The Jewish advance., 1881-04-29

the popular views, and what was still
sadder consciousness, that the majority
of those for whose sake she was about to
engage in this struggle we're Indifferent
to the cause to which she was devoted,
heart and soul. But what great spirit
was ever repulsed by difficulties from
efforts to attain a grand object? The
young Jewish girl, having few or no lit
erary acquaintances, scarcely knowing in
which manner to bring her work before
the public, for some times kept her pro-
jects secret, and at last confded them
to her mother from whom she was GER
tain of sympathy and support in all that
was sublime or noble. The mother ex-
pressed great joy upon being made ac-
quainted with her daughters plans, and
a belief in her power to carry out the
same ; she had strong faith in the ability
of her noble child, and thanked God who
had put this thought into her mind.
She knew that Grace studied religion,
not only for the sake of reflection, but
that she had moreover adopted it's fun
damental laws in their broadcast mean
ing. The welfare of her people was her
chief incentive, but not her only object.
How often did the mother shed tears of
joy, tears of thanksgiving, when she saw
how her beloved child observed the die
tates of her religion in every act of daily
life, how she delighted in all the deeds
ofcharity that her limited circumstances
permitted, how, spite of her studies and
domestic duties, she still found time to
work for and instruct poor people with
out inquiring into the religious views of
the needy, to whom she so cheerfully
gave aid and cheer. Her young life
glided by in the bestowal and receiving
Of blessings, then how could the mother
who knew her SO well believe that now,
when her aspiring soul sought to attain
still higher objects, she would break
down in her undertakings, or that these
would prove to be failures. Proofs of
the contrary were not long in asserting
themselves.
First she translated a small volume
from the French of Orobio de Castro,
Vindicated Israel" Q839) This, her
first literary effort, was received rather
coldly in England, but welcomed with
enthusiasm by her ooreligionists in
America: the public there longed to
behold this just emerging talent at the
zenith Of it's glory. Letters and congra-
tulations found their way to her across
the seas, and those who had but cursor
lily glanced over her sketch were aston
ished at the noble ardor and pious en-
ergy developed by her in her remarks
about the Jews. Some years later she
tried her poetic powers in der zouber-
kranz," and feeling the strength of her
own mind, she scared to still greater
heights in the cause Of her people: she
wrote The Influence of Home" and
" The Spirit of Judaism Q843.)
Meanwhile, however, her triumphant
spirit was checked by weakness of the
body. In the spring of 1888 she was
Frustrated by the measles, and the con-
sequences of this sickness were never
entirely overcome. Soon she began the
book which was the foundation of her
fame: Women of Israel" While,
however,her spiritual strength increased,
her body suffered repeated attacks of
sickness, and her form, once so graceful,
was now but a mere shadow. Her ply
sician recommended change of climate
at times she would rouse herself, but,
Notwithstanding, no permanentimpreve-
ment made itself felt Music was still,
as of yore. her consolation and delight
she was, however, forced to abandon her
singing and her practice on the harp.
Spite of all this, her spirit cried out rest
lessly, Onward onward p and every
hour at her own disposal was given to
the use of her pen.
A small History of the English
Jews" in Chambers Miseellanies" was
her last work. After completion of same