Litchfield enquirer., 1851-04-24

.....- ROthschilds aH n;
Recent arrivals from England bring ru>
mOrs that Baron Rothschild has abandon
ed the Hebrew faith. and embraced
christianity. Statements to that effect
have appeared in the London Morning
Post. and the Standard. The London
correspondent Of the Asmonean, pro-
nounces them -" nonseasical," and treats
them with levity. The editor, however
speaks less contidentially. and while un-
willing to admit the I" rumored apostacy,'
intimates that If such is the fact, it is to
be charged to the account OF personal
ambition. In reference to this prince of
Dancers, and the event referred TO, the
Asmonean speaks as follows:
"Lionel de Rothschild is good prac-
teal man of business. gifted vita strong
animal spirits, which find vent in the
pleasures of the turf and the chase. That
he is, or ever has been, under the influ>
ence Of strong religious fervor, SO as to
dispose him to inquire into the truths OIL
this creed or that. is all moonshinc. He
is an Israelite because his parents trained
him in the religion, and not because his
faith has been built up by his personal
studies.
Assuming for the purpose Of the ara
gument, that Baron Rothschild has gone
over to christianity, we assert boldly
from predicated causes, that he is mol
under the conviction that it is essential
to his eternal welfare; and that it is The
only plea which can justify be set up for
throwing off the religion Of our fathers
this plea we deny to him. as his alleged
conversion (if true) is crude, hasty and
lncoherent; a thing of yesterday growth
without foundation in that yearning tor
the true and sublime which might induce
such result, after calm deliberation and
deep research.
Christian Europe felt proud, and prop.
srly so, of the conversion of Neander, but
his adoption of a strange creed was the
purpose of his life, the axis Of its destiny.
II grew with the growth Of the subtle
pow ers of his mind, and although as Jews
we may regret that he was not with us
we must respect his sincerity. Do we
feel the same in the present instance p
No, assuredly not"
eve have strong adherence Of a.
postacy. both in politics and religion
In the former case, we grant that secret
cases may arise TO palliate or justify de-
lection, so that we are not always rigor.
Gus in insisting that the chahgeling should
purge himself ofimpurity of motive but
ia the case of religion, we are inaexible
in searching out the incentive influencing
the proselyte. And when we End q
Total absence of that acute form Of intel,
lect, which is essential to investigate
matte,s so abtruse, efficiency Of tbe
habit Of application, or love OF contem-
plation tending TO draw the individual to
such studies we must descend lower,
and seek in material matters Of worldly
personal interest the ruling power Undue
ing the barter Of principles. Tying the
conduct Of the reported London Prose-
lyte by this test, we are at loss to des-
ignate the means or the price to be paid
for his conversion. Wealth, fame, po.
sition and influence all were his. Pos
sessing access to all the courts Of Europ,
and visited and feted by the aristocrac,
Of all countrietries. What is further de
sirablc? Is Baron an empty title il
England, and is Peerags to be the re
ward of conversion p ..sr., ..... ..