Sun and shield. A book of devout thoughts for everyday use

Front matter

i

' <# aMBBataaanagaiafaaiaaaBaiMBaaaaaa 4

^ a iiiAnefliaaaesi

Preface

easily magnifies a mere shadow across the way into a stumbling-block; they who are blind from an excess of imagined light, may even be scandalized at the least claim put forth by any faith but their own. Against these classes (they are, fortunately, now growing less in number) there is no panacsea ; their cavil must be simply endured. But the fair-minded will allow that this book is not unworthy the encomium and imprimatur of England's great writer: that it is a pure gift of friendly thoughts afforded by one man to his brother man.

Likewise the form in which these " Thoughts " are presented should help to make them acceptable. A few moments of daily introspection, of retirement from the exhausting din and rush around us, so that we may listen to the still, small voice within us, or, led by a word of truth and counsel, bethink ourselves — (uns auf uns selbst besinnen) seems to have become a way of religious and ethical self-culture which is congenial to the taste and temper of our time. Quite a literature has sprung up, designed to satisfy, what may be truly called, a need of these latter days; and I have full reason to believe that it is felt amongst spirituallyminded Israelites as much as amongst Christians of the same class. A lady-parishioner, finding one of those books on my studytable, lifted it up, as if in grateful acknowledgment, and said : " This book, sir, altho' not by a Jewish author, has been my staff and my support these last seven years, which were full of trials and heartaches to me and, in fact, I know not how I should have lived through them without its daily counsel near at hand."

I count this demand for new aids to devotional self-exercise among the hopeful signs of the time ; for it shows that devotion is not one of the things which we have outgrown, but which has been growing with us ; nay, that it is gathering unto itself new strength by the addition of thought to sentiment, of reflection to prayer and by the willing acceptance of healthful counsel from whatever side it may come.

PREFACE.

I have, therefore, gladly responded to the invitation of the publishers to prepare such a help to devout thinking- for the Jewish church; whether and in how far I have struck the right path, the future will tell.

I have, however, departed from my predecessors in one essential point ; I have exchanged the guiding line of Dates, followed by them, for a line of Subjects, systematically arranged and provided with appropriate headings. The former plan seemed to me all too formal and mechanical. Man's mind is not like an organ, which can be set to play any tune we wish, by putting a sheet of paper into it. Our moods cannot be regulated by dates. What we want is " strength according to our ow?i days," which are more many-colored than was Joseph's coat. When, on the first of June, we greet the morning with a light and contented heart — we shall turn, in a sort of anger, from the page bearing that date, on finding that it gives us a death-bed confession, or, if sad and burdened, and longing for a word of comfort, we find Blackie's Song of Glee offered for our morning devotion. When God has filled our mouths with laughter, our diurnal reading should not fill our eyes with tears. The system, which I have adopted, saves the reader from such recoils. The full index of subjects in front of the book makes it easy for him to find a subject most consonant with his actual frame of mind; whilst, when his days follow each other in an even tenor, he may select his topic and be led, step by step, to consider it in its various bearings. Another advantage of the present system is that I could take due notice of Sabbaths and Festivals and provide readings suitable for those days. The expression on the title page " for every-day use " should be understood, not only as characterizing the practical nature of the readings, but also in its numerical sense, every day of the year. There are three hundred and sixty-six readings, divided into twelve sections or books, after the months of the year, regard being had to the order of the Festivals in the Jewish church-year. In the arrange-

iii

PREFACE.

ment of subjects I have been guided by the wish to present to the reader a concise, yet comprehensive, view of modern Judaism which, I trust, will be as welcome to the Jewish as to the non- Jewish reader. Dogmatic, philosophical or historic treatises are not the writings which attract the majority of people. A brief statement, in clear and non-scholastic terms, appeared to me the best vehicle to convey such information to circles where it is much needed. It is mostly here where I speak in propria persona, whilst in the field of ethics, of what the Germans call Weltweisheit, and of the principles of universal religion, I have invited greater minds, lights of the world, poets of mankind, to speak their Divine prophecies once more to our generation; and assist me in providing a table for those who hunger after righteousness and thirst for the true word of the ever-inspiring God. To those of their holy order who have joined the Choir Invisible, may this re-awakening of their voices be as a thank-offering ; whilst to those of my contributors, who are happily still in the land of the living, I hereby offer my thanks with an upright heart.

