The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-05-17

II Is curious that IN our age, when new light
10 shed unOn every subject and history has
been almost reconstructed with knowledge
growing more and more and the religions ana
races OF mankind knit more closely together
by travel trade and new conditions ana cur
rents-it is indeed strange that the nature OF
Judaism should be still largely terra ID
cOgmta Undoubtedly many causes nave
contributed 10 prevalent fanCitul ideas about
Judaism. The student of history knows how
ID the early centuries Christianity was Doth
Misunderstood and malgned by the neatheh
world. If external conditions. then, nave
rarely been favorable for any adequate under
standing Of Judaism as a religion the jew
can hardly be blamed for having largely hyed
within MS shell so TO speak, and formed a
kind If state within the state III simple self
defense. The Jew had enough earnest Work
Oh laud-his conditions OF existence We're TOO
Wecau0us for him 10 enlghten the World as
o. the true meaning of Judaism. And yet IL
tne world only knew It, at times OF the sharp
Est distress for Israel. in so-called dark ages
and i1 the centuries of medieval torture, jew
lsl poets sang of lofty ideals, and jewish
sagc- exhOrtad TO the brOadest ethical culture.
Tie Jewish home was sweet and inspiring
ani the synagogue. often converted INTO
fortress 20 resist knightly violence or popular
tumult. preserved the old tradition OF the law
e. the testimony. Judaism is a religion Of
daily rfe IL is not a formal creed, or a scheme
o. salvation for the Jew only. IL Is "a pract-
cal religion. not theoretical senti-
uel.a.sm. II Is conduct, rather
than doctrine for righteous conduct IS the
An and purpose Of every ceremony and rite.
h is not religion Of ascetlcism, but OF tenn
p.-arce and self-contrOl. IL has no theology
70 tae common meaning OF the word and no
guas that violate reason and straugle COM
In sense. IL is a religion, not Tor sabbath
st1 holiday merely Ibut for every day. Juda-
f- s "a religion Of growth, not stagnancy. III
L largely a development. IL has had us
r1lls Of ebb and flow, OF blossom and APP
Parent decay. It's history IS long-contnued
CuNet both natlona. ana indlWoual dew
hl thought WAS never inert and dormant. 10
j. an egreeious blunder 20 close Jewish his
Tory with Malachi and with the few supple
Nritary means and incidents which are gwen
it tho New Testament a mar alive IL Is, per
maps. only CATER the Old Testament "aoon
S4s closed that Judaism may be SAID 10
nave properly begun. Judaism Is an organic
A'l nechan cal religion. us strength uOcs
Aoi depend upon ecclesiastical council and
discipline. upon duly appointed synods and
~. lcs upon lavish endOwments ana cosby
oa'hedrals. but rather upon the universal con
e-olsness Of the Jew-the subtle, lndehnaDie
fense Of unity THROUGH the long travail OF
{'A.nrcs. There is no outward band that
A'ls Judaism together its strength is rom
n,Ain. And this Is sufficient for It's elgh1
TI.i,i3ns Of adherents throughout the gioDe;
Yulaiam Is Il religion Of breadth. It's etnlcal
Standards VIII bear the test OF the most arch
msmodern criticism IL sees in Christianity
~ Mohammedanism divine agencies, and
alllls ifeely their services IN uprOOtinS idoi,
ey' Jus Dietv is not the God OF lsraei
10y out Oi all mankind Judaism Is unlYer-
90 ~ its scope and influence. lte char,
-''0' n hotto be judged by scattered laws ana