The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-09-25

A Jew Who Argues that His People Will BE
Restored to the Land of Their Fathers.
Pitfsburp Dispatcb

"A jew VINO Argues that kfis feopie VIII DC
Restored to the Land of Their Fathers.
Pittsburg Dispatch.
Benjamin Levi, highly educated jew who
has travelled extensively, both in this country
and Europe. and who is connected with Jewish
publication in New York. passed through the
city yesterday on his way to Chicago In con-
versatlon with reporter, Mr.. Levi made some
statements concerning the hopes and prospects
of his people. which are of sufficient Importance
to lay before the public He adheres to the
orthodox faith of his people. and thinks they
will ultimately be restored to their ancient hertz
age in Palestine.
when do you think this event will take placer
was asked of the gentleman.
II cannot tell how soon, he replied, shut all
the signs point to it at no distant day. The Jews
are almost ready for it now-ready, mean, in a
temporal sense In most countries they have
been enfranchised have all the rights and privi-
leges OF other people. own and dispose OF their
property as they please and are free to come
and 60 as the WISH The only countries in
Europe where they labor under political disad-
vantages are Russia, Poland and some parts of
Germany. But even in those countries their
burdens are being lifted, and l have no doubt
they will soop be as free there as they are in the
United States and England. Then they will be
ready to turn their faces toward the land Of
their fathers, and enter upon the glorious career
foretold by the prophets of old
Another thing" he continued, land one of the
strangest in modern history, which cannot be
accounted for by any process OF human reason
ing, is the fact that Turkey barbarouS nation,
at war with nearly every principle held sacred
by the civilized worlds permitted to retain
control of Palestine. the cradle of the faith of
both Jew and Christian. where David and Solo,
mon reigned, where Elijah and Elisha denounced
idolatry whore the Maceabees struggled for lib
erty and where Christ lived and died, In olden
times this country was the garden spot of the
world. III the time of Solomon, and for ages
afterward, it was the wealthiest and most power
eel
soon lift it from its present condition of abase-
ment, and make it an important factor in the
worlds affairs. Why is Turkey permitted to re-
tain control of this sacred spota In my judg-
work of Providence When the Jews are ready
to return to it, the grasp of Turkey will be re-
leased. She is merely holding it in trust for
them. The rest of the world looks on while this
drama is being played out"
DO you expect temporal ruler"
1--WE do. We have prophecy for it, and we
cannot doubt that. The Jews are to be gathered
home, Jerusalem is to be rebuilt upon a more
splendid scale than under Solomon. become the
capital of the world and the seat of power of the
Messiah, who will reign 1000 years the &C
knowledged sovereign of mankind. There will
be but one nation one ruler and one language
The confederation of the human race will be
complete To show that this is not impossible.
1t Is only necessary to glance at the condition OF
the world wher Christ was born. The Roman
Empire embraced all the nations of the EARTH
No rival dared to lift it's head. Over all this
vast territory Augustus reigned as undisputed
master. What has been may be-"
Your people have preserved their national
traits under very trying circumstances. Do you
think this has any special signifcance!"
Il do. / regard this positive proof that we
are still the favored children Of the Most Hlgn
French, Germans Italians. English and others
come to this country, and in few years become
So thoroughly Amercanized as to lose their ma
tional identity altogether. Not so with the Jews
Although they mingle freely with the people
wherever they may be-and they are everywhere
they are not absorbed by them. They remain
Jews. Could this be possible with any other
peoplel Could it be possible with the Jews
less they were under Divine guidance and pro-
tection9 / think not, and all history sustains
me in the belief. One of the principal causes of
onr long-continued individuality is the observ
ance of the old law of non-marriage. with out
siders. When Ezra, the prophet, priest
and statesman, returned from Baby
lonia to Jerusalem, he was affected
by the sight of a custom which had grown up
during the captivity of intermarriage with ad-
jacent tribes He succeeded in causing the for
eign wives to be repudiated and the old law to
be enforced, which separated the Jews from all
other nations | think it is this stern law which,
under Providence. has preserved our nationality
in all our wanderings and misfortunes. With
out divine assistance this would have been i'm
possible. Surely God is holding something good
in reservation for us. What can it be except
restoration to the land promised to Israel and
his descendants?n
'Is the so-called reform movement among
your people making much progressF'
"In the United States there has been some
backSdng from the old faith, but not enough
to occasion alarm. Those who have identified
themselves with the schism cannot long main
tain their position. They cannot live half
Christian, half Jew. Their instinct and tradi-
tons are against it."