The morning news., 1894-10-10
THE DAY OF ATONEMENT.
To-day The Great Sacred Holiday Of
the Jewish People.

day-"Is Judaism Dead ?ii the Subject
of an Interesting Sermon by Rabbi
Mendes-Au Jewish Places of Busi-
ness Closed To-Day.
The sacred holiday of Yom Kippur, or
the Day of Atonement, began last night
at o'clock. All places of business of
Jewish citizens We're closed before that
hour. Services began at the synagogue
at o'clock. and were largely attended.
They were conducted by Rabbi I p.
Mendes, and consisted of music specially
selected for the occasion, largely of a
traditional character, reading of appro-
pirate selections of scripture in Hebrew
and English and prayers of confession
and repentance, with chants by the rabbi
and responses by the congregation.
The services were very impressive and
doubly so to those who understood their
significance. They concluded with a
sermon by Mr.. Mendes upon the subject,
rs Judaism Dead?" The sermon was a
mastery effort, and was voted by many
who heard it to have been the best ever
delivered by the rabbi
To-day is a day of fasting and prayer
with all who observe the requirements of
the Jewish church. The fast is from
o'clock last night to O'Clock tonight and
will be rigidly observed by all true Jew
ish believers. Services will be held all
day to-day at the synagogue, beginning
at o'clock and continuing until o'clock
without intermission.
Rabbi Mendes sermon was based upon
Deuteronomy, chapter 20, verses Is and Il:
"And not with you alone do make
this covenant and this oath; but with him
that is standing here with us this day
before the Lord, our God, and with him
that is not here with us this day."
Mr. Mendes said: -.#r
Great and distinguished men are fire.
quently carried away by an unhealthy
enthusiasm over some cause or other, and
as natural result of that enthusiasm
they place upon record some unwise
theory which being built upon a weak
and an unsafe foundation is certain sooner
or later, to crumble to pieces, thus leav-
ing its author a sadder if not wiser
man. Your surprise at the above asser-
ton may to some extent, be removed by
the simple statement of the fact which
has led TO its utterance, and which l
deem a most appropriate topic on which
TO dwell this, evening. The remark which
have reference to, coming as it does,
from one of the bright lights of Europe,
IL seems almost like presumption to Chal-
Ienge it's voracity, or to even cast the
shadow of doubt upon 1t. But we feel
we can take this liberty in the interest of
truth, especially when we recall to mind
the advice of George Henry Lewis in his
physiology of Common Life" Never to
assume that which is capable of proof"
and this the venerable Archdeacon Far
rar has most undoubtedly done, by char
acterizing Judaism as Dead"
That this reflection is unjust to us, as
Jews who have always prided ourselves
upon being the chosen people of an ON
nipotent God, there can be no question,
and that 1t is a rebuke which to say the
least, is undeserved, admits not of a mo-
ment's doubt The very gathering here to-
night, the unaninity of feeling which is
finding expression in our words of repen-
tance, and in our prayers of sincerity and
confession, furnish in themselves abun-
dant proof that the child of Gods own Sc
lection yet lives, and is as vigorous as in
years gone by. There need be no more con-
elusive evidence deduced in Judaisms
favor than that soul-stirring acknowl-
edgement, which, in the next twenty-four
hours will go up from millions of throats,
all over the globe, Hear, o! Israel, the
Lord our God, and the Lord is one,' for
THE Lord, He is God, the Lord, He is
Cod" But we will not rest content with
a simple statement of all of these self-eyi-
dent facts, we prefer to examine into the
assertion impartally, and strive to dis
cover whether the revealed word of God
has been fulfilled and whether Juda-
ism has been and is still the living. ex-
position of q people to whom has been
addressed the divine assurance, And
not with you alone do 1 make this cove
nant and this oath; but with him that is
standing here with us this day before
the Lord our God, and with him that is
not here with US this day" or whether
having outlived its sphere of usefulness
it deserves Archdeacon Farrar's curt
obituary, judaism is dead" Israels in
spired poet, Solomon 1bn Gabriel, has
most aptly said, Truth establishes all
things"
Taking q cursory glance at what we call
Judaism, and which, to the Jews way OF
thinking, is nothing more nor less than
the system of most soul inspiring and
heart touching religion, we are impressed
with the self apparent fact of its sim
plicity as well as of its broad and Catholic
liberality Intended as a guiding faith for
people who were to a large extent accus-
toned to the ways and dongs of sur
rounding nations with whom they min
gled, 1t became necessary to so entwine its
main principles and dogmas around the
stem of many long established and well
known theory, that these people would
the more readily subscribe to its require
ments and would become imbued with the
praiseworthy idea ii sought TO develop
that The body of all true religion con-
sists, to be sure in obedience TO the Will OF
the sovereign Of the world, in conf
dence in his declarations, and in imita-
daism retained certain familiar forms and
ceremonies, which for the time being
could not well be dispensed with it estab-
lished from it's very inception, its foun-
dation pillar of f1onotheism On this it
proceeded to build its edifce of religion of
such material as was best calculated to
make that edifice indestructible, and also
of so beautiful and attractive an appear
ance that 1t would invite an impartial
examination Of its advantages, and would
call forth the unqualified admiration of
those who were to be its inmates, and
who were to enjoy its luxurious comfort.
Anxious TO fulfil every obligation OF its
heavenly mission 1t sought to harmonize
all its votaries by suggesting to them a
complete code OF fnorhl, social, and re-
ligious laws which we're well calculated
to promote earthly happiness, through
obedience to the maxim, LET no one serve
his Creator merely because he hopes Tor
reward, but out of pure love for Him
and His commandment" Going further
Judaism sought to raise not only its own
followers, but ell the civilized world TO
so high standard of moral excellence
that they would initiate as much as they
nOssihIv could the perfect Creator of the