The morning call., 1895-01-05
FROM THE PULPIT.
Learned Discourses by the
Rabbis.
DR.. Jacob Nieto Discusses PAN
theiSm' - A Beautiful Service
at Temple Beth israel.

DR.. Voorsanger continued his series of
lectures on 1.-THE Jew as Citizen of the
World" at the Temple Emanuel last
evening. After passing remark On the
fact that the attendance at the synagogue
was none too good the reverend gentleman
said:
1--WE have seen the Hebrew pass on
from his own country, and despite the fact
that at times he was deSp0ndent, that he
was the subject of prejudice and persecu-
ton, We have seen how he made the In ost
of his life and how he deliberately estab-
lished his home among the new nations to
which he was driven. We have seen that
almost Immediately after the loss OF his
nationality he adapted himself to the ma
tons among which he came. We find him
already becoming an Egyptian in Egypt,
a Roman in Rome ana an Arab in Arabia"
DR.. Voorsanger then traced the settling
of the Jew in the Occdent-in England.
France. Spain and Germany. He showed
the Jew on the shores of the Caspian and
the Baltic and in Persia. The rabbi dis
covered black Jews and Chinese Jews
and found him settled among the Hin
docs. He then gave some account of the
ghettos. where Jews lived in medieval
times, and ascrlbed the reason for the
jewish spirit of "clannishuess" to their
natural gregariOusness and for purposes
of defense
A large congregation was assembled In
the TaylOr-street synagogue 10 hear DIR.
Jacob Nieto's views on PaDtheism. Many
prominent Christians OF this city were
numbered in his audience, and the young
rabbps address was listened to with pro-
found attention.
Said DR.. Nieto: Last week | spoke to
you of thelsm. the contemplation of which
subject | showed you has engaged the
minds of all the worlds great scientists.
philosophers and logiclans. Smaller minds,
too. had hazarded 10 describe it. and
smaller hearts to absorb it, There pos
sibly existed no thinking person in the
world that had not pondered long In The
attempt to explain the divine nature.
"This evening / shall address you upon
another ISM differing greatly in its result,
namely, Panthelsm. 1t is peculiar TO note
that all. or mostly all, the philosophers of
ancient and modern times have had a de-
cided leaning toward panthesm. and
many theOlogians have not hestated to
stigmatize them and cast obloquy upon
their names and ridcule upon their efforts.
Regard the case of SpinoZa, the
one man who attempted to demon
stIate and systematic doctrine
which was assailed and denounced
as atheism, the man who was accused OF
dishonesty. How many prominent think
ers were there who did not hesitate TO
pour forth the vials OF acrimonious vitu-
peration upon his memory. Yet Schleer-
macher and Kant, master minds both of
them, pay him the highest tribute. His
ethics to-day remain unsurpassed for their
grand ideaism. Strangely enough. those
who Dlacken him most receive the Carrie
sian philosophy, that very system from
tob ho oil oil
ideas.
But pantheism Is old, very old. The
Hindoo religion breatbes IT.; the Egyptian
creed is founded on it; the Greeks taught
it, and modern scientists believe if they do
not profess il. To their minds IL is purer,
holier. better than theism, and affords
them more comfort In life. For in both
schools, the imlDanents and transeepden-
talists. the highest moral code is their
ideal, and the guides of their lives truth
and justice"
AT the Beth Israel Temple on Geary
street DR.. Mayer S. Levy introduced quite
novelty III his services. He delivered an
eloquent address on "The Influence of
Music in Divine Worship" taking the
works of Beethoven as the especial theme
of the evening. At certain points in his
lecture specially augmented choir, under
the direction of Professor III. j. Stewart,
rendered selections from the great CON-
poser's works., Messrs. Stewart and Rose
wald also performed several instrumental
solos during the evening.
Rabbi Levy first traced the origin OF
music from the earliest times. He pro-
ceeded 10 show that the Jew was especi-
ally enjoined to serve the Lord with
thanksgiving, with music. with cymbal.
and with the sound Of the harp"
Coming down to the main subject of his
lecture. the rabbi treated his audience to
very complete lie OF Beethoven. He
spoke of his earlier compositions, and the
choir rendered an apt illustration of them.
Ihen the oratorio period of Beethoven's
lie came in for treatment Again the
choir presented a musical picture. This
was continued throughout the entire SER
vice, which lasted over an hour, The large
congregation taking their departure evil
IDENTITY delighted with the evenings intel
lectual entertainment.