Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-07-11
JUDAISM AND CHRISTIANITY.
an Intelligent Review of DIR,
Wise's New Book.
Chattanooga Dsmoorat s


A hasty reading Of series of lees
lures by DR.. Wise, of Cineinnati,s Rab.
bi who has considerable reputation
among his co religionists as a man Of
thought and learning, entitled, "Juda-
ism and Christianity" convinces us
that if ancient Judaism ever believed
in the plenary inspiration of the
scriptures the dogma is now entirely
abandoned. Indeed, it is a difficult
matter to determine from these lee
lures just what the Jews do believe as
TO the supernatural origin of their own
scriptures. 1t is about safe to affirm
that the Jews reject the idea Of a SUI
pernatural origin.
Little stress, however, is laid on this
point. DR.. Wise sees many things
which an old man always sees-to con-
denim in young Israel. If he we're
strict adherent to the dogmas of
Moses he would be crushed with the
skepticism and "idolatry of bis people;
and, by the way, that people always
had an itching after idolatrous wor-
ship since the day Aaron made the
golden calf, as the representative of
their innocent conception Of wor-
ship.
The Doctor is severe on Christian
lty in his rejoicings over the liberty
that blesses the country he now calls
his homel And well may he rejoice.
The annals Of the past are reeking
with the blood of Israel's adherents-
blood shed by those who claimed their
Redeemer to have been one Of his
race. There are evidences that
where opportunity presented, the
Jews retaIiated in kind; but the at
tested facts gave them but feeble
chance to repay the persecution By
fire and sword which fanatical off.
shoot OF their own ancient creed WIS.,
tied upon them.
The Rabbi appears to be singular
blending in his own beliefs and char
acteristics, OF the old and the new.
He is not without patriotic devotion
to the Theocracy OF Moses, and is
gently imbued with the rationalism OF
these later days Of the dispersion.
Bat he rises high above many of the
expounders Of the reformation
Christionity-by affirming that as civ.
ilization advances, SO does religion
modify and develop. 1t is not to be
denied that a deep generation for
ancient things, for standards and
presidents, for creeds aud dogmas, arc
absolutely necessary to maintain a re-
ligion, but the requirements of an
advancing civilization demand pro-
erosion in theories aud beliefs, if
they are not wholly to be rejected.
As race-for the religion of Juda-
ism is entirely matter of race, pros
elyting being even more difficult now
than when Palestine was its head
Iquarters-the Jewish people are
almost without a fixed creed. The
forms and ceremonies of the orthodox
and Of the reformed are perhaps uniN
form all over the country, but as to
what they believe, either as to a fu.
ture life, rewards and punishments,
and such Fundamental dogmas, it is
difficult to affirm. 1t is sort of go
as you please" organization, the only
well defined demand being to keen
separate from the Gentle. This
they have done, and they are a ne
culiar people" all over the globe.
In this matter of progressiyeness
Rabbi Wise may we'll boast a super:
orisy of his religion over Others. A
fertile source Of controversy amongst
Christian denominations now is the
attempt of some of the sects to modify
the methods of the early Christians.
Some cling with stern pertinacity to
the simple ecclesias of Asia Minor
aud Achaia, while others indulge the
more gorgeous paraphernalia and cere-
monies introduced after the CONVEX
sion of Constantine. Strange both
cling to these methods BECAUSE Of
their antiquity, neither claiming any
superiority because Of adaptability to
modern civilization.
But space warns Us to furbeap. The
subject has q charm that betrays us
into prolixity. 1t is we'll worthy of
thought and careful examination
That Christianity increases while in
daism holds only what it acquires by
birth right, is quite evidast. NO mat.
ter how gatlQQa, OF progressive the be-
Lets Of the latter. the exolusiveuess
of marriage will always keep the Jews
a compact sect in the midst of sects
whose outlines are clean cut and Well
defined. Despit6 Vtb9 conservative
WHICH keeps Christianity tEG@ one to
ten years behind tho discoveries
OF learning and thought, it steadily
advances and gathers proselytes daily.
Discussions within, and wars without,
greatly aid its DEVELOPMENT, and as
the years iHprpass % d0lths multitude
OF its professors, ~ I" y ~