The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-11-12
IN ANSWER TO An INoUIRIN0 JEW.
The Learning aud the Reasoning Of the Rev
DIR. q. w. samson.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Sn: Tho
article Of An Inquiring jew" in THE Sun
has Just been put into my hands. Tho
point at ISSUE 1t should be distinctly noted.
Ia not between Israelites and Christians. as
such. but between literal and spiritual interpre-
tors OF the Hebrew Scriptures. As an orthodox
jew believing in the personal earthly reign Of
the Messiah tho Inuuiring jew Is interested
in the fact that few imaginative Christian
minds have in all ages conceived glory in the
earthly grandeur OF Jesus Ms a future monarch.
The reformed Jews. on the other hand. accord
in this particular with the Christian scholar
shin Of ,9ll tho centuries; that the He
transators into tho Greek "Christ." Is to
be n spiritual Redeemer. The question nj issue
II whether Scripture and reason. which must
vailing conviction. The lsraelite and Christian
have only the Old Testament and its interprcta-
ton rs common ground Tor argument Pruba-
bly, every thoughtful student Of history will al
low that great moral teachers like COnfucins,
conviction that what mankind as individuals
and nations want. Is not SO much great and
good rulers to maintain Justice and right by
force. as a personal inward recognition of
truth and law. which makes men rule them
selves. Certainly. the lsraelites OF Newport. to
whom Washington suggested this idea agreed
with all Americans, that our Government IS tho
best on earth. because we have no force TO COM
pei subsection. but are ruled by an individual
sclf-conformity to right and justice. Spiritual
is better than material rule for men.
No reader of the Old Testament can deny that
for twenty-five hundred years. from Adam to
Moses. and for five hundred years more OF
the best years Of tho Hebrew state. from
Moses to David. this was the only idea Of
siah's reign. Tho jehovah elohim who APP
pcared TO Adam. to Abraham. and TO Moses.
ruled only by spiritual Iniluence; Noses BE-
lowed up. the condemnation OF monarchy ms
opposed 70 tho very idea Of the Hebrew state.
that ut" tho seed Of Abraham. in whom "aii ma.
tons were 90 be blessed" was not a king but a
prophet" ipeqt,' will ~ 10 the prophetie,
Christ are twofold-llrst, OF moral ruler
lps.. 72l; and, second. OF sacrificing high
priest tPs.. 100. The predictions of all the
great prophets. conspicuously Of Isaiah and Of
Daniel, are too plainly Of this character 10 need
The prophecies quoted by tho "Inquirng
jew as 10 restoration and occupation Of their
native land emphasize this very idea. When
Daniel know that the time Of restoration from
the captivity in Babylon had come he tasted
wept. and prayed for Israel. because he knew
that unless there came first . spiritual renova-
ton OF the people they would fail Of self-gov-
eminent. rs they did when, before that captiy-
iiy. Jeremiah and Ezekiel wrote. Jeremiah
nre all absorbed in the spiritual redemption OF
their people us the only hope Of material pros
perity. Who can read the Hebrew Scriptures
and not see that the spiritual IN the reign Of the
promised Messiah absorbs all the thought OF
the Hebrew leaders, inspired to write the lator
books Of the Old Testament? Thus then, the
early. the central and the last of the Hebrew
writer's arc ali agreed as to the then present
need and the future hope Of Israel as a people.
The trouble which brought on tho con-
quest Of the Israelites by the Romans. Just
in the age OF Jesus. was the fact that the
ruling party in the Sanhedrim were
Sadducces; materialsts who believed in no
spiritual existence OF man, angel or God. What
aSHs s SsTS sP ISnas S1spt In
in America. but ut Jerusalem, east to the Eu-
pirates. and in Europe too. Hebrew rabbis who
see in our country the influence OF the teach
ings OF Jesus. avOw-As the writer. In n journey
thirty years throughout the Enst, and Tor twenty
years ago in their visits 10 Washington from
countries where they are oppressed, has
repeatedly learned from their own lips
that Jesus, one OF their rabbis. though
they think in measure deceived. was the
greatest teacher the world ever saw. one
whose followers have won all the civilized and
advanced nations 10 faith In the Hebrew scrip
lures.
The brightest hope Of our age is this. tina,
men want. they do desire. a spiritual power
men. The dawn in our land Is returning
again 10 the East. and every nation on the re-
Vovng globe Is to see IL. G. w. SAMSON.
P.S.-The argument above Is from the Old Tes-
lamont. The careful student notes that Matthew
jew, gives tho lineage ofJ Joseph. whose adopt
! ed son Christ was, adoption in Asatic monar-
| chics. as In the Roman empire being the roya
| sonshp. as David adopted solomon above his
| older brothers. Luke. however. "A Greek moi
satisfied except with natural descent. states tina
Jesus; that he was really the son" or dc
| scendant of Hell" Mary's father her name
| according 10 Grccian us well as Asiatic prece
| dents. being omitted; He'll" being Jesus I
solomon and the line of Kings. which wns nm
worthy his spiritual mission to the common
| people but through Nathan" a son OF David
before unknown 10 fame.