Funeral orations. Morais, Sabato. Philadelphia, PA. 1872 · Sabato Morais Digital Repository · Legacy Projects from Judaica DH at Penn Libraries

Title

Funeral orations. Morais, Sabato. Philadelphia, PA. 1872

Author

Morais, Sabato

Date Created

1872

Location(s)

United States -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia

United States -- Pennsylvania

Format

4 pages on 1 sheet

Rights

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

Language(s)

English

Source

Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies

Sabato Morais Collection, Box 11, Folder 7

Has Format

https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/items/ark:/81431/p3dn40f0m/manifest.json

Link to Colenda

https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/catalog/81431-p3dn40f0m

Provenance

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

Is Format Of

https://raw.githubusercontent.com/judaicadh/morais/main/TEI/SMBx11FF7_20.xml

content

For a funeral
The morning of Kippur had dawned. The faithful in Israel wended their steps to the house of the Parent of mercy, and Abraham ascended mounted up to heaven. Manifold must his good deeds have been to receive a call from on high upon so auspicious a day. To reach the throne of grace, when angels bright encircle it, to hear behold the Eternal King dispense forgiveness. The summons neither shocked his mind nor found his spirit unprepared. He that fondly loved and was a one beloved in return, may have craved but for the power of utterance. Could he bid a last farewell, and part part with with a long embrace! Could he but faintly say "May peace abide with you all, as it precedes me to the grave"!.....That boon was denied, yet the consciousness that affection for his own, and good-will towards all creatures had marked his course through life, must needs have calmed the spirit soul, and impelled sped it onward. For it becomes me to tell dear friends that such, as I have learnt such were indeed the traits of our brother's character.
The oldest of a family early bereft of paternal care, he devoted his youth to aid a widowed mother in the discharge of one arduous obligations. Appreciating to its fullest extent the position in which he had been placed by a melancholy circumstance,

be brought to bear thereupon whatever the efforts of the body and of the mind can well accomplish well. It is not surprising therefore that feelings akin to filial reverence swelled the breasts of the junior portion of Esther Hart's children towards their brother Abram. Long after they had outgrown the necessity of seeking his advice; when time had ripened their judgment, and widened the range of their thoughts, still the views he expressed met with a deferential hearing, if not always with an entire compliance. Such sentiments which a self-imposed task of abnegation & toil had engendered, have been breathed into other [?] hearts. A crown of respectful grand-children surrounded the aged sire, and he regarded looked on that possession as on a treasure of inestimable value. The numerous offspring of an single only daughter with whom a wife, too soon lost, had blessed him well his marital relations they illustrated in their conduct maternal teaching precept and maternal example. And through them will the name of Abram L. Hart descend to posterity associated with ideas inspiring regard and eliciting much praise. For the inherent kindliness of disposition to that [?] which our friend evinced towards the members of his family, he exhibited was likewise discernible also in his intercourse with all his fellow-[?] beings. During four a score of years he continued to be the almoner of an association of his Jewish brethren. How much of human sorrow he may then not have alleviated! How many the tears he may have wiped away, the hopes he may have rekindled the comforts he may have afforded.

Not alone merely by the small coin that he could dispense grant, but by the sympathetic word which accompanied the benefaction. That he lent too easily but an ear to the tale of distress ,was the fault with which our lamented friend was charged by some, but if to suffe allow oneself to be at times deceived by the unworthy, lest the deserving be depraved of their due, is a fault we may greatly wish it were common with those who distribute charity. Better, far better to be with facility readily influenced and wrought upon, than the really needy suffer hunger. So thought Ab L. Hart and the same principle guided his conduct became his guidance in his private as well as in his public deportment. An To appeal for the distressed, was to secure his assistance, agreeably to the means at his command. These, I conceive, had never reached beyond exceeded competence. His commercial pursuits were lessened by reverses, and became greatly cramped narrowed down in their scope. But his feelings out stripped his notions of economy, and he gave willingly, and I may add from personal knowledge, promptly and unostentatiously.
With a friendly and benevolent nature, he conjoined polished manners, and an address evincing giving evidence of a mind remarkably well trained cultivated. Such is the impression our deceased brother left upon me wherever we met, and so spontaneous appeared that demeanour, that I judge it was constantly shown habitual. The testimony of those who enjoyed his inti--mate acquaintance, strengthens me in the opinion I have formed. My knowledge of his sainted mother, leads induces me fully to believe I am correct.

Who more than Esther Hart genial in disposition, who more [?] exquisitely refined, high-toned? Who more genuinely, purely kind, con--siderate, charitable? Those qualities which she possessed in the highest degree could not have lost their effect influence upon the child who had been alike her coadjutor in a great undertaking and her oldest the first yeilding object of her Parental maternal caresses? What was virtuous in his character, mirrored forth the attributes of her lofty soul. Would I could say he verily he had would have Had he but inherited also the piety devotional fervor by which she was distinguished, her perfect accordance of actions with the dictates of Judaism in its Biblical and traditional teachings he might have coproduced her life existence, but much as I regret that I cannot offer our deceased friend as an example of conformity to the whole Law, I am free to exhibit his filial devotion, his parental tenderness, his brotherly attachment and solicitude, his beneficent disposition, his mild temperament, his suavity of manners speech as a models we all may profitably copy. Those are form constitute the traits of the [?] prominent features character, [?] on earth which have won for him attracted drew toward Ab L. Hart the respect of the community among while he he lived, and the grace of God when he died. For the day he gained cast off immortality, the sins of Israel were forgiven, and his own merits brought him forth paved had prepared cleared his way path of all impediments that with to he might attain the regions of the blessed. May this joyous hope be a comfort the source whence you, my dear bereaved friends! divine consolation; may you long be enabled to point out to those who condole with you, and your numerous condolers who hold you in estimation, the excellencies of the departed. And may the sentence of the inspired son of Amoz be verified as you, as it is written "I have seen his ways, and will spiritually heal him, I will lead him, rest and bestow comfort upon him and with upon his mourners." Amen.

Identifier

p3dn40f0m

identifier

SMBx11FF7_20