Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-11-05
The Eminent Philanthropist.

a lew days since celebrated in London h;
9 one hundredth birth day. Beneyolenc
: has directed his mind and disbursed hi
large resources, and has enrolled his nam
in enduring history with the good and tb,
great. On the 25th of October, be received
hundreds OF kilograms, congratulating him
on attaining his centennial birthday. Thew
were received from all parts of world
many from America. On the 9th service
was held at Ramsgate, chief Rabbi Adler,
read special prayer. Sir Moses insisted
upon standing through the entire service,
at the conclusion of which he said, in a
very strong voice: 81 cannot tell thou
sandth or ten ten-thousandth part of
what l feel to-day, when, by the blessing
OF the Almighty, 1 have arrived at so full
an age. l thank Him for His mercifnl
providence, and thank all my friends for
their great Kindness
A reception was subsequently held. Sir
Moses was in excellent spirits. During the
day be received more than 800 letters and
6OO kilograms, besides numerous addresses
and bouquets. The anniversary was cele-
brated throughout Europe.
In Richmond the proceedings were i'm
posing. Both Synagogues were crowded,
several ministers of as many different
denominations were present and united ii,
the honors bestowed upon the distinguished
lsraelites. In the Eleventh Street Syua-
gogue over the ark was the name of scMoses
Monteiore' in living flowers and lthe two
dates "17S4' and '18S4' the year of his
birth and his centennial ami yersary. The
pastor Rev. Mr.. Harris delivered an address
from which the following is copied
'Sir Moses Montefore is of Italian de-
scent, as his name implies, which means a
mountain OF flowers He was born in Leg
norma hundred years ago, and to-day has
been selected by the Israelites all over the
globe TO do honor to him, it being day on
which work is generally suspended. Sir
Moses received in early life a commercial
training in England, and became a member
of the Stock Exchange. In 1919 he married
the sister of the Baroness Meyer de Roths-
child, and the Montefiore aud Rotbschild
families thus became united. Already as
very young man his integrity and courtesy
gained him the esteemed friendship of all
! with whom he had dealings, and that in an
extraordinary degree. To name one of the
many proofs of this, 1 would mention the
fact that for period Of sixty years he has
been president of a large andinfluential in
surance COMPANY, of witch he was one of
the founders. His wife, lady of fine men,
tai endowments and great charm of charac-
% n,clxr into oil Ia
and aspirations. They devoted themselves
to philanthropy. They made that the chief
business of life. Their interest in all good
causes spread over and beyond Europe
He also sketched the many important
missions which he had undertaken and car
ried successfully through during his long
eventful career
DR.. Curry having been invited to par
ticipate in the services expressed the honor
he appreciated in compliance. He said
"The Eternal selected the Israelites as His
chosen people and committed to them His
inspired oracles. Two distinguished char
acteristics marked the nation:
l. Monothesm or the unity and spiritual
ity of God, which prevailed law, literature,
and language. This was grand idea, in
ferior to none other in dignity and worth,
and logically led to liberty of conscience and
the Immortality of the SOUL
2. The paramount importance of chastity
as rule of morals. What Monotheism is
in doctrine, chastity is as virtue, and be-
fore the dispersion it was in sad contrast to
the impurity and polluting idolatries of sur
rounding nations.
The preservation and growth of the He
brews was standing miracle. Cruelest
religious intolerance and race antipathies
had despoiled and oppressed them. Chris
tian nations, church and statesmen, had
pillaged, imprisoned, and massacred. If
Christianity is to be estimated by it's treat
ment of the Israeltes it deserves rejection
No people were ever so prosecuted, and
yet they have been distinguished for indus
try, intelligence, and enterprise. Philoso-
ply, Science, Art, Music, Finance, Diplo-
macy, and Statesmanships have attested
their triumphs. Oppression of Governments
and social ostracism have, in many in
stances, limited the liberty of choice in
occupations.
The United States was the first Govern
ment to allow equality of citizenship and
religious liberty-to emancipate from Ghet-
tos and summon to light and freedom. In
1920 the English Parliament passed the
Jewish disabilities bill, and in 1887 Moses
Montefiore was elected sheriff of London
and Westminster, and this was the first
civil Office ever held by an Israelite in the
British Empire.
This opening of new chapter in English
civilization is in separately associated with
him whose centennial wecelebrate. But we
are not doing honor and homage to loDgev-
ity, but to the extraordinary virtues of Sir
Moses Montefore. He is the Howard of
his race, and this century and his life has
been an unfolding of the gospel of kindness.
Restricted by no narrow sectarianism, he
has dispensed his benefactions with liberal
hand. Three continents have shared his
munifcent gifts and personal labors. He
adorns humanity and binds races ard sects
in hottest brotherhood. He holds heavens
patent of nobility.
"Howe'er it be, 1t seems TO me
Ills only noble to be good;
Kind hearts are more than coronets
And simple faith than Norman blood"
! HE liveth long who liveth well,
All else is life but flung away;
He liveth longest who can tell
| of true things truly done each day.
The Norfolk Landmark, quotes the Rev.
Mr.. Ebersen of that city as saying: ut is
time for The philanthropistt to take his place