The Scripture texts at the head of each article have not been placed there as a mere compliment to theVenerable Book, to which I would, in this wise " pay its dues in bows " ; but from the conviction of their incomparable value for the upbuilding of a religious mind. I have bestowed much labor on their selection and would entreat those, who shall use this book, not to pass them over lightly, but to pause awhile after reading and try to grasp their meaning and note their beauty, simplicity and elevation. Would that I could have given them, as they live in my own mind, in their native garb ; such was our wont only half a century ago ! For the most skilful rendering is, as has been pithily said, a surrendering of part of the meaning and force of the original. True in all cases, it is signally so in that of the Bible ; religion being the great and all-absorbing purpose of the nation which created that literature, the national tongue was formed for the

PREFACE.

expression of religious thought and feeling, as was no other. But even in a strange tongue, this is what one, competent to speak, says of Scripture quotations:

The charm which Scripture quotation adds to writing, let those tell who have read Milton, Bunyan, Burke, Forster, Southey, Croly, Carlyle, Macauley, yea, and even Byron, all of whom have sown their pages with this orient pearl and brought thus an impulse from Divine Inspiration to add to the effect of their own. Extracts trom the Bible always attest and vindicate their origin. They nerve what else in the sentence in which they occur is pointless; they clear a space for themselves, and cast a wide glory around the page where they are found. Taken from the 4< Classics of the Heart" all hearts vibrate more or less strongly to their voice. It is even as David felt of old toward the sword of Goliath when he visited the high-priest and said ; There is none like that, give it me. — {Gilftllan.)

And George Herbert says :

" A verse may find him who a sermon flies."

As the number of flyers from sermons is exceptionally large in these latter days, I thought it labor well-bestowed, carefully to select " verses " which seemed to me to possess that heartsearching power. I have been equally solicitous in the choice of the poetical quotations, avoiding mere rhymed platitudes, or metred inanities, or spiritless and hollow Wortgeklingel, but have aimed at conveying, in the artistic form, a poetical thought akin to the ideas presented in the prose portion. I did not think it necessary to add the poets' names to these fragments, partly, because I would not cumber the pages with names by which the reader's attention is often lured from his text; partly, because such brief quotations are mostly given by all writers without mentioning the poet's name. Only where a whole poem is inserted, I deemed it my duty to both, author and reader, to subjoin the name of the " Happy Rhymer."

I may not close these prefatory remarks without acknowledg-

PREFACE.

ing my obligations to my publishers, who not only (as I have already stated) took the initiative in the preparation of this book, but have foreborn with me when I could not help, from want of time, to put their patience to severe tests, and who never stood back at any suggestion by which the usefulness of the book could be increased and its outer garment made more pleasing to the eye ; so that it is as much for their sakes, as for my own, that I desire to see these pages fulfil the mission for which they were intended. And let this be my last word to the gentle Reader : Brother, Sister, whoever thou be who enters this " little sanctuary" which I have reared with more labor and more anxious thought than appears to the eye — mayest thou indeed here "meet with God " and may the words, heard in its stillness, ever prove to thee " words in season," lighting thy way to that special grace thou standest in need of; and mayest thou, thereby, be helped to fulfil thy highest obligation : to hallow the name of God and receive, what our sages call: the seal and confirmation of all blessings: peace! — I beseech God so to prosper the work of my hand, mind and heart.

GUSTAV GOTTHEIL.

XXVII.

XXVIII.

XXIX.

XXX.

Nature s God . 28 The Unity of God 29 The Joy of God . 30 The Spirit of God 3 1 The God of all

Vll

CONTENTS,

BOOK II. Qtt4nii

in.

IV.

v.

VI.

VII.

VIII.

IX.

X.

XI.

XII.

XIII.

XIV.

XV.

Man — Sinner and

Saint 37

The Two Natures i?i

Man 38

Fellow Men — Fellow

Sinners .... 39 The Pure Heart . .41 The Pure Lips . . 42 The Merciful Heart 43 The Faithful Heart 44

Self-Pule . . .

Soul- Liberty . .

