Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1900-04-08

the day of his death. Its motto was
Let There Be Light" motto long
since adopted by our own congrega-
ton, and also by our chautauQua class
a few days ago. In 1856 appeared the
first number OF s'Die Giebora,' with its
motto Forward my soul with
strength. Not satisfied even with
all this, and realizing that
while the daily or weekly pa
per exerts an influence, the per-
sonality exerts more, encouraged by
his congregation, he toured the coun-
try, visited all the large cities where
dwelt any of his congregations and
with all the enthusiasm OF an inspired
being tried to teach them all the dut-
les they owed their faith THE duty
they owed the reform movement he adj
vocated, if Judaism in America was to
90 from strength to strength. AT the
same time aware that every movement
for its success must have continually
leaders, he Immediately began to ad-
vocate the founding of college where
young men could be taught the essen
tails OF reform Judaism and be prepar-
ed to become it's advocates and sup
porters throughout the country. And
then came his suggestion for an organ
ization of the congregations OF the
country, and of the ministers into
single body working for lsraelS pres
ent and future welfare.
OF course all these efforts were not
Immediately and uniformly successful.
Nor was all easy sailing. The exper-
;ence at Albany was not the only one
that showed the direction in which the
wind blew. Here, there and every
where, the name of Isaac NJ. Wise be-
came synonymous with heresJ aid
destruction Here, there and every
where he was attacked and denounced.
Every issue of his papers found num-
erless critics. Every lecture he dellV-
cred was cut to pieces. Every move
ment he inaugurated was opposed.
Even to the day when his soul winged
its way heavenWard, his every enemy
had not disappeared and there were
not wanting those who made his death
the occasion for lily concealed attacks.
However, Isaac M. Wise Was not
man who could easily be frightened.
In every sense of the word he was a
born fighter and knew no such words
as fear and failure. He was attacked
here, accused there. What mattered
that to him He was laboring for a
definite end He was striving to ele-
vate to save his people. No power on
earth could resist the efforts such
single handed hero put forth. From
these victories sprang the Hebrew I'm
ion College in 1875 in 1889 the Central
Conference of American Rabbits and
the Union OF American Hebrew Congre-
of oil Of xxrf oh DT Wise
president until the day of his death.
What good this institution and those
organizations have done for American
Judaism and how they have done 1t, 1t
is not necessary now to show. Ihey
have not only saved, they have act
ually made Israel on these shores, ana
have given Judaism that healthful I'M
pulse that will enable it to live on,
though it's American SaviouS IS now
no more and God has clasped him CLOS
er within his embrace.
Now, friends, have you any idea
what work it required to achieve these
results? AS Isaac NJ. Wise feared not
opposition he feared not work. Aside
from the arduous labOrS involved IN
directing the fortunes of the three Or
CARNATIONS he formed, up to the very
day on which he was stricken, he ed
tied the two papers he had establish
ed. He likewise performed all his
ministerial duties and lectured week
ly. He taught several classes at the
college daily, and was busy there in
structing a class when his last call
came He was member of the Uni
versity Board until just about six
&c Grandson
ceeded him. He never refused an in
vitation TO be present at the dedlca-
ton of temple, no matter where the
temple might be situated. In addition
to all this, continued, mind you, until
death brought an end to his work, he
found time to contribute works OF
recognized merit to the literary world.
Besides his Minhad America, three
volumes of prayer books, he wrote
1.-The Origin of Christianity "Juda-
ism and Christianity, their Agreements
and Disagreements; 1.-THE Martyr
dom of Jesus of Nazareth, THE Cos
mic God" The History of the He
brews' First Commonwealth, The
History of the Hebrews Second Com
monwealth," "a Defense of Judaism
VS.. Proselytizing Christianity and
"Pronaos to Holy Writ" THE Combat
of the People," THE First of the Mac
abees," and Judaism, its Doctrines
and its Duties" These books, as you
can see, from their very titles, were
written every one to support and to
defend Judaism and the Jew, and to
win for both the position they desired.
That they have gone far toward ac-
complishing their purpose goes with
out saying. But even had they not;
had they done nothing but create
hostility; had they bettered Israel not
one iota, they would at all events
testified to the vast amount of work
that Isaac NJ. Wise did during his life
for his people and his faith. 1t was
the work of a giant, the work of a
Hercules, the work of a genius, and a
genius Isaac NJ. Wise was.
Yet with all the honors showered on
him there was no one more modest.
He was always either uncomfortable
when his praises were being sung, or
he was Indifferent. There was no
man of whom DR.. l. NJ Wise thought
less than of Dr. l. NJ. Wise. Through
out his ministerial career his income
was always large. Yet he gave ali he
received, and the result was that at
his death his family. was. left with no
other provision save that which his
congregation had made for them in
earlier years.
So much for DR.. Wise's life. /
l. SC