The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-08-14
CONVERTED HEBREW SPOKE YESTERDAY Spoke at Length on the Gus
 torS of Israel PREACHED AT ST. MARY'S Said the Jews Always Remain Jews And Gentiles Remain Gentiles,
 Even Though American
 Citizens.
 
PREACHED AT ST. MARY'S

The Rev. Mark Levy, of London. converted Hebrew. preached yesterday morning at St. Mary's y's-on-the-H Highlands. He took as his text, Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision, Romans xv:s. He spoke on 'The Customs of Is- rael and the Gospel of Christ" In part he spoke as follows:
 Tt Is often said that neglect and hatred are the great wrongs committed against the Jewish race by the so-called Chris tian nations of Europe. But there Is a point whereat far greater spiritual wrong Is done to Israel than in either of these evils. The Hebrew leaders of the primitive church in their misunderstand- ing of Gods plan for the Gentiles, en- Seayored to place upon them the yoke of the law. After much contention the apostles at the church of Jerusalem re- moved every unnecessary burden. Today the Gentle leaders of the church. with the positions reversed are making an identical mistake in compelling Jews. who have accepted the Messiahshfp of Jesus to forsake entirely their ancient cere- monies.
 This unscriptural attitude has caused the light of the gospel to be almost en- tirely withdrawn from Jewish circles; brought much scandal and confusion to the activities of the church, and been the occasion of multiplied sorrows to the convert and his kinsmen, who regard him as traitor.
 "1n studying the Scriptures We must carefully distinguish between references to national. social and spiritual life. In St. Paul we find an unique example of consistency as he fulfills his ministry as a Jew, Roman and a Christian. In his loyalty to Christ he did not despse his Jewish birthright. nor undervalue his position as a free born Roman, but used them to the glory of God and in the spiritual interests of, his fellow-men
 Understanding Arisen.
 Great misunderstanding has arisen be- cause the Abrahamic and Mosaic cove nants are so often linked together. St. Paul distnctively declares that the law which came 430 years after does not dis annul' the covenant of circumcision made with Abraham. which is a seal of the of faith One of the first acts of St Paul after leaving the council of Jerusalem, where he had pleaded so nobly for social freedom for the Gentiles was to circumcise Timothy
 With equal truth we can say that the Sabbath was instituted at the crea- tion. and the Passover celebrated before leaving Egypt. American Christians de not dishenor their faith when they cele- brate independence day at home or abroad nor are Scotch or Irish Christians unfaith- ful when they observe St. Andrews and St. Patricks day. Why then, should He- brew Christians be forbidden to observe the Passover as their national celebra- tion? And Hebrew Christians have as clear right to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles, which festival all Christians will be compelled to observe in the mill lennial age, as American and English Christians have to keep Thanksgiving day and their harvest festivals. When missionaries of the cross go to the orient. do they not become in national and so- cial customs as heather to the heather. to gain the heather; even going so far in China as to shave their heads, wear the queue, eat with chosstlcks. and wear the national costume? Why, then, not exercise the scriptural wisdom command ed by Paul and become as Jews to the Jews. to gain the Jews.
 When the apostle declares that in Christ there can be neither Jew nor Greek, bond nor free male nor female, 1t is obvious that he no more intended to un-Jew the Jew than he did to un- sex the Gentle. Did he not declare him self years after his conversion "a He brew of the Hebrews, a Jew an Israelite?