The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-02-15

WHAT Is JUDAISM or A Few Words to the
Jews. BY Rev. Raphael DC. Levin. New
York: D. Appleton & Co. 1870. Charles
ton: John Russell.
Mr. Levin gives brief, clear and impress
sivc statement of the reform movement
among the Jews, of which he is 4 cnltiva-
ted and Jealous advocate. His views are
rationalis;ic. thoroughly. He holds that
Judaism is u spiritual and immortal idea,
which was originally given III consideration
Of human inlirmity, in temporary, ceremo-
NAL investture. 1t is not so much the pro-
duct OF Revelation, as the yearning OF the
soul for God. Hence its existence is indie
pendent of all its forms. These have been
modified by local circumstances. Ere long
the most OF them, the ancient rite OF circum-
cision not excepted, will fall into desuetude.
But the Jew will exercise, in this event.
still more potent influence as the anointed
teacher of the nations. Hence the author
regards the dispersion Of his people as a
blessing to them and to mankind.
Mr.. Lewin's positions will provoke discus
sion, and will be warmly assailed by many
of his. co-religionists, for in many important
particulars lie protests against the Judaism
of tradition. Thus he denies the plenary
inspiration OF Scripture, the divine institu-
tion OF sacrifice, and the authority of any
ancient precept which cannot secure the
assent of modern reason" He repudiatcs
the belief in the restoration Of Israel to the
land of their fathers, and the theory that the
limited use of Hebrew in worship and the
observance Vi the great feasts of his people,
there is little to distinguish the ecclesiastical
polity Of our author from that of the extreme
left Of the Unitarian party. But whether it
is 4 just representation OF historic Judaism,
may admit of question.
TIE WESTMINSTER REVIEW
For January 1870, is on our table, with
the following list Of articles: l. Our Colonial
Empire. 2. Land TenurcS and their Conse-
qucnces 3. The Subjection Of Women, Ga
highly eulogistic review OF Mr.. Mills book.)
/. The Irish Land Question. 5. Proslitu-
on-Govcrnmcntal Experiments in Con-
trolling it. G. Our Policy in China. Z. Amer
lean Claims on England. s. Contemporary
Literature Even those who differ most
widely from the Westminster are forced TO
admit its vigor and critical ability. Its quar-
terly review of current literature is polished,
epigrammatic and withal thoughtful anu just
to an extraordinary degree.
BLAc1wooD's MAGAZINE
For January, is an interesting number.
The two serial stories, "Earls Dene" and
"John," are continued. The most sugges-
tive papers in the number are those on Lord
"Lytton's Comedy, 'sMr. Froude and Queen
'Mary," and "Lord Byron and his Calumni-
''niators" Blackmood political sympathies
make it find in Lord Lytton's rhymed come
dy OF ''Walpole" merits which neither its an
alysis OF the plot nor the extracts it makes
from the play. appear to justify. We rather
fancy that ''Walpolc' must be held, as Beau
Brummevs valet said of his masters cravat,
to he one of Lord Lytton's failures. The
article Oh '.Mf. Froude and Queen Mary" is
an able and indignant protest against what
the critic considers the heartless treatment
by Mr. Froude Of the falscst woman and the
profoundcst actress OF the sixteenth, or per-
haps OF any century. In spite OF the re-
viewer, We think Mr.. FrOude has the best of
the argument. The duty OF the historian is
to truth, not to sentiment; and the oft mis-
quoted maxim ';De mortuis," &c, is never
more out of place than in Il grave historical
discussion. Posterity will be likely to accept
Mr. Froude's verdict Oh the Scottish Queen,
Aaga to the contrary Notwithstanding.
The closing article OH the Byron contro-
versy is more than usually convincing re-
ply to Mrs. Stoves pruricnt romances.
HELMBoIp, the great medicine man of New
York, occupied an entire page ofthc SIN with
his announcements. At the published rates of