror of isolation, no horror of the
Ghetto, no cruelties of the Spanish inauisi-
tion could ever daunt the brave champ pions of
truth. At last is there rest for Israel after
being cast about for ages The seed of
Jacob can look forward TO period Of tran
guilty. With the growth of the nine
teenth century the feelings of magma
nimity towards all have become stronger.
'Tis true we hear occasionally, as IN Russia
and Austria and Germany, of the dark spirit
of bigotry. But these occurrences are ex-
cephonal and yet with everything favorable
there is everywhere apparent an apathy. 1t
Is true that the spirit of the time is material.
istic, and men as a rule have little enthusiasm
and much disinclnation for all that is not
visably practical and profitable. Israel, with
its lofty ideal of the divine, should be in the
front ranks opposed 20 all teachings which
would rob man of his best and noblest hopes
But in place OF activity there is lsnguor, in
place OF firm belief there is wavering fidelity.
The ranks OF Israel are broken and scattered
Surely the spirit is not dead that quickened
them of Old, and are the cruelties OF the
Syrian necessary to bring Judah to life {?
Would that lsrael's young men were filled
with the old Maccabean spirit of love and
fervOr. But before this zeal will again be-
come the strength of Israel great chan GO
must De made. The spirit of grasping ambi-
ton to possess worldly prizes must be super
seeded 10y love for the sublime, and the
education OF children in the proper apprecia-
ton OF their duties as Israelites should be
conscientiOuSlY fulfilled. The whole people
must be aroused to the grandeur of the task
OF spreading the light and truth to all the
nations. 1t was the devotion TO duty that
characterized the lsraelites of old, and shall
not the followers OF Judah's pennon strive to
bring back the old religious zeal aud the Old
lofty ideal OF domestic virtue and tilial love I?
"W hat then Will be the future of the be-
brew race, and how will it affect the progress
of mankind? Israel is no longer a nation
The ancestral home was destroyed when
Romans set fire to Judah's holy temple,
The world then became Israel's home the
temple OF humanity its house of devotions
Now they who are called wandering Jews
are in all lands, in all chimes. AmaIga-
mating with tie people with whom they
live, they are lsraelites only in faith,
and patriotic citizens in civil life. Yet
bond mightier than ties of cOun-
try unite the dispersed of Zion. That
bond is their religion. Notwithstand-
ing predictions OF the absorption of the Jew
ish people among the surrounding nations
they will live under the protection of their
religion a peculiar people until the mission
Tor which they exist, has been accomplished.
people that draws its life-blood from the
fountain OF truth can never die. Israel has
glorious future now that its followers have
the power OF proclaiming to the world the
true Significance OF the doctrine for which
they have for so long fought. Scattered
though they be, they Will be impelled
still more forward in the ages as
one invincible, indivisible body, spreading
llelr benehcent influence over humanity and
leading men ever nearer the knowledge of
God. This is the future OF Israel among the
nations, the result of firm devotion and un-
swerVlng fidelity, and when Israel shall
be thus rejuyenated into new life, when
the old spirit of love and duty calls all to
the front, the messianic hope which thous.
ands OF years ago the prophet experienced
Will be realized. Then will the brow of Israel
pe adorned with the wreath of victory
inc grand truths of Judaism will burst
Win enhanced power upon the convictions
OIL men, and all will acknowledge the
triumph OF lsraels mission, the existence OF
one incoi poreal God, This is a grand result
and can be obtained if Israel be true to itself
Let them be true To their lineage anu their
religion. AS lsraels past representing a
long narrative of toll, patience and endurance
is separated from its future career OF triumph
py the Meeting character OF fleeing events
SO we, standing between the new and the Old
on the summit of another Pisgah, but pro-
hiplted IRON entering promised land, NAV
see the time when strife will cease from the
earth, when virtue and integrity will rule.
aud when all men will do homage to Israelis
God and worship Hin alone"