, 1877-12-30
AMERICAN JUDAISM.
PROGRESS OF THE REFORM MOVEMENT,

PROGRESS OF THE REFORM MOVEMENT.
Se.c lork 7rthnnc.
The history of the growth OF Reformed Juda-'
ism is the history Of a nation. A number of
Hebrews, mostly OF Portuguese and Spanish
Dissent, were among the first inhabitants Of
Manhattan Island. They had crossed the ocean
to avoid the tcrrors OF the Inguisition, and ia
time the little band grew in afiluence and
strength. In the city records Of 1860 the name
Of Asscr Levy, jew, appears, and this is prob
ably the earliest mention made OF that nation
altty In this city. The Hebrews we're at that
time TINE deprived OF religious liberty. In
1865, however, they gathered couragc, and
petitloned the Governor for redress. The effort
was unsuccessful, but before the end Of the
seventeenth century they had synagogues and
federation. The first Jewish burying aground
i'll New York was dedicated about 1729. 1t was
Oh spot called Wolfert's Meadows, above the
marshes, and Oh the modern southerly corner
OF Oliver street and Chatham square. Noe
Wiley, Of London, gave the land to his three
sons, who were New York merchants, as last
ing heritage for the Hebrews. But subsequent
II the Tradesman's Bank aud then the New
Bowcry violated the merchants wish, and now
little IS to be seen Of The original site. In the
same year the first minutes of an organized con-
sregation are found, although they refer to
minutes with the date OF lI06.
In 17239 synagogue was built on the north
side Of the modern South William street, and
was simply wooden ediice near q mill. 4
spring i'll the vicinity was utilized Tor the cere-
monies. Soon the membership increased, and
tabernacle Of stone was built, where for hum
drel ycart the New York Hebrews worshiped.
The service was conducted III Hebrew, us in
ancient times. Strangers wcre admitted to see
a ceremony ut once curious and impressive
Elegant and expensive ornaments were dis
PLAYED inside, and lamp was constantly burn
ing in front Of the ark, which WAS semi-circular
in form and highly finished. Since then the
growth Of the denomination has been rapid. Ut
the Hebrew population In the United States,
which is about 25O.0 600, nearly ouartcr-6o,00 00o
live in this city, and $1,000 in other portions
OF the State.
It wus recently suggested that every Jewish
congregation in the United States should coul-
pile history Of its origin and growth, anu
many Of tue statistics have appeared IN the
Tribune. 1t was doue none too soon, for the
warfare between the old and new IT. the Jewish
Church is now far advanced, and only Icw
generations hence, many parts oil their ritual,
which formerly seemed to POSSESS the elements
OF immortality. will have been forgotten 10y The
Rabbis, or known only as matters OF ecclcsiastt-
cal history. Tie tendency to reform Is IN this
direction. The religion inspired by the books
of Moses, which the best scholarship and
p,ety OF the Church have wrought into
one Of the most remarkable systems
the world hus ever seen, Is to be changed.
While the Jew lived apart from the world, he
never dreamed Of alterations. But many things
iu the old system are now considered by the re-
formers inconyenient, useless, and even wrong:
Little is doing in this dlrection in England aud
France, but in Germany and in this country
much has been accomplished. 1n the largest
cities Of the Union, and especially in New York,
are congregations who have abolished many
points OF the law, and whose services arc c1-
trcmcy simple. They are not critical as TO
OF the knife, or whether their food was pre-
pared in the style Of the faith or Of Prof. Blot
But they maintain the use Of Hebrew to certain
extent i'll their ceremonies, and celebrate the
and Saturday as the Sabbath. The German
rabbis-the late Dr.. Geiger. for example, anu
Drs. Adler anil Einhorn, of this city--haTe been
prominent movers in this reform. The regular
services on the Sabbath were first the subject OF
criticism. Many PRAYERS were considered bulky
and verbose, and by their faults were destroy
ing the soo3 impressions they might otherwise
convey. When the Day OF Atoncmcnt was OBJ
served the elders were dressed III white cotton
dress, and administered the rites Wlthout 1000
for whole dav and night. The dead were buried
with upseemly haste, and at the bedside oi the
diving no friend was permitted to remain,
but the last offices were performed BY strang-
ers. The rcf0rners wished to strike out refer
cnccs to the coming OF tue Mess'an' "nlcn ine
orthodox ychemcntly opposed: The latter BE-
lcyt: in literal appearance OF Christ, willie inc
former construe tigurative meaning from tue
text Inc question Of inspiration 10 regard 10
the Old Testament has also been oone OF CON
tcntion. the reformers claiming that the times
have outgrown the teachings OF an ancient day !;
that the Mosaic code was temporal IN IT'S nature
aul not for all time. In the fundamental prin-
ciples OF belief, us the Monotheistic doctrine,
tic hope Of Immortality and the teachings Of
tic Ten Commandments, both orthodox and
re:ormcrs stand upon common ground
sMycr Stern, clerk of the Temple Emanu-El,
said to Tribune reporter that the progressive
spirit of Judaism as rapidly spreading among 4S
had lust received an order for l,000 copies OF
its nrayer-books, in Hebrew and English, for
CONGREGATIONS in various parts of the United
States In many Of the orthodox churches the
ministers were SO much rcvercd BY the younger
members that no change was possible NJ pres
ent Where such relations did not exist be.
twnrn teacher and pupil, conversion was easy
md Of common occurrence. Every month
broueh, cllueFns tokens from many churches
that, they had taken the new departure.