New-York tribune., 1906-11-18
TO CHRIsTI4NIZE THE JEWS

On the second day of the Episcopal Diocesan
Convention which took place in this city last
week an animated discussion followed upon a
motion offered by the Rev. DR. Loring W. Bat
ten to the effect that a committee be appointed
TO draw up resolutions pledgng the support of
the convention TO movement for the conver-
sion Of the Jews of New York to Christianity
Among those who took part in the debate were
Seth Low, the Rev. DR.. Huntington, Coadjutor
Bishop Greer and r. Fulton Cutting In defer.
ence probably, TO the arguments advanced by
Mr. Low and the Rev. DR.. GroSvenor, who be-
heVed that the resolution would arouse race
prejudice and defeat the work 1t was meant
ITO accomplish 1t was modified to read:
That committee Of seven be appointed of
whom the Bishop Coadjutor shall be chairman,
to engage in specific missionary work among the
people OF foreign races in this diocese.
In its original form the resolution mentioned
only Jews, and the missionary work, despite the
change in the phraseology Of the resolution. will
be directed chiefly with a view to their CONVEX
sion.
The men who aim TO convert the Jews to
Christianity are undoubtedly honest and sim
cere in their efforts and Dr. Huntington voiced
their sentiments when he said: "Yhere is n
distinct call for us TO go into the work.: but II
seems that there is in the minds of many think
ing Jews much doubt as to the wisdom of the
religion, but because the work Of converting Jews
to Christianity is thankless and disanpoint
ing task.
few days before the convention met tho
Rev. DIR. William Rosenau spoke at Baltimore
on the topic do Jews Need Christianizing? ?n
and what he said is worthy of note at this time
because of the action of the representatives. of
the Protestant Episcopal Church Said the
rabbi:
If conversion looking toward CbrIstiari+,, &; .
glorious work let the conversionsts embrace the
many opportunities which present themselves at
home within the Church. There are thousands
OF noh-JeWs In every community who stand
sorely in need Of an appreciation of the doctrine
or peace and goodwill toward all mankind. which
me Jew has ever emphasized in his teaching
have we not all one Father? Has not one Cod
created us? Then why shall one man deal
treacnerously against his brother?"
, Let the conVersionist not concern himself a bout
the salvation OF the Jew. The Jew does not ask
thls sollcitude. He resents It. He'll take care
or himseh and look to his own salvation What
he asks is respect respect for his convictions
respect for his religion. respect for his ci,iIizpo a.
power-that respect which he is WILLING to ar
cord to all who differ with him in belief
Dr Rosenau said also what many observers
nave said before that "the jew whom the con-
'verslonist procures is neither a. loss TO Jndaism
nor gain TO Christianity" and that I'm most
Instances the converted Jew does not stav CON
verted.
In his argument at the convention DR. Hunt
ington said 1T is not question OF convertng tha
Jews, but the large number Of them who have
gone Into agnostcism." lie referred to tbc IN.
crease or crime among a certain class and said
Religion is IN a great part LOST amonc tba
Jews" There can be no doubt Of the tr,Itb of
his statements and the Jews themselves recoe.
hize ule inct mat among the foreign born Jews