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Extracts from a discourse by Dr. Jacob
de la Motta.
מפני
תיבה תקום
והדרת פני
זקן ויראת
מאלהיך אני ה׳
"Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head,
and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the
Lord."--Lev. 19. 32.
Among
the many and various commands conceived by infinite Wisdom, and by Him
instituted for mutual observance between the sons of man; among the many
wise and beneficent rules for reciprocal advantage laid down by the
supreme Judge, and intended as unerring guides to rectitude and worth;
and among the truly great and matchless endowments conferred on our
species as distinguishing characteristics of human excellence: reverence
for the aged holds a conspicuous place, and displays a refinement of
intellect, a benevolence of heart and a nobleness of action, that lift
the soul beyond its frail tenement, and disclose a brilliant evidence of
that elevated feeling which obtains for its possessor an acknowledged
superiority of character above all those who are strangers to this
beautiful trait in the life of man. For can the imagination conceive an
employment more calculated to cast a lustre on human nature than youth
and manhood acting as props to tottering, trembling infirmity? Can the
mental vision dwell on a picture, which needs no adventitious tints of
art to magnify or embellish it, so bright, so lovely, as the tranquil,
furrowed countenance of the sage, the seat of placidness, though
wrinkled by the lapse of years; bearing the marks of care, yet
indicative of piety; bereft of its youthful fulness through the decline towards the grave, yet stamped with the seal of maturity
in wisdom and virtue? Can the eye dwell on a more engaging object than
the hoary head bleached by the progress of time, and yet exhibiting the
protecting hand of Him who alone can abridge or extend our limited
earthly career? Who that has a heart responsive to the supplications of
suffering humanity, who that is the least given to sensibility, can do
otherwise than feel impelled to engage in sustaining the infirm,
assisting the disabled, compassionating the wants of the aged, and
reverencing the head silvered by the hand of time? Who that for a moment
pauses to reflect on our frail condition, and meditates on the sure
approach of a helpless and perhaps lone state, can be otherwise than
convinced of the force and importance of that injunction which expressly
states: "Thou shaft rise up before the hoary head, and honour the
face of the old man?"
After
this brief appeal to the sober judgment—after we have duly considered
the various stages which man passes through from infancy to old age; and
when we compare the state of our childhood with that of declining years,
and regard these two periods as evidencing our weakness and dependence
on the assistance of others: can we be at a loss to define the
intentions of the Deity when He declared and rigidly enjoined that
reverence should be paid to advanced age? Are we not lost in admiration
of that beautiful order and symmetry which every where prevail? of that
perfect adaptation of all those duties which connect, as it were, in a
solid compact, in a continuous chain, the whole human family, which
instructs us, whilst it exemplifies the boundless and unmeasured regard
the Creator has manifested for the prosperity of his rational creatures?
And is this not one of many facts to prove the excellence of those
ordinances that were given to the chosen people of God? and does not
each of these teem with universal good, and show conclusively the desire
of the Lord to approximate us to as near perfectibility as was his
original intention when He called man into existence, and created him to
be the lord of, and to have dominion over, all that covereth the
earth—that is in the water beneath the earth—or that wingeth its
flight in the expanse of the firmament?
While
we look back to a period so remote as when it pleased the Almighty to
communicate his will to the children of Israel and while we
acknowledge and readily admit the magnitude of the observance of this
law as expressed in our text : I am convinced it will not be uninteresting to inquire into, and trace the regard
paid to this part of Scripture among certain nations, from days of yore
to the present time; and I hope it will be conceded, that, where history
informs us that the aged were destroyed because of their being a
burden and useless, we shall look at such conduct as existing only in
the darkest ages of society, when barbarism flourished as the scourge of
the nations among which it prevailed; and in order to confine our
remarks to the very letter and spirit of our text, I shall only name
such conspicuous incidents as tend to testify the correctness of our
subject, and exhibit its utility, importance, and transcendent worth.
We
shall perceive, that respect for the aged constituted a prominent
feature in the polity of several nations, and included within the scope
of its acceptation filial duty—than which nothing can obtain for us
more effectually prolonged years, happiness, and prosperity. And, in
such great estimation was the duty of reverence for parents held, that
we find this injunction contained in the ten commandments that were
written by God on the two tables given to our prophet Moses on Mount
Sinai. On a former occasion I endeavoured to pourtray this reverence, in
more glowing colours; and the more I examine the subject, the more am I
convinced of its preeminence. Our sacred volumes afford striking
illustrations of punishment inflicted for the violation of this
essential command, and those conversant with Scripture must call to mind
particular events confirmatory of this. Who can forget the awful
dispensation of Heaven that overwhelmed the children of Bethel, for
mocking the aged Elisha, the prophet of the Most High? Who can forget
the tribulation and ruin of the weak and insolent Rehoboam, who despised
the counsel, disrespected the opinions, and set at nought the safe and
prudent advice of the aged?
