|
May 6th, 1849, By
Henry S. Cohen.
Man was created by the
all-bountiful Creator of the universe, a rational
and intellectual being, with powers as much superior
to the rest of the animal creatures, as His are
superior to ours. He has endowed us with reason and
reflection, which, united with strong faculties and
capacities, enable us to govern and improve a world
wonderfully created by His hand. For this purpose He
has endowed us with a common love for social
correspondence, that by concert of action, and union
of effort, the general happiness of mankind, the
proper ends of our creation, may be effected. For
this, were friendship, esteem, and love, implanted
in our hearts; whilst, devoid of their influence,
man would be selfish, sordid, and cruel, without
either the inclination or the power of doing good.
But governed as we are by kindly feelings, there is
no reasonable object we cannot attain, no reasonable
difficulty we cannot surmount. Our merciful Father
has therefore endowed us with certain inclinations,
affections, and wants, which are susceptible of
imparting extreme delight and pleasure, when
properly controlled and directed; their full
gratification cannot be attained, however, without
the employment of external aid. Doomed to solitude,
the beautiful scenes around us would but cast an
additional gloom on the mind, and give a more
forcible impression of the extent of our loneliness.
In vain would heaven display its wonders, the
teeming earth yield its fragrant beauties, or the
feathered songster warble its natural and enchanting
music. The beauty of groves, of forests, of rivers,
and of lakes, together with all the splendid variety
of objects and sounds that charm the eye and ear,
and impart gratification and happiness to
enlightened and social man, would all lose their
soothing and pleasurable influence, impart instead
but melancholy and unhappiness to the poor solitary
outcast from society. How wise an act then of the All-wise, that he has implanted in our nature this
inherent desire for social intercourse, which, while
it ministers to our happiness insures success to our
most hazardous efforts. In the contemplation of our
relative power the conclusion forces itself on the
mind than man is a mite, men are
giants; individually our utmost efforts do but
betray our weakness, collectively we can
triumphantly succeed in the most gigantic projects,
and keep pace with giant stride in the onward march
of improvement.
But the advancement of our race
depends not on harmony and union of action alone;
However potent they are towards its accomplishment,
they require aids equally necessary to animate and
sustain them. Education and the diffusion of
knowledge are these great requisites, without which,
all our efforts, energies, and capacities, however
combined, could effect but little.
Knowledge has been estimated in
all ages the governing principle of mankind. He,
then, who possesses it in an eminent degree,
challenges our <<214>>respect and confidence, and
involuntarily commands our deference. To reach this
superiority is an inherent desire in our nature, and
to this desire principally are we indebted for our
advancement. The minds of men are as various as
their countenances or dispositions; and though all
are susceptible of improvement, all are not alike
constituted to attain the same mental elevation.
“Order is Heaven’s first law,
this stands confest,
Some are, and must be, greater
than the rest.”
As “knowledge is power,” it
becomes us to strive for its attainment, by putting
into practice and endeavouring to improve what
capacities we possess. This can only be effected by
means of education, which, if early and properly
applied, leads to the most important results.
Indeed, the mind, though gifted with lightning-like
celerity, is unable at once to embrace or enumerate
its advantages. It opens the storehouse of the mind
and fills it with a fund of knowledge inexhaustible
in its nature, and permanent in its duration. It is
a treasure, of which neither adversity nor
prosperity can deprive us; a companion, which no
misfortune can depress, no enemy alienate,
no despotism enslave; a solace in solitude, an
ornament in society, and an unfailing friend in
every circumstance of life. While it secures to the
recipient a store of exquisite enjoyment, it is
diffusible in its nature, and imparts its
pleasurable emotions to all within the sphere of its
influence. It gives at once both grace and
government to genius. It lessens vice. It both
guides and strengthens virtue and morality, which,
while they serve to elevate, afford the only
security for the prosperity of nations as well as
individuals. But to enumerate the blessings and
benefits to be derived from education is an almost
endless task; and did my feeble abilities permit me
to portray even a portion of them, I should detain
you, my friends, much longer than is consistent with
my duty and your inclination to listen.
