New-York tribune., 1906-11-18
& JEW ON GENTLE MISSIONS.
Resolution of Episcopal Diocesan Conven.
tion Criticised.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: VIII you allow through your columns to
give the following reasons for the great opposition
on the part of the Jews to the missionary work
OF the Christian Church?
The Hebrew leaders of the primitive Church. in
their misunderstanding OF Gods plan for the
spiritual enlightenment of the Genties endeavored
TO place upon them the yoke OF the Mosaic law.
After much contention the Hebrew apostles. at the
Council of Jerusalem, removed every unnecessary
burden. To-day the Gentile leaders of the Church,
with positions reversed. are making an identical
mistake in compelling Jews who have accepted
the Messahship Of Jesus 70 torsake entirely the
ancient customs OF Israel practically deracaizing
them.
This unscriptural position has caused the light of
the Gospel to be almost entirely Withdrawn from
Jewish circles; has brought muCn scandal TO the
missionary activities of the Church, ana mas been
the occasion OF multiplied sorrows TO the Jewlsn
In studying the Scriptures we must carefully dis
tingulsn between references to national social and
spiritual life. In St Paul We fad a unique
eXl nple OF consistency as ne fufils MS ministry
as a Jew. 10 n IN ana a Christian In & his iQyalty
rlght nor underValue MS position as a 1ree porn
Roman, but used them TO the glory of God and in
Great misunderstanding has arisen because the
relation OF the Aprandmlf 10 M the Mosaic e9Vsnaat s
gogue. St. Paul dstiactly declares that the
Law which came 43o years after. does not disannul
the covenant of circumcision made with Abraham,
which is the seal OF thf DehteoHsnesS OF faith; III
the Council of Jerusalem, where he had pleaded
to CircumCize Timothy.
With equal truth say that the Sabbath
instituted at creation, and the Passover COM
manded before Israel left Egypt. American Chris
tians not deny the faith when they celebrate In
dependence Day at home and abroad. Scotch
and Irish Christians unfaithful when they observe
st. Andrews St. Patricks Day in America.
Why then, not allow Hebrew Christians OBJ
serve the Passover their ancient national cele
bration, which does not conflict with their OBJ
serving independence Day also? And have not the
Hebrew Christians clear right to celebrate the
Feast of Tabernacles, which festival all Christians
will be compelled to observe In the millennia
as American Christians have observe their
Thanksgiving Day and English Christians their
harvest festivals?
= When missionaries go to the Orient. do not they
become IN national and social customs heather
TO the heather TO gain the heather. even going
far in China to shave their heads
queue. eat with ChODStcAs, and wear the national
wisdom commended by St Paul and become as
Jews the Jews to gain the Jews? This is
question that effects the Church universally and
the Jews nationally; cannot narrow II down to
the financial POLITICAL and municipal interests of
When the Apostle declares that in Christ there
can be neither Jew Greek. bond free. male
female. il is obvious that he more intended
to un-Jew the Jew than he did to unseX tho Gen
tile. Did ne declare himself after his
IAN Israelite'? He writes TO the Roman Chris
tians. Il speak to you that Gentiles." and
salute and thank all the churches OF the Cen
tiles Can the distinction be clearer? The en-
phass OF misunderstanding is upon Jews as Jews
and Gentiles Genliles: not upon Jews Cen
tiles Christians or American citizens: these
titles each has right to proudly claim In the
voca abulary of Church and Synagogue the term
Gentle has been dropped in relation to non-Jewish
Christians MARK LEVY.