If
we revert to periods of more recent date, we shall have abundant proof
of the correctness and extensive connection that this reverence bears
with our veneration for God. When we speak of the Ancient of Days,
we carry our allusion to Him and the creation, and we cannot use a more
emphatic term to convey an idea of the Creator, and of the antiquity of
the One who lived before planets moved within their spheres, or the
light of day illumined the earth; and if it be possible to conceive any
image or likeness of God, and if it be permitted to symbolize the most
venerable appearance of age, I shall be excused in giving you an emblem
in a few words, as extracted from a beautiful imagery: "The Ancient
of Days did sit—his throne was like the fiery flame; his wheels as
burning fire—his garments were white as snow, and his hair like the
pure wool."
In
farther confirmation of the antiquity of this reverence, we find seventy
elders chosen from among the Israelites to expound and carry into effect
our institutions; and if it was not considered a distinguished honour,
as an example to be adopted in cases where confidence and judgment are
required, it would not have been a special order, that the elders of the
nation should be selected to counsel and direct our people.
Leaving
the evidence of this reverence at an epoch when precepts were closely
followed by example, and when the greatest respect was bestowed, on
whatever appertained to this holy injunction: we shall trace the regard
to this observance by succeeding nations.
We
are informed, that among the Egyptians reverence for the aged was
associated with their primary duties. Persia was not less remarkable;
for the laws of that country yielded every thing like priority to the
elders. Tracing the honours conferred on old age a little farther, we
shall find that Greece and Rome established it as one of the first
considerations; and it is among these people we notice the profoundest
deference paid to persons in advanced years. Lacedemon also reverenced
her elders; and in the words of one who has made considerable
research in collecting facts to this end, "Sparta was once declared
to be the only nation on earth, where a man could wish to be old."
Athens was meek and submissive to revered age. And, when by luxury, says
the same writer, the energies of the Republic were paralyzed, this
goodly custom still prevailed. One of the greatest men that ever lived,
avowed, "that the respect, which is paid to age, forms an
infallable criterion to estimate the moral advancement of a
people." Facts could be multiplied; but sufficient has been adduced
to show in what estimation this reverence was held, originally enjoined
in the commands of God. Although the days of patriarchal veneration have
in some respects passed away, still, while refinement keeps pace with
the expansion of the intellect, and we become more enlightened and
observant of those relative duties which dignify and adorn, we need
never fear to witness deficiency in respect for the aged. We are
not the only people who understand and practise this admired virtue, and
it behooves us always to endeavour to discountenance any diminution of
its influence. We should therefore take heed to keep constantly in view
the beauty and excellence of our text, and while we are impressed by its
details, we should proclaim aloud to all, encourage and recommend to
all, who fear God, "to rise up before the hoary head, and honour
the face of the old man."
We
could refer to multiplied evidence in manifestation of this reverence
for the aged, to establish its pre-eminence in the scale of our moral as
well as social duties. Let us then endeavour to define what is comprised
or embraced in the meaning of this injunction. "Thou shall rise up
before the hoary head" conveys, in application to our social
qualities, a degree of respect, a yielding deportment and submission to
priority in years, but particularly a precedence in the knowledge of
worldly concern, based upon the concession that youth cannot acquire in
a limited time the same extensive acquaintance with human nature—with
the peculiar traits or dispositions of the human mind—with the same
incentives to thought and action—with the proper regard to whatever
pertains to the advancement and prosperity of the human family. Nor,
does it presuppose the same capability of deciding on important and
intricate matters, nor that thorough information on the ultimate
tendency of incidents that frequently agitate the mind, and fall into
action its best energies. I advance that all these qualifications cannot
be admitted to be possessed by youth; and as it requires time to
comprehend and mature, to treasure up and to judge of the good from the
evil, these seem to be the fair and legitimate deductions why the
Almighty enjoined on us, that "Thou shall rise up before the hoary
head." Furthermore, it must be admitted that advanced age carries
with it generally, knowledge of what cannot be acquired by youth, not
only on account of deficiency in maturity of intellect, but, because it
requires time and observation to learn a part of those wonderful and
intricate operations which nature employs in her works.
