The herald., 1898-03-07
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Israel's Perrin Celebration
MEEMEHEEEE@AHANEmaEgss

Each year at this time we follow step by
step teh way of our leaders, the lawgiyel
and the prophets. The story of the Pu-
rim celebration is we'll known even to the
smallest child, and yet we love to hear II
over and over again.
Twenty-three hundred years ago the
events took place which we celebrate or
Purim day. and although they did not re-
late to the whole Jewish race but only to
those Of our ancestors who /hen lived in
Persia. yet this festival /s ever since
been Celebrated with sucht 4arked demon
strations OF pleasure as to show that ii
has taken deep hold on the affections OF
the people, This is due in great degree
to the strong affinity which exists between
the Jews of all countries. Not because we
are clannish, or that our sense of humanity
reaches no further than the people of our
own denominations; yet 1t is certainly true
that the reciprocal feeling of sympathy
Is stronger among us than among most
other peoples. We feel for each other and
condolc with each other in distress in q
greater degree, and rejoice with each other
In happiness in a greater measure than
any other race. 1t Is this reciprocity OF
feeling which has made Purim a holiday
day of joy and festivity to the whole
Jewish family.
| The beautiful and interesting narrative
contained in the Book Of Esther records
the events which gave rise to the Purim
| celebration, and imparts in glowing colors
many valuable instructive lessons. The
shortsightednes of sinful ambition, the
sudden and unexpected failure of wicked
plans, however well contrived and deeply
laid, the recoilment of iniquitous designs
upon the promoters, the courage, devo-
ton and influence Of good and most no.
BILE woman and the divine protection of Is
rael are all forcibly presented.
This Book of Esther, decried and depre-
ciated as it has been (and is even now
by many opponents of the Jews, is perhaps
the only book in the Bible which treats OF
and in a measure accepts as settled, the
dispersed condition of the Jewish people
among the nations in the one hundred and
twenty-seven provinces Of the Persian en-
pire.
The whole purpose of this book is to cell
ebrate deliverance Of threatened peo-
pie from a terrible calamity.
The readers of this article are we'll aware
that Haman, like most men of cruel and
vindictive dispositions, was very supersti-
tious. 1t was therefore important, in his
estimation, that he should fix lucky
day for the execution of his purpose, so he
casts "Pur," that is, he casts lots. The
| day fell on the 18th day Of the twelfth
| month.
"Truly the lot is cast into the lap, but
For If the lot had fallen in one of the earlier
months there would have been less time
given to the poor Jews to prepare for the
sad, sad emergency.
Thus as an eminent Rabbi said: 1.-THE lot
cast by that cruel and inhuman Haman
broke the neck Of the plot" Mordecai and
Esther formed together an irresistible pow
er They averted the most terrible calamity
that ever threatened the Jewish nation In
a foreign land. So marvellous was the de-
liverance that the Jews ever afterward
commemorated 1t by solemn festival.
Mordecai and Esther enjoined all Israel
ties and their descendants to celebrate the
14th and 18th days of the month of Adar
as days Of feasting and joy. of sending
presents to one another. and gifts to the
poor" that they, too, may rejoice. Esther
9:22.) AS in the decree of Haman no dis
tinction was made between rich and poor,
as all alike were doomed to destruction; it
is prorer that all should have equal cause
to feel joyful.
The festival of Purim is pre-eminently
Israel's charity day. If we give to the poor
all the year round, we must give them
double on that day, because Mordecai and
Esther so ordained 1t. And the reason? If
the giving of charity requires reason.
may answer that the only return we can
give for Gods goodness to us at all times is
to be good and merciful toward his poor.
You who have the poor in your midst do
not forget them on that gladstone Purim
day. Give, to honor the memory of Queen
Esther. Give, to satisfy your charitable
hearts. Give, because to love God by way
of doing good is the most sublime way Of
showing true religion.
The Book of Esther teaches far nobler
lesson to US, the favored ones in this land
Of liberty. 1t is that of duty, noblest duty.
AS Esther and Mordecai, by the exceptional
positions which they occupied. were ena-
bled to save their people from great peril,
so should we feel the same obligation now
towards those of our co-religionists whose
lots have been cast in less favored places,
where the enemies of Israel (the anti
Semitists) are hiding their brutal designs
under the blind of religion. From Haman
of old down to the Russian and Roumanian
mob to the pious Stocker, and even en-
lightened France, our enemies have
always exclaimed: 1T is our re-
ligion that enjoins on us to per-
secute and oppress Israel simply be-
cause he is Jew" AS Haman of old
thought by destroying Israel he would in
gratiate himself with the king and become
more conspicuous, so do the Hamans of
Europe (the anti-Semitists) believe that by
publishing reproachful and infamous libels
against Israel they would become notori-
GUS and at the same time would harm Is
rael.
These are the great lessons of the Book
Of Esther. These are the influences which
the festival of Purim still brings to us in
these latter days. If Israel had no other
record of Gods dealings with man than
the Book Of Esther, we should know that
the Almighty controls all human affairs,
and that the same hand that led Israel
through the Red sea rescued them also
from the vengeance and snares of power
full and scornful minister
extend to one and all my heartfelt
congratulation on the advent of this merry
Purim. which begins this evening. May
sorrow be forever banished from every
household. May light and gladness, joy
and honor be the lot-of all
Do not fail to remember the poor.
A. w E