Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-05-09
JEWISH SABBATH GO
Rabbits Favor Adopting the
Christian Sunday-Forced
by Necessity.
Laws and Customs of This Land
Compel Observance OF
Sunday.
"Six Days Shalt Thou Labor"
So Jewish Sabbath
Must Go.

Must Go.
ference OF American rabbits took up
the question of the transference of the
Jewish Sabbath to the Christian Sum
day, a topic of intense interest to every
Jew in the United States. There was
much nervous tension exhibited by the
members Of the conference while the
subject vas under discussion. A
strong tendency developed in favor
OF such a transfer, but the opponents
of the old Mosaic Sabbath holding that
of the old Mosais Sabbath holding that
such a move would be a blow at the
fundamental principles of the Hebraic
faith, a recognition OF the resurrection
There was not a speaker who did not
admit the practical nonobservance of
the historical Sabbath Of Israel by her
women and children to observe the
day. Strong pleas were made for the
revival of the Sabbath's significance,
the keynote of the speeches being eth
err revive the Sabbath or transfer it to
Sunday.
A dozen addresses by prominent rab-
bis from all over the country We're
heard, but SO important is the matter
that h afternoon was set aside for
further expressions. and a decision as
to what is best in the premises may
not be reached for several days.
Among the speakers was Rabbi Leon
Harrison, Phi. D.. of st. Louis. After
pointing out the blessings conferred
upon humanity by the institution Of a
day of rest. he said in part:
AT present the first day Of the week,
or Sunday, is established as the day
Of rest for Occidental civilization. The
law of the land and universal custom
compel us to desist from labor on Sun
day. Can Jews abstain from labor al
so an the seventh day, OF the Jewish
Sabbath? Can we consecrate the day
as of old by rest and worship? While
inhabiting compulsory or voluntary
ghettoes, the Jews could observe and
hallow their WI day of rest. Today
they are part of the busy world. They
must struggle with their fellows for i
livelihood. They can not do six days
work In five days time. They can not
rest on the legal day and on their own
Sabbath, too. The literal might quote
from the fourth commandment not
only the words, Remember the Sab
bath day to keep it holy but also, Six
days shalt thou labor
Thus it is evident that the Jews
could only preserve their own Sabbath
inviolate by establishing a distinct
community here like the Seventh-Day
Christians, or by again reviving a Jew
ish state. So the Jewish Sabbath has
waned. The exigencies of life have be-
it of Its sanctitv and beauty.
The ancient benediction of the Jewish
the tender chants. the Sabbath
the Preside liturgy, the oasis of
domestic peace and love on the Sab
bath eve, have well-nigh vanished in
the Jewish home. And Herewith the
synagogue is vitality weakened by
the hollow form, without
sincerity or truth. The synagogue on
the Jewish Sabbath is well-nigh empty,
the men are away and at work, the
women and children even largely abb
sent. Because Of these deplorable facts
we have instituted services on Sunday
IS we'll as on the Jewish Sabbath. We
began with religious lectures. We have
added services on Sunday to the lee
lures. 1t is thoroughly Jewish and even
orthodox to have public religious sery-
ices on any and every day Of the week.
We wish men and ome not to believe
Judaism mean a lecture bureau.
We wish to encourage and elicit wor-
the religious sentiment, and above
all, active participation In devotion and
in deed. Is this service then an insti-
tuition or convenience? No, it is begot-
ten Of necessity.
I'VE have deliberately changed our
standpoint. We are not orientals. up
and exiled and yearning for
restoration. We are not a peculiar
people, believing in separation, desiring
isolation even in a multitude and divid-
Ing ourselves from mankind by pecul-
lar garments, a strange diet, a foreign
language of devotion. Our reform
has largely originated from
change of standpoint, as we are not
low a foreign colony. but citizens and
men among men"
In conclusion, Rabbi Harrison said:
I'm this parallel Sunday movement,
designed to reach and influence the en-I
community, 1t is our earnest desire
strengthen with one accord and sup
port, not as a substitute, but as a sup
TIC many it is today their only
representative. of the Sabbath idea,
heir only opportunity for public wor-
ship, instruction and influence. We
seek for 1t unanimous and earnest sup
bort and strength. The Sabbath can
rot and will not pass. Its venerable
centuries of history have not reached
heir end. The poetry of the Sabbath
it's spiritual fragrance will endure
md bestow their benediction and hall
influence Upon us and upon
yet unborn"
STANDARD BALE UNCHANGED.