There
is something in the appearance of the hoary head that imperceptibly
excites the finest sensations; and draws forth the keenest commiseration
for decrepitude and infirmity. We are never made so sensible of our weak
and declining condition, as when such an object is offered to our view;
for it at once reminds us of that state we are all approaching. It is
when helpless human nature is presented before us, that we truly feel a
sympathetic glow for the woes of others. It is then we experience that
philanthropic ardour, which adorns and dignifies our actions. It
is only on occasions like these, we can be made sensible of the
approaching deprivation of that strength, that vigour of intellect, that
makes us dependent in manhood on our own resources for protection;—and
it is only when we behold the declining of all those energies that once
placed the possessor independent in earlier days, that we are enabled to
feel our own approaching inability and helplessness, and the deprivation
of all those powers on which we rely for safety and prosperity. Who,
then, that contrasts the power and efficiency of youth with the
powerlessness and inefficiency of old age, can fail to admit, that
reverence for the aged does not arise solely from a superiority of
attainments, but, because also the energies of life, being paralyzed
in advanced years, lead to dependence on youth for support and stay, and
for that poorer of defence which becomes withered by age, and which
unerringly casts us down the declivity of time, that we may return again
to that defenceless unprotected state, which is inseparable from
infancy? It would then appear that the wisdom of God which acts
prospectively, and according to the natural causes of things, ordained,
that there should be two stages of helplessness in our life; and in
order somewhat to provide against the ills consequent on infirmity,
declared, that thou shalt not only rise up before the hoary head, but
"that thou shalt honour the face of the old man;" and to
convince us how earnest and imperative this annunciation is held by Him,
He accompanied it with these words, "and fear thy God; I am the
Lord;" conveying thereby, that he who should disregard this
instruction—who should treat with levity this command—who should in
the least degree evince indifference to maturity of age—who should
withhold aid in furthering and perfecting his will—who should manifest
neglect to that state of physical destitution incidental to old age,
must apprehend his displeasure; and such as should violate this
injunction, have to fear his vengeance; and, therefore, with the
intention of enforcing a punishment for this defalcation of duty, He
pronounced at the same time, "Fear thy God—I am the the
Lord."
"Thou
shall honour the face of the old man." The hand of time fixes
certain designating marks on the countenance of old age. The wrinkled
brow, the furrowed cheek, the sunken eye, the silvery locks, the absence of youthful freshness—all make
up those distinguishing lines that point out the ravages that time has
made in robbing life of perpetuity. These lines of demarcation, while
they pourtray approaching decay of nature, firmly establish the
certainty of that limit, pointed out by God as the sure termination of
our earthly sojourn, and are a verification of those words which
expressly allude to the dissolution of our material part, "dust
thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return."
"To
honour the face of the old man," would fairly imply from all that
we have stated, a decent respect to the admonitions of our elders, who
kindly countenance, and graciously look on our efforts to keep in the
path of rectitude. The most acceptable meaning of this honour for the
face of the aged, must include the utmost attention to the counsel of
the aged, as it is presumed to be predicated on previous and superior
knowledge, and bestowed for our advantage. Therefore, those who honour
the face of their elders, may be considered as receiving instructions
for their benefit. Children cannot be too early instructed in this
reverence. It should not be confined to ordinary respect, shown in
courteous demeanour; but in rigid attention to the acquired knowledge of
our holy religion, of those wholesome lessons, that inculcate good-will
and fellowship to our brethren, and to all classes and denominations of
rational beings. There is nothing that more firmly establishes the
reputation of youth, as attention to the correct opinions of the
ancients to whom God has vouchsafed a superiority in wisdom; for it is
the direct manifestation of a well-educated and refined mind, and it
gives promise of future excellence; and it stamps at once, in indelible
characters, claims on the highest departments of refinement; and the
individual so endowed must obtain the admiration of all.
Since,
then, we have seen, from our primeval state, as a nation, that respect
for old age constituted an essential duty;—since in our investigations
of this subject we have traced the strict attention paid by succeeding
nations to those, who worn down with age, approach by gradual steps to
the dissolution of the mortal frame—and, since we, the people
to whom this ordinance was
first given, continue alive to the necessity of perpetuating this
praiseworthy and beneficent observance: let us always keep in mind and
engrave on our hearts, so that they may be present at all times, these
words, delivered to our forefathers;, and handed down to us for our
special guidance, "Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and.
honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God; I am the Lord."
Almighty
God, the supreme Architect of the universe—the Lord and only God of
Israel, we, thy servants, stand suppliant before the shrine of thy
grace, and, with contrite hearts, we implore thy forgiveness for our
sins and transgressions. Look down graciously on us, and prosper us in
our pious works. Direct our hearts, and dispose us to appear often in
this house dedicated to thy service, in which we now offer our prayers.
We ask this grace for the remnant of Israel, and for thy people
whom Thou hast promised never to forsake.
Almighty
Father, the supreme Disposer of events, extend thine infinite goodness
and mercy to our people wheresoever dispersed; shed thy benediction on
this congregation, and on all congregations assembled this day to praise
thy name. Endow us also with a portion of thy divine attributes, that we
may pursue and keep the path of righteousness to the honour of thy name,
and the exaltation of Israel. Amen.
Charleston,
S. C., June, 5603.
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