Among the number of its
blessings, the most important are those we derive
from a knowledge of the Scriptures; for they concern
both our temporal and spiritual welfare, and while
capable of imparting pleasure here, teach us to hope
for it in a higher state of perfection hereafter. By
them are we led to contemplate with gratitude and
admiration the sacred source from which flow all
earthly comforts; and the belief in and the
knowledge, and due reverence of the supreme God
constitute the very essence of all true religion.
Without such belief how feeble would be human
benevolence, and how useless would be all the finer
feelings of man! If the impression fully prevailed
that we were the work of nature, unaided by nature’s
God, that no kind Providence regarded our actions.
and that we were not accountable beings, the extent
of desolation would be inconceivable. Let religion
be cast aside, and how inadequate would be the power
of human law; its restraints, without other fear
would be spurned and disregarded; duty, honour, and
principle, would be words “signifying nothing,” and
a base selfishness would prevail to the exclusion of
every better feeling.
To the Israelite in particular,
the sacred volume has an extraordinary degree of
interest and importance; possessing it in its
original language, that of his nation, he is enabled
to draw from its sacred stores with the
consciousness of its purity, free alike from the
misconception and false construction incident to its
various translations. He holds it as the rule and
guide of his faith and practice; and while it
teaches him lessons of wisdom and duty, it unfolds
the most interesting incidents in the history of ins
people. Both his imagination and sympathy are
excited in its attentive perusal, he shares alike
their burden in bondage, their joy in deliverance,
the fatigue of their eventful journeys, the
happiness of their arrival in, and possession of the
land of promise, and the natural feelings of pride
and exultation consequent << 215>>on their exalted
and distinguished position of being the chosen
people of God. Following their eventful career, he
beholds with grateful wonder the miracles manifested
in their behalf by their Almighty Guardian; the
magnificent works of art, that elicited the
admiration of the world; the extraordinary wisdom
of their sages; their renown as warriors; their
glory and greatness as a nation; but again will
sorrow triumph in contemplating their
dissatisfaction, their crimes and abominations, and
their ultimate downfall, and the tear of regret will
involuntarily flow, at the termination so fatal both
to their nationality and happiness.
But the chief value of the
Bible to the Israelite consists in its being his
principal ritual, governing and influencing his
every tenet and doctrine. It enjoins every feast,
fast, and ceremony, observed by us, either in direct
command, or in celebration of some principal event
in the history of our people. It abounds in advice
and directions relative to cleanliness, food,
raiment, and various other matters necessary to our
comfort and happiness, showing the especial care and
providence of God for His chosen race. Taking such
divine mercy into consideration, what base
ingratitude would we evince in neglecting to
perpetuate, by every means in our power, a religion
sanctioned and dictated by God himself! This can
only be effected by inculcating its truths in the
minds of our children, by impressing them with the
knowledge of Him and His divine attributes, and the
duty of obeying His commands according to the words
of Scripture. By such means have all the rites,
ceremonies, and requirements of our holy religion
been transmitted from generation to generation,
until at the present time their practice is regarded
as no less a duty, and with no less devotion and
veneration than characterized them centuries since.
The most effectual means of
transmitting unimpaired these highly prized
doctrines, has been found in the establishment of
schools; they have consequently met with the most
favourable attention of our people. Their
importance has fortunately not been underrated by
those of our own enlightened and happy country; in
every city, town, and village of which, wherever a
few are congregated, one or more schools are now in
successful operation. In tracing its cause, we find
that nothing has conduced so much to the permanence
of our religion as the inculcation of its truths in
the minds of the young. Aware of the great
importance of early impressions, our forefathers
were governed by it in the instruction of their
children, firmly impressing on their minds their
duty to, and utter dependence on God. For this
purpose was His holy name* written in their
habitations, and placed on their gates and
door-posts, that they might be continually reminded
of Him, and that their first thoughts should be
directed towards Him, in all their outgoings,
forthcomings, and undertakings. These impressions,
thus rendered permanent, have sustained them in all
their vicissitudes; and no amount of cruelty and
oppression exercised towards them has been
sufficient to eradicate them. And what people on
earth have had such odium and contumely heaped upon
them, or suffered the cruelty and injustice which
they have been exposed to for a succession of ages?
