Admonishing lectures. Morais, Sabato. Philadelphia, PA. Undated · Sabato Morais Digital Repository · Legacy Projects from Judaica DH at Penn Libraries

Title

Admonishing lectures. Morais, Sabato. Philadelphia, PA. Undated

Author

Morais, Sabato

Location(s)

United States -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia

United States -- Pennsylvania

Format

10 pages on 4 sheets

Rights

http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?

Language(s)

English

Source

Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies

Sabato Morais Collection, Box 13, Folder 16

Has Format

https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/items/ark:/81431/p3416th9v/manifest.json

Link to Colenda

https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/catalog/81431-p3416th9v

Provenance

Transfer of Custody from the Hebrew Education Society, 10 March 1913.

Is Format Of

https://raw.githubusercontent.com/judaicadh/morais/main/TEI/SMBx13FF16_1.xml

content

a few words of caution to youths,
predicated on professor Tyndall's address,
wherein he advances materialistic views.

Brethren! Were I even able from a long training on the study of science, to speak of it with precision, I would consider it inappropriate to to make Astronomy, or Geology, or Eth--nology, or any of those results of the profound searchings of the human mind, the subject of lectures at the Synagogue. It must naturally be supposed that among a large body of men formed promiscuously into a Congregation, few are prepared to listen with interest and profit to topics of that character. And as pulpit instruction ought to reach the bulk, if not the whole of the audience, it would be unfair to dwell on that which is intelligible only to the smallest minority. Now: such a course deserving censure, when followed by an individual preacher conversant with sciences, would be exceedingly presumptuous in one, like myself, who knows them scarcely by name. I am certain, I could not afford instruction, while I might, by the attempt, occasion annoyance. And still a feeling I cannot repress, urges me to allude to literary works relating to science. Not to discuss the latter, but to offer a word of friendly caution. I have observed that some of my brothers and sisters in faith, who possibly have not gone any deeper

than I have into a recondite knowledge, not yet mastered by the most capacious minds, quote it to controvert the declarations of the Bible. Now it is Darwin, whose learned speculations have led him to discover our descent from apes and gorillas, that makes them bold; anon it is Huxley who sees on the nerves the seat of human reason. The latest authority is professor Tyndall in his address at Belfast. That renowned scientist seems to exercise at pre--sent a commanding influence. In his essay he sums up what philosophers and sages have written on the origin of heaven and earth and all which is therein, arranges every thing in a manner, revealing a skill truly extraordinary, and arrives at the startling, and to me most painful con--clusion that the universe is not indebted for its creation to a Supreme Intelligence, that formed it with unerring forethought. It I say it is most painful, because the singular abilities of the man who proclaims that destructive theory, gives it immense weight with our susceptible youths. The same materlialistic idea has been advanced innumerable times before. It is embodied in countless volumes of ancient and modern date. But when conveyed in the shape and in-viting style chosen by professor Tyndall; when backed

by so vast an array of erudition, it has a fascination un--equalled perhaps by other writings. I have cause to fear it. Not as a permanent injury to revealed religion, for it has stood stronger shocks, but as a disturbing element, poisoning the hearts of some of my young brethren. To those who have read or intend reading that address, I will therefore say. Friends! The following questions present themselves to the unbiased mind in perusing that production.
Is it more reasonable to believe that atoms striking against each other for untold ages, came at last to a convenient ar--rangement, which produced the earth we dwell upon, than to believe that the will of a wise Artificer, constructed this beautiful world with such exactness, which might fit it for the habitation of man? Is it more reasonable to believe that the glittering stars hanging in the sky, shot out of their own accord from some thin vapor or cloud, than to believe that an all-powerful Designer fashioned them and sent them kindled with an unquenchable fir light-sent them rolling through infinite space? Is it more reasonable to believe that our senses and our faculties are the effect

of chemical combinations, that to believe that we a beneficent Maker gave us eyes purposely that we might see and enjoy our surroundings, and intellect that we might independently act? Is it more reasonable to believe that we can purchase peace by a voluntary death, or in other words shuffle off troubles by suicide, than to believe that the mind will survive the body of which it is the impelling force? These questions, my friends! which I wil have with reluctance touched upon; these questions which Mr Tyndall's address present to the thoughtful have been definitely solved. Their solution will be found in the very page, which stands as a frontspiece to the revealed book. Not scientifically given, for that was not the aim of the scriptures, but in a clear, concise, and comprehensive manner. It tells us that the idea of an eternity of matter is false; that a personal God brought by His absolute will every thing above, around, and beneath us into existence [Hebrew] [Hebrew]. It tells us that man is the most perfect of beings not because he is the last link in the chain of a gradual development among irrational animals, but be--cause the Creator Himself moulded his wonderful frame, and because God breathed within him a living soul [Hebrew] [Hebrew]

