Evening journal., 1911-10-23
URGES JEWS TO
HIGHER LIFE
DR.. Lyons Tells Wilmington
Audience Of Their PriviIeG-
eS as Chosen People
REGRETS NEGLECT OF
RACES GRAND INSTITUTIONS

The American jew" was ably dis
cussed before large audience at the
Temple of Truth last night by Rabbi
Alexander Lyons. Phi. d.. Of Brook
lyn. n. v number coming from
nearby cities to hear the. distinguish,
ed speaker.
The rabbi said that as American
Jews. the Hebrews in this country
possessed not only the spiritual as
pirations and quenchless heroism Of
the race, hut the added strength Of
citizens of this land of hope and
promise. He said those Jews who
desired a distinctly Jewish nation
elsewhere did justice neither ITO
America nor TO Judaism. The speak
er said the responsibility on American
Jews was in proportion to their
great opportunities In this country,
Just as greater charity was expected
from a man Of wealth than one OF
modern means.
DR.. Lyons pointed to Jewish
achievements in America. the relig-
ious structures of rich architecture,
the hospitals. asylums, and other
charitable institutions, and the edu-
cational work. The rabbi said that
the American Jews must not let their
religious life be marred by pretence
or sham He added:
I'VE are permitting some OF our
grandest institutions TO lapse into a
neglect that will mean their disap-
pearance and our religious doom. We
have, for instance. given our civiliza-
ton its Sabbath-cOnceptlon and yet
we are rapidly becoming a Sabbath
less people. We say that we cannot
observe Saturday and we do not OBJ
serve Sunday. AS good Americans
we ought to pay respect to one or the
other or be severely censured. We
have enriched the culture Of the world
with the gift of our Bible and yet we
are In danger of coming under the
disgraceful censure of having given
the Bible away and of becoming in our
knowledge and conduct. quite unbib-
lical. There are multitude among
us who show no interest at all In a
religious life in whom we show as
little interest as they exhibit.
And as we are not measuring up 60
our proper dignity religiously, we are
open to criticism in ethical achieve
nfnl. IL IL lfut AiiAt NN ai' AhoAA'
able and that we are moral I'm reputa-
tion and in fact. but we are far from
the realization OF the demands Of the
idealism we preach and the capabili-
ties we represent.
Let us keep in mind that we claim
TO be and are recognized as a chosen
people. This carries the Significance
that we are under obligation TO be
come a choice people. l ask eacl
and every jew TO live conscious OF tn
high and privileged duty that he ha
TO live up to the implied possibility {
=. n. true. Americanism and a genuin
Judaism.
Following the lecture a surpri'
supper was served in honor Of
Harry Gordon. about fifty persons h'
ing present. some of them from oth'
cities Ainscow was the caterer an
an excellent menu was served. I'll
Rev DR.. J. M. S. Abels, OF the Ten
pie OF Truth. was in charge OF tf
arrangements
David Snellenburg. the presiden
called on DR.. Ables TO preside 8
toastmaster Toasts were responde
TO by Mr.. Snellenburg. Or. Lyons, d
Albert Robin, Louis Jacohy and A
bert Rothschild. A most delightfl
time was had by all and the utmo
sociability prevailed.