Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-01-31
JUDAISM AT THE TOP.
The Subject Of an Address by Rev.
DR.. F. de Sola Mendes Last Night
AT THE EIGHTH STREET TEMPLE.
Conservatism Urged as the Only Surety for
Church Union.
A RECEPTION AFTER THE ADDRESS

Rev. DR.. F. de Sola Mendes, Of New
York, delivered the second lecture Of the
Young Mems Hebrew Association course al
the Eighth Street Temple last evening, tax
ing as his subject son Top" with conserva.
tive Judaism the wanting noun, which, he
urged, should be "On Top, as it was in the
first days of religious thought and the first
forming of any religious sect or belief" He
urged conservatism as the only means Of
furthering this end, and stated that it was
"a question of top or not top"
After reviewing the history of Judaism
and the contention in regard to belief dur
ing Ezra and Nehemiah's time, and show
ing that conservatism was the only thing
which prevailed and resulted in the
strengthening of the faith, be deplored a
state of contention, and urged this conserv-
atism of the past as the only mode of ad-
vancing religion and causing a chance for
contention.
As an illustration of the effects of in
activity and the lack of the motive power to
induce conservatism, he cited the case of a
top that would not co. though it was
PULLED THIS WAY AND THAT,
and thumped and searched all over for the
cause, but, when a mechanic applied his
art, inserted the chisel, cleaned off the gum
and oiled the mechanism; when the string
was pulled, the top moved of, singing mer-
rily as before. 1t did not need pulling and
rashly casting about, but the careful con-
sideration of the power which first moved it,
and then the conservatism or forces thrown
around it to keep up this motion.
He urged the formation of church socie-
ties, with their consequent influence, which
is thrown on young men of other sects,
stating that, Gin thus bringing closer bonds
of union and conservatism and in every way
casting the teachings of true Judaism before
our young, thus only can we become as we
were in the days of old, and be on top as
then"
He stated that for 2,40O years Judaism
retained firm hold, and only lost this when
it allowed conservatism to become slack and
did not throw the proper influences around
the growing generations. Continuing, he
said:
1t behooves us to Undue our youth with an
attitude of reverence and surround them with
religious teachings to-day, SO that the teach
lngS may 60 down from generation to genera
tiOn. We have magnificent temples magnlh-
cent chapels: what we want now is societies
that will surround our young with conservative
Judaism and the teachings of what true re-
ligion is. Religion is not a body of doctrines
that can be taught and learned, but, it grows
by inspiration. given by constant knowledge
of the living God and an attitude of the soul
toward Christ.
A PRESSING NEED.
We need societies, and until we have &C.
quired that conservatism gained by constant
afiliation and contact with the principles of
Judaism in daily life, we cannot stand. But,
why should we not when we have stood in the
feel in unison with the thoughts and actions of
our ancestors, and as Jews we should now up
hold and strengthen the bonds Of unison we
possess, and SO throw around our church and
people this guardianship that they will be on
top as before, and it is with these thoughts of
conservative Judaism that have come over
400 miles to tell you, with the hope that it may
strengthen and build up your resolves and
cause conservative Judaism to protect and
keep our young.
After the address, which was listened to
by good audience of representative
Hebrews of the two cities, reception was
rendered to Rev. DR.. Mendes, the Young
Mems Hebrew Association and its friends,
at the home of Mr.. l. Finks, 307 Ferry
street. Among those to brighten the occa-
sion with short addresses were Dr. l..
Naumberg, Rev. DR.. Mayer, A. Israel,
Fs0 and others ~"