Sufficient, surely, to awaken disgust, and cause
them to renounce both the doctrines and the hated
name of the Jew; yet have they calmly, firmly borne
all, strengthened and assured by their only
redeeming hope and ever-abiding confidence.
* * * * * * *
With such impressions and
opinions, which experience proves to be as difficult
of eradication even as those relative to the
existence and power of the Almighty, how utterly
futile must appear, to every reflecting mind, the
<<216>>efforts of a few misguided and mistaken
individuals, in forming societies, and attempting by
other means to effect our conversion,—an event
seldom accomplished—and then more frequently from
interested and mercenary motives than conviction.
Our belief is reared on too firm a basis to be
overthrown by human effort; the Almighty’s power can
alone effect the change, and we place too great a
reliance on His judgment and wisdom to doubt the
result, if such were His divine will. Let those
efforts, therefore, so zealously and unnecessarily
put forth in our behalf, be directed to such objects
as require them in a greater degree. All we require
is to be considered the best judges of our own
spiritual welfare. If those kind-hearted individuals
will but turn their attention to the poor and the
suffering, or endeavour to reclaim such as have
strayed from their own fold, whose lives are wasted
in debauchery, intemperance, and vice, they will
find a wide field and worthy objects for their
philanthropy; and success, even in a single
instance, would be sufficient reward for the efforts
of the most zealous. Such efforts, thus directed,
would soon render almshouses, penitentiaries, and
prisons comparatively useless, by giving a moral and
religious elevation to thousands now sunk in
ignorance and crime. These are results much
to be desired, and not difficult to be
effected, and while conducing to the individual and
general happiness of mankind, they would redound to
the honour of those whose efforts would be
productive of such immense advantages to the world.
The amelioration of our
condition daily progresses, and becomes less an
object for solicitude as knowledge advances and
prejudice subsides. The dark clouds of adversity are
fast dispersing, and the benign rays of justice and
toleration beam on our once afflicted race. A bright
era now dawns upon us, rendered brighter in contrast
with the darkness by which we have heretofore been
surrounded. The day of tribulation has passed,
giving place to a happy present and a cheering
future. To the Israelite no thought can conduce more
to happiness than that he can again, as in times of
old, lift his head, and elevate his voice towards
heaven, without the fear molestation or oppression.
The sins of the parents have indeed been fearfully
visited on the children; not only to the third and
fourth, but to generation after generation;—may we
not hope, however, that the anger of the Lord has at
length been appeased, that the changes in favour of
His once chosen race, constantly exhibited by
various nations, in the enactment of laws and the
promulgation of decrees, are but a manifestation of
His divine forgiveness and an indication of His
merciful intention to restore them again to
happiness by an elevation to equality with the rest
of mankind?
The present century may indeed
be regarded as a golden era to our people; for it
has given birth to an interest and an enlarged view
of our claim to the consideration of mankind, in an
increased ratio to that of many preceding ages. This
result may likewise be traced to education and
improved knowledge, the extensive diffusion of which
tends to enlighten the public mind on subjects with
which it was heretofore but imperfectly acquainted,
and to eradicate prejudice, the offspring only of
bigotry and superstition. This is fast vanishing
from the face of civilization, as vanish the clouds
of night at the approach of morning, and we no
longer bend under the pressure of public hatred and
malice: but the equitable laws of nations, the
original of which were first entrusted to our care,
transmitted
to the present time, shield us alike with
others under their protecting mantle.
We cannot repress our gratitude
to the Almighty Disposer of events, when
contemplating our favourable position, compared to
the past, amid the constant efforts and movements
tending to benefit our people in Europe, a quarter
of the world celebrated for the cruelty and
injustice once exercised towards them. In many parts
their claims to respect and confidence are
<<217>>no
longer disregarded; while others, although labouring
under disabilities which time will doubtless remove,
yet enjoy a tranquility and happiness hitherto
unknown for centuries.
