Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-02-08
AIMS OF THE ORDER
A Large Audience Attends the
sinai Birth Entertainment
KNOWLEDGE AND CHARACTER
The Subject Of an Interesting Paper Read
BY the Hon Henry Greenbaum
Music BY Able Artists

rowsrs' opera house Was packed last
evening With people who came to enjoy
the entertainment Furnished by the in
dependent order Of B'nai Birth. The
opening number of the program WAS
violin solo by J Roermeester after
which Maurice NJ. Houseman, the new
ly elected president Of the local lodge,
introduced Israel Cowsn of Chicago.
Mr.. Cowen set forth IN . pleasing man
ner the aims and purpose of the great
Hebrew society and referred with pride
to its honorable record In the past.
He told OF the charitable institutions in
New York, San Francisco, New Orleans
aud other cities that have been foste red
and built up by the united efforts of
the varions societies, and of the great
work that Is being done to ameliorate
the sutferings Of the Hebrews in
Russia and care for the
destitute refugees who escape from the
tyrany Of the car. His address was
followed by . violincello solo by w. IL.
Knapp, which was heartily encored.
Mr.. Cowen then introduced the speaker
of the evening, the Hon. Henry Green
baum, of Chicago. Mr. Greenbaum
said: "In response to the invitation
from the officers of your society have
prepared paper on the subject,
sKnowiedgs and Character"
In which / have endeavoled to Get
forth the best thought of which am
capable. From the times of Solomon
aud Socrates, down the corridor OF Gen.
turles to the days of the Shakespeare
and Carlyle, knowledge has been the
noblest pursuit of the human race.
knowledge is power IN the world, and
knowledge without character would be
q source Of evil. Together they are q
source of good. Every individual Is
an integral part of the great
society of man. The individual
soldier is essential to the make
UP OF an army and 60
each man is necessary to society.
"Honor and rank from no condition
rise; act we'll your part, there all the
honor lies" knowledge should be of
a twofold character, general and
special. Special knowledge is that
which each man possesses in the line of
his particular calling. General knowl-
edge Is acquired for the good of society
in general. Special knowledge should
be thorough. No man can say Il know
enough The wlscst of men are con-
stantly adding to their requirements,
and In order to be successful each man
must learn something from day to
day. 1t ID . matter of duty to ones
self and to society. A little knowledge
is dangerous thing. A man to prac-
tice medicine must not be = tyro but =
doctor. The lawyer must store his
mind with legal learning. IL is not
necessary that tho locomotive engineer
should know how TO prepare . pres
cripton or that tho druggist should
know how to run locomotive.
Tho Value OF Special knowledge.
Every man should be the right man
in the right place and in order to do
this each mus: fit himself for his par
| ticular calling. In no other way can
! perfect success he attained. By con-
slant acquircmento of tins specia! knowI-
edge men may climb from the foot of
the ladder in any calling to the topmost
| round OF success.
General knowledge occupies wider
field. Man alone has the power OF
artlcuIate speech and he should be able
tn speak at least one language cor
rectly. lie who can speak two Ian
cuages leads two-fold life and every
language mastered gives us better ap-
| probation Of our own. The knowledge
of two or more languages tends to
broaden our views, increase our knowl.
| edge and enhance our usefulness. Ig-
4
is the wing by which we fly to heaven.
Essential knowledge is better gained
by careful study OF o few books tnsrl
by pouring over whole libraries. The
| citizen of the United States is unworthy
the name who does not understand
the system Of our government and the
principles Of our constitution. A
knowledge OF contemporaneous history
is becoming every day more necessary
TO our success and as the result OF the
establishment of trading relations with
south American countries, spanish wiil
soon be taught in our public schools"
Tho Cultivation OF Character.
Character is that which distinguishe,
one man from another. While some
| are moved by noble impulses other.
arc actuated by selfish motives. No
| every one will meet with success il
life. sThe poor we have always with
US, is a gospel truth. Benevolence
brosherly love and charity should bs
fratcrnal. These are the principles oil
the order of B'nsi Birth and its pur
pose carried cut will give labor to To,
unemployed. food to the hungry
clothing To the naked and will maters
ally assist in establishing Gods king
dom on earth. knowledge ant
character combined will watt us safel,
over the billowy waves of life Tn,
speaker then paid glowing tribute 4
woman maintaining that motherhcos
As her highest attainment aud that On,
rearing Of her children and directing o
their physical, moral and spiritual cul
ture Is . sacred trust imposed upoI
womankind.
81 am disposed tn hold woman re
sponAble IN q great measure for th'
Shortcomings OF man and on the othe
hand give her credit for all that !
great and noble ia hlsn."
The audience was diam lssed afie
listening 10 delightful trlo hv Messls
I ttnlta.<fotr ka1rn al Hazras 4