|
Part 2. (Continued
from previous issue)
By invitation of the Rev. Mr. Bokum, one of the
vice-presidents and travelling agents of this society, we attended on
the evening of the 19th ultimo [March 19, 1843] a sort of meeting held
for the purpose of organizing an auxiliary society in this city
[Philadelphia]. From his speech, based upon the 37th chapter of Ezekiel,
from 1-15 verses, (which strangely enough, as our readers know, is one
of the Haphtaroth of the Passover,) we learned that the society had in
view to treat the "dry bones," the remnants of the house of
Israel, who are scattered "in the valley," meaning the whole
earth, in such a manner that the spirit of the gospel may reach and
animate them.
But this favour to our race is not to be forced upon us
as of old by fire and the sword, nor as in modern times by abuse and
exclusion from public employments, which proceedings he characterized as
anti-Christian and barbarous (yet how many anti-Christians and
barbarians do exist according to this view, not omitting the King of
Prussia and the Queen of England, in whose countries the Jews are not
equal with their Christian neighbours); but by acts of kindness,
charity, and benevolence; he urged that the gospel should not be
presented to our notice by words of preachers, but we should be taught
its practical effects by such good deeds as should prove to the Jews
that its spirit is one of real goodness and virtue. He stated that with
this view the society had through its agent in New York given away a
great deal of money to the poor, from twenty-five cents up to one
hundred dollars to one individual; but that in no instance had the
charity been improperly applied by the recipients. This last is high
praise in favour of the poor Jews in the above city, many of whom are in
abject want of even the necessaries of life, if we believe the report of
Mr. Forrester. Mr. Bokum farther gave an account of his progress thus
far in his mission, and spoke of a public meeting with Mr. Lawrence
Blumenthal at Chambersburg, who by the courtesy of Mr. Bokum obtained
the permission of making an exposition of the tenets of Judaism before a
crowded church in that town. (We may probably have to say something more
of this address of our friend in a future number.) He also adverted to
the establishment of a bishopric at Jerusalem in the person of a known
apostate under the patronage of the Queen of Britain and the King of
Prussia. He spoke of the alleged infidelity of which we have lately
heard a good deal as existing among our people, and he ascribed it, as
also the same phenomenon among the Catholics, to an acceptance of
tradition (for us, as contained in the Talmud,) and the so called
superstitious practices arising therefrom; and he
alluded to the new [Reform] congregation established in London in
opposition to the rabbinical authority, as a legitimate consequence of
the missionary labours of the London Society for Evangelizing the Jews,
who, he averred, had opened by their publications, &c., the eyes of
our brethren in England to the errors of their adhering to the Talmud.*
He stated also that it is the object of the society to employ
missionaries to the Jews in all large towns, and to station one of them
in Philadelphia. He referred likewise to our labours, and stated
something about a controversy which we might probably wage against each
other, for the sake of mutual conviction; and in demanding public
support for the Jewish Chronicle, he stated that the managers will
carefully exclude every thing calculated to offend, that nothing should
be said which could wound the feelings of an Israelite.
The above is a meagre synopsis of the
reverend gentleman's remarks, which appeared to be extemporaneous; we
were not in a favourable position to take notes, if even we had been
inclined to do so; yet we think that we have reported him fairly and,
for our purpose, fully. Our readers will see from the above that the
weapons are changed, but that our religion is nevertheless to be
attacked. Flattery and money are to do what violence in old, and coarse
rudeness in more modern times, failed to accomplish. We trust that there
is not much danger to be apprehended from such means; nevertheless there
may be a few "whose heart is turning this day from the Lord their
God;" and it behooves us then to omit no means in our power to
counteract the efforts of our opponents. Of one thing our Jewish friends
may rest assured, that if money can purchase souls, they will be
dearly paid for; because we see that there is a false species of
philanthropy spreading over the land, which is anxious to catch every
straggler and to take away any wandering sheep that has missed out fold.
As far as we are concerned we regard as inimical every one who comes to
deprive us of our religion, be the means or the pretexts what they may;
and though we are personally friendly to Mr. Bokum, both as a gentleman
and a preacher, we certainly must look upon the efforts he is making as
by no means an evidence of good-will towards our belief. We cheerfully
accord to him the praise of moderation and candour; but it would be much
better were all this moderation and candour exerted to allay prejudices,
instead of drawing people away perhaps some unworthy members from our
church.
Respecting the charge of infidelity, we
fear that there is some truth in it; we do not believe that modern Jews
are sceptics, but that a practical infidelity regarding religious duties
has obtained, alas! too much currency, cannot be denied. We mean not to
enter into the discussion this month; but only to call the attention of
our brethren to the fact that others besides Jews watch their conduct,
and that their neglect of religion brings them no honour, and even
causes them to be suspected of unbelief in that blessed faith for which
many would shed their last drop of blood, although their conduct betoken
so much indifference.
Lastly, with regard to our own self, we
have never promised to wage a controversy with any man. We probably
shall admit controversial articles if we think proper; but nothing shall
induce us to be always tilting, like some ancient knight-errant, against
all comers. Indeed no one shall provoke us if we can keep our temper;
and we will use our discretion in this as in every thing else, and act
independently of all parties. The Occident was commenced to diffuse a
knowledge of our religion; and this we mean to do while we continue its
editor; and mere controversy, which is only a trial of skill, is
therefore evidently not suited to our object. We nevertheless assure our
friends that we neither fear nor court religious arguments; all we meant
to say is, that we will not be provoked for any special object, which
would evidently be the case were we to enter the lists regularly once a
month against the Jewish Chronicle, or its reverend editors.
Nevertheless we thank Mr. Bokum for his
conciliatory manner, and we hope always to meet him with equal courtesy
both personally and, if occasion demand it, before the public. With
these remarks we take our leave for the present from the American
Society for Meliorating the Condition of the Jews, but likely not longer
than next month. |
