The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-07-28
Origin and Significance of the Term slew

To the Editor of The Times:
Sir,-Archbishop Trench, in his study
of Words" says that important facts
Of history oft lie imbedded within the
meaning of a single word This state
ment is we'll borne out by the word
"Jcw."
Following down its course throughout
the ages we have an eptome or Jewish
history-of human progress towards real
civilization; /. g. in gaining knowledge
of those principles OF truth justice ana
right. by and through the practice OF
which the Almighty has designed the
salvation of humanity. God did send
His son 10 save the world but We con-
slider that Israel is that son; as is said
IL Exodus. My son. my iirsi-bcrn son
art thou. and II Pharaoh refuses 10 let
you go | will smite his iirst-born SON" %
The terms lsraelite, Hebrew, and jew
are TO all intrnta and purposes sNnon(-
nous: such they are in the vernacular.
the Supreme Arbiter. Philosophers may
refine and photographers define. but ih
language. as in all other things. the die
tum OF the common people is the law.
Israel means a prince OF God" and
strange it is that such a title should be
equivalent TO the tern Jew" that among
all the nations Of the world is frequently
employed as stigma of reproach.
Jew the anglicized form of the He
brew 'Jehudah," signifies Il Will rejoice
in God"
How wondrous the working of Provi-
cence that has allowed 50 lofty a term
TO sink so low, and yet this very fact
strengthens the faith Of the true Jew.
Was it not predicted by Moses ere Israel
hd,l tht.l.t 's-i'.' an. 10 nt.oiHt 81 great
and powerful naticn2 Did ne not prOph-
esy that in consequence of their sins,
they should be scattered throughout the
WOrldy "And 1 God viii make your
name a by-word and a reproach among
the nations.
"As rich as a Jew" THAT beats the
Jews" THE mercy OF Jew" are exam
pies Of how literally this prophesy has
been verified. And even as all the evils
foretold have come 10 pass, so too do We
believe that IN Gods own good time and
way all the good predicted shall come
TO us and TO Ais world.
In popular estimation the word Jew"
has an unsaVOry Odor. but this should
not be the case with the Israeites them
selves W ny KICK against The prlcASY
AS We glory in all the noble deeds OF
our race, past and present. so, by the
national laws OF justice, we mist share IN
the disgrace entdilet by the m-sqecus
of any of our nation.
We are the princes of God, by right,
divine and nobless Oblisc. Not one OF
our people can do a criminal or dis
honorable act. but that the world blaz-
ons forth the fact, and this IN .tsclf Is
testimony as TO its being rarity; The
exception proves the rule. IL is much
the same as II It were recorded with
wonder marks.
All statements TO the contrary not
withstanCing. the WORD Jew undoubi-
eGly does designate a race as well as
religion 10 ueuy this Is mere sell sui
tification.
AND the fact that his misdeeds will
be published and accumulated. should be
10 all OF our race an additional safeguard
against misdo-ng.
But whilst the objective meaning OF the
word Jew" be offensive the subjective
one entertained by us should be highly re-
garded.
Acts. not words. tell in this world OF
Coils great and glorious are the memo
ries that cluster around the name. Under
Il the Maccahces conquered. under II q
million warriors fell battling Dravely
against all-conquering Rome. under IL
innumerahle martyrs have yielded life
with mistaken constancy, and IN It's
name shall the world be redeemed, re-
generated and disenthralled from its
shackles of folly, vice and sin. And then
IL shall be acknowledged that 1srael's
sufferings throughout the ages have been
a long, continuous martyrdom, by which
the world has been redeemed.
If the world consider family noble
because Of the great deeds performed by
one man. with what feelings OF affec-
tomato LOYALTY will they regarl the
princes Of God" when 1t shall be seen
that not alone for the space OF one lfe-
time. but for amending centuries. the Jew
has been willing 10 yield life's IA rest
treasures. and life itself in obedience
to the command OF the King-and that
thus the worlds, redemption has been
purchased. Then shall he be held
..The noblest OF the noble.
The bravest of the brave:
The Lord. his God. hath fought for him
All the world to save"
Richmond. July q. 1895.