The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-06

the attempts OF others to produce suitable
pnides 10 devotion. He was under obliga-
ton 10 compromise. lie and his co-labor-
ers had to allow this passage and that to
to remain. The old material impeded their
WAY. and no matter whom and how many
they tried TO please there always remained
a multitude whom they naturally must
offend. His "Minhag America" has not
yet become the acknowledged prayer
book OF American Isracites but doubt
whether today he himself would wish
that il be established as such, in the
form in which II was edited 30 many
years AGO. But this much can be said,
and ought to be said for IT, that no matter
what fault his opponents have found with
il, no one has yet produced better one or
one that would give greater satisfaction.
-" For thirty-iive years past he has
labored in his pulpit, in his paper, and on
the rostrum for the promotion OF Ameri-
can Jewish reform, TO the success OF which
he has largely contributed. Besides his
ministerial and journalistic work, DR.. Wise
has found time TO make some interesting
and more or less valuable additions to
modern theological literature. In 1854 he
published his "HIistory OF Israeli" in 1857
he published prayer-book, now in gen.
eral use among tho Western Jews, and in
1860 he brought out work on "rhe
Origin OF Christianity" Other works OF
his are: judaism and its Doctrines"
"Thc Martyrdom OF Jesus, "The Cosmic
God, "Tho Wandering jew" etc.
Isaac NJ. Wise, seeking for an authority
which would control and regulate the re-
ligious affairs OF American Israel, thought
that he might find ii in tho voice Of the
people: "Vox populi vox Dep'-"the
peoples voice was 10 be the voice Of God"
A synod composed either OF theologians,
laymen or q mixture OF both should sup
ply that want. lie became, therefore, the
jealous advocate OF such an institution.
Every effort, however, 10 realize the meas
ure failed. Only few rabbis could be
brought together at time. They as little
agreed among themselves rs they repre-
scented the true sentiment OF their congre-
cations. When, after protracted debates,
they compromised upon certain plat
form, their decisions remained Ineffective,
and were ridiculed and discarded, not only
| by the rest Of their colleagues, but by
their own congregations. All these syn
l'ods and conferences, composed OF theolo-
gians, have thus far been utter failures.
| Their value was merely negative,
their platforms merely gagged the
general sentiment OF the time, but
| they lacked that very authority which
they were seeking, aud Of which they were
30 badly in neod. Having met with FREE
quent rebuils, DR.. Wise, almost single
| handed, formed union OF American con-
gregations and deluded himself with the
hope that in the course OF time the con.
ventions held by their representatives
would rise TO the emergency and would
establish an authority. Ills hopes again
fell short OF realization. The union oil
American congregations Is held together
by the strong grip OF It's founder; and also
by the institution which II Is now In honor
bound TO uphold. Not all congregations
have vet joined in the work. Some stayed
away from II on account OF their antagon-
ism to DR.. Wise; Others on account OF in
difference and stolidity. Those who do
form the union koop timidly away from
the discussion OF religious topics, and are
satisfied TO audit aud foot tho bills in.
CURED by tho Hebrew Union College.
Whether, after all, an authority is actually
needed TO guide our religious life, and
whether II ought not 10 be sought for in
other quarters, are still questions awaiting
solution. As long ms such an authority Is
not found, each congregation must work
out It's own salvation, aud must claim as
innlienablc tho right 10 lcgislale for itself
[Schindler's Dissolving Views, page $40. /
Although DR.. Wisc did not meet with
80 signal success In these two directions
"a lac had wished, and rs his indciatigablc
efforts would have meritcd, his,third ideal
nj least matcralized. The Hebrew Union
College stands firmly established like u
rock, and Is becoming more and more the
glory Of American Judaism. About u
dozen young Amcrican-brcd lsraoitcs
have received their training therein, and
in their few years OF official activity they
have given proof that DR.. Wise was right,
aud that the men who are 20 reconstruct
American Judaism must be natives Of this
country. Let the adyenaries Of DIR. Wise
bring forth their seycrcst denunciations
against his prophecy, against his ideals,
aud against the mode in which he ondeay-
orcd TO realize his hopes; they all burst like
soap. bubbles ON the rock OF the one fact
that the Union College exists, notwith'
standing their cnmity or indifference; thai
IL has produced leaders who have indeed
lead. and who are cherished aud well paid
10y their congregations.
Probably no Jewish minister In Amcricl
holds a higher place In the esteem Of ia,
public than DR.. Wise. Certainly no jew
ish minister In American has lahorcl
moro assiduously for tho promotion o
Jewish interests or with moro success