The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-09-25
DAY OF ATONEMENT.
Its Observance by the Hebrew Popula-
tion-The Rabbits sermon.

tiOn-Ihe kdbbIs sermon
The Day Of Atonement. the most solemn
of the Jewish calendar, was rigidly observed
by all good Hebrews yesterday. Entire
abstinence from food and drink was re-
quired from sunset Tuesday until yestei-
day evening.
At the Beth Ahaba synagogue religious
services were held in the morning, and
Rabbi Harris preached a sermon full
Of advice and instruction. IL need
scarcely tell YOU" he said.
"for YOU know as well as | that the object
of the present day is to promote in us or to
restore spiritual freedom. / may be asked
what mean by spiritual freedom. spirit
ual freedom is the attribute OF mind IN
which reason and conscience act. II is the
attribute of a MUD which Is free through It's
own energy. through ndelity 10 truih-
through resistance 10 temptation.
spiritual freedom is the result Of moral
energy and force Of good purpose, put forth
against the senses, against the passions,
against excessive wOrldiness. IL Is the
liberation Of the intellect, the conscience.
the will-pOwer, that sthey may act with
strength and unfold themselves ever more
and more. The essence of spiritual freedom
lies in inward power. He only is free who
through sef-restraint and moral resolu-
luton. subdues the passions which debased
him. He only is free who, escaping the
thraldom Of low objects, binds himself TO
pure and lofty ones.
SPIRITUAL FREEDOM
at is along these lines that spiritual free
dom has ever been defined. IL is along
these lines that Charming defines ii. And
religion teaches that she alone is able fully
70 raise man TO ii. Do men generally be-
lieye this: Religion has not to-day the
power and influence that il had in the past.
do not think that people to-day are IT.
religious from wickedness: from desire 10
follow the bent of their inclinatiOns and 10
feel that they owe no responsibility 10
higher Being. | think they are so from
doubt, in some cases openly expressed, III
others secretly entertained 1t would be
easy TO act up TO the dictates Of religion if
people could firmly believe that some Being
with the necessary wisdom, power, and
love had put us here and told us exactly
Z t1at we had TO do and how TO do it; and
Ma. / need not say, religion teaches to be
: ~. HUMAN LIFE.
N2>jch more particularly is the diff
inat WiN\Sour day have to contend with
MY my we lh&&Jhich has crept into many
ali - "VoNStius HS bo Nnethci human
III meaning mNNl meaning above that Of
nas any specii'%{>,her anything is to be
I animal; as 10 wbeN&Ss called "A rel gious
e; as to whether, in wNSSsss no use in dis
happy delusion. There N%t difficulties.
using II. Difficulties, grefSASN> people one
n.ioht us that did not conirOnF\M
inbred years ago &}pSyas 80
heir conception Of the universe NsSi.mos-
iereht from ours, their mental aSS<SA,en
ere was 80 different from ours wSSsS
ehce points out the oyerwbelmlny yasy}sSt
80 OF Inc universe, we ask ourselves What IN
weI is there really anywhere n Cod "A
i we ',, a'k ourselves Is there purpose. a or,
=. 4 re 49," ~ ,, sno universe az allf AFT
are we notf Is there Being who ,aLos
'eep interest IN us-in our welfare, in orr