Letter
- Title
- Letter
- Location(s)
- Philadelphia
- Format
- Letter. 2 page(s) on 1 sheet(s).
- Legal
- Type
- Letter
- Language(s)
- English
- Physical Characteristics
- Unlined Paper
- Manuscript
- content
-
Up to thee, show star of life, do we raise our eyes, when we inquire after thy ways. Prepare
Clear then now our path, let thy light shine unto us, and lead us according to thy pleasure,
Amen!
Every thing has its time, and every endeavour under heaven has its appointed hour! (Eccl. 3. I.) This sentence of the wise Shelomoh is universally and indisputably applicable to all sublunary and temporal events; already even will in the struggle for obtaining such (sub. & temp) possession will wisdom and knowledge, even in the ordinary pursuits, in the occupations of civil life will foresight and penetration of man particularly discover themselves, if he in every undertaking does not suffer, the appointed time to pass by, if he seizes the favourable moment for in all he does. And upon such a just view of time, such an observation of the fit hour depends generally, his attainment of or failure of in the object intended, his success or disap-pointment in his undertakings.—Should there not also be such a proper reason for the attainment of that, which is not alone necessary under heaven, but which also reaches extends itself into the very heavens! yea which stretches ever above them? Should there not be also found in our heavenly calling, in our relations toward the supreme being such an opportune hour, such a seasonable time, the proper use of which must lead to a prosperous termination of this holy work, but the neglect of which would render all our toil all our endeavours entirely useless? Assuredly, my beloved brothers!__
We only need to look into sacred history, need only review the book of the events of the world, to be clearly convinced, that all times were not equally propitious towards spreading the knowledge and fear of God, that divine tree of religion did not in every century produce its nourishing fruit; we only need ask ourselves, to feel a lively and deep conviction, that our time aera is not only the right but also the most proper time for the revival and recuscitation of a religious life in Yisrael; we only need look upon our gladdening commencement to be assured, that we began at the proper time, at the appointed hour, to gain true adorers to the divine word, devoted servants (minds) to the service of the Lord But if in the temporal affairs of life it wisdom is not considered wisdom to to consist only in having only made good use of the proper moment, to have through which the matter desired was obtained; but also to devise means to secure what we have acquired and to make the possession thereof permanent should the greatest wisdom, which is proper to man, and which expresses ? the fear of God be less in this consideration? Should we rest ? having obtained a knowledge of religion without any
further effort to devise means, to acquire a situa state by which we can keep ourselves in this wholesome and beneficial reverence toward an alpowerful God? Are not religion and obedience to God and honouring him, and the knowledge of his goodness from their very nature im-perishable, as these gifts appertained to a life, which we deem eternal?
It is our duty, brethren, not only to teach the whole congregation, but every individual of us the properties of the state, which I just mentioned, that we may be the better enabled to reach it. Time has shown that we have been successful in our holy endeavour, and that we have chosen the proper hour, that we have acquired the noblest of all possessions: it must be our aim to preserve it; you must not expect that time can confirm you more and more in the possession thereof; not expect that only from yourselves, from your wisdom! With this view let us consider today:
Which state is the most propitious for the growth of religion with whole nations and individuals? (single indiv.) - Identifier
- LSKAP20-1047
- Date
- [ca. 1840?]
Part of Letter
“Letter”, [ca. 1840?], Isaac Leeser Digital Repository, accessed September 21, 2024, https://judaicadhpenn.org/legacyprojects/s/leeser/item/67046