The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-10-07
ynM KlPPUR WAS OBSERVED.
MAI, SERVICES OF THE HEBREW
DAY OF ATONEMENT.

y o.
f-orrivencss-Imprc Services
~, ere Largely Attended-Rev. 1. p.
,r.ndcs' sermon on the Subject "Of
,,rhat Use Is Religion!
v.n Kippur, the Hebrew day of atone
-..--. nassed with the setting of yester-
as sun. It had been a day of fasting,
o+ rana nee and of prayer.
The rebration of Yom Kippur is in ODE
5f.r.e To- the command found in Numbers.
IRE the Israelites are enjoined to fast
osa pariterce, to mend their ways and to
may for the forgiveness of their sins.
Tie LIBERATION falls ten days after the
r.oIsh New Year. or Rosh Hoshanah. The
s.-,lcsz in commemoration of the day be-
ban n.sht before last at Mckva Israel
,.~n1e Rev. I. P. Mendes preached
ss~nog. that was greatly enjoyed by the
LARGE congregation in attendance, on the
erIieet "Of What Use Is Religion?" Pray
ors ani iuvocatons were offered for for
o.yaness of sins and confessions were
made.
Yesterday afternoon the temple was
crowded. The memorial service, which vies
in beauty and solemnity with any in the
Jewish faith, was conducted by DR..
Nfsr5es. assisted by Mr.. Jacob o. de Cas-
fro. This service was conducted in Eng
us1 though as a rule, the Hebrew is the
la7euage prevailing in the services of the
day of atonement.
PRAYERS were offered for the repose of
tbe souls Of the dead of the congregation
who had departed this life since Yom
Tltppur of last year. In the list of the dead
there were some seventeen names, larg-
err number than the congregation is US
ually put to the sad necessity of chronic
ling.
Dr.. Mendes' sermon evening before last
was as follows
There is nothing within the wide and
varied experience of man, which occa-
sions more differences and more inter-
change Of opinions than does religion. Very
much like well cut prism whichever
point you turn to the light, it gives forth
a separate and distinct ray of some bright
color which charms the eye, so from
Whichever side you view religion you can
not fail to discover manifold beauties,
which appeal 10 the mind and to the
heart
"4radame de Stael in 'Corinne,' very
properly declares ii to be more of a strug
e.e than a hymn and indeed the very il
Illustration before us this evening, which
has been suggested by cur selected text,
goes a great way to substanti&e this
learned woman's bold assertion. Showing
us MS it does the combat for supremacy
between the wOrshippers of Baal repre-
scented by their many idoatrous priests, and
the w0Tshippors of Almighty God, cham
pionad and led by the inspired and Jealous
prophet Elijah, each calling in his own
peculiar way, upon the Power which is his
Leader personal infections and mutila-
tons on tie one side, and quiet, soul ele-
waiting words of prayer upon the other; the
.i5oator's violence, and the Believers uu-
shaken faith and confidence in the appeal
answer me, O Lord, answer me- and let
this people know that thou, o Lord, art
the true God and thou wilt then have
turned their heart back again. in spite,
We venture to maintain, in spite of the
overwhelming odds in favor of the chosen
of Almighty God, more than one of us is
nevertheless impel!ed to ask the startling
question, IF these struggles must per-
force be the constant companions of, and
accessories to religion" of what use is re-
ligion?" Propounding such question as
this to a CONGREGATION of Jews, upon so
important an occasion as the great Atone
ment Day. is sufficient 1 admit, to arouse
no small amount of Indignation among
them, for their very presence in the house
Of God the very fact of their having turn
ed their backs for twenty-four hours upon
their outs de concerns and business, should
be sufficient proof to the world and to us,
OF their feelings and sympathies in this
particular direction.
But we have not now to deal with mo-
mentary enthusiasm and with the custom
Of years, both of which have brought
many here this evening, we have not to
consider outside effect, meaningless show,
or empty sentiment, but we must dig at
the very root, that we may find
out the true nature of the SOIL
in which the ever green
bay tree. Religion must thrive and -four
lsh. For this reason and with this one
praisewOrthy end in view, our indigna-
uon Will, l think, vanish as vapor when
We again ask, "Of what use is religion?"
There is nothing more ancient, nothing
more universal, than the existence and
the profession of religion. From the be-
ginning of the worlds history, down to
the modern development of mind and
thought, ii has always occupied the very
foremost rank and has been, as it were,
the first and the last requirement of
earthly existence. Mothers have ever
taken a most pardonable pride to plant
lis fructifying seeds within the breasts
OF their darling children, that
tney might trace it in the
binding link of an almighty pow
ef which moves and directs their every
being. Teachers have ever made it the
massive framework of successful and
thorough education, attributing to it's
many beneficial prescriptions the happy
results, which have given to their pupils,
Mems sana in corpOre saho," "A sound
lhlnd in sound body" churches have
raised their lofty domes and steeples that
IheSe might be the silent yet forcible re-
inndors that those individuals who gather
ieue'ta them, within the walls they sur
mount will learn that Onward and up
ward is its aim and hope and object;
preachers have ever deemed it their high
Ss' lroudest privilege. to unfold its man
l'-d 9eauties to their fiocks and congre-
eaHt5 impressed with the sublime truth
l'-- ll is essential, proclaiming in trum-
p,1 tones that Life and religion are one,
VI neither is anything" all, without ex-
Sepu'i, have banded themselves together
20 Nuke religion one Of those priceless
s-@' which Seneca has told us God has
sl',n TO- the whole human race, from
"'..-A no one is excluded"
'U. all this does not answer our ques-
80 YOU say; this does not tell us of
N"'' Use is relgion? True, it only con-
'. us Of the existence of religion as =
r.