The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-02-24
PATRIOTISM WAS
TEXT OF SERMON
DR., NeWfeld breaches at Tenn
pie Emanuel
THEME OF ALL THE BARDS
Essential Quality of Patriotism Is Will
ingness to Make Some Sacrifice
of Individual Good for the
Common Good.
THEME OF ALL THE BARDS

Rabbi NJ. Newfeld of Temple Emanuel
delivered a notable sermon Friday night
rejecting the spirit of Washington's
birthday. His subject was Patriotism
and the text was taken from Proverbs
14:S4, righteousness exalteth nation"
DIR. Newfield said.
Patriotism is virture the praise of
which has been sung by poets of every
age and land. 1t is a theme to wing
the thought of bards to highest fights.
II is an ideal to awaken within the soul
of man capacities for hrroism and de-
votion, and to subdue the utterance of
self
Poets are not the only prophets of the
patriotic creed. Statesmen and poiiti-
clans, philosophers and teachers are
quite as Jealous in preaching the Cos
pei of patriotism. They thunder in the
ears of multitudes the lessons the cen-
turtles have taught The burden of their
proclamation is that strength and pros
perity follow patriotic conduct, and that
decay and poverty attend neglect of pa
triotic duty
1t is not our purpose tonight to analyze
this passion nor to examine its evolu-
ton. Whether it spring from love of
place where ancestors have lived and
where their dust Is mingled with the
soil: whether it come from attachment
to ancient institutions and affection for
traditions of the past--this Is not our
purpose. There can be no doubt of its eX-
istence, nor any question of It's being
essential to the permanence of govern
ment Democratic republics and dynastic
lsinpdon1S without the tonic of
triotism. Tonight under the inspiration
of the magic spell of the mighty name
whose noble day we observe, let us in
quire into what constitutes the essence
of patriotism.
Essence of Patriotism.
The essential quality of patriotism Is
Willingness to make some sacrifice of
the individual good for the common
good. It's most conspicuous examples are
found in tales of valor on the battle
field. "Dulce ct decorum est pro patria
mori.'-1t is sweet and honorable to die
for Merchandising the Roman bard
twenty centuries ago. Death in battle
is commonly considered the best proof
of love of country. None will deny the
glory of such manifestly sef-sacrificing
patriotic conduct. We would diminish
naught of the honors due the military
hero. But there must be patriotism
that waits not Tor the DuBie cali "
arms in order to fight for the common
welfare To promote the general welfare
of the nation is the epitome of patriotic
duty in peace as well as in war. 1t is
an obligation resting upon every citi-
zen. If he discharge 1t the recognition
that belongs to patriotic conduct viii
be his; If he neglect it, lie is not entitled
to wear the laurels of the patriot He
who can be patriotic only in martial
days. but 81 selfishly unpatriotic In times
of peace is an enemy to his country.
In our day especially patriotism for
| peace is needed. In times of peace our
| love of country must come to the front.
We owe to our nation all that We are.
| Therefore we must make ample return
! for what we are.
Predatory Patriotism.
Today there are many so-called pa
triotic citizens who look upon the COM
munlty as a field not to be cultivated