WE Our Heritage E own no kingdom and we flaunt no king, No superficial homage do we bring To any dastard tyranny to-day; Our realms have broadened to the mighty world, The boundaries of our rule stretch far and wide, Our racial flag is evermore unfurled, Where Jewish souls in freedom's air abide, Our citadel is truth; our empty home, Our ramparts are the laws to make us wise, Eternal as the azure-vaulted dome, Our heritage from Heaven never dies; And from the nations' flux and change and strife, The Jews draw strenuous force and vigorous life. ISIDORE G. ASCHER. Israel's Heritage HOW shall we spend, O Lord, Our priceless heritage; The wealth of Holy Writ (Thy Word), Shall we, like misers, hoard The jewels in our care; The gems, by Seer and Prophet stored, The law from Sinai's summit hurled Shall we not spread broadcast This wealth that shall endure? These seeds of Faith, that in the past Burst into blossoms pure: Whose roots were nourished through the years By martyred Israel's blood and tears. Heirs or thy Love are we, The First-born, chosen race; Life of our life, breath of our breath, O let our Fathers preach Thy glory and Thy fame! IDA GOLDSMITH Morris. Fin de Siècle WHAT! do I hear the nations boast Of what the century's shown, The while on Corfu's distant coast The while in Russia's spreading space May find a resting ground? And bitter, widespread misery Relates a woful tale? The while some starve and have no bed While others roll in gold, And socialism's spirit dread The problem would unfold? The while in Europe's cultured lands Vast armies still maintain, And men must learn from skilled commands How men may best be slain? And to achieve this worldly lore Must work more worthy cease, Constrained to practice art of war In time of doubtful peace? The while so many a labor-strike On man and master's side alike, The while so many wretched cry Is aught herein to glorify? Hope and Faith ANONYMOUS. HOPE! Not distant is the Springtime, Butterflies will soon be winging In new nests the merry songsters Their new songs will soon be singing. Know! The night itself will vanish, New the roses, new the flowers, Will arise above our graves. ISAAC LEIB PEREZ. (Translated by Henry Goodman.) Not by Power "Not by might, nor by power, but by My spirit, saith the lord of hosts."-Zachariah iv., 6. NOT by power Blooms the flower Of a growth unseen; Ye shall find it, Ye shall bind it On your brows serene. Not by might Yields at dawn this prize; Springing surely, It shall humbly rise. Faith is mine, Love Divine Is its scented breath; Faith that brightens, Cheers, enlightens, It shall conquer death! MARY M. COHEN. Lines Written on hearing a learned Lawyer say in Court, that "the Jews were hated alike by God and man." SAY not that we are cut off by Thee, Guardian of Israel's race; Despite of all our waywardness, in Thy love we hold a place; And in our dark and bitter hours, we still can turn to Thee For guidance or for comfort, when earthly pleasures flee. Not utterly abhorred by Thee!-man cannot trace Thy ways Nor reach into Thy hidden path, O Thou of ancient days. And must we still be taunted and told we are forgot. Condemned alike by Thee and man, our destiny a blot. Believe it not, believe it not! we are God's chosen still To whom He hath in mercy given the records of His will! To whom He hath in kindness said, "Fear not, for thou art Mine, I have called thee by My holy name, and glory shall be thine." ALICE RHINE. The Glory of God On seeing the sun suddenly break forth and illumine the Sepher while it was being carried to the Hechal. WAS VAS it thus, stricken remnant, the glory of God Across the rude path that those weary ones trod,— As it guided the sire, it now gleams on the son; That in sorrow and exile His presence is here. Then say not the day of thy triumph has fled, Lessons of the Past FROM mem'ry's lofty vantage ground We see dim realms of fading glory The trysting place of figures hoary, |