The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-12-12
SUICIDE Is A CRIME
RARBT n. n. CALrsCH ANsHERs
"FOOLfsH QUESTIONS"
A Powerful Argument In Behalf OF the
sancity of Life and the Eesponsi-
bility of Humane Existnce.

Rabbi T.. n. Calisch spoke last night AT
Both Ahaba Synagogue on tho subject
"Foolish Questions taking his toX' from
Job. v. Z.
lie began by saying among the not least
important evidences Of religious NOR
l,dity that seems 10 be attendant upon
the close Of the century IS the numoer
OF foolish questions that Is countenanceu
and discussed. questions that involved the
very sustaining pillars Of our moral ana
social fabric. IL was only the nm oe
steele" spirit that could give birth 10
such silly queries as e. g." Us Maiiiabe
a Failurc?7 is Suicide a Crlmct IS
Life Worth Living etc.
Discussion in the abstract IS Naluaple.
That which cannot bear analysis u nol
worthy Of existence. The necessity LOT
The discussion Of these themes Is an evil
ccnce OF the weakness, not or The themes
but OF our moral appcrcepuon. When uiin
eyes fail TO see the sun. II is not 1hc
faut of that bright orb. whose spicnoor
is unwcakcncd ty the passage oil lio
The speaker then said that he would not
permit himself 90 touch on the question
is Marriage q Failure The subject is
TOO sacred. Tho very question is uidN
phomy only diminished sense OF honor
and OF chastity could render It's discussion
possible
OK SELF DESTRUCTION.
Not 40 very long ago the arch apostle
Of unbeliof gave out his letter in which
he SAID that suicide was not a crime and
that under certain conditions seli-de-
struction IS justified u rs worthy OF note
mat ,n"t uo nyo ~ snici6e Man, "a bur
,ic,e5 eo,l Iae douhiiore concentrated
the fearful act in some moment OF de-
49,, ...o 80 ,to borror win which fine crime
=, $500 Am a rorverfod moral sense.
,,ffr,d ,,.itb no nrorfipo of such "a
Sol.,. -. A., ~ ,,oI,ar,,, result
,rn,,1ii,,l u,on tho Increase of suicide
a.. ..,.,trr asked What does 10 mean?
,,1, o,it,,..,,. ,..r,lio, III ID cofonor's Jury
- ..,,,,,,,or,,.,, oh.rrotio,'' cannot be ac-
ar,ed' Z, 10 oni,. tho oasv makoehift OF
'tp.,n, ~ - ,,',,io. VINO 10 moi want 10
ria''i' 49,, 49, trori,ie ar of interested
$3.50 ,,.t,o ,,trb "a oondoro the net Yet
.t'.t,, tbcrc h,1 baon on no. the crime
,,i1 NOT l,,,o boen committed II
,,eeitbv moral consciousnoes and NOR
~, s.,eo ~ honor and OF lies rcenon-
.i.iiit,. hod been nroeonf We must ask
90 i,fc e-,odnoll,, LOSING it's value for us?'
,i.a -. to,c,,,. ia, eroryatod hv tho
INV " -. -, ro.hio,.d fhot oxi.fenco
il~ .. ~, 49,, ,,,o,,b ne etrur~lc and we
III ~, ~, i,,nr before INC Oil is done?
Nv" o' - 80 ,'l,,,il,' thof we have seen
"a and lnoug mi and have experienced
81 40
an anu NV o,tf',, moro to ofIrr 10 ms
"a. pa. III ,,,,.t close mn our account
b,.t - i,,,rt a.. drsft of death
VIZ ~ ~ a,,9
by,o'c ~ iSo,.nd tho moo from such a
l,aN,. "''''' '''
'dlai"l'f' - . .
THOU SHALT NOI MILL
IL this be the fruit Of our civilization
,bcn we must begin over again. go back
"a The imprernable rock of Sinaitic revc-
lafion and build anew and better upon
tfe time-defviug foundations. in his sixth
1oumaudmcnt tho son OF Amram laid
down the Injunction. "lhat Shalt not
xiii" II is there in all the majesty OF
unapprOachable simplicity. not "a woid
too much. not a syllable too little There
are no excuses. no paliiatons. no weak
oning conditions. II includes an and eX-
cludes none. 10 applies 20 thysef as 10
Inv neighbor. Thou shalt not XIII either
others or thysclf. 81 once or gradually
Life is "a duty and responsibility, q
the shop gives the workman precious
level. and bids him cut IL and polish II
and make il beautiful and bring 10 back
10 him And dare tho workman throw
the Jewel in the ashheap and go home
at noon. because the stone is hard. and
the work Is tedious ana the progress
slow? VIII not the master. when the day
receive /, hack again? SO life Is 10 ah
81 us jewel given by the Master above.
and our duty u Is 10 polish ana shape
and boautity this jewel so that when
the Master. our day being done. asks
his Jewel lpcn again. we may yield IL Mp
brilliant with the beauty Of holiness cut
with many facets of noble deeds, Of truth
ana gentlcness and love.
AN ADMONlTlON.
Dare any one throw this jewel away.