The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-10-28
The rGeet,-s OF Chr,st,.. CierEy-e- so
Jewish Rsbbts.

Jevytsh Babhtn.
To TIVE EDiroR or The VS. Ny atten-
tion has been called to an editorial In THE sUr
Of Oct. Is. under the title Of "A Wonderful
Thing In Religion" In which mention IL made
OF a recent event In this city. q. o.. the participa-
tion of sig Protestant clerEymen In the exer-
cises attendant upon the dedication Of the new
and magnificent temple Of the Congregation
Tifereth Israel.
II IL no wonder that such an editorial. en-
pressive of wonder. should be called out by 80
unusual and unique an ecclesiastical experience.
Six c~lergymen, representing As many Of the
Protestant denominations Of this city. were In
vited BY the rabbi Of that congregation, Moses
J. Cries, TO be present upon the platform and 10
participate In the exercises. As one Of the six,
will you permit me q word or two, suggested by
the briefer editorial which was printed in THs
Sun OF Oct. II. In which you speak Of the i'm
possibility " Of uniting Christianity and Judaism
as one religion" You also say: THE one fun
damental doctrine of Christianity IL exclusive.
In . logical sense, of the one fundamental doc
trine Of Judaism; and when any one Of these
doctrines Is accepted the other must be rejected.
1t Ii absurd to talk Of harmonizing them or Of
believing In both of them" &C.
None Of the six Protestant clergymen present
upon that occasion would hesitate q moment in
endorsing the above editorial sentiments. They
were doubtless felt and recognized by each, as
he sat upon the platform on that memorable
occasion. Indeed, though, As you say. courtesy
at such q time naturally. prohibited much refer
ence TO the Gospels, ret enough was made BY
spoken in their loyalty 70 the standards they
loved and professed 70 leave no Intelligent hsarer
in one seconds doubt as 70 what the six Prot
felt that though It might De strange in e1pe-
renee. yet Il. was not an utterly alien thing Tor
true God was Father to all, and In q church
where the Word OF God, as found In the. Old Ties:
By ali. The common equality Of those grounds
was deemed sufficient for such co-fellowship.
and for the o2portupity thereby given for
hood Of man and FstSsrhood Of God that has
not to dc with this creed or that, but TO the
common Junction OF humanity. TO the creation
In this meeting. destined TO become celebrated,
and the best wishes for an organization which,
II true TO itself, had for rs accomplishment the.
n rai:i I, I 81 the snes sysrsss e good Dr. This m. gss "a al cd but
PARSONS and no distinctions; no one thought for
second Of reconctling two ecclesiastical
q the Gospel. schemes which by their very ma
ture arc a. irreconcllable as oil and water.
that purpose, neither was Il Attempted, We
were there for the other purpose, the legiti-
and q showing that In any phase Of Protestant
thought there II no longer 70 DO found the mar:
rownes, that Is ashsmea or afraid % commend
The remark you quote from the Rev. Dr.. Cooley
OF the Disciple Church, Is there, after all, such
q difference between us7 Have we not one
Godf" cannot be understood In its proper bearing
unless taken In connection, with his preceding
IL was the universal testimony OF those who
were able 10 enter the thronged auditorium on
that occasion that no more helpful or inspiring
meeting had ever fallen TO their lot. As Rabbi
Cries put II. There had never before occurred
such q meeting In the history OF JudsisnfP But
new things are happening at this end OF Ne CEN
fury. and some Of them are very suggestive.
Craving your pardon for 20 long a trespass
upon your valuable space. I remain, truly yours,
CHARLEs TOWNSEND,
Pastor Of the Woodland Avenue Presbyterian
Church.
CLEVELAND, o., Oct. 10.