Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-09-09
ISRAEL'S NEW YEAR.
1T BEGINS SUNDAY AT SUNDOWN AND
LASTS ONE DAY.
The Day OF Atonement and Feast Of Isoer-
nacies and What They
Teach

Israels New-Year begins at sundown on
Sunday next and continues until sundown
Of the following day.
II il called in the Bible day of memo
rial. II is day of deep thought and re-
fection; day when mans deeds should
pass in review before his mental eye:
day when bis inner life should be turned
inside out for his own impartial contem-
plation.
And when that day has shown man TO
himself in his true light il becomes day
of Judgment to him-a day when his con-
science must sit in judgment upon h,m
and pass sentence which is the truth, the
whole truth, and nothing but the truth:
The tendency Of the 1sraelite's New ear
is to make him entirely dissatisfied WIN
himself, to make him deeply feel that the
true goal of man lies far higher and is far
other than his general doings and striyinRs
would seem TO show. II seeks TO comInu-
nicate to the mind that comesunder its IN
fueuce n pure and lofty tone.
II seeks TO give to the heart disinterest-
edness and enlarged afection-hrstly, 70
God: secondly. to the family circle; third
ly. to man generally. 1t seeks TO rescue
him who comes under its influence from
the inordinate sway Of the passions: TO free
intoit the love of virtue: to call forth ITS
noblest faculties; TO endow it with moral
power. In one word. il seeks TO exert apu-
rifying and ennobling influence on tho
whole character of the Israelites.
DAY OF ATosEMEST.
On the tenth day from the New-fear.
from sundown Tuesday the 23d TO sun
down "Wednesday the 24th, is Israel's Day
of Atonement. II is devoted to fasting and
PRAYER. and calls Israel together for earnest
and serious thought.
Its sacred character is recognized by the
Israelite because it saws to him: Pause.
consider thy ways during the past year,
sit in Judgment on thine own actions: let
thy judgment be impartial and unbiased
as If another and not thyself were the SUBJ
ject of it.
The Dav of Atonement is sacred to the
Israelite because il satisfies the yearnlng
of the heart TO be at peace and be rid OF
sin. the great disturber Of all true ipward
peace.
The seeking OF atonement expresses a
deeply-seated human want.
Mankind In all ages when once they have
risen to the iden that there is n God have
felt with humility and sorrow that they
often act in opposition TO His holy Will.
AToNEMENr OFFERINGS.
They have therefore endeavored in vari-
ous WAYS 10 reinstate themselves in His ia
vor. Hence the existence of atonement
OFFERINGS in some form OF other among al
most all ancient nations. They existed in
Israel IN both temples for period of near
ly a thousand years. They formed an i'm
portant feature in the services OF the Day
Of Atonement. And they ceased forever
when the temple was DESTROYED. Tor the
people were then fit for higher forms OF
religion. The forms of religion are not all
important: il Is their underlying ideas
that are all-important. So long as the
form fully expresses the idea it has life
and vigor. When. however, the idea out
grows the form and the form is too narrow
for IL then the form must make room for
higher one. Divine service as Israel holds
il to-day took the place of sacrifice, ana
this was a great advance in religious
thought.
WHAT 1T TEAcHLs.
The fundamental teachings Of Judaism,
as embodied III the Day Of Atonement. are
the following: The sins of man raise par
tition wall between him and his Maker.
This partition wall he must himself break
down. He must make good that which he
has done wrong and nobody else can do 1t
for him. And in order that he may break
down this partition wall there has been
instituted for him the day of which Scrip
ture SAYS: " For on TINS day atOnenenl
shall be made for Won: before the eternal
your God you shall be cleansed OF oil your
sins"
FEAST OF TABERNACLE.
On the fifth day from the Day of Atone
ment is the Feast of Tabernacles. The
main idea of this is TO commemorate Gods
watchful providence. IL teaches that the
events of our lives are not subject TO ca
price or chance. but are guided by infinite
wisdom. II tells the lsraelite to rejoice IN
the bosom of his family. but 1t at the same
time tells him that his joys shall not be
shared by his family alone. 1t tells him to
let rejoice with him the stranger, the or
phan. and the widow. II orders him to
acqnire the pure. noble Joy and happiness
that result from spreading Joy and happi-
ness among Others. II teaches that man
was not intended by God to live for. self
alone. He must 1--we for the good of Others
as we'll as for his own.