The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1886-01-02

Makes man noble. or adds to his worth?
Is there family tree to be had
Spreading enough to conceal what is bad?
seeking out the man who has for his guide;
Nothing to blush for and nothing to hide,
re ne noble or be he low in trade
This ls the gentleman Nature has made.
---A-o
Principles of Reformed Judaism.
From the proceedings Of the recent convention
held at Pittshurg,
In view OF the wide divergence of opin-
ion. of conflicting ideas in Judaism to-day
in America, in continuation of the work be-
the following principles:
l. We recognize in every religion an at
tempt to grasp The Infinite and in every
mode, source or book of revelation held sa-
cred in any religious system the conscious
ness of the in dwelling of God in man. We
hold that Judaism presents the highest con
ception of the God idea as taught in our
Holy Scriptures and developed and spirit
naiized by our Jewish teachers, in accord
nnee with the moral and philosophical prog
ress OF their respective ages. We maintain
that judaism preserved and defended midst
continual struggles and trials and under en-
forced isolation this God idea as the central
religious truth of the human race.
Z. We recognize in the Bible the record
OF the conservation of the Jewish people to
ITS mission as priest of the one God, and
value it as the most potent instrument 81
religious and moral instruction. We hold
that tho ,C1o
searches in the domain of nature and his
tory are not antagonistic to the doctrines of
Judaism, the Bible rejecting the primitive
ideas OF its own age, and at times clothing
its conception of Divine Providence and
justice, dealing with man in miraculous
narratives.
). We recognize in the Mosaic legisa-
ton system of training the Jewish peo-
PIE Tor Its mission during its national life
IN Palestine, and to day we accept as bind
ing only the moral laws, and maintain on
~ such ceremonies as elevate and sanctify
our lives, but reject all such as are not
adapted to the views and habits of modern
civilization.
4. We hold that all such Mosaic and Rab:
lnlcal laws as regulate diet, priestly purity
and dress, originated in ages and under
the influence of ideas altogether fol- eign to
our present mental and physical state.
1hey fail 10 impress the modern Jew
with spirit of priestly holiness; their OBJ
servance III our days is apt rather 10 OBJ
struct than to further modern spiritual ele
walton.
b. We recognize In the modern era of
universal culture of heart and intellect the
approaching of the realization of Israels
great Messianic hope for the establishment
OF the kingdom of truth, justice and peace
among all men. We consider ourselves no
longer nation but religious community
anu therefore expect neither a return to
faiestlne nor sacrifcial worship under
the sons of Aaron, nor the restoration of
any OF the laws concerning theJewish state
3. We recognize i'll Judaism progressive
rel1s'on' ever striving TO be in accord with
the postulates Of reason. We are con-
WINGED OF the utmost necessity of preserv
ing the historical identity with our great
past. Christianity and Islam being daueh-
ter-reilgions of Judaism, we appreciate
their providential mission to and in the
spreading of the monotheistic and moral
truth. We acknowledge that the spirit of
broad humanity of our age is the ally and
1ulhliment of our mission, and therefore
We extend the hand of fellowship to all who
operate with us in the establishment of the
reign OF truth and righteousness among
men.
I. We :eassert the doctrine of Judaism
that the soul of man is immortal, grounding
this belief on the divine nature of the hp
man spirit, which forever finds bliss in
righteousness and misery in wickednesss
we reject as ideas not rooted in Judaism
the beliefs both in bodily resurrection and
IN Gehenna and Eden (hell and paradise)
as abodes for everlasting punishment or re-
ward.
q. In full accordance with the spirit of
Mosaic legislation, which strives to repu-
late the relation between rich and poor, we
deem 1t our duty to participate in the great
Task OF modern times to solve, on the
basis OF Justice and righteousness. the
problems presented by the contrasts and
evils of the present organization of society