Of our own happy country, what
language is sufficient to express our high
appreciation or deeply impressed love? To speak of
her acquired and increasing greatness, the respect
she commands from the world, the majesty and
equality of her laws, the fame of her statesmen, her
prowess in war and policy to remain at peace, the
extent of her commercial relations, her advancement
in literary, scientific, and mechanical knowledge,
the skill, perseverance, and industry of her
children,—to allude to these, and much more that
excites our pride and admiration, in appropriate
language of praise, is beyond my feeble capacity.
Every American heart present, whether natural or
naturalized, can feel and appreciate what my
deficiency of language renders me incompetent to
express. Well may she be termed “the model nation,”
and well may her sons point with pride to such a
mother; for they have no less cause for pride and
exultation than had the ancient Roman, whose
proudest boast was “I am a Roman citizen.” Above
all, they may boast that her annals have never been
sullied by religious proscription; the right of
worshipping God according to the dictates of
conscience being guaranteed by her constitution to
every person and people. This, as well as the fact
of her being the first nation that publicly
acknowledged his claim to equality, is a sufficient
inducement for the love and veneration of the
Israelite. The noble sentiment expressed in her
first declaration, “that all men are born free and
equal,” secures to him the same honours and
privileges enjoyed by the rest of her citizens. Have
we not, then, great cause for patriotic attachment
to her?—to feel a noble pride in her welfare and
advancement?—and, if necessary, to sacrifice our
blood in defence of her liberty and honour, which,
like the sun’s rays, irradiate and beautify the
world?
In contemplating, as
Israelites, our position in this land, to us truly a
“land of milk and honey,” we may justly exclaim,
with Israel of old, “The Lord hash brought us forth
out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched
arm, He hath brought us unto this place, and hath
given us this land.”
* * * * * * *
[After giving a history of the
school, and paying a just compliment, both to the
former and present directress, Mr. Cohen proceeded
as follows:]—
To the ladies who have assisted
as teachers, as well as to all those by whom this
school was established, and whose efforts have since
promoted and sustained it, the thanks of our
community are likewise due. The performances this
day, and the improvement exhibited by its pupils,
bear ample evidence both of its usefulness and
success; its failure would indeed be matter of
surprise, when the zeal and perseverance of woman,
in the promotion of any praiseworthy object, be
considered. With such motives, “there is no such
word as fail.” While man takes time to reflect,
woman accomplishes; to her, then, we naturally turn
for aid and support, in attempting any important
step for the advancement of our species,—and to her
influence are we generally indebted for success.
But woman’s influence is not
only confined to these causes. It extends to the
every-day occurrences of life, which stamp an
indelible impression on our existence, controlling
our actions from its commencement to its close, and
operating either for our good or evil. Thus, at the
very threshold of life are we dependent, not only
for the care and attention, but likewise for the
discretion of a mother in preparing our minds for
future usefulness and ultimate success. It is the
mother that stamps the infant intellect, and gives
the first impetus to intellectual and moral
greatness; or it is the mother that,
<<218>>influenced by a superfluous and unwise love,
fears to check, and thus gives countenance to the
infant foibles of her child, rendering him, in after
years, incapable of appreciating those high moral
notions so necessary to his future success and
happiness. How great a responsibility rests, then,
on a mother! and what a fountain of affection is
associated with the sacred title! Nor is her value
less apparent in all the other relations of life:
for, as wife, sister, daughter, or friend, she
exercised undoubted control in giving importance and
stability to our moral existence. The sun’s genial
influence, therefore, is not more necessary to the
animal and vegetable world, than is that of a woman
to our own social sphere.
In reflecting on the extent to
which we are indebted to woman for our welfare and
happiness, it is impossible to withhold that respect
and attention so freely accorded to her wherever
civilization exists. To promote her comfort and
happiness, is, and should justly be held, one of our
highest duties, and to their attainment our utmost
efforts should be applied. By this course is man
decidedly the gainer; the devotion he extends being
repaid with interest in a thousand kind attentions
that give zest to life. Who among us has not
experienced pleasure from these attentions? Whose
heart has not been cheered by the kindness which
flows like a constant stream from that of woman? Who
has not been rendered better, wiser, and happier
from her sweet companionship? As the mariner is
guided by a certain star to his destined haven, so
is man guided by woman to virtue and usefulness. She
is the star of his destiny, the “bright particular
star” of all his thoughts, his hopes, and his
pleasures.
