The New York herald., 1873-10-25
RATIONALISM VERSUS ORTHODOXY.
Jewish Rabbi Reviews the Evangeii-
cal Alliance and the Free Religious As
socfati0n's Meetings.

A Jewish Rabbi Reviews the EvangeIi-
cal Alliance and the Free Religious As
socfation's Meetings.
The Temple Emanuel having added to Its many
other reforms that or Sabbath eve service com.
mencing at eight O'Clock instead OF sunset at
which one of its preachers shall deliver an address
alternately in German and in English, large con-
gregation gathered there last evening to hear the
Rev. DR.. Gottheil's review OF the platforms
and principles OF the ratonallsts and the
orthodox gatherings which were recently
here. The Alliance he SAID, represented the
modern phases OF Protestant orthodoxy, while the
free religionsts occupy the outskirts OF every
creed. They would battle down all religions that
exist at present, and upon their ruins raise up one
OF their own make. Israelities occupy middle
ground between the two. They have received
kind words from both sides and Judaism has now
found recognition wherever religion is discussed.
In point of popularity, dignity, &C., the Free Re-
lgon Association cannot even distantiy compare
SAID, cannot wish defeat or victory to either.
There are in our own ranks many admirers OF both,
and one OF our own iath found place on the
platform OF the Free Religion Association. There
Is great difference, he said, between
THE DOGNArICs OF THE ALLIANCE
and those Of Judaism, and Israetes cannot fall in
with them; but they do hold many things In com
mon. The Doctor did not think tnat the charge OF
narrowness could be sustained against the AL
excluded from 1t, any more than meeting OF
1sraetes should be censured for excluding per-
sons not OF their own faith In regard to the
sectarian spirit alleged against the Alliance
the Doctor remarked that Judaism Is not friendly
with ITSELF though 1t Is NOT, at the same time, ac
tually hostile. There is not prayer book, hymn
or tune that one Jewish congregation would take
from another. The charge oil authority over the
consciences Is not sustained. either; but, on the
contrary, liberty OF conscience was distinctly de-
cared as one OF the cardinal principles OF the Al-
ance. And he gathered from Its meetings that
orthodoxy must bring itself to the idea OF
the separation OF Church and State The
Free Religion Association affords platform for
every shade or opinion. Judaism found voice
things that have found voice there with susp
con. II was as hard to enter into their councils
as to enter the Vatican Council and their claim to
inialbity was as strongly urged as is that OF the
Pope. He found three pillars upon which
THE FREE RELIGIOUS PLATFORM,
or the religion OF the future, Is to rest-namey,
the laws OF nature; facts the only basis OF laitn,
manity The Doctor handled these points sepa-
rately and showed the absurdity Of accepting
law and rejecting the iaw-maker; showed
that the revelation on sinai IL as mucn
fact and as well attested as any tnat
science or free religion can produce, ana hnally,
that II by religion OF humanity Is meant theory
spun from the brain OF mankind " must pe re-
religion that shall embrace mankind IN one
brotherhood then he was for IT, But ne cau-
toned the young Of his congregation against lall
ing In too readily with these phrases ana theories
There ts nothing easier, he said, than 70 pull
down. Let them beware now they Knock away
the oundatfons lest they have nothing 10 rest theT
iaith upon N the time to come.