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Rev. H. A. Henry, of Cincinnati.—With all our
care in treating public questions, and the public
men connected with them, we cannot satisfy all of
the correctness of our course, and in fact we may
occasionally do an act of injustice to one or the
other, in their view of the question. We take great
pains to be correctly instructed on all public
subjects which we speak of; yet as we, no less than
our informants, are not infallible, it is
unavoidable but that once in a while we should speak
upon information proceeding from sources somewhat
prejudiced, or not thoroughly acquainted with what
they allege. In the case of the reverend gentleman
whose name heads this article, we
<<270>> will state
honestly that we were strongly prejudiced against
him, on account of various reports which had reached
us; wherefore we saw his election to a clerical
office in Cincinnati with no favourable eye, and did
not wish his succeeding, even by any chance, at
Louisville. He has, however, transmitted to us
testimonials for good character and capacity from
the officers of the Free School, Bell Lane,
Spitalfields, London, and of the Synagogue of St.
Alban’s Place, of the same city, in the first of
which he was head master, and in the second Hazan
for seven years, which ought not to have been given,
in case he was not deserving of the same. His
removal to America was owing to his having been
written to by a gentleman of New York (well known
for the interest he takes in supplying vacant
congregations, or those about becoming so, with
suitable ministers), to take the ministry at
Louisville, which had been advertised in our
magazine. In consequence of this, he pushed forward,
after arriving in this country at Boston, first to
New York, where he officiated in the late Elm Street
Synagogue, and thence by way of the Lake Erie route
to Cincinnati, where he was prevailed upon to stop,
under the impression that, at all events, the Rev.
Mr. Gutheim would not remain more than one year, and
that, having understood that the Rev. Mr. Gotthelf
had in the mean time reached Louisville from
Philadelphia, he felt disinclined to hazard his
election there by competing with him. During the
first year of his ministry in Cincinnati he had some
misunderstanding with several persons, in
consequence of which he accepted provisionally an
invitation to become teacher and lecturer at
Louisville, without interfering with Mr. Gotthelf.
Our article of last September on this topic was
written under the misapprehension, as we now learn,
that Mr. Henry wanted to obtain Mr. G.’s place,
which he assures us he did not wish. The visit he
paid to Louisville was merely connected with the
object of opening a school and to preach English
sermons; but on his return to Cincinnati he was
honoured with a unanimous re-election and an
increased salary, which circumstances then induced
him to remain in his first position.
It
will be seen that, though we have done Mr. H. some
little wrong, it was not owing to any bad intention;
we judged from circumstances, and nearly every one
else would have judged as we have done. Mr. H. is
personally unknown to us, and we confess we did not
like to see a stranger in the country first
displacing one whom we highly esteem, and then
trying, as it then appeared, to do the same thing
elsewhere, in the case of a gentleman whom we think
is acceptable to a large majority of his people. The
private intentions of Mr. Henry could evidently not
be familiar to us, wherefore our remarks were just,
ac<<271>>cording to the facts which had reached us,
though we see now that we were rather hasty in our
conclusions. But it was our object, we acknowledge,
to enter a solemn protest against the irreligious
system of electing ministers, which, alas! prevails
not only here, but in England likewise, to select
men of whom nobody knows anything, except that they
have a voice, and whose learning is not inquired
after, and whose principles are at times more than
doubtful. We protested against this deprecating Mr.
Henry’s elevation over Mr. Gotthelf, and we would
have done the same thing had the case been reversed,
as names with us are nothing, and men are in office
only because they are required, not to endow them
with posts of honour and profit. We are therefore
pleased to accord to Mr. H. the acknowledgment that
his testimonials prove him a man of capacity,
independent of his vocal powers; and hence we trust
that, whilst he strives to elevate the religious
character of the people honestly and faithfully,
like a true shepherd, he may not alone receive the
approbation of his flock, but the support and
guidance of our Maker.
While speaking of Mr. H., we will call public
attention to his CLASS BOOK, which some years ago
appeared in England. It is now being stereotyped in
Cincinnati, and will soon be ready for delivery,
when Mr. H. intends visiting the Eastern States, to
interest the public personally in behalf of his
work. We shall be pleased to review it candidly when
it appears.
Chicago, Illinois.—The consecration of the
first Synagogue in the State of Illinois took place
at Chicago on Friday, June 13th. The Synagogue was
crowded to excess; the most influential citizens
were present, and several Israelites travelled 150
miles in order to participate in the solemnity of
the proceedings. The consecration service was as
usual amongst Jews. The interest was, however, much
enhanced by the presence of the Rev. S. M. Isaacs,
from New York who travelled 1,000 miles in order to
officiate, and nobly did he perform his duty; all
the city papers teem with paragraphs laudatory of
his address. The following sketch, from the Chicago
Democrat, speaks volumes respecting his ability:—“No
person that has made up his mind to be prejudiced
against the Jews ought to have heard such a sermon
preached. It was very captivating, and contained as
much of real religion as any sermon we have ever
heard preached. We never could have believed that
one of these old Jews we have heard denounced so
much could have taught so much liberality towards
other denominations. He earnestly recommended a
thorough study of the <<272>> Old Testament, each
one for himself, and entire freedom of opinion and
discussion.” Whilst such is the opinion of a
Christian journal, we, as Jews, were indeed happy
that he was amongst us to disseminate the sublime
doctrines of our faith; and when again he preached
on Sabbath morning, there was but one opinion, an
expression of regret
that he was about leaving us. One good has already
resulted from his words—our determination to engage
a minister conversant with the English language, for
which, considering our numbers, we offer a liberal
salary, convinced that, by such a course of
proceeding, we secure the happiness of the rising
generation. L.
New Orleans.—We learn that the Sunday School
has closed for the summer season, with every
prospect of its doing well in the coming winter. The
ladies, headed by Mrs. Benjamin Florance, the
superintendent, have been indefatigable in their
labours, and many of the children have made great
improvements.—Our informant also states that there
is a healthy state of things in Synagogue affairs in
both congregations, and we trust that they may so
continue advancing till there shall be perfect
godliness prevailing.—Mr. Isaac Hart having
relinquished the Presidency of the German Kahal, Mr.
John Marks, the former President, has been elected
in his stead. Mr. Charles Emanuel, Vice-President,
and Mr. G. G. Levy, trustee. in his place.—The Rev.
Mr. Gutheim has obtained leave of absence till the
15th of September, and has, ere this, reached New
York.—The Rev. Dr. Kohlmayer, formerly Rabbi of the
Congregation, has been appointed by the President
and Directors of the University of Louisiana,
Professor of Hebrew and Oriental Literature in that
institution.—We have been requested also, to
announce the death of Mr. Jacob Levy, formerly of
Wilmington N. C., on the 15th of June. at the age of
79 years.
Baltimore.—The Rev. Mr. Levine having retired
from the office of Hazan of the Lloyd Street
Synagogue, the congregation are desirous of meeting
with a suitable person to occupy his place. We refer
to the advertisement.
Sydney, New South Wales.—Even
here the necessity of religious instruction is felt.
The demands of the people are plainly set forth in
their public announcement; and we regret that they
require many qualifications in one person that we
fear they will hardly find a man who combines in
himself the various functions of Rabbi, Teacher,
minister, and superintendent of schools, as these
offices require properly four men to do them
justice. Still, we hope that they may find one who
will come as near to their standard as possible. |