This truth enunciated in the opening chapter of the Hebrew Bible; this truth which lies at the foundations of Mosaism, to use a phrase now a days in vogue, is borne out by all Jewish writings, and nowhere more plainly than in the Haftarah desi--gnated for Sabbath Bereshoth. "Thus sayeth God, the Eternal Lord, He that created the heavens and stretched them out; He that spread forth the earth and the things that come form it; He that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and a spirit unto those tht walk therein. I am the Eternal Lord, that is my name, nor will I give my glory to another". Hear it, my Brethren! To another, my Brethren! whether it be an idol as heathens shape it, or one in a form of molecules and atoms. This vital truth must be considered inviolable. Science will then be welcome to all her investigations. For, boundless is the field through which she can range. She will be hailed by the intelligent theologian, as the brightest illustration of that freedom of will, which Holy Writ proclaims; as the noblest exercise of man's distinguishing powers; but when failing to explain fathom what will ever remain inexpli- unfathomable -cable--the essence of God--she attempts to substitute self--ma--king and self-developping matter for an all-wise Creator and Architect. When she dares assail the citadel of religion, and storm its ramparts, that is, God and immortality, then she is

an insidious enemy, whom mankind must hate.
I am disqualified to refute by a line of scientific arguments what Mr Tyndall set forth in his address. But common sense, of which I am not deprived, because of my unacquaintance with science, assures me that the professor has overshot his mark. He determined to enter a province, which is not more and less inaccessible to him, than to the most illiterate, and in doing so, he injured the cause of science with the believer, and sowed the seeds of disbelief in the hearts of science-loving youths. This painful reflection led me to allude to a subject otherwise foreign to the Jewish pulpit. It is not enough that in his closing remarks the lecturer admitted the possibility, nay, the certainty that the views advanced will undergo changes. It is not enough that he conceded that our inborn sentiments of religiousness, as well as the claims of our understanding must be satisfied; that man is a superior being not only because he thinks profoundly, but because he feels deeply, and acts humanely. No: it is not enough, for, the mind of the reader, unless sustained by the declarations of Holy Writ, has been already impregnated with heresies, rendered more dangerous by the attractive form in which they are brought forward.

But there is a sentence in that address, which the author quotes for a different purpose than I will apply it, but which is at all events, edifying. He writes: "A great man said to me once: "Did I not believe that a Supreme Intelligence is at the heart of things, my life on earth would be intolerable" Yes; beloved youths! Life with its numerous trials would often be unendurable, were it not for the faith we must have in that all-prescient Wisdom, that regulates events to a beneficial end. This is not blind faith, but the result of a study of the workings of nature, as well as of the words of revelation. For, there cannot be a contradiction between what god traced in the volumes of creation, and what He wrote in the grand old book. When Holy Writ said: God saw all which He had made, and behold, it was very good," it meant to teach that perfect harmony exists in whatever proceeds from the Almighty, that the laws He has enacted, carry out the precise object He had designed, and that by His constant direction of the same laws, no enduring evil can befall the individual or the social family. The science whose researches illustrate this principle; that which leads our thoughts upward with awe and gratitude to the Unseen and Eternal Lord, is the associate of religion. But the science which drags us downward; that which does not open our ears to the majestic voice of the Lord speaking through nature and revelation,

but would make us hear only the striking of atoms, and the shocks of chance, is blasphemy. It is even worse. It is a hot blast drying up the source of virtue in the human heart. Let not its breath wither your noble instincts, O youths of my people! In the figurative language of the ancient moralist, I, who sincerely desire your happiness, say now "Go not astray in her path, for she hath cast down many wounded, many strong men have been slain by her. The ways to the nether world in her home, leading down to the chambers of death" Better would it be for the peace of your mind, for the advantage of Judaism, and for that of the human race at large, that you remain in ignorance of abstruse studies, than you be godless. Better that you be crowned with deeds of piety, flowing from a love of the Creator, and a sense of your account--ability to Him, than you be laurelled a prodigy of learning. Yet, you can wear the adornments lent both by religion and science, if you will be guided through life by this truth, which Moses taught, and civilized communities have accepted, namely, God is the Maker, God is the upholder, God is the Ruler and Judge of the universe. Oh! may He who has gifted His creatures with the capacity to soar high and dive deep in their investigations, be your escort.

You will neither be seized with a vertigo, which misrepresents ofje objects, nor be entangled into a maze of fatal errors. And for our young brother, who has been added to the number of observant Israelites, I implore a blessing. May he become strong in faith, vigorous in intellect, prosperous in worldly undertakings, and noted for deeds of goodness and philanthropy. Amen.

Identifier

p3416th9v

identifier

SMBx13FF16_1