The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-04-11
JEWS AND MISSIONS.
Reasons Why the Jewish Church At
tempts No PROSECUTING.
Literary Digest.

The Jewish Church stands almost alone
among religious bodies in the world in
never making any attempts at PROSECUTING
in any land or among any people by the
employment of missionaries. However
strong and active this church may be in
other directions. il devotes none of its time,
means or energies in an endeaVor TO gain
converts to it's faith either in heather or
civilized lands. Some of the reasons why
the Jews do not EMPLOY missionaries are
given in article which Rabbi Weiss con-
tributes TO the Hebrew Standard. One rea-
son is that the Jews are liberal and broad
in their attitude toward other faiths. not
proceeding on the principle that every one
will be lost who does not accept Jewish doc
trine. They do not believe that any sect
has "a patent right to the kingdom of
heaven" but that il is left TO every intel
ligent man and woman to discern good
from evil, and they can do ii very we'll &C
cording to their own religion. unles they
are stepped in blind prejudice" II is de-
clared also that neither Moses nor to the
prophets was given in charge to send mis-
sionaries to convert others OF a different
faith. and they gave no such commission
to the Jewish people. And then, again, it
is said that the best way 10 propagate any
religion is to show its surprising excel
is what the Jewish people are doing. They
are content TO allow their religion 10 speak
ton. Rabbi Weiss says:
Jews are stiff-necked and stubborn--yes
they are, in their adherence to their re-
ligion: yet here and there some yield to
work-there are lazy Jews as there are
lazy Christians. How would that be with
the overwhelming masses if we had mis-
sonaries TO convert in that way? The
number would run into millions who. for
the smallest amount of money. without
needing to work for it. would become Jews
and what kind of Jews? Just such kind as
Jews are when they become Christians
whom the Presbyterians do not want in
their midst. oh, heaven forfend. Let them
stay heathens. We will not disturb any
body's religion. just as we do not like to
be disturbed in our religion.
I'VE cannot see any feature in the mis-
sion system that could possibly commend
it to our adoption. We would think IL an
insult TO an enlightened people if We low
ted ours to float high above it, and as a.
rule an unenlightened people makes an un-
desirable religionist anyway.
1T were far better If our jealous Chris
tan friends would spend the shekels which
they lavish on foreign missionaries on the
poor at home. Instead of trying to save the
soul of the heather in foreign lands TO save
the hungry. starving body of the Christian
at home. IL the state OF affairs were such
that poverty would be unknown at home
orphans, no needy. distressed fellow-men
bent down in grief and no adversity-
stricken families furnishing. no welI-fiIled
jails. no Haunting vice. neither crime nor
corruption, then we would have no right TO
find fault with the churches If thew chose
TO send missionaries TO foreign chimes and
zones and there support their messengers
of the Gospel in any style they desired
But il Is we must mildly suggest when
they approach us with missionary ques-
tions. first to ameliorate need and suffering
at home. and that. with bread first with
religion next. then formulate your aues-
tons: but-those who live in glass houses
must throw no stones