Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-03-06
MANS FREE AGENCY.
RADnr CALssCH DISCUSSES THIS
AND pREDEsTrNATIoN.
MUST LIVE WITHIN The MORAL LAWS.
Those who Are Destined to Great
ness should Guard Against Failing
victims to Tempting Environ
ments.

Rabbi T.. n. Calisch spoke TO large
congregation last night at Beth Ahaoa
synagogue on "Predestination and Free
Agency" He began by defining the
doctrine az Il existed in various faiths
from Oldest times. citing the mythologies
OF Greece and Rome, describing the
Parcae. and the pathetic history OF Oedi-
pus Tyrranus. He then took up modern
faiths. and gave expositions Of the views
as held by the Mohammedans and the
followers of Calvin. Continuing Dr.
Caiisch said that nowhere in Jewish doc
triue was the teaching that the destiny
OF the individual is forever fixed ire
spective Of his own actions or that there
IS taken from him the choice TO conduct
his life on any paths he may elect Ihe
sentiment OF tfo text-DeuteronOmy XXX,
19-that the curse and the blessing was
laid before them for choice, was reite-
rated again and again in Holy Writ and
In rabbinical writings.
1.-THE use Of the phrases. God willing,
Gods decree God giveth and God
taketh away" DR.. Calisch went on TO
say. imply, however. belief In Gods
control over the universe. In what way,
and 10 what extent?
There are personal freedom and uni
versal necessity. Gods will governs
cosmic life and mans will governing his
individual life. must make his will con-
form 10 the universal will. Man has
free will, but not unlimited, in so far as
freedom from results is involved.
man living In "a community hnds that
there are certain laws governing organ
tied society TO which he must conform
his life or else endure the consequence
OF societys displeasure. When his own
inclination conflicts with the established
rules OF the community. he must either
subdue his inclination or suffer the re-
suit. In so far he has complete choice.
LAWS LAID DOWN BY GOD.
"Simllarly God laid down certain laws,
physical and moral for the government
OF the universe. and man must act i'm
accordance with them. If he would be
happy and fulfil his foreordained des-
tiny" The speaker illustrated this point
by examples from the physical world,
and continued: 1.-THE action of fire is a
universal necessity. but whether il works
veal or woe is often the fruit of mans
voluntary doing. It's chemical proper
ties were foreordained in the ages back:
Its occasional action, mans free choice
What applies in the physical world ap-
plies in the moral world. There are laws
laid down whose action is unacceptable
whose violations bring its inevitable
result. because these laws were predes-
tinated by God to work in this manner
Mans happiness or his misery waits
upon his action as the result of his
choice. whether he follows the moral
law or not.
obedience to the moral law is the
secret Of destiny. Man finds his highest
ideal and his holiest duty in living the
best life. according to the gifts that are
given to him.
A PRACTICAL EXAMPLE.
There is young man with
glorious gift of intellectual power. We
say he is destined 10 be a great
statesman, orator, leader. Yes; If he
cultivates his gife, and live a pure moral
life But II he stoop 10 degraded, SEN
sual. and animal pleasures. and lower
himself 20 pander TO what is evil, think
you he will complete mis- destiny? Great
ness was predestinated for him il he
chose 10 follow the moral law; but great
ness was not to be his If he chose the
curse in place Of the blessing, and pre-
fers moral death TO righteous life. The
same is true Of people as Of an indi-
vidual. Israel is destined for high
and glorious mission; but only if Israel
IS true TO its gift Of spirituality. and
faithful to the genius Of faith. If Israel
permits itself to be dragged down from
the lofty plane of the ideal; II il permits
its energy TO be misdirected into chan
nels untrue and unworthy. Israel will fail
as miserably as have other peoples whose
only monument is a line on the page of
history. Therefore" said the speaker,
did he so earnestly plead with his peo-
pie to be true TO the moral law of life
the essential of all existence.
THE thought OF absolute predestina-
tlon," concluded Rabbi Calisch. sis a
soothing one; it shifts the burden of re-
sponsibllity. But IL is manlier TO stand
UP with the consciousness OF manhood's
power and strength, and grapple with
the difficulties of life as they present
themselves; 10 be the one who chooses
and, II need be. suffers; for, II he choose
not the right his undoing is his own
doing. Man shall study the will of God.
as il is revealed in the experiences Of
the human race: as It is made manifest
in the mighty movements of universal
life, and learning. endeavor to make his
life conform thereto"