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Sir Moses Montefiore’s Journey
To Palestine.—The following is an extract from a
private letter, written from Alexandria, and bears
date June 4th. Sir Moses and his suite travelled
there from Malta in a splendid vessel, measuring 185
feet by 42 feet, and had about sixty passengers. He
describes the tour as being very delightful, and
says that Sir Moses and his lady are depriving
themselves of many comforts to carry out their holy
mission. It further states, that when they arrived
at Malta, the Synagogue was entirely lighted with
wax candles, <<286>>like on
יום כפור (Day of
Atonement), and that all the Maltese people attended
in their best dresses, and Mr. Emanuel Myers, who
accompanied Sir Moses, was requested to read
prayers, which he did. It also says that Sir Moses,
rather than go on board the vessel on Sunday, being
the first day of שבועות
(Pentecost), went on Friday afternoon, and remained
there in the harbour Saturday and Sunday.
There were three Arabian
merchants travelling on board with them; and when
Mr. Myers killed a lamb, according to our customs,
they were greatly delighted, not having tasted
animal food for a month previous. We are happy to
say that Lady Montefiore is much improved in health,
and that Sir Moses and suite are well, and are now
en route to Cairo.—Jew. Chr.
Jews’ Alms-Houses.—The
consecration of the Synagogue connected with the
alms-houses built and endowed by Joel Emanuel, Esq.,
in Wellclose Square, took place on Thursday evening,
the 21st instant. Independently of the venerable Mr.
Emanuel, and the several members of the family,
there were present the Rev. Dr. Adler, the Dayanim
of the German Synagogues; A. L. Moses, Esq., etc.
After, the ceremony usual on such occasions had been
performed, refreshments were provided for the
company, including the inmates of the asylum. Mr.
Emanuel, whose feelings of happiness on such a
solemn day might well be envied, shook each inmate
most cordially by the hand, and trusted that they
would endeavour to make themselves happy in their
new abodes. The Rev. the Chief Rabbi, in a few words
addressed the inmates, hoped that they would
appreciate the noble gift of the founder, by living
together in harmony and peace. We recommend our
readers and their friends to take a stroll to
Wellclose Square, and view the noble pile of
buildings erected by this gentleman as a refuge for
decayed respectability. The stack of buildings
consists of ten houses, five on each side of a
square, capable of accommodating fifty persons, who,
besides apartments, are provided with two tons of
coal annually, and an allowance of 1s. 6d.
per week. The Synagogue, a small neat structure,
stands by itself, and parts each row of houses;
viewed from the entrance of the Square, it presents
a most light and handsome appearance, and what is
better still, a lasting monument of Jewish
benevolence and philanthropy. We wish Mr. Joel
Emanuel many years’ life to enjoy the happiness he
has diffused among so many grateful hearts; and in
this wish we are certain the Jewish public will
cordially join—Ibid.
Conversion to Judaism.—Berlin,
May 10.—An occurrence has taken place here, a few
days ago, which is perhaps the first in the
<<287>>present century. A whole Christian family has
embraced Judaism. The father, who was born a Jew,
and who has lived as a Christian for a great many
years, felt induced to return to the faith of his
ancestors. The wife and children, who were born
Christians, followed the example of the father, and
the son, who is eighteen years old, easily overcame
the operation of the Abrahamic covenant, of which
several eminent surgeons attended.—Ibid.
Leghorn.—A correspondent
communicates the melancholy news, that during the
recent entry of the Austrians into Leghorn, they
turned the Synagogue into barracks, and quartered
1,400 soldiers in the beautiful Synagogue of that
city.—Ibid.
Hungary.—Jewish Soldiers.—A
letter from Vienna states that there are no less
than 35,000 Jews in the ranks of the brave Hungarian
army.—Ibid.
Hungary.—A friend has sent us
the following extract from a late French political
paper: “Some time ago, Kossuth (the president of the
Hungarian nation), presented himself in the
synagogue of Grosswardien, to thank the Israelites
for their devotion to the national cause. He asked
pardon of the people of Israel for the persecution
of the past ages, and concluded his address by the
solemn promise, that in future the Israelites shall
enjoy the same rights as the other inhabitants of
Hungary. The author then adds, “It is a fact that
the Israelites of Hungary, of Germany and Italy,
have espoused with enthusiasm and fervour the cause
of the respective nationalities; nevertheless it
must be conceded, that there are yet found some
Jews among the Israelites. But are the
Catholics and Protestants without the same among
their own bodies?” We suppose the editor means by
Jews, trading, mean spies, by Israelites,
the religious, enlightened Hebrews; and in this
respect he is perfectly right in asserting that
Christians of all sects have a plenty of such
Jews among their own number. However this may
be, it is a gratifying proof of progress, that the
President of the Magyars has promised freedom to
those who equally with him are struggling for the
independence of their country; since it is said that
there are no less than 35,000 Israelites in the
Hungarian army. When all are alike sharing the
dangers of the battle, they ought all to enjoy the
sweets of freedom when the contest is over. It is no
gracious gift which Kossuth promises, but merely a
right. We hope that Hungary may become free, and
become a home of refuge to many a sorrowing
Israelite.
The last accounts place the
struggle of the Hungarians in a more doubtful light;
still there are hopes entertained that they will
ultimately <<288>>prevail. In order to show somewhat
more clearly the religious opinions of the great
chief, who so successfully roused the spirit of his
countrymen to endeavour to achieve a glorious
freedom, we extract from the New York Tribune a
prayer, which Kossuth is said to have made on the
field of battle. We rather think that pious
churchmen will hereafter throw doubts on Kossuth’s
orthodoxy, as he appears to pray in the manner of
Jews, to the “Almighty God of heaven, earth, and
seas.”
A Prayer By Kossuth.—The
following prayer, offered by Kossuth, will be
interesting to our readers. It was offered by him,
kneeling amid the multitude, at the graves of the
Magyar heroes who fell in the battle of the Rapoylna,
and was originally published in the Opposition,
a journal of Pesth. We translate from the German:
“Almighty Lord! God of the
warriors of Arpad! Look down from Thy starry throne
upon Thy imploring servant, from whose lips the
prayer of millions ascends to Thy heaven, praising
the unsearchable power of Thine omnipotence. O God,
over me shines Thy sun, and beneath me repose the
relics of my fallen heroic brethren; above my head
the sky is blue, and under my feet the earth is dyed
red with the holy blood of the children of our
ancestors. Let the animating beams of Thy sun fall
here, that flowers may spring up from the blood, so
that these hulls of departed beings may not moulder
unadorned. God of our fathers, and God of the
nations! hear and bless the voice of our warriors,
and with the arm and the soul of brave nations
thunder to break the iron hand of tyranny as it
forges its chains. As a free man I kneel on these
fresh graves, by the remains of my brothers. By such
a sacrifice as theirs, Thy earth would be
consecrated were it all stained with sin. O God! on
this holy soil above these graves no race of slaves
can live. O Father! Father of our fathers! Mighty
over myriads! Almighty God of the heaven, the earth,
and the seas! From these bones springs a glory whose
radiance is on the brow of my people. Hallow their
dust with Thy grace, that the ashes of my fallen
heroic brethren may rest in peace! Leave us not,
Great God of battles! In the holy name of the
nations, praised be Thy omnipotence. Amen.”
England.—Though the Lords
rejected the oath bill which would have emancipated
the Jews, the city of London re-elected Lionel
Nathan Rothschild within a week after, on the 3d of
July, by a vote of 6017 over Lord John Manners, who
received but 2814. Lord John is, we believe, a
grandson of the late Archbishop Manners of
Canterbury. What a rebuke! |
