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By S. S.
A stranger, in viewing the religious condition of
our brethren in America, might suppose that their enjoyment of liberty
of opinion and action, rendered dormant the beauty and truthfulness of
the Jewish character; and like the products of the frigid north, which
would degenerate under a milder sky, naught but the greatest oppression
could make the sons of the covenant cherish their divine inheritance, or
fulfill the commands of their holy law.
Is it unbelief in the doctrines promulgated by
Moses? Or doubts of the fulfillment of the Divine promises? The little
success that has crowned the strenuous exertions that have been made for
the last eighteen centuries, to lead the sons of Israel astray from the
path indicated by the God of Abraham—by sophistry, by the most refined
tortures, and by the offering worldly advantages, would give these
assumptions an unqualified and stern denial.
Although some unworthy few, calling themselves
Israelites, but devoid of religious principles, have bowed before a
shrine their fathers knew not, lured thither by the golden bait of
mammon or the glitter of power; and although some, in whom the spirit of
fortitude was weak, have, under an iron oppression, professed outwardly
to believe what they in their souls viewed as false, whilst they
remained true at heart in the belief of the "One and
Indivisible:" still this only proves the enduring strength of our
code; for although many fell off in this manner, and our shepherds have
been but few, our numbers have yet remained undiminished. If we take
into consideration the multitude of teachers of the popular faith—the
influence they possess over their congregations, the attention that is
paid to their discourses or sermons, the support that is given to the
organs that disseminate their doctrines, the societies established for
the propagation of their tenets, the immense amounts that are
contributed for all these purposes, and that worldly honours are also at
their disposal; and then take notice of the new schisms that spring up
from day to day amongst them: we might infer that were they as apathetic
as ourselves, their religion would fall to the ground in hopeless decay.
It is true, we leave not our unfortunate brethren
to suffer to bitterness of want, if it is in our power to relieve them;
nor do we as a rule, throw them on the public charities, although we
contribute to these equally with other sects. But what have we done, or
what do we towards producing a religious renovation in our members, of
which we all stand in so much need? Yes, what efforts have we made, or
what exertions do we make now, to perfect ourselves as a people in the
observance of those duties which our religion demands of us? Some mighty
spirits, it is true, have erected, by their bright examples, a beacon
light, here and there, to guide us on our path of everlasting life; but
what have we done collectively worthy of the great cause, more
especially in this country, where freedom of opinion reigns in its
utmost extent, and where man is respected for his worth, not for the
creed which he professes?
Would not, if proper exertions were made, the less
informed of our brethren be induced to listen to the voice of
instruction and moral reproof in the same kindly spirit with which the
teachers of religion are animated? And would not many of us, who now
feel indifferent, soon experience pleasure and delight in obeying the
beautiful precepts of our holy law, if they could but once be persuaded
to enter its pleasant paths through the teaching and example of those
who take a lively interest in their immortal welfare? To maintain the
negative of this proposition would be at once admitting, that either the
mass of us are beyond the reach of moral persuasion, or that none among
us are capable of eliciting the good that lies dormant in the breast of
every Israelite
Would that those that have influence among us,
might take this matter more to heart, and devise some means to take the
reproach of slothfulness from our name; and thus show to the world that
Israel is capable of enjoying the greatest political liberty, without
departing from the covenant of Sinai! Might we not use the same means
for our religious advancement which our adversaries have endeavoured to
use for its destruction? Could we not endeavour to work upon the minds
of those who are exposed to temptation, and bring them back to the
community of Israel? Could we not by diffusion of knowledge among the
people arrest the mischief which artfully contrived publications have
perhaps caused to some little extent? Surely the sons of Jacob cannot be
so false to themselves as to be niggard in the support of those objects
that have for their aim the raising of the name of Israel to the high
elevation it once held; surely the daughters of Zion will not see us
surrounded by those, whom we honestly believe to be in error, without
doubting their sincerity, who seek to propagate among us doctrines so
erroneous in themselves, so pernicious to us in case they should take
root in our minds, (which God forbid,) without raising the gentle yet
powerful influence they possess over their brothers, husbands, and
friends, in the furtherance of that cause, which has for its object the
regeneration of the whole human race. O that we were more consistent! We
acknowledge with our mouth that the Lord is ONE, and that His law
will exist till the world shall be no more: yet by our actions we give
in many instances a flat denial to our professed belief, by acting
contrary to the ordinances of the Most High, as if his blessing were not
all-sufficient even here, and to be far more prized than the
contemptible satisfaction of having acquired the favour (not respect) of
those who differ from us in religious belief. We said "not
respect;" for does not experience fully teach us, that none is
truly respected who is not consistent with himself, and acts not up to
the faith he acknowledges to be the true one?
Let Israel awake then from her apathy, and point
out to those who would stray from her fold the hidden snares spread for
their souls' eternal welfare, by those who, whilst professing to lead
them to heaven by a road more sure than our law, cannot agree amongst
themselves which is the true or even the safe one of the many routes,
that their inconsistent tenets have caused the believers of the
so-called gospels to follow.
July 16th, 1843. |
