Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-02-20
CREEDs AT CHICAGO.
Rabbi Stern's Hope Of a Closer Union Among
Religious People.

Religious People.
The subject Of the last Friday night lecture
by Rev. DR.. Stern, rabbi of the Eighth Street
Hebrew Synagogue. Religion and the
Worlds Fair" He urged the importance and
appropriateness Of the proposed religious con-
gress in Chicago.
The possibilities Of such a congress for do
ing good he said, ARE great One Of the
main objects seems to be to give each creed and
denomination an opportunity Of prominently
bringing before the world their faith, hopes
and beliefs the history of their origin, progress
and development to the present day; their in
fuence upon the world at large and their share
in the advancement Of civilization.
Certain DAYS will be assigned to each creed
for a discussion of these questions by their
ablest representatives. In this wise new light
will be thrown on subjects hitherto more or
less hidden from popular knowledge, misun-
derstOod or misconstrued. and religious litera-
ture will be enriched by highly instructive and
valuable information.
Greatly important this will be il may prove
the stepping stone to still more important OBJ
jects to be attained. A better and more in
telligent understanding Of each other may and
undoubtedly viii lead to better mutual ap-
probation. Hitherto existing barriers-mainly
to be charged TO ignorance preiudice-may
be removed and a closer and more friendly
union established between creed and creed It
will be discovered that notwithstanding divid-
ing differences more or less essential in regari
TO form or dogma there is a basis on which all
may stand. there underlying ideas and
principles which all have in common, This
basis. these principles will be found in the COM
mon fatheThpod of God and the common
brotherhood of mani
In the light of this glorious truth all existing
differences should be sunk and all contentious
sllenced in order that all should Join hands
and hearts as brothers and friends-indeed,
a concentration devoutly to be wished
TO us. as lsraelites. this congress is of pc
culiar interest and significance and wisely and
properly have the central conference of Ameri-
can rabbis and the union of American Hebrew
congregations resolved to cooperate in this
matter in order that our representation be
worthy OF the occasion. Such a congress
the one proposed wherein friendly discussion
and opportunity will be given to all to hear and
be heard. must be hailed by US with satisfac-
tion for more than one reason.
Our Bible Is the common property of all the
religions of the civilized world. and sacred to
them as it is 10 us. The teuets of our creed,
based upon this self-same Bible. are simple and
plain and altogether IN keeping with its spirit.
.'Yet the most astonishing ignorance prevails
concerning The teachings of Judaism and what
Is worse, the mos. preposterous stories in ref
erence to our religious notions and practices
are set afloat and readily believed.
nIh Is UOidDlN true IN EurOpe-DOt merely
In benighted Russia-but Just well in en-
hghtened Germany. Austria ard even France.
There certain party styling themselves anti
Semltes nave been active of late in reviviug old
preJudices and arousing popular sentiment
against their fellowcitiZens of the Jewish faith.
They stoop to the lowest means to attain their
shameful ends. They resort to vilest false
hoods and most contemplate SANDER; they
shrink not even from perjury to poison the
public mind. Some of their leaders have been
exposed as frauds aud swindlers and dealt with
according to law. The better classes turn
from their Vaccinations in indignation and dis
gust. yet it cannot be denied that the number
OF those giving heed to misrepresentation and
vile caiumnies Is by no means decreasing.
In the face of such agitarions carried on
avowedly in the name of Christianity, in the
face of the atrocities increasingly and with I'M
abated vigor perpetrated against the Jews in
Holy Russia. it indeed appears that the jew
Ish representatives at the forthcoming congress
will have plenty of pertinent and timely mat
ter to submit that would seem to call for i'm
mediate action.
If there was a time for representatives of
enlightened Christianity to speak in terms I'M
mistakable, that time seems to be on hand now,
Tue voice of diplomacy may be muZZled by con-
sderatiOns of national interests but the voice of
the various religious creeds assembled in
friendly meeting. i'll free and enlightened
country. and under circumstances pointing to
the eventual fulfllment Of the glorious promise
of universal brotherhood ard love, cannot well
remain silent. when in the name OF Christianity
justice il perverted and humanity outraged,
If Christianity means love. 1t becomes its sacred
duty to stamp with the seal of disapproval and
condemnation words and deeds of hatred and
fanaticisrn that i'll beft the close OF our boosted
century of civilization,
The worlds fair will unquestionably give an
increased impetus TO the promotion of the ma
teriai interests and welfare of the people here
and abr0a NJ hon hat OF ,,,sst e,f,,
tary effect upon higher ard nobler moral and
spiritual development the friends of humanity
may have reason to reioice.'