This at least proves the capacity for national sacrifice. Those who will look coolly into matters will see, however distasteful it may seem to them, that the national idea has justified the propagandists by creating the rally of the Jews and its results. They, too, will see that the national idea is just that one note, hitherto unsounded, which establishes harmony in the ascending and descending scales of Jewish life. And this note, growing in volume, promises to swell until it shall have sounded as the one great shout expressive of Jewish purpose.
And meanwhile! The world has written us down a nation; we are regarded as a distinct people, not as a religious sect. Were we not so we could not alter this view, but let us pay as much attention to what we know to be true as to what may or may not be said of us.
And meanwhile!—that is till the end be attained—the Zionist rousing Jewry to national consciousness will give it tone and that sense of respect for self which is the common property of all organized peoples.
Who Is Like Unto Thee.
Shinar and Pathros—nay, can these compare With thee in state? And can thy purity, And can thy light be like the vain things there?
And thine anointed—who among their throng Compareth? Likened unto whom shall be Levites and seers and singers of thy song?
Lo, it shall pass, shall change, the heritage Of vain-crowned kingdoms; not all time subdues Thy strength; thy crown endures from age`to age.
Thy God desired thee for a dwelling place; And happy is the man whom he shall choose, And draw him nigh to rest within thy space.
Happy is he that waiteth;—he shall go To thee, and thine arising radiance see When over him shall break thy morning glow;
And see rest for thy chosen ; and sublime Rejoicing find amid the joy of thee Returned unto thine olden youthful time.