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This valuable Association held their annual feast on Wednesday, the 16th
of October, at the Apollo Saloon; about one hundred and fifty gentlemen, members
and guests, were present upon the occasion. M. M. Noah, Esq., presided, aided
by several Vice Chairmen; the dinner was prepared according to the Jewish
system. After grace had been said by the Rev. S. M. Isaacs, the usual toasts
were given from the chair. After that relating to the object of the meeting
had been given, the worthy Chairman reported the extent of the Society’s operations
during the past year, and in his usual able manner, reviewed the state of
the Jews at the present era, concluding with a sentiment, “The spirit of Charity.”
The Rev. S. M. Isaacs then spoke in substance, as follows:
“Mr. President and gentlemen, The sentiment which has just emanated from
the Chair, and which has been so cordially received by the company present,
is so nearly allied to my profession and inclination, that without any apologetic
preface, I take leave to respond to its spirit. Charity is spoken of in all
our writings, those inspired and uninspired, as the adorning quality of the
human breast, as the golden thread in the mingled yarn of life in which all
the other virtues are strung; by its felicitous influences our vital graces
are improved, invigorated, and turned to our lasting advantage. Well may it
be said, צדקה תרומם גוי ‘Charity elevateth a nation,’ for it restrains the
desires, refines the grosser Passions, purifies the affections, spiritualizes
the emotions, beatifies the soul; and thus, as our great Prophet spake, האל
הקדוש נקדש בצדקה ‘the Lord that is holy is sanctified in Charity.’ We require
no better evidence to adduce its utility, than the fact, that any nation which
does not make benevolence the basis of its system, its national prosperity
must crumble into fragments; any individual who does not make charity the
polar star of his desires, encrusted within his own shell of selfishness,
will leave this terrene existence unwatched, unwept and uncared for. In fine,
as well may a bird stripped of its plumage fly to distant regions; as well
may a ship without rudder or sail, encounter the dangers of the sea; as well
may a man void of sight distinguish the varying colours of the rainbow: as
a being callous to the cry of humanity, aim to reach the haven of repose.
Review the vice and ignorance, the wretchedness and misery of past ages, when
poor philosophy buffeted on a raging main without mast and rudder, conceitedly
exploring an unknown ocean; what prevented her votaries from reaching the
pacific expanse, the homestead of happiness? they failed to engage the Goddess
Charity to steer their vessel. What renders the present age so replete with
pleasing reflections and holy associations? because Charity is the main spring
of our lives, by its holy influence we give knowledge to the soul, rest to
the mind, comfort in distress, hope for the future, a stay and refuge in the
worst troubles; and in this particular we are truly religious, for benevolence
is the way especially ordained by Providence to magnify the mental and moral
faculties, to invigorate all their dormant bowers, to excite all their latent
energies, to sanctify the heart’s graces, to fan the sparks of generosity
into a flame which, gilding every scene of life, shall cause the soul even
on earth to corruscate in that resplendent light, which undimmed and unquenched
shall shine brighter and brighter still to the perfect day. But what futility
is argument to prove the utility of Charity, when it is so obvious to every
one gifted to feel for another? Yes, sympathy is an especial gift from Heaven;
the richest of all blessings is the gift of susceptibility of heart. With
the same latitude an unfeeling heart is a heavy curse; to be wholly estranged
from the nobler feeling of our nature, to behold the dark cloud of grief without
an endeavour to render one spot brighter; to be cold, impervious and dead
to the exquisite feeling and tender sensibilities dignifying our mortal condition—truly
comfortless and drear is such a heart of stone. Yet with innate gratification
we can safely say, this we rarely found in Israel; such a degradation never
has, and never will be imputed to our community. We do not claim exemption
from the failings of human nature; but schooled in adversity we have been
taught the blessings of benevolence; by the wretched fire of affliction we
have been instructed to dissolve the icy coating of selfishness; we have endured
want—hence, we feel for those who are pining for bread; we have been sick—hence
we seek out the hut where suffering humanity lies unwatched and unaided; we
have been oppressed in despotic lands—hence we cling with attachment to freedom’s
soil; our eyes have been bedimmed with tears on the inhospitable shores of
the East— |
