The Jewish outlook., 1905-10-13

with the most advanced Sclentlnc lnCerpre-
tation of physical life. We have no quarrel
with true science We in no way op-
posed to scientific research. Neither the
astronomy of Copernicus, nor the natural
philosophy of Newton, nor the biology Of
Darwin, three of the greatest discoveries
in human knowledge, which have caused an
entire change in the conception of the uni
verse, has caused one alarming shock to
the foundation of Judaism. 1t matters not
whether man is the inhabitant of the largest
and most central planet in the universe, or
he is the deniZen of the ObScurest and
smallest spot amid the throng of aeeting
worlds by his mental telescope he can look
into the inf1nitude of space, and by the
light of his soul, whose speed is faster than
the rays of the sun, he can overtake, pene-
trate, and interpret the fastest and the
largest star in the galaxy of flaming suns.
1t matters not whether man has been sud-
denly hurled into the universe in day, or
he is the slow development of countless
ages his consciousness is, and must remain,
the miracle of existence; the primal origin
of his soul-his conception of right, truth,
and holiness, and his faculties of sympathy,
devotion, and, the highest of all-love-
must forever remain hidden in the depths
of the bygone eternity. And it is the hui
man consciousness which gives man the high
position and undisputed mastery in Gods
creation. 1t is the life of the human soul
its moral discipline, it's spiritual unfold
ing, its solemn response to the voice of God
ana Lne appeal OF men, us quiet hymn ana
solemn prayer written in invisible ink and
sung in inaudible voice-which crowns man
with that highest and noblest rank of dig
nifty, eminence, and extraordinarily.
This is the humanity which among all races,
the Jew was the first to discern in the
pacity of the human faculties, this is the
humanity, the Jew, among all nations, was
chosen to promulgate, this is the humanity
for which the Jew has suffered and is still
suffering; this is the humanity to which we
at this hour dedicate this place.
The Jew who is familiar with his Bible
is not in the least shocked by the theory
that man, physical man, is akin to zoologi-
cal life. Long before the evolution theory
in those things which only concern physi-
cal life man is not higher than the animal.
Darwin did not pronounce it more boldly
and forcibly than did the preacher in Eccle-
sastis, when he said. and which is incor-
porated in our old prayer book: Man hath
no pre-eminence above a beast" 1t is the
spiritual life which confers upon man the
ping stones to higher things" leading him
to the goal and purpose of the worlds
drama, which makes him worthy of that IT,
tie, aye, it is the human soul which is the
cOnsummate masterpiece of Gods handi-
work. And honored Sheriff. Israel, when
we, your invited representatives from your
sister congregations, deeply moved with adj
miration over this magnificent achievement
in the Judaism of this metropolis, turn to
the untiring and right-guiding rabbi and
cry out "Well DONE" turn to the noble
minded and public-spirited president and d.
rectors and cry out "Well done" turn to
the watchful building committee and cry
out "Well DONE" face your literally support
ing congregation and cry out "Well done,"