SMBx11FF4_2

On the 95th birth-day of Sir Moses Montefiore.

This page is blank

{1}

Brethren.

Last week our city journals teemed with the merited praise of a man born in the Christian faith. His very long career had illustrated ,throughout a precious truth, viz.,namely Nnatural instincts, when combined with a liberal education raise the mind above narrow church limits, and place it beyond the reach of denominational prejudices. and antipathies. Henry C. Carey did not belong exclusively to the creed in which his parents had reared their children; but he to was aan active member ofthe religion of humanity. For, he saw a brother in every being gifted by the universal Creator with reason and speech, and he made it hisa life-study to improve the condition of the least appreciated, but most essential portion of the social body--the day laborer. What the richly stored mind of that Philadelphian gave the literary world; the practical axioms his intellect conceived to advance the cause of [civilization], will doubtless form a subject which adepts in the science of po-litical economy are best able fittingly to handle. To discuss itthe theme here is neither within the scope of this sacred gathering, nor within the range of the capacity of him that now speaks.

{2} I confess that I ventured a faint allusion to the character and writings of a great man who was not of Israel, because his demise last week in his 86th year, suggested the appropriateness of some brief reference to the illustrious man who is of Israel, and who will next week celebrate his 95th birth-day. You know whom I mean. Him whom that kings have delighted to honor [. . . ] -- Sir Moses Montefiore.

How refreshing, my brethren, to see recorded that, amidst a wide-spread skepticism, an almost centenarian bends his steps to the house of God, and braves the fatigue of remaining there long in the a prayful attitude! of prayer[!] -- Contrast that demeanour with the conduct of some of our young generation who, having perhaps never crossed the threshhold of a Synagogue for a twelvemonth[s,], cannot summon the enough patience to Remain therein continue within its walls any length of time on the holiest day of our year. But the report of that act demonstration of piety, Marvellous as it may seem in our age, was did not the thought which trait str[uck] ike me as most worthy of as athe trait deserving the highest commendation. It did not awaken the feelings that seized my heart on learning that to-morrow, the 9th of Heshvan, the champion

{3} of our race will be ninety five years old. I rather recalled the fact The fact which flashed then before my memory was that only the earnest entreaties and solicita[]ations of representative Israelites in Great Britain could alone prevail on the nonagenarian hoary headed hero to alter his recent resolution. He had determined to undertake once there an exhausting journey to Palestine, that his presence might further the cause of industry among a residue of the captivity, who dwell in the patriarchal land.

You know are aware that the Baronet, urged to consent that a monument commemorative of his philanthropy be raised, requested that the reward of his labors for Israel and mankind be the accumulation of a fund, wherewith to permanently benefit the state of the Hebrews in the country which the Divinity vouchsaved to hallowed. That is the crowning deed of fifty years' steady work, upheld by ardent zeal; that is the ultimate demonstration manifestation of a devout soul, and not the final revelation of " a noble but impracticable scheme, " as falsely stated. I cannot forbear saying to you that among the errors which the secular press often commits, when it attempts to speak of matters relating to Judaism none is was more glaring than that which a popular paper in our city perpetrated a month ago.