Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-07-24

We are called upon to consider to-
day our Indebtedness to the Jewish
people for the free idea and ideals
that are the foundation of our mod.
ern civilization. The Passover is the
oldest religious and patriotic feast.
1t combines the spirit of our Fourth
of July and Thanksgiving. 1t was
of divine origin and has continued
to be observed ever since God inaugu.
rated its observance in Egypt. 1t
marked the commencement of the
birth of Israel as free and independ
ent nation.
The orders for the observance of
this historical festival were issued
after a contest between the represent
ativeS of Jehovah, who in the name
of their God had demanded of Pha-
raoh and his court that they permit
Israel to go. During this conflict,
the tribes who accepted the evidence
of the miracles which Moses per-
formed before them as full proof
chat Jehovah had not forgotten his
promises to their fathers and that
He would deliver them, became more
and more convinced of Gods pro-
gram and their unity. Plague after
plague had come in accordance with
the predictions of Moses. They had Sc
cured the consent of Pharaoh and
finally the executive, who had changed
his mind frequently, recalling his per-
mission, was forced by the events of
the night of the origin of the Pass
over TO permit the Jewish people to
depart 1t was in preparation for
their departure that Israel was called
to assemble, ready To leave the land
of slavery forever as a free and in.
dependent nation, constituted upon
the principles of liberty, equality and
brotherhood. The Passover marks
the commencement of their marvel.
Gus history as a people. Starting as
a feeble folk, they have Influenced
all mankind by their principles and
practices as a religious people and
political power.
National Life Instituted.
An eminent historian has compared
the Passover to the great feast at
the beginning of the French revo-
luton, which was to inaugurate the
era of fraternity. While this sug.
gestion is we'll worth consideration,
it was not established with the idea
of being merely an initia tory rite of
Israel as nation. 1t was to be a
permanent memorial to them that
they owed their existence as a nation
to the Lord. He had heard their
groans and witnessed their affection
as a people. He had drawn near to
deliver them and establish them as
an enduring generation.
Although the Passover was a ma
tional festival, it was diStinctively
family feast In this sacred meal
the members of the family were
taught their sense Of union with one
another and with Jehovah. The
secret of the strength OF the great
Jewish race has been the extent to
which they developed their loyalty to
one another In the family and obedi
ence Of the precepts of the law In no
other. race can the bonds of family
kinship be equalled and the purity
of the family life surpassed. The
family and the church are the two
pillars upon which rests the keystone
of society and the State
1t was a perpetual memorial of the
sacrifice of the blood placed upon the
door posts of the houses throughout
Egypt, where they would be assem-
bled to partake of the feast. The
mark of the blood distinguished the
Hebrews from the Egyptians. 1t was
to he mark Of separation and safety
for the Jewish nation. The use of
the blood tn avert the danger. which
fell upon the Egyptians that night. Is
an ancient custom with the Bedouins
Of the desert. who sprinkle blood
upon the sides and necks of their
camels to ward off danger from their
herds The Arabs formerly sprinkled
the tents of an army about to march
forth upon a campaign to protect
their warriors from the destruction
of the enemy
The calendar was changed to start
with the Passover. instead of the
harvest month Tisri. that formerly
started it, The year commenced with
the month OF Abb that was changed
to Nissan after the exile. II CORE,
sponded with out Easter In its time
OF observance, coming In March OF
sometimes reaching over into April.
The people who had been in bondage
We're to lay aside their shackles.
While this was great political event,
its religious significance was greater.
They were to go forth to enjoy the
freedom Of the worship Of Jehovah
in the wilderness, free from any pas
sire or active interference of the pa
! p'n I'ovniians. While they appro.
I