The Denver Jewish news., 1923-09-27

suit idOlatry is but a memCry today.
The organization in favor of the doc
trinc of love" was not so vigorous. As
n result, we stand today but little in
advance of where our fathers stood.
This is the defense of organization In
religion. 1t is true that men have
often mistaken the purposes and ideals
when uncontrolled by high ideals has
often resulted In professionalism in the
defeat of democracy. In the unwarrant-
ed accumulation of power and Of pa
tronage. in the glorifcation of the
status quo and intolerance to new ideas.
i Many and grievOus are the sins that
have been committed in the name of
religion. Not more nor worse than
those committed in the name of every
virtue. The condemnation of virtue
is no solution. The action and reac-
tion of individual interests. the ideal
OF mutual heIpfulness. much resistance
and little obedience are the price and
| pathway to the ideal.
.tiNl NlUt IL tnt- Ntktst WI itRhA-
mate organization? In other words
how many men In each generation
must knew the truth? 1t is desirable
that all should. II is impossible that
all can. Religion Is not an axiom that
can he memorizcd. 1t is point of
view. an Inhibition and motive for
notion. 1t lives by doing rather then
by knowing. The essence of irreligion
is to know the truth and deny it. to
| feel the glow and quench 1t, to see the
chariOts of the S.Ord and now bow
down. II would hc wonderful thing
| IL the world was full of the knowledge
of God as the Writer'S cover the sea.
As this ideal cannot he achieved it Is
know the truth IN order that the truth
may survive.
a limited number must know the
truth thoroughly. They must possess
in themselves the accumulated knowl
edge Of mankind. They must he Mt
home in their past. They must inter
prct it to their present. A larger num-
her must know enotgh Of their past to
cherish it deeply and to provide the
backing and support to the lenders who
give their lives to the cause of Juda-
ism. a much largcr number must know
enough to be "adherents Unidentified
with Judaism. by the very nature of
the case. many will remain ignorant
| nd
ism. The curse of the semi circle will
reach its apex in the adherents and
will he clOse to her meridian where
the zealots and the Indifferent are
counted.
The prophets We're always in the
minority, In every generation few
inspired men vision the enchanted
heights and struggle to get the null
titudcs into line. The hope of the
world lies first in these prophets. then
in those that stoned the prophets
but woe unto the generation that yawn-
ed at is prophets. The former may
be moulded, the latter are without
hope. In the land where everyone
sings. certain number will sing well
and n limited number becomes great
musicians.
The result of haste is unleavened
bread. 1t takes time and leisure and
wealth and security to accumulate
Knowledge. achieve culture and de-
velop wisdom America has been the
hcme of Jews for several generations.
History has repeated itself with each
influx of humanity to these shores. The
immigrant-is confused. 1t is greatly
to his credit that he clings to some
sort of culture in the process of up
roofing from European to American
soil. 1t cannot he expected that he
will make the fine adjustments which
the situation requires.
The second and third generations
have the power to perform miracles
They have the mellowing influence OF
time. they have achieved wealth and
leisure. they have been granted Sc
curity. They have visioned the fine
adjustments between the Judaism OF
old and the Americanism of today
They have been taught by their relig
ious leaders how to preserve the best
in both.
These elder brothers have a double
duty and privilege in the premises
First. the duty of helping their young
er brothers. the more recent comers tt
make the adjustment which they them
selves have achieved. This duty musi