El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-11-16

~ HE average youth, seeking
broader education and studying
Il modern text books, is impressed
with the wonderful contributions OF
Media and Persia, of Greece and Rome
to the culture of the day His studies
carry him through the mighty battles
of these ancient peoples and his read
ings include q peruSal, if not a thor
Ough study, of the ancient classics"
Such a youth learns but little about
small kingdom of Palestine, Judea7 and
is not Impressed with any particular
contribution this kingdom has given
to the world. And yet the contribution
OF this insignificant nation was great
er than that of all the classic peoples
In this nation the ethical Ideal IOunu
its highest expression and we recOg-
niZe more and more each day the true
value of an ethical ideal.
Before the Classics Were the Prophets
While Homer sang MS songs IN
Greece, Elijah and Elisha called the
people to a recognition of divine
father, guide and guardian OF men; be
fore Aeschylus, Sopnocles and Eurl-
pides entertained the Greek masses
with their tragedies and comedies,
Amos taught supreme God of Justice,
Hosea announced a God of Love, Isaiah
the first, Micah and jeremiah each in
turn aroused the higher emotions of
the people and urged them to a life OF
true manhood ana wOmanhOOd. When
Socrates was accused of leading astray
y
miah led the children of Israel from
the captivity and read the law of God
which they agreed to obey. While
XenOphon was writing his Memorabilia,
the last of the prophets. Malachi, ut
tered his message
While Plato and Aristotle taught
their philosophy to the people, the
book of Chronicles was written and
the present form of divine worship IN
Jewish houses of prayer was estab-
ished. While Cicero thrilled his hear
ers with his sublime elOQuence,. Pharl-
sees and Sadducees were struggling
with Weighty moral problems and while
Caesar led his army Of conquest, Hill
lei became the president of the San
hedrin and leader of a school.
In this hasty sketch you realize the
significance and Importance of some
knowledge of the famous men of Judea,
the need and necessity of a more thor
ough appreciation of the gift Of the
Jew to advancing civilization.
The Meek and Mild HiIIeI.
And this evening We will speak, not
of Gaul and its peoples, We viii not
speak Of forced marches TO reach the
enemy. we will not consider the num-
Der slain in battle or taken captive to
grace the triumphal arch, but we will
speak of the meek and mild Hillel,
teacher and founder of a school whose
motto was. BE of the disciples of
Aaron, loving peace, pursuing peace,
loving your fellOWman and bringing
MIN near to the law"
1t is surprising that so little of the
supernatural has been added to the
life story of the famous teacher. Time
usually weaves a web of fancy about
its great men and adds to those quail
tiles which made them pTeeminent,
legends and tales which magnify the
gifts of the heroes. And vet there is
nothing supernatural related of Hillel
or his intercourse with his fellowman.
He is always represented as a simple
teacher, never reused to passion or
hatred. even tempered, kind hearted
and loving.
Native OF BahyIOnia.
Hillel was born in BabylOnia about
the year 20 before the present era and
died in Jerusalem in the year 10. We
know little of his family history, ex-
cept that he traced his descent on his
mothers side from the royal Davidic
family. His brother, Shebna. was
merchant who assisted him in acquir-
ing an education. but whose reverses
made it impossible to continue this or