Control and Cleanli

ness

The Good Flight .

Serenity of Soul .

Man — Coworker with

God

Vicarious Toilers

45 46

47 48

5o 5i

Toilers of the Spirit 5 3

XVI. Pathfinders . .54 XVII. The Blessings of

Love . . . . 55 XVIII. The Way of the

God fearing . .56 XIX. Godliness . . .57

XX. The Aspiration of

XXI. Death . . . .59

XXII. Immortality . . 60

XXIII. Intimations of

Immortality . . 62

XXIV. The Scaffolding . 63 XXV. Tears .... 64

XXVI. The Hereafter . 65 XXVII. The Hope of Sal-

vation . ... 67

XXVIII. The Destiny of

XXIX. Duty Divine . . 69

XXX. True Excellency . 70

Vlll

XVI.

True Unity . . .92

XVII.

The Invisible

Church . , ♦ 93

XXX. Page

The 1 71 visible Lodge .... 95

Apostles of Righteousness ... 96

The Pride of Faith .... 97

The Bible ... 98 Hallowing God *s Name . . . .100 Charity . . .101

No Conflict with Scie7ice . . .102

History . . .103 Faith in their Destiny . . .104

Mystery, but 710 Secrecy . . .106

Faith i7i the Hereafter .... 107

The Chose7i People . . .108

Messiah . . .110

IX

CONTENTS.

BOOK IV. ^Btatt

PART <

SECOND.

PAGE

I.

The Fruit of Unity 1 1 5

XVII.

II.

The Land of

Promise — a Land

XVIII.

of Memories . .116

III.

The Dispersion . 117

XIX.

IV.

The New Life . .119

XX.

V.

Deed is Creed . .120

VI.

When is the Good Time? . . . .121

XXI.

VII.

The Good of To day 123

XXII.

VIII.

Honor the Hoary

Head 1 24

XXIII.

IX.

The Blooming Rod 125

XXIV.

X.

Th e Past a?id

Present . . . .126

XXV.

XL

The Only Heresy . 127

XII.

The Healing Hand of God . . . .129

XXVI.

XIII.

Unbroken in Spirit 1 30

XXVII.

XIV.

The Torch of

Science . . . .131

XXVIII.

XV.

Still on the Alert . 133

XXIX.

XVI.

The Man Possessed

XXX.

PAGE

The Force of Ancient Words 135 The Suffering Witness for God 137 True Piety . . 1 38

A Time to Speak 140 The Blessing of Abraham . ..141 The Silent yet Potent Teacher . 1 42

Saving Our Soul 144

The Animal Soul ....

Spiritual Nurture ....

The Dread of Fnvy ....

The Joy of the Jewish Sabbath

Superstition . .

Chosen and yet Sinladen . . .

The Comforter

15'

CONTENTS.

Book V. Page

I.

The Kingdoin of God

XVII.

II.

Messianic Prayer ,

III.

The Power of Love

XVIII.

IV.

The Surety of Peace l6l

XIX.

V.

The Pillar of Gratitude

XX.

VI.

The Fruitful Tree .

VII.

The Ev erlast ing

XXI.

Arms

VIII.

The Brotherhood of

XXII.

Man

IX.

Religion and Hu-

XXIII.

manity ....

X.

The Wisdom of the

XXIV.

Wise

XXV.

XL

The Trials of Great

XXVI.

Souls

XII.

The Continuance of

XXVII.

our Life ....

XIII.

The Ideal always

XXVIII.

with us ....

XIV.

Religion and Home

XV.

What is Charity ? .

XXIX.

XVI.

Repe?it for III by do

XXX.

ing Good . . .

PAGE

Hatred and Pride . . .177

The School of Affliction . .179

The Dignity of Man .... 180

Apostle of Conscience . . .181

The Prophet of Soul- Liberty . 182

Our Acts our Angels . . .184

Liberty and Light . . .185

Belief in Man . 186

The Architect of Circumstances 1 8 7

A 7t Humble Faith . . .188

Hatred, The Destroyer . . .189

What Righteousness Includes . . .190

Cause no Stumbling . . . .191

From the Cradle to the Grave . 1 93

XI

CONTENTS.

BOOK VI. £0e 3«ner £ife

I.