* * * * * * *
On you, my friends, devolves
the duty of assisting, by your efforts at home,
those of the teacher in school. A child’s
advancement in knowledge, though greatly influenced
by the tutor, depends much more on the parent, whose
constant companionship inspires greater confidence,
and renders the lessons more permanent and
impressive. The former but sows the seed,—it is for
the latter to watch and encourage its growth; and if
they would have it yield desirable fruit, a careful
cultivation must not be neglected. “Just as the twig
is bent, the tree’s inclined,” is the most truthful
line ever written by poet, and the most appropriate
to the rearing of children: its significance and
truth should be deeply impressed on the mind of all
parents, who, if they commence early, possess the
power of bending them to their own desires,—and
this, not by rigorous or coercive measures, but by a
little care in their supervision, and the employment
only of kind and encouraging words.
* * * * * * *
With respect to the morals of
your children, that depends entirely on yourselves.
Light and heat are not more certain the uniform in
giving hue and complexion to the vegetable world
than is example in the affairs of morals. We are
naturally the creatures of imitation, our actions
being controlled, in a great measure, by the conduct
of those whom we most esteem, and in whom we have
the greatest confidence. This more particularly
applies to children, who, having no other rule of
action, and unable to distinguish right from wrong,
except in extreme cases, are led by love for and
confidence in a parent to place a construction of
right on their every action. Let your own conduct,
therefore, be such as to stand the test of
scrutiny,—and thus, your example, assisted by holy
precept, will reflect on the future welfare of your
children, and insure the most desirable and happy
results.
* * * * * * *
[In addressing the children,
among other advice, Mr. C. said]—
As you advance in years, you
will doubtless learn and appreciate the many
virtues, the practice of which serves to adorn and
elevate mankind.
<<219>>The principal of these
are truth and charity, and I point to them as being
particularly worthy of your regard; for if you
commence practising them as children, their beauty
and value will become so apparent, that you will not
forsake them in after years, while, if you neglect
them now, the worst results may then be realized.
Truth is a godlike virtue, which yields to its
followers unnumbered advantages; among these are
confidence and respect, and real foundation of all
preferment and greatness; without it none can attain
true greatness or happiness; for although falsehood
may triumph for a time, it must eventually be
exposed and defeated, for “truth is powerful and
must prevail.” Let me, therefore, implore you, for
the sake of your own happiness, to seek for and
abide by the truth; for while no character is so
utterly despised as the liar, none is so much
honoured and prized as the lover of truth.
The practice of charity
requires that we should mutually assist each other
in difficulty, and relieve each other in want, to
offer comfort and consolation to the afflicted, to
soothe the anguish and wipe away the tear of the
suffering, and to do all, in fact, for the
mitigation of each others’ sorrows and the promotion
of each others’ happiness. These are duties
incumbent not on a portion only, but on the whole
human family. We are all the children of the same
Almighty Parent, influenced by the same desires and
passions, subject to the same pains and sorrows, and
destined to the same end. Our interest and feelings
for each other should, therefore, be no less general
and sympathetic. Though some may be more fortunate
than others in escaping the pains and sufferings of
disease, or the grasp of poverty and distress,—yet
they are not the less liable, nor are they less
exempt from the duties which the common ties of
humanity demand. You thus perceive that charity
consists not only in giving to the needy a portion
of what you possess, but that almost all the actions
that elicit the praise of others, and the
approbation of our own heart and conscience, combine
to give beauty and worth to the sacred name of
charity.
* * * * * * *
Having said thus much with the
hope of contributing to your gratification, I may in
conclusion, ladies and gentlemen, be permitted a few
words for the expression of my own. This is
occasioned by the very numerous and attentive
audience around me,—and is much enhanced by the
number of our Christian friends who have honoured us
with their presence; and who, in absenting
themselves from their own places of worship to
attend at ours, display an interest in our
proceedings, and a desire for our welfare,
sufficiently flattering to be deserving of
acknowledgment. While fully appreciating their
motives, we trust that nothing has transpired this
day to impair that interest, or lessen those bonds
of reciprocal esteem which it is our highest desire
to encourage. |
