Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-14


seem that repentance is unremittingiy out
of order. Yet the whole trend of human
civilization is merely a gradual realiza-
ton of existing imperfections and a
direction. In other words, the adj
vancement of civilization consists only
of detection of faulty conditions
in and around our being, together
for the good of ourselves and those who
follow us. But while modernity has pro-
crossed along the lines of industry, art
and scientific discovery, the human mind
thus far remains evil from it's incipency
and the acknowledgment of guilt and the
confession of sin and culpability before
God and man should be as much of seri-
Gus consideration today as at any time
previous.
Whether Jew or Gentle, Catholic or
Protestant, conservative or liberal. all are
involved in the category of reasoning be-
ings, and all should seek to repent and
All iiuSl IetOShiLe tiie ldCt tiieAl
above sectional disparity there is an all
ruling Providence that demands universal
justice and correct account OF the prac-
tees that initiate against professed prn-
ciples. All should confess before the
Lord of Hosts. and to Him alone their
hearts should ascend In prayer. For all
mortals are alike dependent upon the
mercy of God, as they are all alike sub
jected to His eternal rule. For this is
equally true, that each one of the human
race is endowed with a godly spirit. which
1t is his duty to develop for his moral
good; each one has within himself a por-
tion of the divine. For in the image of
God made He man." was really spoken of
the soul. According to Maimonides 1.-The
image of God" is reference to the SUBJ
stance of God; i. e., the divine spirit, not
the outward form.
William E. Curtis in a recent CORE
spondence tells of the historical fact that
man named Cervetus, who lived in the
sixteenth century, was burned at the stake
u
Calvin because the former had advanced
the theory that "all creatures are of the
substance OF God, and God is in all
things. Such theory was then considered
heresy with the majority of existing ma
tons. But Maimonides in the twelfth CEN
fury had defined the Hebrew faith in like
manner. tGuide, Book /. chaps. 50 and
72). in chapter III of the Shir-Hayi
chud (Unitys Song), by Rabbi Yehadah
Hachassid. the following lines occur: "Al
things are in Thee. and Thou art in them
all. Thou encompassest all. Thou
fllest all and in the creativeness of all
Thou art entire"
If We grant the existence OF the divine
within man we shall be better able to
understand that man is the free agent of
his own fate; that no evil star hangs over
him; that there is never forlorn hope in
the way of moral improvement, and the
betterment of general conditions.
Hence, according to Jewish doctrine,
repentance. prayer and good deeds will
itAAlpNC lllt 'N II VI Tic l'iNIHc OeCIee, anu
whenever man returns from sin he may
Justly hope for an equal means of rec
onciliation from heaven.
We have the amplest assurance that
whenever we seek Him as one man, when
ever we claim Him as union of brothers
His mercy will not be withheld, and the
ransomed of the Lord will soon emerge
from darkness into light to triumph over
all earthly things
The unbeliever Is certainly placed at
great disadvantage. He knows not to re-
pent and amend To him there is no hope
for forgiveness, nor for improvement in
any direction. And should he the wicked
one, suddenly find himself laden with the
miseries which his misdeeds had justly
merited there is nothing that would lift
his dropping spirit, nothing that would
soothe him in his sorrows, nothing that
would uphold him against the onslaught of
adverse fortune. Woe is unto him whose
ship is left to drift amidst the ocean waves
of life without the guide of faith to steer
its course.
Different altogether is the situation with
.he God-fearlng man. who would readily
acknowledge all possible shortcomings and
improve his ways; and by SO doing over
come the detected spirit, dispel the heavy
clouds that hover around his life and
being, and thus bring on light and cheer
and divine consolation.
OF the efficacy of repentance we are
taught in the beautiful narrative of the
Book of Jonah: On learning Of the dread
decree, as predicted by the prophet, the
people of Nineveh proclaimed a universal
fast. covered themselves with sackcloth,
cried unto God with might. returned each
one from his evil way and from the vio-
lence which was in their hands"
The people of Nineveh though people
of idolators, nevertheless gave heed to the
warning voice of heaven; they listened in
tently TO the prophet. who exclaimed: II
am q Hebraw and adore the Lord Cod of