Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-10-15
THE BAAL OF TODAY.
A Powerful Sermon by Rabbi Cahscn
Mt Beth Ahaba.

Rabbi F.. n. Calisch spoke at Beth |
Ahaba last night to large audience ms
subject being "The Necessity for De-
cIsion." the sermon which he preached on
Atonement-Day. and which was repeated
by request.
| DIR. Calisch based his sermon on 1.
Kings. xviii, aO-2s: He began by giving
description OF Mount Carmel. on whose
SUBMITS the Prophet Elijah had his con-
| test with the priests OF Baal. He De-
gan by giving a vivid picture OF that
event describing the vain frenzy OF the
| idolatrous priests, and the triumph OF the
Prophet, emphasizing the historic question:
which the latter gave unto the people
when he cried, How long will ye matt
between two opinions? IL Jehovah pe
God. then follow him; IL Baai. then FOL
low him."
THE SAME CONTEST TO-DAY.
Continuing, he said that contest PIC
tured In this episode was not new IN
the DAYS of Elijah, nor did II cease with
that fiery demonstration on GARNER
heights, nor has II been confined alone 70
the Holy Land, or its inhabitants. Inc
world has ever been divided between the
worship of Baal and the worship OF Jeno-
yah. The one stands for the material
ideal: the other for the spiritual. The
| worshiper Of Baal is the materialist IN
the most comprehensive connotauon OF
the word. To him nothing is OF value
save that which Is compromising py'
or appeals to, the physical senses. In the
: days of old. Baal stood for the worship
{ of material idols. together with all the
I sensual and licentous practices that ac-
e companied Pagan rites. With the pas
| sage of years, this worship has become
\ | somewhat less gross and crude, pst pc
d meath the refining influences or advancing
: culture and civilization there remained
a at the bottom materialism, with us al
tendant train of immoralites.
Sensualism may have softened into vo
righteousness, and clothed itself with gar
y lands OF roses, and hid it's deeds behind.
u cloud of fragrant incense: savage orgie
u may haves turned TO hower-festoone'
1t feasts, or Lucillian banquets; the adora
y ton of physical images of stone, or wooo
lie or bronze, or gold, may have been replace
ID by less tangible idols, as In Greece tne
gave way 10 the worship OK the inteiiecl
Is or art, or aesthetics, or as in Rome, wher
Il the idol OF martial power was placed upo
v the altar of the peoples homage; but tn
~ foundations were ever the same-mer
I sensual, selfish materialism.
, DO we need proof to-day which Is Goo
"a Baal or Adonoi? Let history give an
in swer We stand to-day on the Carm'
"a heights OF the flown centuries. AS o't
"a the plain of Esdraelon our eyes look owe
or the ages past In this arena of the year
q we behold the trial OF the two Ideals.
ri RESULTS OF BAAL WORSHIP.
ut The speaker then gave graphic a
Is scription of the conditions of ancient A
ny syria. Egypt. Greece, and Rome, shown
min
of the past was the result or the IN
"A +erialistic tendencies to which the Peep
IS. gave themselves up.
ed He continued: do we look out ov
m the world to-day we VIII ma that III
in terialism has its numberlesS deVote'
" Under all the graces of our modern CT
nv ture and refinement the subtle force
ID materiallsm has sway. our civilization
m. but a veneer of restriction. What are
re- aspirations OF to-day? What do men
X women seek? only pleasure, luxury
. toyment, and material success
lily do you desire that miracle shou
for be performed as OF old-that hre shou
come down from Heaven TO testifyl IN
look. not for cataclysms IN the physi'
world. but at the marvellous sweep
So bietorv and see how under God truth h
lv tr,umphed. Justice has been done,
~, right yindicated. Recall the downfall
-no dynasties that were corrupt, see n
10 tyranny has brought disaster upon
w own head. how falsehood is doub
- edged sword that wounds him W
rs, "lelus IT, ,,,,,,,o
OF CONSIDER YOURSELVES.
ace Consider yourselves, your ways, yo
will conditions, your happiness. Count yc
as blessings. recall the numberless instan'
ar where grace has been shown you far
yond your deserts; where mercy has 10
TO stalled justice, where pardon supplah'
the nnnIshment. Then from your single S
look out over the world and behold n
Il rolls in glorious obedience to ali-co
polling law.
MAN does not live by bread alone
the nations by mere power Cast ASIDE
ambitions that seek to answer sen
pleasures only; subdue the passions u
adj rise ND to engulf the spirit; control
we'd appetites that debate and degradei "a
ned high the spiritual standard. and under
,ha march to the victory over vice. TO
conquest over self. to the triumph
i've truth. Of honor, Of Justice, or righteo
'i' ness, and OF Coo.