The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-11-21
CHRISTTANIZE JEWS.
They should Not ne Compelled 90 Civ
Up Ancient National Customs.

They should NOT he Compelled 10 Give
Up Ancient National Customs.
To THE EDITOR on TEE SuS-SI: win
you allow me through you commns TO give
che following reasons for the great opposi-
ton on the part Of the Jews 20 the missionary
work Of the Christian church,
The Hebrew leaders Of tho primitive
Church. in their mim Understandings Of Gods
plan for the spiritual enlightenment OF the
Gentiles. endea vored TO place uDon them the
yoke OF the Mosaic law. After much con-
tention the Hebrew apostles, at tho Council
OF Jerusalem. removed every unnecessary
burden To-day the GENTLE leaders Of the
Church. with positions reversed, are making
the same mistake in compelling Jews who
have accepted the Messiahship OF Jesus 70
forsake entirely the ancient customs OF Israel.
practically deracializing them.
This unscriptural position has caused the
light Of the Gospel 90 be almost entirely with
drawn from Jewish circles: has brou ght much
scandal to the missionary activities OF thu
Church: and has been the occasion OF multi
Piled sorrows 70 tho Jewish follower Of Jesus
and his kindred. who regard him as a traitor.
In studying the Scriptures we must care
fully distinguish between references to ma
tionRl. social and spiritual Life. In Sc. Paul
We find q unique example Of consistency as
he fulils his ministry as q Jew. . Roman and
a Christian. In his loyalty 30 tho Messiah
he did not despise his Jewish birthrisht nor
undervslue his position a. q freeborn Roman.
but used them to the glory Of God and in the
spiritual interests Of his fellow men.
Great misundersta ndinG has arisen becauss
the relation Of the Abrshamio to the Mosaic
covenant IL not clearly understood In the
church and synagogue. st. Paul distinctly
declares chat the law. which came 430 years
after, does not disa nnul tho covenant Of
circumcision made with Abraham. which is
the seal Of the righteousness Of faith. One
Of the first acts Of the Apostle after he left
the Council OF jerusalem, where he had
pleaded so nobiy for social freedom for the
Gentiles, was TO circumcise Timothy.
With equal truth we can say hat the Sab
bath was instituted at creation and tho
Passover commanded before Israel left
Egypt. American Christians do not deny
the faith when they celebrate Independence
day at home and abroad. nor are Scotch and
Irish Christians unfaithful when they OBJ
serve st. Andrews or St. Patrick's day in
America. Why. then. not allow Hebrew
Christians to observe the Passover as their
ancient national celebration. which does not
conflict with their obser wins independence
day also? And have not the Hebrew Chris
tians as clear a right TO celebrate the Feast
Of Tabernacles, which festival all Christian ms
will be compelled to observe in the millenniaf
age. "a American Christians have TO observe
tnelT ubnkSBlNlng uay anu EukuHu NuIis-
tians their harvest festivals? When mis-
sionaries 20 TO the Orient do not they be-
come in national and social customs as
heather to the heather to gain the heather,
even going so far In China as to sha We their
heads. wear the queue, eat with ~chopsticks
and wear the national costume? Why, then,
not exercise the spiritual wisdom commended
by ~. Paul. and become as Jews 70 the Jews
to gain the Jews? This il a question that
affects the Church universally and the Jews
nationally: We cannot narrow 1t down TO the
financial, political and municipal interests Of
the Jews and Gentiles OF New York.
When the Apostle declares that in Christ
there can be neither Jew nor Greek. bond nor
free. male nor female. IL Is obvious that he
no more intended to unjew The Jew than
he did TO unsex the Gentle. Did he not de-
clare himself. after his conversion, a Hebrew
of the Hebrews" "a jew" an Israelite"?
He writes TO the Roman Christians: Il speak
to you that are Gentles." and salute and
thank all the churches Of the Gentles." Can
the distinction be clearer? The emphasis Of
Misunderstanding Ia upon Jews as Jews and
Gentiles as Gentiles; not upon Jews or Gen.
tiles as Christians or American citizens. These
titles each race has a right to claim proudly.
In the vocabulary OF church and synagogue
the term Gentle has been dropped in relation
20 non-Jewish Christians. MARX LEVY.
NEW YORK, November 20.