Sacramento daily record-union., 1890-04-07
JEWISH PASSOVER.
ITS Observance in This City-Rev. L.
Lewis Sermnn.


Its Observance in This City-Rev. L.
Lewis Sermon.
The Jewish festival of Passover was
ushered in with nightfall on Friday even
ing last. The feast continues for seven
days, and is observed in celebration of the
exodus from Egyptian servituda, and hence
it is termed the Feast of Liberty" Sery-
ices were held on Friday evening, and
Saturday and Sunday mornings. On Satur-
day, Ralph, the youngest son of Mr.. and
Mrs. s. Lavenson, of this CITY, was con.
tirmed. and during the service the lad de-
| llvered some eloquent and thoughtful re-
| marks on the higher teachings of the Pass
| over, at the close Of which he pathetically
recited a touching and fervent prayer.
During the Sunday service the Rev. Jos.
l.. Levy preached a sermon ON the subject
of: Are We Free?' The earlier portion
| OF the discourse was devoted to considera-
| ton OF the Bible story of the exodus in
| the light of modern scientific teachings,
and the valuable information of exaayators
and explorers. The following is the perora-
| ton of the sermon:
| Are we free? In body, yes; but that alone is
the freedom the blind man possesses of wander
| ing at random, and striking into every path
without guide to prevent us falling into de-
structlon. Is that man free who cannot even
call his heart his own. because devoted only to
| material success it is the sport of every wind
and the plaything of every wave of anger and
temper? Is that man free, however splendid
| be his position, who is ruled by his passions :?
| Is he free who fatters and cheats and lies to
gain his own ends? Is he free whose whole
being is ruled by the one idea Make fortune
honestly if possible, but make fortune?' Is he
free who dares not speak his own sentiments;
who dares not be honest and charitable and
/ because han Z ba
dlsapProval OF conscience? No. such ones are
IN more ab]ect slavery than ever were Jews in
Egypt or the colored inhabitants of the South
ern States. No chains bind SO hard no fetters
are SO heavy as those which link the corrupted
heart to this world.
No matter what be the form of government
republican, monarchical or autocrat-those
whom vice rules are suffering from the most
CALLING slavery Among other laws connected
| with this feast was one TO remove and destroy
| all leaven. Need say that leayen has double
Specification? 1t means the bread that we usu-
ally eat but it also means the sins we daily
| commit IL means the material leaven we see
with our eyes or feel with our hands. but it also
means those moral imperfections which blind
those eyes and sully those hands. Just as the
material leaven was 70 be removed, So il we
would be truly free, must those vices we have
SpoKen o END 81 s be annuled and entirely put away
The Passover demands that we shall be free
free as the bird that wings its flight through
| the pathless air. Let us display a steady and
continued practice of those honored principles
which, thanks to the emancipation gained on
this day, have been given to mankind, and
which are the safeguards of mental and physi-
cal freedom. Let us determine to undermine
by all the power invested in US the present vile
system of political intrigue which is gradually
enslaving America. Let US urge our young to
lead pure life, and in them now lay the
foundation of a higher and better patriotism
Let this be our mission; let the Passover so in
nuence US that we feel deeply impressed with
| the truth that true freedom is the greatest good
| we can bestow upon posterity.
The service was greatly enhanced by the
| very choice singing of Mrs. A. Bonnheim
aid j. Desmond, who rendered the follow
ing programme: Vocal duet, "If With All
Your Hearts," solo, Smile Upon Us,
Heavenly Father" Mr.. Desmond; my
Soul Thirsteth for God" Mrs. A. Bonn
helm; Il Will Extol Thee" Mrs. A. Bonn
helm.