The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-03-01
REV. DIR. S. H.SONNESCHEIN
AN HOUR WITH THE SCHOLARLY ST.
LOUIS RABBI.
His Struggle With the Strictly Conserv-
alive Element OF His Brethren. and
Distinguishing Principles in the Re-
form Church Established.

The Rev. DR.. s. II. Sonneschein. OF st.
Louis, is distinguished for his liberality in
religious belief, his intellectually and
broad scholarship and oratorical powers.
Accompanied by his wife, he arrived in
the city Tuesday night from Little Rock,
was met at the depot by reception com
mittee from the Young Mems Hebrew
association and assigned to Room 40S,
Gayoso hotel. Yesterday the doctor de-
voted TO study, as is his daily custom, no
matter where he finds himself. Mrs. SON
neschein, a pretty, accomplished and re-
markably well preserved little lady, was
taken in charge by delegation of her
Memphis friends and shown all the attrac-
tlons and courtesies she would accept.
Late in the afternoon an APPEAL re-
porter visited the distinguished rabbi at
his room and enjoyed an hour Of the most
entertaining conversation. 81 am glad to
see you, SIR" said the doctor. warmly
shaking the hand OF his visitor. even
more cordially do / welcome you as rep
resentative Of TIE APPEAL, which so Wig.
orously supported Inc in my troubles with
certain elements in the Jewish church and
my striving for its advancement ard en-
lightenment. Some Of the most precious
Souvenirs have in my scrap book are
clippings from The AppEAi, which cheered
and encouraged me in my work, when 30
many were opposed to tho course | was
taking. II is also pleasant to reflect that a
majority of my brethren in Memphis stood
nobly by me, and for these reasons | al
ways look forward to visit TO Memphis
with sincere qualification"
Doctor, will you give me u history Of
the struggles referred to and an exposition
oil the new faith. you have establishedY'
asked the reporter.
Most willingly" was the reply about
nineteen years ago reformed synagogue,
styled the Gates Of Truth, was founded in
~. Louis Until that time the very strict
conservative element was in such a decided
position over Jewish affairs there that the
establishment OF this new congregation,
based on strict reform principles, was con-
sidcred rather risky venture; and IL so
Happened that / received the call TO as
sumo the pulpit OF that new congregation.
was nj that time in New York, fresh
from a tour OF Europe. had the good
fortune 10 he surrounded by few men OF
enlightened minds, who definitely under
stood what their spiritual needs were in
regard TO making this a progressive congre-
gallon, and as soon as We were success
fully embarked in the enterprise -that Is
10 gay after three years-we stood at the
head of all the other congregations there,
not only in numbers and in intelligence
hut in everything else connected with the
work OF the church. But IL 40 happened
the more we accrued in numbers the
more natural IL was that certain factions
were forming In the church, and by some OF
these, was considered rs advancing too
rapidly as a representative, while Others
though fully sympathising with my course
seemed 10 take umbrage at what they called
my very independent and fearless public
work. The first symptom OF any dissatis-
faction in the congregation which at tina,
timo numbered nearly 300 families was
about nine years ago, when / offered
the use OF my synagogue 10 the Second
Baptist church in st. LONESOME OF tho
largest Protestant churches in the city
when their new church burned down, and
they were homeless. was, OF course,
sustained by my congregation in having
done such an act OF hospitality, but such q
thing having never been heard Of in tho
annals OF denominational courtesy, OF
whatever you may wish 10 designate II,
the more fanatical element OF the Jewish
community commenced from that time "a
watch my course with some sort OF suspi.
cion, IA II / were much too friendly To.
ward the church. They were sustained
In such a onc-sided view by the fact that
I quite often exchanged pulpits with
Protestant ministers, and did great deal
Of pulpit work in regard % cnlighten-
ing my people upon the true relation be
tween the church and the synagogue.
About two years ago the situation came "a
crisis. Having noticed that an inimical
element, using all sorts OF underhand trick
ory 10 make my position an unpleasant
one, resigned, with the full determine
ton 10 pursue the even tenor Of my princi
pies in another field. But my old friends
no, wanting 10 dispense with my service,
in 81. Louis, preferred 10 establish n new
church, or congregation, with myself NJ
their minister. Iaccepted the oIei, and W,
succeeded In an inconcciyably shor
time in building up synagogu,
large In numbers and decidedly tho
leading one in the city, and VI
nov work together in perfect harmony
"What Is the creed oil this new churcl
oi yours, doctor, and wherein does II diff
fer from the orthodox Jewish faith7'
''Our principles are that we do not recog
miro any other distinct dogma or creed
than the one which recognizes the exist
oncc OF the one eternal spiritual Godhcad
We Introduce Sunday lectures, recogniz'
the validity Of intermarriagc under certain
nltionnl restrictions, with Gontiles-c
slrictions which are exclusively OF a utili
tartan and not Of an ccclesiastic nature
Thus, u Jew marry q Gentle and TIM
former becomes convinced In his hear
that the Gentle faith Is the only true one
We do not object 10 his embracing any de
nomination Of that fait.i and, vice versa
II n Gentle marry Jcwcs
We receive him into our churcl
II he ~ decides"
"what IL your position In regard 10 tn
agitation Of the question Of the adoption o
the Gentle Sabbathr'
knowing that a very great numbc
and very influential element In our con
pregaiions are by reason Of their employ
mcnt or occupation declared iron
attending the Sabbath services, sundn,
lectures are now introduced evcrywhcr
where Friday evening services failed 4
become popular; but n real transfer Of In
Jewish seventh day Sabbath 10 the fin
day Sabbath OF the church II out Of III
QUESTION. This, the Sabbath, Is yet Oh
only sacred exponent Of the synagogue II
oontradislinciion 10 the church. But yol
know that Christian sect, tho Seventh Da,
Baptisis, say that the Sabbath Of the Je'
IA not abolished, that the founder OF Oh
:. a. Il. 4. 4.