The Power of Appreciation - 07/14/1916

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We cannot appreciate a beautiful painting without unless we try to do some thinking & are broad enough & big enough to place our name upon it in the light of justice & truth. de We can only appreciate a noble Symphony or a noble mind if we when we by calm thought try endeavor to give our own natures beautiful & worthy expression. And [ ] do you know there is a force that shines from a bighearted intelligent noble nature that is as irresistible & pervasive as the very sunlight. Hence I say that the power of intelligent appreciation is an accomplishment of rare quality that is surely worth cultivating. The late Mr. Gladstone frequently liked to emphasize the an appreciation of the conversation which he called an art. Today I believe it is a lost art. Polite converses as it was called, was indulged in for a whole evening by intelligent people & it was deemed a delightful way of spending an Evening among choice spirits. What a contrast presents itself today. When company is invited to our homes most of us think labor a necessity people to provide such entertainment as will obviate the very necessity of talking. In recalling his boyhood days Mr. Gladstone speaks reenforces his opinion that every

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father should drill his children in the art of Conversation, by relating the fact that every evening when his family was gathered at the table, some event of importance or topic of interest to the city or to England was selected as the theme of conversation The boys were rewarded frequently for an argument that had unusual strength or for as[ ] evidence of wit & humor, whereas a weak argument was exposed with merciless severity. Dr Hollis somewhere remarks that it is the gentle fireside speech that explains the eminence of the Jewish race. Again the contrast is strikingly evident. It was this power of appreciation regarding the ideals sanctity of the home, the ideals of Justice, the duty of Charity, & the right human relationships & their that as they were called exemplified in the religion the Jewish people have given they gave to the world that has in turn given them the distinguished title "The People of the book." Today, the words of the prophet might appropriately be applied to many of us "My people are perishing for lack of knowledge" We are losing the right mental attitude towards our people & our creed. I sometimes cannot help thinking that the non-Jews appreciate show a greater appreciation for of the Jew's historic Jewish contribution to the religion of & morals c[ ]ing powers of the

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of the world that than do the scions of that noble race. It has been truly said that a religion can only be rightly judged by the men & women it produces. Accordingly I believe we are today being put to the crucial test of positively demonstrating in free prosperous America our deep appreciation of & love for that golden heritage of which we are given to us in trust to the for the spritual Education & Enlightenment of the world mankind the nations. If we are are can stand the best & rise to this beautiful spiritual work that lies before us -- of universalizing the Ideals of Isaiah, we shall be lifted to the stars by the enlightened opinion of the world. If we fail we shall be stamped branded as incapable, an effete weak & wornout race that has lost its vitality vigor & vitality & manly vigor & its nourishing spirituality ideals strengthing. I am [ ] Being an optimist by nature I cherish the hope that the youth of American Israel will ultimately be be be stirred to the endless by to a sense of duty by the favorable conditions under which we they are permitted to live & the endless possibilities opportunities that are being held out to us them waiting to be grasped. I trust this power of appreciation applied particularly to the most fr l most fruitful thoughts & the noblest ideas that can enter into the life of

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man -- will become the possessions of the modern Jew & once again demonstrate his fitness for spiritual religion's superiority & spiritual leadership.

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