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the voice of iacob.
the nation* of the earth be blessed,”) who therefore turned their face* against the future, aqd looking resolutely back, either stood Mill, or advanced but impaKeatibly, att the while looking beMnd; gknitahH theipngyi Mtces of strangato, and were
lodlea-oaf with ili>m#kad suspicion. There Wete Sthers, on Qe eontratt, who, thffckrirg the fiaid of divine loWhfld been well ploughed, and therefore thkt nothing had been left for them to do, abandoned the studies of their ancestors, and mixing with the world, adopted its commercial standard,its sneering, its indifference, its oool calculations of profit and loss; they b>ecame either rationalists, or without any professed religion at all, according to the particular course they pursued; in the former case ridiculing the principle*, in the latter, neglecting the practice, which associated them with the "old schoolthose became atheists; these, in some cases, apostates, in others, nothing, in both, ashamed, as it were, of their origin. But there were also those who looked on themselves as Jews should do; who, while they loved the past, respected the present; who, not less devotedly attached to tne Law and its study than their ancestors, still tallowed the importance of general literature; who were orthodox without bigotry, religious without intolerance, Jews but not enemies to men of other creeds. These were, these are, the men who should lead Israel; of these is the Man, who, by the voice of all, and with the consent bf Divine Providence, has been, since the last New Year, called upon to preside over our communities. What blessings may we not expect from his rule ? what hopes may we not form from what he has already commenced ? How many wheels of the great machine of spiritual government has he already set in motion—wheels which had become clogged and corroded by long disuse 1 The hand of reparation is already at work. Already have the happy few, who can follow the reverend preacher in his native tongue, felt the all pervading influence of his eloquence—how will this be extended when the fervour which animates his heyrt reaches our own through the medium of our native language f What a subject for thanks on the New Year! The Day of Memorial that bids us recal this for a blessing, is indeed a joyful njmn DP: the resolutions to amend, the sincere sorrow for the past, and the heartfelt promises for The future, made on this first Day of Repentance will, it may be hoped, be “ inscribed for a good memorial,” and written “in the book of merit.” Listening to the doctrines of such a leader, and obeying them, striving unanimously to follow in his path, and to establish brotherhood in faith and love, piety and virtue, confidently may we say: “ On nXPTl inn it is written, and on 1103 OP it is sealed;” fearlessly may we prostrate ourselves before God—trustingly may we repeat, as our hearts vibrate to the inspiring blast of the Shophar “ nvn mfl“ on this day shall every created being stand in judgment:” with certainty may we ejaculate, " Our eyes are anxiously fixed on Thee, until Thou hast compassion on us.” These, these indeed are reflections peculiar to a Jew on the approaching New Year.
But these are not the only reflections suggested by this New Year. Since last January there has existed among us in full operation, “ The Jew*’ and General Literary and Scientific Institution .” Honor be to its founders—honor to its president —honor to its managers—honor to all who support it, for it is indeed worthy to be ranked (even on the terms laid down above, as those appertaining to divine and worldly wisdom), with the Rabbinical office. From such an institution, well conducted and zealously supported, what brilliant results may not be anticipated; nay what beneficial effects has it already produced ! How many of its subscribers never before entered a literary institution! how many never knew that science could be made popular, and the arts familiar! Within its walls shall that worldly knowledge be instilled which, while it renders a Jew no less a Jew, equalizes him, in worldly regard, with his fellow citizens of other creeds. It is at present a national monument ; let its members but strive for the common cause, and long will it continue so. Here, the distinction of one shall be the distinction of all; here, the honor conferred on one shall be a source of congratulation to all; for all who contribute their mite to maintain the institution, have helped to elevate the member so singled out, by*placing the means to the end within
his reach. Such an institution is ever a noble work ■ tn k. Jews it is peculiarly so, because they most need it, and bec» *** by supplying the want, they have confessed the a deficiency, with the reabluion that it shall exist no loT * Sorely this to* is a subject fit to be recalled on th* Dav of ku' mortal, worthy to hallow the New Year. **'
It ia a generally recognized principle, that religious improve ment produce* mental advancement; nor is it less true th," efforts from within are most frequently met by endeavours’fml* without. The slave that unrepiningly and willingly wean hi« chain, ia a* unworthy the aid of the philanthropist as is he who possesses not the qualities necessary to make freedom sweet and to prevent liberty from degenerating into licentiousness. Ths Jews of this country, as a body, have hitherto (from causes can- — vassed above) been in one of these two positions; they are a> ’ no longer. Themselves have struck the blow; the icy fetters that benumbed their faculties have melted before the fervour of new-born springs of action. They strove for religious enlighten, ment, and they have secured, under God’s blessing, the means to obtain it; their mental improvement was no less cared for- the London University, their private academies, their charitable edncational establishments, Sussex Hall, stand forward pm. minently as the fields of their endeavours. And what has resulted ? Their fellow citizens have recognised these exertions have acknowledged their merit, and have rewarded it. Their Civil disabilitiea have been reduced. Through the sand-bank of prejudice that dammed up the waters of truth and enlightenment, the tide of public opinion (whose moon was these verv efforts of Judaism), has at length forced a passage; the floods will mingle, and before their united force the barrier—strongest, because composed of minutest particles —must disappear. But the efforts which produced this effect must not be relaxed ; individuals must strive, not as individuals, but as members of one body; the head must not be proudly raised despising, peacock like, the less beautiful feet; tne whole fabric of Jewish society must be raised together; the actions which distinguish Jew: must be essentiany national—every title otherwise acquired may dignify the individual, but will not honor the nation. Paint may sometimes conceal the canker of disease, but its influence extends not beyond the surface; remove the fictitious glow, and the haggardness becomes fearfhlly apparent. Therefore, let Israel ' continue to remedy the defects from within, and by Jewish means; the surface, the exterior will soon exhibit traces 'oftile inward improvement.
The past twelve months have not been unproductive of other events demanding attention, but they sink into comparative insignificance, when compared with those above alluded to. In reviewing the past, with the design to transfer it to the page of history, the mind, like a surveyor taking bearings, fixes on some eminent spots as great land-marks, whence all the intervening and surrounding space may be contemplated. What more prominent features can be selected than the heights which command respectively our spiritual, our social, and our political positions? The past year has indeed witnessed giant strides toward improvement in these three directions. The appointmentof theBev. Chief Rabbi,—the establishment of Sussex Hall,—the reduction of our Civil disabilitiea,—all apeak volumes for what has been done, and give high hopes for the accomplishment of much more.
Let it be hoped, that in the future, as in the past, it may be d* privilege, as it certainly is the duty of the Vnee of Jacob, futn- tblly to labor for the public weaL That it has done 10, and tnu too effectually, its pages will well attest. From the first, low* and most urgsnt in its appeal for the filling up of the B»n- binical Chair, as (in so for as regards ability) it has been the Vciee of Jacob may indeed congratulate itself ano , readers, on the successful result of their endeavors. From outsat a steady supporter of Sussex Hall—not blind to ti* «- Merits, but sanguine as to what it might be, the Vence of*, has at ah times assisted in promoting its interests, and in auym* say irritation which may have existed. The question Jewish Disabilities has also been canvassed in its columns, upon that danger©** ground which, involving * ee ^J ,J/ui poses, might render opposition dangerous, and support dou> out upon the broad principles of social equality and the