The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-10-15
In THE DESERT.
Commemorative Services at the
Temple Last Night
RADICAL VIEWS ON JUDAISM.
Services ~ First Presbyterian Church
Sermon by Rev. Dr. Alexander
AIfson-Endeavsr Cnions-


aud Seneca streets vas crowded last even
ing to witness the ceremonies known
among the Hebrews as the Succosh festival
The interior Of the temple was handsomely
decorated With ivy and ferns, making
very pretty effect with the numerous
lights about the church Appropriate
music was furnished by . special choir,
and Miss latte Grunbaum sang Mendei-
ssohn's exquisite coniralto solo %. Restin
the Lord" very s~eetly. The services were
conducted By q. Winehili, and read partly
in English and partly in Hebrew. The
altar was decorated 10 represent the inte-
rior of Q tabernacle, and At the beginning
of the services eight young ladies and
three young men marched in single HE.
taking their places ia the rear of the altar
in a semi-circle. Each one read verse
out Of the Bible. and the services as
whole were very attractive
Mr.. Melvin q. Winstock delivered the
address. and chose for his subject. 'Ortho-
doxy and Reform in American Judaism.
Mr.. Winstock's remarks. in substance,
were as follows:
The lecture proper was prefaced by an
explanation of the historic significance of
the day. Then, warming up TO bis theme.
the speaker pleaoed with the Jews TO be
honest and courageous with themselves in
order 70 grapple with the meaning OF
Judaism and the proper understanding of
the mission of Israel. He explained that
principle is q fundamental truth. CON-
prehensive law, but that custom Is thing
derived from long-continued practice and
resting for authority on long-continued
assent He devoted his attention TO an
exposition of the various steps through
which Judaism was developed: originally
by Abraham, who conveyed the idea of
one God: Moses. who made for the Jews a
national religion. and Isaiah, who taught
of the unity of God and the universally
of humanity.
Drawing wide distinction between
principle and custom, Mr.. Winstock took
up those which. of the latter. were of per-
manent value and declared for the re-
tention OF Hebrew in the synagogue, the
rite OF circu meision, for the practice OF
many Of the dietary laws. the observance
of the historic holidays, but. on the other
hand. was totally opposed TO the wearing
of the hat while IN the synagogue, the
using Of the Tephiiim and the Tsitsis, the
calling mp of seven men to the reading of
the Torah, the taking off of the shoes on
TIasaboy in the synagogue, and many
similar matters. While Jewish ministers
wasted their energies worrying over the
calling up of given number of men 10 the
reading OF the Law on the Sabbath, men
were allowed to violate the noble and USE
full Law itself with impunity, and no voice
was raised in protest.
One OF the objects Of progress on the
part of the Hebrew must be TO change the
estimate OF his people toward the true
nature OF Jesus Christ. He was one of the
worlds greatest progressiyes, and in very
truth was a reform jew. He taught that
love of man was the MODEST sentiment OF
the human soul, and that ceremony was
bit the outward dress of eternal reli gion.
For all the terrific crimes in the dark
centuries which had been done and
wrought in the name OF Christianity, He
cannot be held responsible. and the sooner
the Jew recognizes and admits this the
quicker will he be able to work his mission
into the minds and hearts of those who
at present differ with him.
Mr.. Winstock then devoted himself to
the discussion of what he termed the most
radical difference between the two schools
Of Judaism. namely. the conception of the
Messiah. Upon this subject he said that
in governmental sense the Jews have
ceased to be a nation; they make no wars,
frame no constitutions, build no king
doms. They have no project to form an
army of Crusaders. like Richard the Lion
Hearted of English history, for the capture
OF Jerusalem and the setting up of tenn
porai crowned head 10 rule over the de-
scendant of the men of Judea- He said
that there were many of his brethren who
firmly believe the time will come when,
under the leadership of personal God,
the Jews gathered up from all portions of
the earth shall be returned TO beloved
Jerusalem, where the great temple shall
be rebuilt and where the Jews in politi-
| cal sense shall become a nation again; bat
the speaker argued that such a state of
affairs will never exist. and, even If 1t
should happen, history would repeat itself
| Shut of in Judea or Palestine the Jews
would become a twentieth rate power. and,
having incurred the enmity OF every
country from which they removed their
| immense wealth and aggregate power,
they would be destined again as a prey OF
| contending governments and their indie
| pendence would be wrested from them
| Mr.. WInstock's speech was remarkable for
| its originality, thought and forcible con-
| illusions.