Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1879-05-30
THE JEWISH
National Convention to be Held in
New York City ShOrtIy-The Cues
lions to be Discussed Will En-
brace, Among others, the
Colonization scheme.

NEW 1OTh UTuDItlC. III q lew HCekS
there will assemble In this city Jewish con-
ventlon, which, it is believed by those who
are acquainted with the views entertained by
the delegates, viii be the most important
ever held, so tar as American Jadalsm Is con-
cerned. 1t is to be a national convention,
composed of members OF the Union OF
American Hebrew Congregations, an Or
ganlzation which had Its origin In the west
ern States, and became national only year
or two ago, when the functions of the board
of American delegates became merged IN the
union, and the board ceased to exist.
The union, as now constituted, Is sup.
ported by congregations, orthodox and re-
| form, north, south, east and west; and while
thus far only secular questions, so-called,
have engrossed the attention of the organi-
zation, it is likely that religious subjects of
| more than passing interest will be discussed
by the convention. A gentleman we'll versed
with the inner life Of American Jewish con-
gregatons said to a representative OF the
Graphic Yesterday: ''Of course the coloniza-
ton scheme to acquire lands in the western
Territories for the use of needy Hebrew emf
grants will occupy great deal of our time,
as / understand that the committee has per-
fected its plans, and is ready to report an en-
terprise that will surpass In charitable con-
ception anything ever heretofore attempted
by religious denomination. More than
this, it will lead the Hebrews OF our day once
more to the practice of agriculture and per-
haps to mining. You well know that the
union can control all the funds it requires fer
! the purpose, and as the outlook in Europe is
such that we may soon see whole swarms of
our co-religionists coming over, the time for
| US to act is most propitlous.
but how will the religious questions come
up?" asked the writer.
The union already has control of college
in the west, where young men are being ed
ucated for the Jewish pulpit, and the origin
al promoters of the union and also its present
officers take pride Ia the progress made by
that institution. 1t remains to be seen In the
present state of agitation whether the ultra
reform Jewish congregations will be permit
ted, through their delegates, to control the
union or indirectly this college. True they
are in a minority as yet, but they are power
ful nevertheless, ana the Inroads they are
making into the established usages of the
church are simply amazing"
The writer asked the gentleman to explain
what he meant by ''inroads already made. ="
They are going too far, " ne said, ''and if
they carry cut what they intend doing, such
as, for instance, the abolition Of the seventh
day as Sabbath and holding services on Sum
days, it may become necessary for the union
to decide the question whether the congrega-
lions can at all be considered as Hebrews"
Reference was then made to the PROPOSE
ton before the trustees OF the Fifth avenue
Temple Emmanuel in regard to changing
the services to Sundays, and the support al
ready publicly given to the movement by
Rev. DIR. Gotthell, the rabbi of the temple.
1t was acknowledged that the services In
both reform and orthodox synagogues now
generally take place on Saturdays before
a beggarly display of empty pews and
benches; but SAID our interlocutor: THAT
is no reason why we should abolish the Sab
bath altogether. it would be far more con-
sstent to preach conversion to christianity at
once. For ages past Jews have been liberal
In their religious views; liberal In their
tenets, and not over-scrupuioIs IN violating
some of the rabblnical laws; but they re-
manned Jews, nevertheless, by observing the
laws of Sinai. Even when, in the Middle
Ages, the great Jewish physicians OF Spain
and France made war upon the belief In cure
by miracles, these eminent men, though not
sticklers for form, adhered to the ancient
faith, which enabled them the easier to dis
conquered the sophisms of mankind by a
philosophy inspired by their faith. Take
away the Sabbath and circumcision, as Prof.
Felix Adler has once or twice recommended,
and what remains of Judaism? All this has
been tried, especially In Germany, but it has
failed, and to-day there is a reaction among
German Jews IN regard to this.
"Do you think the coming convention will
take action in regard to these matters?"
asked the writer.
81 regard that convention, though princi-
pally composed of laymen, as Sanhedrim,
and / do not see how they can ignore these
matters. Why do we want college IN Gin
cinnati to bring up rabbis if American Juda-
ism is to set up a religion of Its own? Let
them call it what they please, BUTT is farcical
to call congregations such as DR.. Gotthell Is
anxious to lead on Sundays Jewish. Again,
if the members of the Ethical society which
uphold Felix Adler-aud they are growing
in number so that soon they will occupy a
larger hall-are to ignore the law of the COW
enant in regard to their offspring, and if
these practices are to continue among other
Jewish congregations, it Is time that the
union should take action. Selt-protection is
the first law of nature, and | for one hope
that the union will regard as seceders or as
non-Jews, all those who are unwilling to adj
here to the ancient faith, now that property
surrounds them. There Is plenty of excel
lent material in this country to uphold the
old church with all of its ancient rites and