The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-04-03
A PAPER BY HON. R. P. DICK.
What the Jews Have Done In Civiliz-
Ing the WOrId..-Their Characters.

tics, etc.
The history Of the revival OF learning and
art in Modern Europe, shows that Jewish
scholars furnished stores of knowledge which
they had found in scant remains OF classic
antiquity, and by their intellect, genius, and
patient research they opened new pathways
| to more extended fields OF science and phil
osophy. With their pencils and chsels Jew
! iSh artists enriched the homes of the wealthy,
| and galleries ofimitative art with creations OF
ideal beauty.
Many Jewish masters OF melody awake
notes and strains of music that blended in
unison In the softcst and lofticst harmonies,
and the sweet singers OF Israel thrilled and
charmed human hearts with the melting
pathos and enrapturing melodies Of song.
| Jewish merchants and manufacturers
greatly assisted in establishing those flour.
ishing marts of trade and those workshops OF
mechanical industry on the Baltic, Mediter-
ranean and Atlantic shores that gave wealth
rope, and Jewish ships were the first to reach
many distant and unknown seas in search
Of the varied treasures OF commerce.
In civil and political affairs. learned and
Intelligent Jews have enriched the science OF
enlightened Jurisprudence and the wisdom
and conversation of councils in cabinets and
| legislative assemblies and enlarged and ex-
tended the principles OF human Justice and
| freedom.
The present condition of the Jews among
the civilized christian nations Is truly won
derful, and presents subjects ssuggestive OF
pleasing thoughts and bright anticipations.
They still are rs they have been, the chief
bankers In Europe and control TO large ex-
tent the exchanges Of the continental nations,
and that often determine the momentOus
question of peace and war.
| AS Editors of numerous leading mechani-
cal, educational, scientific and political jour.
nails they have, by their genius, learning and
moral courage, added to the power OF the press
that wonderful factor that shapes and d.
rects public opinion and gives energy to the
progress of civilization.
| AS educators they exert an important In
fuence, as many Of them arc learned profes-
sors and accomplished teachers in unlversi-
ties, colleges and high schools, those fountains
of culture from which continually flow
streams OF thought, knowledge and virturc,
that refine and invigoratc society by the
beneficences of intellectual and moral pow
| er.
dent of history should calmly consider the
adverse circumstances by which they were
surrounded and the temptations and Difficult
ties to which they were generally ,s subjected
demnatlon will be tempered with mercy and
generous charity.
When from the standpoint of the present
time we look back over,the course of the Jewish
race through the troubiouS and eventful per-
iods Of past ages, we mustIregard their perse-
cutlons and achievements as the most wonder
full phenominon, history presenting many, of
the features Of miraculous interpositiOn.
They seem to have been under the protection
and guidance of a mysterious overshadowing
Providence almost as distinct to our mental
and moral perception as was the pillow OF
cloud and fire to the eyes Of the Hebrews in
their wilderness wanderings
They have passed through mighty revolu-
tions that overwhelmed other nations-and
have endured prosecutions that would have
eXterminated any other race, and yet they
have been preserved in their purity of blood
and their distinctive characteristics for de-
cades OF centuries. They, have encountered
1n,n nhctnR1ng ha
linsurmountable to human efforts; they have
remained undisInayed In the midst OF terrific
misfortunes, and from disasters derived ener-
gy and fortitude for successful and brilliant
adventures and achievements.
We have seen that in passing through long
dark centuries of oppression and prosecution
they sometimes found Goshen lands In which
they dwelt in peace and prosperity; and often
In the midst Of revolutions and disasters OF
State-the destroying angel passed over their
humble, obscure homes. They have been
mercy, and He has preserved them for the
fulflment of divine prophecy. The often re-
peated comparison Of the Jews to the burning
bush Of Horeb has always been regarded as a
striking and dappropTlate.simlle.
AS the "Angel Of the Lord" appeared In the
flame that consumed not the bush, and an.
nounced the purpose and plans OF Jehovah
bondage, SO the same divine providence has
ever been in the midst of the prosecutions
that have environed the Jews for centuries,
and He will in due time again bring deliver
ance to the seed of Abraham.
Under no Other supposition can we under
stand the mysterious problem OF Jewish his
tory. Without a county and without any
of Capitalization and cohesive unity, they
have in all quarters OF the globe been bound
together by stronger ties OF nationality than
any other race.
tiles Of social fellowship, and yet they have
been prosperous In business and the uncon-
scious benefactors of nations.
In past years they seem I'm to have been with.
have been usually the friends and advocates
of civil freedom and justice, and their names
have been but seldom found on the calendars
of pauperism and crime.
| The aversion and hatred which mankind
have always manifested towards them seem
to have but kept alive and glowing, love, be-
have been scorned and condemned by men
and yet they seem to have been the tavorites
of nature There Is no land SO inhosptable
as not TO furnish them prosperous home, no
cline so unhealthfu as to eXterminate them
with the pestilence, and every where there
seem to have been, for them, currents of bus
mess flowing over sands OF gold.
From the lessons Of wisdom taught US by
| the instructive experiences OF the past, and
in contemplating the present condition OF the
Jews among the nations, may I'VE not make
some reasonable conJectnres as TO their future
destiny. I will not refer to the various
phrases of the interesting question as to the
lime and manner of the restoration Of the
Jews to the Holy Land. This question has
able, wise, learned and dcvout theoloSians
and scholars who have presented many ingc-
MUS and plausible theories and conJectures.
The inspired voice OF prophecy has clearly
taught us that God will not always be angry
with the descendants Of his ancient chosen
people. They will not be outcasts and wan
wide captivity they have long been on an
eventful pilgrimage. With Sorrowful hearts,
they have passed through many dark valleys
Of afflction and suffering: with weary feet
and toll, and felt the full fury of the pelting
storms of human injustice, persecution and
barbarity. But they are now approaching the
end of their exile journey and the light of a
never been intimidated by human hatred
and wrong, their spirits have never been con-
qucred by nll the dircful agencies of tyranny,
tortue and power but In the course OF time
their stubborn wills, their national exclusive
ness and their religious big0try,. that have
been hardened, strcnghthencda and intensified
for centuries IN The ilerce furnace nres OF
persecution will be softened and subdued by
the kindly and holy Influences of Christian
fellowship and charity, and in the increas-
Ing light Of this Christian benevolence, they
will learn to recognize and appreciate the
divine unifying truth OF the brotherhood OF
man.
The prophcsles that foreshadowcd and
foretold their suffering and disasters have, In
great degree been awfully, accomplished,
and why should not the prophesies and prom
lseS Of blessing be realized?
The Abraliamic covenant reaillrneu 10
Isaac anu Jacob, and often repeated In in
creasing fulnesS in tho roll of prophecy con-
tiuucd distinctive divine promises that will
surely be fulfilled for II is an everlasting
of the earth be blessed" The Gospel prom
lscS to make this covenant still more glorious
in him who is a light to Tighten the Gentiles
and the glory of his people Israeli The re-
latlons and prophesies OF the old and new
testame ent are alike the word of God and ON
:his subject are in beautiful harmony. In
tI ho, hnn N