The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-10-04

The Day Of Atonement was strictl,
observed throughout the city yester
day by the Jewish residents, ant
everywhere places of business kept b,
Hebrew proprietors were closed, ant
work of every nature suspended unit
the following day. All of the Scranton
temples were thronged yesterday will
the devout, who earnestly communet
| with their Creator from 10 o'clock IL
the morning until 6 o'clock in the even
! ing. Offering UP prayer and pleading
for forgiveness for past transgres
sions.
The holiday began practically at
| o'clock Tuesday evening, and during
| the twenty-four hours in which it was
celebrated, a severe fast was under
gone by the members of the Hebrew
congregations, who endeavored in this
way to partially show their penitence
and by undergoing this physical dis.
comfort give visible evidence of the
! fact. that 1t way a day of atonement.
The Day Of Atonement, or Yom Kip.
pur, is one Of the two most solemn
and awe-inspiring festivals Of the
Jewish religion. 1t is Il day given over
the past year, and of the forming OF
resolutions for a better and purer life
1t Is day of penitence and self-de-
nial, Of repentance ana self-abnega.
tion. AS the last Of the ten holy days
of which Rosh Hashonah, or New
Year, is the first, it brings to close
the ten most sacred periods in the
Hebrew calendar and, with New Year
is the most generally observed Of any
of the holidays.
A CRUCIAL DAY.
No matter how lax the Jew be-
comes in the observance of his re-
ligion. when these two days arrive,
they find him at the temple, prayer
book in hand.
The contrast between the two days
Is a wonderful one. New Year, re-
garded as it is to be of equal import
ance with the Day of Atonement, is
observed in an entirely different man.
ner, it being one of the most festive
periods in the year, time, in fact,
of mirth and merry making, while the
sombre Day of Atonement is cele-
brated in an entirely different manner,
being more of the Biblical sack-cloth
and ashes style.
Solomon Foster of Philadelphia, the
student at the Hebrew Union college,
Cincinnati, who was in charge Of
Tuesday nights services and also Of
the New Years ceremony, was in
charge yesterday and conducted the
difficult services in a most able man
ner. He delivered two sermons, one
in the morning and one during the
afternoon. In the course of his ad-
dress, in the forenoon, he said:
The burden OF the song of life is mans craving
for happiness 1t is the universal need of the
human SOUL However much human efforts may
differ in kind, they meet together ON the path
that leads to happiness ''Hope springs eternal
in the human breast" That hope, the yearning
for better things, the search for happiness, rules
the world. From the lowest to earth's noblest
sons the attainment Of happiness is the goal of
every endeavor. According to his nature and en-.
vironment man defines his idea of happiness. The
hard worked laborer, whose mind has become
deadened by the sharp struggle for existence
looks forward year to extra days rest from
work; it is his happiness. The school boy hears
with nervous excitement the sound OF the bell
announcing the close of school.
SEARCH FOR HAPPINESS.
The philanthropist finds happiness in yielding
to the prompting OF his nature to spread joy
among Others A physician is happy when by
his skill and service he can benefit his fellow.
men. A minister gives his life to the work of
helping and inspiring all who call on him. Ac-
cording to our needs each Of us searches for
happiness.
Bust whatever may be their professions or oc.
equations, men cannot find that happiness in their
work ITSELF Everything depends upon the mo.
tive everything depends upon the unsclfshness,
his spirit in his work, whether he be happy or
not. The noblcr the work the unhappcr the
man If his spirit is not in it. In this sense
can we understand how positions cannot honor
great men, but that great men honor the posi-
tions they fill. A physician may he a criminal
ii his love be not in his duty, if he has no sym.
pathy for his fellow.men. minister degrades
himself If his work be measured by selfish deeds.
On the other hand, the most undesirable work
OF the humblest man may be cnnobled ii the
worker feels his work be good for men. 1t is the
spirit OF the worker and not the work itself that
helps men advance.
My friends, on this sacred day we are met
together, the representatives OF many professions,
of many occupations in life to appear before our
Heavenly Father to beseech Him for his blessings
to make up happy. We have looked into our
hearts and realize our many faults and short
comngs. We confess to our God our sins and
pray for His forgiveness because we have learned
to know that the consciousness of guilt destroys
the happiness for which each of us is craving.
The only sin that man can commit is failure
to perform the work which he knows is not
wrong in spirit which he knows is right. The
PHYSICIANS work, the merchants work, the la
borer's work are all Important; all are noble
when the workers spirit be noble. The only un-
happiness that man can feel when he trusts in
God comes from disregard of noble
spirit.
Now Ob God wo turn 10 Tho, for ~, ,ns,,or
In anguish OF spirit, ashamed because of our
sins against Thee, We thought to flee, like Jonah,
rom thy presence, turning elsewhere to escape
lhec oh God, Our Father, take MS under the
shadow OF Thy wing Console us, oh God for
we are weak and sinful Teach Thou us what
shall be our penance in order to stand before
Thee ceansed of our sins, purified of our trans
gression, that We may again he happy and at
peace with Thee and our fellow-men.
HEAVENLY PARDON.
"As he is let man return and atone for himself
With all his sinfulness let him return with Me
and be healed and comforted," saith the Lord
Now we find the balm and comfort that our souls
ieed. With the eternal, long suffering and abund.
liant in mercy and truth, shall we be at peace
It last. God hears the supplications Of every man
xeared and worn though he be by suffering and
misery, when he calls upon the Lord in truth.
;od has promised us, as the Talmud says, that
he just and righteous among men are not as ac
,eptablc with Him as the repentant sinner. lie
;nows our weaknesses and shows us sympathy,
Tod knows our temptations and parons our sins,
I we return with Him in truth.
He concluded with the following fer
'ent prayer:
Oh, Heavenly Father, We pray unto Thee, now |
rom the depth OF our souls. to ask Thee TO |
reate within each of MS a new spirit, that each |
I may turn with Thee and become Thy loving |
nd obedient children. We pray, Oh God. that |