The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-12-09
TEIE BIRTHRIGHT.

The IntellIgencer has been psFmitted
10 print In full, recent sermon on
"The Bir,hright," delivered b. Rev.
Rabbi Levi, of the local Hebrew
congregation. Said the rabbit
MY friends, the sacred author in the
narration of the incidents with which
he presents us tomorrow, shows that
he had wonderful insight into hu-
man nature, We have already seen His
dramatic and exact dellneatIon OF pre-
cedlng historic events and We now APP
preach that series OF incidents which
have ever been of most fascinating
character the pOrtraituTe OF Jacob and
Esau, OF course the first thoughts that
arise to our minds when these names
are mentioned. are the sale OF the birth
right, and Jacobs securing possession
OF the same, You are all familiar with
the details Of these events and with the
words which have become go charac-
terlstlo of the first OF them Esaus plea
unto Jacob, Give me some Of that red
stun referring OF course, to the por-
ridge which the younger brother was
preparing and for which the elder was
willing to sacrifice his bigthright But
this evening we shall devote some at
tention 90 the second Of these events
above mentioned, and endeavor to find
therein some lesson which we may wen
take It's heart
Jacob had thus secured the rights to
the birthrIght. The blrthrlght itself,
however, had not yet come into his pos
session, and herein lay the difficulty
For unto Isaac, old and decrepid, we'll
nigh blinded with age, none was dearec
than the rough, shaggy, stalwart Esau,
pictured by theologlans and commenta-
tors as possessed OF all the evil charac-
teristfcs of life, although the Biblical
narrative, when studied In It's entirety,
gives us no reason for judging him 9th
err than an individual capable OF affec-
tlon, insofar as he Is willing to delay
his vengeance until after his fathers
death, capable. OF bitter grief. rough,
yet straightforward. aud possibly too
much given to levity to realize the more
serious aspects OF life, Withal this he
is the choice of his old father, Isaac,
and In return gives unto his parent the
choice OF his findings amongst the vast
woods and fields about his home. To
emphasize this loving relationship the
second OF 1srael's patriarchs prepares
to give unto his favorlte son the birth
right of blessing OF promise, that would
secure unto Esau the rights Of primo
geniture. How Rebeccah. hearing the
conversation twixt father. and son and
being partial In her affections, desired
the beloved OF her heart Jacob, to Sc
cure the blessing, how she dressed him
In shaggy skins to give unto him the
appearance OF the elder brother, how
she gave him instructions concerning
the preparation of the food Tor ms
father; OF oil this you remember the
details. Now picture unto yourselves
the next scene In the drama The aged
patrarch outstretched upon his couch,
almost slghtless, addresses him who
has entered, and being told he Is Esau,
fondly speaks unto him, bestowing up
ON him loving caresses, and In affection
ate embrace showers upon him kiss Of
ter kiss OF paternal love. ere he calls
down Upon him the choicest blessings OF
heaven, and the birthrlght has gone 90
Jacob And yet. withal this. the old
father had his doubts, for despite the
name given, and the food brought. as
/ he passes his hands lovingly over those
al Jacob, he whispers. Eyes, the hands
are the hands of Esau, but the voice Is
the voice of Jacob"
at Is to this verse in particular, my
friends, that shall direct your atten-
ton, this evening", insofar as " pre-
SCENTS US with fine text, for consiu-
erntlon of two-sidel lives, II | may so
nut} and for q further consideration
~ the question as TO what part hanu
and voice should play In the develop
ment of our life, whether the victories
Of existence have been gained by the
work of hand alone. by the influence OF
voice alone, or whether II has not been
rather the combined activity OF potn
that is responsible for civilization anu
for the progress of mankind
"Glance, then, for a moment at an or
binary sphere OF life that presents u
sen unto us but too frequently. we
have been accustomed. year IN anu
wear out, to have our text or TINS even
ing emphasized TO illustrate one Oh cue
most fearful characteristics OF sohie m NJ,
dlviduals. Hypocrisy" And you WIN
Sr,mediately see what bearing consid-
Grafton this characteristic rom M, M
tional standpoint has for US all. Inc
,vorid throughout its history. has had
bnt too many double lives, as ] shall
serm them; lives wherein action ana
motive do not agree, wherein deed ana
creed dltfer most materially. The
hands are the hands Of Esau" yes out
the voice remains that OF Jacob. anu
take the thought in the ordinary realm
Of charity. / remember having hedru
a gentlefnan ask what's the difference
y,bere or how charitable donations are
given. SO long as they are given well
4 sunpose the needy recipients OF gltts
can make use of them, however ana
.,hansoeyer they may have come, 80
tbat the end becomes good Whatever
hhe means In such instances may nave
heen. And vet will you for moment
sertousfy think that the end 1ustines
.bn ynenpaY That so long as the result
is benehcIaI. the means OF securing sucil
and may be MS mean and contemplate
am az low and degrading as possible
Dnrlng early and medlalval times, TINS
,vas IA he sure, the cnse. No means were
considered too fearful to secure an end
tbnt seemed worthy, and us a result inc
world saw a period OF dark ages Whloh
Il has taken century upon century 10 IT,
Illuminate. Surely you see the bearing oil
"From my standpoint / would rs
soon. nay, far rather, behold donor
absolutely refuse to give than 10 see
him give literally. and then nave MN
curse the luck that brought the poor
INTO his door. The author OF PToVe'ps
voiced the proper sentiment tnerelort
,,,hor he Enid, Better Is a dinner OF
herbs where love is than sta'Ieu On
ia hatred herewith" Better IS q
S.,. r,nrssI and quletness Herewith
,bsn a bouso full Of sacrifices and vel
With strlfe. Better Is noIghbor that
a. near than a brother far on ana M
10 -. ,adcd unpttCr Is II mite