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Mr. Editor—The past week has been an eventful one
in the history of our youthful congregation, and we again trespass upon
your columns to place upon record its remarkable incidents. During that
period five children have entered into the Jewish covenant, and
three of these under circumstances of peculiar interest, and the most
gratifying character. As worthy examples ever to be emulated, as
instances of youthful zeal and piety, appropriate models for universal
imitation, the cases we are about to report deserve a bold pre-eminence,
and merit wide-spread applause. As guides for the youth of this and
future generations, they should be blazoned forth through your pages to
the Israelitish world, and circulated wherever the followers of Moses
lift up their voices in prayer.
It was not the novelty of the ceremony (though
these were the first instances of its performance in Augusta), that
attracted such general attention. It was not the number, who in so small
a congregation, and within a time so brief, were named in accordance
with ancient usages, that excited so great a sensation. These causes
were of themselves inadequate to give the occurrence so remarkable a
character. It was the age, the birth, the nativity, the parentage, the
previous education and training of three of the boys, which threw around
the proceedings an unusual interest, and elevated them above all
ordinary ceremonies of a similar nature.
The age of the eldest was thirteen, that of
his companions ten and nine,—periods of life when we are
most regardless of our spiritual welfare, most vulnerable to the
impressions of the majority around us, most fearful of the scoffs of the
ignorant, and the keen shafts of ridicule, and least fortified by
strength of mind, by reason, and above all by religion, to sustain or
resist their attacks.
They were all the offspring of Christian fathers;
born in the interior of the State—in spots far removed from any Jewish
congregation, where even the persecuted and wandering Israelite had
failed to leave his transitory footsteps, they not only lacked those
feelings which intercourse with those of a kindred faith is apt to
engender, but were exposed to influences directly the reverse. Thrown
among associates of a different sect, encompassed by the prejudices of a
Christian community, and placed under teachers who never fail to
inculcate their peculiar theological opinions, these youths were all
unfitted by pre<<362>>vious education,
early associations, and former habits of
life, for the important step they have recently taken. And yet upon such
a soil as this, has been scattered the seed of our holy religion, which
after luxuriant growth, has brought forth a rich harvest, abundantly
overpaying the labours of the husbandmen.
Deprived of their fathers while they were yet
young, they naturally began to cling still closer to the maternal bosom,
and as naturally imbibed the mother’s religious impressions, which even,
if dimmed by years, are seldom entirely obliterated. Uninfluenced by
counsel, unmoved by persuasion, unbiassed by the hope of reward, and
unshaken by parental entreaties, these boys stepped boldly forward, and
from a self-conviction of its propriety, conformed to the ancient rite.
Voluntary sacrifices!! The offerings of pious hearts!
For a short time previous, they had been attendants
of the Hebrew Sabbath school. Studious, attentive and reflecting, they
had there read their Bible, studied the obligations of their creed, and
knowing the command of God as expressed to Abraham, determined to obey
it. Poor boys! they were without a father’s advice to guide, a father’s
voice to cheer them. “If God requires it I will go through it again,”
was the exclamation of one of them at the conclusion of the ceremony, a
remark indicative at once of religious zeal, and manly resolution. In
truth, the stoicism displayed by each of the. boys, the power of
reflection they exercised, and the cheerfulness with which they carried
out their resolution when formed, constituted the main features of this
truly pleasing occurrence. It was a novel and beautiful sight, to
witness a boy of ten, the pioneer in this movement, arguing with
his companions, as to the propriety of observing the Jewish ordinance,
and they convinced by his reasoning, and their own reflections, yielding
at last a willing assent. As interesting was it to note the firmness
their intelligent countenances exhibited, as, when warned of the
importance of the course they were about to pursue, they reiterated
their final decision.
Cases parallel to these above described, may have occurred; but none
have been attended with more interesting incidents, none can surpass
them in the purity of purpose and moral sublimity of the acts. A source
of congratulation and rejoicing to us of the congregation, we desire,
Mr. Editor, that all Israelites should participate in our pleasure. We
present these cases to your readers, and proudly demand that they be
conspicuously enrolled in the annals of Judaism. T. J. M.
August 17th.
Note by the Editor.—We recommend the above
cheering incident, illustrating the influence of religious instruction
upon the minds of the <<363>>young, suggestive as it is of so many reflections,
to the earnest thought of all our readers. And should this article reach
the eyes of those who have in violation of the law left their children
uncircumcised, (of which we regret to say there are several in this
country,) we would earnestly beg of them to reflect on the momentous
omission of which they have been guilty. It is the privilege of every
Jewish child to be initiated in the covenant of Abraham; so that it may
have the option of being an Israelite or not when it arrives at
maturity. And what right have parents to stand in the wary of their
son’s future prospects, by neglecting to initiate him in the Jewish
church? If they themselves are wicked Jews, though circumcised, their
children can follow their example in this respect, despite of their
circumcision; and if, on the contrary, the latter wish to be strict
observers of the Mosaic law, why deny them the opportunity of being so?
will all of such have the faith and courage of the young Israelite at
Augusta? It is much to be wished that they should; but it is not always
to be expected. We hardly know how to stop when we commence speaking of
such a subject; but we forbear at present; let the example speak, it is
more eloquent than words; and perhaps “a line may reach some
obdurate hearts, who would fly when a sermon is preached to
them.” One word before we close: Let all our readers who are pious
Israelites, urge upon those whom they know to have neglected the law, to
remedy the omission without delay. Friendly conversation may do a great
deal; it has done good at all times. |
