The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1888-09-15

All these things filed their hearts with
grlef--for with them the strength of Juda- !
ism lay in its forms and ceremonies, and II
they were abandoned they said to them
selyes we might as well become Christians
at once.
In Russia was Rabbi learned in the
ancient law. The Talmund was his sheet
anchor, and he was regarded at home as a
prophet. This was Rabbi Joseph, whose
debut four weeks ago set all Hebrew New
York wild. AS l said a moment ago, the
managers Of Rabbi Joseph must haye an
derstood the Rabbits strength and the ex-
citable character of the people they had to
deal with, for they asked for detail of po-
lice. Twenty stout policemen in charge of
a sergeant answered the call, while the cap
tain OF the precinct hovered around TO see
that his troops were in fighting order; the
police were all armed with their long night |
clubs, and as circumstances developed, it
was wise precaution. AL the doors and
avenues TO the synagogue were carefully
guarded; stout trustees and Others holding
the iron gates and admitting the excited
worshippers one at a time. AT last the
pent-up excitement burst all bounds, and
then came wild rush of the excited mob
that crowded towards the door. The police
leaped to the fore and tried by coaxing and
threats to roll back the fierce fanatic tide
that struggled and surged towards the
tabernacle, but entreaty and threat were
alike in vain Your English or German
Jew will listen to reason; but a Polish or
Russian Jew, who has been kicked and
cuffed in his own country, on arriving in
the United States proceeds at once to take
possession of the land and everything in it.
They heaped abuse on the officers and then
began to throw stones. American flesh and
blood could stand it no longer, and then
the long night clubs began to swish-swash,
fetching head at every crack. 1t was a
strange sight in front of temple, and one
that hope never TO see again. At last the
street was cleared and the wounded carried
away, and those inside the synagogue
feasted their eyes and their ears on the new
prophet, but the ovation ended there and
then. Rabbi Joseph is a failure.
The English, German and American Jews
are bright, sharp, progressive race, eager
to keep up with the times, standing fore
most in all branches of trade and commerce,
living like their christian neighbors. be-
| longing to all the clubs and associations,
accepting all their surroundings with ease
and grace, and avoiding everything that
would seem to make them a distinctive
people. The better class of Jews here de-
sire to enjoy their religious privileges just
as the Catholic, Methodist, Baptist or Pres
byterian does; but then he don't want to
carry religion into the store, or hotel or
theatre any more than his Catholic or Pres
| byterian neighbors. But your Russian and
Polish Jew liyes in an atmosphere that
smells of Jerusalem and still groans oyer
Assyrian captivity. This gives Rabbi
Joseph his distinctive character and his
value. Last Saturday this high priest,
whom thousands fought to see and hear
four weeks ago, preached to house only
half-full; should not be at all surprised to
see him go back to Russia within the next
six months, for he is woefully disappoint-
ed man
Another case of mans fickleness is Henry
George. Two years ago he was the cen.
trail figure of this city; no meeting was com.
plete without him. wherever he went he
was followed by thousands and they cheered
him till they were hoarse. The other day
was on Broadway car and Henry George
sat in cne corner reading a newspaper. l
thought would test his popularity, so l
asked the conductor who he was; the con-
ductor was one of those polite conductors
that you read about in society novels, and
replied, "I'm id if know and Pm
id if carep' inquired of three others
but nobody knew him. Alas! alas! for
fame! What an unsubstantial shadow it is.
Some time ago, near the Fifth Avenue
Hotel, met Father McGlynn. l thought
every one knnw him. He stopped to talk
with friend for a moment, and l asked
the policeman on the beat who he was; he
eyed him carefully and then said, 81 guess
he is one of those country gospel sharps
that's attending the Methodist Conference
up at the Metropolitan Opera Houser
asked a cabman who he was, and the cabby
guessed he must be a preacher of some
kind. Here was man whose name one
short year ago rang around the worldwide
J was followed like demigod by frantic
! thousands; the man who defied Rome and
made fun of the Pope, and notone in thous
| and knew him even by sight. The multi
tude had deserted him; he was no longer
the idol of the people. The mans vanity
had wrecked him, and in q short time
even his name will be forgotten as a public,
political or religious factor.
Another popular idol that mans tickle
ness has deserted is the siugger John L.
Sullivan. 1 recollect one night few years
! ago struggling up to the boX-office at
Madison Square Garden with two dollar
bill In my hand and trying TO get a seat
/ did not get the seat, however, for when
/ got in it was standing room only" /
only imagine that 1 hear some of my
country friends say, sob, Broadbrim, do
you 60 to those horrid exhibitions, and
pay money too%' Yes, 1 have to go, in
/, order to get the news for you. Well on
that night there were between fifteen and
twenty thousand people there, and some
mighty good people too. John L. Sullivan
was the central figure. No king on his
throne ever received more cordial or
hearty ovation. Few kings were as well
paid; for his half-hour's work he received
nearly fifteen thousand dollars, and Tug
Wilson got five thousand for not getting
knocked out. Thousands of dollars nightly
were paid all oyer the land TO see this