Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-08-10
TWO-FOLD MISSION.
JUDAISM ILOQUgsrLY PORTRAYED By RABBI
HIRSCHBBRs.
Tina Irsslit.s and the Stand They Occupy II
the Wuld-rhs Progress and His
tory Of the Belief

vailed last evening, there was large
gathering of Israelites at the Synago-
que, on Chapline street, attracted oy
the announcement that Rabbi Samuel
Hirschberq, OF Fort Wayne, Ind,
would deliver in English lecture on
1.-THE Two-Fold Mission OF Judaism
Rabbi Hirschberg has been visiting
friends in the city for several days, and
has met with warm reception mol
only from the members OF the faith,
but from outsiders as we'll. he is a
graduate of the Hebrew Union College,
of Cincinnati. Ohio, and is the youngest
Rabbi i'm the United States.
In his lecture last evening he started
out by saying that the Israelltes nave
ever been aud ever will remain most
important factor in molding the religious
beliefs of the world at large. They have
ever held aloft the torch OF truth, tri-
umphantly marching along with II up
the tedious activity which mankinds
progress has pursued. Many people
have claimed allegiance to our faith;
many have deserted the dark and dreary
haunts OF idolatry and superstition for
the bright and cheerful abode OF
monotheism, illumined by Judaisms
light. There where the influence OF her
exalted principles have had undisputed
SWAY, all the dread darkness OF bar
barIsm has rapidly disappeared. Juda-
ism is the evergreen in the forest OF
creeds.
The Jews had established their religi-
Gus cutie long before the Romans had
instituted their heathenish ceremonies.
When the Greeks were still in the low
est stages of barbarism the Hebrews
had attained the subimist heights Of
truth. Proud and powerful Egypt with
its centuries OF experience had been far
outstripped by this young and vigorous
nation which had sprung up In It's very
midst, under the fostering care OF the
Almighty. Cultured Babylon with all
the acquisitions Of ages gone, shone but
feebly beside this bright luminary, but
lately kindled by the power
on high. Judaism has seen
her weakly infant gradually
grow into lovely womanhood and attain
by her insinuating charms the utmost
affections of princes and people. She
recognizes that the world when convert
ed to the temporarily congenial daught-
er religion, will gradually become ac-
quainted with the superior tenets and
more excellent doctrines of herself and
adopt them as the true criteria Of life
and its manifold duties.
1t is said in the 9th verse OF Isaiah,
Kill chapter, ~, the Lord have called
thee In righteousness and will hold thy
hand and will keep thee and give thee
for a covenant of the people for light
of the nations" Here we have clearly
presented the two-fold, diyinelY APP
pointed mission Of Judaism. A double
task has the eternal chosen the Isra-
elites to perform. They are to be both
the covenant of the people, the agency
through which all mankind are to be
and aIsV Ia lioht OF the ma
tons. the means through "S,.h ali will
odont a rational faith; the coVeuant
the o-.-.pact wherewith the world will
be united in one common brotherhood,
in the indissouble bonds of fraternal
sympathy and love, the light whereby
blind obedience will be superseded by
intelligent faith. To be an IsraelIte ac,
cording to our prophets conceEn, ~ bn.
the term Is to be both a cha -, ~ truth
manity and banner bearer - TIL for.
Theology is not religion. INC III
mer Is embodied In the creed acknow-
lodged. thA latter is the deed accom-
plished. Yhe former appears In the
abstract form Of laws, customs and GER
emonies; the latter displays It's presence
In the form of concrete actions, Ell
fected in accordance with these laws,
commandments and customs. Theology
is indeed the matter which requires the
force Of religion to make 1t living en-
tity. With matter alone there could be
no physical life, with theology alone
no spiritual life. Judaism, dur
ing the course OF It's his
tory, has proven itself to be
in the truest sense Of the term, a reli-
pion. No nation has ever been perse-
cuted or oppressed by the Hebrews be-
cause of a difference in belief, No
people of ancient or modern times can
maintain that the Israelltes In the hour
of their supremacy had trampled upon
their rights or maltreated them.
Judaism rejoices in the progress OF
science. She recognizes in 1t valuable
ally, whose conquests will but rebound
to her glory.
She does not dread 1t as terrible
enemy. which ever seeks her overthrow,
but rather welcomes 1t as friend OF
whom none but good services need be
expected. Judaism is virtually relig-
ion OF reason. Let us bear In mind the
fact that Judaism light is ever on the
increase, that truth can never be
crushed, that, though the glass about
the light be often shattered, Its efful-
gence can never be extinguished.