The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-01-11

Have Modern Men Changed the Lawful
e Meaning OF the woras


An old case Of curious interest will como up
Monday. II Is the suit over alegacy OF $50, 900
loft BY Sam pson Simpson. bachelor. who died
In New York in 1857. Tho suit is brought by
John II. Riker. the sole surviving executor OF
Sampson Simpsons will. against Sampson
simpson Leo. the nephew OF Sampson Simp-
son. and the North American Relief Society for
the purpose OF determining whether the legacy
belongs to Mr. Leo or to the society.
Sampson Simpson was born In New York
IN 1850. and he was the first Jewish
graduate Of Columbia College. Ho practised
law In this city until he received Injuries from
nm assault, when he retired and went to Eon-
kers. where lie lived for thirty seven years on
o farm. In 1850. at tho age Of 20. lie returned
to New, York. where. up to the time Of his
death. he devoted himself to benevolent and
charitable enterprises. He was the founder
and tho first President OF the Mt. Sinai Hos
pital. and also OF tho Jewish Theological and
Scientific Institute. and he was one OF the
founders Of the Jewish Orphan Asylum.
On Feb. %. 1853. Mr. Simpson associated
with him number OF other prominent Jews
and formed tho North American Relief Socie-
ty. This was organized as n benevolent and
charitable corporation. and one Of its objects
as defined in tho charter was to establish a
permanent fund.- the interest of which shall
annually be applied to tho relief Of INDECENT
Jews in Jerusalem"
Mr.. Simpson died four years Inter. His
nearest relatives were his nephew. Mr.. Leo; a
niece. and a grnnd-nephnw BY his will he
left $l5D.WU each to the nephew and tho niece.
and 70 the grand. nephew who was u cripple.
the grnnd-nephew's death the executors were
directed to my this sum "to any .c,orIoration
IN this city existing at the time o. the death 81
Is established by it's charter for tho purpose Of
smeliorating tho condition of the Jews in
cation. urts. and sciences. and by learning
thom mechanical and agricultural vacations"
Mhee to BE atsHss II
American Relief Society is such corporation
us ia described. Four years ago. when the case
way, Judge Gray decided that t6s NORTH Amer.
lean Relief Society could not be regarded rs
the money consequently should be paid to Mir.
Loo, Tho object Of the socinty's permanent
fund. Judge Gray said. in explanation o. his
JsSs This. he held. referred to Temporary
aid and not t" permanent aid-to tho giving Of
things. according to Judge Gray. arc distinct
subsequently the decision was reconsidered
osdered Louis MarsSa Of Sy sm and and
Adolph L. Sanger Of this city are the counsel
ments defines the ewish conception of charity.
In the course OF this investigation. the
interesting to obtain an insight into the re-
gcnh life and 81 these
Ind data to show how well the Jews have pro-
Ntdsd t for their own reoRS the for
and ethical notion Of charity that the Jews
have. 1t prescribes that aid should only be
given in such n manner as will permit the re
respect, and that II must be so bestowed to
enable the recipient to become self-supporting.
Tho word aims. as.appliel to gift made
to q snppliant; according to tho counsel has
sErresp2ndHRE biblical Hebrew M9f1 Mr.
whole OF the Biblical period iOld Testament
for the notion conveyed BY the words " beg
gar ;" and "hegEing." The Hebrew word cor
idea Of justice and Of love. and the exercise Of
charity Is commanded from the exalted stand
point. Pathological experts testified to the
accuracy OF these statements at the previous
tnEies were offered in evidence.
The counsel for the society adduce different
arguments to show that Mr. Simpson had the
North American Relief Society in mind when
that time and up to the time OF his death. and
always DEVOTED large part OF his time and
Mr.. Simpson's. who died in 1855. is advanced
"a as s' seaaeathed his viii BE-
invested BY my executors in the foundation Of
rs shsst to
for1ndfeent Jews Of Jerusalem. Palestine. Of
the city Of New York" the sum to be applied
in enleavoring to ameliorate the condition OF
This is the, same phraseology used in Mr.
SIMPSONS will.