PAGE

Duties of the Heart 197

XVI.

PAGE

Joy in the Ever-

II.

Castigation s — a present . . .214

Means Only . .198

XVII.

The Godly Sor-

III.

The Unfailing Re row . . . .215 The Schooling

XVIII.

IV.

The Kingdom of Man is Withi7i . 201

<5

of Life . . .216

V.

Resignation — the

XIX.

The Punishment

Greatest Power of of Anger . .217 the Mind . . . 202

XX.

Seal up the

VI.

Waiting for the

Angry Lips .218

Lord 203

XXI.

The God-loving, 220

VII.

The Blessedness of

XXII.

Lowliness Ele-

VIII.

Th e Power of

XXIII.

Who also Serve 222

XXIV.

The World's

IX.

Prayer — an Ex per-

C en sure a

Means of Grace 224

X.

If not Religion —

XXV.

The Fining Pot 225

XXVI.

Shun Vainglory 226

XI.

The Morning and

XXVII.

Unco ns cious

Evening Stars of

Worshippers

Life 209

XII.

Devotion — a Liv-

XXVIII.

What is Most ing Sense of the

Precious in

Ideal 210

XIII.

In God' s Own

XXIX.

Prosperous Ad-

Time 211 versity . . .230

XIV.

Stillness to God . .212

XXX.

The Artificer of

XV.

God Quiets me in his own Hap-

Himself . . . .213 piness . . .231

Xll

CONTENTS.

BOOK VII. Z$t ^ociaf Etfe

PAGE

PAGE

I.

Seek Peace and

XVII.

The Golden

Pursue it . . .235

II.

The Sin of Slander 236

XVIII.

Kindly Speech . 254

III.

No Outcasts . . .237

XIX.

Pure Religion

IV.

In Sorrow, not in and Unde filed 255

XX.

The Consolation

V.

Full Pardon . . .239 of the Right-

VI.

Doing Good with-

XXI.

The Greatest is out Causing Har -m 240

VII.

Angels' Visits . . 242

XXII.

Sobriety . . . 2;g

VIII.

The Pleading Voice

XXIII.

The Greatness of

Little Things . 260

IX.

Be a nd Appear

XXIV.

Consummation of

Good 244 the Past . .261

X.

Friendship . . .245

XXV.

Human Kinship 262

XI.

The Right Use of

XXVI.

Praise and

Prize of Virtue 264

XII.

Making the Best of

XXVII.

The Sweet Uses

One Another . . 247 of Bitter Words 265

XIII.

Justice Before

XXVIII.

The Vanity of

Charity .... 248

Vaunting . .266

XIV.

Endeavors . . .250

XXIX.

Love's Hour Al-

XV.

Love Thyself in ways Now . . 267

Thy Neighbor . 251

XXX.

Fill Thy Place

XVI.

The Grace of Manin the Struggle ners 252 for Goodness . 268 xui

CONTENTS.

BOOK VIII. £0e gome feife

PAGE

I.

Parallel Roads to

XVI.

II.

Happiness . . .

The Joyous Worker

273 274

XVII.

III.

The Grace of Child-

XVIII.

hood

IV.

Life in the Destroy-

XIX.

V.

er s Steps . . .

Neighborhood . .

XX.

XXI.

VI.

Saved from De-

XXII.

struction . . .

VII.

do.

XXIII.

VIII.

do.

XXIV.

IX.

The Mother s Tear .

X.

Presents of Perennial Price . . .

XXV.

XL

The Heart's Contentment . . .

XII.

Considerate Speech .

XIII.

The Twofold Ten-

XIV.

dency in Man . .

Let it pass . . . .

287 288

XV,

Home- Politeness . .

293 294

295 297

PAGE

The Glory of Faithfulness . 290

Learn to Endure .... 291

Father and Mother . . .

P"orefathers . .

The Dead . .

Tra nsfigura tion of Death . .

The Eternal Reward . . . .

The Children's Praise of God. 298

Happiness, genuine and spurious ....

Be not Selfish in thy Sorrow

Gentle Rule . .

The Homestead . 303

The Home-land 304

Levity, a Foe to

Cheerfulness . 306

G dn ess of Heart — the Beaut ifier . . 307

300 301

CONTENTS.