The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-02-22
The Americnn-Jewish Pulpit.

Uere on American soil. which seems destined
10 exercise a momentous influence upon the
future If Judaism. the province ana Iuhctloh
OF the Jewish pulpit are undergoing uniills'
taxable end inevitable changes. The diner
ence between the typical old-tlme RABBI,
srrupuously conservative. whose punnc
duties were largely ritualistic aud but slightly
orotorical. and the typical Americans rwsh
nrencher. who may deny the authority of law
and tradition while claiming all the preIoGd-
,ives and perquisties OF authority for nm
self-this difference illustrates the new day
that has dawned. q, =.
Nov il is far from our desire 10 bewal the
mast ar decry the present. God doubtless
tnauaoes His own business, and II lie mas
villed that great many traditional customs
and IDEAS which former generation regarded
a, Judaism should pass away. 1t Is ldle To Ia
mont That upheaval is not peculiar TO any
a1e or sect. Ii is the law of nature and Illus
,,-,ted in every century. Judaism Is no eX-
ception 10 universal law. II Is part OF Gods
history. not outside of it. II Is subject to the
same Providence that controls birth. develop
mcnt. and decay in every department o.
nature.
With the changes. then. that are occurring
Il il not the duty OF our pulplt.-be IL Stld IN
ali reverence not in idle or captious mood-tQ
nlant itself more and more upon moral and
spiritual truths which are imperlshable' We
can svlnpafhize with the preacher who. appre-
hensiye of the future. deems Il his duty 10
emphasize each week the beauties OF the oral
and written law a. the sole salvation ~ lsIaei,
and who eXhorts his people Ia 4 faithful OBJ
servance OF rite and custom snnctifed by AGE
and association. But II Judaism has any
mission al all outside of being close corpO-
r.;ion for maintaining the Polish. German.
Russian and Portuguese Mlnhaglm.t there Is lir-
cent need at such a transition period rs the
present. 10 take higher ground and present
I /, tNn
NAV no, uniustv be termed a local Judaism,
which is fast finding before our eyes although
we have not the courage 10 acknowledge II.
Mortal forces are necessary to-day. Spiritual
factors are the most potent. To appealtO the
HIGHER life. to insist upon lofty Ideals, % urge
on To noble achievement, 20 inspire with en-
tbusiasm for humanity and 10 eXhOrt 70 co
operation with every movement 10 bless ana
brichten mankind should be the duty OF the
Jewish preacher more and more. lie can
waive for a time other and not less important
themes. and direct his whole strength towards
the moral elevation of his people and that
practical righteousness when Is hitcr all the
aim and purpose OF every rite ana ceremony.
Tine typical American-JeRish preacher has
doubtless his points of weakness. He may be
too self-confdent. He may lack experience
and learning. He may be sometimes inclined
10 regard himself as almost deity. But he
has a magnificent opportunity to vindicate
the mission of Judaism as a religion or hu-
lnanity for humanity. In tho broader field OF
work before him and with apublic wider than
Jewry whom he must influence sooner, or
later. there is every likelihood that he will be
cured Of most of his defects and devote HIM
self 10 restore and 10 rebuild with old-tlme
ardor and enthusiasm. Judaism has not sur
yiyed all these centuries TO be a counterfeit
presentment 1t must mean more than its
Russian. Polish, Portuguese phases And we
need the grit. the courage, the reverence OF
American-Jewish preachers to prove that 1t
has still a message for mankind, for jew and
lartiIe olike N hood -IeMlsh Messcnger.